JP2011017839A - Waterproof camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a waterproof camera where the amount of packing is reduced if only a little and the problems in work and reliability are reduced.SOLUTION: A front cover section for covering the inside of the waterproof camera from the front side and a lens barrel section for holding an imaging lens are formed integrally.

Description

  The present invention relates to a waterproof camera such as an in-vehicle camera, a surveillance camera, a waterproof camera, and an underwater camera.

  From the driver's seat of the car, the front, the rear, and the lower side of the passenger seat are likely to be blind spots. Therefore, a vehicle-mounted camera is known in which a direction that becomes a blind spot is imaged with a digital camera and the image can be visually recognized on a monitor installed in a driver's seat (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  The in-vehicle camera has a waterproof structure so that water droplets do not enter inside even when exposed to rain.

  Surveillance cameras installed outdoors are similarly constructed in a waterproof structure, and images are viewed and recorded on a monitor installed in a surveillance room.

  There are also known cameras that are constructed to be drip-proof so that they can be photographed even when they are exposed to water or rain, and underwater cameras that are completely waterproof so that they can be photographed underwater (for example, patents) Reference 2).

  Thus, in order to make a camera a drip-proof structure or a waterproof structure, a packing made of a rubber O-ring is often mounted in a gap between members that water is likely to enter.

  The O-ring is disposed in the gap between the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the two members and the gap between the abutting surfaces of the two members. When the O-ring is disposed in the gap between the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the two members, the O-ring is in a state where it is pressure-bonded to the outer peripheral surface of one member or a groove formed on the outer peripheral surface by the elasticity of rubber. Installed. Accordingly, when mounting the O-ring on such a member, it is necessary to mount the O-ring with a slightly enlarged inner diameter, and for this purpose, mounting is performed using a jig. The jig is formed in, for example, a rod shape, and one end is formed so as to be disposed in the vicinity of the portion where the O-ring is mounted, and the other end is tapered so that the O-ring can be easily fitted. (For example, refer patent document 3).

  Then, the O-ring is fitted into the jig from the other end, removed from one end, and attached to a predetermined member.

JP 2007-52077 A JP-A-5-11160 JP 2003-39257 A

  Hereinafter, the vehicle-mounted camera, the monitoring camera, the drip-proof camera, and the underwater camera as described above are collectively referred to as a waterproof camera.

  In a waterproof camera, a jig such as that described above must be used to mount the O-ring, and the assembly work is cumbersome, requiring a lot of work and increasing the cost. In addition, the O-ring has fine burrs that occur in the parting line during molding, and water leakage may occur when the O-ring is twisted and attached, so it is necessary to work carefully. Accordingly, a large number of O-rings are used in the waterproof camera, but it is desirable from the viewpoint of workability that the number of O-rings is as small as possible.

  In addition, in the case of in-vehicle cameras and surveillance cameras, adverse conditions such as being frequently exposed to rain, being used in high and low temperature and high humidity environments, and being easily affected by harmful substances such as waste gas. Placed below. Furthermore, in the case of an underwater camera, it is easy to receive a thermoshock such as being left on a hot sand beach and then being brought into the cold water. As a result, the O-ring is deteriorated, and water droplets tend to enter the inside and cause camera failure. Therefore, it is desirable in terms of reliability that the number of O-rings is as small as possible.

  Furthermore, when washing a car, a high-pressure car wash machine may be used. At this time, since high pressure water is sprayed from the front of the in-vehicle camera, the front of the in-vehicle camera is reduced in order to reduce the risk of water leakage. It is desirable to have as few O-rings as possible.

  The above problem is not limited to the O-ring, and the same applies to packing whose cross-sectional shape is not a circle.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and it is difficult to eliminate the number of packings such as O-rings in a waterproof camera. However, the number of packings is reduced as much as possible, and the above-described operational problems are avoided. Another object of the invention is to propose a waterproof camera with reduced reliability problems.

  The above object is achieved by the invention described below.

  1. A waterproof camera, wherein a front cover portion that covers the inside of the waterproof camera from the front and a lens barrel portion that holds an imaging lens are integrally formed.

  2. A front cover portion that covers the inside of the waterproof camera from the front and a predetermined lens constituting the imaging lens are integrally formed, and an arbitrary optical component is mounted around the predetermined lens. Waterproof camera.

