JP2022131077A - Lens unit, camera module, imaging system, and mobile body - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a lens unit, a camera module, an imaging system, and a mobile body including a heater that can be easily assembled (positioned and installed) to a lens unit without exposing a power supply unit to the outside of a lens tube.SOLUTION: A lens unit in the present invention includes a heater 30 for heating a first lens 13. The heater 30 includes a heating unit 32 that generates heat by power supply, and a power supply unit 34 that supplies power to the heating unit 32. The heating unit 32 includes a protrusion part 32a with an electrode. A lens tube 12 includes a protrusion part housing part 45 for housing the protrusion part 32a of the heating unit 32. The power supply unit 34 is exposed in the protrusion part housing part 45 of the lens tube 12 so that an electrode 34a corresponding to an end part thereof can be electrically connected to an electrode of the protrusion part 32a of the heating unit 32.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

More specifically, the present invention relates to a lens unit, a camera module, an imaging system, and a moving object equipped with the imaging system, which constitute an in-vehicle camera mounted in a vehicle such as an automobile.

In recent years, automobiles are equipped with in-vehicle cameras to support parking and prevent collisions by image recognition. A camera module for such an on-vehicle camera generally includes a lens group consisting of a plurality of lenses arranged along an optical axis, a barrel housing and holding the lens group, and at least one lens in the lens group. and a diaphragm member disposed therebetween (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

The lens unit (camera module) having the above configuration can be used not only in an on-vehicle camera but also in various optical devices. Since snow can be assumed, it is generally equipped with a snow-melting function or the like. Specifically, such a lens unit includes, for example, a lens group L housed and held in a lens barrel 120 (in (a) of FIG. 11, a , only two lenses on the object side of the lens group L are shown for simplification). A heater 130 is interposed between the image-side surface 101a of the first lens 101 and the object-side surface 102a of the second lens 102 adjacent to the first lens 101 to heat the lens 101. I'm trying

The heater 130 incorporated in the lens barrel 120 in this way is widely used as the most effective heating means capable of efficiently transferring the generated heat to the surface of the first lens 101 .

JP 2013-231993 A

By the way, power is supplied to the heater 130 via electrical wiring, generally via a flexible printed circuit board (FPC). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11B, for example, the heater 130 includes a heating portion 130a, which is an annular heater main body inserted between the lenses 101 and 102, and a heating portion 130a extending laterally from the heating portion 130a. The heating unit 130a generates heat by power supply through the power supply unit 130b, and the heat is transferred to the lens 101. As shown in FIG. The power supply portion 130b is generally led out of the lens barrel through a drawing hole 120a provided in the side surface of the lens barrel 120 and electrically connected to the power supply side.

However, such an arrangement form in which the power feeding portion 130b is drawn out and extended to the outside entails several problems. In other words, not only does the power feeder 130b that is led out to the outside become an obstacle, but there remains a problem with the waterproofness of the power feeder 130b that is exposed to the outside. In addition, the FPC that constitutes the power supply portion 130b generally has problems in terms of environmental resistance and mechanical strength, such as weak tensile strength. Further, when assembling the lens unit, the heating portion 130a is placed on the surface 102a of the second lens 102 facing the object side and aligned, and the feeding portion 130b is passed through the drawing hole 120a from the inside of the lens barrel 120. The heater 130 must be pulled out to the outside, and the work is complicated (the installation of the heater 130 is troublesome).

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a lens unit, a camera module, and an imaging system having a heater that can be easily incorporated into the lens unit (positioned installation of the heater) without exposing the power supply to the outside of the lens barrel. and to provide a moving object.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a lens group in which a plurality of lenses are arranged along the optical axis of the lens, a lens barrel in which the lens group is accommodated, and heat generated by the lens group. A lens unit comprising a heater for transmitting power to the lens located closest to the object side of
The heater is
a heating unit interposed between a first lens positioned closest to the object side of the lens group and a second lens adjacent to the first lens on the image side thereof and generating heat by power supply;
a power supply unit that supplies electric power to the heating unit and that extends inside the lens barrel with at least part of it embedded in the lens barrel;
has
The heating unit has a projecting portion projecting outward from a predetermined position along the outer circumference, and an electrode provided on the projecting portion,
the lens barrel has a protrusion accommodation section for accommodating the protrusion of the heating section positioned to be inserted between the first and second lenses;
An electrode at one end of the power supply unit is exposed at the protrusion accommodating portion of the lens barrel so as to be electrically connected to the electrode provided on the protrusion of the heating unit.
It is characterized by

