Lens unit, camera module, imaging system, and moving object

Abstract

Provided are a lens unit, a camera module, an imaging system, and a moving object that can improve the degree of freedom of the attachment position of the lens unit provided with a vibration mechanism to an attachment part of a vehicle. A lens unit (20) is provided with: a first housing (23) in which a first lens (31) is provided; a lens barrel (22) which is provided with lenses (32-36) positioned further toward the image side than the first lens (31), and which is provided further toward the inside in the radial direction than the first housing (23) and further toward the image side than the first lens (31); and a vibration mechanism (60) provided between the first housing (23) and the lens barrel (22), the first lens (31) being inserted from the rear surface side of the mounting part (150) into an opening (150a) formed in the mounting part (150) on the vehicle side to which the lens unit is mounted and protruding from the surface of the mounting part (150), and the top plate part (23b) of the first housing (23) being disposed further inward than the rear surface of the mounting part (150).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a lens unit, a camera module, an imaging system, and a mobile body equipped with the imaging system, constituting an on-board camera mounted in a vehicle such as an automobile. Background Technology

[0002] Previously, vehicle-mounted cameras were installed in cars to assist parking or to prevent collisions through image recognition, and their application in autonomous driving was also explored. In addition, such vehicle-mounted cameras and the like typically have a lens unit, which has a lens group consisting of multiple lenses arranged along the optical axis, a lens barrel (tube) for housing and holding the lens group, and an aperture component disposed at least at one location between the lenses in the lens group (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0003] However, when such a lens unit is installed in a mounting part such as the front grille of a vehicle (automobile), the first lens, located on the side closest to the object, is exposed to the outside. Therefore, since foreign objects such as water droplets, mud, snow, and frost can easily adhere to the surface of the first lens, there are situations where it is necessary to use a vibrating body to vibrate the first lens (ultrasonic vibration) to remove the foreign objects adhering to the lens surface of the first lens.

[0004] The lens unit 100, which removes foreign matter adhering to the surface of the first lens due to such vibration, is configured, for example, as follows.

[0005] like Figure 6 As shown, the lens unit 100 includes a vibration mechanism 110 that vibrates the first lens 101, which is located closest to the object among a plurality of lenses. The lens unit 100 further includes: a housing 105 on which the first lens 101 is disposed; a lens barrel 106 on which a plurality of lenses 102 are disposed, located radially inward of the housing 105 and closer to the image side of the first lens 101; and the vibration mechanism 110 disposed between the housing 105 and the lens barrel 106. Furthermore, the vibration mechanism 110 includes a vibration source (e.g., a piezoelectric element, not shown), which vibrates by vibrating the piezoelectric element. The vibration mechanism 110 has a cylindrical vibrating body 111 fixed to the vibration source, which is connected to the first lens 101.

[0006] The housing 105 has a cylindrical housing body 105a and a top plate portion 105b disposed at the upper end of the housing body 105a. The first lens 101 is fixed to the housing 105 by a locking portion 105c formed on the inner periphery of the top plate portion 105b.

[0007] Existing technical documents

[0008] Patent documents

[0009] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-231993 Summary of the Invention

[0010] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0011] However, when the lens unit 100 described above is installed on the mounting part 115 such as the front grille of a vehicle, an opening 115a for installation is formed in the mounting part 115. The housing 105 is inserted from the back side of the mounting part 115 and fixed to the opening 115a, so that the first lens 101 protrudes from the surface of the mounting part 115 and is exposed to the outside.

[0012] The housing 105 has a vibration mechanism 110 inside, so its size (radial size) is large. As a result, the opening diameter (opening area) of the mounting opening 115a formed in the mounting portion 115 becomes larger. However, with the large opening 115a, the degree of freedom of the forming position of the mounting portion 115 becomes lower, resulting in a problem that the degree of freedom of the mounting position of the lens unit 100 becomes lower.

[0013] The present invention was made in view of the above circumstances, and its object is to provide a lens unit, camera module, imaging system, and moving body that can improve the degree of freedom of the mounting position of the lens unit with a vibration mechanism to the mounting part of the vehicle.

