JP2023168388A - Lens array, imaging module, and imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a lens array which improves the strength.SOLUTION: A lens array which is arranged on the incidence side of light with respect to an imaging unit of an imaging module comprises: a lens part 10 in which a plurality of unit lenses 11 that have the convex shape to the incidence side of the light are two-dimensionally arrayed along a light reception surface of the imaging unit; a light shielding partition wall part 21d which is provided on the emission side of the lens part 10 and is sectioned such that the shape viewed from the normal direction of the light reception surface surrounds each unit lens; and a light transmissive material layer 22 which is filled in each section of the light shielding partition wall part 21d. The light shielding partition wall part 21d is the laminate obtained by overlapping a plurality of light shielding partition wall sheets 211 along the thickness direction of the lens array 5. At least one light shielding partition wall sheet 211 of the plurality of light shielding partition wall sheets 211 constituting the light shielding partition wall part 21d has the area of the opening corresponding to the section smaller than the other light shielding partition wall sheets, and is located on the lens part side with respect to the light shielding partition wall sheet 211 closest to the imaging unit side in the thickness direction of the lens array.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

The present invention relates to a lens array, an imaging module, and an imaging device.

In recent years, compound-eye cameras that can change the focal length and depth of field after photographing have been developed (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). This compound eye camera captures light in multiple directions by splitting incident light with a lens array placed on an image sensor. Then, by performing predetermined image processing based on the incident direction and intensity of light after photographing, the focal length and depth of field of the image can be changed.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-72663 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-352345

Since the above-mentioned compound eye camera is sometimes used as a camera for a mobile terminal, industrial equipment, etc., it is required to further improve the strength of the lens array.

An object of the present invention is to provide a lens array, an imaging module, and an imaging device with improved strength.

The present invention solves the problem by the following solving means. Note that, in order to facilitate understanding, the description will be given with reference numerals corresponding to the embodiments of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Furthermore, the configurations described with reference numerals may be improved as appropriate, and at least a portion thereof may be replaced with other configurations.

The first invention is a lens array that is arranged on the light incidence side of the imaging section (6) of the imaging module (4), and includes a plurality of unit lenses (11) having a convex shape on the light incidence side. , a lens section (10) arranged two-dimensionally along the light-receiving surface of the imaging section, and a lens section (10) provided on the light output side of the lens section, the shape of each of which is arranged as viewed from the normal direction of the light-receiving surface. A light-shielding partition wall section (21d) partitioned to surround a unit lens, and a light-transmitting material layer (22) filled inside each section of the light-shielding partition wall section, the light-shielding partition wall section comprising a plurality of light-shielding partition wall sections (21d). It is a laminate in which light-shielding partition sheets (211) are stacked together along the thickness direction of the lens array, and at least one of the plurality of light-shielding partition sheets constituting the light-shielding partition section is: The light-shielding partition sheet in which the area of the opening corresponding to the division is smaller than the area of the opening corresponding to the division in other light-shielding partition sheets, and the light-shielding partition sheet is located closest to the imaging unit in the thickness direction of the lens array. The present invention relates to a lens array (5) located closer to the lens section than the lens section.
In a second invention, in the lens array of the first invention, the partition sheet is a resin sheet.
A third invention is the lens array of the first invention, wherein the partition sheet is a metal sheet.
A fourth invention includes an imaging section (6) in which a plurality of pixels for converting incident light into electrical signals are arranged two-dimensionally, and a first imaging section (6) arranged on a light incident side of the imaging section An imaging module (4) comprising the lens array (5) according to any one of the inventions to the third invention, wherein one unit lens and one division correspond to a plurality of the pixels.
A fifth invention is an imaging device (1) comprising the imaging module of the fourth invention.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a lens array, an imaging module, and an imaging device with improved strength can be provided.

It is a figure explaining camera 1 of an embodiment. It is a figure explaining imaging module 4 of an embodiment. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line II in FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a lens array 5. FIG. (A) to (E) are diagrams showing a procedure for manufacturing the light control unit 20 using a light-shielding partition sheet 211 made of resin. (A) to (E) are diagrams showing a procedure for manufacturing the light control section 20 using a metal light-shielding partition sheet 211. (A) to (C) are diagrams showing the procedure for manufacturing the lens array 5. (A) is a cross-sectional view of the light-shielding partition part 21 having an aperture control part 211a. (B) is a sectional view of the light control section 20 having the aperture control section 211a. (A) is a cross-sectional view of the light-shielding partition section 21 having the reflection control section 211b. (B) is a sectional view of the light control section 20 having the reflection control section 211b. (C) is a cross-sectional view of the light-shielding partition part 21 having a reflection control part 211b of another shape.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below. Note that the drawings attached to this specification are all schematic diagrams, and the shape, scale, vertical and horizontal dimensional ratios, etc. of each part are changed or exaggerated from the actual ones in consideration of ease of understanding. Further, in the drawings, hatching indicating cross sections of members is omitted as appropriate.