As described above, according to the present invention, the protrusion with the electrode is provided on the outer periphery of the heating section, and the protrusion accommodating section that accommodates the protrusion at the position where the heating section is inserted between the lenses is provided in the lens barrel. Since the electrodes of the power supply part are exposed in the protrusion accommodating part so as to be electrically connected to the electrodes of the protrusion part of the heating part, when the heater is incorporated (installed) in the lens unit, the electrodes on the heating part side are exposed. The protruding part of the heating part does not need to go through the troublesome work of visually checking the electrodes themselves to see where they are on the heating part and aligning these electrodes with the electrodes on the power supply side. The heating unit can be easily installed simply by positioning the heating unit at the inter-lens insertion position so as to be accommodated in the projecting unit accommodating unit, for example, by simply placing the heating unit on the object-side surface of the second lens. can be electrically connected to the power supply unit, and therefore the heater can be incorporated (installed) in the lens unit very easily.

Further, according to the present invention, the power supply unit for supplying electric power to the heating unit extends inside the lens barrel while being at least partially embedded in the lens barrel, and the power supply unit is exposed to the outside of the lens barrel. Therefore, it is possible not only to ensure the waterproofness of the power supply unit, but also to protect the power supply unit from the external environment and external forces.

In the above configuration, the shape of the heating portion is not particularly limited, and any shape such as a circular shape or an annular shape can be used as long as it can heat the first lens efficiently and effectively. I don't mind. Also, the shape and number of the projections provided in the heating section are not particularly limited. For example, when only one protrusion is provided, both the + electrode and the - electrode are provided on the protrusion, and when two protrusions are provided, one of the protrusions has the + electrode. and a − electrode is provided on the other protrusion. Moreover, as the heating unit, for example, a PTC (positive temperature coefficient) heater can be used.

Further, in the above configuration, the power supply portion may be formed of a metal plate, an electrical wiring such as a lead wire, or may be composed of wiring made of FPC (flexible printed circuits). In this case, the electrical resistance of the power supply section must be lower than that of the heating section so that the power supply section does not generate heat. Also, as a method of embedding the power supply portion in the lens barrel, for example, an insert molding method or an outsert molding method can be adopted. Further, the power supply unit may be completely embedded in the lens barrel over its entire length, may be embedded in the lens barrel only over a part of its entire length, or may be partially embedded in the lens barrel. . The point is that the feeder should be extended inside the lens barrel so as not to be exposed to the outside of the lens barrel. In this case, for example, the power supply section may be arranged in a groove formed along the inner surface of the lens barrel. In addition, the other end of the power supply unit is electrically connected, for example, by soldering or the like to a sensor substrate on which an imaging device that converts light condensed through the lens group of the lens unit into an electric signal is mounted. or by being electrically connected to a further power supply line in the camera housing. In the case of electrically connecting the power supply unit and the heating unit, a conductive adhesive may be used. Alternatively, for example, ACP (anisotropic conductive adhesive) may be used as the conductive adhesive. good. The ACP has the advantage that only the pressed portion is conductive when the electrodes + and - are in the vicinity, and thus has the advantage of simplifying the manufacturing process.

Further, in the above configuration, the protrusion accommodating portion provided in the lens barrel to accommodate the protrusion of the heating portion is positioned at an inter-lens insertion position (a position where the heating portion is inserted between the first and second lenses, i.e., , a position interposed between the first lens and the second lens, or a position where the first lens is subsequently stacked on top of the second lens, etc., resulting in the first lens and the second lens The lens barrel may be provided in any form as long as the protruding portion can be accommodated in a state where the protruding portion is positioned at the position where the protruding portion is to be inserted between the two lenses. In this inter-lens insertion position, the heating unit may be supported by the object-side surface of the second lens, or by a portion of the lens barrel including the projection accommodation unit, or by any of these. It may be a combination.

