Printer, and digital camera with printer

Abstract

To provide a printer with which it is possible to position a photointerrupter with high accuracy by simple work that outputs a rotation detection signal of a member that rotates in conjunction with transfer of a recording medium, and to suppress an increase in cost, and a digital camera with the printer.SOLUTION: A printer comprises: an encoder plate 71 in which slits are formed in a radial form; a photointerrupter 72 for irradiating the encoder plate 71 with light and receiving the light therefrom, and outputting a rotation detection signal; a fixed slit plate 73 for narrowing the light emitted by the photointerrupter; and a positioning unit for positioning the photointerrupter 72 to the fixed slit plate 73, and including a reference holding unit and a deformable holding unit provided at a position facing the reference holding unit, with the deformable holding unit holding the photointerrupter 72 by being deformed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printer and a digital camera with a built-in printer. [Background technology]

[0002] The printer described in Patent Document 1 records images on instant film. This printer includes a pair of transport rollers, a pair of spreading rollers arranged downstream of the pair of transport rollers in the transport direction and sandwiching the instant film between them to spread developer, a motor that provides rotational drive force to both the transport rollers and the spreading rollers, and a gear train that transmits the motor's rotational drive force to the transport rollers and the spreading rollers, the gear train having a first sub-gear train that transmits the rotational drive force from the motor partway, a second sub-gear train that receives the rotational drive force directly from the first sub-gear train and transmits it to the transport rollers, and a third sub-gear train that receives the rotational drive force directly from the first sub-gear train and transmits it to the spreading rollers.

[0003] The printer described in Patent Document 2 is equipped with an exposure device, the main body of which is equipped with a movably mounted cleaning unit, a motor that drives the cleaning unit, and gears and belts that transmit the driving force of the motor to the cleaning unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-300838 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-290157 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] One embodiment of the technology disclosed herein provides a printer and a digital camera with a printer that can easily and accurately position a photointerrupter that outputs a rotation detection signal of a member that rotates in conjunction with the transport of a recording medium, while suppressing cost increases. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A printer according to one aspect of the disclosed technology includes an encoder plate, a photointerrupter, a fixed slit plate, and a positioning unit. The encoder plate rotates in conjunction with the transport of a recording medium and has radial slits formed thereon. The photointerrupter irradiates and receives light onto the encoder plate and outputs a rotation detection signal. The fixed slit plate narrows the light irradiated by the photointerrupter. The positioning unit positions the photointerrupter relative to the fixed slit plate, and includes a reference holding unit and a deformable holding unit located opposite the reference holding unit, and the deformable holding unit deforms to hold the photointerrupter.

[0007] The photointerrupter is preferably held by being sandwiched between the reference holder and the deformable holder.

[0008] The deformable holding portion is preferably a protrusion that protrudes in the circumferential direction of the encoder plate.

[0009] The amount of protrusion of the deformable holding portion is preferably within the tolerance range of the outer shape of the photointerrupter.

[0010] It is preferable that the positioning portion has an opening for accommodating at least a portion of the photointerrupter, and that the reference holding portion and the deformable holding portion are located inside the opening.

[0011] It is preferable that when the photointerrupter is housed in the opening, the deformable holding portion is pressed by the photointerrupter and deformed.

[0012] It is preferable to provide a fixing member for fixing the photointerrupter positioned by the positioning portion.

[0013] It is preferable that the encoder plate and the case member be provided to hold the positioning portion, and the fixing member be a fastening member that is fastened to the case member.

[0014] It is preferable that a transport roller for transporting the recording medium is provided, and the encoder plate is provided coaxially with the transport roller.

[0015] The recording medium is preferably instant film, and an exposure head is provided for exposing the instant film to record an image.

[0016] In one aspect of the technology disclosed herein, a digital camera with a printer has an instant film recording medium, and is equipped with the above-mentioned printer and an image sensor that captures an image of a subject, and the printer is equipped with an exposure head that exposes the image captured by the image sensor onto the instant film. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a digital camera with a printer. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a central vertical cross-sectional view of the digital camera with a printer. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the digital camera with a printer with the loading lid in the closed position. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an instant film pack. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an instant film pack. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the instant film pack. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an instant film. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a printer unit. [Figure 9]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a printer unit omitting a case member, an exposure head, a rotation detection sensor, and the like. [Figure 10] FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a printer unit. [Figure 13] 1A is a plan view of the encoder plate, and FIG. 1B is a plan view of the photointerrupter. [Figure 14] 3A and 3B are an exploded perspective view of a rotation detection sensor and a perspective view of a cover member; [Figure 15] FIG. [Figure 16] 16 is a cross-sectional view of the cover member taken along line XVI-XVI in FIG. 15. [Figure 17] 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating attachment of a photointerrupter to a cover member. FIG. [Figure 18] 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating dimensions of a reference holding portion and a deformable holding portion in the storage portion. FIG. [Figure 19] 1A is an explanatory diagram illustrating the process of positioning a photointerrupter using a reference holding portion and a deformable holding portion, showing the state before being held by the reference holding portion and the deformable holding portion (A) and after being held by the reference holding portion and the deformable holding portion (B). [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a photointerrupter is incorporated in a conventional printer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] [First embodiment] [Outline of digital camera with printer] 1, a digital camera with a printer 10 of the present invention comprises a camera body 11, an imaging unit 12, and a printer section 13. An imaging window 15 and a release switch 16 are provided on the front of the camera body 11. The imaging window 15 is located in the center of the front of the camera body 11. The imaging window 15 exposes an imaging optical system 19 (see FIG. 2) that constitutes the imaging unit 12.