  3. 3. The waterproof camera according to 2, wherein the predetermined lens is an intermediate lens positioned in the middle of a front lens positioned closest to the object side and a rear lens positioned closest to the image plane in the imaging lens.

  4). 4. The waterproof camera according to 3, wherein a front cover member including the front cover portion and the intermediate lens holds the front lens.

  5. 5. The waterproof camera according to 3 or 4, wherein the front cover member holds the rear lens.

  6). 3. The waterproof camera according to 2, wherein the predetermined lens is a rear lens located closest to the image plane in the imaging lens.

  7. 7. The waterproof camera according to 6, wherein a front cover member including the front cover portion and the rear lens holds a front lens located closest to the object side.

  8). 8. The waterproof camera according to item 6 or 7, wherein the front cover member holds an intermediate lens positioned between the front lens and the rear lens.

  9. 9. The waterproof camera according to any one of 2 to 8, wherein at least an outer surface of the front cover portion is subjected to a light shielding process.

  According to the waterproof camera of the present invention, it is not necessary to provide a packing between the lens barrel that holds the imaging lens and the front cover as in the prior art, so that operational problems and reliability problems are reduced and costs are reduced. .

It is sectional drawing of the waterproof camera used as the origin of this invention. It is sectional drawing in the waterproof camera of 1st Embodiment. It is sectional drawing in the waterproof camera of 2nd Embodiment. It is sectional drawing in the waterproof camera of 3rd Embodiment. It is sectional drawing in the waterproof camera of 4th Embodiment.

  First, an example of a waterproof camera on which the present invention is based will be described with reference to a cross-sectional view shown in FIG. This waterproof camera is suitable for an in-vehicle camera or a surveillance camera used outdoors.

  First, the lens unit 1 built in the waterproof camera will be described. The lens unit 1 mainly includes an imaging lens L and an inner barrel 21 that holds the imaging lens L.

  The imaging lens L includes a first lens L1, a second lens L2, and a third lens L3 from the subject side. The first lens L1, the second lens L2, and the third lens L3 are held by the inner barrel 21.

  A light shielding plate 22 is fixed to the inner lens barrel 21 behind the first lens L1 to shield unnecessary light and hold the second lens L2 on the inner lens barrel 21. The inner barrel 21 also serves as an aperture. A light shielding plate 23 is disposed behind the second lens L2 and joined to the inner barrel 21. A light shielding plate 24 is joined to the inner lens barrel 21 with an adhesive S behind the third lens L3 to shield unnecessary light and hold the third lens L3 on the inner lens barrel 21.

  In the present specification, the front, front, and front are the object side (subject side), and the back, rear, and rear are the opposite image plane side.

  An O-ring 25 is attached to the rear outer peripheral surface of the first lens L1, and since the O-ring 25 is in close contact with the front inner peripheral surface of the inner lens barrel 21, the gap between the first lens L1 and the inner lens barrel 21 is It is configured to be watertight. Therefore, water does not enter the positions of the second lens L2, the third lens L3, and the like.

  A male screw 21 a is screwed on the outer peripheral surface of the inner barrel 21, and the male screw 21 a is screwed with a female screw 31 a screwed on the outer barrel 31 located on the outer peripheral side of the inner barrel 21.

  The printed wiring board 12 is fixed to the rear end surface of the outer barrel 31, and the image pickup device 11 is mounted on the printed wiring board 12. The image sensor 11 is a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) type image sensor or a CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor) type image sensor, and is mounted on the printed wiring board 12. Each wiring of the printed wiring board 12 is connected to an external device located outside the waterproof camera by a cable 13. Although not shown, this connection is made by, for example, a connector provided at the tip of the cable 13 and a receiving connector provided on the printed wiring board 12.

  As described above, when the inner lens barrel 21 is rotated, the inner lens barrel 21 advances and retreats with respect to the outer lens barrel 31 by screwing of the male screw 21a and the female screw 31a. Therefore, the distance between the imaging lens L and the imaging device 11 changes, and the subject image can be appropriately focused on the imaging device 11. That is, focus adjustment can be performed by the male screw 21a and the female screw 31a.

  A unit configured by adding the outer barrel 31, the imaging element 11, the printed wiring board 12, and the like to the lens unit 1 configured as described above is referred to as an imaging unit 10.

