JPH10148915A - Device and method of producing film unit with lens - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the exposure of a film caused by the erroneous carrying of a film unit with a lens of a partially fabricated item whose neon tube is lighted, to a darkroom for loading by automatically detecting the presence of the lighting of the neon tube, just before the film is carried to the darkroom for loading. SOLUTION: A first neon tube lighting detecting part, 13 is arranged just before a film loading process 12. When the partially fabricated item in a state where the neon tube is lighted arrives, the state is detected by the first neon tube lighting detecting part, 13. In such a case, the partially fabricated item of the film unit with the lens is inhibited from reaching the film loading process 12, so that this partially fabricated item is automatically transferred to a conveyer for removing 14, to be ejected, based on information of the detection by the detecting part, 13. At this time, it is preferable that a second neon tube lighting detecting part 15 is arranged just after the film loading process 12 as well and when the lighting of the neon tube is detected, the partially fabricated item is ejected from the conveyer for removing 16.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a film unit with a lens having a strobe, and a manufacturing method thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A film unit with a lens is shipped with an unexposed film loaded in advance, so that a film loading step is required. In this film loading step, a dark room is provided so that the film is not exposed to external light, and after loading the film, an exterior member such as a rear cover is attached and the film is shipped in a light-tight state. The process before the film loading process is a process of assembling various mechanical members, but in a film unit with a lens equipped with a strobe,
After the strobe assembling step, there is a strobe inspection step. In the inspection process of the strobe, it is confirmed that the main capacitor is charged by turning on the power switch by operating the operation member, and that the neon tube is turned on (it flashes depending on the circuit configuration of the strobe). A shutter release is performed, and it is visually confirmed that the strobe emits light in synchronization with the opening of the sector.

After the strobe is inspected in this manner, the operating member is operated so that the power switch is turned off, and the semi-finished film unit with lens is placed in a dark room where the film is loaded. Transport. At this time, if you forget to return the operation member of the strobe and the power switch remains on, or if the strobe does not emit light even when the power switch is turned off, the neon tube is lit and transported to the dark room. The exposure of the film.

Therefore, in a conventional manufacturing process of a lens-fitted film unit, an operator visually checks whether or not the neon tube is turned on, and prepares a semi-finished product of the lens-fitted film unit whose neon tube is turned on. The film was not conveyed into a dark room, which is a step of loading the film.

[0005]

Since a large number of thousands to tens of thousands of film units with lenses are produced per day, the above-described inspection method in which the operator visually checks the neon tube by the above-mentioned method is not used. In rare cases, there is a risk that a confirmation error may occur. This mistake was very serious, and as a result,
Even if the lighted semi-finished film unit with lens is transported into a dark room and the film is exposed, there is no way to detect it in a subsequent process. That is, whether or not the film has been exposed cannot be known without developing. Therefore, in order to prevent a film unit with a lens loaded with a partially exposed film from being shipped, it is necessary to collect all suspicious lots.

As described above, in consideration of the fact that relying on a person for such a serious inspection does not allow reliable mass production, the neon lamp is automatically turned on or off without relying on the person. An object of the present invention is to propose a device for manufacturing a film unit with a lens that performs detection, and a method for manufacturing the same.

Further, even a manufacturing apparatus which automatically detects whether or not a neon tube is lit does not always operate normally semipermanently, and may cause a failure or the like. That is, if the state of the neon tube is not detected despite the fact that the neon tube is lit, a serious problem as described above occurs. In particular, if a failure occurs so that the failure can be clearly identified, only a few lots need to be sacrificed yet.However, if the failure occasionally occurs, the exposed film is loaded without anyone noticing. The film unit with the lens will be shipped, which not only inconveniences the user but also impairs the trust of the manufacturer.

In view of the above, in consideration of the failure of the inspection apparatus, a production apparatus and a production method of a film unit with a lens for confirming the operating state of the detection apparatus every time the neon tube is lit is detected. Is also an object of the present invention.