[0019] The camera body 11 has a vertically long rectangular shape when viewed from the front. The digital camera with printer 10 uses instant film 28 (see FIG. 7) as a sheet-like recording medium. The instant film 28 is, for example, a card-type instant film. However, this is not limiting, and square or wide-format instant film may also be used. The instant film 28 corresponds to the recording medium in the claims.

[0020] 2, the imaging unit 12 is provided with an imaging optical system 19 and an imaging element 20. The imaging element 20 is, for example, a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor, and has a light receiving surface made up of a plurality of pixels (not shown) arranged in a two-dimensional matrix. Each pixel includes a photoelectric conversion element, and performs photoelectric conversion on the subject image formed on the light receiving surface by the imaging optical system 19 to generate an imaging signal.

[0021] The image sensor 20 includes signal processing circuits (none of which are shown) such as a noise reduction circuit, an auto-gain controller, and an A / D conversion circuit. The noise reduction circuit performs noise reduction processing on the image signal. The auto-gain controller amplifies the level of the image signal to an optimum value. The A / D conversion circuit converts the image signal into a digital signal and outputs it from the image sensor 20 to an internal memory (not shown). The output signal from the image sensor 20 is image data (so-called RAW data) with one color signal for each pixel.

[0022] Pressing the release switch 16 activates the image sensor 20, capturing an image of the subject. A film ejection opening 21 is provided on the top surface of the camera body 11. Instant film 28 with printed images is ejected from the film ejection opening 21.

[0023] As shown in Fig. 3, loading lid 22 is attached to the rear side of camera body 11 by hinge portion 22a. Hinge portion 22a supports loading lid 22 so that it can rotate freely between an open position (position shown by the solid line in Fig. 2) and a closed position (position shown by the two-dot chain line in Fig. 2). Note that a locking mechanism and a lock-release mechanism (not shown) are provided between camera body 11 and loading lid 22. The locking mechanism holds loading lid 22 in the closed position, and when the lock-release mechanism is operated, loading lid 22 rotates from the closed position to the open position.

[0024] 4, an instant film pack 24 containing instant film 28 is loaded into the loading chamber 23. The loading lid 22 has a plurality of film pressing portions 22b on its inner surface.

[0025] When an instant film pack 24 is loaded into the loading chamber 23 and the loading lid 22 is in the closed position, the film pressing portions 22b enter the interior of the instant film pack 24 through the opening 32a (see FIG. 7) and press the film pressing plate 27 (see FIG. 7), thereby pressing the instant film 28 inside the instant film pack 24 in the stacking direction.

[0026] A rear display unit 17 and an operation unit 18 are provided on the outer surface of the loading lid 22, i.e., on the rear surface of the camera body 11. The rear display unit 17 is configured from, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) panel or an OLED (Organic Electroluminescent Display). Image data for one frame output from the imaging element 20 is sequentially input to the rear display unit 17 and displayed as a through image.

[0027] Shooting begins when the photographer presses the release switch 16. During shooting, image data is acquired from the image sensor 20. This image data is subjected to known image processing by an image processing unit (not shown) and then compressed. Image processing includes, for example, matrix calculation, demosaic processing, gamma correction, brightness conversion, color difference conversion, and resizing. The processed and compressed image data is recorded in an internal memory (not shown), such as a flash memory, provided within the camera body 11.

[0028] When the menu switch of the operation unit 18 is pressed, an image is reproduced and displayed on the rear display unit 17 based on the image data recorded in the built-in memory. When an image that the photographer wants to print is displayed on the rear display unit 17, the photographer can press the print switch of the operation unit 18, and the printing process by the printer unit 13 will start.

[0029] [Instant film pack composition] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the instant film pack 24 includes a case 26, a film pressure plate 27, a plurality of instant films 28, and a film cover 30.

[0030] As shown in Figure 6, case 26 stores a stack of multiple instant films 28 and one film cover 30. Case 26 is made of a material such as thermoplastic resin or a paper resin made by mixing thermoplastic resin with cellulose. Case 26 is composed of a box-shaped case member 31 and a lid 32 that covers an opening formed on the back side of case member 31.