[0014] Methods for solving problems

[0015] To solve the above-mentioned problems, the lens unit of the present invention comprises: a lens group consisting of a plurality of lenses arranged along the optical axis of the lens; and a vibration mechanism that causes the first lens located closest to the object among the plurality of lenses to vibrate, the lens unit being characterized in that it comprises:

[0016] The system comprises: a housing having the first lens; a lens barrel having a lens located on the image side of the first lens and positioned radially inward of the housing and on the image side of the first lens; and a vibration mechanism disposed between the housing and the lens barrel.

[0017] The first lens is inserted from the back side of the mounting portion into the opening formed in the mounting portion on the vehicle side where the lens unit is mounted, and protrudes from the surface of the mounting portion.

[0018] The top plate of the housing is located on the inner side of the back of the mounting portion.

[0019] Here, the shell is formed in a cylindrical shape, and its object-side end is closed by a top plate to prevent foreign objects from entering the shell.

[0020] In this invention, the first lens is inserted from the back side of the mounting portion into the opening formed in the mounting portion on the vehicle side of the mounting lens unit, and protrudes from the surface of the mounting portion. The top plate of the housing is positioned further inward than the back side of the mounting portion, thus allowing the first lens to protrude significantly from the top plate of the housing towards the object side in the optical axis direction. Therefore, the size (radial size) of the mounting opening can be set to be approximately larger than the lens size (radial size) of the first lens or slightly larger than the lens size. Consequently, the degree of freedom in the formation position of the opening in the mounting portion is increased, resulting in improved freedom in the mounting position of the lens unit.

[0021] Alternatively, in the structure described in this invention, the housing may include: a top plate portion disposed inside the back side of the mounting portion; and a locking portion protruding from the top plate portion toward the object side and locking to the first lens.

[0022] With this structure, since the housing has a locking part that protrudes from the top plate to the object side and is locked to the first lens, by increasing the protrusion length of the locking part in the optical axis direction, the first lens can protrude significantly from the top plate to the object side in the optical axis direction.

[0023] Furthermore, the present invention also provides a camera module having the aforementioned lens unit, an imaging system having the camera module, and a movable body equipped with the imaging system. With such a camera module, imaging system, and movable body, the same effects as those achieved by the aforementioned lens unit can be obtained. Moreover, "movable body" refers to all objects capable of movement, such as vehicles.

[0024] The effects of the invention

[0025] According to the present invention, a first lens vibrating by a vibration mechanism can be positioned at a predetermined position without deviation. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 The diagram shown is a schematic cross-sectional view of a camera module equipped with a lens unit, illustrating an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 2 The same as above is a 3D view of the camera module.

[0028] Figure 3 The same as above is a 3D view of the camera module.

[0029] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a vehicle that is a mobile body equipped with a camera module having an embodiment of the present invention (vehicle system).

[0030] Figure 5 It shows the composition Figure 4The diagram shows the structure of the shooting device of the shooting system.

[0031] Figure 6 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the main part of the lens unit with the vibrating body. Detailed Implementation

[0032] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. These embodiments are intended to contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically to "9.1 Developing high-quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, including regional and cross-border infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with an emphasis on providing affordable and equitable opportunities for all."

[0033] Furthermore, the lens unit of this embodiment described below is specifically used in camera modules such as vehicle cameras, for example, fixedly installed on the outer surface of a car, with wiring pulled into the car and connected to a display or other device.

[0034] Furthermore, the lens unit of this embodiment described below is specifically used in camera modules such as vehicle cameras, for example, fixedly installed on the outer surface of a car, with wiring pulled into the car and connected to a display or other device.

[0035] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing a camera module equipped with a lens unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a schematic cross-sectional view of the camera module. Figure 2 This is a 3D view of the camera module. Figure 3 This is a top view of the camera module.

[0036] like Figures 1-3 As shown, the camera module 300 of this embodiment includes a lens unit 20. The lens unit 20 includes a cylindrical lens barrel 22 and a square cylindrical first housing (shell) 23 in which the lens barrel 22 is disposed.