[0009]

The object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for manufacturing a film unit with a lens, which transports a semi-finished film unit with a lens equipped with a strobe into a dark room having a step of loading an unexposed film. Immediately before transporting the semi-finished lens-equipped film unit into the dark room, a first sensor for detecting whether the neon tube in the semi-finished lens-equipped film unit is lit or blinking is arranged. In a manufacturing apparatus for a lens-attached film unit, a dark room having a step of loading an unexposed film, a lens-attached film unit manufacturing apparatus for transporting a semi-finished lens-equipped film unit with a strobe, Immediately before transporting the semi-finished lens-equipped film unit, the semi-finished product A first sensor for detecting whether or not the neon tube in the film unit with a flash is lit or blinking, wherein the first sensor does not detect the lighting or blinking of the neon tube in the semi-finished product lens A first light-emitting element that emits substantially the same amount of light as the neon tube toward the first sensor when the film unit with a lens is moved, wherein a manufacturing apparatus for a film unit with a lens, In a method of manufacturing a film unit with a lens for manufacturing a film unit with a lens by transporting a film unit with a lens and performing sequential assembly and inspection, a step of incorporating a strobe, a step of inspecting at least a state of charge of the strobe, and The first sensor detects whether the strobe neon tube is lit or flashing. And loading the unexposed film in a dark room only when the first sensor detects that the neon tube is not lit or blinking. In the method of manufacturing a film unit with a lens, or a method of manufacturing a film unit with a lens, which transports a semi-finished film unit with a lens and manufactures the film unit with a lens by performing sequential assembly and inspection, a step of incorporating a strobe; A step of inspecting at least the charged state of the strobe; a step of emitting light substantially equivalent to that of the neon tube of the strobe from the light emitting element and receiving the light by the first sensor; and only when there is no abnormality in the first sensor. Detecting by the first sensor whether or not the neon tube of the strobe is lit or blinking;
A step of loading an unexposed film in a dark room only when the first sensor detects that the neon tube is not turned on or off, and a film unit with a lens. Is solved by the manufacturing method of (1).

[0010]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a manufacturing apparatus and a method for manufacturing a film unit with a lens according to the present invention. FIG.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a production line for a film unit with a lens, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a neon tube lighting detector,
3 is a block diagram of the neon tube lighting detection unit, FIG. 4 is a timing chart when the neon tube lighting detection unit has no abnormality and the neon tube is not lit, and FIG. 5 has no abnormality in the neon tube lighting detection unit. FIG. 6 is a timing chart in a case where the neon tube is lit, and FIG.
It is a timing chart when a neon tube is not lit.

In the schematic diagram of the production line shown in FIG. 1, a semi-finished film unit with a lens is transported on a conveyor 11 from left to right in the figure. The previous process on the left side of the figure is the assembly process of various mechanical members,
In a lens-equipped film unit having a strobe, there is a strobe inspection step after the strobe assembling step. In the flash inspection process, the main capacitor is charged by turning on the power switch by operating the operating member by sliding or pressing, etc., and it is confirmed that the neon tube is turned on by charging the main capacitor, and the shutter is turned on. Release the shutter and visually check that the flash fires in sync with the opening of the sector.

Although the neon tube may be turned on and off intermittently depending on the circuit configuration of the strobe, the following description will be made on the neon tube.

After the strobe is inspected in this way, the operation member is operated so that the power switch is turned off, and the film is conveyed to a film loading step 12 in a dark room, which is a step of loading a film. In the film loading step, unexposed film is pulled out from the patrone or cartridge as much as possible, and is wound into a roll in a roll film chamber provided opposite to the patrone chamber with an aperture interposed therebetween. Therefore, a dark room is provided so that an unexposed film is not exposed.

However, as described above, when the power switch is kept on due to forgetting to operate the operation member of the strobe, or when the strobe does not emit light even when the power switch is turned off, the neon tube is turned off. Since the film is conveyed to a dark room in a lit state, an unexposed film is exposed.

In order to prevent such a problem from occurring, a first neon tube lighting detection unit 13, which will be described in detail later, is disposed immediately before the film loading step 12. Then, if a semi-finished product of the film unit with the lens in a state where the neon tube is lit is conveyed, the first neon tube lighting detection unit 13 detects this state. In this case, the semi-finished product of the lens-equipped film unit is loaded into the film loading step 12.
Therefore, based on the detection information of the first neon tube lighting detection unit 13, it is automatically transferred to the elimination conveyor 14 by a known means and discharged. Further, the worker may be warned by a warning display or a warning sound without automatically placing the conveyor 14 on the exclusion conveyor 14, and may be discharged by the worker.

If the neon tube is off, the work is in a normal operation state, and the semi-finished product of the film unit with the lens is transported to the film loading step 12, where the film is loaded.

However, even if the neon tube is turned off, the neon tube may be turned on in the film loading step 12 by charging again due to vibration of the conveyor or electric noise. Since the semi-finished product of such a film unit with a lens has a risk that the film is exposed, it is preferable to dispose the second neon tube lighting detection unit 15 immediately after the film loading step 12. When it is detected that is turned on, the semi-finished product of the film unit with the lens is discharged from the rejection conveyor 16. Of course, a warning may be issued as described above.