[0031] The case member 31 has an exposure opening 31a for exposing the instant film 28. In the following description, the surface of the instant film pack 24 where the exposure opening 31a is formed will be referred to as the "front," the surface opposite the "front" will be referred to as the "rear," the surface facing the film ejection opening 21 of the camera body 11 will be referred to as the "top," and the surface opposite the "top" will be referred to as the "bottom." Within the case member 31, a film cover 30 is placed in front of the frontmost instant film 28 that is first loaded into the exposure opening 31a. This allows the film cover 30 to light-tightly close the exposure opening 31a. A notch 31b is provided at the bottom of the exposure opening 31a, into which a well-known claw member 59 (see FIGS. 8 and 9) provided on the camera is inserted. The notch 31b is a linear notch through which the claw member 59 passes when feeding out the instant film 28 or film cover 30. The notch 31 b is connected from the lower part of the exposure opening 31 a to the bottom surface of the case member 31 .

[0032] An outlet 31c is formed on the top surface of the case member 31. The outlet 31c is slit-shaped. The instant films 28 or film covers 30 are fed out of the instant film pack 24 one by one from the outlet 31c by a claw member 59 inserted into the notch 31b of the case member 31.

[0033] A light-shielding seal 31d is attached to the case member 31 so as to block the outlet 31c from the outside. The light-shielding seal 31d is formed in a flexible sheet shape. The light-shielding seal 31d is attached only to one edge of the long side of the outlet 31c so as not to interfere with the instant film 28 or film cover 30 passing through the outlet 31c.

[0034] The lid 32 has a pair of openings 32a, a pair of unit support projections 32b, a pair of crimping pins 32c, and a support piece 32d. The pair of openings 32a are formed at a predetermined distance above and below, and serve as entrances for the film holder 22b provided on the digital camera with printer 10 when the film is loaded into the digital camera with printer 10.

[0035] A pair of unit support protrusions 32b are provided vertically on both side edges of the lid 32, with their central arc-shaped portions projecting toward the exposure opening 31a. The unit support protrusions 32b come into contact with both side edges of the backside of the last layer of instant film 28, pushing the instant film 28 up in an arc-shaped manner with its central portion projecting toward the exposure opening 31a. This prevents a gap from forming between the film cover 30 and the exposure opening 31a.

[0036] The pair of caulking pins 32c are for attaching the film pressure plate 27. The support piece 32d supports the central portion of the last layer of instant film 28 from behind, preventing the central portion of the instant film 28 from bending in a direction that curves toward the lid 32.

[0037] Film pressure plate 27 consists of two sheets 27a and 27b made of elastic synthetic resin. When loading lid 22 is closed, sheet 27a is pressed by multiple film holders 22b and curves convexly toward lid 32. Sheet 27a is formed with opening 27c and a pair of holes 27d. Opening 27c is formed vertically in the center of sheet 27a and is for inserting support piece 32d. A pair of caulking pins 32c are inserted into the pair of holes 27d to attach film pressure plate 27 to lid 32.

[0038] The sheet 27b has an opening 27e and a pair of holes 27f. The opening 27e is formed in the center of the sheet 27a and is for inserting the support piece 32d. A pair of crimping pins 32c are inserted into the pair of holes 27f. The lower end 27h of the sheet 27b is attached to the lower end 27g of the sheet 27a. This prevents the sheet 27a from sagging and prevents light leakage from the pair of openings 32a. Furthermore, when the sheet 27a is elastically bent by the multiple film retaining portions 22b, the sheet 27b pushes up the instant film 28 in a substantially flat state. As a result, the frontmost film cover 30 or the instant film 28 is pressed against the rear side of the front surface of the case member 31.

[0039] [Instant film composition] As shown in Figure 7, instant film 28 is a so-called mono-sheet type film, consisting of a mask sheet 33, a photosensitive sheet 34, a cover sheet 35, a developer pod 36, and a trap section 37. Mask sheet 33 is formed into a sheet shape from a thin synthetic resin and has a screen opening 33a. Photosensitive sheet 34 is provided with a photosensitive layer, a diffuse reflection layer, an image-receiving layer, etc. Cover sheet 35 has an exposure surface 28a that faces exposure head 50, which will be described later.

[0040] The developer pod 36 is formed in a generally bag-like shape and contains developer 38. The developer pod 36 is attached to the end of the photosensitive sheet 34 on the outlet 31c side, and is wrapped by the end of the mask sheet 33. The trap portion 37 is attached to the end of the photosensitive sheet 34 opposite to the outlet 31c side, and is similarly wrapped by the end of the mask sheet 33.

[0041] When printing, the instant film 28 is exposed to printing light by irradiating the photosensitive layer. During development, the developer pod 36 is torn open, and developer 38 is poured into the gap 39 between the photosensitive sheet 34 and the cover sheet 35. The image formed by the exposure of the photosensitive layer is inverted by the diffuse reflection layer and transferred to the image-receiving layer. A positive image thus appears on the image observation surface 40 of the photosensitive sheet 34, which is exposed through the screen opening 33a.

[0042] The film cover 30 is formed in a thin sheet shape and has light-blocking properties and flexibility. When the instant film pack 24 is loaded into the loading chamber 23 and used, the film cover 30 is discharged into the film discharge opening 21 by the spreading roller 54 (see Figures 8 and 9), which will be described later.