  The imaging unit 10 is covered with a front cover 41 and a rear cover 42 from the front and rear.

  A bush 43 made of rubber is attached to the rear cover 42 in a through hole vacated in the center of the rear part. When the rear cover 42 is inserted from the rear of the imaging unit 10, the cable 13 is pulled out from the through hole of the bush 43. Further, the back surface of the printed wiring board 12 is in contact with a ring-shaped elastic member 44 made of rubber adhered to the inner surface of the rear cover 42, and the imaging lens L is pressed in the optical axis direction.

  An O-ring 46 is attached to the front outer peripheral surface of the inner barrel 21, and an O-ring 45 is attached to a long groove formed in a circular shape at the tip of the rear cover 42. Accordingly, since the inner peripheral surface of the front cover 41 inserted from the front and the O-ring 46 are in close contact with each other, the gap between the front cover 41 and the inner barrel 21 is kept in a watertight state. Further, since the rear end portion of the front cover 41 is in close contact with the O-ring 45, the gap between the front cover 41 and the rear cover 42 is maintained in a watertight state, and the imaging unit 10 is in a watertight state.

  Finally, the front cover 41 and the rear cover 42 are joined with an adhesive (not shown) to complete the waterproof camera.

  In the waterproof camera configured as described above, an optical image of a subject is formed on the image sensor 11 by the imaging lens L, and the optical image is photoelectrically converted into an image signal and transmitted to an external device via the cable 13. . The image signal transmitted to the external device is subjected to predetermined image processing. If this waterproof camera is a vehicle-mounted camera, an image formed based on the image signal is visually recognized on a monitor installed in the driver's seat, and if this waterproof camera is a surveillance camera, a similar image is displayed in the monitoring room. Visually record and record on the monitor installed in the.

Here, the O-rings 25, 45, 46 and three O-rings are used in the waterproof camera described above. Therefore, an embodiment in which the number of O-rings is reduced in order to further improve workability and reliability will be described below.
[First Embodiment]
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the waterproof camera according to the first embodiment.

  The imaging lens L10 includes a first lens L11, a second lens L12, and a third lens L13. The first lens L11 (front lens) is located closest to the object side, and the third lens L13 is the rearmost lens. Located on the surface side, the second lens L12 (intermediate lens) is located between the first lens L11 and the third lens L13.

  The front cover member 140 is formed in a shape in which the front cover 41 and the inner barrel 21 in FIG. 1 are integrated, and includes a front cover portion 141 and an inner barrel portion 121. Accordingly, the front cover portion 141 covers the inside of the waterproof camera from the front, and the inner barrel portion 121 holds the first lens L11, the second lens L12, and the third lens L13. Similarly, the inner barrel portion 121 holds the light shielding plate 22, the light shielding plate 23, and the light shielding plate 24 as well. The inner lens barrel 121 also serves as an aperture.

  As in FIG. 1, the gap between the first lens L <b> 11 and the front cover member 140 is formed in a watertight state by the O-ring 25.

  A male screw 121 a screwed on the outer peripheral surface of the inner lens barrel 121 is similarly screwed with a female screw 31 a screwed on the outer lens barrel 31.

  As in FIG. 1, the gap between the end portion of the front cover portion 141 that is opposite to the first lens L11 and the end portion of the rear cover 42 on the first lens L11 side is watertight by an O-ring 45. Configured to state.

  The other members are the same as those in FIG. 1 and are denoted by the same reference numerals in FIG.

  In addition, the imaging lens L10 has a three-lens configuration, but the number of lenses is not limited.

  By constructing the waterproof camera as described above, the O-ring 46 in FIG. 1 is not required, the number of assembling steps is reduced, the reliability is improved, and the assembly cost and the parts cost of the O-ring 46 are not required. Is done. Furthermore, since the front cover part 141 and the inner barrel part 121 are integrated, the assembly cost and the parts cost are reduced in this respect as well. Further, the ring-shaped elastic member 44 is not necessary, and assembly costs and component costs are reduced.

Further, when the waterproof camera is a vehicle-mounted camera, the number of O-rings on the front side (the first lens L11 side) is reduced as compared with FIG. However, the risk of water leakage is reduced.
[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the waterproof camera according to the second embodiment.

