Vehicle-mounted camera

Abstract

The in-vehicle camera is provided with a metal first shield arranged to surround the loop plate in an inner space of the housing. The first shield is provided with a first bottom surface portion, a second bottom surface portion disposed away from the first bottom surface portion with respect to the second surface of the circuit board, and a connection portion connecting an entire circumference of the first bottom surface portion and an entire circumference of the second bottom surface portion. At least a first side portion, a second side portion, a third side portion, and a fourth side portion of the first shield are formed by continuous curved surfaces, and at least the first side portion, the second side portion, the third side portion, the fourth side portion, the first bottom surface portion, the connection portion, and the second bottom surface portion are formed by continuous curved surfaces.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle-mounted camera. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, with the demand for improving vehicle safety, introducing autonomous driving functions, etc., the development of vehicle-mounted cameras that are mounted on vehicles and capture images of the inside and outside of the vehicle has become active (for example, see Patent Documents 1 to 10).

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-196844

[0006] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-197798

[0007] Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-75825

[0008] Patent Document 4: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-67740

[0009] Patent Document 5: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2010-139627

[0010] Patent Document 6: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-029614

[0011] Patent Document 7: US2019 / 0143907A

[0012] Patent Document 8: WO2021 / 125074

[0013] Patent Document 9: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-208190

[0014] Patent Document 10: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-173434 Summary of the invention

[0015] Problem that the invention aims to solve

[0016] The level of requirements related to safety, autonomous driving functions, etc. required for vehicles continues to increase, and further improvements in performance, etc., are also required for in-vehicle cameras.

[0017] The present disclosure relates to a technology for providing a new type of vehicle-mounted camera.

[0018] Solutions for solving problems

[0019] The present disclosure provides a vehicle-mounted camera, which includes: a first cylindrical portion having a first cylindrical shape; a lens unit including at least one lens arranged inside the first cylindrical portion; an image sensor arranged on the optical axis of the at least one lens; a housing including a second cylindrical portion having a second cylindrical shape along the optical axis and accommodating at least the image sensor inside the second cylindrical portion; and a plate-like ring member formed of a first resin with a predetermined light transmittance, wherein the lens unit includes a flange portion extending around the entire circumference with the optical axis as the center and arranged outside the first cylindrical portion extending outward with the optical axis as the reference, the flange portion of the lens unit is arranged inside the second cylindrical portion of the housing in a radial direction orthogonal to the optical axis, and the flange portion of the lens unit includes an annular first surface facing the image sensor and an annular second surface opposite to the first surface. Second surface, the second surface of the flange part of the lens unit is provided with a first welding rib, the first welding rib is made of a second resin with a first light absorption property, protrudes in a direction opposite to the first surface and is arranged on the entire circumference with the optical axis as the center, the end surface of the second cylindrical part of the shell is provided with a second welding rib, the second welding rib is made of a third resin with a second light absorption property, protrudes along the optical axis direction and is arranged on the entire circumference with the optical axis as the center, the ring member is welded to the first welding rib on the second surface of the flange part of the lens unit, and is welded to the second welding rib on the end surface of the second cylindrical part of the shell, the lens unit includes a protrusion protruding in the radial direction and contacting the inner surface of the second cylindrical part of the shell, and when the ring member is welded to the first welding rib, the first burr generated from the first welding rib will not reach the end surface of the second cylindrical part of the shell at the position overlapping with the protrusion.

[0020] The present disclosure provides a vehicle-mounted camera, which includes: a lens unit including at least one lens; a circuit board having a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and an end surface between the first surface and the second surface; an image sensor mounted on the first surface of the circuit board and arranged on the optical axis of the at least one lens; a housing that supports the lens unit and accommodates at least the circuit board and the image sensor; a first metal shielding member arranged to surround the circuit board and partially face the second surface of the circuit board in an inner space of the housing; and a second metal shielding member arranged to partially face the first surface of the circuit board, wherein the circuit board has a first shape including at least a first side, a second side, a third side, and a fourth side in a plan view, and the end surface of the circuit board includes at least a first end surface corresponding to the first side, a second end surface corresponding to the second side, a third end surface corresponding to the third side, and a fourth end surface corresponding to the fourth side, and the first shielding member includes: a third bottom surface portion arranged to face the second surface of the circuit board and having a second shape including at least a fifth side, a sixth side, a seventh side, and an eighth side in a plan view; a first side surface portion arranged to face the circuit board to correspond to the fifth side of the third bottom surface portion; and a second side surface portion arranged to face the circuit board to correspond to the fifth side of the third bottom surface portion. The first shielding member has a sixth side facing the circuit board corresponding to the third bottom surface portion; a third side surface portion, which is arranged to face the circuit board to correspond to the seventh side of the third bottom surface portion; and a fourth side surface portion, which is arranged to face the circuit board to correspond to the eighth side of the third bottom surface portion, the first end surface of the circuit board faces the first side surface portion of the first shielding member, the second end surface of the circuit board faces the second side surface portion of the first shielding member, the third end surface of the circuit board faces the third side surface portion of the first shielding member, the fourth end surface of the circuit board faces the fourth side surface portion of the first shielding member, and the second shielding member has a fifth shape including at least a ninth side, a tenth side, an eleventh side and a twelfth side in a plan view, and and includes a hole including a center of the fifth shape and corresponding to the image sensor mounted on the first surface of the circuit board, at least the first side surface portion, the second side surface portion, the third side surface portion, the fourth side surface portion and the third bottom surface portion of the first shielding member are formed by a continuous curved surface, and the second shielding member includes a first contact electrically connected to the first side surface portion of the first shielding member on a ninth side, a second contact electrically connected to the second side surface portion of the first shielding member on a tenth side, a third contact electrically connected to the third side surface portion of the first shielding member on an eleventh side, and a fourth contact electrically connected to the fourth side surface portion of the first shielding member on a twelfth side.

[0021] The present disclosure provides a vehicle-mounted camera, which includes: a lens unit, which includes at least one lens; a circuit board, which has a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and an end surface between the first surface and the second surface; an image sensor, which is electrically connected to a circuit of the circuit board and is arranged on the optical axis of the at least one lens; a housing, which supports the lens unit and accommodates at least the circuit board and the image sensor; and a metal shield, which is arranged in an internal space of the housing to surround the circuit board, wherein the circuit board has a first shape including at least a first side, a second side, a third side, and a fourth side in a plan view, and the end surface of the circuit board includes at least a first end surface corresponding to the first side, a second end surface corresponding to the second side, a third end surface corresponding to the third side, and a fourth end surface corresponding to the fourth side, and the housing includes a connector extending through the inner side and the outer side of the housing, the connector is arranged on a bottom surface facing the circuit board, the connector includes at least a first terminal and a second terminal, the first terminal and the second terminal are electrically connected to the inner side and the outer side of the housing, and the connector The first terminal and the second terminal are electrically connected to the circuit of the circuit board, and the metal shielding member includes: a first bottom portion arranged to face the second surface of the circuit board, the first bottom portion having a second shape including at least a fifth side, a sixth side, a seventh side and an eighth side in a plan view, and the first bottom portion includes a hole arranged to include a central portion of the second shape; a second bottom portion arranged to correspond to the hole arranged to include the central portion of the second shape of the first bottom portion, the second bottom portion faces the second surface of the circuit board, and the second bottom portion is arranged to be separated from the first bottom portion with the second surface of the circuit board as a reference; a first side portion arranged to correspond to the fifth side of the first bottom portion in a direction opposite to the second bottom portion; a second side portion arranged to correspond to the sixth side of the first bottom portion in a direction opposite to the second bottom portion; a third side portion arranged to correspond to the seventh side of the first bottom portion in a direction opposite to the second bottom portion; and a fourth side portion arranged to correspond to the eighth side of the first bottom portion in a direction opposite to the second bottom portion;and a connection portion, which connects the entire circumference of the hole arranged to include the central portion of the second shape of the first bottom portion and the entire circumference of the second bottom portion, the second bottom portion of the metal shield corresponds to the bottom surface of the housing, the connector is arranged to penetrate the second bottom portion of the metal shield, at least a portion of the first side portion of the metal shield faces the first end surface of the circuit board, at least a portion of the second side portion of the metal shield faces the second end surface of the circuit board, at least a portion of the third side portion of the metal shield faces the third end surface of the circuit board, at least a portion of the fourth side portion of the metal shield faces the fourth end surface of the circuit board, the hole arranged to include the central portion of the second shape of the first bottom portion of the metal shield has a third shape different from the second shape in a plan view, at least the first side portion, the second side portion, the third side portion, and the fourth side portion of the metal shield are formed by a continuous curved surface, and at least the first side portion, the second side portion, the third side portion, the fourth side portion, the first bottom portion, the connection portion, and the second bottom portion are formed by a continuous curved surface. ;

[0022] Effects of the Invention

[0023] According to the present disclosure, there is provided a vehicle-mounted camera that can be manufactured at low cost and ensures excellent imaging performance. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] [ Figure 1A ] Figure 1A is a top perspective view of a vehicle-mounted camera according to a first embodiment;

[0025] [ Figure 1B ] Figure 1B is a bottom perspective view of the vehicle-mounted camera according to the first embodiment;

[0026] [ Figure 2 ] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a vehicle-mounted camera according to a first embodiment;

[0027] [ Figure 3A ] Figure 3A is a top view of the vehicle-mounted camera according to the first embodiment;

[0028] [ Figure 3B ] Figure 3B It's a picture. Figure 3A A diagram showing a state in which a ring component is removed;

[0029] [ Figure 4A ] Figure 4A It is along Figure 3A A cross-sectional view taken along line II in FIG.

[0030] [ Figure 4B ] Figure 4B yes Figure 4A An enlarged view of the portion surrounded by the dotted line;

[0031] [ Figure 5A ] Figure 5A It is along Figure 3A A cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG.

[0032] [ Figure 5B ] Figure 5B yes Figure 5A An enlarged view of the portion surrounded by the dotted line;

[0033] [ Fig. 6A ] Fig. 6A is a schematic diagram illustrating a welding state obtained by laser welding in which the melting amount of two welding ribs is set to 0.16 mm;

[0034] [ Figure 6B ] Figure 6B is a schematic diagram illustrating a welding state obtained by laser welding in which the melting amount of two welding ribs is set to 0.25 mm;

[0035] [ Fig. 7A ] Fig. 7A is a perspective view of a vehicle-mounted camera according to a second embodiment;

[0036] [ Figure 7B ] Figure 7B is a top view of a vehicle-mounted camera according to a second embodiment;

[0037] [ Figure 7C ] Figure 7C It is along Figure 7B The arrow direction view obtained by line III-III;

[0038] [ Fig.7D ] Fig.7D It is along Figure 7C The arrow direction view obtained by line IV-IV in FIG.

[0039] [ Fig. 7E ] Fig. 7E This is a top view of the vehicle camera when viewed from directly above the circuit board;

[0040] [ Figure 7F ] Figure 7F Is from Fig. 7E A top view with the circuit board removed;

[0041] [ Fig. 8A ] Fig. 8A is a perspective view of a first shielding member used in the vehicle-mounted camera according to the second embodiment when viewed from above;

[0042] [ Figure 8B ] Figure 8B is a perspective view of the first shielding member when viewed from below;

[0043] [ Figure 8C ] Figure 8C is a top view of the first shielding member;

[0044] [ Fig.8D ] Fig.8D is a side view of a first shield;

[0045] [ Fig. 8E ] Fig. 8E It is along Figure 7F A sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 1 and illustrating a state in which the connector fixes the housing and the first shielding member;

[0046] [ Fig. 9 ] Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a shield formed by folding a metal plate;

[0047] [ Fig. 10A ] Fig. 10A It is along Figure 7C The arrow direction view obtained by line VV in the figure;

[0048] [ Fig. 10B ] Fig. 10B is a perspective view of the second shielding member when viewed from above;

[0049] [ Fig. 10C ] Fig. 10C is a side view of the second shield;

[0050] [ Fig. 10D ] Fig. 10D is a perspective view of an assembly of a lens unit and a second shielding member when viewed from below;

[0051] [ Fig.11 ] Fig.11 is a graph illustrating measurement results of housing internal EMI with respect to frequencies associated with three types of vehicle-mounted cameras;

[0052] [ Fig.12 ] Fig.12 is an example of a vehicle and is a top view of a vehicle equipped with an onboard camera;

[0053] [ Fig.13 ] Fig.13 is another example of a vehicle and is a schematic diagram of a cabin of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle-mounted camera;

[0054] [ Fig.14 ] Fig.14 yes Fig.13 A top view of the vehicle in FIG.

[0055] [ Fig.15A ] Fig.15Ais a perspective view of a modified example of the second shielding member when viewed from above;

[0056] [ Fig. 15B ] Fig. 15B is a side view of a variation of the second shield;

[0057] [ Fig. 15C ] Fig. 15C is a perspective view of an assembly of a modified example of a lens unit and a second shielding member when viewed from below;

[0058] [ Fig.15D ] Fig.15D is a side view of an assembly of a lens unit, a modified example of a second shielding member, and a circuit board;

[0059] [ Fig.16A ] Fig.16A is a top view illustrating the curvature of each curved end surface in the second shielding member;

[0060] [ Fig. 16B ] Fig. 16B is a top view illustrating the curvature of each curved end surface in a modified example of the second shielding member;

[0061] [ Fig.17 ] Fig.17 is a top view illustrating the curvature of each curved side surface portion in the first shield;

[0062] [ Fig.18 ] Fig.18 is a top view illustrating the curvature of each corner surface in the circuit board;

[0063] [ Fig.19 ] Fig.19 It's a picture. Fig.12 A block diagram showing an example of connection of an in-vehicle camera, a camera ECU, and a display provided in a vehicle of FIG. 1 ; and

[0064] [ Fig. 20 ] Fig. 20 It's a picture. Fig.13 A block diagram showing an example of connection between an in-vehicle camera, a camera ECU, and a display device provided in a vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0065] Hereinafter, embodiments of the vehicle-mounted camera according to the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings as appropriate. However, unnecessary detailed descriptions may be omitted. For example, detailed descriptions of well-known matters and repeated descriptions of substantially the same structures may be omitted. This is to avoid unnecessary redundancy in the following description and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art. It should be noted that the drawings and the following description are provided for those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0066] (Vehicles equipped with on-board cameras)

[0067] Fig.12 1 is an example of a vehicle, and illustrates a top view of a vehicle equipped with an onboard camera. As the onboard camera 100, an onboard camera 100A, an onboard camera 100B, an onboard camera 100C, and an onboard camera 100D are mounted on the vehicle V. The onboard camera 100A is a front camera, the onboard camera 100B is a rear camera, the onboard camera 100C is a right camera, and the onboard camera 100D is a left camera. The onboard cameras 100A to 100D are, for example, wide-angle cameras having a viewing angle of about 180°, and are arranged to capture an image showing the entire circumference of the vehicle V.