Further, in the above configuration, the protrusion accommodating portion may be defined by a groove or protrusion formed in the lens barrel so as to position the protrusion in the lens barrel in the circumferential direction. With such grooves or protrusions, the heating section (protrusion) can be accurately positioned in the circumferential direction, and the electrodes of the heating section and the electrodes of the power supply section can be accurately aligned with each other within the protrusion accommodating section. Therefore, good electrical connection between the heating section and the power feeding section can be efficiently and reliably performed. Also, such grooves or protrusions may be accurately positioned by abutting the protrusions of the heating portion therewith, or the protrusions may be at least partially fitted with a predetermined play therewith. It may also be positioned by a guide, which also acts as a guide to guide the protrusion into the protrusion receiving portion. It should be noted that the space in the projection accommodation portion that forms a predetermined degree of play allows excess adhesive to escape in the circumferential direction and/or the radial direction when the electrodes are electrically connected. Also in this regard, the grooves or protrusions preferably further form adhesive dams that restrict the outflow of conductive adhesive from the protrusion receiving portion. That is, the grooves or protrusions can serve both as a positioning guide function for guiding and positioning the protrusions of the heating section and as an adhesive overflow prevention function for preventing the adhesive from overflowing from the protrusion accommodating section (overflow). preferable.

The present invention also provides a camera module having the above-described lens unit, an imaging system having the camera module, and a moving object equipped with the imaging system. The camera module, imaging system, and moving body described above can also provide the same effects as the lens unit described above. It should be noted that the term “moving object” refers to all objects that can move, such as vehicles.

According to the present invention, since the power supply portion of the heater extends inside the lens barrel, the power supply portion does not need to be exposed to the outside of the lens barrel. The lens barrel is provided with a protrusion accommodating section for accommodating the protrusion at a position where the protrusion is inserted between the lenses of the heating section. Since it is exposed so that it can be connected to the lens unit, it is extremely easy to incorporate the heater into the lens unit (heater positioning and installation).

1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a camera module having a lens unit with a heater according to a first embodiment of the invention; FIG. FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a camera module having a lens unit with a heater according to a second embodiment of the invention; FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a camera module having a lens unit with a heater according to a third embodiment of the invention; An example in which the protrusion accommodating portion is defined by a groove formed in the lens barrel so as to position the protrusion of the heating portion in the circumferential direction with respect to the lens barrel is shown in (a) from the object side in the optical axis direction. (b) is a partial cross-sectional view along line AA of (a), (c) is a partial cross-sectional view along line BB of (a), (d) is a ) is a partial cross-sectional view along line CC. Another example is shown in which the protrusion accommodating portion is defined by a protrusion formed on the lens barrel so as to position the protrusion of the heating portion with respect to the lens barrel in the circumferential direction. (b) is a partial cross-sectional view along line DD in (a), (c) is a partial cross-sectional view along line EE in (a), (d) is (a) is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line FF, and (e) is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line GG of (a). FIG. 4 is a plan view of the lens unit in which the heating portion of the heater is incorporated in the lens barrel, viewed from the object side in the optical axis direction; It is a top view which shows an example of the wiring pattern of the heating part of a heater. (a) is a top perspective view showing an example in which a metal plate constituting a power supply portion is integrally molded so as to be embedded in a lens barrel by insert molding, and (b) is a half-sectional perspective view thereof. 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle as a mobile body in which an imaging system (in-vehicle system) equipped with a camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention is mounted; FIG. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an imaging device that constitutes the imaging system of FIG. 9; FIG. (a) is a partial schematic cross-sectional view of a lens unit with a conventional heater, and (b) is a plan view showing an example of a conventional heater.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Contribute to
The lens unit of this embodiment described below is particularly for a camera module such as an in-vehicle camera, and is fixedly installed on the outer surface side of an automobile, for example, and the wiring is drawn into the automobile. connected to a display or other device. In addition, hatching is omitted for a plurality of lenses in FIGS.