  The imaging lens L20 includes a first lens L21, a second lens portion L22, and a third lens L23. The first lens L21 (front lens) is located closest to the object side, and the third lens L23 is the rearmost lens. Located on the image plane side, the second lens portion L22 (intermediate lens) is positioned between the first lens L21 and the third lens L23.

  The front cover member 240 is formed in a shape in which the front cover 41 and the second lens L2 in FIG. 1 are integrated, and includes a front cover portion 241 and a second lens portion L22. Therefore, the front cover member 240 holds the first lens L21 and covers the inside of the waterproof camera from the front. Further, the inner peripheral surface of the inner lens barrel 221 is fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the second lens portion L22, and the second lens portion L22 carries the inner lens barrel 221. The plate 23 and the light shielding plate 24 are held. The inner barrel 221 also serves as an aperture.

  As in FIG. 1, the gap between the first lens L <b> 21 and the front cover member 240 is formed in a watertight state by the O-ring 25.

  Further, a male screw 221 a screwed on the outer peripheral surface of the inner lens barrel 221 is screwed with a female screw 31 a similarly screwed on the outer lens barrel 31.

  As in FIG. 1, the gap between the end portion of the front cover portion 241 located on the opposite side of the first lens L 21 and the end portion of the rear cover 42 on the first lens L 21 side is watertight by an O-ring 45. Configured to state.

  The other members are the same as those in FIG. 1 and are denoted by the same reference numerals in FIG.

  Here, since the second lens portion L22 is integrally formed on the front cover member 240, it is molded from a transparent resin such as acrylic or polycarbonate, and the front cover portion 241 is also transparent. For this reason, external unnecessary light may not only reach the second lens portion L22 but also enter the third lens L23 and the image sensor 11. In order to prevent this, it is desirable that at least the outer surface of the front cover portion 241 be light-shielded by painting, printing, or in-mold molding of an opaque sheet.

  In addition, arbitrary optical components in the claims correspond to the first lens L21, the inner lens barrel 221, the third lens L23, the light shielding plate 23, and the light shielding plate 24.

  In addition, although the imaging lens L20 has a three-lens configuration, the lens configuration is not limited, and the first lens L21 and the third lens L23 may be configured by a plurality of lenses.

  By constructing the waterproof camera as described above, the O-ring 46 in FIG. 1 is not required, the number of assembling steps is reduced, the reliability is improved, and the assembly cost and the parts cost of the O-ring 46 are not required. Is done. Furthermore, since the front cover portion 241 and the second lens portion L22 are integrated, the assembly cost and the component cost are reduced in this respect as well. Further, the ring-shaped elastic member 44 is not necessary, and assembly costs and component costs are reduced.

Further, when the waterproof camera is a vehicle-mounted camera, the number of O-rings on the front side (the first lens L21 side) is reduced as compared with FIG. However, the risk of water leakage is reduced.
[Third Embodiment]
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the waterproof camera according to the third embodiment.

  The imaging lens L30 includes a first lens L31, a second lens L32, and a third lens portion L33. The first lens L31 (front lens) is located closest to the object side, and the third lens portion L33 (rear lens). The second lens L32 (intermediate lens) is located closest to the image plane side, and is located between the first lens L31 and the third lens portion L33.

  The front cover member 340 is formed in a shape in which the front cover 41, the inner lens barrel 21, and the third lens L3 in FIG. 1 are integrated, and includes the front cover portion 341, the inner lens barrel portion 321 and the third lens portion L33. Become. Therefore, the front cover member 340 holds the first lens L31 and covers the inside of the waterproof camera from the front. The inner barrel portion 321 holds the second lens L32 and also holds a fixed diaphragm member 262 to which the light shielding plate 23 is bonded. A light shielding plate 24 is attached around the third lens portion L33.

  As in FIG. 1, the gap between the first lens L <b> 31 and the front cover member 340 is formed in a watertight state by the O-ring 25.

  Further, a male screw 321 a screwed on the outer peripheral surface of the inner lens barrel 321 is screwed with a female screw 31 a similarly screwed on the outer lens barrel 31.

  As in FIG. 1, the gap between the end of the front cover 341 opposite to the first lens L31 and the end of the rear cover 42 on the first lens L31 side is made watertight by an O-ring 45. Configured to state.

  The other members are the same as those in FIG. 1 and are denoted by the same reference numerals in FIG.