[0068] For example, the vehicle-mounted camera 100A is provided in the front grille of the vehicle V, and captures an image of the front area in a direction looking downward obliquely relative to the ground. The vehicle-mounted camera 100B is provided in the roof spoiler of the vehicle V, and captures an image of the rear area in a direction looking downward obliquely relative to the ground. The vehicle-mounted cameras 100C and 100D are provided in the exterior rearview mirrors of the vehicle V, and capture images of the side areas in directions looking downward obliquely relative to the ground, respectively.

[0069] Fig.19 The camera ECU 110, the display 7 and Fig.12 1 is a block diagram showing an example of connection of vehicle-mounted cameras 100A to 100D provided in a vehicle V shown in FIG. Fig.19 The camera electronic control unit (ECU) 110 in the vehicle synthesizes the images captured by the vehicle-mounted cameras 100A to 100D and displays the synthesized image on the display 7 of the navigation system arranged on the dashboard, for example. The occupant can visually recognize the display 7 and check the surroundings of the vehicle V.

[0070] Fig.13 1 is another example of a vehicle V and is a schematic diagram of a cabin of the vehicle V equipped with the vehicle-mounted camera 100. Fig.14 yes Fig.13 The vehicle V includes a display device 5 (e.g., an electronic interior rearview mirror) at a position where an interior rearview mirror is attached, which is located in the front portion between a driver's seat 3 and a passenger seat 4 in a vehicle cabin 2. In addition, the vehicle V is provided with a vehicle-mounted camera 100 at the rear side of the vehicle body. Fig. 20 The camera ECU 111, the display device 5 and Fig.13 1 is a block diagram of a connection example of a vehicle-mounted camera 100 provided in a vehicle V in FIG. Fig. 20 The camera electronic control unit (ECU) 111 in the vehicle processes the image captured by the vehicle-mounted camera 100, and the display device 5 displays the image. The occupant can visually recognize the display device 5 and check the rear condition of the vehicle V.

[0071] (First Embodiment)

[0072] Figure 1A 1 is a top perspective view of the vehicle-mounted camera 100 according to the first embodiment. Figure 1B It is a bottom perspective view of the vehicle-mounted camera 100 according to the first embodiment. Figure 2 1 is an exploded perspective view of the vehicle-mounted camera 100 according to the first embodiment. Figure 3A is a top view of the vehicle-mounted camera 100 according to the first embodiment, Figure 3B It is illustrated in Figure 3A A coordinate system including an X-axis along one side of the vehicle-mounted camera 100, a Y-axis orthogonal to the X-axis and along the other side of the vehicle-mounted camera 100, and a Z-axis orthogonal to the X-axis and the Y-axis and along the height direction of the vehicle-mounted camera 100 is defined and used in the following description.

[0073] like Figure 12 to Figure 14 As shown, the vehicle-mounted camera 100 is a camera device installed at the front and rear ends, left and right sides, etc. of the vehicle body, and shoots (photographs) the inside and outside of the vehicle body. In recent years, in response to the needs of improving vehicle safety and introducing automatic driving functions, the development of the vehicle-mounted camera 100 has become active.

[0074] The vehicle-mounted camera 100 according to the present embodiment includes a cover 10, a ring member 20, a lens unit 30, a circuit board 40, an image sensor 41, a heat conduction member 50 (see FIG. Figure 2 ) and a housing 60. The cover 10 is a member attached to the ring member 20 and protects the lens unit 30. Figure 3A In the figure, the cover 10 is omitted.

[0075] The ring member 20 is implemented by a rectangular ring-shaped member having a flat plate shape in a plan view (a line of sight when the vehicle-mounted camera 100 is viewed along an XY plane orthogonal to the Z axis, the same applies hereinafter), and the ring member 20 is welded to the lens unit 30 and the housing 60 by laser welding. The inner peripheral surface of the ring member 20 faces the outer peripheral surface of the first cylindrical portion 37 (to be described below) constituting the lens barrel 31 of the lens unit 30. The inner diameter of the ring member 20 has a length that allows the first cylindrical portion 37 (lens barrel 31) of the lens unit 30 to be inserted.

[0076] The ring member 20 is formed of a first resin having a predetermined light transmittance. The first resin is made of a material containing a light-transmitting resin. For example, the light-transmitting resin includes polyester resin, polyolefin resin, polyamide resin, vinyl chloride resin and fluororesin. As polyester resin, polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and the like can be used. As polyolefin resin, polyethylene, polypropylene and the like can be used. One type of light-transmitting resin or multiple types of light-transmitting resins can be used. In addition, the main light-transmitting resin can contain a coloring material, a filler or both, as long as a certain level of transmission performance can be achieved.

[0077] The light transmittance of the first resin is, for example, 20% or more of light with a wavelength of 1070 nm, which is the wavelength of laser light used for laser welding. In addition, the light transmittance of the first resin is, for example, 0% or more and 5% or less of light with a wavelength of 350 nm to 800 nm in the visible light range.

[0078] In the present embodiment, although the ring member 20 has a flat rectangular ring shape, the shape is not limited thereto, and the weld portion has a flat plate shape. Therefore, the shape is not limited to a polygonal shape such as a rectangular ring shape, and may be a circular ring shape or a ring shape other than a circular ring shape, such as an elliptical ring shape. In addition, in the portion other than the weld portion, the step, thickness, etc. may not be uniform.

[0079] The lens unit 30 includes a first barrel 37 and at least one lens (not shown). The first barrel 37 constitutes the lens barrel 31 having a cylindrical shape and a first barrel shape, and the lens is arranged inside the first barrel 37. The first barrel 37 has a cylindrical shape and holds a lens group including, for example, a plurality of lenses inside the first barrel 37. Each lens in the lens group is arranged so that the optical axis L (at a position perpendicular to the optical axis L) is perpendicular to the optical axis L. Figure 3A The two lenses (above the paper surface and along the axes extending in the Z-axis direction) are aligned with each other, and constitute a lens group for capturing images inside and outside the body of the vehicle.

[0080] The lens unit 30 has a flange portion 32 (see FIG. Figure 2 The flange portion 32 is arranged outside the first cylindrical portion 37, and extends outwardly around the optical axis L on the basis of the optical axis L. The cross section of the flange portion 32 along the radial direction is a quadrilateral shape. The flange portion 32 is located near the opening of the internal space of the housing 60 described later, and faces the housing side wall 67 of the housing 60 (see Figure 2 ) protrudes from the inner peripheral surface of the housing 60. At least a portion of the flange portion 32 is coupled to the housing 60 via the ring member 20. The relationship between the lens unit 30 and the housing 60 will be described later.

[0081] In addition, the flange portion 32 is arranged on the inner side relative to the later-described large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 of the housing 60 in a radial direction orthogonal to the optical axis L, and has an annular first surface 32a facing the image sensor 41 and an annular second surface 32b opposite to the first surface 32a.

[0082] At least the second surface 32b of the flange portion 32 in the lens unit 30 is formed by a second resin having a first light-absorbing property. The second resin is made of a material containing a light-absorbing resin. As the light-absorbing resin, for example, a polyamide-based resin, an olefin-based resin, a vinyl resin, a styrene-based resin, an acrylic-based resin, a polyester-based resin, a polycarbonate-based resin, a polyarylate-based resin, a polysulfone-based resin, a polyphenoxy resin, a polyethersulfone-based resin, or a polyetherimide-based resin can be used. One type of light-absorbing resin or multiple types of light-absorbing resins can be used. The main light-absorbing resin can contain an absorbent that absorbs laser light, a coloring material, or both.

[0083] The first light absorbance of the second resin is, for example, an absorbance of 95% or more with respect to light in a wavelength range of 350 nm to 1200 nm.

[0084] When the second surface 32b of the flange portion 32 is made of the second resin, light transmission into the internal space can be reduced. That is, light transmission from the outside of the vehicle-mounted camera 100 to the inside of the vehicle-mounted camera 100 can be reduced. Therefore, halation of the image sensor 41 due to transmitted light can be prevented. The entire flange portion 32 or the entire lens unit 30 can be formed of the second resin.

[0085] In addition, in order to perform positioning relative to the housing 60, the lens unit 30 includes a protrusion 33 that protrudes in an orthogonal direction (in other words, a radial direction) orthogonal to the optical axis L of the lens of the lens unit 30. Figure 2 and Figure 3B As shown, the protrusion 33 is formed on the radial end of the flange portion 32. In the present embodiment, the protrusion 33 includes five protrusions, that is, protrusions 33a, 33b, 33c, 33d and 33e. These protrusions are formed on all four sides of the quadrilateral shape of the flange portion 32. Specifically, three protrusions 33a, 33d and 33e are formed on different sides of the flange portion 32, and two protrusions 33b and 33c are formed on sides different from the sides on which the protrusions 33a, 33d and 33e are formed. The details of the protrusion 33 will be described later.

[0086] The circuit board 40 includes an image sensor 41 that is arranged in the internal space of the housing 60 and captures an image of light transmitted through the lens unit 30. The circuit board 40 includes a first surface 40a and a second surface 40b opposite to the first surface 40a, and includes an end surface 47 between the first surface 40a and the second surface 40b. However, two or more circuit boards may be provided.

[0087] The image sensor 41 is arranged on the optical axis L of at least one lens of the lens unit 30. The image sensor 41 is mounted on the first surface 40a of the circuit board 40, and light can be easily guided from the outside to the image sensor 41. The image sensor 41 has sensitivity to light in a wavelength range of, for example, 400nm to 1000nm.

[0088] The heat conductive member 50 is arranged adjacent to the circuit board 40 in the inner space of the housing 60, and serves to dissipate heat generated by electronic components such as the circuit board 40 to the outside. The heat conductive member 50 is made of a material having a predetermined thermal conductivity, such as heat dissipation grease, a silicon-based sheet, a non-silicon-based sheet, and a thermally conductive gel, but the material type is not limited.

[0089] The housing 60 is a cylindrical member having an internal space, and is used to directly or in some cases indirectly support the lens unit 30, and to accommodate at least the circuit board 40 and the image sensor 41. The housing 60 includes a large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 and a small-diameter cylindrical portion 62, the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 having a second cylindrical shape along the optical axis L, and the small-diameter cylindrical portion 62 having a third cylindrical shape along the optical axis L. The large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 constituting the second cylindrical portion has a larger cross-sectional area than the cross-sectional area of ​​the small-diameter cylindrical portion 62 constituting the third cylindrical portion, and has a rectangular cross-section. At least the heat-conducting member 50 and the image sensor 41 are accommodated in the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61. The small-diameter cylindrical portion 62 mainly accommodates a connector 80, which ensures electrical connection with the outside of the vehicle-mounted camera 100 (see Figure 4A ). The large diameter cylindrical portion 61 and the small diameter cylindrical portion 62 may be integrally formed by using a resin described later, and the large diameter cylindrical portion 61 and the small diameter cylindrical portion 62 prepared separately in advance may be combined by a method such as welding or screwing. In the present embodiment, although the housing 60 has a rectangular cylindrical shape, the shape is not limited thereto, and may be a polygonal cylindrical shape other than the rectangular cylindrical shape, a circular or elliptical cylindrical shape, or another cylindrical shape.

[0090] The end surface 63 (see FIG. Figure 2 and Figure 3B) is formed by a third resin having a second light-absorbing property. The third resin is made of a material containing a light-absorbing resin. As the light-absorbing resin, for example, a polyamide-based resin, an olefin-based resin, a vinyl resin, a styrene-based resin, an acrylic-based resin, a polyester-based resin, a polycarbonate-based resin, a polyarylate-based resin, a polysulfone-based resin, a polyphenoxy resin, a polyethersulfone-based resin or a polyetherimide-based resin can be used. One type of light-absorbing resin or multiple types of light-absorbing resins can be used. The main light-absorbing resin can contain an absorbent that absorbs laser light, a coloring material, or both.

[0091] The second light absorbance of the third resin is, for example, an absorbance of 95% or more with respect to light in a wavelength range of 350 nm to 1200 nm.

[0092] Since the housing 60 is made of a material containing a light-absorbing resin, light transmission into the internal space of the housing 60 can be reduced. That is, light transmission from the outside of the vehicle-mounted camera 100 to the inside of the vehicle-mounted camera 100 can be reduced. Therefore, vignetting of the image sensor 41 due to transmitted light can be prevented. The entire large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 or the entire housing 60 can be formed of a third resin.

[0093] In addition, the vehicle-mounted camera 100 according to the embodiment includes a metal shield 70, which is arranged in the internal space of the housing 60 to surround the circuit board 40. The shield 70 is used to shield electromagnetic waves from the outside of the housing 60 and electromagnetic waves radiated in the internal space. The shield 70 corresponds to the first shield 70 in the second embodiment and will be described in the second embodiment.

[0094] Next, a method of welding the lens unit 30 and the housing 60 to the ring member 20 and a configuration of the welding portion will be described. Figure 4A It is along Figure 3A A cross-sectional view taken along line II in FIG. Figure 4B yes Figure 4A An enlarged view of the portion surrounded by the dotted line. Figure 5A It is along Figure 3A A cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. Figure 5B yes Figure 5A An enlarged view of the portion surrounded by the dotted line.

[0095] The protrusion 33a of the lens unit 30 is Figure 4A and Figure 4B As can be seen in Figure 3B As shown in the figure, the protrusion 33a contacts the inner surface of the housing side wall 67 of the large diameter cylindrical portion 61 of the housing 60 and is used to position the lens unit 30 relative to the housing 60. Therefore, there is no gap between the lens unit 30 and the housing 60. On the other hand, the protrusion 33a of the lens unit 30 is Figure 5A and Figure 5B There is a gap between the lens unit 30 and the housing 60. Figure 4A and Figure 5A In FIG. 1 , the cover 10, the circuit board 40, and the heat transfer member 50 are omitted from illustration. In addition, the small-diameter cylindrical portion 62 of the housing 60 is shown to be shorter in such a manner that a part of the small-diameter cylindrical portion 62 is omitted.

[0096] In the present embodiment, the flange portion 32 as the lower end portion of the lens unit 30 is arranged at a portion of the upper opening of the housing 60, and a portion of the flange portion 32 is fused to the above-mentioned ring member 20. In addition, the upper end portion of the housing 60 is also fused to the ring member 20, and as a result, the housing 60 and the lens unit 30 are assembled as one body via the ring member 20.

[0097] Figure 4B and Figure 5B The above configuration is illustrated in detail. The lower surface of the ring member 20 is welded to the flange portion 32 of the lens unit 30. The upper surface of the flange portion 32 includes a second surface 32b facing the ring member 20. The second surface 32b is a surface in a region facing the ring member 20 in the optical axis direction and has a width W1 in the orthogonal direction.

