JP2014106387A - Optical unit, imaging device, and moving body - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To maintain high environmental resistance performance in a severe use environment.SOLUTION: An optical unit includes a lens 26, a fixing part 22, and a sealing part. The lens 26 includes a first sealing region 30 on at least one of the periphery and the side of an object-side surface. The fixing part 22 includes a second sealing region 25 for defining a sealing space together with the first sealing region 30. The fixing part 22 fixes the lens 26 into a lens barrel from the surface in an object-side direction. The sealing part is interposed in the sealing space. The sealing part is closely contacted with the first sealing region 30 and the second sealing region 25. The sealing space is defined from the external side of the lens barrel over the internal side thereof. A gap between the first sealing region 30 and the second sealing region 25 is narrower on at least a part of the internal side than the external side.

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical unit, an imaging device, and a moving body that maintain high environmental performance in a severe use environment.

  There are known cameras that are frequently exposed to the outdoor environment, such as in-vehicle cameras and surveillance cameras. An optical unit used for such an outdoor camera is required to have improved environmental resistance such as waterproofness.

  In order to have high environmental resistance, a ring circular flat portion is formed around the lens, and the lens is fixed in the lens barrel from the object side by a pressing member having a ring-shaped step portion facing the flat portion. An imaging device has been proposed (see Patent Document 1). In the imaging device, a sealing is interposed between the ring-shaped flat portion and the ring-shaped step portion, and the ring-shaped step portion is pressed against the ring-shaped flat portion, thereby deforming the ceiling and sealing the opening.

JP 2004-295119 A

  However, an optical unit used for an outdoor camera is required to maintain environmental performance. For example, the camera may be washed with a high pressure water stream. When the optical unit is exposed to a high-pressure water stream, the lens on the surface is pressed into the lens barrel, water leakage may occur in the lens barrel, making it difficult to maintain the required waterproofness. Sometimes.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention made in view of such circumstances is to provide an optical unit that maintains high environmental performance even in harsh use environments such as washing with a high-pressure water stream.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the optical unit according to the first aspect is
A lens having a first sealing region on the periphery of the outer periphery of the surface in the object side direction and at least one of the side surfaces;
A second sealing region that defines a sealing space together with the first sealing region, and a fixing unit that fixes the lens in the lens barrel from a surface in the object side direction;
A sealing portion interposed in the sealing space and in close contact with the first sealing region and the second sealing region;
An interval between the first sealing region and the second sealing region in the sealing space defined from the outer side to the inner side of the lens barrel is at least partly on the inner side, It is narrower than the side.

In the optical unit according to the second aspect,
It is preferable that the sealing space has a gap with the sealing portion interposed.

In the optical unit according to the third aspect,
The sealing portion applies at least one of an adhesive, a sealing material, and a caulking material to at least one of the first sealing region and the second sealing region multiple times and is cured. Formed by,
It is preferable.

In the optical unit according to the fourth aspect,
The amount of at least one of the adhesive, the sealing material, and the caulking material is applied in a portion that is relatively wider than a portion in which the distance between the first sealing region and the second sealing region is relatively narrow. A large amount is preferable.

In the optical unit according to the fifth aspect,
It is preferable that at least one of the adhesive, the sealing material, and the caulking material has elasticity after curing.

In the optical unit according to the sixth aspect,
It is preferable that at least one of the adhesive, the sealing material, and the caulking material has moisture absorption curing property or thermosetting property.

An imaging device according to a seventh aspect is
A lens having a first sealing region on at least one of the outer periphery and the side surface of the surface in the object-side direction, and a second sealing region that defines a sealing space together with the first sealing region, A fixing portion for fixing the lens in the lens barrel from a surface in the object side direction; and a sealing portion interposed in the sealing space and in close contact with the first sealing region and the second sealing region. And the interval between the first sealing region and the second sealing region in the sealing space defined from the outer side to the inner side of the lens barrel is at least a part of the inner side An optical unit narrower than the outside side,
And an imaging device that captures a subject image formed through the optical unit.

In addition, the moving object according to the eighth aspect is
A lens having a first sealing region on at least one of the outer periphery and the side surface of the surface in the object-side direction, and a second sealing region that defines a sealing space together with the first sealing region, A fixing portion for fixing the lens in the lens barrel from a surface in the object side direction; and a sealing portion interposed in the sealing space and in close contact with the first sealing region and the second sealing region. And the interval between the first sealing region and the second sealing region in the sealing space defined from the outer side to the inner side of the lens barrel is at least a part of the inner side An image pickup apparatus including an optical unit that is narrower than the outside and an image pickup device that picks up a subject image formed through the optical unit is mounted.