[0043] [Printer section configuration] 8 and 9, the printer unit 13 is made up of an exposure head 50, a case member 51 (see FIG. 10), a roller drive mechanism 52, a pair of transport rollers 53, a pair of spreading rollers 54, a spreading control member 55, a leading edge detection switch 56, a rotation detection sensor 57, a cover member 58 (see FIGS. 10 and 12), a claw member 59, a claw member drive mechanism 61, and a control unit 62. The printer unit 13 corresponds to the printer in the claims.

[0044] In Figures 8 and 9, the case member 51 and other components are omitted from the illustration to avoid complication, but in reality, the printer unit 13 is formed by attaching the exposure head 50, roller drive mechanism 52, transport rollers 53, unfolding rollers 54, unfolding control member 55, tip detection switch 56, rotation detection sensor 57, cover member 58, claw member 59, and claw member drive mechanism 61 to the case member 51.

[0045] In the following description, the conveying direction in which the conveying roller 53 conveys the instant film 28 is referred to as the Y direction, the width direction of the instant film 28 perpendicular to the Y direction is referred to as the X direction, and the direction perpendicular to the X and Y directions is referred to as the Z direction.

[0046] As shown in Fig. 10, the case member 51 is formed in a box shape with an open rear side of the camera body 11, and is integrally provided with the loading chamber 23. Fig. 10 shows a state in which an instant film pack 24 is loaded in the loading chamber 23. The case member 51 is formed, for example, from a resin material.

[0047] As described above, the instant film pack 24 is loaded into the loading chamber 23. An image is recorded by the printer unit 13 on the instant film 28 ejected from the instant film pack 24.

[0048] [Configuration of the conveying roller pair and the spreading roller pair] The transport roller 53 and the unfolding roller 54 are journaled on bearings (not shown) provided in the case member 51. The transport roller 53 and the unfolding roller 54 are driven to rotate by a roller drive mechanism 52, and transport the film cover 30 and the instant film 28. The roller drive mechanism 52 includes, for example, a motor serving as a drive source and a drive transmission gear train that transmits the rotational drive force.

[0049] The transport rollers 53 are made up of a capstan roller 65 and a pinch roller 66. The capstan roller 65 and pinch roller 66 are positioned so as to sandwich the transport path of the instant film 28 (see FIG. 8). The capstan roller 65 is made up of a pair of cylindrical gripping roller members 65a, a drive gear 65b, and a rotation shaft 65c that holds the gripping roller members 65a and the drive gear 65b.

[0050] The pinch roller 66 is composed of a roller member 66a, a drive gear 66b, and a rotating shaft 66c. The drive gears 65b, 66b are provided at both ends of the rotating shafts 65c, 66c and mesh with each other. One end of the rotating shaft 65c is connected to a motor via a drive transmission gear train. Therefore, when the motor rotates, the capstan roller 65 and the pinch roller 66 rotate synchronously. The instant film 28 ejected from the instant film pack 24 is transported by the transport roller 53 toward the spreading roller 54.

[0051] The spreading roller 54 is made up of spreading rollers 67 and 68, and is arranged downstream in the transport direction relative to the transport roller 53. The spreading roller 67 is arranged on the side facing the exposure surface 28a of the instant film 28. The spreading roller 68 is arranged on the side facing the image viewing surface 40 of the instant film 28. A motor is connected to one end of the spreading rollers 67 and 68 via a drive transmission gear train. Therefore, when the motor rotates, the spreading rollers 67 and 68 rotate synchronously.

[0052] The spreading rollers 54 grip the entire width of the instant film 28 being conveyed by the conveying rollers 53 and convey it to the film discharge opening 21. The developer pods 36 of the instant film 28 are crushed by being gripped by the spreading rollers 54. This causes the developer to be spread in the gaps 39 (see FIG. 7).

[0053] The transport rollers 53 transport the instant film 28, which has been sent out from the instant film pack 24 by the claw members 59, towards the film outlet 21. The exposure position EP (see FIG. 8), where the exposure head 50 exposes the instant film 28 to printing light, is located between the outlet 31c of the instant film pack 24 and the transport rollers 53. Then, exposure by the exposure head 50 is performed while the film is being transported by the transport rollers 53.

[0054] The control unit 62 controls the exposure of the exposure head 50 based on the image data. Exposure by the exposure head 50 is performed by moving the instant film 28 line by line and sequentially exposing the line images onto the instant film 28. In this way, one frame's worth of image is exposed onto the photosensitive layer of the instant film 28. The instant film 28 is then transported by the transport rollers 53 toward the spreading rollers 54.

[0055] [Configuration of claw member and claw member drive mechanism] When the instant film pack 24 is loaded into the loading chamber 23, the claw member 59 enters the inside of the case 26 and feeds the instant films 28 out of the instant film pack 24 one by one.

[0056] The tip 59a of the claw member 59 is a hook bent in a C-shape (see Figure 8), and this tip 59a engages with and presses the base end of the instant film 28. The claw member 59 is driven to move linearly and rotate by a claw member drive mechanism 61. The claw member drive mechanism 61 is a well-known structure made up of a motor and a drive transmission gear train.