[0098] On the other hand, the lower surface of the ring member 20 is fused to the upper end portion of the housing 60 (i.e., the upper end portion of the housing side wall 67). The upper end portion of the housing 60 includes an end surface 63 fused to the ring member 20. The end surface 63 is a surface in a region facing the ring member 20 in the optical axis direction, and has a width W2 in the orthogonal direction.

[0099] In the present embodiment, the lens unit 30 is relatively arranged so that the entire lens unit 30 is located inside the housing 60 in the orthogonal direction orthogonal to the optical axis. In particular, the second surface 32b is relatively arranged so that the second surface 32b is located inside with respect to the end surface 63 in the orthogonal direction.

[0100] In a general laser welding method, when laser light is irradiated to a light-transmitting resin while pressure is applied to the resin, the laser light is not absorbed by the light-transmitting resin but is transmitted and absorbed by the surface of the light-absorbing resin. The energy of the absorbed laser light is converted into heat, and the surface of the light-absorbing resin is heated. In addition, the surface of the light-transmitting resin in contact with the surface of the light-absorbing resin is also heated due to heat conduction. Therefore, the resin melts at the boundary surface between the light-absorbing resin and the light-transmitting resin. When the laser irradiation is stopped, the molten resin solidifies and the two resins are welded.

[0101] In general welding of the lens unit 30 and the housing 60 to the ring member 20, first, the ring member 20 is irradiated with laser light in a state of being pressed against the second surface 32b of the lens unit 30, and the lower surface of the ring member 20 is welded to the second surface 32b. Thereafter, the ring member 20 is irradiated with laser light in a state of being pressed against the end surface 63 of the housing 60, and the lower surface of the ring member 20 is welded to the end surface 63.

[0102] However, since there is a limit to the molding accuracy of the member (molding accuracy of the resin material), it is difficult to mold the surface of the ring member 20, the second surface 32b, and the end surface 63 into perfectly flat surfaces, and at least one of these surfaces inevitably has a certain amount of concavity, irregularity, etc. Therefore, it is not easy to properly achieve laser welding between flat surfaces.

[0103] Therefore, in the present embodiment, the first welding rib 35 in contact with the ring member 20 is formed in advance on the second surface 32b of the flange portion 32, and the second welding rib 64 in contact with the ring member 20 is formed in advance on the end surface 63. Like the second surface 32b, the first welding rib 35 is made of a second resin having a first light absorption property, protrudes in a direction opposite to the first surface 32a, and is arranged on the entire circumference of the flange portion 32 around the optical axis L. Like the end surface 63 of the housing 60, the second welding rib 64 is made of a third resin having a second light absorption property, protrudes in the direction of the optical axis L, and is arranged on the entire circumference of the end surface 63 around the optical axis L. In the present embodiment, although the first welding rib 35 and the second welding rib 64 are realized by protrusions each having a rectangular cross section, the shape is not particularly limited.

[0104] In laser welding, the ring member 20 is welded to the first welding rib 35 and the second welding rib 64 by melting the first welding rib 35 and the second welding rib 64 by a predetermined melting amount (e.g., about 0.1 mm to 0.2 mm). Therefore, appropriate welding can be achieved while suppressing the influence of the above-mentioned unevenness, irregularities, etc.

[0105] However, the provision of these ribs leads to other problems. Figure 4B and Figure 5B In the figure, the first welding rib 35 and the second welding rib 64 are shown in a protruding shape before laser welding, but during laser welding, the first welding rib 35 and the second welding rib 64 are melted and deformed, and so-called burrs (that is, resin overflow phenomenon) are generated from the melted portions.

[0106] Burrs are inevitably generated during the molding and welding of resins, and burrs do not necessarily cause problems. However, there is a possibility that the generated burrs may cause problems due to contact with other components and thermal effects.

[0107] In particular, in the present embodiment, two welded portions are arranged close to each other within a narrow range. Therefore, when the burrs generated from the first weld rib 35 due to the above-mentioned welding expand outward in the orthogonal direction and reach the housing 60, there is a possibility that the welding between the ring member 20 and the end face 63 is hindered and the welding between the ring member 20 and the housing 60 is defective.

[0108] Therefore, in the present embodiment, the first welding rib 35 is designed so that the first burr 36 generated from the first welding rib 35 does not reach the end surface 63 at least when the first welding rib 35 is welded to the ring member 20. Although the present design is performed based on factors such as the position, outer dimensions, volume, shape, resin type, welding temperature, and welding time of the first welding rib 35, the present design can be determined based on welding results of a plurality of samples, simulations, etc. Therefore, reliable welding can be achieved without depending on the shape accuracy of the second surface 32b and the ring member 20, and the first burr 36 generated from the first welding rib 35 can be suppressed from adversely affecting the welding between the ring member 20 and the housing 60.

[0109] The above design Figure 4B and Figure 5B , but it is expected that Figure 4B The design is more strictly implemented at the position where the first welding rib 35 and the protrusion 33a overlap, especially shown in the figure. Figure 4B At the position shown in the figure, the protrusion 33a is in contact with the inner surface of the housing side wall 67 of the housing 60, there is no gap between the flange portion 32 of the lens unit 30 and the inner surface of the housing side wall 67, and the space between the first welding rib 35 and the second welding rib 64 is closed. Therefore, it is presumed that there is no place for the first burr generated by melting the first welding rib 35 to escape, and the first burr easily reaches the second welding rib 64 and the end surface 63. Therefore, it is desirable to design the first welding rib 35 so that the first burr generated from the first welding rib 35 does not reach the end surface 63 at the position overlapping with the protrusion 33. Therefore, at the position overlapping with the protrusion 33, it is possible to suppress the first burr from easily reaching the end surface 63.

[0110] According to the above-mentioned structure, reliable welding can be achieved without relying on the shape accuracy of the second surface 32b of the flange portion 32 of the lens unit 30 and the ring member 20, and the first burr generated from the first welding rib 35 can be suppressed from adversely affecting the welding between the ring member 20 and the housing 60. As a result, the assembly accuracy of the vehicle-mounted camera 100 can be improved.

[0111] In this case, the first burr does not eventually protrude from the outer edge of the second surface 32b because the second surface 32b is in contact with the end surface 63. In addition, the volume of the first burr generated by welding can be predicted, and the first welding rib 35 can be designed so that the volume is smaller than the space between the first welding rib 35 and the second welding rib 64.

[0112] In addition, if Figure 3B As shown, the protrusion 33 of the lens unit 30 includes five protrusions, namely protrusions 33a, 33b, 33c, 33d and 33e. These protrusions are formed on all four sides of the quadrilateral shape of the flange portion 32. The protrusion 33 may include at least three protrusions respectively arranged on different sides of the flange portion 32, and these protrusions are referred to as the first protrusion, the second protrusion and the third protrusion. Therefore, the lens unit 30 can be stably fixed to the housing 60 by using these three protrusions, namely the first protrusion, the second protrusion and the third protrusion.

[0113] In addition, the protrusion 33 may be formed by a rib arranged along the direction of the optical axis L. Therefore, when the lens unit 30 is formed, the protrusion 33 may also be easily formed.

[0114] On the other hand, Figure 5B There is no protrusion 33 at the position in the middle, there is a gap between the flange portion 32 of the lens unit 30 and the inner surface of the housing side wall 67, and the space between the first welding rib 35 and the second welding rib 64 is not closed. Therefore, the first burr generated by melting the first welding rib 35 can flow into the gap and Figure 4B It is presumed that the first burr is less likely to reach the second welding rib 64 and the end surface 63 than at the position in the middle. However, it is desirable to design the first welding rib 35 so that Figure 5B At the position in the middle, the first burr does not reach the end surface 63 either.

[0115] As described above, there are various factors for designing the first welding rib 35, and as a suitable example of the position of the first welding rib 35, the first welding rib 35 is located in a region close to the inner side of the second surface 32b in the radial direction orthogonal to the optical axis. Figure 4B and Figure 5B As shown in the figure, the radial center line P of the first welding rib 35 is located in a region close to the inner side of the second surface 32b in the width W1 of the second surface 32b. Therefore, the first burr generated from the first welding rib 35 is unlikely to reach the end surface 63. Figure 5B As shown in the figure, such a configuration also includes a configuration in which the inner side surface of the first welding rib 35 in the orthogonal direction coincides with the inner end of the second surface 32 b in the orthogonal direction.

[0116] In addition, a second welding rib 64 in contact with the ring member 20 is formed at the upper end of the end surface 63 of the housing 60. With regard to the second welding rib 64, it is desirable to design the second welding rib 64 so that the second burr generated from the second welding rib 64 is not formed when the ring member 20 is welded. Figure 4B In particular, the second surface 32b is not reached at the position overlapping with the protrusion 33a shown in the figure. When the second burr generated from the second welding rib 64 reaches the end surface 63 welded to the ring member 20, it may adversely affect the welding between the ring member 20 and the end surface 63. Therefore, reliable welding can be achieved without relying on the shape accuracy of the end surface 63 and the ring member 20, and the second burr generated from the second welding rib 64 can be suppressed from adversely affecting the welding between the ring member 20 and the lens unit 30.

[0117] There are various factors for designing the second welding rib 64, and as a suitable example of the position of the second welding rib 64, the second welding rib 64 is located in a region close to the inner side of the end surface 63 in the radial direction orthogonal to the optical axis. Figure 4B and Figure 5B As shown in the figure, the center line Q of the second welding rib 64 in the orthogonal direction is located in the area close to the inner side of the end surface 63 in the width W2 of the end surface 63. Therefore, the second burr generated from the second welding rib 64 can be suppressed from protruding to the outside of the housing 60. In addition, by adjusting the design of the second welding rib 64, the second burr can be prevented from reaching the end surface 63 at the same time. Figure 5B As shown in the figure, such a configuration also includes a configuration in which the inner side surface of the second welding rib 64 in the orthogonal direction coincides with the inner end portion of the end surface 63 in the orthogonal direction.

[0118] In addition, it is desirable to adjust the second surface 32b and the end surface 63 of the lens unit 30 so that the second surface 32b of the lens unit 30 is located relatively farther from the ring member 20 than the end surface 63 of the housing 60. Figure 4B and Figure 5B In the example of , the second surface 32b is located on the lower side of the end surface 63. In other words, it is desirable to set the first distance D1 between the ring member 20 and the second surface 32b of the flange portion 32 of the lens unit 30 to be greater than the second distance D2 between the ring member 20 and the end surface 63 of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 of the housing 60. Therefore, the first burr generated from the first welding rib 35 is less likely to reach the end surface 63. This configuration is Figure 4B It is particularly useful where the space for the burr to escape is closed.

[0119] Fig. 6ASchematic diagram illustrating a welding state obtained by laser welding with the melting amount of the first welding rib 35 and the second welding rib 64 set to 0.16 mm. The figure illustrates a photograph obtained by taking an image of an actual sample after welding by a line graph. The figure illustrates the welding state obtained by laser welding with the melting amount of the first welding rib 35 and the second welding rib 64 set to 0.16 mm. Figure 5B The welding state at the position where the protrusion 33 is not shown. The first burr 36 generated from the first welding rib 35 does not reach the end surface 63, and the second burr 65 generated from the second welding rib 64 does not reach the second surface 32b. By appropriately setting the melting amount of the rib, appropriate welding can be achieved while suppressing the expansion of both burrs.

[0120] on the other hand, Figure 6B Schematic diagram illustrating a welded state obtained by laser welding with the melting amount of the first welding rib 35 and the second welding rib 64 set to 0.25 mm. Since the melting amount is too large, the first welding rib 35 and the second welding rib 64 disappear. A large amount of first burrs 36 generated from the first welding rib 35 and a large amount of second burrs 65 generated from the second welding rib 64 are generated and melted together, and proper welding cannot be achieved.

[0121] In addition, if Figure 4A and Figure 5A As shown in the figure, the housing 60 includes a base end portion 66 constituting a bottom surface portion on the opposite side of the end surface 63, and the image sensor 41 is surrounded by the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 and the base end portion 66 of the housing 60, the ring member 20, and the lens unit 30. Therefore, the image sensor 41 can be reliably surrounded by the housing 60, the ring member 20, and the lens unit 30.

[0122] Specifically, the image sensor 41 is mounted on the circuit board 40, and the image sensor 41 and the circuit board 40 are surrounded by the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 of the housing 60, the base end portion 66 of the housing 60, the ring member 20, and the lens unit 30. In addition, a terminal (e.g., Figure 4A The connector 80 (shown as a first terminal 81 and a second terminal 82) is arranged at the base end portion 66 of the housing 60, and the terminals of the connector 80 are electrically connected to the circuit of the circuit board 40. Therefore, the image sensor 41 and the circuit board 40 can be securely surrounded by the housing 60, the ring member 20, and the lens unit 30, while ensuring electrical connection with the outside.

[0123] The connector 80 may be a coaxial connector or an STQ having four terminals. In addition, the first terminal 81 and the second terminal 82 of the connector 80 may be directly connected to the circuit board 40, or may be indirectly connected to the circuit board 40. For example, in addition to the circuit board 40, another circuit board may be prepared, and the connector 80 may be connected via the other circuit board.

[0124] As can be clearly seen from the drawings, the first cylindrical portion 37 of the lens unit 30 has a circular cross section along the radial direction, and the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 of the housing 60 has a quadrilateral cross section along the radial direction. Therefore, the lens unit 30 and the housing 60 can be easily formed.

[0125] In addition, the first light absorbency of the second resin may be the same as the second light absorbency of the third resin. Alternatively, the second resin may be the same resin as the third resin. Therefore, in the vehicle-mounted camera, since the first light absorbency of the second resin is the same as the second light absorbency of the third resin, the type of laser used for laser welding between the ring member and the housing and laser welding between the ring member and the lens unit does not need to be changed, and laser welding can be easily performed.

[0126] (Second Embodiment)

[0127] Fig. 7A is a perspective view of a vehicle-mounted camera 100 according to the second embodiment. Figure 7B 1 is a top view of the vehicle-mounted camera 100 according to the second embodiment. Figure 7C It is along Figure 7B The view in the direction of the arrow is obtained along line III-III. Fig.7D It is along Figure 7C The arrow direction view is obtained along line IV-IV in FIG. Fig. 7E It is a top view of the vehicle-mounted camera 100 when viewed from a position directly above the circuit board 40 . Figure 7F Is from Fig. 7E A top view in a state where the circuit board 40 is removed. The vehicle-mounted camera 100 according to the second embodiment has substantially the same configuration as the vehicle-mounted camera 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0128] Fig. 7E The shape of the circuit board 40 is particularly illustrated in detail. The circuit board 40 has a first shape including at least a first side 43, a second side 44, a third side 45, and a fourth side 46 in a plan view. The circuit board 40 according to the embodiment has only the first side 43, the second side 44, the third side 45, and the fourth side 46, and the first shape is a first quadrilateral shape. The quadrilateral shape is a substantially quadrilateral shape, and its corners may be rounded.