  According to the light emitting unit, the imaging device, and the moving body according to the present invention configured as described above, high environmental resistance can be maintained even in a severe use environment.

FIG. 3 is a layout diagram illustrating an installation location in the moving body of the imaging apparatus having the optical unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing along the optical axis of the optical unit in FIG. It is sectional drawing of the lens barrel after an assembly as an optical unit. It is the elements on larger scale of the 2nd fixing | fixed part periphery in FIG. It is sectional drawing of the lens frame before an assembly as an optical unit. It is the elements on larger scale around the 2nd fixing | fixed part which show the coating method of the member which has curability at the time of the assembly of an optical unit. It is the elements on larger scale of the circumference of the 2nd fixed part showing the state where a plurality of sealing parts were formed. It is the elements on larger scale of the 2nd fixed part periphery for demonstrating the mechanism of the water leak generation | occurrence | production at the time of making a 2nd sealing area | region perpendicular | vertical to a central axis. It is the elements on larger scale around the 2nd fixed part which show the state which applied the member which has curability only once at the time of an assembly of an optical unit. It is the elements on larger scale around the 2nd fixed part in a 2nd embodiment.

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

  First, an imaging apparatus having an optical unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a layout diagram illustrating mounting positions of a moving body of an imaging apparatus having an optical unit according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the imaging device 11 having the optical unit 10 is provided in the moving body 13 together with the display device 12. Although the imaging device 11 may be provided anywhere on the moving body 13, in the first embodiment, the imaging apparatus 11 is fixed to the outside of the rear of the moving body 13 in order to capture a peripheral image of the rear field of view. The display device 12 is provided so as to be visible from the driver's seat.

  The optical unit 10 forms a subject image behind the moving body 13 on the imaging element 14 in the imaging device 11. The imaging device 11 captures a subject image using the imaging element 14 and transmits it to the display device 12. The display device 12 displays a subject image acquired from the image sensor 14.

  The configuration of the optical unit 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the optical axis of the optical unit 10. The optical unit 10 includes a lens barrel 15, an optical system 16, a spacer 17, and a sealing portion 18.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the lens barrel 15 has an outer wall portion 19 and a housing portion 20. The accommodating part 20 is formed in rotational symmetry with respect to the central axis CX. In the lens barrel 15, one direction along the central axis CX is determined as an object side direction, and the other direction is determined as an image forming side direction.

  The accommodating portion 20 accommodates the optical system 16 therein (see FIG. 2). The inner surface of the accommodating portion 20 is formed in a cylindrical inner surface shape having a constant inner diameter (see FIG. 3). A first fixing portion 21 and a second fixing portion 22 are formed at both opening ends of the accommodating portion 20.

  The first fixing portion 21 is formed at the opening end in the imaging side direction. The first fixing unit 21 is, for example, a caulking in which the opening in the imaging side direction of the housing unit 20 is deformed inward after the optical system 16 is housed. Alternatively, after the optical system 16 is accommodated, the image forming side surface of the optical system 16 is coupled to the accommodating portion 20 by an arbitrary coupling method such as screwing to the opening in the imaging side direction of the accommodating portion 20. It is a retainer which engages with a part of. The first fixing unit 21 fixes the optical system 16 in the housing unit 20, that is, the lens barrel 15 from the imaging side direction.

  The second fixing portion 22 is formed in advance at the opening end in the object side direction. As shown in FIG. 4, the second fixing portion 22 has a holding portion 23 and an engaging portion 24. The holding part 23 is formed so as to extend from the cylindrical inner surface of the housing part 20 in the direction of the central axis CX, and the surface in the imaging side direction is inclined in the direction of the central axis CX. The surface of the holding unit 23 in the imaging side direction functions as a second sealing region 25 described later. As will be described later, the holding portion 23 holds the sealing portion 18 together with the first lens 26. The engaging portion 24 is an annular wall extending in the imaging side direction at the end of the holding portion 23 on the central axis CX side. The second fixing unit 22 fixes the optical system 16 into the housing unit 20, that is, the lens barrel 15 from the object side direction.

  In FIG. 2, the optical system 16 includes a first lens 26 and a plurality of optical elements 27. The optical element 27 is an optical member such as a lens and an aperture stop. The first lens 26 and each optical element 27 are formed and combined so that the optical system 16 has desired optical characteristics such as focal length and depth of field.