In this specification, etc., terms that specify shapes, geometric conditions, and their degrees, such as "parallel,""orthogonal,""direction," etc., are used in addition to the exact meaning of the terms. It includes a range that can be considered to be approximately parallel, approximately perpendicular, etc., and a range that can be considered approximately in that direction. In addition, in this specification, the sheet surface refers to the surface in the plane direction of the sheet when the sheet is viewed as a whole in the lens array 5, image sensor 6, etc. that are sheet-like members. .
In the drawings, the two directions parallel to the sheet surface of the imaging module 4 and orthogonal to each other are referred to as the X (X1-X2) direction and the Y (Y1-Y2) direction, and the direction orthogonal to the sheet surface is referred to as the Z (Z1) direction. -Z2) direction.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a camera 1 of this embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the imaging module 4 of this embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line II in FIG. 2.
As shown in FIG. 1, the camera 1 includes an imaging module 4 inside a housing 3 having an opening 2. As shown in FIG. The camera 1 is, for example, an imaging device installed in an electronic device such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or industrial equipment. The housing 3 corresponds to the housing of the electronic device described above. Although not shown, the camera 1 also includes a control section, a storage section, and the like.

The opening 2 is a part that takes in light from the subject side to the imaging module 4 of the camera 1. The opening 2 is provided with a cover glass 2a that covers the opening 2 in order to prevent foreign matter such as dust and dirt from entering the imaging module 4.
The imaging module 4 includes, along the optical axis O (Z direction), a lens array 5, a bonding layer 7, an image sensor (imaging section) 6, etc. in this order from the light incident side (subject side, Z1 side). The imaging module 4 images a subject based on an output signal from the control section (not shown) described above.

The lens array 5 and the image sensor 6 are both rectangular and flat members, and the optical axis O is perpendicular to the geometric center of the sheet surface. That is, the optical axis O coincides with the normal direction of the sheet surfaces of the lens array 5 and the image sensor 6.
The lens array 5 is arranged closer to the light incident side (Z1 side) than the image sensor 6 in the optical axis O direction. The lens array 5 is bonded to the light receiving surface (Z1 side surface) of the image sensor 6 via the bonding layer 7.

The lens array 5 includes a lens section 10, a light control section 20, and an adhesive layer 30, as shown in FIG.
The lens section 10 is composed of a plurality of unit lenses 11, as shown in FIG. Each unit lens 11 is arranged in a square lattice shape in the X direction and the Y direction along the sheet surface. Thereby, each unit lens 11 is arranged two-dimensionally along the light receiving surface of the image sensor 6 when configured as the imaging module 4. As shown in FIG. 3, the unit lens 11 is an optical member having a convex shape on the light incident side (Z1 side). The unit lens 11 of this embodiment is formed into a substantially hemispherical shape in the XZ cross section. The term "substantially hemispherical" refers to a shape that includes not only a hemisphere but also a partial shape of a sphere or a spheroid. Further, as the optical member having a convex shape on the light incident side, for example, a Fresnel lens can also be used.

The lens portion 10 is made of a resin having light transmittance. Specifically, the lens portion 10 is formed by ultraviolet molding or the like using an ultraviolet curing resin such as urethane acrylate, polyester acrylate, or epoxy acrylate. Note that the lens portion 10 may be formed of other ionizing radiation curable resins such as electron beam curable resins. Further, the lens portion 10 may be formed by a hot melt extrusion method using a thermoplastic resin such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate) resin, or may be formed from glass.

In the unit lens 11, an antireflection layer (not shown) having an antireflection function is formed on the surface on the light incident side (Z1 side). This antireflection layer is formed by coating a material having an antireflection function, such as magnesium fluoride (MgF ₂ ), silicon dioxide (SiO ₂ ), or a fluorine-based optical coating agent, to a predetermined thickness. Ru. In lens array 5. By forming an antireflection layer on the surface on the light incident side, reflection at the interface between the lens array 5 and air can be suppressed and the amount of incident light can be increased.