Since there are a plurality of stations in the film loading step 12 and a plurality of semi-finished products of the film unit with a lens are contained therein, at this time the All semi-finished products of the film unit will be eliminated.

Next, the neon tube lighting detector shown in FIG. 2 will be described.

In FIG. 1, a semi-finished film unit with lens 1 without a rear cover or the like is transported on a conveyor 11 from left to right. Reference numeral 21 denotes a first sensor, 22 denotes a first light-emitting element, which forms a first neon tube lighting detection unit 13 including a control circuit and the like to be described later, and as shown in FIG. Are located in

When the semi-finished film unit 1 with a lens with the neon tube lit is conveyed, and the neon tube window 2 for emitting light of the neon tube is conveyed to a position facing the first sensor 21, the conveyor 11 Stops. And the first
Sensor 21 receives the light of the neon tube from the neon tube window 2 and detects that the neon tube is lit. Accordingly, such a semi-finished film unit with lens 1 is discharged as described above and is not conveyed to the film loading step 12.

Further, as described above, the second neon tube lighting detecting unit 15 similar to the first neon tube lighting detecting unit 13 is disposed immediately after the film loading step 12, and although not shown, similarly. It has a second sensor and a second light emitting element.

Here, the first light emitting element 22 always emits a light amount substantially equal to that of the neon tube, and is disposed so as to face the first sensor 21. 1 is conveyed and reaches the vicinity of the first sensor 21, the light emitted from the first light emitting element 22 is blocked by the semi-finished film unit with lens 1, and the first sensor 21 receives the light. I will not do it.

On the other hand, the light emitted from the first light emitting element 22 is maintained until the semi-finished film unit with lens 1 is conveyed and the next semi-finished film unit with lens 1 is conveyed. Is received by the first sensor 21.

Therefore, while detecting whether the neon tube of the film unit with lens 1 of the semi-finished product is lit or not, it detects whether or not the first sensor 21 is operating normally. Therefore, the semi-finished film unit with lens 1
That no detection signal is output from the first sensor 21 while the first sensor 21 is being conveyed, it means that the first sensor 21 is damaged or disconnected, and is abnormal.
The conveyor 11 is immediately stopped.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram summarizing the above description. The sensor 31 of the neon tube lighting detection unit 30 is a light emitting element 32 when the semi-finished film unit with lens is moving and there is no obstruction. When the film unit with the lens of the semi-finished product stops and blocks the light of the light emitting element 32, it is detected whether or not the neon tube 33 is turned on. When the control circuit 34 inputs detection information indicating that the neon tube 33 is lit, the control circuit 34 activates the elimination conveyor 35 or causes a warning 36 including a sound and display to be issued.

As the sensor, a light receiving element such as Cds or CCD may be used. In addition, a color sensor for determining the color or a computer for inputting with a video camera and determining the brightness and color is used. The image processing device described above may be used.

Next, the above operation will be described with reference to the timing charts of FIGS.

First, there is no abnormality in the neon tube lighting detector,
A normal process in which the neon tube is not lit will be described with reference to the timing chart of FIG.

In the state of the work described above, the moving state of the film unit with the lens of the semi-finished product conveyed by the conveyor is shown as one cycle from the start of the movement to the stop, and immediately before the start of the movement again. Since the light emitting element always emits light, it has an ON diagram. When the semi-finished film unit with a lens is moving, the sensor receives light from the light emitting device, so that the ON diagram is shown. Has become
When the semi-finished film unit with lens approaches the sensor and stops, the light of the light emitting element is blocked by the semi-finished film unit with lens and the neon tube is not lit, so the sensor is off line. It is in the figure.

In accordance with a designation from the control circuit 34, it is checked whether the neon tube is lit at a predetermined timing indicated when the semi-finished film unit with lens is stopped. At this time, if the sensor detects that the neon tube is not lit, and is OFF, the sensor outputs an ON signal indicating that it is normal.

If the sensor is damaged or disconnected, the sensor cannot be detected even if the neon tube is lit, and the sensor is conveyed to the above-mentioned film loading step. In order to prevent this problem, the sensor is checked at a predetermined timing shown below. If an ON signal indicating normal operation is output at, the sensor determines that operation is normal and outputs an ON signal.

Next, there is no abnormality in the neon tube lighting detector,
The step in which the neon tube is lit will be described with reference to the timing chart of FIG.