FIG. 1 shows a camera module 80 having a lens unit 11 according to a first embodiment of the invention. As shown, the lens unit 11 includes a cylindrical lens barrel (barrel) 12 and a plurality of lenses arranged in a stepped inner housing space S of the lens barrel 12, for example, a first lens 13 and a second lens. It has five lenses consisting of a second lens 14, a third lens 15, a fourth lens 16 and a fifth lens 17, and an aperture member (not shown). The diaphragm member is an "aperture diaphragm" that limits the amount of transmitted light and determines the F-number, which is an index of brightness, or a "shading diaphragm" that shields light rays that cause ghosts and aberrations. An in-vehicle camera including such a lens unit 11 includes the lens unit 11, a sensor substrate 305 having an image sensor (imaging element) 304, and an installation member (not shown) for installing the substrate 305 in a vehicle such as an automobile. is. In this embodiment, the first lens 13 that can be exposed to the outside is a glass lens, and the other inner second to fifth lenses 14, 15, 16, and 17 are all made of resin (plastic). ), but is not limited to this. Also, the lens barrel 12 housing these lenses 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 is made of resin in this embodiment, but may be made of metal. Also, the shape of the lens barrel and lenses, the number of lenses, etc. can be arbitrarily set according to the application.

A plurality of lenses 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17 fixed and supported by the lens barrel 12 are arranged with their optical axes aligned, and each lens is arranged along one optical axis O. 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17 are aligned to form a group of lens units L used for imaging. Of these, the two fourth and fifth lenses 16 and 17 located closest to the image side (the innermost side of the inner accommodation space S) may be cemented lenses, for example. Further, the surfaces of these lenses 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17 are provided with an antireflection film, a hydrophilic film, a water-repellent film, or the like, as required.

At the object-side end (upper end in FIG. 1) of the lens barrel 12, a crimping portion 23 is provided by thermally crimping the end portion radially inward. A first lens 13 positioned closest to the object side is fixed to the end of the lens barrel 12 on the object side.

An inner flange portion 24 having an opening with a diameter smaller than that of the fifth lens 17 is provided at the image-side end (lower end in FIG. 1) of the lens barrel 12 . A plurality of lenses 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 constituting the lens group L and a diaphragm member are held in the lens barrel 12 by the inner flange portion 24 and the crimped portion 23 .

The outer peripheral surface of the first lens 13 positioned closest to the object side is provided with a diameter-reduced portion having a smaller diameter at the image-side portion of the lens 13, and an O-ring 26 as a sealing member at the diameter-reduced portion. is provided, and the space between the outer peripheral surface of the lens 13 and the inner peripheral surface of the lens barrel 12 is sealed by the object-side end portion of the lens barrel 12 . This prevents fine particles such as water and dust from entering the lens barrel 12 from the object-side end of the lens unit 11 . The sealing member interposed between the first lens 13 and the lens barrel 12 is not limited to the O-ring, and any annular body that can seal between the first lens 13 and the lens barrel 12 can be used. It may be in such a form. An outer flange portion 25 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the lens barrel 12 in the shape of a flange.

In the present embodiment, a heater 30 is arranged in the lens barrel 12 to transmit the generated heat to the first lens 13 positioned closest to the object side of the lens group L. As shown in FIG. The heater 30 has a heating portion 32 that generates heat by power supply, and a power supply portion 34 that supplies electric power to the heating portion 32 and extends inside the lens barrel 12 while being embedded in the lens barrel 12 . The heating unit 32 is designed to substantially correspond to the shape of the image-side surface 13a of the first lens 13 in order to heat the first lens 13, the object-side surface of which is exposed from the lens barrel 12 and exposed to the external environment. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the surface 13a of the first lens 13 and the object-side surface of the second lens 14 adjacent to the first lens 13 on the image side form an annular shape and face the image side. It is interposed between the surface 14a which As the heating unit 32, for example, a PTC (positive temperature coefficient) heater can be used.

As clearly shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the annular heating portion 32 has a wiring pattern (conductive pattern) 39 in which concentric loops are arranged along the radial direction, and its circumference ( It has a pair of protruding portions 32a, 32a that protrude radially outward from predetermined positions along the outer circumference. These projecting portions 32a, 32a are provided so as to face each other in the radial direction with an angular interval of 180° along the circumferential direction. An electrode (for example, a positive electrode) 32b is positioned on the other protruding portion 32a, and an electrode (for example, a negative electrode) 32b provided at the other end of the wiring pattern 39 is positioned on the other protruding portion 32a.