As will be described later, the light control unit 20 has a function of absorbing a portion of the incident light that causes crosstalk and transmitting the other light. As shown in FIG. 3, the light control section 20 includes a light-shielding partition section 21 and a light-transmitting material layer 22.
As shown in FIG. 2, the light-shielding partition portion 21 is a structure that is partitioned into a lattice shape so as to surround the unit lens 11 when viewed from the normal direction of the light-receiving surface. Hereinafter, one section of the light-shielding partition section 21 will also be referred to as a "partition section section 21d." As shown in FIG. 3, the light-shielding partition 21 extends along the thickness direction (Z direction) of the lens array 5. By providing the light-shielding partition part 21 (light control part 20) on the light output side (Z2 side) of the lens part 10, a part of the image formed by each unit lens 11 enters from an oblique direction, and is transmitted to the adjacent pixel. A phenomenon called so-called crosstalk, which is projected onto the area (image sensor 6), can be suppressed.

As described later, the light-shielding partition section 21 includes a plurality of light-shielding partition sheets 211 (described later) made of a light-absorbing material such as carbon black (hereinafter referred to as a light-absorbing material) or a resin containing a light-absorbing material. It can be produced by overlapping.
As the light absorbing material, a particulate member having a function of absorbing light in the visible light region is suitable. Examples of such members include carbon black, graphite, metal salts such as black iron oxide, pigments and dyes, and resin particles colored with pigments and dyes.

When using resin particles colored with pigments or dyes, the resin particles may be made of acrylic resin, PC (polycarbonate) resin, PE (polyethylene) resin, PS (polystyrene) resin, MBS (methyl methacrylate, butadiene, Styrene) resin, MS (methyl methacrylate styrene) resin, etc. are used. When the light-shielding partition part 21 is made of resin, it is desirable that its refractive index be the same as that of the lens part 10, the adhesive layer 30, and the light-transmitting material layer 22. Optical design is facilitated by making the refractive index of each of these parts the same. Moreover, by forming these parts with the same material, the adhesion between the lens part 10 and the light control part 20 (the light-shielding partition part 21 and the light-transmitting material layer 22) can be further improved.
As the light absorbing material, a combination of carbon black or the like and colored resin particles as described above may be used. Examples of the resin containing a light absorbing material include ultraviolet curable resins such as urethane acrylate and epoxy acrylate, and ionizing radiation curable resins such as electron beam curable resins.

The thickness of the light control section 20 is, for example, 20 μm to 10 mm.
Further, as described later, the light-shielding partition wall portion 21 can also be produced by stacking a plurality of metal light-shielding partition sheets 211 obtained by etching a thin plate of stainless steel, iron, copper, or the like.
As described above, the light-shielding barrier rib portion 21 is configured as a laminate in which a plurality of light-shielding barrier rib sheets 211 made of resin or metal are stacked one on top of the other.

The adhesive layer 30 is a layer that adheres the lens section 10 and the light control section 20. The adhesive layer 30 may be made of, for example, the same type of resin material as the lens portion 10, a resin material such as acrylic, urethane, or silicone used for OCA (Optical Clear Adhesive), a thermosetting resin, or a two-component curing resin. etc. can be used. As described above, the refractive index of the adhesive layer 30 is desirably the same as the refractive index of the resin forming the lens section 10 and the light-shielding partition section 21. Note that depending on the method of manufacturing the lens array 5, the adhesive layer 30 can be omitted. For example, if the lens section 10 is directly molded on the light incident side (Z1 side) of the light control section 20, the adhesive layer 30 can be omitted in the lens array 5.

As shown in FIG. 3, the light-transmitting material layer (hereinafter also referred to as "light-transmitting layer") 22 is a member that is filled inside each partition section 21d in the light-shielding partition section 21. As shown in FIG. As the light-transmitting layer 22, the same type of resin material as the lens portion 10 can be used, for example. It is desirable that the refractive index of the light-transmitting layer 22 be the same as that of the light-shielding partition wall portion 21 . The refractive index of the light-transmitting layer 22 is, for example, 1.38 to 1.60. By setting the refractive index of the light-transmitting layer 22 to be the same as that of the light-shielding partition 21, reflection of light on the surface of the light-shielding partition 21 can be suppressed, so that the image sensor 6 can capture a clearer image. Note that substantially the same effect can be obtained even if the refractive index of the light-transmitting layer 22 is lower than the refractive index of the light-blocking partition 21.