  The first lens 26 is disposed on the most object side in the optical system 16. The first lens 26 has a flange 29 extending radially outward from the main body 28 (see FIG. 4). The surface of the flange portion 29 in the object side direction is vertical and flat with respect to the optical axis, and functions as the first sealing region 30. Therefore, the first lens 26 has the first sealing region 30 around the outer periphery of the object side surface. The outer diameter of the main body 28 is substantially the same length as the inner diameter of the second fixing portion 22. Moreover, the outer diameter of the collar part 29 is longer than the inner diameter of the second fixing part 22 and shorter than the inner diameter of the accommodating part 20 (see FIG. 3).

  The outer diameters of the outermost edges of the plurality of optical elements 27 are substantially the same length as the inner diameter of the accommodating portion 20.

  In FIG. 2, the spacer 17 is made of a metal that is formed in a ring shape so that the inner diameter of the central hole is larger than the outer diameter of the optically functioning portion of the optical element 27 closest to the image side. It is a member. The outer diameter of the spacer 17 is substantially the same length as the inner diameter of the accommodating portion 20.

  The sealing portion 18 is interposed between the sealing space S defined by the first sealing region 30 and the second sealing region 25 (see FIG. 4), and the first sealing region 30 and the second sealing region 30 Adheres closely to the sealing region 25. The sealing portion 18 suppresses water leakage into the lens barrel 15 by being in close contact with the first sealing region 30 and the second sealing region 25. The sealing part 18 is formed of a curable member. Examples of the curable member include an adhesive, a sealing material, and a caulking material. It is preferable that the curable member has moisture curable property or thermosetting property and has elasticity after curing.

  A method for assembling the optical unit 10 as described above will be described below. As shown in FIG. 5, before the optical unit 10 is assembled, the first fixing portion 21 is not formed at the opening end in the imaging side direction of the accommodating portion 20, and the accommodating portion 20 is imaged with a constant inner diameter. It continues to the open end in the lateral direction.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the curable member 31 is applied to the second sealing region 25 a plurality of times, for example, twice concentrically. The application positions over a plurality of times are preferably close to each other. The curable member 31 is applied so as to exceed the height of the engaging portion 24 from the second sealing region 25. The application amount (refer to reference sign “A”) of a part of the curable member 31 on the central axis CX side, that is, a part where the distance between the first sealing region 30 and the second sealing region 25 is relatively wide is: It is larger than the application amount (refer to reference sign “B”) at a portion on the inner side of the accommodating portion 20, that is, at a portion where the interval is relatively narrow. Further, the curable member 31 is configured such that the volume of the sealed portion 18 after curing is smaller than the volume of the sealed space S, that is, the sealed space S has a gap with the sealed portion 18 interposed. It is applied to have.

  After the application of the curable member 31, the first lens 26 is inserted from the image forming side direction of the housing portion 20. The main body 28 of the first lens 26 is fitted into the second fixing portion 22 until the flange portion 29 engages with the second fixing portion 22 (see FIG. 4).

  The first sealing region 30 and the second sealing region 25 face each other when fitted into the second fixing portion 22. The distance between the two in the sealed space determined from the outer side to the inner side of the lens barrel 15 is the central wall CX side, that is, the outer side of the lens barrel 15 on the inner wall side of the accommodating portion 20, ie, the inner side of the lens barrel 15 Narrower than. Further, at the time of fitting into the second fixing portion 22, the curable member 31 is crushed by the first sealing region 30 and the second sealing region 25, and single (see FIG. 4) or plural The sealing portion 18 is deformed (see FIG. 7).

  Next, the plurality of optical elements 27 are inserted in order so as to be fitted into the accommodating portion 20. The spacer 17 is inserted in a state where the optical element 27 closest to the image side is inserted into the accommodating portion 20. After the spacer 17 is inserted, the first fixing portion 21 described above is formed by bending the opening in the imaging side direction of the housing portion 20 inward.

  According to the optical unit of the first embodiment having the above-described configuration, the interval between the first sealing region 30 and the second sealing region 25 that closely contact the sealing portion 18 is the inner side of the lens barrel 15. Therefore, as described below, it is possible to maintain the environmental resistance performance, particularly the waterproof property, even in a severe use environment.