[0037] Additionally, the image side of the lens tube 22 and the first housing 23 ( Figure 1 The lower end of the first housing 23 is supported by a square-tube-shaped second housing 24. The length of the second housing 24 along the optical axis is shorter than that of the first housing 23, but its outer diameter and inner diameter are longer than those of the first housing 23. Furthermore, the optical axis is denoted by O, and the direction orthogonal to this optical axis O is radial.

[0038] The first housing 23 is positioned radially outward from the lens barrel 22, and the second housing 24 is positioned closer to the image side than the first housing 23. Figure 1The lens barrel 22, the first housing 23, and the second housing 24 are coaxially arranged (located at the bottom).

[0039] A rectangular plate-shaped inner flange portion 24a is formed at the upper end of the second housing 24, and a surface facing towards the object is formed at the radial center of the inner flange portion 24a. Figure 1 A protruding convex portion 24b (located on the upper side) has a through hole 24c formed in the radial center of the protruding portion 24b.

[0040] Furthermore, a stepped portion 24d is formed on the upper surface of the inner flange portion 24a, and the lower end of the first housing 23 is fitted into the stepped portion 24d. Thus, the first housing 23 is positioned relative to the second housing 24 in the radial and optical axis directions.

[0041] In addition, the lens unit 20 has a plurality of (e.g., six) lenses 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, and 36 arranged sequentially from the object side.

[0042] Lens 31 is the first lens 31 located on the side closest to the object. The first lens 31 is held in the first housing 23 by the lens holding part 50, which will be described later.

[0043] Five lenses 32, 33, 34, 35, and 36, positioned on the image side of the first lens 31, are disposed within the lens barrel 22.

[0044] Additionally, an image-oriented side is formed at the lower end of the lens tube 22 (in Figure 1 A cylindrical protrusion 27 (located on the lower side) is inserted into and fitted into the through hole 24c provided in the second lens barrel 24. Thus, the lens barrel 22 is coaxial with the second housing 24 and aligned with the optical axis O.

[0045] In addition, the first lens 31 located on the side closest to the object is a glass lens, and lenses 32 to 36 are resin lenses, but are not limited to these (for example, lens 31 can also be a resin lens).

[0046] In addition, anti-reflective coatings, hydrophilic coatings, waterproof coatings, etc., may be provided on the surfaces of lenses 31 to 36 as needed.

[0047] Multiple lenses 31-36 fixed and supported on the first housing 23 and lens barrel 22 are arranged so that their respective optical axes are aligned, forming a lens group L for shooting.

[0048] In addition, in this embodiment, the first housing 23 is disposed on the radial outer side of the lens barrel 22.

[0049] The first housing 23 is formed of a metal such as SUS and includes a quadrangular cylindrical housing body 23a, a rectangular plate-shaped top plate portion 23b integrally formed with the housing body 23a at its upper end, and a locking portion 23c integrally formed with the top plate portion 23b at its inner peripheral edge. That is, the top plate portion 23b in this embodiment and... Figure 6 Compared to the top plate portion 105b shown, the length from the upper edge of the housing body 23a toward the inward side is shorter, and a locking portion 23c is formed on the inner peripheral edge of the top plate portion 23b.

[0050] The thickness of the top plate portion 23b (thickness in the optical axis direction) is thinner than the thickness of the main body 23a (radial thickness).

[0051] The locking part 23c includes: an edge on the inner periphery side of the top plate part 23b extending towards the object side (in... Figure 1 A generally cylindrical protrusion 23d (the upper part of the middle) is formed by protruding from the middle; a pressing part 23e is bent radially inward from the upper end of the protrusion 23d. An inclined surface 23f inclined relative to the optical axis O is formed in the circumferential direction on the pressing part 23e.

[0052] Furthermore, the first lens 31 is fixed by pressing the surface edge of the first lens 31 with the inclined surface 23f. That is, with the lens group L installed and held in the first housing 23 and the lens barrel 22, the first lens 31 of the lens group L located on the object side is fixed to the object side end of the first housing 23 in the optical axis direction by pressing the inclined surface 23f of the pressing part 23e.

[0053] Additionally, at the image-side end of the lens tube 22 (in Figure 1 The lower end of the lens assembly has an inner flange 26 with an opening having a diameter smaller than that of the sixth lens 36. Through the inner flange 26 and the inclined surface 23f of the pressing part 23e, the multiple lenses 31-36 constituting the lens group L are held and fixed in the optical axis direction within the first housing 23 and the lens barrel 22.

