JP2008046169A - Lens unit - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lens unit, provided with a plurality of lenses without problems regarding the deviations of the optical axes of a plurality of the lenses, the infiltrating of water from an opening formed at a storage case can be blocked by one sealing part, and which can cope with various user specifications. <P>SOLUTION: In the lens unit 20 comprising lenses 21 to 24 stored in a storage case 30 formed with an opening 30a into which the lens 21 on the side closest to an object is inserted, the lens 21 comprises a collar part 21b for blocking the infiltrating of water from the opening 30a into the storage case 30 by an O-ring 40, provided in a gap with the storage case 30: and an edge part 21a indirectly supporting the lenses 22 to 24 via lens barrel parts 25. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a lens unit used in an imaging device that images a subject.

  As a conventional imaging device, an imaging unit having a plurality of lenses, a case in which an opening into which a lens closest to the subject is inserted is formed, and a waterproofing covering a gap between the imaging unit and the case An imaging device including an O-ring is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  However, in the imaging device described in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to provide not only an O-ring that covers the gap between the imaging unit and the case but also an O-ring inside the imaging unit for waterproofing the imaging unit itself. That is, the imaging apparatus described in Patent Document 1 requires two waterproof structures.

An image pickup apparatus that requires only one waterproof structure includes a waterproof case housing a plurality of lenses and a CCD image sensor, a meniscus concave lens that closes an opening formed on the front surface of the waterproof case, and a gap between the waterproof case and the meniscus concave lens. There is known a waterproof camera including an ultraviolet curable resin for covering (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
JP 2004-295119 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-62694

  However, in the waterproof camera described in Patent Document 2, the two meniscus concave lenses are fixed to the waterproof case so as to close the opening of the waterproof case, but are the other lenses fixed to the waterproof case? It's not clear. For example, if all the other lenses are fixed to the support member and indirectly fixed to the waterproof case, the optical performance of the two meniscus concave lenses and the other lenses is shifted and the optical performance is reduced. There is a problem of lowering.

  In addition, for example, if all of the other plural lenses are directly fixed to the waterproof case, there is no problem of optical axis misalignment, but the lens unit cannot be handled as the lens unit as in the cited document 1. As a result, there is a problem that the yield of the final product is lowered. In addition, since the waterproof case is essential, the delivery form is limited, and there is a problem that it is not possible for a user who does not need a waterproof case.

  In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a lens unit having a plurality of lenses, which has no problem of optical axis misalignment of the plurality of lenses, and prevents water or dust from entering from one opening formed in the storage case. It is an object of the present invention to provide a lens unit that can be blocked by a seal portion and can cope with various user specifications.

  The lens unit of the present invention has a plurality of lenses, and is a lens unit that is housed in a housing case in which an opening into which the lens closest to the subject is inserted is formed among the plurality of lenses. A seal member that prevents a water or dust from entering the storage case from the opening by a seal member provided in a gap between the storage case and a lens other than the lens closest to the subject among the plurality of lenses. And a support portion that supports the lens directly or indirectly through a support member.

  With this configuration, the lens unit of the present invention has no problem of optical axis misalignment of a plurality of lenses, and can prevent water or dust from entering from an opening formed in the storage case by one seal portion. It can correspond to various user specifications.

  Moreover, it is preferable that a plurality of lenses other than the lens closest to the subject among the plurality of lenses of the lens unit of the present invention are supported by the support member and indirectly supported by the support portion.

  With this configuration, the lens unit of the present invention can easily fix a plurality of lenses to the storage case.

  In the lens unit of the present invention, the lens closest to the subject has a cylindrical end on the side opposite to the subject, and the support member is an inner wall provided on the inner peripheral side of the end. And an outer wall provided on the outer peripheral side of the end portion, and at least one of the inner wall and the outer wall is preferably engaged with the end portion in a press-fit relationship.

  With this configuration, the lens unit of the present invention has a structure in which the support member does not have at least one of the inner wall and the outer wall, and passes between the lens on the most object side and the support member and passes from the outside to the inside. Since the distance until water intrudes is long, when water enters from the outside between the lens on the most object side and the support member, it passes through the space between the lens on the most object side and the support member and enters the inside. Ingress of water can be suppressed.

