JP2018087889A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus used on a vehicle or the like which is subjected to waterproofing while reducing the number of components and the number of welding processes.SOLUTION: An imaging apparatus comprises a front case (1) which houses lenses (11-18), a base plate (5) which has an imaging section (5a) receiving light having passed through the lenses, and a spacer (4) disposed between the base plate and the front case. The spacer (4) is configured so as to adjust distance between the imaging section (5a) and the lenses (11-18).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  One embodiment of the present invention relates to an imaging device or the like.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is an automobile having an imaging device (camera) that enables a driver to check the back of the automobile. An imaging device mounted on such an automobile includes a lens unit holding member, a lens holder, a lens fixing member, and the like, and by moving the lens fixing member in the optical axis direction with respect to the lens unit holding member, The structure which adjusts the imaging position of a lens was employ | adopted (refer patent document 1).

JP 2013-37189 A

  However, in the conventional configuration described in Patent Document 1 and the like, the lens unit holding member, the lens holder, and the lens fixing member corresponding to the housing are configured separately. Therefore, while it is possible to adjust the image formation position by adjusting the position of these components, it is necessary to perform appropriate waterproofing at the connecting part of each component, such as an increase in the number of parts and welding processes. It was the cause.

  The present invention employs the following means in order to solve the above-described problems. In the following description, in order to facilitate understanding of the invention, reference numerals and the like in the drawings are appended in parentheses, but each component of the present invention is not limited to these appendices. It should be construed broadly to the extent that contractors can technically understand.

One means of the present invention is to
A front case (1) for housing the lenses (11-18);
A substrate (5) having an imaging unit (5a) for receiving light that has passed through the lens;
A spacer (4) disposed between the substrate and the front case,
The spacer (4) is configured to be capable of adjusting a distance between the imaging unit (5a) and the lenses (11 to 18).
An imaging device.

  In the imaging apparatus having the above-described configuration, the distance between the imaging unit and the lens can be adjusted by the spacer. Therefore, the front case can be configured to accommodate the lens without having a separate lens frame. Therefore, compared with the conventional configuration, the number of parts can be reduced, or processes such as welding can be reduced. Moreover, it can be set as the structure which has waterproof performance higher than before.

In the imaging apparatus, preferably,
The spacer (4) is screw-fitted with the front case (1) (B) and is fixed to the substrate (5). By rotating, the imaging unit (5a) and the lenses (11 to 18) are rotated. ) In the optical axis direction can be changed.

  According to the imaging apparatus having the above configuration, the distance in the optical axis direction between the spacer and the front case can be changed by rotating the screw fitting portion, and thus the imaging position is adjusted with a relatively simple configuration. be able to.

In the imaging apparatus, preferably,
The substrate is movable in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction with respect to the front case.

  According to the imaging apparatus having the above configuration, the imaging position in the optical axis direction can be adjusted by rotating the spacer screw, and the imaging position in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction can be adjusted by moving the substrate. be able to.

In the imaging apparatus, preferably,
A substrate support member (7) disposed between the substrate (5) and the spacer (4);
The substrate (5) is in contact with the substrate support member (7),
The substrate support member (7) is in contact with the spacer (4).

  According to the imaging apparatus having the above-described configuration, the substrate support member is disposed between the substrate and the spacer. Therefore, by adjusting the contact region between the substrate and the substrate support member, the region in which the electronic components and the like are disposed on the substrate It is possible to increase the degree of freedom.

In the imaging apparatus, preferably,
In plan view, a region where the substrate support member (7) and the substrate (5) are in contact is narrower than a region where the spacer (4) is in contact with the substrate (5).

  According to the imaging apparatus having the above-described configuration, the area where another member is in contact with the substrate can be narrowed, so that the degree of freedom of the arrangement area of electronic components and the like on the substrate can be further increased.

In the imaging apparatus, preferably,
The substrate support member (7) is fixed at a position in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction with respect to the front case (1).