By filling the partition wall section 21d with the light transmitting layer 22, the strength of the lens array 5 can be further improved compared to a structure in which the inside of the partition wall section 21d is filled with air. Furthermore, by filling the partition wall section 21d with the light transmitting layer 22, the focal length of the unit lens 11 constituting the lens section 10 can be substantially shortened, so that the structure in which the inside of the partition wall section 21d is filled with air can be realized. In comparison, the lens array 5 can be made thinner.

The image sensor 6 is a solid-state image sensor that converts light received by a light receiving surface into an electrical signal and outputs the electrical signal. The image sensor 6 has a plurality of pixels PX arranged in a two-dimensional direction, and each pixel PX detects the intensity of light incident on that pixel PX. A lens array 5 is bonded to the light receiving surface (Z1 side surface) of the image sensor 6 via a bonding layer 7 (see FIG. 1).

A plurality of pixels PX constituting the image sensor 6 are arranged in a two-dimensional direction on the surface of the image sensor 6 on the subject side, which is the light-receiving surface. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of pixels PX of the image sensor 6 are arranged in the left-right direction and the up-down direction (X direction and Y direction). Note that FIG. 2 schematically shows the sizes of a plurality of pixels PX corresponding to one unit lens 11. Furthermore, in the following description, a region made up of a plurality of pixels PX corresponding to one unit lens 11 is also referred to as a "pixel region."
As the image sensor 6, for example, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) is used.

In the camera 1 , light that has proceeded from the opening 2 into the imaging module 4 is incident on the lens array 5 and is focused by the unit lens 11 . The light collected by the unit lens 11 is focused on the light receiving surface of the image sensor 6. Further, of the light incident on the lens array 5, a portion of the light traveling in an oblique direction is absorbed by the light-shielding partition portion 21. Therefore, images formed by the lens array 5 are formed on the light receiving surface of the image sensor 6 without overlapping each other.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of pixels PX of the image sensor 6 are arranged to correspond to each of the plurality of unit lenses 11 provided in the lens array 5. During photographing, light divided by the corresponding unit lens 11 enters each pixel PX, and the intensity of the light is detected by each pixel PX. Furthermore, by analyzing each pixel PX and the position of the unit lens 11 on the XY plane through which the light has passed, the direction of incidence of the light incident on the pixel PX can be detected.
During photographing, information on the intensity and direction of the incident light detected by each pixel PX in the imaging module 4 is stored in the storage section, and various calculations are performed by the control section to determine the focal length and the incident direction. It is generated as image data with the depth of field etc. changed (refocus processing performed).

Next, specific examples of the dimensions of each part in the lens array 5 and the relationship with incident light will be described.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the lens array 5. FIG. 4, like FIG. 3, is a diagram corresponding to the sectional view taken along the line II in FIG. 2. Note that in FIG. 4, illustration of the adhesive layer 30 shown in FIG. 3 is omitted.
Examples of the dimensions of each part of the lens array 5 shown in FIG. 4 include the following numerical values. (The preferred range is in parentheses). Note that the numerical values shown below are examples of conditions necessary for suppressing crosstalk in the light control unit 20, and the dimensions of each part of the lens array 5 are not limited to the specific examples below.

The arrangement pitch p of the partition wall sections 21d is 850 μm.
The width w of the light shielding partition portion 21 is 100 μm.
The height h1 of the light-shielding partition wall portion 21 is 1000 μm.
The height h2 of the unit lens 11 is a value from the interface b between the lens section 10 and the light control section 20, and is 500 μm. Note that interface b indicates an interface assuming that there is no adhesive layer 30 between the lens section 10 and the light control section 20.

The radius of curvature of the unit lens 11 is 530 μm. The center point of the radius of curvature of the unit lens 11 is set on the optical axis of the unit lens 11 based on the relationship between the arrangement pitch of the unit lens 11 and the radius of curvature. Specifically, in the image sensor 6, the arrangement pitch of the unit lenses 11 is determined by the number of pixels allocated to one unit lens 11. Further, the radius of curvature of the unit lens 11 is determined from the required viewing angle, and the height h3 of the convex portion of the unit lens 11 is determined from this radius of curvature. The arrangement pitch of the unit lenses 11 is, for example, 50 μm to 12 mm, assuming that the image sensor 6 is full size (36 mm×24 mm).