  The lens on the most object side of the lens unit according to the present invention has a flange that extends in a direction away from the optical axis, and the seal member is a gap in the optical axis direction between the storage case and the flange. It is preferable to arrange | position.

  With this configuration, the lens unit of the present invention can suppress the lens in the most subject side from receiving a force in a direction substantially orthogonal to the optical axis direction from the seal member. Since deformation in the vicinity can be suppressed, a decrease in optical performance due to waterproofing can be suppressed.

  In addition, it is preferable that the support member of the lens unit of the present invention has a connecting portion that connects the inner wall and the outer wall, and the end portion of the lens closest to the subject contacts the connecting portion. .

  With this configuration, the lens unit of the present invention allows the lens on the most object side and the support member to be highly accurate in the optical axis direction by contacting the end of the lens on the most object side with the connecting portion of the support member. Can be positioned. Further, the lens unit of the present invention allows water to pass through between the lens on the most object side and the support member when water enters from the outside between the lens on the most object side and the support member. Intrusion can be suppressed by the contact between the end of the lens closest to the subject and the connecting portion of the support member.

  According to the present invention, in a lens unit having a plurality of lenses, there is no problem of optical axis misalignment of the plurality of lenses, and entry of water or dust from the opening formed in the storage case is prevented by one seal portion. It is possible to provide a lens unit that can cope with various user specifications.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
First, the configuration of the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the imaging apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment is formed with a lens unit 20 having lenses 21 to 24 and an opening 30a into which the lens 21 closest to the subject among the lenses 21 to 24 is inserted. A storage case 30 that covers the lens unit 20, an O-ring 40 that serves as a seal member that covers the gap between the lens 21 and the storage case 30, an image sensor 60 that converts light that has passed through the lenses 21 to 24 into an electrical signal, and imaging A holder 70 that is integrated with the element 60 via a member (not shown) and that fixes the imaging element 60 to the lenses 21 to 24, and a plurality of bolts 55 that fix the holder 70 to the storage case 30. For example, waterproof cameras installed in automobiles, waterproof cameras in the home security field such as security cameras, and cameras used for mobile phones, personal computers, etc. Used as La.

  The lens unit 20 includes a lens barrel portion 25 as a support member that supports the lenses 21 to 24 and is fixed to the storage case 30 by a holder 70.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the lens 21 has a cylindrical end 21a on the side opposite to the subject side. Further, the lens 21 has a flange portion 21b that extends in a direction away from the optical axis 10a at the end portion 21a. In addition, a gap 10 b is formed between the lens 21 and the opening 30 a of the storage case 30.

  The lens barrel 25 includes an inner wall 25a provided on the inner peripheral side of the end 21a of the lens 21, an outer wall 25b provided on the outer peripheral side of the end 21a of the lens 21, and a connection that connects the inner wall 25a and the outer wall 25b. It has a portion 25c and a screw portion 25d (see FIG. 1) provided on the outer periphery of the portion opposite to the subject side. The inner wall 25a fixes the lens 22 by subjecting the tip 25e on the subject side to caulking. The outer wall 25b is engaged with the end portion 21a of the lens 21 in a press-fitting relationship, and the lens 21 is fixed by caulking to the distal end portion 25f on the subject side. The connecting portion 25 c is in contact with the end portion 21 a of the lens 21. That is, the end portion 21 a of the lens 21 constitutes a support portion that indirectly supports the lenses 22 to 24 via the lens barrel portion 25.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the storage case 30 has an opening 30b on the side opposite to the subject side.

  The O-ring 40 is disposed in the gap in the optical axis direction indicated by the arrow 10 c between the storage case 30 and the flange portion 21 b of the lens 21. That is, the flange portion 21 b of the lens 21 constitutes a seal portion that prevents water from entering the storage case 30 from the opening 30 a by an O-ring 40 provided in a gap with the storage case 30.

  The holder 70 has a screw hole portion 70a fitted in the screw portion 25d of the lens unit 20 at the center.

  The plurality of bolts 55 are configured to fix the holder 70 to the storage case 30 as described above.

  Next, the assembly of the imaging device 10 will be described.

  First, the holder 70 is fixed to the lens unit 20 by being fitted to the screw portion 25d of the lens unit 20 through the screw hole portion 70a. When the image sensor 60 is attached to the holder 70, focus adjustment with the lenses 22 to 24 is performed.