Further, in the present embodiment, the lens barrel 12 has a projection receiving portion for receiving a pair of projections 32a, 32a of the heating portion 32 positioned to be inserted between the first and second lenses 13, 14. It has a part 45 . In the present embodiment, the protruding portion accommodating portion 45 is arranged such that the heating portion 32 is placed on the object-side surface 14a of the second lens 14 as shown in FIGS. In order to accommodate the projecting portions 32a, 32a on both sides of the lens barrel 12, the annular stepped portion 12a formed on the inner peripheral surface of the lens barrel 12 has two positions corresponding to the positions of the projecting portions 32a, 32a. are provided at two portions of the annular stepped portion 12a that face each other in the radial direction with an angular interval of 180° along the circumferential direction.

In this case, for example, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the projection housing portion 45 is provided with the annular stepped portion 12a of the lens barrel 12 so as to position the projections 32a, 32a with respect to the lens barrel 12 in the circumferential direction. may be defined by a groove 40 formed in the The groove 40 extends radially and circumferentially so as to form at least a space for receiving the projection 32a, and may accurately position the projection 32a of the heating portion 32 by abutting it. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 6, the projection 32a may be positioned by at least partially engaging it with a predetermined play, guiding the projection 32a into the projection receiving portion 45. Also acts as a guide.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 5, for example, the protrusion accommodating portion 45 is formed in the annular stepped portion 12a of the lens barrel 12 so as to position the protrusions 32a, 32a with respect to the lens barrel 12 in the circumferential direction. It may be defined by a pair of projections 43,43. These projections 43, 43 extend radially and circumferentially so as to form at least a space between them for receiving the projection 32a, and by bringing the projection 32a of the heating part 32 into contact therewith. It may be positioned precisely or may be positioned by at least partially engaging the protrusion 32a with a predetermined play therewith, guiding the protrusion 32a into the protrusion receiving portion 45. Also acts as a guide.

Further, as clearly shown in FIG. 1, the power supply section 34 for supplying electric power to the heating section 32 is connected to the two protrusions 32a, 32a of the heating section 32 accommodated in each protrusion accommodating section 45. The electrodes 32b, 32b are provided on both sides of the lens barrel 12 so that power can be supplied to the electrodes 32b, 32b, respectively. extends up to In this case, the power supply portion 34 is formed of a conductive member such as a metal plate in the present embodiment, but may be formed of an electric wiring such as a lead wire, or may be formed of an FPC (flexible printed circuit). may consist of wiring made of In any case, the electric resistance of the power supply section 34 must be lower than that of the heating section 32 so that the power supply section 34 does not generate heat.

If the power supply unit 34 is configured by wiring or the like, the power supply unit 34 may be inserted through through holes 12b, 12b drilled in the side wall of the lens barrel 12, for example, as shown in FIG. In this case, the through-holes 12b, 12b extend substantially parallel to the optical axis O, and are opened in the projection accommodating portions 45, 45 and at the image-side end portion 12c, respectively.

On the other hand, when the power supply portion 34 is made of a metal plate as in the present embodiment, the power supply portion 34 may be integrally formed with the lens barrel 12 by insert molding, for example. FIG. 8 shows an example in which the power supply unit 34 is provided in the lens barrel 12 by such integral molding (the example in FIG. 8 corresponds to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 described later, and the power supply unit 34 is does not extend to the image-side end 12c of the lens barrel 12).