Are the same as those described above, and will not be described. When a semi-finished film unit with a lens with a lit neon tube is being transported and moving, the same sensor as described above receives light from the light-emitting element, so the ON diagram is shown. When the lens-equipped film unit approaches the sensor, the light of the light emitting element is blocked by the semi-finished lens-equipped film unit, and the light of the lit neon tube cannot be received by the sensor yet.
It becomes a diagram of FF. When the semi-finished film unit with lens is stopped, the light of the light emitting element is blocked, but the sensor receives the light of the neon tube, so that the ON diagram is again turned on.

Here, the light receiving state of the sensor is detected at the same timing as described above, and if it is ON, an abnormal signal is output, that is, an OFF signal indicating that the neon tube is lit is output.

In this timing chart,
As described above, since there is no abnormality in the sensor, when the sensor is determined at the timing, the sensor is determined to be normal and an ON signal is output.

Next, the case where the neon tube is not lit but the neon tube lighting detector has an abnormality will be described with reference to the timing chart of FIG.

Are the same as those described above, and will not be described. In this case, since the sensor itself cannot be detected due to disconnection or the like, it is turned off even when the semi-finished film unit with lens is moving, and turned off irrespective of the lighting of the neon tube.

Accordingly, in terms of form, although is the same as the timing chart of FIG. 4, even when the neon tube is lit, the same result is obtained, and incorrect information is output.

However, if the operation state of the sensor at the check timing is detected, the sensor is OFF, so that it is determined that the sensor is abnormal, and the abnormal OFF is output.

[0042]

According to the apparatus for manufacturing a film unit with a lens according to the first aspect, the neon tube is turned on or off immediately before the semi-finished film unit with a lens is transported to a dark room having a step of loading a film. Since the detection is performed automatically without relying on manual labor as in the past, the film unit with lens of a semi-finished product with the neon tube lit is mistakenly transported to the dark room where the film is loaded, and the film is exposed without knowing it. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of a serious problem such as that

According to the apparatus for manufacturing a film unit with a lens according to the second aspect of the present invention, whether the neon tube is lit is automatically detected immediately after the film is discharged from the dark room.
It is possible to eliminate a semi-finished film unit with a lens in which a strobe is charged in a dark room due to vibration of a conveyor or electric noise and a neon tube is turned on.

According to the apparatus for manufacturing a film unit with a lens according to the third aspect, immediately before the semi-finished film unit with a lens is conveyed to a dark room having a step of loading a film, it is detected whether or not the neon tube is lit. Since it is performed automatically without relying on manual labor as in the past, a film unit with a lens of a semi-finished product with a neon tube lit is mistakenly transported to a dark room where the film is loaded, and the film is exposed without knowing it. A serious problem can be prevented from occurring, and the first time the neon tube is turned on / off is detected.
Since the operation status of the sensor is also confirmed, it is not erroneously detected that the neon tube is not lit even though the neon tube is lit due to the failure of the first sensor or the like.

According to the apparatus for manufacturing a film unit with a lens according to the fourth aspect, the presence or absence of lighting of the neon tube is automatically detected immediately after the film is discharged from the dark room.
It is possible to eliminate the semi-finished film unit with a lens in which the strobe is charged in the dark room due to the vibration of the conveyor or electric noise and the neon tube lights up, and every time the neon tube lighting is detected, Since the operation status of the sensor is also confirmed, it is not erroneously detected that the neon tube is lit even though the neon tube is lit due to a failure of the second sensor or the like.

According to the method of manufacturing a film unit with a lens according to claim 5, in a step before the step of loading a film into a semi-finished film unit with a lens in a dark room,
Since the detection of the presence or absence of the lighting of the neon tube is performed automatically without relying on manual operation as in the past, the neon tube is erroneously transported to the process of loading the film into the film unit with the lens of the semi-finished product that is lit, It is possible to prevent a serious problem that the film is exposed without knowing it.

According to the method of manufacturing a film unit with a lens according to claim 6, furthermore, in the process after the film is loaded and discharged, the presence or absence of lighting of the neon tube is automatically detected. It is possible to eliminate a semi-finished film unit with a lens in which a strobe is charged in a dark room due to vibration of a conveyor or electric noise and a neon tube is turned on.

According to the method of manufacturing a film unit with a lens according to claim 7, in a step before the step of loading the film into the semi-finished film unit with a lens in a dark room,
Since the detection of the presence or absence of the lighting of the neon tube is automatically performed without relying on humans as in the past, the semi-finished film unit with the lens with the neon tube lit is mistakenly transported to the process of loading the film, It can prevent serious problems such as exposing the film without knowing it,
In addition, every time the neon tube is turned on or off, the operation status of the first sensor is also checked. Therefore, even if the neon tube is turned on, it is not turned on due to a failure of the first sensor. There is no erroneous judgment.