In this example, the arrangement pitch of the unit lenses 11 was determined to be 850 μm (the width w of the light-shielding partition 21 was 100 μm, the area of the image area was 750×750 μm), and the radius of curvature of the unit lenses 11 was determined to be 530 μm from the viewing angle of 40°. As a result, the focal position of the unit lens 11 having a radius of curvature of 530 μm (distance from the apex of the unit lens 11 to the flat portion of the lens portion 10 = height h4) was determined to be approximately 1500 μm. Note that the "image area" refers to the total area of the pixel group allocated to one unit lens 11.

In the lens array 5 having the above dimensions, among the light incident from the apex 11a of the unit lens 11, the light L1 incident at an angle θ1 is transmitted to the corresponding pixel of the image sensor 6 (not shown) without being blocked by the light control unit 20. The light enters region PX1. In the lens array 5, all light incident from the apex 11a of the unit lens 11 at an angle less than or equal to θ1 enters the corresponding pixel region PX1 of the image sensor 6. As will be described later, all light incident at an angle exceeding angle θ1 is absorbed by the light control unit 20.

If the length of the light control unit 20 on the Z2 side is short, the light L2 incident at the angle θ2 enters the pixel area PX2 adjacent to the image sensor 6 from the lower side of the light control unit 20. If the length of the light control unit 20 on the Z1 side is short, the light L3 incident at the angle θ3 enters the pixel region PX2 adjacent to the image sensor 6 from above the light control unit 20. Since both of these lights L2 and L3 are incident at an angle exceeding angle θ1, they are all absorbed by the light control unit 20. Therefore, by joining the lens array 5 having the above dimensions to the image sensor 6, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of crosstalk.

As shown in FIG. 4, the light control unit 20 preferably extends from the Z1 side to the Z2 side in the thickness direction (Z direction) of the lens array 5, but is not limited thereto. In the configuration of the lens array 5 described above, in order to block the light L2 entering from the lower side (Z2 side) of the light blocking partition part 21 and the light L3 entering from the upper side (Z1 side), as shown on the right side of FIG. The length of the light-shielding partition wall portion 21 may be within the range of h5 to h6 (μm) from the lower end of the lens array 5 on the Z2 side. Thereby, the light L2 and the light L3 that are incident from the vertex 11a of the unit lens 11 at an angle exceeding the angle θ1 can be blocked. As an example, h5 to h6 are 53 to 270 μm.

Note that the range of the light-shielding partition 21 described above is a numerical value illustrated to explain that the light-shielding partition 21 does not have to extend from the Z1 side to the Z2 side, and in reality, this range is It is preferable to make it longer than the range.
Further, the upper end (Z1 side) of the light-shielding partition wall portion 21 may extend so as to surround each unit lens 11 in the lens portion 10 .

Next, a method for manufacturing the light control section 20 will be described.
First, an example in which the light control section 20 is manufactured using a light-shielding partition sheet 211 made of resin will be described.
FIGS. 5A to 5D are diagrams showing a procedure for manufacturing the light control section 20 using a light-shielding partition sheet 211 made of resin. Note that in FIG. 5 and FIGS. 6 to 9 described later, the height of the light control section 20 in the thickness direction (Z direction) is shorter than the height shown in FIG. 3 in order to explain the manufacturing method using one drawing. Illustrated.

As shown in FIG. 5(A), a resin base sheet 212 is prepared. This base sheet 212 is, for example, a resin sheet colored with a black pigment. The thickness of the base sheet 212 is, for example, 250 μm. By stacking four light-shielding partition sheets 211 made from this base sheet 212, a light-shielding partition sheet 211 with a thickness of about 1 mm is obtained (the same applies to the metal light-shielding partition sheet 211 described later).

As shown in FIG. 5(A), the base sheet 212 is irradiated with laser light LR to form regions that will become the partition partitions 21d. Then, as shown in FIG. 5(B), one sheet (one layer) of light-shielding partition sheet 211 is produced by removing unnecessary sheet material from the region that will become the partition partition section 21d. In addition, in the light-shielding partition sheet 211, the formation of the region to become the partition partition section 21d is not limited to laser light, and may be formed by punching, for example. Alternatively, the region that will become the partition wall section 21d may be formed by resin molding.

Next, as shown in FIG. 5(C), one light-shielding partition portion 21 is produced by stacking and bonding four light-shielding partition sheets 211. For example, an adhesive (not shown) can be used to bond the light-shielding partition sheet 211. Note that the four light-shielding partition sheets 211 may be joined together by the light-transmitting layer 22 filled in the partition partition section 21d of the light-shielding partition section 21 without using an adhesive.