In any case, the power supply part 34 is arranged in the protrusion accommodating part 45 of the lens barrel 12 so that the electrode 34a at one end thereof can be electrically connected to the electrode 32b provided on the protrusion 32a of the heating part 32 ( For example, one end of the power feeding portion 34 is exposed). On the other hand, the electrode 34b at the other end of the power supply portion 34 is exposed at the image-side end portion 12c of the lens barrel 12 (for example, while the other end of the power supply portion 34 is bent). , and a sensor substrate 305 mounted with a package sensor (imaging device) 304 that converts the light condensed through the lens group L through the filter 100 into an electrical signal by a conductive adhesive 36 or soldering. Power is supplied by being connected. The electrical connection between the electrode 34a of the power supply portion 34 and the electrode 32b provided on the protruding portion 32a of the heating portion 32 is performed via a conductive adhesive 36 in the present embodiment. As the adhesive 36, for example, ACP (anisotropic conductive adhesive) can be used. However, the electrical connection between the electrodes 34a and 32b may be made by direct contact between the electrodes 34a and 32b without the conductive adhesive 36 intervening. In this case, for example, the electrodes 34a and 32b may be brought into direct contact with each other by pressing force associated with thermal crimping by the crimping portion 23 described above.

Also, in the electrical connection between the electrodes 32b and 34a in the projection accommodating portion 45 via the conductive adhesive 36, the projection accommodating portion 45 is defined as shown in FIG. The groove 40 or the protrusion 43 described above can restrict the outflow of the conductive adhesive 36 from the protrusion accommodating portion 45 . In this case, fitting with a predetermined degree of play between the groove 40 or the protrusion 43 and the protrusion 32a of the heating part 32 removes excess adhesive 36 in the circumferential direction and/or when the electrodes 32b and 34a are electrically connected to each other. Alternatively, a gap that allows escape in the radial direction may be formed in the projection accommodating portion 45 . That is, in the present embodiment, the groove 40 or the protrusion 43 has a positioning guide function of guiding and positioning the protrusion 32a of the heating unit 32 into the protrusion accommodation section 45, It also serves as an adhesive overflow prevention function to prevent overflow.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the protrusion 32a with the electrode 32b is provided on the outer periphery of the heating section 32, and the protrusion 32a is accommodated at the inter-lens insertion position of the heating section 32. A housing portion 45 is provided in the lens barrel 12 , and the electrode 34 a of the power feeding portion 34 is electrically connected to the electrode 32 b of the projection portion 32 a of the heating portion 32 via the conductive adhesive 36 in the projection portion housing portion 45 . Therefore, when the heater 30 is incorporated (installed) in the lens unit 11, the position of the electrode 32b on the heating unit 32 side is visually checked by visually checking the electrode itself. The heating section 32a is arranged so that the projection section 32a of the heating section 32 is accommodated in the projection section accommodating section 45 of the lens barrel 12 without performing the troublesome work of aligning the electrode 32b of the second electrode 32b with the electrode 34a of the power supply section 34 side. The heating unit 32 and the power feeding unit can be easily connected by simply placing the heating unit 32 at the inter-lens insertion position (in this embodiment, by simply placing the heating unit 32 on the object-side surface 14a of the second lens 14). 34, so that the heater 30 can be incorporated (installed) in the lens unit 11 very easily.

Further, according to the present invention, the power supply unit 34 for supplying electric power to the heating unit 32 is embedded in the lens barrel 12 and extends inside the lens barrel 12 . Since it is not exposed to the external environment, it is possible not only to ensure the waterproofness of the power supply unit 34 but also to protect the power supply unit 34 from the external environment and external force.

FIG. 2 shows a camera module 80A having a lens unit 11A with a heater 30 according to a second embodiment of the invention. As shown, in the present embodiment, the electrical connection form of the electrode 34b at the other end of the power supply section 34 to the sensor substrate 305 is different from that in the first embodiment. That is, in the present embodiment, the electrode 34b at the other end of the power feeding portion 34 on one side (right side in the drawing) is electrically connected to the sensor substrate 305 at its surface 305a, The electrode 34b at the other end of the power supply portion 34 on the left side passes through a through hole 305c of the sensor substrate 305 and is electrically connected to the sensor substrate 305 at its rear surface 305b. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, so that the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

FIG. 3 shows a camera module 80B having a lens unit 11B with a heater 30 according to a third embodiment of the invention. As shown, the camera module 80B of this embodiment includes a camera housing 302 that holds the lens unit 11B. This camera housing 302 has a female screw 302a that screws together with the male screw 12d of the lens unit 11B (lens barrel 12). have A sensor substrate 305 on which a package sensor (imaging device) 304 is mounted is provided in the camera housing 302 . The package sensor 304 has a CCD, a CMOS, or the like, and converts the light that is condensed and reaches through the lens unit 11B into an electrical signal. The converted electric signal is converted into analog data or digital data, which are constituent elements of image data captured by the camera (the same applies to the above-described embodiments).