[0129] The end surface 47 of the circuit board 40 includes at least a first end surface 47a corresponding to the first side 43, a second end surface 47b corresponding to the second side 44, a third end surface 47c corresponding to the third side 45, and a fourth end surface 47d corresponding to the fourth side 46. The first side 43, the second side 44, the third side 45, and the fourth side 46 may be defined on the first surface 40a of the circuit board 40, and similarly, the first side 43, the second side 44, the third side 45, and the fourth side 46 may be defined on the second surface 40b.

[0130] Figure 7F The diagram shows Fig. 7E The circuit board 40 is removed, and a first bottom surface portion 73 (third bottom surface portion 72 ) of a first shield member 70 described later appears.

[0131] Fig. 8A This is a perspective view of the first shield member 70 used in the vehicle-mounted camera 100 according to the second embodiment, when viewed from above. Figure 8B is a perspective view of the first shielding member 70 when viewed from below. Figure 8C is a top view of the first shielding member 70 . Fig.8D is a side view of the first shielding member 70 . Fig. 8E It is along Figure 7F VI-VI in FIG. 1 and is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 1 , and is a view illustrating a state in which the connector 80 fixes the housing 60 and the first shield 70 .

[0132] The first shield 70 is a member corresponding to the shield 70 according to the first embodiment, and is a metal member that surrounds the circuit board 40 in the internal space of the housing 60 and is arranged so that at least a portion of the first shield 70 faces the second surface 40b of the circuit board 40. The first shield 70 is used to shield electromagnetic waves from the outside of the housing 60 and electromagnetic waves radiated in the internal space. By blocking the electromagnetic waves, the image sensor 41 is less likely to be affected by the electromagnetic waves, and as a result, the imaging performance of the vehicle-mounted camera 100 can be improved.

[0133] When the entire housing 60 is made of metal, shielding performance that blocks electromagnetic waves to a practically usable degree can be obtained, but the number of parts, manufacturing process, and manufacturing cost are increased when manufacturing the metal housing 60. In the first and second embodiments according to the present disclosure, the housing 60 is made of resin, and the first shielding member 70 made of metal is arranged therein, thereby ensuring shielding performance.

[0134] The first shielding member 70 includes a third bottom surface portion 72 and a plurality of side surface portions 71 rising from the outer edge of the third bottom surface portion 72. In the present embodiment, the first shielding member 70 is a rectangular tube as a whole, and the main surface of the first shielding member 70 and the main surface of the third bottom surface portion 72, that is, the surface orthogonal to the optical axis, are rectangular (roughly square). Such a shape is a general shape of a shielding member, and at least four side surface portions 71 rise from the outer edge of the third bottom surface portion 72 having at least four sides. Therefore, the first shielding member 70 can efficiently accommodate a rectangular member such as the circuit board 40 in its internal space.

[0135] In addition, the first shield 70 is formed by metal drawing. That is, the first shield 70 is formed by compressing and extending a metal plate using a member such as a patch and processing the metal plate into a predetermined shape.

[0136] In the first shield 70 formed by drawing, the curved side surface portion 76 existing at the boundary (corner portion) between at least two adjacent side surface portions 71 is realized by a continuous curved surface. In this embodiment, the four side surface portions 71 are smoothly connected via the curved side surface portion 76 without any gap.

[0137] In the first shielding member 70 formed by deep drawing, the boundary portion 77 between the outer edge of the third bottom surface portion 72 and at least one side surface portion 71 is also realized by a continuous curved surface. In this embodiment, each of the four side surfaces 71 rises smoothly from the outer edge of the third bottom surface portion 72 via the boundary portion 77 without any gap.

[0138] Fig. 9 This is a perspective view of a shield 70A formed by bending a metal plate instead of drawing. In the shield 70A, a gap g is formed in a portion corresponding to the curved side surface portion 76 of the first shield 70. In addition, in the shield 70A, a portion corresponding to the boundary portion 77 of the first shield 70 is not a curved surface but a simple fold line between the third bottom surface portion 72 and the side surface portion 71.

[0139] In the first shielding member 70 according to the present embodiment, the curved side surface 76 is realized by the continuous curved surface formed by deep drawing, thereby eliminating the gap in the shielding member, shielding electromagnetic waves at a high level at low cost, and ensuring excellent shielding performance. Fig. 9 In the shield 70A, gaps are generated between the side surface portions 71 , and it is estimated that the shielding performance is inferior to the shielding performance of the first shield 70 .

[0140] In addition, in the first shielding member 70 according to the present embodiment, the boundary portion 77 is also realized by a continuous curved surface formed by drawing, thereby ensuring high strength against external pressure at the boundary between the third bottom surface portion 72 and the side surface portion 71. Fig. 9 In the shield 70A, the boundary between the third bottom surface portion 72 and the side surface portion 71 is curved along a simple fold line, and it is estimated that the strength against external pressure is lower than the strength against external pressure of the first shield 70 .

[0141] Next, the internal space of the housing 60 will be described. A portion where the connector 80 connected to the outside of the housing 60 exists is implemented by the base end portion 66. The internal space of the housing 60 is defined by the base end portion 66 and a plurality of housing side walls 67 rising from the outer edge of the base end portion 66.

[0142] In the present embodiment, the housing 60 is in a rectangular cylindrical shape as a whole, and the main surface of the internal space of the housing 60, that is, the surface orthogonal to the optical axis, is in a rectangular shape (approximately a square shape). Such a shape is a general shape of a housing, and four housing side walls 67 stand up from four sides existing inside the base end portion 66. Therefore, the housing 60 can efficiently accommodate rectangular components such as the circuit board 40 and the first shielding member 70 in its internal space.

[0143] The configuration of the first shield 70 relative to the housing 60 will be described in more detail. Fig.7D ) in the direction of the optical axis of the lens unit 30 ( Figure 7C The vertical direction of the paper) is perpendicular to the vertical direction of the paper Figure 7C The base end 66 is erected in a manner inclined outwardly in the left-right direction of the paper surface. Figure 7C In the embodiment, the side wall inner surface 68 is inclined outward from the lower side to the upper side of the housing 60, and as a result, the internal space of the housing 60 has a form extending in a tapered shape from the base end portion 66 toward the opening side. When the housing 60 is formed by injection molding of a resin, the molding die is pulled out from the opening side, but in order to make the pulling out smooth, the side wall inner surface 68 is inclined outward toward the opening (in the pulling direction).

[0144] On the other hand, the third bottom surface portion 72 of the first shield 70 is disposed on the base end portion 66 of the housing 60. Here, the side surface portion 71 of the first shield 70 rises in a manner inclined outward from the third bottom surface portion 72 in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis of the lens unit 30. Figure 7C In the embodiment of the present invention, the side surface portion 71 is inclined toward the outside from the lower side to the upper side of the side surface portion 71 , and as a result, the first shielding member 70 has a form extending in a tapered shape.

[0145] The side surface portion 71 of the first shielding member 70 is inclined to be substantially consistent with the inclination of the side wall inner surface 68 of the housing 60 obtained from the manufacturing process. That is, the side surface portion 71 of the first shielding member 70 is arranged to be in close contact with the side wall inner surface 68 of the housing side wall 67 and to extend along the side wall inner surface 68. Therefore, the first shielding member 70 is stably arranged in the space of the housing 60, and the shielding performance can be improved. The inclination angle of the side surface portion 71 and the side wall inner surface 68 in the outer side direction is set to, for example, about 1 degree, but the inclination angle is not particularly limited.

[0146] Next, the structure of the third bottom surface portion 72 of the first shielding member 70 (shielding member 70) will be described in detail. In the present embodiment, the third bottom surface portion 72 is not a simple plane, but includes the first bottom surface portion 73, the second bottom surface portion 75 and the connecting portion 74, and has a shape including a step portion. That is, in the present embodiment, the third bottom surface portion 72 includes a step portion that forms the bottom surface portion of the first shielding member 70.

[0147] The first bottom face portion 73 of the first shielding member 70 is a portion that mainly supports various components arranged inside the housing. The first bottom face portion 73 (or the third bottom face portion 72) is arranged to face the second surface 40b of the circuit board 40, and has a second shape including at least the fifth side 72a, the sixth side 72b, the seventh side 72c, and the eighth side 72d in a plan view. The first bottom face portion 73 (or the third bottom face portion 72) also includes a hole 73e, which is arranged to include the center portion of the second shape. The second shape according to the embodiment is a substantially quadrilateral shape, and also includes a case where the corners are rounded.

[0148] The second bottom surface portion 75 of the first shielding member 70 is a portion arranged to correspond to the hole 73e (the hole 73e is arranged to include the center portion of the second shape of the first bottom surface portion 73 of the first shielding member 70), facing the second surface 40b of the circuit board 40, and arranged to be separated from the first bottom surface portion 73 with the second surface 40b as a reference. The second bottom surface portion 75 is included in the base end portion 66 of the housing 60, and corresponds to the bottom surface 66a ( Figure 7C ). The second bottom surface portion 75 has a fourth shape in a plan view, which may be a circle as described in the embodiment, may be an ellipse or a quadrilateral shape, and may be similar to the third shape of the hole 73e described later.

[0149] The side surface portion 71 of the first shielding member 70 has been described as rising from the outer edge of the third bottom surface portion 72, which has the same meaning as rising from the outer edge of the first bottom surface portion 73 in this embodiment. The side surface portion 71 includes a first side surface portion 71a, a second side surface portion 71b, a third side surface portion 71c, and a fourth side surface portion 71d.

[0150] The first side surface portion 71a of the first shield 70 corresponds to the fifth side 72a of the first bottom surface portion 73 (or the third bottom surface portion 72), and is arranged in the opposite direction to the second bottom surface portion 75 when facing the circuit board 40. The second side surface portion 71b of the first shield 70 corresponds to the sixth side 72b of the first bottom surface portion 73 (or the third bottom surface portion 72), and is arranged in the opposite direction to the second bottom surface portion 75 when facing the circuit board 40. The third side surface portion 71c of the first shield 70 corresponds to the seventh side 72c of the first bottom surface portion 73 (or the third bottom surface portion 72), and is arranged in the opposite direction to the second bottom surface portion 75 when facing the circuit board 40. The fourth side surface portion 71d of the first shield 70 corresponds to the eighth side 72d of the first bottom surface portion 73 (or the third bottom surface portion 72), and is arranged in the opposite direction to the second bottom surface portion 75 when facing the circuit board 40.

[0151] In addition, the curved side surface portion 76 connecting the side surface portion 71 of the first shielding member 70 includes a first curved side surface portion 76a, a second curved side surface portion 76b, a third curved side surface portion 76c, and a fourth curved side surface portion 76d. The first curved side surface portion 76a connects the first side surface portion 71a and the second side surface portion 71b. The second curved side surface portion 76b connects the second side surface portion 71b and the third side surface portion 71c. The third curved side surface portion 76c connects the third side surface portion 71c and the fourth side surface portion 71d. The fourth curved side surface portion 76d connects the fourth side surface portion 71d and the first side surface portion 71a.

[0152] The connection portion 74 of the first shielding member 70 protrudes from a predetermined position on the first bottom surface portion 73 inside the outer edge of the first bottom surface portion 73 to the opposite side of the side surface portion 71 in the optical axis direction in the orthogonal direction to the optical axis of the lens unit 30. In particular, the connection portion 74 connects the entire circumference of the hole 73e arranged to include the central portion of the second shape of the first bottom surface portion 73 and the entire circumference of the second bottom surface portion 75. Therefore, compared with the case where the connection portion 74 does not exist, the first bottom surface portion 73 is more Figure 7C The third bottom surface portion 72 moves in an upward direction and has a raised bottom structure. Therefore, a solid raised bottom region S exists in a region of the housing 60 adjacent to the first bottom surface portion 73.

[0153] The end surface 47 of the circuit board 40 and the side surface portion 71 of the first shielding member 70 have the following configuration relationship. That is, at least a portion of the first side surface portion 71a faces the first end surface 47a of the circuit board 40. At least a portion of the second side surface portion 71b faces the second end surface 47b of the circuit board 40. At least a portion of the third side surface portion 71c faces the third end surface 47c of the circuit board 40. At least a portion of the fourth side surface portion 71d faces the fourth end surface 47d of the circuit board 40.

[0154] In the present embodiment, the hole 73e arranged to include the center portion of the second shape of the first bottom surface portion 73 in the first shield 70 has a third shape different from the second shape in a plan view. At least the first side surface portion 71a, the second side surface portion 71b, the third side surface portion 71c, and the fourth side surface portion 71d of the first shield 70 are formed by a continuous curved surface. In addition, in the first shield 70, at least the first side surface portion 71a, the second side surface portion 71b, the third side surface portion 71c, the fourth side surface portion 71d, the first bottom surface portion 73, the connecting portion 74, and the second bottom surface portion 75 are formed by a continuous curved surface.

[0155] In the present embodiment, the first shielding member 70 has a two-stage structure including a first bottom surface portion 73 and a second bottom surface portion 75 smaller than the first bottom surface portion 73, thereby reducing the volume within the first shielding member 70. Therefore, the distance between the heat generating component arranged on the circuit board 40 and the first shielding member 70 is reduced, and the heat generated by the heat generating component can be efficiently transferred to the first shielding member 70.

[0156] In addition, the first shielding member 70 surrounds the circuit board 40, and the first side surface portion 71a, the second side surface portion 71b, the third side surface portion 71c, the fourth side surface portion 71d, the first bottom surface portion 73, the connecting portion 74, and the second bottom surface portion 75 are continuously formed by using a drawing process, etc. Therefore, a gap in the first shielding member 70 is eliminated, thereby improving tolerance to external electromagnetic noise while suppressing leakage of electromagnetic noise to the outside.

[0157] For example, the first side surface portion 71a, the second side surface portion 71b, the third side surface portion 71c, the fourth side surface portion 71d, the first bottom surface portion 73, the connecting portion 74, and the second bottom surface portion 75 of the first shielding member 70 formed by the continuous curved surface are formed from a single metal plate by deep drawing. Therefore, gaps in the first shielding member 70 are eliminated, electromagnetic waves are shielded at a high level at low cost, and excellent shielding performance is ensured.

[0158] In addition, the second shape of the first bottom portion 73 as a shape in the plan view is different from the third shape of the hole 73e of the first bottom portion 73, and the rigidity of the first shielding member 70 itself can be improved by the continuously formed first side surface portion 71a, second side surface portion 71b, third side surface portion 71c, fourth side surface portion 71d and connecting portion 74, and the thickness of the first shielding member 70 can be reduced, and the weight of the vehicle-mounted camera 100 can also be reduced.

[0159] In this embodiment, the first shape of the circuit board 40 is a first quadrilateral shape, the second shape of the first bottom surface portion 73 of the first shielding member 70 is a second quadrilateral shape, and the third shape of the hole 73e of the first shielding member 70 is a circular shape. Therefore, the circuit board 40 and the first shielding member 70 having simple shapes can be easily formed.