  Here, since the third lens portion L33 is formed integrally with the front cover member 340, it is molded from a transparent resin such as acrylic or polycarbonate, and the front cover portion 341 and the inner barrel portion 321 are also transparent. Become. For this reason, there is a possibility that unnecessary external light not only reaches the third lens portion L33 but also passes through the inner lens barrel portion 321 and enters the second lens L32 and the imaging device 11. In order to prevent this, at least the outer surface of the front cover portion 341 is desirably subjected to light shielding treatment by painting, printing, in-mold molding of an opaque sheet, or the like.

  In addition, arbitrary optical components in the claims correspond to the first lens L31, the second lens L32, the diaphragm member 262, the light shielding plate 22, the light shielding plate 23, and the light shielding plate 24.

  In addition, although the imaging lens L30 has a three-lens configuration, the lens configuration is not limited, and the first lens L31 and the second lens L32 may be configured by a plurality of lenses, or the first lens. A two-lens configuration of L31 and the third lens portion L33 may be used.

  By constructing the waterproof camera as described above, the O-ring 46 in FIG. 1 is not required, the number of assembling steps is reduced, the reliability is improved, and the assembly cost and the parts cost of the O-ring 46 are not required. Is done. Furthermore, since the front cover part 341, the inner lens barrel part 321 and the third lens part L33 are integrated, the assembly cost and the part cost are reduced in this respect as well.

Further, when the waterproof camera is a vehicle-mounted camera, the number of O-rings on the front side (the first lens L31 side) is reduced as compared with FIG. However, the risk of water leakage is reduced.
[Fourth Embodiment]
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the waterproof camera according to the fourth embodiment.

  This embodiment is similar to the third embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, the front cover member 440 includes a front cover portion 441, an inner lens barrel portion 421, and a third lens portion L43.

  However, no male screw is screwed into the inner lens barrel portion 421, and the outer lens barrel 31 is not disposed. Instead, a cylindrical portion 421a extending from the inner barrel portion 421 is provided, and the printed wiring board 12 is fixed to the rear end portion thereof. Since the first lens L41 and the second lens L42 constituting the imaging lens L40 are held by the inner lens barrel portion 421, and the third lens L42 is integrated with the inner lens barrel portion 421, the printed wiring board is formed by the cylinder portion 421a. The position of the imaging lens L40 with respect to 12 is determined.

  Note that the first to third embodiments can also be configured as in the fourth embodiment.

  In addition, the first to fourth embodiments are suitable for a vehicle-mounted camera and a surveillance camera, but can be applied to a drip-proof camera and a waterproof camera with the same basic configuration.

L, L10, L20, L30, L40 Imaging lens L1, L11, L21, L31, L41 First lens L2, L12, L32, L42 Second lens L22 Second lens part L3, L13, L23 Third lens L33, L43 First 3 lens portion 11 image pickup device 12 printed wiring board 21, 221 inner barrel 25, 45, 46 O-ring 31 outer barrel 41 front cover 42 rear cover 121, 321, 421 inner barrel portion 140, 240, 340, 440 front Cover member 141, 241, 341, 441 Front cover

Claims (9)

  A waterproof camera, wherein a front cover portion that covers the inside of the waterproof camera from the front and a lens barrel portion that holds an imaging lens are integrally formed.   A front cover portion that covers the inside of the waterproof camera from the front and a predetermined lens constituting the imaging lens are integrally formed, and an arbitrary optical component is mounted around the predetermined lens. Waterproof camera.   3. The waterproof camera according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined lens is an intermediate lens positioned in the middle of a front lens positioned closest to the object side and a rear lens positioned closest to the image plane in the imaging lens. .   The waterproof camera according to claim 3, wherein a front cover member including the front cover portion and the intermediate lens holds the front lens.   The waterproof camera according to claim 3, wherein the front cover member holds the rear lens.   The waterproof camera according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined lens is a rear lens located closest to the image plane in the imaging lens.   The waterproof camera according to claim 6, wherein a front cover member including the front cover portion and the rear lens holds a front lens located closest to the object side.   The waterproof camera according to claim 6, wherein the front cover member holds an intermediate lens positioned between the front lens and the rear lens.   The waterproof camera according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein at least an outer surface of the front cover part is subjected to a light shielding process.

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