  According to the imaging apparatus having the above-described configuration, even if the spacer is rotated, the substrate support member does not move in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis direction. Can be used.

In the imaging apparatus, preferably,
The front case (1) includes a lens frame portion (3) that houses the lenses (11 to 18), and a housing portion (2).

  According to the imaging apparatus having the above configuration, the casing and the lens frame in the conventional configuration can be integrated, so that the number of parts can be more effectively reduced or welding can be performed compared to the conventional configuration. Etc. can be reduced.

The external appearance perspective view which looked at the imaging device from the optical axis direction front side. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of an imaging apparatus according to a second embodiment. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an imaging apparatus according to a second embodiment. FIG. 6 is an external perspective view of the imaging apparatus according to the second embodiment when viewed from the rear side in the optical axis direction. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the imaging apparatus according to the second embodiment viewed from the rear side in the optical axis direction.

  The image pickup apparatus according to each embodiment of the present invention has a front case in which a conventional casing and a lens frame are integrally configured, and is coupled in the optical axis direction by rotating a screw fitting portion between the spacer and the front case. It is characterized in that the image position (focus) can be adjusted.

An embodiment according to the present invention will be specifically described according to the following configuration with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiment described below is merely an example of the present invention and does not limit the technical scope of the present invention. In addition, in each drawing, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same component and the description may be abbreviate | omitted.
1. Embodiment 1
2. Embodiment 2
3. Modified example 4. 4. Features of the present invention Supplementary matter

<1. Embodiment 1>
First, Embodiment 1 of this invention is demonstrated, referring FIGS. 1-3. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of the imaging apparatus. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the imaging apparatus of the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the imaging apparatus of the present embodiment includes a front case 1, a spacer 4, a substrate 5, optical members 11 to 18, and an infrared cut filter 21. As shown in FIG. 2, the front case 1 includes a housing part 2 and a lens frame part 3. The substrate 5 is connected to the front case 1 by screws 6. In FIG. 3, “A” indicates the optical axis. 2 and 3, “A1” refers to the subject side and may be referred to as “front in the optical axis direction”. Similarly, in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, “A2” indicates the image sensor side and may be referred to as “backward in the optical axis direction”.

<Front case 1>
The front case 1 is configured to include a housing 2 and a lens frame 3. The casing 2 is a case that covers the outside of the imaging device. The lens frame portion 3 has an opening having an inner diameter that gradually decreases inwardly, and accommodates optical members 11 to 18 such as a plurality of lenses. Optical members 11 to 18 can be inserted into the opening of the lens frame 3 from the front in the optical direction. The optical members 11 to 18 are restricted from moving rearward in the optical axis direction by a step formed inside the lens frame portion 3 and are restricted from moving forward in the optical axis direction by contacting each other.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a screw thread is formed at a position B on the outer side in the radial direction of the lens frame portion 3, and is fitted to the thread of the spacer 4. The lens frame portion 3 has a screw hole into which the screw 6 can be inserted on the rear surface in the optical axis direction.

<Optical members 11-18>
The optical members 11 to 18 include the first lens 11, the waterproof rubber 12, the first aperture plate 13, the second lens 14, the second aperture plate 15, the third lens 16, the third aperture plate 17, and the fourth lens 18. Thus, the plurality of lenses and the like are collectively referred to as optical members 11 to 18. The first lens 11, the second lens 14, the third lens 16, and the fourth lens 18 are made of a transparent material such as glass or plastic, and each refracts light from the front in the optical axis direction while refracting light from the optical axis. It is a lens that transmits in the rear direction. The 1st aperture plate 13, the 2nd aperture plate 15, and the 3rd aperture plate 17 have moderate thickness in an optical axis direction, and are disk-shaped for adjusting the position of the optical axis direction of each lens. It is a member. The waterproof rubber 12 is disposed between the first lens 11 and the first aperture plate 13 and elastically seals between the first lens 11 and the front case 1 in the radial direction, so that the waterproof rubber 12 can be seen from the front in the optical axis direction. This prevents water from entering the rear side of the first lens 11 in the optical axis direction. The number and arrangement of these lenses and spacers can be appropriately changed as necessary.