[0160] In the present embodiment, the entire first side surface portion 71 of the first shielding member 70 faces the first end surface 47a of the circuit board 40, the entire second side surface portion 71b faces the second end surface 47b of the circuit board 40, the entire third side surface portion 71c faces the third end surface 47c of the circuit board 40, and the entire fourth side surface portion 71d faces the fourth end surface 47d of the circuit board 40. Therefore, the shielding performance of the circuit board 40 to the outside can be improved.

[0161] The connector 80 is arranged on the bottom surface 66a to extend through the inside and outside of the housing 60. Specifically, the connector 80 is arranged to penetrate the second bottom surface portion 75 (or the third bottom surface portion 72) of the first shielding member 70. Figure 7C As shown in the figure, the connector 80 includes at least a first terminal 81 and a second terminal 82 that electrically connect the inside and the outside of the housing 60 , and the first terminal 81 and the second terminal 82 are electrically connected to the circuit of the circuit board 40 .

[0162] In addition, if Fig. 8E As shown in the figure, the connector 80 can fix the second bottom surface portion 75 (or the third bottom surface portion 72) of the first shielding member 70 and the bottom surface 66a of the housing 60. Therefore, the connector 80 can firmly fix the first shielding member 70 and the housing 60. In addition, on the bottom surface 66a of the housing 60, the second terminal 82 of the connector 80 and the first shielding member 70 are electrically connected to each other. Therefore, the electrical connection between the connector 80 and the first shielding member 70 can be easily ensured.

[0163] The first shield 70 has a two-stage structure including a first bottom surface portion 73 and a second bottom surface portion 75 that is smaller than the first bottom surface portion 73. A first area surrounded by the periphery of the first bottom surface portion 73 of the first shield 70 is larger than a second area surrounded by the periphery of the second bottom surface portion 75. Therefore, a space around the connection portion 74 and the second bottom surface portion 75 can be ensured, and operability of the vehicle-mounted camera 100 can be improved.

[0164] Specifically, in order to support various components such as the lens unit 30, the circuit board 40, and the heat conducting member 50, the first bottom surface portion 73 of the first shielding member 70 having a large diameter is located above the connecting portion 74 and the second bottom surface portion 75 of the first shielding member 70 in the optical axis direction. The diameter of the connecting portion 74 and the diameter of the second bottom surface portion 75 are smaller than the diameter of the first bottom surface portion 73, thereby ensuring that the connecting portion 74 and the second bottom surface portion 75 are close to each other in the base end portion 66. Figure 7CTherefore, while ensuring the ground connection between the first shield 70 and the connector 80, various components can be arranged in a part of the raised bottom area S, that is, in an area adjacent to the first bottom surface portion 73, and the degree of freedom and miniaturization of the design of the vehicle-mounted camera 100 can be achieved. In addition, due to the presence of the connection portion 74, the connector 80 with a small diameter can be effectively arranged, and the electrical connection with the outside can be easily ensured.

[0165] In the present embodiment, the housing 60 includes an attachment portion 69 for attaching the vehicle-mounted camera 100 to the vehicle. The attachment portion 69 is formed in a raised bottom area S adjacent to the first bottom surface portion 73 in the housing 60. The attachment portion 69 is a portion required for attachment to another member. When there is no connection portion 74 and a general bottom surface used as the first bottom surface portion 73 is provided, it is difficult to ensure the raised bottom area S, and thus it is necessary to provide the attachment portion 69 in another area. In this case, the housing 60 is likely to be enlarged. In the present embodiment, the attachment portion 69 can be arranged in the raised bottom area S, and the enlargement of the housing 60 can be suppressed.

[0166] exist Figure 7C In the embodiment, a specific example of the attachment portion 69 represented by the dotted line area having a long axis shape is an internal thread extending along the optical axis direction. On the outer side of the second bottom surface portion 75 of the first shielding member 70 with respect to the optical axis L as the reference, the internal thread is arranged on the opposite side of the circuit board 40 relative to the first bottom surface portion 73. Therefore, while suppressing the enlargement of the housing 60, the ease of attachment of the vehicle-mounted camera to the vehicle can be ensured. The user can easily attach the vehicle-mounted camera 100 to other components of the vehicle body by using the internal thread and the external thread prepared separately.

[0167] In addition, the heat conductive member 50 is arranged between the second surface 40b of the circuit board 40 and the first bottom surface portion 73 of the first shield 70. The heat conductive member 50 has insulation performance and thermal conductivity, and is used to dissipate heat generated by electronic components such as the circuit board 40 to the outside. In particular, the heat conductive member 50 plays an important role in dissipating heat from the electronic components located at the end of the circuit board 40 away from the connector 80 to the outside through the first shield 70 and other components.

[0168] The heat conducting member 50 is arranged on the first bottom surface portion 73 of the first shield 70, and is not arranged in the raised bottom area S. When the connection portion 74 is not present and a general bottom surface serving as the first bottom surface portion 73 is provided, there is a space instead of the solid raised bottom area S. In order to eliminate the gap, it is also necessary to arrange the heat conducting member 50 in this space, the amount of the heat conducting member 50 increases, and the manufacturing cost of the vehicle-mounted camera 100 increases. In the present embodiment, there is a part of the housing 60 corresponding to the raised bottom area S instead of such a space, the amount of the heat conducting member 50 can be reduced, and an increase in cost can be suppressed.

[0169] The first shield 70 according to the embodiment is formed of a metal plate by drawing, and the step portion consisting of the first bottom surface portion 73 , the connecting portion 74 , and the second bottom surface portion 75 may also be formed of a metal plate by drawing.

[0170] Fig. 10A It is along Figure 7C The line VV in the figure shows the view in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 10B is a perspective view of the second shielding member 90 when viewed from above. Fig. 10C is a side view of the second shielding member 90 . Fig. 10D : is a perspective view of an assembly of the lens unit 30 and the second shielding member 90 when viewed from below.

[0171] The second shielding member 90 is arranged in the inner space of the housing 60. The second shielding member 90 is a metal member, and at least a portion thereof is arranged to face the first surface 40a of the circuit board 40. Specifically, the second shielding member 90 is arranged between the circuit board 40 and the lens unit 30, and has a metal plate shape including four sides 92. The second shielding member 90 has a hole (first hole) 96a at the center portion, and light from the lens unit 30 passes through the hole and reaches the image sensor 41. The first shielding member 70 may be referred to as a rear shielding member, and the second shielding member 90 may be referred to as a front shielding member.

[0172] The second shielding member 90 has a fifth shape in a plan view including at least a ninth side 92a, a tenth side 92b, an eleventh side 92c, and a twelfth side 92d constituting the four sides 92. The fifth shape is a quadrilateral shape, and its corners are rounded. The hole 96a includes the center of the fifth shape and corresponds to the image sensor 41 mounted on the first surface 40a of the circuit board 40.

[0173] In addition, the second shield 90 has contacts 94 for ensuring electrical connection with the first shield 70. The four contacts 94 include a first contact 94a, a second contact 94b, a third contact 94c, and a fourth contact 94d. The first contact 94a is electrically connected to the first side surface portion 71a of the first shield 70 at the ninth side 92a. The second contact 94b is electrically connected to the second side surface portion 71b of the first shield 70 at the tenth side 92b. The third contact 94c is electrically connected to the third side surface portion 71c of the first shield 70 at the eleventh side 92c. The fourth contact 94d is electrically connected to the fourth side surface portion 71d of the first shield 70 at the twelfth side 92d.

[0174] The second shield 90 is a member for shielding the inner space of the housing 60 from the outside and further improving the shielding performance in cooperation with the first shielding contact 70. In order to improve the shielding performance, it is desirable that the first shield 70 and the second shield 90 cooperate to form an electrically closed space.

[0175] As described above, in the present embodiment, first, the first shielding member 70 surrounds the circuit board 40, and the first side surface portion 71a, the second side surface portion 71b, the third side surface portion 71c, the fourth side surface portion 71d, the first bottom surface portion 73, the connecting portion 74, and the second bottom surface portion 75 are continuously formed by using a drawing process, etc. Therefore, a gap in the first shielding member 70 is eliminated, thereby improving tolerance to external electromagnetic noise while suppressing leakage of electromagnetic noise to the outside.

[0176] In addition, the second shielding member 90 is arranged on the first surface 40a side of the circuit board 40 including the image sensor 41, and together with the first shielding member 70 forms a closed space surrounding the circuit board 40, and contacts electrically connected to the first shielding member 70 are provided on the four sides. Therefore, by constructing an electrically closed space, the tolerance to external electromagnetic noise is improved while further suppressing the leakage of electromagnetic noise to the outside.

[0177] In addition, the second shielding member 90 includes a third surface 90a, a fourth surface 90b opposite to the third surface 90a, and an end surface 95 connecting the third surface 90a and the fourth surface 90b. The end surface 95 includes at least a fifth end surface 95a corresponding to the ninth side 92a, a sixth end surface 95b corresponding to the tenth side 92b, a seventh end surface 95c corresponding to the eleventh side 92c, and an eighth end surface 95d corresponding to the twelfth side 92d.

[0178] In addition, the fifth end surface 95a faces the first side surface 71a of the first shield 70, the sixth end surface 95b faces the second side surface 71b of the first shield 70, the seventh end surface 95c faces the third side surface 71c of the first shield 70, and the eighth end surface 95d faces the fourth side surface 71d of the first shield 70.

[0179] Therefore, the side surface portion 71 of the first shield 70 faces the end surface 95 of the second shield 90 , whereby the gap between the first shield 70 and the second shield 90 can be reduced and excellent shielding performance can be ensured.

[0180] In addition, the portions of the first shield 70 corresponding to the fifth end surface 95a, the sixth end surface 95b, the seventh end surface 95c, and the eighth end surface 95d of the second shield 90 form a sixth shape in a plan view. The sixth shape is larger than the second shape of the third bottom surface portion 72 of the first shield 70. In the present embodiment, both the second shape and the sixth shape are substantially quadrilateral shapes, and the area of ​​the substantially quadrilateral shape of the sixth shape is larger than the area of ​​the substantially quadrilateral shape of the second shape.

[0181] The first side surface portion 71a and the third side surface portion 71c of the first shield 70 face each other, and the first side surface portion 71a and the third side surface portion 71c extend from the third bottom surface portion 72 toward portions corresponding to the fifth end surface 95a, the sixth end surface 95b, the seventh end surface 95c, and the eighth end surface 95d of the second shield 90. In addition, the second side surface portion 71b and the fourth side surface portion 71d of the first shield 70 face each other, and the second side surface portion 71b and the fourth side surface portion 71d extend from the third bottom surface portion 72 toward portions corresponding to the fifth end surface 95a, the sixth end surface 95b, the seventh end surface 95c, and the eighth end surface 95d of the second shield 90.

[0182] That is, the side surface portion 71 of the first shield 70 rises in a manner inclined outward from the third bottom surface portion 72 in the orthogonal direction orthogonal to the optical axis of the lens unit 30. Thus, the cross section of the first shield 70 at the position of the second shield 90 is larger than the cross section at the position of the base end portion 66. Therefore, the opening side of the first shield 70 where the second shield 90 exists is formed into a shape having the third bottom surface portion 72 larger than the bottom side, so that the first shield 70 can be easily processed.

[0183] In addition, the size of the second shielding member 90 is set so that the second shielding member 90 is Fig. 10A The area in the plan view is larger than the area of ​​the second shape of the third bottom surface portion 72 (first bottom surface portion 73) of the first shield 70. By setting it in this way, the gap between the side surface portion 71 and the side 92 of the second shield 90 can be made smaller, and the shielding performance can be improved.

[0184] In addition, in the housing 60, a boundary portion 68a between at least two side wall inner surfaces 68 is realized by a continuous curved surface. Such a continuous curved surface can be more easily formed into the shape of a mold during resin injection molding. The boundary portion 68a is a continuous curved surface along the curved side surface portion 76 of the first shielding member 70, and is accommodated in a state where the first shielding member 70 is in close contact with the housing 60. In addition, a connection portion of at least two end surfaces 95 and the edge 92 constituting the outer edge of the second shielding member 90 is formed by a curved end surface 93. The curved end surface 93 is a continuous curved surface facing the curved side surface portion 76 of the first shielding member 70.

[0185] The curved end surface 93 of the second shielding member 90 includes a first curved end surface 93a, a second curved end surface 93b, a third curved end surface 93c and a fourth curved end surface 93d. The first curved end surface 93a connects the fifth end surface 95a and the sixth end surface 95b. The second curved end surface 93b connects the sixth end surface 95b and the seventh end surface 95c. The third curved end surface 93c connects the seventh end surface 95c and the eighth end surface 95d. The fourth curved end surface 93d connects the eighth end surface 95d and the fifth end surface 95a.

[0186] In addition, the first curved end surface 93a of the second shielding member 90 faces the first curved side surface portion 76a of the first shielding member 70, the second curved end surface 93b of the second shielding member 90 faces the second curved side surface portion 76b of the first shielding member 70, the third curved end surface 93c of the second shielding member 90 faces the third curved side surface portion 76c of the first shielding member 70, and the fourth curved end surface 93d of the second shielding member 90 faces the fourth curved side surface portion 76d of the first shielding member 70.

[0187] Therefore, the gap between the curved side surface portion 76 corresponding to the corner portion of the first shield 70 and the curved end surface 93 corresponding to the corner portion of the second shield 90 can be reduced, and excellent shielding performance can be ensured.

[0188] The first curved end surface 93a of the second shielding member 90 has an outward convex shape based on the center of the fifth shape of the second shielding member 90, the second curved end surface 93b of the second shielding member 90 has an outward convex shape based on the center of the fifth shape, the third curved end surface 93c of the second shielding member 90 has an outward convex shape based on the center of the fifth shape, and the fourth curved end surface 93d of the second shielding member 90 has an outward convex shape based on the center of the fifth shape.

[0189] According to the above-mentioned shapes, the inner side surface of the first curved side surface portion 76 of the first shield member 70 has a concave shape corresponding to the convex shape of the first curved end surface 93a of the second shield member 90, the inner side surface of the second curved side surface portion 76b of the first shield member 70 has a concave shape corresponding to the convex shape of the second curved end surface 93b of the second shield member 90, the inner side surface of the third curved side surface portion 76c of the first shield member 70 has a concave shape corresponding to the convex shape of the third curved end surface 93c of the second shield member 90, and the inner side surface of the fourth curved side surface portion 76d of the first shield member 70 has a concave shape corresponding to the convex shape of the fourth curved end surface 93d of the second shield member 90.

[0190] Therefore, by arranging the curved end surface 93 of the second shielding member 90 to correspond to the curved side surface portion 76 required to continuously form the side surface portion 71 of the first shielding member 70, and reducing the gap between the second shielding member 90 and the first shielding member 70 at the four corners as much as possible, the tolerance to external electromagnetic noise can be improved while suppressing the electromagnetic noise from leaking to the outside.