According to the method for manufacturing a film unit with a lens according to the eighth aspect, furthermore, in the process after the film is loaded and discharged, the presence or absence of lighting of the neon tube is automatically detected. It is possible to eliminate the semi-finished film unit with a lens in which the strobe is charged in the dark room due to the vibration of the conveyor or electric noise and the neon tube lights up, and every time the neon tube lighting is detected, Since the operation status of the sensor is also checked, it is not erroneously determined that the neon tube is not lit even though the neon tube is lit due to a failure of the second sensor or the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a production line for a film unit with a lens.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a neon tube lighting detection unit.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a neon tube lighting detection unit.

FIG. 4 is a timing chart in a case where there is no abnormality in the neon tube lighting detection unit and the neon tube is not turned on.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart in a case where the neon tube lighting detector has no abnormality and the neon tube is lit.

FIG. 6 is a timing chart in a case where there is an abnormality in the neon tube lighting detection unit and the neon tube is not turned on.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Film unit with a lens 2 Neon tube window 11 Conveyor 12 Film loading process 13 First neon tube lighting detecting unit 14, 16 Conveyor for elimination 15 Second neon tube lighting detecting unit 21 First sensor 22 First light emitting element Reference Signs List 30 neon tube lighting detection unit 31 sensor 32 light emitting element 33 neon tube 34 control circuit

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A manufacturing apparatus for a lens-equipped film unit for transporting a semi-finished lens-equipped film unit provided with a strobe to a dark room having a step of loading an unexposed film, wherein the semi-finished lens is placed in the dark room. Manufacturing a film unit with a lens, wherein a first sensor for detecting whether a neon tube in the film unit with a lens of the semi-finished product is lit or blinking is disposed immediately before transporting the film unit with the lens. apparatus. 2. A second sensor for detecting whether the neon tube is lit or flashing immediately after the semi-finished film unit with a lens is discharged from the dark room. An apparatus for manufacturing the film unit with a lens according to claim 1. 3. An apparatus for manufacturing a film unit with a lens for transporting a semi-finished film unit with a strobe provided to a dark room having a step of loading an unexposed film, wherein the lens of the semi-finished product is placed in the dark room. Immediately before transporting a film unit with a lens, a first sensor for detecting whether a neon tube in the film unit with a lens of the semi-finished product is lit or blinking is disposed, and the first sensor is provided for the neon tube. A first light-emitting element that emits, toward the first sensor, an amount of light substantially equal to that of the neon tube when the film unit with a lens of the semi-finished product that does not detect detection of lighting or blinking is moved. For manufacturing a film unit with a lens. 4. A second sensor for detecting whether the neon tube is lit or blinking immediately after the semi-finished film unit with lens of the semi-finished product is discharged from the dark room, A second light emitting element that emits, toward the second sensor, substantially the same amount of light as the neon tube when the semi-finished lens-equipped film unit moves, wherein the sensor does not detect whether the neon tube is turned on or off. The apparatus for manufacturing a film unit with a lens according to claim 3, further comprising: 5. A method of manufacturing a film unit with a lens for manufacturing a film unit with a lens by transporting a semi-finished film unit with a lens, and sequentially assembling and inspecting the film unit. A step of inspecting a state; a step of detecting, by a first sensor, whether or not the neon tube of the strobe is lit or blinking; and a step of detecting that the neon tube is not lit or blinking by the first sensor. A process of loading an unexposed film in a dark room only when the detection is detected, and a step of sequentially disposing the steps. 6. The method according to claim 6, wherein a step of detecting whether the neon tube is turned on or off in the film unit with a lens of the semi-finished product discharged from the step of loading the film by a second sensor is provided. A method for manufacturing a film unit with a lens according to claim 5. 7. A method of manufacturing a film unit with a lens for manufacturing a film unit with a lens by transporting a semi-finished film unit with a lens, and sequentially assembling and inspecting the film unit, a step of incorporating a strobe, and at least charging of the strobe A step of inspecting a state; a step of emitting light substantially equivalent to a neon tube of the strobe from a light emitting element and receiving the light by a first sensor; and only when there is no abnormality in the first sensor, the neon of the strobe is turned on. A step of detecting whether or not the tube is lit or blinking by the first sensor; and only when the first sensor detects that the neon tube is not lit or blinking, unexposed in a dark room. A method of manufacturing a film unit with a lens, comprising: a step of loading a film; 8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of: detecting, by a second sensor, whether the neon tube of the film unit with the lens of the semi-finished product discharged from the step of loading the film is turned on or off. A method for manufacturing a film unit with a lens according to claim 7.