Next, as shown in FIG. 5(D), the partition partition section 21d of the light-shielding partition section 21 is filled with an uncured ultraviolet curable resin (not shown). Then, the filled ultraviolet curable resin is irradiated with ultraviolet rays and cured, thereby forming the light transmitting layer 22. The light control section 20 can be manufactured through the above steps.

Next, an example in which the light control unit 20 is manufactured using a metal light-shielding partition sheet 211 will be described.
FIGS. 6A to 6E are diagrams showing a procedure for manufacturing the light control unit 20 using a metal light-shielding partition sheet 211.
First, as shown in FIG. 6(A), a base sheet 212 made of a thin copper plate is prepared. A resist layer 213 is formed on the surface of the base sheet 212, and a resist pattern is formed using, for example, a pattern forming method using electron beam pattern writing. This resist pattern has the same pattern shape as the light-shielding partition 21.

Next, the laminate of the base sheet 212 and the resist layer 213 on which the resist pattern is formed is set in an etching device (not shown), and the base sheet 212 is etched. By this etching process, one (one layer) light-shielding partition sheet 211 as shown in FIG. 6(B) is manufactured.
Next, as shown in FIG. 6C, four light-shielding partition sheets 211 are stacked and bonded to form one light-shielding partition 21. The metallic light-shielding partition sheet 211 may be bonded, for example, using an adhesive or an electrical method. Further, as in the case of the light-shielding partition sheet 211 made of resin, four light-shielding partition sheets 211 made of metal may be joined by the light-transmitting layer 22 filled in the partition section 21d of the light-shielding partition portion 21.

Next, as shown in FIG. 6(D), a blackening process is performed on the joined light-shielding partition wall portion 21. The blackening treatment may be, for example, oxidation treatment or vapor deposition of blackened chromium. Further, as a blackening treatment, a paint containing carbon particles may be applied to the light-shielding partition portion 21. By performing blackening treatment on the light-shielding partition 21, reflection of light on the surface of the light-shielding partition 21 can be suppressed.

Next, as shown in FIG. 6E, the partition section 21d of the light-shielding partition 21 is filled with an uncured ultraviolet curable resin (not shown). Then, the filled ultraviolet curable resin is irradiated with ultraviolet rays and cured, thereby forming the light transmitting layer 22. The light control section 20 can be manufactured through the above steps.

FIGS. 7A to 7C are diagrams showing the procedure for manufacturing the lens array 5.
First, as shown in FIG. 7(A), the adhesive layer 30 is formed on the surface of the light control section 20 on the light incident side (Z1 side). The light control unit 20 may be constructed of a light-shielding partition sheet 211 made of resin (see FIG. 5) or may be constructed of a light-shielding partition sheet 211 made of metal (see FIG. 6).

Next, as shown in FIG. 7(B), the lens section 10 is placed on the light incident side (Z1 side) of the light control section 20. Here, as shown in FIG. 2, alignment is performed so that each partition wall section 21d provided in the light control section 20 and each unit lens 11 formed in the lens section 10 are aligned on the sheet surface. conduct. Then, the lens section 10 and the light control section 20 are bonded together using an adhesive layer 30.
Thereby, as shown in FIG. 7(C), the lens array 5 including the lens section 10 and the light control section 20 is completed.

According to the lens array 5 of the embodiment described above, since the light transmitting layer 22 is filled in the partition wall section 21d of the light control section 20, the lens array is The strength of No. 5 can be further improved. Furthermore, by filling the partition wall section 21d with the light transmitting layer 22, the focal length of the unit lens 11 constituting the lens section 10 can be substantially shortened, so that the structure in which the inside of the partition wall section 21d is filled with air can be realized. In comparison, the lens array 5 can be made thinner.

In the lens array 5 of the embodiment, the light-shielding partition section 21 of the light control section 20 is configured as a laminate in which a plurality of light-shielding partition sheets 211 are stacked one on top of the other. Therefore, in the lens array 5, the thickness of the light control section 20 can be adjusted more finely. Furthermore, an aperture control section 211a, a reflection control section 211b, etc., which will be described later, can be easily formed inside the light-shielding partition section 21.

In the lens array 5 of the embodiment, the light-shielding partition section 21 of the light control section 20 may be formed into a laminate by overlapping resin-made light-shielding partition sheets 211, or may be formed by overlapping metal light-shielding partition sheets 211 as a laminate. Good too. Therefore, the configuration of the light control section 20 can be appropriately selected depending on the product specifications of the lens array 5 and the like.