Further, in the present embodiment, the electrode 34b at the other end of the power supply portion 34 is exposed on the image side end surface of the outer flange portion 25 of the lens barrel 12 located on the object side of the male screw 12d. 34b is electrically connected to the exposed object-side electrode 90a of the conductive portion 90 embedded in the camera housing 302 by conductive adhesive 36 or soldering, and the exposed image-side electrode 90b of the conductive portion 90 is electrically connected. are electrically connected to the power supply line 92 of the sensor substrate 305 by the conductive adhesive 36 or soldering.

Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, so that the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

FIG. 9 shows a vehicle as a moving body in which an in-vehicle system (imaging system) including an imaging device 250 including the camera module 80 of FIG. 1 (may be the camera modules 80A and 80B of FIGS. 2 and 3) is mounted. 240 is shown schematically. As shown, the imaging device 250 can be mounted on a vehicle 240, and FIG. The imaging device 250 mounted on the vehicle 240 can also be called an onboard camera, and can be installed at various locations on the vehicle 240 . For example, the first imaging device 250a may be arranged at or near the front bumper as a camera for monitoring the front when the vehicle 240 travels. Also, the second imaging device 250b that monitors the front may be arranged near the rearview mirror (Inner Rearview Mirror) in the interior of the vehicle 240 . The third imaging device 250c may be arranged on the dashboard or in the instrument panel as a camera for monitoring the driving conditions of the driver. The fourth imaging device 250 d may be installed at the rear of the vehicle 240 for rear monitoring of the vehicle 240 . The imaging devices 250a and 250b can be called front cameras. The third imaging device 250c can be called an in-camera. The fourth imaging device 250d can be called a rear camera. The imaging device 250 is not limited to these, and includes imaging devices installed at various positions, such as a left side camera that captures an image of the left rear side and a right side camera that captures an image of the right rear side.

An image signal of an image captured by the imaging device 250 can be output to the information processing device 242 and/or the display device 243 inside the vehicle 240 . The information processing device 242 and the display device 243 constitute an in-vehicle system together with the imaging device 250 . The information processing device 242 in the vehicle 240 includes a device that processes the image signal acquired by the imaging device 250, recognizes the image, and assists the driver in driving. Also, the information processing device 242 includes, for example, a navigation device, a collision damage mitigation braking device, an inter-vehicle distance control device, a lane departure warning device, and the like, but is not limited to these. The display device 243 displays images processed and output by the information processing device 242 , but can also receive image signals directly from the imaging device 250 . Also, the display device 243 may employ a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, or an inorganic EL display, but is not limited to these. The display device 243 can display to the driver an image signal output from an imaging device 250 that captures an image of a position that is difficult for the driver to see, such as a rear camera.

FIG. 10 shows the configuration of an imaging device that constitutes the in-vehicle system of FIG. As illustrated, an imaging device 250 according to an embodiment includes a control unit 252, a storage unit 254, and the camera module 80 of FIG. 1 described above (the camera modules 80A and 80B of FIGS. ).

The control unit 252 controls the camera module 80 and processes electrical signals output from the imaging device 304 of the camera module 80 . This control unit 252 may be configured as a processor, for example. Control unit 252 may also include one or more processors. The processor may include a general-purpose processor that loads a specific program to execute a specific function, and a dedicated processor that specializes in specific processing. The dedicated processor may include an application specific IC (Integrated Circuit). An application specific IC is also called an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). A processor may include a programmable logic device. A programmable logic device is also called a PLD (Programmable Logic Device). The PLD may include an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array). The control unit 252 may be either an SoC (System-on-a-Chip) in which one or more processors cooperate, or a SiP (System In a Package).

The storage unit 254 stores various information or parameters related to the operation of the imaging device 250 . The storage unit 254 may be composed of, for example, a semiconductor memory. Storage unit 254 may function as a work memory for control unit 252 . The storage unit 254 may store captured images. The storage unit 254 may store various parameters and the like for the control unit 252 to perform detection processing based on the captured image. Storage unit 254 may be included in control unit 252 .