[0054] In addition, an infrared cutoff filter and other filters 99 are provided on the lower surface of the inner flange portion 26.

[0055] In addition, in this embodiment, an annular lens holding portion 50 is provided to hold the first lens 31.

[0056] The lens holding part 50 is manufactured by turning a metal such as SUS into a thin ring shape. The lens holding part 50 has a cylindrical inner circumferential surface 50a and an annular surface 50b orthogonal to the inner circumferential surface 50a on its inner circumferential side. The inner circumferential surface 50a and the annular surface 50b are formed with an L-shaped cross-section. The inner circumferential surface 50a is coaxially arranged with the optical axis O, and the annular surface 50b is orthogonal to the optical axis O.

[0057] Additionally, the lens holding portion 50 has an inner peripheral surface 50c orthogonal to the annular surface 50b and coaxially arranged with the optical axis O. This inner peripheral surface 50c is disposed on the image side closer to the inner peripheral surface 50a than the inner peripheral surface 50a. Figure 1 (The middle is the lower side), the inner diameter is smaller than the inner circumferential surface 50a.

[0058] In addition, the inner diameter of the inner circumferential surface 50c of the annular lens holding portion 50 is larger than the outer diameter of the lens barrel 22, thereby the upper end of the lens barrel 22 is disposed inside the inner circumferential surface 50c of the lens holding portion 50.

[0059] Furthermore, the lens holding portion 50 is engaged with the first housing 23. That is, the outer peripheral surface 50d and the upper surface 50e of the lens holding portion 50 abut against the inner periphery of the pressing portion 23e of the first housing 23 with almost no gap, thereby fitting the lens holding portion 50 into the top plate portion 23b of the first housing 23. In this way, the lens holding portion 50 is engaged with the first housing 23 having the top plate portion 23b.

[0060] Regarding the lens holding part 50 that engages with the first housing 23, the axis of the lens holding part 50 is aligned with the optical axis O, and the optical axis direction is positioned.

[0061] Furthermore, the lens holding portion 50 holds the first lens 31. That is, the inner peripheral surface 50a of the lens holding portion 50 abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the first lens 31 without gap, thereby positioning the first lens 31 radially and coaxially with the optical axis O. In addition, the annular surface 50b of the lens holding portion 50 abuts against the flat bottom surface 31e of the first lens 31 facing the image side without gap, thereby positioning the first lens 31 in the optical axis direction.

[0062] In addition, the lenses 32 to 36, which are disposed on the image side of the first lens 31, are kept aligned with the optical axis by the lens barrel 22. The lens barrel 22 is coaxial with the second housing 24 and aligned with the optical axis O. Therefore, the first lens 31 and the lenses 32 to 36 disposed on the image side of the first lens 31 are arranged coaxially or with a predetermined eccentricity of less than 1.

[0063] In addition, this embodiment includes a vibration mechanism 60 for vibrating the first lens 31.

[0064] The vibration mechanism 60 includes an ultrasonic transducer 61 for performing ultrasonic vibration and a vibrating body 62 for transmitting the ultrasonic vibration of the transducer 61 to the first lens 31. Such a vibration mechanism 60 is positioned radially inward from the first housing 23 and radially outward from the lens barrel 22.

[0065] The oscillator 61 is formed in the shape of a circular plate and is disposed inside the housing body 23a of the first housing 23. The oscillator 61 is formed, for example, by a piezoelectric element.

[0066] The vibrating body 62 includes: an annular circular plate-shaped mounting portion 62a; and a main body portion 62b extending from the mounting portion 62a toward the object side (in... Figure 1 The main body 62b extends from the upper side and is generally cylindrical, with its outer and inner diameters continuously varying in the axial direction (optical axis direction) to expand and contract, and has an S-shaped cross-section; and an annular joint 62c is formed at the upper end of the main body 62b. The oscillator 61 is mounted and fixed on the lower surface of the mounting part 62a, and the upper surface of the joint 62c is joined to the lower surface (image-side surface) of the lens holding part 50 by an adhesive.