  Next, the lens unit 20 engaged with the O-ring 40 is inserted into the storage case 30 from the opening 30 b of the storage case 30, and the tip of the lens 21 passes through the opening 30 a of the storage case 30. Jump out. At this time, the O-ring 40 is disposed in the gap between the lens 21 and the storage case 30.

  The holder 70 is fixed to the storage case 30 with the bolt 55 in a state where the lens unit 20 is pushed toward the subject.

  As described above, the imaging apparatus 10 can waterproof the lens unit 20 and the storage case 30 with one O-ring 40. Moreover, since the imaging device 10 can improve the positional accuracy of the lenses 21 to 24 with the lens unit 20 as compared with the related art, it can suppress a decrease in optical performance due to waterproofing. That is, in the lens unit 20, since all the lenses 21 to 24 are fixed to the lens barrel portion 25, there is no problem of optical axis misalignment of the lenses 21 to 24, and water from the opening 30 b formed in the storage case 30. The intrusion can be prevented by one seal portion, and various user specifications can be accommodated.

  Further, in the lens unit 20, since the gap 10b is formed between the opening 30a of the storage case 30 and the lens 21, the lens 21 stores a force in a direction substantially orthogonal to the optical axis direction indicated by the arrow 10c. It can suppress receiving from case 30, and can suppress a deformation | transformation of the direction substantially orthogonal to the optical axis direction of the lens 21. FIG. Therefore, the lens unit 20 can suppress a decrease in optical performance.

  In the lens unit 20, the O-ring 40 is disposed in the gap in the optical axis direction indicated by the arrow 10 c between the storage case 30 and the flange portion 21 b of the lens 21, so that it is substantially orthogonal to the optical axis direction indicated by the arrow 10 c. The lens 21 can be prevented from receiving a force in the direction from the O-ring 40, and deformation in a direction substantially orthogonal to the optical axis direction of the lens 21 can be suppressed. Therefore, the lens unit 20 can suppress a decrease in optical performance due to waterproofing.

  Further, in the lens unit 20, compared with a configuration in which the lens barrel portion 25 does not have at least one of an inner wall and an outer wall, water penetrates from the outside through the lens 21 and the lens barrel portion 25. Since the distance until the lens is long, even if water enters between the lens 21 and the lens barrel 25 from the outside, the water easily passes through the lens 21 and the lens barrel 25. Infiltration can be suppressed.

  Further, the lens unit 20 is configured such that when water enters between the lens 21 and the lens barrel portion 25 from the outside, the lens unit 20 passes between the lens 21 and the lens barrel portion 25 so that water enters the inside. This can be suppressed by contact between the end portion 21 a of the lens 21 and the connecting portion 25 c of the lens barrel portion 25.

  In the lens unit 20, the lens barrel 25 is caulked to the tip 25 f of the outer wall 25 b to fix the lens 21, so that the lens unit 25 passes between the lens 21 and the outer wall 25 b of the lens barrel 25. Thus, water can be prevented from entering the lens 22 side from the O-ring 40 side. Further, in the lens unit 20, the lens barrel portion 25 is crimped to the tip portion 25 e of the inner wall 25 a to fix the lens 22, so that the lens unit 20 passes between the lens 22 and the inner wall 25 a of the lens barrel portion 25. Thus, it is possible to prevent water from entering from the lens 21 side to the lens 23 side.

  The crimping of the tip 25f of the outer wall 25b of the lens barrel 25 is a process in which the flange 21b of the lens 21 receives the force in the optical axis direction indicated by the arrow 10c from the tip 25f of the outer wall 25b of the lens barrel 25. Therefore, the lens 21 can be prevented from receiving a force in a direction substantially orthogonal to the optical axis direction indicated by the arrow 10c from the lens barrel portion 25, and deformation in a direction substantially orthogonal to the optical axis direction of the lens 21 can be prevented. Can be suppressed. Similarly, the crimping of the tip 25e of the inner wall 25a of the lens barrel 25 is a process in which the lens 22 receives the force in the optical axis direction indicated by the arrow 10c from the tip 25e of the inner wall 25a of the lens barrel 25. The lens 22 can be prevented from receiving a force in a direction substantially orthogonal to the optical axis direction indicated by the arrow 10c from the lens barrel portion 25, and deformation in a direction substantially orthogonal to the optical axis direction of the lens 22 can be suppressed. it can. Therefore, the lens unit 20 can suppress a decrease in optical performance due to waterproofing.