[0057] [Configuration of deployment control members] 8, a development control member 55 is provided between the transport roller 53 and the development roller 54 in the Y direction. The development control member 55 is formed in the shape of a plate extending in the X direction and is fixed to the case member 51. The development control member 55 comes into contact with the image observation surface 40 of the transported instant film 28 and rubs against the image observation surface 40 of the instant film 28, thereby controlling the distribution of the developer developed in the gap 39.

[0058] [Configuration of tip detection switch] The leading edge detection switch 56 is, for example, a mechanical switch, and is located near the deployment control member 55. The leading edge detection switch 56 is turned on when pressed by the leading edge of the instant film 28, and can detect the leading edge of the instant film 28.

[0059] The leading edge detection switch 56 is turned on when pressed by the leading edge of the instant film 28. When the leading edge detection switch 56 is turned on, it outputs a signal to the control unit 62. Upon receiving the signal from the leading edge detection switch 56, the control unit 62 counts the output signals from the rotation detection sensor 57, and then drives the exposure head 50 to begin exposing the image onto the instant film 28.

[0060] [Configuration of rotation detection sensor] 11, the rotation detection sensor 57 has an encoder plate 71, a photointerrupter 72, and a fixed slit plate 73. The encoder plate 71 is disk-shaped and has a plurality of slits 71A arranged radially.

[0061] The encoder plate 71 is provided coaxially with the capstan roller 65, which is one of the transport rollers 53. Specifically, the center of the encoder plate 71 is fixed to the rotation shaft 65c of the capstan roller 65. As a result, when the capstan roller 65 rotates, the encoder plate 71 rotates in conjunction with the transport of the instant film 28.

[0062] As described above, the capstan roller 65 is held by the case member 51, and therefore the encoder plate 71, which is provided integrally with the capstan roller 65, is also supported by the case member 51. The encoder plate 71 is disposed outside the case member 51. In addition, the end 65d (see FIG. 12) of the rotating shaft 65c penetrates the encoder plate 71 and protrudes outside the case member 51.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 12 , the photointerrupter 72 is an optical sensor having a light-emitting unit 72A and a light-receiving unit 72B. The photointerrupter 72 has a U-shaped outer shape, with the light-emitting unit 72A at one end and the light-receiving unit 72B at the other end, and the light-emitting unit 72A and the light-receiving unit 72B facing each other. The light-emitting unit 72A is, for example, a light-emitting diode. The light-receiving unit 72B is, for example, a light-receiving element. The photointerrupter 72 receives light emitted by the light-emitting unit 72A with the light-receiving unit 72B. In this embodiment, an encoder plate 71 and a fixed slit plate 73 are disposed between the light-emitting unit 72A and the light-receiving unit 72B. The fixed slit plate 73 is located on the light-emitting unit 72A side of the encoder plate 71. A light diaphragm slit 73A is formed in the fixed slit plate 73.

[0064] 13(A) and 13(B), the width dimension L21 and the length dimension L22 of the light diaphragm slit 73A of the fixed slit plate 73 are smaller than the width dimension L11 and the length dimension L12 of the slit 71A of the encoder plate 71. As a result, the fixed slit plate 73 narrows the light emitted by the light emitting portion 72A of the photointerrupter 72, and the light receiving portion 72B receives the light whose amount has been narrowed by the fixed slit plate 73. Note that the width direction here refers to the circumferential direction R of the encoder plate 71, and the length direction refers to the radial direction D of the encoder plate 71.

[0065] When slit 71A passes between light-emitting element 72A and light-receiving element 72B, the light emitted by light-emitting element 72A is not blocked and is received by light-receiving element 72B, and photointerrupter 72 outputs an ON signal. On the other hand, when slit 71A does not pass between light-emitting element 72A and light-receiving element 72B, that is, when encoder plate 71 blocks the light emitted by light-emitting element 72A, light-receiving element 72B does not receive the light, and photointerrupter 72 outputs an OFF signal. In this way, photointerrupter 72 can output a rotation detection signal that detects the rotation of encoder plate 71.

[0066] Upon receiving a signal from the leading edge detection switch 56, the control unit 62 counts the rotation detection signals from the photointerrupter 72. When the control unit 62 counts a predetermined number of rotation detection signals, the leading edge of the exposure surface 28a of the instant film 28 reaches the exposure position EP. The control unit 62 then drives the exposure head 50 to begin exposing the image onto the exposure surface 28a. This allows the exposure head 50 to accurately expose the image in accordance with the position of the exposure surface 28a.

[0067] [Cover material configuration] 14, the cover member 58 is attached to the case member 51 and covers the encoder plate 71 disposed outside the case member 51. The cover member 58 has a cover main body 74, fixing portions 75A and 75B, a storage portion 76, and a contact portion 77.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 15, the cover body 74 has a semicircular portion 74A, a rectangular portion 74B, and a fitting hole 74C, and is formed with an outer shape larger than that of the encoder plate 71. The semicircular portion 74A and the rectangular portion 74B are connected. The fitting hole 74C is located at the center of a circle formed when the outer circumferential surface of the semicircular portion 74A is extended. The fitting hole 74C rotatably fits onto the end portion 65d of the rotary shaft 65c protruding from the encoder plate 71 (see FIG. 12). This positions the cover member 58 relative to the encoder plate 71 and the case member 51.