  When the distance between the first sealing region 30 and the second sealing region 25 ′ is constant, the first lens 26 is pressed when the first lens 26 is pressed in the imaging direction by the high-pressure water flow. Is slightly displaced in the imaging side direction (see FIG. 8A), and the pressure for pressing the sealing portion 18 decreases. In this state, the high-pressure water stream enters the first sealing region 30 and the second sealing region 25 ′, and presses the sealing portion 18 toward the inner side of the lens barrel 15 ′ (see FIG. 8B). . Since the pressure which presses the sealing part 18 by the 1st sealing area | region 30 and 2nd sealing area | region 25 'is falling, the sealing part 18 is the 1st sealing area | region 30 and 2nd sealing | blocking. The possibility of peeling off from the region 25 ′ increases, and water leakage may occur.

  On the other hand, in the first embodiment, even when the sealing portion 18 is peeled off, the first sealing region 30 and the first sealing portion 30 are moved by the displacement of the sealing portion 18 in the direction in which the interval is narrowed by the water flow. The reaction force which presses the sealing part 18 from the 2 sealing area | regions 25 increases. By increasing the reaction force, the adhesion between the sealing portion 18 and the first sealing region 30 and the second sealing region 25 is increased again, so that it is possible to suppress water leakage. That is, waterproofness can be maintained even in harsh usage environments.

  Further, in the first embodiment, since the curable member 31 is applied a plurality of times when the optical unit 10 is assembled, as described below, the adhesive strength of the sealing portion 18 for each optical unit 10 is determined. Solid differences can be reduced.

  At the time of application of the curable member 31, the cross section becomes spherical due to surface tension (see FIG. 6). Therefore, when the coating amount is determined so that the sealing portion 18 has a predetermined length in the width direction perpendicular to the central axis CX direction, not only the width direction but also the height direction parallel to the central axis CX direction. The length of will also be longer. For such a phenomenon, as shown in FIG. 9, since the length in the height direction of the curable member 31 is long in one application, the amount of deformation due to pressing is large, and sealing after deformation is performed. The cross-sectional shape of the portion 18 can vary greatly for each solid of the optical unit 10. On the other hand, according to a plurality of times of application as in the first embodiment, the length in the height direction of the curable member 31 is suppressed even if the amount of application is the same as in the case of a single application. Therefore, the amount of deformation due to pressing is reduced. Therefore, the solid difference in adhesive strength can be reduced.

  Further, in the first embodiment, the application amount at a portion where the distance between the first sealing region 30 and the second sealing region 25 is relatively wide is larger than the application amount at a portion where the interval is relatively narrow. Therefore, the length in the height direction of the curable member 31 is suppressed for each application site. Therefore, the solid difference for each optical unit 10 in the adhesive strength of the sealing portion 18 can be further reduced.

  Further, in the first embodiment, since the volume of the sealed portion 18 after curing is smaller than the volume of the sealed space S, the amount of use of the curable member 31 is suppressed, and the inside of the accommodating portion 20 and It is possible to suppress the outflow of the curable member 31 to the lens surface side of the main body 28.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment, the shape of the second sealing region is different from that of the first embodiment. The second embodiment will be described below with a focus on differences from the first embodiment. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the site | part which has the same function and structure as 1st Embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 10, unlike the first embodiment, the second sealing region 250 of the lens barrel 150 in the second embodiment is the first from the central axis CX side toward the inside of the accommodating portion 20. A step surface 320 and a second step surface 330. The first step surface 320 is deeper than the second step surface 330 with respect to the end of the engagement portion 24 on the imaging side.

  When the optical unit 10 is assembled, the curable member 31 is applied concentrically to the first step surface 320 and the second step surface 330. Similar to the first embodiment, the application positions on the first step surface 320 and the second step surface 330 are preferably close to each other.

  In the second embodiment, the configuration and function of each part of the optical unit 10 other than the second sealing region 250 and the optical unit 10 other than the application of the curable member 31 in the second sealing region 250. The assembly method is the same as that of the first embodiment.

  Also in the optical unit according to the second embodiment configured as described above, as in the first embodiment, the distance between the first sealing region 30 and the second sealing region 250 in which the sealing portion 18 is in close contact with each other. However, since the inner side of the lens barrel 150 is narrower than the outer side of the lens barrel 150, it is possible to maintain the environmental resistance, particularly the waterproof property, even in a severe usage environment. Further, also in the optical unit of the second embodiment, since the curable member 31 is applied a plurality of times when the optical unit 10 is assembled as in the first embodiment, the adhesive strength of the sealing portion 18 is increased. The solid difference for each optical unit 10 can be reduced. In addition, even in the optical unit of the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the application amount of the portion where the distance between the first sealing region 30 and the second sealing region 250 is relatively wide is Since the distance is larger than the amount of application at a relatively narrow portion, the solid difference for each optical unit 10 in the adhesive strength of the sealing portion 18 can be further reduced. Further, also in the optical unit of the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the volume of the sealing space S defined by the first sealing region 30 and the second sealing region 250 is more than Since the volume of the sealing portion 18 after curing is small, it is possible to suppress the amount of the curable member 31 used, and to prevent the curable member 31 from flowing into the housing portion 20 and the lens surface side of the main body 28. Is possible.