  In addition, the lens unit 20 has a high accuracy in the optical axis direction indicated by the arrow 10c by contacting the lens 21 and the lens barrel 25 with the end 21a of the lens 21 and the connecting portion 25c of the lens barrel 25. Can be positioned.

  In the lens unit 20, the lenses 21 to 24 are fixed to the lens barrel portion 25, so that the lenses 21 to 24 can be easily fixed to the storage case 30.

  In the lens unit 20, the outer wall 25 b of the lens barrel portion 25 is engaged with the end portion 21 a of the lens 21 in a press-fit relationship, but the inner wall 25 a of the lens barrel portion 25 is in a press-fit relationship with the end portion 21 a of the lens 21. It may be engaged.

  In the lens unit 20, the lenses 21 and 22 are fixed to the lens barrel 25 by caulking, but the lenses 21 and 22 are fixed to the lens barrel 25 by means other than caulking. Also good.

  Moreover, although the imaging device 10 has the O-ring 40 as a sealing member, it may have a member other than the O-ring as the sealing member. For example, the imaging device 10 may have a sealant as a seal member.

  In the imaging apparatus 10, the holder 70 is fixed to the storage case 30 by the bolt 55, but the holder 70 may be fixed to the storage case 30 by means other than the bolt 55. For example, the imaging device 10 may be configured such that the holder 70 is fixed to the storage case 30 with an adhesive.

(Second Embodiment)
First, the configuration of the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described.

  Note that, in the configuration of the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment, the same reference numerals as those of the imaging apparatus 10 are used for the same configuration as that of the imaging apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment (see FIG. 1). The detailed description is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the configuration of the imaging apparatus 110 according to the present embodiment is replaced with a lens unit 20 (see FIG. 1), a storage case 30 (see FIG. 1), and a bolt 55 (see FIG. 1). The lens unit 120 and the storage case 130 are the same as those provided in the imaging apparatus 10 (see FIG. 1) according to the first embodiment.

  The configuration of the lens unit 120 is the same as the configuration in which the lens unit 20 includes the lens barrel portion 125 instead of the lens barrel portion 25 (see FIG. 1).

  The configuration of the lens barrel portion 125 is the same as the configuration in which the lens barrel portion 25 newly includes a screw portion 125a provided on the outer periphery of the outer wall 25b.

  The configuration of the storage case 130 is the same as the configuration in which the storage case 30 is newly provided with a screw hole portion 130 a that fits into the screw portion 125 a of the lens barrel portion 125.

  Next, assembly of the imaging device 110 will be described.

  First, the holder 70 is fitted to the screw portion 25d of the lens unit 120 through the screw hole portion 70a and fixed to the lens unit 120.

  Next, the image sensor 60 is attached to the holder 70, and focus adjustment is performed.

  Then, the lens unit 120 engaged with the O-ring 40 is inserted into the storage case 130 from the opening 30b of the storage case 130, and the lens 21 is fitted to the screw hole portion 130a of the storage case 130 with the screw portion 125a. The tip of the lens 21 jumps out of the storage case 130 from the opening 30a of the storage case 130. At this time, the O-ring 40 is disposed in the gap between the lens 21 and the storage case 130.

(Third embodiment)
First, the configuration of the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described.

  Note that, in the configuration of the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment, the same reference numerals as those of the imaging apparatus 10 are used for the same configuration as that of the imaging apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment (see FIG. 1). The detailed description is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the configuration of the imaging device 210 according to the present embodiment is the same as the imaging device 10 according to the first embodiment (FIG. 1) instead of the lens unit 20 (see FIG. 1). This is the same as the configuration provided in the reference.

  The configuration of the lens unit 220 is the same as the configuration in which the lens unit 20 includes the lens barrel portion 225 instead of the lens barrel portion 25 (see FIG. 1).

  The configuration of the lens barrel portion 225 is the same as the configuration in which the lens barrel portion 25 includes an outer wall 225a surrounding the collar portion 21b of the lens 21 instead of the outer wall 25b.