[0069] The fixing portions 75A and 75B are located on both sides of the cover main body 74. The storage portion 76 is formed at one end of the rectangular portion 74B. The abutting portion 77 is located at a position continuous with the storage portion 76. The fixing portions 75A and 75B are fastened to the case member 51 by threading with screw members 78 (see FIG. 14). This attaches the cover member 58 to the case member 51. In other words, the cover member 58 is held by the case member 51.

[0070] Furthermore, screw members 78 are threadedly engaged with fixing portions 75A and 75B, and a pressing member 79 is fastened to them (see FIG. 14). Pressing member 79 is fixed to the outside of cover member 58. Pressing member 79 abuts against end portion 65d of rotation shaft 65c (see FIG. 12). This restricts axial movement of rotation shaft 65c.

[0071] As shown in Figure 16, the storage section 76 has an opening 81 in which at least a portion of the photointerrupter 72 is stored, a groove section 82 in which at least a portion of the fixed slit plate 73 is stored, reference holding sections 83A and 83B (see Figure 15), and deformable holding sections 84A and 84B (see Figure 15).

[0072] The groove 82 is formed to match the thickness of the fixed slit plate 73 and is positioned so that it passes through the opening 81. When the cover member 58 is attached to the case member 51 and the fixed slit plate 73 is stored in the groove 82, the fixed slit plate 73 is positioned parallel to the encoder plate 71 (see FIG. 12).

[0073] The abutment portion 77 is disposed at a position continuous with the groove portion 82. The abutment portion 77 abuts against the fixed slit plate 73 housed in the groove portion 82. This restricts the fixed slit plate 73 from moving in the axial direction A. The axial direction A is the axial direction of the rotation shaft 65c and also the axial direction of the encoder plate 71. The fixed slit plate 73 is threadedly engaged with a screw member 85 (see FIG. 14) and fastened to the cover member 58. In this way, the fixed slit plate 73 is attached to the cover member 58. When attaching the fixed slit plate 73 to the cover member 58, positioning in the radial direction D and the circumferential direction R is also performed.

[0074] As shown in Fig. 17, the opening 81 is formed to match the outer shape of the photointerrupter 72. When the photointerrupter 72 is housed in the opening 81, the light-emitting portion 72A and the light-receiving portion 72B are positioned to sandwich the encoder plate 71 and the fixed slit plate 73 (see Fig. 12). Note that in Figs. 17 to 20, the fixed slit plate 73 is not shown to avoid complication of the drawings.

[0075] The opening 81, the reference holding portions 83A and 83B, and the deformable holding portions 84A and 84B correspond to the "positioning portion" in the claims. This "positioning portion" positions the photointerrupter 72 with respect to the fixed slit plate 73. The reference holding portions 83A and 83B and the deformable holding portions 84A and 84B are located inside the opening 81.

[0076] The opening 81 has an inner tip surface 81A and inner side surfaces 81B and 81C. The inner tip surface 81A is disposed in a position facing the tip surface 72C of the photointerrupter 72. The inner side surfaces 82B and 82C are disposed in positions facing the side surfaces 72D and 72E of the photointerrupter 72.

[0077] The tip surface 72C of the photointerrupter 72 is the side on which the encoder plate 71 and the fixed slit plate 73 are located when the photointerrupter 72 is housed in the opening 81, i.e., the tip surface in the radial direction D. The side surfaces 72D and 72E of the photointerrupter 72 are continuous with the tip surface 72C and are surfaces between which the light-emitting unit 72A and the light-receiving unit 72B are located. In other words, the side surfaces 72D and 72E are surfaces located at different positions in the circumferential direction R relative to the light-emitting unit 72A and the light-receiving unit 72B.

[0078] As shown in FIG. 18, inner side surfaces 81B and 81C of the opening 81 are surfaces parallel to the radial direction D. The reference holders 83A and 83B are provided on the inner side surface 81B. The deformable holders 84A and 84B are provided on the inner side surface 81C. That is, the reference holder 83A and the deformable holder 84A are provided in opposing positions, and the reference holder 83B and the deformable holder 84B are provided in opposing positions. Furthermore, the distance between the reference holder 83A and the deformable holder 84A and the distance between the reference holder 83B and the deformable holder 84B are formed to match the widthwise dimension L31 (see FIG. 17) of the photointerrupter 72 on the side surfaces 72D and 72E. As a result, the photointerrupter 72 is sandwiched and held between the reference holders 83A and 83B and the deformable holders 84A and 84B.

[0079] The deformable holding portions 84A, 84B are protrusions that protrude from the inner side surface 81C in the circumferential direction R. The protrusion amount P (dimension in the circumferential direction R) of the deformable holding portions 84A, 84B is within the outline tolerance range of the photointerrupter 72. Furthermore, the dimension L41 of the deformable holding portions 84A, 84B in the radial direction D is equal to the protrusion amount P. If the outline tolerance range of the photointerrupter 72 is, for example, 0 mm to 0.1 mm, it is preferable that the protrusion amount P of the deformable holding portions 84A, 84B be 0.1 mm or less.