[0191] When the connection between the two sides 92 of the second shielding member 90 is at a right angle like the connection of a generally rectangular shape, Fig. 10A Compared with the curved end surface 93 of the second shielding member 90, the connecting portion easily reaches the curved side surface 76 of the first shielding member 70, and Fig. 10A In comparison with the case of the second shielding member 90, the side 92 needs to be shortened. That is, the second shielding member 90 becomes smaller and the shielding performance deteriorates. In this embodiment, by using the curved end surface 93 along the curved side surface portion 76 to construct the connection portion of the two sides 92, the gap with the first shielding member 70 can be reduced while ensuring the overall size of the second shielding member 90, that is, the length of the side 92, and the shielding performance can be improved.

[0192] In addition, as described above, the second shielding member 90 has the hole 96a including the center of the fifth shape and corresponding to the image sensor 41 mounted on the first surface 40a of the circuit board 40. Fig. 10B As shown, the second shielding member 90 further includes four holes, namely, a hole 96b, a hole 96c, a hole 96d, and a hole 96e around the hole 96a.

[0193] Four holes including hole 96b, hole 96c, hole 96d and hole 96e are set to correspond to the corners of the fifth shape respectively, and when hole 96a is set as the first hole, at least three of the four holes correspond to the second hole, the third hole and the fourth hole.

[0194] Each of the first contact 94 a , the second contact 94 b , the third contact 94 c , and the fourth contact 94 d extends in a bent manner downward, that is, toward the fourth surface 90 b of the second shield 90 .

[0195] like Fig. 10D As shown in the figure, the first surface 32a of the flange portion 32 of the lens unit 30 is provided with four support columns, including support columns 97a, 97b, 97c and 97d protruding into the housing 60. At least three of the four support columns correspond to the first support column, the second support column and the third support column. In addition, at least three support columns including the first support column, the second support column and the third support column respectively penetrate at least three holes including the second hole, the third hole and the fourth hole.

[0196] Fig.15A is a perspective view of a modified example of the second shielding member 90 when viewed from above. Fig. 15B is a side view of a modified example of the second shielding member 90 . Fig. 15C : is a perspective view of an assembly of a modified example of the lens unit 30 and the second shield 90 when viewed from below. Fig.15D 1 is a side view of an assembly of the lens unit 30 , a modified example of the second shielding member 90 , and the circuit board 40 .

[0197] exist FIG. 15A to FIG. 15D In the modified example of the second shielding member 90 shown in the figure, FIG. 10A to FIG. 10D Unlike the example of the first contact 94a, the second contact 94b, the third contact 94c and the fourth contact 94d are each bent and extended upward, that is, toward the third surface 90a of the second shielding member 90. In a modified example, when the vehicle-mounted camera 100 is assembled, the four contacts can be placed so that they do not become obstacles. Fig. 15C The components are smoothly arranged inside the housing 60.

[0198] In addition, if Fig.15D As shown in the figure, among the four supporting columns including the supporting column 97a, the supporting column 97b, the supporting column 97c and the supporting column 97d, at least three supporting columns including the first supporting column, the second supporting column and the third supporting column reach the first surface 40a of the circuit board 40 and support the lens unit 30. Therefore, the image sensor 41 can capture an image of light from the outside, and the second shielding member 90 and the lens unit 30 can be stably supported by the circuit board 40 and the plurality of supporting columns.

[0199] Fig.16A 1 is a plan view illustrating the curvature of each curved end surface 93 in the second shield 90 . Fig. 16B 1 is a plan view illustrating the curvature of each curved end surface 93 in a modification of the second shield 90 . Fig.17 1 is a plan view illustrating the curvature of each curved side surface portion 76 of the first shield 70 .

[0200] like Fig.16A and Fig. 16BAs shown, the first curved end surface 93a of the second shielding member 90 is a curved surface having a curvature R1 in a plan view, the second curved end surface 93b is a curved surface having a curvature R3 in a plan view, the third curved end surface 93c is a curved surface having a curvature R5 in a plan view, and the fourth curved end surface 93d is a curved surface having a curvature R7 in a plan view. R1, R3, R5, and R7 may be the same value, or may be different values.

[0201] like Fig.17 As shown in the figure, the portion corresponding to the first curved side surface portion 76a of the first shielding member 70 is a curved surface having a curvature R2 in a plan view, the portion corresponding to the second curved side surface portion 76b is a curved surface having a curvature R4 in a plan view, and the portion corresponding to the third curved side surface portion 76c is a curved surface having a curvature R6 in a plan view. The portion corresponding to the fourth curved side surface portion 76d is a curved surface having a curvature R8 in a plan view. R2, R4, R6, and R8 may be the same value, or may be different values.

[0202] In this embodiment, R1 is set equal to or less than R2 (R1≤R2), R3 is set equal to or less than R4 (R3≤R4), R5 is set equal to or less than R6 (R5≤R6), and R7 is set equal to or less than R8 (R7≤R8).

[0203] Therefore, the bending degree of the curved side surface portion 76 of the first shielding member 70 on the outside is greater than the bending degree of the curved end surface of the second shielding member 90 on the inside, so that the size of the first shielding member 70 and the size of the second shielding member 90 can be set so that the first side surface portion 7a to the fourth side surface portion 71d of the first shielding member are respectively close to the ninth side 92a to the twelfth side 92d of the second shielding member, which can reduce the gap between the first shielding member 70 and the second shielding member 90 and ensure excellent shielding performance.

[0204] Fig.18 4 is a top view illustrating the curvature of the corner curved surface 48 in the circuit board 40. Fig. 7E As described above, the circuit board 40 also has a first shape in a plan view including at least a first side 43, a second side 44, a third side 45, and a fourth side 46. The end surface 47 of the circuit board 40 includes at least a first end surface 47a corresponding to the first side 43, a second end surface 47b corresponding to the second side 44, a third end surface 47c corresponding to the third side 45, and a fourth end surface 47d corresponding to the fourth side 46.

[0205] In addition, if Fig.18As shown in the figure, the corner curved surface 48 includes a first corner curved surface 48a, a second corner curved surface 48b, a third corner curved surface 48c and a fourth corner curved surface 48d. The first corner curved surface 48a is a curved surface connecting the first side 43 and the second side 44 and having a curvature R9 in a plan view. The second corner curved surface 48b is a curved surface connecting the second side 44 and the third side 45 and having a curvature R10 in a plan view. The third corner curved surface 48c is a curved surface connecting the third side 45 and the fourth side 46 and having a curvature R11 in a plan view. The fourth corner curved surface 48d is a curved surface connecting the fourth side 46 and the first side 43 and having a curvature R12 in a plan view.

[0206] In the second embodiment, although the vehicle-mounted camera 100 includes the third bottom surface portion 72 having a step portion and the second shielding member 90, neither the third bottom surface portion 72 having a step portion nor the second shielding member 90 is necessarily provided. The vehicle-mounted camera 100 may include the third bottom surface portion 72 having a step portion but not include the second shielding member 90, in which case the first shielding member 70 becomes a single shielding member. In addition, the vehicle-mounted camera 100 may include the second shielding member 90 but not include the third bottom surface portion 72 having a step portion. In this case, for example, the third bottom surface portion 72 may be implemented only by the flat first bottom surface portion 73.

[0207] Fig.11 This is a graph showing the measurement results of EMI inside the housing relative to frequency for three types of vehicle-mounted cameras. The horizontal axis represents the frequency of the radio waves reaching the vehicle-mounted camera, and the vertical axis represents the intensity of electromagnetic interference (EMI) inside the housing of the vehicle-mounted camera (unit: dBμV / m). The results show that the smaller the EMI, the better the shielding performance.

[0208] Graph A illustrates the measurement results of an in-vehicle camera including a housing made of resin and not provided with the first shield 70 and the second shield 90. Graph B illustrates the measurement results of an in-vehicle camera including a housing made of resin and provided with only the first shield 70. Graph C illustrates the measurement results of an in-vehicle camera including a housing made of resin and provided with both the first shield 70 and the second shield 90.

[0209] The vehicle-mounted camera associated with the graph C is provided with both the first shielding member 70 and the second shielding member 90, thereby exhibiting high shielding performance comparable to that of a metal case. The vehicle-mounted camera associated with the graph B exhibits shielding performance lower than that of the vehicle-mounted camera associated with the graph C, but exhibits shielding performance higher than that of the vehicle-mounted camera associated with the graph A, particularly in a high-frequency region (above about 2.3 GHz). Since high-frequency radio waves are more likely to propagate on a surface than low-frequency radio waves, it is presumed that such a performance difference occurs in the high-frequency region.

[0210] This application is based on the Japanese patent application filed on June 29, 2022 (Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-105021, Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-105022, Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-105023), the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0211] As described above, at least the following matters are described in the present disclosure: Constituent elements corresponding to those in the above-mentioned embodiment are shown in parentheses, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0212] (A1) A vehicle-mounted camera (vehicle-mounted camera 100), comprising:

[0213] a first cylindrical portion (first cylindrical portion 37) having a first cylindrical shape; a lens unit (lens unit 30) including at least one lens arranged inside the first cylindrical portion;

[0214] an image sensor (image sensor 41 ) arranged on the optical axis (optical axis L) of the at least one lens;

[0215] a housing (housing 60) including a second cylindrical portion (large-diameter cylindrical portion 61) having a second cylindrical shape along the optical axis and accommodating at least the image sensor inside the second cylindrical portion; and

[0216] A plate-like ring member (ring member 20) formed of a first resin having a predetermined light transmittance, wherein

[0217] The lens unit includes a flange portion (flange portion 32) arranged outside the first cylindrical portion, the flange portion extending around the entire circumference with the optical axis as the center and extending outward with the optical axis as the reference,

[0218] The flange portion of the lens unit is arranged inside the second cylindrical portion of the housing in a radial direction orthogonal to the optical axis;

[0219] The flange portion of the lens unit includes an annular first surface (first surface 32a) facing the image sensor and an annular second surface (second surface 32b) opposite to the first surface,

[0220] The second surface of the flange portion of the lens unit is provided with a first welding rib (first welding rib 35), which is made of a second resin having a first light-absorbing property, protrudes in a direction opposite to the first surface, and is arranged on the entire circumference with the optical axis as the center.

[0221] The end surface (end surface 63) of the second cylindrical portion of the housing is provided with a second welding rib (second welding rib 64), which is made of a third resin having a second light absorption property, protrudes along the optical axis direction, and is arranged on the entire circumference with the optical axis as the center.

[0222] the ring member is welded to the first welding rib on the second surface of the flange portion of the lens unit, and is welded to the second welding rib on the end surface of the second cylindrical portion of the housing,

[0223] The lens unit includes a protrusion (protrusion 33) that protrudes in the radial direction and contacts the inner surface of the second cylindrical portion of the housing, and

[0224] When the ring member is welded to the first welding rib, the first burr (first burr 36 ) generated from the first welding rib does not reach the end surface of the second cylindrical portion of the housing at a position overlapping the protrusion.

[0225] Therefore, in the vehicle-mounted camera, reliable welding can be achieved without relying on the shape accuracy of the second surface of the flange portion of the lens unit and the ring member, and the first burr generated from the first welding rib can be suppressed from adversely affecting the welding between the ring member and the housing.

[0226] (A2) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (A1), wherein

[0227] The protrusion of the lens unit includes at least a first protrusion, a second protrusion, and a third protrusion.

[0228] Therefore, in the vehicle-mounted camera, the lens unit can be stably fixed to the housing by using the three protrusions, ie, the first protrusion, the second protrusion, and the third protrusion.

[0229] (A3) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (A1) or (A2), wherein

[0230] The protrusion of the lens unit is a rib arranged along an optical axis direction.

[0231] Therefore, the protrusion can be easily formed when forming the lens unit.

[0232] (A4) The vehicle-mounted camera according to any one of (A1) to (A3), wherein

[0233] The first welding rib on the second surface of the flange portion of the lens unit is located in a region close to the inner side on the second surface of the flange portion of the lens unit in the radial direction.

[0234] Therefore, in the vehicle-mounted camera, the first burr generated from the first welding rib is less likely to reach the housing side.

[0235] (A5) The vehicle-mounted camera according to any one of (A1) to (A4), wherein

[0236] When the ring member is welded to the second welding rib, the second burr (the second burr 65 ) generated from the second welding rib does not reach the second surface of the flange portion of the lens unit at a position overlapping the protrusion.

[0237] Therefore, in the vehicle-mounted camera, reliable welding can be achieved without relying on the shape accuracy of the end surface of the housing and the ring member, and the second burr generated from the second welding rib can be suppressed from adversely affecting the welding between the ring member and the lens unit.

[0238] (A6) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (A5), wherein

[0239] The second welding rib on the end surface of the second cylindrical portion of the housing is located in a region close to the inner side of the end surface in the radial direction.

[0240] Therefore, in the vehicle-mounted camera, it is possible to suppress the second burr generated from the second welding rib from protruding to the outside of the housing.

[0241] (A7) The vehicle-mounted camera according to any one of (A1) to (A6), wherein

[0242] The housing includes a bottom surface portion (base end portion 66) opposite to the end surface, and

[0243] The image sensor is surrounded by the second cylindrical portion and the bottom surface portion of the housing, the ring member, and the lens unit.

[0244] Therefore, the image sensor can be reliably surrounded by the housing, the ring member, and the lens unit.

[0245] (A8) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (A7), wherein

[0246] The image sensor is arranged on the circuit board,

[0247] The image sensor and the circuit board are surrounded by the second cylindrical portion and the bottom surface portion of the housing, the ring member, and the lens unit.

[0248] A connector (connector 80) is arranged on the bottom surface portion of the housing, the connector including terminals (first terminals 81 and second terminals 82) that penetrate the inside and outside of the housing and allow electrical signals to be transmitted through the terminals, and

[0249] The terminal of the connector is electrically connected to a circuit of the circuit board.

[0250] Therefore, while the image sensor and the circuit board are securely surrounded by the housing, the ring member, and the lens unit, electrical connection with the outside can be ensured.

[0251] (A9) The vehicle-mounted camera according to any one of (A1) to (A8), wherein

[0252] The first cylindrical portion of the lens unit has a circular cross-section along the radial direction, and

[0253] The second cylindrical portion of the housing has a quadrilateral cross-section along the radial direction.

[0254] Therefore, the lens unit and the housing can be easily formed.

[0255] (A10) The vehicle-mounted camera according to any one of (A1) to (A9), wherein

[0256] A first distance between the ring member and the second surface of the flange portion of the lens unit is set to be larger than a second distance between the ring member and the end surface of the second cylindrical portion of the housing.

[0257] Therefore, in the vehicle-mounted camera, the first burr generated from the first welding rib is less likely to reach the housing side.

[0258] (A11) The vehicle-mounted camera according to any one of (A1) to (A10), wherein

[0259] The first light absorbency of the second resin is the same as the second light absorbency of the third resin.