  The O-ring 40 is disposed in the gap in the optical axis direction indicated by the arrow 10 c between the storage case 30 and the outer wall 225 a of the lens barrel 225, and is in contact with the side wall of the lens 21. That is, the side wall of the lens 21 forms a seal portion that prevents water from entering the storage case 30 from the opening 30 a by an O-ring 40 provided in a gap with the storage case 30.

(Fourth embodiment)
First, the configuration of the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described.

  Note that, in the configuration of the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment, the same reference numerals as those of the imaging apparatus 10 are used for the same configuration as that of the imaging apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment (see FIG. 1). The detailed description is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the configuration of the imaging device 310 according to the present embodiment is the imaging device 10 according to the first embodiment (FIG. 1) instead of the lens unit 20 (see FIG. 1). This is the same as the configuration provided in the reference.

  The configuration of the lens unit 320 is the same as the configuration in which the lens unit 20 includes a lens 321 and a lens barrel 325 instead of the lens 21 (see FIG. 1) and the lens barrel 25 (see FIG. 1).

  The configuration of the lens 321 is the same as the configuration in which the collar portion 21b (see FIG. 1) is removed from the lens 21.

  The configuration of the lens barrel portion 325 is the same as the configuration in which the lens barrel portion 25 includes the outer wall 325a instead of the outer wall 25b.

  The end portion 21a of the lens 321 is fixed to at least one of the inner wall 25a, the connecting portion 25c, and the outer wall 325a of the lens barrel portion 325 by, for example, an adhesive.

  The O-ring 40 is disposed in a gap in the optical axis direction indicated by the arrow 10 c between the storage case 30 and the outer wall 325 a of the lens barrel 325, and is in contact with the side wall of the lens 321. That is, the side wall of the lens 321 forms a seal portion that prevents water from entering the storage case 30 from the opening 30 a by an O-ring 40 provided in a gap with the storage case 30.

  As described above, although the lens unit of the present invention has a single waterproof structure, the dimensions and accuracy required for assembly can be reduced as compared with the conventional embodiments. As shown in FIG. 2, it can be attached to the storage case in various ways.

Side surface sectional drawing of the imaging device which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention Side surface sectional drawing of a part of imaging device shown in FIG. Side surface sectional drawing of the imaging device which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention Side surface sectional drawing of the imaging device which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention Side surface sectional drawing of the imaging device which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention

Explanation of symbols

10 Imaging device 20 Lens unit 21 Lens (lens closest to the subject)
22-24 Lens 21a End part (support part)
21b collar part (seal part)
25 Lens barrel (support member)
25a Inner wall 25b Outer wall 25c Connection part 30 Storage case 30a Opening 40 O-ring (seal member)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 110 Imaging device 120 Lens unit 125 Lens barrel part (support member)
130 Storage Case 210 Imaging Device 220 Lens Unit 310 Imaging Device 320 Lens Unit 321 Lens (lens closest to the subject)
325 Lens barrel (support member)
325a outer wall

Claims (5)

In a lens unit that has a plurality of lenses and is housed in a housing case in which an opening into which a subject-side lens among the plurality of lenses is inserted is formed,
The lens closest to the subject includes a seal portion that prevents a water or dust from entering the storage case from the opening by a seal member provided in a gap with the storage case, and the most lens among the plurality of lenses. And a support unit that supports a lens other than the lens on the subject side directly or indirectly through a support member.   The lens according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of lenses other than the lens closest to the subject among the plurality of lenses are supported by the support member and indirectly supported by the support portion. unit. The most object side lens has a cylindrical end on the side opposite to the object side,
The support member has an inner wall provided on the inner peripheral side of the end portion and an outer wall provided on the outer peripheral side of the end portion, and at least one of the inner wall and the outer wall is press-fitted with the end portion. The lens unit according to claim 1, wherein the lens unit is engaged with the lens unit. The lens closest to the subject has a flange that extends in a direction away from the optical axis,
The lens unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the seal member is disposed in a gap in the optical axis direction between the storage case and the flange portion. The support member has a connecting portion that connects the inner wall and the outer wall;
The lens unit according to claim 3, wherein the end portion of the lens closest to the subject is in contact with the connecting portion.

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