[0080] The reference holding portions 83A, 83B have a dimension L42 in the radial direction D that is longer than the dimension L41 in the radial direction of the deformable holding portions 84A, 84B, and are shaped in a manner sufficient to hold the photointerrupter 72. When the photointerrupter 72 is stored in the opening 81, the deformable holding portions 84A, 84B are pressed and deformed by the photointerrupter 72. As a result, the photointerrupter 72 is held between the reference holding portions 83A, 83B and the deformable holding portions 84A, 84B, and is positioned in the circumferential direction R.

[0081] The photointerrupter 72, which is held and positioned by the reference holding portions 83A, 83B and the deformable holding portions 84A, 84B, is fixed to the case member 51 by a fixing member. In this embodiment, the fixing member that fixes the photointerrupter 72 is a screw member 86 (fastening member) that is fastened to the case member 51.

[0082] [Function of the positioning part] As described above, photointerrupter 72 is sandwiched and held between reference holding portions 83A and 83B and deformable holding portions 84A and 84B. When photointerrupter 72 is housed in opening 81 and held by reference holding portions 83A and 83B and deformable holding portions 84A and 84B, photointerrupter 72 is inserted into opening 81 from the tip surface 72C side.

[0083] 19(A), the deformable holding portions 84A, 84B come into contact with the photointerrupter 72 inserted into the opening 81. The protrusion amount P of the deformable holding portions 84A, 84B is a very small dimension that is within the external tolerance range of the photointerrupter 72, and therefore, they are deformed by the pressure from the photointerrupter 72.

[0084] 19(B), when the photointerrupter 72 is stored in the opening 81, the deformable holding portions 84A and 84B are pressed by the photointerrupter 72 and deform to hold the photointerrupter 72. The photointerrupter 72 is stored in the opening 81 by being pushed to a position where the tip surface 72C abuts against the inner tip surface 81A of the opening 81. This positions the photointerrupter 72 in the radial direction D.

[0085] As described above, the photointerrupter 72 is held between the reference holding portions 83A, 83B and the deformable holding portions 84A, 84B, and is positioned in the circumferential direction R. Since the fixed slit plate 73 is positioned relative to the encoder plate 71, the photointerrupter 72 is positioned relative to the fixed slit plate 73.

[0086] As shown in FIG. 20 , in a conventional printer lacking a reference holder and a deformable holder, the photointerrupter 72 inserted into the opening 81 may be inserted at an angle relative to the radial direction D. Inserting the photointerrupter 72 at an angle results in the photointerrupter 72 being misaligned with respect to the fixed slit plate 73, which can prevent sufficient light from reaching the light diaphragm slit 73A of the fixed slit plate 73. In this case, the light diaphragm slit 73A cannot receive the light from the light receiver 72B, preventing the photointerrupter 72 from outputting a rotation detection signal for the transport roller 53. This necessitates reassembling the photointerrupter 72, resulting in poor yield and increased production costs. Furthermore, narrowing the gap between the photointerrupter 72 and the opening 81 makes insertion into the opening 81 more difficult and time-consuming.

[0087] In contrast, the printer unit 13 of this embodiment is equipped with a positioning unit having reference holders 83A and 83B and deformable holders 84A and 84B, so the photointerrupter 72 is positioned relative to the fixed slit plate 73 without tilting. Therefore, sufficient light from the light-emitting unit 72A reaches the light diaphragm slit 73A of the fixed slit plate 73, and the light whose amount is reduced by the light diaphragm slit 73A is received by the light-receiving unit 72B. This allows the photointerrupter 72 to output a rotation detection signal for the transport roller 53.

[0088] As described above, the photointerrupter 72 can be accurately positioned with respect to the fixed slit plate 73 by the simple operation of inserting the photointerrupter 72 into the opening 81. Furthermore, the yield is improved and cost increases can be suppressed.

[0089] In the above embodiments, mono-sheet instant film is used as an example of a sheet-like recording medium, but this is not a limitation and any other recording medium may be used, such as thermal paper or inkjet paper. If the recording medium is thermal paper, the printer will be a thermal printer, and if the recording medium is inkjet paper, the printer will be an inkjet printer. In addition, in the above embodiments, the present invention is applied to a digital camera with a printer, but this is not a limitation and the present invention may be applied to a printer alone. In addition, in the above embodiments, the present invention is applied to a digital camera with a printer, but this is not a limitation and the present invention may be applied to an analog camera with a printer.

[0090] In the above embodiment, the hardware structure of a processing unit that executes various processes, such as the control unit 62, is various processors as follows: The various processors include a CPU (Central Processing Unit), which is a general-purpose processor that executes software (programs) and functions as various processing units, a GPU (Graphical Processing Unit), a programmable logic device (PLD), which is a processor whose circuit configuration can be changed after manufacturing, such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and a dedicated electric circuit, which is a processor having a circuit configuration designed specifically for executing various processes.