Next, other embodiments of the light-shielding partition wall portion 21 will be described.
FIG. 8(A) is a cross-sectional view of the light-shielding partition portion 21 having the aperture control portion 211a. FIG. 8(B) is a cross-sectional view of the light control section 20 having the aperture control section 211a. In FIGS. 8A and 8B, gaps are shown between the light-shielding partition sheets 211 for easy understanding, but in the light-shielding partition portion 21, the plurality of light-shielding partition sheets 211 are stacked without any gaps. ing. The same applies to FIGS. 9(A) to 9(C), which will be described later.

In the light-shielding partition section 21 shown in FIG. 8A, the opening area of one light-shielding partition sheet 211 is set to be smaller than the opening area of the other light-shielding partition sheet 211 in a region that becomes the partition partition section 21d. In the light-shielding partition sheet 211, the opening area of the region that will become the partition section 21d can be appropriately set by adjusting the irradiation range of the laser beam LR (see FIG. 5(A)). In addition, in the light-shielding partition sheet 211, the formation of the region to become the partition partition section 21d is not limited to laser light, and may be formed by punching, for example. Alternatively, the region that will become the partition wall section 21d may be formed by resin molding.

In the light-shielding partition part 21 in which the light-shielding partition sheets 211 with small opening areas are laminated, the part with the small opening area becomes the opening control part 211a. Although not shown, the aperture control section 211a is formed in all the partition partition sections 21d that constitute the light-shielding partition section 21. Although it is desirable that the opening control portion 211a has a circular shape when viewed from the normal direction of the sheet surface, it may have a similar shape to the shape of the partition partition portion 21d when viewed from the normal direction of the sheet surface.

By forming the aperture control part 211a in each partition partition part 21d, as shown in FIG. It is possible to transmit the light and block other light L5. In this way, the aperture control section 211a provided in the light shielding partition section 21 functions as an aperture of the camera 1. The aperture control section 211a may be provided at the lens section 10 side (Z1 side) or the image sensor 6 side (Z2 side) in the light shielding partition section 21. Further, the aperture control section 211a may be provided at a plurality of locations in the thickness direction (Z direction) of the light shielding partition section 21.

FIG. 9(A) is a cross-sectional view of the light-shielding partition section 21 having the reflection control section 211b. FIG. 9(B) is a cross-sectional view of the light control section 20 having the reflection control section 211b. FIG. 9C is a cross-sectional view of a light-shielding partition 21 having a reflection control section 211b having another shape.
In the light-shielding partition wall portion 21 shown in FIG. 9A, reflection control portions 211b are provided on each of the four light-shielding partition sheets 211 in a region that becomes the partition partition portion 21d. In the reflection control section 211b, the cross-sectional shape of the portion that partitions the partition wall section 21d is different between the lens section 10 side (Z1 side) and the image sensor 6 side (Z2 side). Specifically, the reflection control section 211b is formed such that the end on the image sensor 6 side (Z2 side) protrudes more inward than the end on the lens section 10 side (Z1 side). Note that the reflection control section 211b may be formed such that the end on the lens section 10 side (Z1 side) protrudes more inward than the end on the image sensor 6 side (Z2 side).

Such a shape can be formed, for example, in the metal light-shielding partition sheet 211 by controlling the etching time. That is, by finishing the etching process of the light-shielding partition sheet 211 before the end portion of the light-shielding partition sheet 211 on the image sensor 6 side (Z2 side) is completely dissolved and removed, as shown in FIG. 9(A). It is possible to form an edge-shaped cross-sectional shape as shown in . Although not shown, the reflection control portions 211b are formed in all the partition partition portions 21d that constitute the light-shielding partition portion 21. Although it is desirable that the reflection control section 211b has a circular shape when viewed from the normal direction of the sheet surface, it may have a similar shape to the shape of the partition partition section 21d when viewed from the normal direction of the sheet surface.

By forming the reflection control part 211b in each partition partition part 21d, as shown in FIG. ) can be reflected. Note that the reflection control portion 211b may be formed on all the laminated light-shielding partition sheets 211, as shown in FIG. 9(A), or may be formed on one or two to three light-shielding partition sheets 211. It's okay.