As described above, the camera module 80 captures a subject image formed via the lens unit 11 with the image sensor 304 and outputs the captured image. An image captured by the camera module 80 is also referred to as a captured image.

The imaging element 304 is, for example, a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor or a CCD (Charge
Coupled Device) or the like. The imaging element 304 has an imaging surface on which a plurality of pixels are arranged. Each pixel outputs a signal specified by current or voltage according to the amount of incident light. A signal output by each pixel is also referred to as imaging data.

The imaging data of all pixels may be read by the camera module 80 and taken into the control unit 252 as a captured image. A captured image read out for all pixels is also referred to as a maximum captured image. The imaging data may be read out by the camera module 80 for some pixels and captured as a captured image. In other words, imaging data may be read from pixels in a predetermined capture range. The imaging data read from pixels in a predetermined capturing range may be captured as a captured image. The predetermined capture range may be set by the control section 252 . The camera module 80 may acquire a predetermined capture range from the control section 252 . The imaging element 304 may capture an image within a predetermined capture range of the subject image formed via the lens unit 11 .

Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be modified in various ways without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, in the present invention, the shape of the lens, lens barrel, etc., and the form of formation of the heater are not limited to the above-described embodiments. Further, part or all of the above-described embodiments may be combined without departing from the gist of the present invention, or part of the configuration may be omitted from one of the above-described embodiments. good too.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 11, 11A, 11B lens unit 12 lens barrel 13 first lens 14 second lens 30 heater 32 heating section 32a protrusion 32b electrode 34 feeding section 34a electrode 36 conductive adhesive 40 groove 43 protrusion 45 protrusion accommodating section 80 , 80A, 80B camera module 240 vehicle (moving body)
L lens group O optical axis

Claims (8)

A lens group formed by arranging a plurality of lenses along the optical axis of the lens, a barrel housing the lens group, and transmitting the generated heat to the lens positioned closest to the object side of the lens group. A lens unit comprising a heater of
The heater is
a heating unit interposed between a first lens positioned closest to the object side of the lens group and a second lens adjacent to the first lens on the image side thereof and generating heat by power supply;
a power supply unit that supplies electric power to the heating unit and that extends inside the lens barrel with at least part of it embedded in the lens barrel;
has
The heating unit has a projecting portion projecting outward from a predetermined position along the outer circumference, and an electrode provided on the projecting portion,
the lens barrel has a protrusion accommodation section for accommodating the protrusion of the heating section positioned to be inserted between the first and second lenses;
an electrode at one end of the power supply unit is exposed at the protrusion accommodating portion of the lens barrel so as to be electrically connected to the electrode provided on the protrusion of the heating unit;
A lens unit characterized by: 2. The lens unit according to claim 1, wherein the projection receiving portion is defined by a groove formed in the lens barrel to circumferentially position the projection relative to the lens barrel. The electrode at the one end of the power supply section is electrically connected to the electrode provided on the protrusion of the heating section via a conductive adhesive, and the groove is configured to provide the electrical conductivity from the protrusion accommodating section. 3. The lens unit according to claim 2, wherein the outflow of the adhesive is regulated. 2. The lens unit according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion receiving portion is defined by a protrusion formed on the lens barrel to circumferentially position the protrusion relative to the lens barrel. The electrode at the one end of the power supply section is electrically connected to the electrode provided on the protrusion of the heating section via a conductive adhesive, and the protrusion receives the electrical conductivity from the protrusion accommodating section. 5. The lens unit according to claim 4, wherein outflow of the adhesive is regulated. A camera module comprising: the lens unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5; and an imaging device that converts light condensed through the lens group of the lens unit into an electrical signal. 7. An image capturing apparatus comprising: the camera module according to claim 6; and a control unit that controls the camera module and processes an electrical signal output from the image sensor of the camera module;
a processing device for processing an image signal acquired by the imaging device;
a display device for displaying an image processed and output by the processing device;
An imaging system comprising: 8. A moving object, comprising the imaging system according to claim 7, and outputting information to a passenger by means of the display device.

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