[0091] A single processing unit may be configured with one of these various processors, or may be configured with a combination of two or more processors of the same or different types (e.g., multiple FPGAs, a combination of a CPU and an FPGA, or a combination of a CPU and a GPU). Also, multiple processing units may be configured with a single processor. Examples of multiple processing units configured with a single processor include, first, a configuration in which one processor is configured with a combination of one or more CPUs and software, as typified by client or server computers, and this processor functions as multiple processing units. Second, a configuration in which a processor is used to realize the functions of an entire system including multiple processing units on a single IC (Integrated Circuit) chip, as typified by a System on Chip (SoC). In this way, the various processing units are configured with one or more of the above-mentioned various processors as a hardware structure.

[0092] Furthermore, the hardware structure of these various processors is, more specifically, an electric circuit in the form of a combination of circuit elements such as semiconductor elements. [Explanation of symbols]

[0093] 10. Digital camera with printer 11 Camera body 12 Imaging unit 13 Printer section 15 Imaging window 16 Release switch 17 Rear display 18 Control section 19 Imaging optical system 20 Image sensor 21 Film outlet 22 Loading lid 22a Hinge part 22b Film holder 23 Loading room 24 instant film packs 26 cases 27 Film pressure plate 27a, 27b seats 27c aperture 27d hole 27e aperture 27f hole 27g lower end 27h Lower end 28 Instant Film 28a Exposure surface 30 Film Cover 31 Case material 31a Exposure aperture 31b Notch 31c outlet 31d Light-blocking sticker 32 Lid 32a aperture 32b Unit support protrusion 32c rivet pin 32d support piece 33 Mask Sheet 33a Screen aperture 34 Photosensitive sheet 35 Cover Sheet 36 Developer Pod 37 Trap section 38 Developer 39 Gap 40 Image observation surface 50 exposure heads 51 Case material 52 Roller drive mechanism 53 Conveyor roller 54 Unfolding roller 55 Deployment control member 56 Tip detection switch 57 Rotation detection sensor 58 Cover member 59 Claw member 59a Tip 61 Claw member drive mechanism 62 Control Unit 65 Capstan Roller 65a gripping roller member 65b, 66b drive gear 65c, 66c rotation axis 65d end 66 Pinch roller 66a Roller member 67, 68 Unfolding roller 71 Encoder board 71A Slit 72 Photointerrupter 72A Light emitting part 72B Light receiving section 72C Tip surface 72D, 72E side 73 Fixed slit plate 73A Light Aperture Slit 74 Cover body 74A Semicircular section 74B Rectangular part 74C fitting hole 75A, 75B fixed part 76 Storage area 77 Contact part 78 Screw material 79 Retaining member 81 Opening 81A Inner tip surface 81B, 81C inner side 82 Groove 83A, 83B Reference holding part 84A, 84B Deformable holding part 85 Screw material 86 Screw member A axis direction D Radial direction EP exposure position L11, L12, L21, L22, L31, L41, L42 dimensions P protrusion amount R circumferential direction X, Y, Z directions

Claims

1. an encoder plate that rotates in conjunction with the conveyance of the recording medium and has radial slits; a photointerrupter that irradiates light onto the encoder plate, receives light from the encoder plate, and outputs a rotation detection signal; a fixed slit plate for narrowing the light emitted by the photointerrupter; a positioning unit that positions the photointerrupter with respect to the fixed slit plate, A printer comprising: a reference holding portion; a deformable holding portion provided at a position opposite to said reference holding portion; and a positioning portion at which said deformable holding portion deforms to hold said photointerrupter.

2. 2. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the photointerrupter is held by being sandwiched between the reference holding portion and the deformable holding portion.

3. The printer according to claim 1 , wherein the deformable holding portion is a protrusion that protrudes in a circumferential direction of the encoder plate.

4. 4. The printer according to claim 3, wherein the amount of protrusion of the deformable holding portion is within the tolerance range of the outer shape of the photointerrupter.

5. the positioning portion has an opening for receiving at least a portion of the photointerrupter; The printer according to claim 4 , wherein the reference holder and the deformable holder are located inside the opening.

6. The printer according to claim 5 , wherein the deformable holding portion is pressed by the photointerrupter and deformed when the photointerrupter is housed in the opening.

7. 2. The printer according to claim 1, further comprising a fixing member for fixing the photointerrupter positioned by the positioning portion.

8. a case member for holding the encoder plate and the positioning portion, The printer according to claim 7 , wherein the fixing member is a fastening member that is fastened to the case member.

9. a conveying roller for conveying the recording medium; 2. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the encoder plate is provided coaxially with the transport roller.

10. the recording medium is an instant film, 10. The printer according to claim 1, further comprising an exposure head for exposing the instant film to record an image.

11. the recording medium is an instant film, A printer according to any one of claims 1 to 9; an imaging element for capturing an image of a subject; The printer a digital camera with a printer, which is provided with an exposure head that exposes an image captured by the imaging element onto the instant film;

Images