  Furthermore, according to the optical unit of the second embodiment, since the second sealing region 250 is not inclined from the direction perpendicular to the central axis CX, in assembling the optical unit 10 in which the object side direction is vertically downward. The flow along the inclined surface of the curable member 31 is suppressed. Therefore, since the formation position of the sealing portion 18 does not vary from the application position, the solid difference for each optical unit 10 in the adhesive strength of the sealing portion 18 can be reduced.

  Although the present invention has been described based on the drawings and embodiments, it should be noted that those skilled in the art can easily make various changes and modifications based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these variations and modifications are included in the scope of the present invention.

  For example, in the first embodiment, the second sealing region 25 is inclined in the central axis CX direction, but the first sealing region 30 may be inclined in the central axis CX direction. . Further, in the second embodiment, the second sealing region 250 has a first step surface 320 and a second step surface 330, but the first sealing region 30 is the first step. A configuration having a step surface and a second step surface may be employed.

  In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the interval between the first sealing region 30 and the second sealing region 25 is configured to become narrower from the outer side to the inner side of the lens barrel 15. However, it does not have to be a configuration that becomes narrow throughout. If there is a portion where the interval becomes narrower from the outside to the inside, the same effects as those of the first embodiment and the second embodiment can be obtained even if the interval becomes wider on the inside. It is.

  Further, in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the sealing portion 18 is formed by curing the curable member 31, but for example, by an elastic member such as an O-ring. It may be formed.

  Further, in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the surface in the object side direction of the flange portion 29 is functioned as the first sealing region 30, but the side surface of the flange portion 29 is the first sealing. The region 30 may function. For example, a part of the side surface of the second fixing portion 22 that is continuous with the cylindrical inner surface of the housing portion 20 is formed so as to increase in diameter from the inner side of the lens barrel 15 toward the outer side, and is used as the second sealing region. By making it function, it is possible to make the side surface of the flange 29 facing the second sealing region function as the first sealing region 30.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Optical unit 11 Imaging device 12 Display apparatus 13 Moving body 14 Image pick-up element 15,150 Lens barrel 16 Optical system 17 Spacer 18 Sealing part 19 Outer wall part 20 Storage part 21 First fixing part 22 Second fixing part 23 Holding part 24 engaging portion 25, 250 second sealing region 26 first lens 27 optical element 28 body 29 flange portion 30 first sealing region 31 curable member 320 first step surface 330 second Step surface CX Central axis S Sealing space

Claims (8)

A lens having a first sealing region on the periphery of the outer periphery of the surface in the object side direction and at least one of the side surfaces;
A second sealing region that defines a sealing space together with the first sealing region, and a fixing unit that fixes the lens in the lens barrel from a surface in the object side direction;
A sealing portion interposed in the sealing space and in close contact with the first sealing region and the second sealing region;
An interval between the first sealing region and the second sealing region in the sealing space defined from the outer side to the inner side of the lens barrel is at least partly on the inner side, An optical unit characterized by being narrower than the side.   2. The optical unit according to claim 1, wherein the sealing space has a gap with the sealing portion interposed.   3. The optical unit according to claim 1, wherein the sealing portion includes at least one of an adhesive, a sealing material, and a caulking material, the first sealing region, and the second sealing. An optical unit formed by applying and curing at least one of the regions over a plurality of times.   4. The optical unit according to claim 3, wherein an amount of at least one of the adhesive, the sealing material, and the caulking material is applied such that an interval between the first sealing region and the second sealing region is relative. An optical unit characterized in that the optical unit is larger in a relatively wide part than in a narrow part.   5. The optical unit according to claim 3, wherein at least one of the adhesive, the sealing material, and the caulking material has elasticity after curing.   The optical unit according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein at least one of the adhesive, the sealing material, and the caulking material has a moisture absorption curable property or a thermosetting property. unit. The optical unit according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
An imaging device comprising: an imaging element that captures a subject image formed through the optical unit.   A moving body equipped with the imaging device according to claim 7.

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