[0260] Therefore, in the vehicle-mounted camera, since the first light absorbency of the second resin is the same as the second light absorbency of the third resin, there is no need to change the type of laser for laser welding between the ring member and the housing and laser welding between the ring member and the lens unit, and laser welding can be easily performed.

[0261] (B1) A vehicle-mounted camera (vehicle-mounted camera 100), comprising:

[0262] a lens unit (lens unit 30) comprising at least one lens;

[0263] A circuit board (circuit board 40) having a first surface (first surface 40a), a second surface (second surface 40b) opposite to the first surface, and an end surface (end surface 47) between the first surface and the second surface;

[0264] an image sensor (image sensor 41) disposed on the first surface of the circuit board and on the optical axis (optical axis L) of the at least one lens;

[0265] a housing (housing 60) that supports the lens unit and accommodates at least the circuit board and the image sensor;

[0266] a first metal shield (first shield 70 ) arranged to surround the circuit board in the inner space of the housing and partially face the second surface of the circuit board; and

[0267] A second metal shield (second shield 90) is arranged to partially face the first surface of the circuit board, wherein

[0268] The circuit board has a first shape including at least a first side (first side 43), a second side (second side 44), a third side (third side 45) and a fourth side (fourth side 46) in a plan view,

[0269] The end surface of the circuit board at least includes a first end surface (first end surface 47a) corresponding to the first side, a second end surface (second end surface 47b) corresponding to the second side, a third end surface (third end surface 47c) corresponding to the third side, and a fourth end surface (fourth end surface 47d) corresponding to the fourth side.

[0270] The first metal shielding member includes

[0271] a third bottom surface portion (third bottom surface portion 72) which is arranged to face the second surface of the circuit board and has a second shape including at least a fifth side (fifth side 72a), a sixth side (sixth side 72b), a seventh side (seventh side 72c) and an eighth side (eighth side 72d) in a plan view,

[0272] a first side surface portion (first side surface portion 71a) disposed toward the circuit board to correspond to the fifth side of the third bottom surface portion,

[0273] a second side surface portion (second side surface portion 71 b ) arranged toward the circuit board to correspond to the sixth side of the third bottom surface portion,

[0274] a third side surface portion (third side surface portion 71c) arranged toward the circuit board to correspond to the seventh side of the third bottom surface portion, and

[0275] a fourth side surface portion (fourth side surface portion 71d) arranged to face the circuit board so as to correspond to the eighth side of the third bottom surface portion,

[0276] The first end surface of the circuit board faces the first side surface of the first metal shielding member.

[0277] The second end surface of the circuit board faces the second side surface of the first metal shielding member.

[0278] The third end surface of the circuit board faces the third side surface of the first metal shielding member.

[0279] The fourth end surface of the circuit board faces the fourth side surface of the first metal shielding member,

[0280] the second metal shield has a fifth shape including at least a ninth side (ninth side 92a), a tenth side (tenth side 92b), an eleventh side (eleventh side 92c), and a twelfth side (twelfth side 92d) in a plan view, and includes a hole (hole 96a) including a center of the fifth shape and corresponding to the image sensor arranged on the first surface of the circuit board,

[0281] At least the first side surface portion, the second side surface portion, the third side surface portion, the fourth side surface portion, and the third bottom surface portion of the first metal shield are formed of a continuous curved surface, and

[0282] The second metal shielding member includes

[0283] a first contact (first contact 94a) electrically connected to the first side surface of the first metal shield on the ninth side,

[0284] a second contact (second contact 94b) electrically connected to the second side surface portion of the first metal shield on the tenth side,

[0285] a third contact (third contact 94c) electrically connected to the third side surface portion of the first metal shield on the eleventh side, and

[0286] A fourth contact (fourth contact 94d) is electrically connected to the fourth side surface portion of the first metal shield on the twelfth side.

[0287] Therefore, in the vehicle-mounted camera, by using two shielding members to form an electrically closed space surrounding the circuit board, it is possible to improve the resistance to external electromagnetic noise while suppressing the leakage of electromagnetic noise to the outside.

[0288] (B2) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (B1), wherein

[0289] The second metal shield includes a third surface (third surface 90a), a fourth surface (fourth surface 90b) opposite to the third surface, and an end surface (end surface 95) connecting the third surface and the fourth surface.

[0290] The end surfaces of the second metal shield at least include a fifth end surface (fifth end surface 95a) corresponding to the ninth side, a sixth end surface (sixth end surface 95b) corresponding to the tenth side, a seventh end surface (seventh end surface 95c) corresponding to the eleventh side, and an eighth end surface (eighth end surface 95d) corresponding to the twelfth side,

[0291] The fifth end surface of the second metal shield faces the first side surface of the first metal shield,

[0292] The sixth end surface of the second metal shield faces the second side surface of the first metal shield,

[0293] The seventh end surface of the second metal shield faces the third side surface of the first metal shield, and

[0294] The eighth end surface of the second metal shield faces the fourth side surface of the first metal shield.

[0295] Therefore, the side surface portion of the first shield faces the end surface of the second shield, whereby the gap between the first shield and the second shield can be reduced and excellent shielding performance can be ensured.

[0296] (B3) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (B2), wherein

[0297] The first metal shielding member includes

[0298] a first curved side surface portion (first curved side surface portion 76a) connecting the first side surface portion and the second side surface portion,

[0299] a second curved side surface portion (second curved side surface portion 76b) connecting the second side surface portion and the third side surface portion,

[0300] a third curved side portion (third curved side portion 76c) connecting the third side portion and the fourth side portion, and

[0301] a fourth curved side portion (fourth curved side portion 76d) connecting the fourth side portion and the first side portion, and

[0302] The second metal shielding member includes

[0303] a first curved end surface (first curved end surface 93a) connecting the fifth end surface and the sixth end surface,

[0304] a second curved end surface (second curved end surface 93b) connecting the sixth end surface and the seventh end surface,

[0305] a third curved end surface (third curved end surface 93c) connecting the seventh end surface and the eighth end surface, and

[0306] a fourth curved end surface (fourth curved end surface 93d), which connects the eighth end surface and the fifth end surface,

[0307] The first curved end surface of the second metal shield faces the first curved side surface of the first metal shield,

[0308] The second curved end surface of the second metal shield faces the second curved side surface of the first metal shield,

[0309] The third curved end surface of the second metal shield faces the third curved side surface of the first metal shield, and

[0310] The fourth curved end surface of the second metal shield faces the fourth curved side surface portion of the first metal shield.

[0311] Therefore, in the vehicle-mounted camera, it is possible to reduce the gap between the curved side surface portion corresponding to the corner portion of the first shield and the curved end surface corresponding to the corner portion of the second shield, and ensure excellent shielding performance.

[0312] (B4) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (B3), wherein

[0313] The first curved end surface of the second metal shield has an outwardly convex shape with the center of the fifth shape of the second metal shield as a reference,

[0314] The second curved end surface of the second metal shield has an outwardly convex shape with the center of the fifth shape as a reference,

[0315] The third curved end surface of the second metal shield has an outwardly convex shape with the center of the fifth shape as a reference,

[0316] The fourth curved end surface of the second metal shield has an outwardly convex shape with the center of the fifth shape as a reference,

[0317] The inner side surface of the first curved side surface portion of the first metal shield has a concave shape corresponding to the convex shape of the first curved end surface of the second metal shield,

[0318] The inner side surface of the second curved side surface portion of the first metal shield has a concave shape corresponding to the convex shape of the second curved end surface of the second metal shield,

[0319] an inner side surface of the third curved side surface portion of the first metal shield has a concave shape corresponding to a convex shape of the third curved end surface of the second metal shield, and

[0320] An inner side surface of the fourth curved side surface portion of the first metal shield has a concave shape corresponding to a convex shape of the fourth curved end surface of the second metal shield.

[0321] Therefore, in the vehicle-mounted camera, by arranging the curved end surface of the second shielding member to correspond to the curved side surface portion required to continuously form the side surface portion of the first shielding member, and reducing the gap between the second shielding member and the first shielding member at the four corners as small as possible, it is possible to improve the tolerance to external electromagnetic noise while suppressing the leakage of electromagnetic noise to the outside.

[0322] (B5) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (B4), wherein

[0323] The first curved end surface of the second metal shield has a curvature R1 in a plan view, a portion corresponding to the first curved side surface of the first metal shield has a curvature R2 in a plan view, and R1 is equal to or smaller than R2,

[0324] The second curved end surface of the second metal shield has a curvature R3 in a plan view, a portion corresponding to the second curved side surface of the first metal shield has a curvature R4 in a plan view, and R3 is equal to or smaller than R4,

[0325] The third curved end surface of the second metal shield has a curvature R5 in a plan view, a portion corresponding to the third curved side surface of the first metal shield has a curvature R6 in a plan view, and R5 is equal to or less than R6, and

[0326] The fourth curved end surface of the second metal shield has a curvature R7 in a plan view, a portion corresponding to the fourth curved side surface portion of the first metal shield has a curvature R8 in a plan view, and R7 is equal to or smaller than R8.

[0327] Therefore, in the vehicle-mounted camera, the bending degree of the curved side surface portion of the first shielding member on the outer side is greater than the bending degree of the curved end surface of the second shielding member on the inner side, thereby the size of the first shielding member and the size of the second shielding member can be set so that the first side surface portion to the fourth side surface portion of the first shielding member are respectively close to the ninth side to the twelfth side of the second shielding member, the gap between the first shielding member and the second shielding member can be reduced, and excellent shielding performance can be ensured.

[0328] (B6) The vehicle-mounted camera according to any one of (B2) to (B5), wherein

[0329] A plan view of a portion of the first metal shield corresponding to the fifth end surface, the sixth end surface, the seventh end surface, and the eighth end surface of the second metal shield has a sixth shape,

[0330] The sixth shape is larger than the second shape of the third bottom surface portion of the first metal shield,

[0331] The first side surface portion and the third side surface portion of the first metal shield face each other,

[0332] The first side surface portion and the third side surface portion of the first metal shield extend from the third bottom surface portion toward the portion corresponding to the fifth end surface, the sixth end surface, the seventh end surface, and the eighth end surface of the second metal shield,

[0333] The second side surface portion and the fourth side surface portion of the first metal shield face each other, and

[0334] The second side surface portion and the fourth side surface portion of the first metal shield extend from the third bottom surface portion toward the portions corresponding to the fifth end surface, the sixth end surface, the seventh end surface, and the eighth end surface of the second metal shield.

[0335] Therefore, in the vehicle-mounted camera, the opening side of the first shield member where the second shield member exists is formed to have a shape larger than the third bottom surface portion on the bottom side, whereby the first shield member can be easily processed.

[0336] (B7) The vehicle-mounted camera according to any one of (B1) to (B6), wherein

[0337] The housing includes a connector (connector 80) arranged on the bottom surface facing the circuit board, the connector extending through the inside and outside of the housing,

[0338] The connector includes at least a first terminal (first terminal 81) and a second terminal (second terminal 82) electrically connecting the inside and the outside of the housing.

[0339] The first terminal and the second terminal of the connector are electrically connected to a circuit of the circuit board, and

[0340] The connector is arranged to penetrate the third bottom surface portion of the first metal shield.

[0341] Therefore, the connector and the circuit board can be easily connected in the vehicle-mounted camera.

[0342] (B8) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (B7), wherein

[0343] The connector fixes the third bottom surface portion of the first metal shield and the bottom surface of the housing, and

[0344] The second terminal of the connector and the first metal shield are electrically connected to each other on the bottom surface of the housing.

[0345] Therefore, in the vehicle-mounted camera, the connector can fix the first shield and the housing, and can also ensure electrical connection between the connector and the first shield.

[0346] (B9) The vehicle-mounted camera according to any one of (B1) to (B8), wherein

[0347] The hole of the second metal shield corresponding to the image sensor arranged on the first surface of the circuit board is set as a first hole,

[0348] The second metal shield includes at least a second hole, a third hole, and a fourth hole around the first hole, and

[0349] The first surface of the circuit board supports the lens unit through a first supporting column, a second supporting column and a third supporting column, and the first supporting column, the second supporting column and the third supporting column respectively pass through the second hole, the third hole and the fourth hole.

[0350] Therefore, in the vehicle-mounted camera, the image sensor can capture an image of light from the outside, and the second shield and the lens unit can be stably supported by the circuit board and the plurality of support columns.

[0351] (B10) The vehicle-mounted camera according to any one of (B1) to (B9), wherein

[0352] The first side surface portion, the second side surface portion, the third side surface portion, the fourth side surface portion, and the third bottom surface portion of the first metal shield are formed from a single metal plate by drawing.

[0353] Therefore, in the vehicle-mounted camera, the gap in the first shielding member is eliminated, electromagnetic waves are shielded at a high level at low cost, and excellent shielding performance can be ensured.

[0354] (C1) A vehicle-mounted camera (vehicle-mounted camera 100), comprising:

[0355] a lens unit (lens unit 30) comprising at least one lens;

[0356] A circuit board (circuit board 40) having a first surface (first surface 40a), a second surface (second surface 40b) opposite to the first surface, and an end surface (end surface 47) between the first surface and the second surface;

[0357] An image sensor (image sensor 41) electrically connected to the circuit of the circuit board and arranged on the optical axis (the optical axis L) of the at least one lens;

[0358] a housing (housing 60) that supports the lens unit and accommodates at least the circuit board and the image sensor; and

[0359] A metal shield (first shield 70) is arranged in the inner space of the housing to surround the circuit board, wherein

[0360] The circuit board has a first shape including at least a first side (first side 43), a second side (second side 44), a third side (third side 45) and a fourth side (fourth side 46) in a plan view,

[0361] The end surface of the circuit board at least includes a first end surface (first end surface 47a) corresponding to the first side, a second end surface (second end surface 47b) corresponding to the second side, a third end surface (third end surface 47c) corresponding to the third side, and a fourth end surface (fourth end surface 47d) corresponding to the fourth side.