<Spacer 4>
The spacer 4 is interposed between the front case 1 and the substrate 5, and is a member that adjusts the distance between the imaging unit 5 a mounted on the substrate 5 and the optical members 11 to 18. The spacer 4 has a cylindrical shape, and a thread is formed at a position B on the inner side. The spacer 4 is screwed to the front case 1. The spacer 4 has a knob 4a, and is configured so that the operator can screw the spacer 4 into the front case 1 by rotating the knob 4a by an operator in the assembly process. The rear surface of the spacer 4 in the optical axis direction is in contact with the substrate 5 at the position C.

  When the screwing amount of the spacer 4 with respect to the front case 1 changes, the relative position between the optical members 11 to 18 accommodated in the lens frame portion 3 of the front case 1 and the rear surface in the optical axis direction of the spacer 4 changes. Since the position of the rear surface of the spacer 4 in the optical axis direction is fixed with respect to the position of the substrate 5 and the imaging unit 5a mounted on the substrate 5, the optical members 11 to 18 and the spacer 4 in the rear direction of the optical axis. When the relative position with respect to the surface changes, the relative position between the optical members 11 to 18 and the imaging unit 5a changes. That is, when the screwing amount of the spacer 4 is changed with respect to the front case 1, the positions of the optical members 11 to 18 and the imaging unit 5a in the optical axis direction change.

<Substrate 5>
The substrate 5 mounts the imaging unit 5a and other electronic components. The imaging unit 5a is a photoelectric conversion device that receives light that has passed through a lens or the like, converts the light into an electrical signal, and outputs the electrical signal, and is, for example, a C-MOS sensor or a CCD. The front surface of the substrate 5 in the optical axis direction is in contact with the rear surface of the spacer 4 in the optical axis direction at the position C. In the state before the assembly, the surface where the substrate 5 and the spacer 4 are in contact with each other can move in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis direction, and in the state after the assembly, the position is fixed with an adhesive or the like.

<Infrared cut filter 21>
The infrared cut filter 21 blocks or suppresses (weakens) the wavelength of the infrared component contained in the light that has passed through the optical members 11 to 18 and passes it backward in the optical axis direction. Note that the infrared cut filter 21 is not an essential component for the imaging apparatus of the present invention, but is a component that is arranged as necessary.

  Here, the adjustment of the imaging position in the assembly process of the imaging apparatus of the present embodiment will be described. Adjustment of the imaging position in the assembly process is performed by adjustment in the optical axis direction (focus adjustment) and adjustment in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis direction (adjustment of the optical axis position). Adjustment of the imaging position in the optical axis direction is performed by rotating the spacer 4 with respect to the front case 1 to change the screwing amount of the spacer 4 with respect to the front case 1, and thereby the relative position between the front case 1 and the spacer 4. This is done by changing As described above, when the screwing amount of the spacer 4 with respect to the front case 1 changes, the positions of the optical members 11 to 18 and the imaging unit 5a in the optical axis direction change.

  On the other hand, the adjustment of the imaging position in the plane perpendicular to the optical axis direction is performed by moving the contact surface (position C in FIG. 3) between the spacer 4 and the substrate 5 in the plane perpendicular to the optical axis direction. Is called. In a state where the imaging unit 5a is in an appropriate position with respect to the optical members 11 to 18, the position of C where the spacer 4 and the substrate 5 are in contact is adhered with an adhesive or the like, whereby the imaging unit for the optical members 11 to 18 is obtained. The position in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction of 5a is fixed.

<2. Second Embodiment>
Next, Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 4 to 7. The imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment is similar to the imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment, but is different in that a substrate support member 7 is disposed between the spacer 4 and the substrate 5. In the following description, the description of the configuration common to the first embodiment will be omitted, and the description will focus on the parts different from the first embodiment.

  FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an imaging apparatus common to the first embodiment. The external perspective view of FIG. 1 is a diagram of the imaging device viewed from the front side in the optical axis direction. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment as viewed from the front side in the optical axis direction. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the imaging apparatus of the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is an external perspective view of the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment as viewed from the rear side in the optical axis direction. FIG. 7 is a plan view of the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment as viewed from the rear side in the optical axis direction.

<Spacer 4>
As in the first embodiment, the spacer 4 is screwed to the front case 1 at the position D in FIG. 5, but is not in direct contact with the substrate 5 but in contact with the substrate support member 7.

<Substrate support member 7>
The substrate support member 7 is a substantially rectangular frame-shaped member as shown in FIG. 4, and has a certain thickness in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction. The front surface of the substrate support member 7 is in contact with the spacer 4 at the position E, and the rear surface in the optical axis direction is in contact with the substrate 5 at the position F. The substrate support member 7 has a plurality of convex portions 7 a on the rear surface in the optical axis direction, and the convex portions 7 a are in contact with the outer position of the substrate 5. The plurality of convex portions 7a are arranged near the central portion of each side forming a rectangle. The area of the region where the plurality of convex portions 7 a are in contact with the substrate 5 (hatched region in FIG. 7) is smaller than the area when the spacer 4 is in contact with the substrate 5. The electronic components mounted on the substrate 5 are arranged so as to avoid the hatched area in FIG. The contact surfaces of the substrate support member 7 and the spacers 4 and the substrate 5 are bonded with an adhesive or the like.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the substrate support member 7 has two through holes into which the screws 6 are inserted during assembly. More specifically, at the time of assembly, the screw 6 passes through the through hole of the substrate 5 and the through hole of the substrate support member 7 and is inserted into the screw hole of the front case 1. Therefore, even if the spacer 4 is rotated, the substrate support member 7 does not move on a plane perpendicular to the optical axis direction with respect to the substrate 5 and the front case 1.

<3. Modification>
The imaging device of the above embodiment may be modified as follows.

  The front case 1 does not necessarily have a configuration in which the housing 2 and the lens frame 3 are integrated, and may have a configuration in which the housing 2 and the lens frame 3 are bonded or welded. . However, if the front case is integrally formed, it is not necessary to perform bonding or welding with an adhesive, so that the cost can be more effectively reduced.

  The front case 1 and the spacer 4 do not necessarily have to be screw-fitted, and may employ another connecting structure that can adjust the relative position in the optical axis direction, such as cam fitting.

  The infrared cut filter 21 may be replaced with a filter that blocks or suppresses light having a predetermined wavelength different from that of infrared rays.

  The substrate support member 7 of Embodiment 2 has the four convex portions 7a in the direction in contact with the substrate 5, but the position and number of the convex portions 7a can be arbitrarily changed. Moreover, the structure which does not have the convex part 7a may be sufficient as the board | substrate support member 7. FIG.

<4. Features of the present invention>
In the imaging apparatus of the present invention, the front case 1 that houses the optical members (lenses and the like) 11 to 18, the substrate 5 having the imaging unit 5 a that receives the light that has passed through the optical members 11 to 18, the substrate 5, and the front case The spacer 4 is provided between the image pickup unit 5a and the optical members 11 to 18 so that the distance between the image pickup unit 5a and the optical members 11 to 18 can be adjusted. In such an imaging apparatus, since the distance between the imaging unit 5a and the optical members 11 to 18 can be adjusted by the spacer 4, an optical member such as a lens can be used without the front case 1 having a separate lens frame. It can be set as the structure accommodated. Therefore, compared with the conventional configuration, the number of parts can be reduced, or processes such as welding can be reduced. Moreover, it can be set as the structure which has waterproof performance higher than before.