Note that by etching both sides of the light-shielding partition sheet 211 or etching each side alternately, only the central portion of the light-shielding partition sheet 211 in the thickness direction (Z direction) is etched, as shown in FIG. 9(C). A cross-sectional shape that protrudes inward can be formed. Even in the case of such a shape, a part of the light L7 that is incident obliquely to the normal direction of the sheet surface can be reflected upward (in the Z1 direction).
Further, the light-shielding partition sheet 211 having the cross-sectional shape shown in FIG. 9(C) and the light-shielding partition sheet 211 having the cross-sectional shapes shown in FIGS. 8(A) and 9(A) may be combined.

Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made, such as the modified embodiments described below, and these may also be disclosed in the present disclosure. included within the technical scope of Further, the effects described in the embodiments are merely a list of the most preferable effects resulting from the present disclosure, and are not limited to those described in the embodiments. In addition, although the above-mentioned embodiment and the modification mentioned later can also be used in combination suitably, detailed description is abbreviate|omitted.

(Deformed form)
In the embodiment, an example has been described in which the light-shielding partition section 21 is a laminate in which a plurality of light-shielding partition sheets 211 are stacked one on top of the other. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the light-shielding partition wall portion 21 may be constituted by one light-shielding partition sheet 211. Further, when a plurality of light-shielding partition sheets 211 are stacked to form a laminate, the thickness of each light-shielding partition sheet 211 may be equal or different.

In the embodiment, an example has been described in which the light-blocking partition part 21 is produced by laminating light-blocking partition sheets 211 made of resin, and an example in which the light-blocking partition part 21 is produced by stacking light-blocking partition sheets 211 made of metal. The invention is not limited to this, and the light-shielding partition portion 21 may be produced by appropriately combining the light-shielding partition sheet 211 made of resin and the light-shielding partition sheet 211 made of blackened metal.
In the embodiment, an example has been described in which a plurality of unit lenses 11 are arranged in a square lattice shape in the X direction and the Y direction along the sheet surface. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the plurality of unit lenses 11 may be arranged in a hexagonal lattice shape or a rectangular lattice shape when viewed from the normal direction (Z direction) of the sheet surface.

The size of the light-receiving surface of the image sensor 6 is appropriately selected depending on the size of the mobile terminal, camera, etc. in which the imaging module 4 is used, the desired image quality, the performance of the camera, and the like. For example, when the image sensor 6 is used in a mobile terminal such as a smartphone, the size of the light receiving surface of the image sensor 6 is 4.8 x 3.6 mm, 4.4 x 3.3 mm, etc. When used mainly in compact digital cameras, etc., the horizontal x vertical size may be 6.2 x 4.7 mm, 7.5 x 5.6 mm, etc.
In the embodiment, the camera 1 in which the imaging module 4 is housed in the housing 3 has been described as an example of an imaging device including the imaging module 4. The present invention is not limited to this, and the imaging module 4 may be used alone without being housed in the housing 3.

1 Camera 4 Imaging module 5 Lens array 6 Image sensor 10 Lens section 20 Light control section 21 Light-shielding partition section 21d Partition partition section 211 Light-shielding partition sheet 211a Aperture control section 211b Reflection control section 22 Light-transmitting material layer (light-transmitting layer)

Claims (5)

A lens array arranged on a light incident side than an imaging section of an imaging module,
a lens section in which a plurality of unit lenses having a convex shape on the light incident side are two-dimensionally arranged along the light receiving surface of the imaging section;
a light-shielding partition section provided on the light output side of the lens section and partitioned in shape when viewed from the normal direction of the light-receiving surface so as to surround each of the unit lenses;
a light-transmitting material layer filled inside each section of the light-shielding partition wall;
Equipped with
The light-shielding partition portion is a laminate in which a plurality of light-shielding partition sheets are stacked along the thickness direction of the lens array,
At least one of the plurality of light-shielding partition sheets constituting the light-shielding partition section is:
The area of the opening corresponding to the division is smaller than the area of the opening corresponding to the division of the other light-shielding partition sheet, and
located closer to the lens section than the light-shielding partition sheet located closest to the imaging section in the thickness direction of the lens array;
lens array. The lens array according to claim 1,
The partition sheet is a resin sheet,
lens array. The lens array according to claim 1,
the partition sheet is a metal sheet,
lens array. an imaging unit in which a plurality of pixels are two-dimensionally arranged to convert incident light into electrical signals;
The lens array according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which is arranged on a light incident side of the imaging unit;
Equipped with
A plurality of the pixels correspond to one unit lens and one division,
Imaging module. An imaging device comprising the imaging module according to claim 4.

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