[0362] The housing includes a connector (connector 80) extending through the inside and outside of the housing, the connector being arranged on the bottom surface (bottom surface 66a) facing the circuit board,

[0363] The connector includes at least a first terminal (first terminal 81) and a second terminal (second terminal 82) electrically connecting the inside and the outside of the housing, and

[0364] The first terminal and the second terminal of the connector are electrically connected to the circuit of the circuit board,

[0365] The metal shielding member includes

[0366] a first bottom portion (first bottom portion 73) arranged to face the second surface of the circuit board, the first bottom portion having a second shape including a fifth side (fifth side 72a), a sixth side (sixth side 72b), a seventh side (seventh side 72c) and an eighth side (eighth side 72d) in a plan view, and including a hole (hole 73e) arranged to include a center portion of the second shape,

[0367] a second bottom surface portion (second bottom surface portion 75) arranged to correspond to the hole, the second bottom surface portion facing the second surface of the circuit board and arranged to be separated from the first bottom surface portion with the second surface of the circuit board as a reference, the hole being arranged to include a central portion of the second shape of the first bottom surface portion,

[0368] a first side surface portion (first side surface portion 71a) arranged to correspond to the fifth side of the first bottom surface portion in a direction opposite to the second bottom surface portion,

[0369] a second side surface portion (second side surface portion 71b) arranged to correspond to the sixth side of the first bottom surface portion in a direction opposite to the second bottom surface portion,

[0370] a third side surface portion (third side surface portion 71c) arranged to correspond to the seventh side of the first bottom surface portion in a direction opposite to the second bottom surface portion,

[0371] a fourth side surface portion (fourth side surface portion 71d) arranged to correspond to the eighth side of the first bottom surface portion in a direction opposite to the second bottom surface portion, and

[0372] a connecting portion (connecting portion 74) connecting the entire circumference of the hole and the entire circumference of the second bottom surface portion arranged to include the center portion of the second shape of the first bottom surface portion,

[0373] The second bottom surface portion of the metal shield corresponds to the bottom surface of the housing,

[0374] The connector is arranged to penetrate the second bottom surface portion of the metal shield,

[0375] At least a portion of the first side surface of the metal shield faces the first end surface of the circuit board,

[0376] At least a portion of the second side surface of the metal shield faces the second end surface of the circuit board,

[0377] At least a portion of the third side surface of the metal shield faces the third end surface of the circuit board,

[0378] At least a portion of the fourth side surface of the metal shield faces the fourth end surface of the circuit board,

[0379] a hole arranged to include a center portion of the second shape of the first bottom surface portion of the metal shield having a third shape different from the second shape in a plan view,

[0380] At least the first side surface portion, the second side surface portion, the third side surface portion and the fourth side surface portion of the metal shield are formed by a continuous curved surface, or

[0381] At least the first side surface portion, the second side surface portion, the third side surface portion, the fourth side surface portion, the first bottom surface portion, the connecting portion, and the second bottom surface portion are formed of a continuous curved surface.

[0382] Therefore, the first shielding member 70 has a two-stage structure including a first bottom surface portion and a second bottom surface portion smaller than the first bottom surface portion, thereby reducing the volume inside the first shielding member. Therefore, the distance between the heat generating component arranged on the circuit board and the first shielding member is reduced, and the heat generated by the heat generating component can be effectively transferred to the first shielding member.

[0383] (C2) A vehicle-mounted camera according to (C1), wherein

[0384] The image sensor is disposed on the first surface of the circuit board.

[0385] Therefore, in the vehicle-mounted camera, light from the outside can be easily guided to the image sensor.

[0386] (C3) A vehicle-mounted camera according to (C1) or (C2), wherein

[0387] The connector fixes the second bottom surface portion of the metal shield and the bottom surface of the housing.

[0388] Therefore, in the vehicle-mounted camera, the connector can firmly fix the shield and the housing.

[0389] (C4) The vehicle-mounted camera according to any one of (C1) to (C3), wherein

[0390] The second terminal of the connector and the metal shield are electrically connected to each other on the bottom surface of the housing.

[0391] Therefore, in the vehicle-mounted camera, the electrical connection between the connector and the shield can be easily ensured.

[0392] (C5) The vehicle-mounted camera according to any one of (C1) to (C4), further comprising:

[0393] A heat conduction member (heat conduction member 50 ) is disposed between the second surface of the circuit board and the first bottom surface portion of the metal shield and has predetermined heat conductivity.

[0394] Therefore, in the vehicle-mounted camera, the number of heat conduction members can be reduced, and an increase in cost can be suppressed.

[0395] (C6) The vehicle-mounted camera according to any one of (C1) to (C5), wherein

[0396] The housing further includes an attachment portion (attachment portion 69) for attachment to a vehicle,

[0397] The attachment portion is an internal thread extending along the optical axis direction, and

[0398] The internal thread is arranged on the opposite side of the first bottom surface portion of the metal shield to the circuit board on the outer side of the second bottom surface portion of the metal shield with reference to the optical axis.

[0399] Therefore, in the vehicle-mounted camera, it is possible to ensure ease of attachment of the vehicle-mounted camera to the vehicle while suppressing an increase in the size of the housing.

[0400] (C7) The vehicle-mounted camera according to any one of (C1) to (C6), wherein

[0401] The first shape of the circuit board is a first quadrilateral shape,

[0402] the second shape of the first bottom surface portion of the metal shield is a second quadrilateral shape, and

[0403] The third shape of the hole of the metal shield is a circular shape.

[0404] Therefore, in the vehicle-mounted camera, a circuit board and a shield member can be easily formed to have simple shapes.

[0405] (C8) The vehicle-mounted camera according to any one of (C1) to (C7), wherein

[0406] A first area surrounded by the first bottom surface portion of the metal shield is larger than a second area surrounded by the second bottom surface portion of the metal shield.

[0407] Therefore, in the vehicle-mounted camera, the space around the connection portion and the second bottom surface portion can be ensured, and the operability of the vehicle-mounted camera can be improved.

[0408] (C9) The vehicle-mounted camera according to any one of (C1) to (C8), wherein

[0409] The first end surface of the circuit board faces the first side surface of the metal shielding member.

[0410] The second end surface of the circuit board faces the second side surface of the metal shielding member.

[0411] The third end surface of the circuit board faces the third side surface of the metal shield, and

[0412] The fourth end surface of the circuit board faces the fourth side surface of the metal shield.

[0413] Therefore, in the vehicle-mounted camera, the shielding performance of the circuit board from the outside can be improved.

[0414] (C10) The vehicle-mounted camera according to any one of (C1) to (C9), wherein

[0415] The first side surface portion, the second side surface portion, the third side surface portion, the fourth side surface portion, the first bottom surface portion, the connecting portion, and the second bottom surface portion of the metal shield formed of a continuous curved surface are formed from a single metal plate by drawing.

[0416] Therefore, in the vehicle-mounted camera, gaps in the shielding member are eliminated, electromagnetic waves are shielded at a high level at low cost, and excellent shielding performance can be ensured.

[0417] Although the embodiments have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present disclosure is not limited to such embodiments. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications, corrections, substitutions, additions, deletions and equivalents can be conceived within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that such modifications, corrections, substitutions, additions, deletions and equivalents also fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure. In addition, the constituent elements in the above embodiments can be freely combined within a certain range without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0418] Industrial Applicability

[0419] The present disclosure can be used as a vehicle-mounted camera that can be manufactured at low cost and ensures excellent imaging performance.

[0420] Description of Reference Numerals

[0421] 10 Cover

[0422] 20 Ring component

[0423] 30 lens units

[0424] 31. Lens tube

[0425] 32 Flange

[0426] 32a First surface

[0427] 32b Second surface

[0428] 33 protrusion

[0429] 33a Protrusion

[0430] 33b Protrusion

[0431] 33c protrusion

[0432] 33d protrusion

[0433] 33e protrusion

[0434] 35 First welding rib

[0435] 36 First Burr

[0436] 37 First cylindrical part

[0437] 40 circuit board

[0438] 40a First surface

[0439] 40b Second surface

[0440] 41 Image Sensor

[0441] 43 First Side

[0442] 44 Second side

[0443] 45 Third Side

[0444] 46 The Fourth Side

[0445] 47 (of the circuit board) end surface

[0446] 47a First end face

[0447] 47b Second end face

[0448] 47c Third end face

[0449] 47d Fourth end face

[0450] 48 Corner surface

[0451] 48a First corner surface

[0452] 48b Second corner surface

[0453] 48c Third corner surface

[0454] 48d Fourth corner surface

[0455] 50 Heat conducting components

[0456] 60 Shell

[0457] 61 Large diameter cylindrical part (second cylindrical part)

[0458] 62 small diameter cylindrical part

[0459] 63 End face

[0460] 64 Second welding rib

[0461] 65 Second burr

[0462] 66 Base end (bottom part)

[0463] 66a Bottom

[0464] 67 Shell side wall

[0465] 68 Side wall inner surface

[0466] 68a Border Department

[0467] 69 Attachment

[0468] 70 shielding member (first shielding member)

[0469] 71 Side face

[0470] 71a First side portion

[0471] 71b Second side face

[0472] 71c Third side face

[0473] 71d Fourth side face

[0474] 72 Third bottom face

[0475] 72a The Fifth Side

[0476] 72b Sixth Side

[0477] 72c The Seventh Side

[0478] 72d The Eighth Side

[0479] 73 First bottom surface

[0480] 73e hole

[0481] 74 Connection

[0482] 75 Second bottom surface

[0483] 76 Curved side face

[0484] 76a First curved side portion

[0485] 76b Second curved side face

[0486] 76c Third curved side face

[0487] 76d Fourth curved side face

[0488] 77 Border Department

[0489] 80 Connectors

[0490] 81 First terminal

[0491] 82 Second terminal

[0492] 90 second shielding member

[0493] 92 Edges

[0494] 92a The Ninth Side

[0495] 92b Tenth side

[0496] 92c Eleventh Side

[0497] 92d 12th side

[0498] 93 curved end face

[0499] 93a First curved end surface

[0500] 93b Second curved end surface

[0501] 93c Third curved end surface

[0502] 93d Fourth curved end surface

[0503] 94 Contacts

[0504] 94a First contact

[0505] 94b Second contact

[0506] 94c Second contact

[0507] 94d Fourth contact

[0508] 95 End face

[0509] 95a Fifth end face

[0510] 95b Sixth end face

[0511] 95c Seventh end face

[0512] 95d Eighth end face

[0513] 96a hole (first hole)

[0514] 96b hole

[0515] 96c hole

[0516] 96d hole

[0517] 96e hole

[0518] 97a Support column

[0519] 97b Support column

[0520] 97c Support column

[0521] 97d Support column

[0522] 100 Car Camera

Claims

1. A vehicle-mounted camera, comprising: a lens unit comprising at least one lens; A circuit board having a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and an end surface between the first surface and the second surface; an image sensor electrically connected to the circuit of the circuit board and arranged on the optical axis of the at least one lens; a housing that supports the lens unit and accommodates at least the circuit board and the image sensor; and A metal shielding member is arranged in the inner space of the housing to surround the circuit board, wherein: The circuit board has a first shape including at least a first side, a second side, a third side and a fourth side in a plan view, The end surface of the circuit board at least includes a first end surface corresponding to the first side, a second end surface corresponding to the second side, a third end surface corresponding to the third side, and a fourth end surface corresponding to the fourth side. The housing includes a connector extending through the inner side and the outer side of the housing, and the connector is arranged on the bottom surface facing the circuit board. The connector includes at least a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the first terminal and the second terminal are electrically connected to the inner side and the outer side of the housing. The first terminal and the second terminal of the connector are electrically connected to the circuit of the circuit board, The metal shielding member comprises: a first bottom portion arranged to face the second surface of the circuit board, the first bottom portion having a second shape including at least a fifth side, a sixth side, a seventh side, and an eighth side in a plan view, and the first bottom portion including a hole arranged to include a center portion of the second shape, a second bottom surface portion arranged to correspond to the hole arranged to include the central portion of the second shape of the first bottom surface portion, the second bottom surface portion facing the second surface of the circuit board, and the second bottom surface portion arranged to be separated from the first bottom surface portion with the second surface of the circuit board as a reference, a first side surface portion arranged to correspond to the fifth side of the first bottom surface portion in a direction opposite to the second bottom surface portion, a second side surface portion arranged to correspond to the sixth side of the first bottom surface portion in a direction opposite to the second bottom surface portion, a third side surface portion arranged to correspond to the seventh side of the first bottom surface portion in a direction opposite to the second bottom surface portion, a fourth side surface portion arranged to correspond to the eighth side of the first bottom surface portion in a direction opposite to the second bottom surface portion, and a connecting portion that connects the entire circumference of the hole and the entire circumference of the second bottom surface portion arranged to include the central portion of the second shape of the first bottom surface portion, The second bottom surface portion of the metal shield corresponds to the bottom surface of the housing, The connector is arranged to penetrate the second bottom surface portion of the metal shield, At least a portion of the first side surface of the metal shield faces the first end surface of the circuit board, At least a portion of the second side surface of the metal shield faces the second end surface of the circuit board, At least a portion of the third side surface of the metal shield faces the third end surface of the circuit board, At least a portion of the fourth side surface of the metal shield faces the fourth end surface of the circuit board, the hole arranged to include a central portion of the second shape of the first bottom surface portion of the metal shield has a third shape different from the second shape in a plan view, At least the first side surface portion, the second side surface portion, the third side surface portion, and the fourth side surface portion of the metal shield are formed by a continuous curved surface, and At least the first side surface portion, the second side surface portion, the third side surface portion, the fourth side surface portion, the first bottom surface portion, the connecting portion, and the second bottom surface portion are formed of a continuous curved surface.

2. The vehicle-mounted camera according to claim 1, wherein: The image sensor is disposed on the first surface of the circuit board.

3. The vehicle-mounted camera according to claim 1, wherein: The connector fixes the second bottom surface portion of the metal shield and the bottom surface of the housing.

4. The vehicle-mounted camera according to claim 1, wherein: The second terminal of the connector and the metal shield are electrically connected to each other on the bottom surface of the housing.

5. The vehicle-mounted camera according to claim 1, further comprising: A thermally conductive member is disposed between the second surface of the circuit board and the first bottom surface portion of the metal shield and has predetermined thermal conductivity.

6. The vehicle-mounted camera according to claim 1, wherein: The housing further comprises an attachment portion for attaching to a vehicle, The attachment portion is an internal thread extending in the direction of the optical axis, and The internal thread is arranged on the opposite side of the first bottom surface portion of the metal shield to the circuit board on the outer side of the second bottom surface portion of the metal shield with reference to the optical axis.

7. The vehicle-mounted camera according to claim 1, wherein: The first shape of the circuit board is a first quadrilateral shape, the second shape of the first bottom surface portion of the metal shield is a second quadrilateral shape, and The third shape of the hole of the metal shield is a circular shape.

8. The vehicle-mounted camera according to claim 1, wherein: A first area surrounded by the first bottom surface portion of the metal shield is larger than a second area surrounded by the second bottom surface portion of the metal shield.

9. The vehicle-mounted camera according to claim 1, wherein: The first end surface of the circuit board faces the first side surface of the metal shielding member. The second end surface of the circuit board faces the second side surface of the metal shielding member. The third end surface of the circuit board faces the third side surface of the metal shield, and The fourth end surface of the circuit board faces the fourth side surface of the metal shield.

10. The vehicle-mounted camera according to claim 1, wherein: The first side surface portion, the second side surface portion, the third side surface portion, the fourth side surface portion, the first bottom surface portion, the connecting portion, and the second bottom surface portion of the metal shield formed of a continuous curved surface are formed from a single metal plate by drawing.

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