  In the image pickup apparatus of the present invention, the spacer 4 is screw-fitted to the front case 1 (for example, the position B in FIG. 3) and fixed to the substrate 5, and rotates to rotate the image pickup unit 5a and the optical members 11 to 18. The distance in the direction of the optical axis can be changed. In such an imaging apparatus, the distance in the optical axis direction between the spacer 4 and the front case 1 can be changed by rotation of the screw fitting portion, so that the imaging position is adjusted with a relatively simple configuration. be able to.

  In the imaging apparatus of the present invention, the substrate 5 is movable in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction with respect to the front case 1. In such an imaging apparatus, the imaging position in the optical axis direction can be adjusted by screw rotation of the spacer 4, and the imaging position in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction can be adjusted by moving the substrate 5. be able to.

  The image pickup apparatus of the present invention further includes a substrate support member 7 disposed between the substrate 5 and the spacer 4, the substrate 5 is in contact with the substrate support member 7, and the substrate support member 7 is in contact with the spacer 4. . In such an imaging apparatus, since the substrate support member 7 is disposed between the substrate 5 and the spacer 4, the electronic component on the substrate 5 can be adjusted by adjusting the contact area between the substrate 5 and the substrate support member 7. It is possible to increase the degree of freedom of the arrangement area.

  In the image pickup apparatus of the present invention, the area where the substrate support member 7 and the substrate 5 are in contact with each other is smaller than the area when the spacer 4 is in contact with the substrate 5 in plan view. In such an imaging apparatus, since the area | region where another member (the board | substrate support member 7 replaced with the spacer 4) contact | connects the board | substrate 5 can be narrowed, the freedom degree of arrangement | positioning area | regions, such as an electronic component in the board | substrate 5, is raised further. Can do.

  In the imaging apparatus of the present invention, the substrate support member 7 is fixed at a position perpendicular to the optical axis direction with respect to the front case 1, so that the substrate support member 7 remains on the optical axis even when the spacer 4 is rotated. It will not move in a plane perpendicular to the direction. Thereby, arrangement | positioning area | regions, such as an electronic component on the board | substrate 5, can be utilized more effectively.

  In the imaging device of the present invention, the front case 1 includes a lens frame portion 3 that houses the optical members 11 to 18 and a housing portion 2. In such an imaging apparatus, since the casing and the lens frame in the conventional configuration can be integrated, the number of parts can be reduced more effectively compared to the conventional configuration, or welding, etc. The number of processes can be reduced.

<5. Supplementary items>
The specific description of the embodiment of the present invention has been given above. In the above description, the description is merely an embodiment, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, but is broadly interpreted to the extent that a person skilled in the art can grasp.

  The present invention is suitably used as an imaging device for a back monitor or the like mounted on an automobile.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Front case 2 ... Housing | casing part 3 ... Lens frame part 4 ... Spacer 5 ... Board | substrate 5a ... Imaging part 6 ... Screw 7 ... Board | substrate support member 7a ... Convex part 11 ... Lens 12 ... Waterproof rubber 13 ... Diameter board 14 ... Lens 15 ... aperture plate 16 ... lens 17 ... aperture plate 18 ... lens 21 ... infrared cut filter

Claims (7)

A front case that houses the lens;
A substrate having an imaging unit for receiving light that has passed through the lens;
A spacer disposed between the substrate and the front case,
The spacer is configured to be capable of adjusting a distance between the imaging unit and the lens.
Imaging device. The spacer is screw-fitted to the front case and fixed to the substrate, and can rotate to change the distance in the optical axis direction between the imaging unit and the lens.
The imaging device according to claim 1. The substrate is movable in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction with respect to the front case.
The imaging device according to claim 2. A substrate support member disposed between the substrate and the spacer;
The substrate is in contact with the substrate support member;
The substrate support member is in contact with the spacer;
The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. In plan view, the area where the substrate support member and the substrate are in contact is narrower than the area when the spacer is in contact with the substrate,
The imaging device according to claim 4. The substrate support member is fixed at a position in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction with respect to the front case.
The imaging device according to claim 4 or 5. The front case includes a lens frame portion that houses the lens, and a housing portion.
The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

Images