[0067] In such a vibration mechanism 60, ultrasonic vibration is performed by the oscillator 61 and the vibrator 62. When the vibrator 62 vibrates, it engages with the lens holding part 50, so the first lens 31 is subjected to ultrasonic vibration via the lens holding part 50, thereby removing foreign objects such as water droplets, mud, ice, snow, and frost that are attached to the lens surface 31a of the first lens 31.

[0068] The lens holding part 50 is fitted with the top plate part 23b of the first housing 23, but the thickness of the top plate part 23b is thinner than the thickness of the housing body 23a. The top plate part 23b functions as a damper, so the vibration of the lens holding part 50 is difficult to be transmitted to the housing body 23a. Therefore, the vibration is difficult to be transmitted to the second housing 24 fitted to the housing body 23a. As a result, the vibration is also difficult to be transmitted to the lens barrel 22 fitted to the second housing 24, and the vibration is also difficult to be transmitted to the lenses 32-36. This can suppress the reduction in optical performance caused by the positional displacement of the lenses 32-36 due to vibration.

[0069] In addition, in this embodiment, the lens unit 20 is composed of a first housing 23, a first lens 31 held in the first housing 23, a lens barrel 22, lenses 32-36 held in the lens barrel 22, a lens holding part 50, a vibration mechanism 60, etc.

[0070] The camera module 300 of this embodiment is composed of the lens unit 20 and the second housing 24 that fits into the first housing 23 of the lens unit 20.

[0071] The second housing 24 contains a sensor (imaging element; image sensor) 304 encapsulated inside it.

[0072] The encapsulated sensor 304 is disposed inside the second housing 24 opposite to the filter 99, and is positioned to receive the image of the object formed by the lens unit 20. Furthermore, the encapsulated sensor 304 includes a CCD, CMOS, or similar sensor, which converts light received by the lens unit 20 into electrical signals. These converted electrical signals are then converted into the components of the image data captured by the camera, namely analog data and digital data.

[0073] Furthermore, the second housing 24 contains a drive circuit board 305 inside. The drive circuit board 305 is a board having a circuit that drives the piezoelectric element 61 of the vibration mechanism 60 by applying a voltage of a predetermined frequency. The drive circuit board 305 and the vibrator (piezoelectric element) 61 are formed of FPC or the like and are connected by a wiring 306 passing through a wiring hole 24f formed in the inner flange portion 24 of the second housing 24.

[0074] A camera module 300 equipped with such a lens unit 20 is, for example, mounted on a mounting part 150 such as the front grille of a vehicle.

[0075] That is, the mounting portion 150 is, for example, formed as a flat plate, and an opening 150a is formed at the position where the camera module 300 is mounted. This opening 150a is circular in top view, and its size is approximately equal to or slightly larger than the outer diameter of the generally cylindrical protrusion 23d of the first housing 23. Furthermore, the protruding length of the protrusion 23d from the top plate portion 23b is approximately equal to or slightly longer than the thickness of the mounting portion 150.

[0076] When such a camera module 300 is installed in the mounting portion 150, the first lens 31 is inserted into the opening 150a from the back side of the mounting portion 150, so that the first lens 31 protrudes from the surface of the mounting portion 150. In this state, the pressing portion 23e provided in the first housing 23 protrudes from the opening edge of the opening 150a toward the object side.

[0077] When the first lens 31 is inserted into the opening 150a, the top plate portion 23b of the first housing 23 abuts against or approaches the back surface of the mounting portion 150, and the top plate portion 23b is positioned further inward than the back surface of the mounting portion 150. In this state, the lens unit 20 is fixed to the mounting portion 150.

[0078] Thus, according to this embodiment, the first lens 31 is inserted from the back side of the mounting portion 150 into the opening 150a formed in the vehicle side of the mounting portion 150 on the mounting side of the lens unit 20, and protrudes from the surface of the mounting portion 150. The top plate portion 23b of the first housing 23 is disposed further inward than the back side of the mounting portion 150, so the first lens 31 can protrude significantly from the top plate portion 23b of the first housing 23 towards the object side in the optical axis direction. Therefore, the size (radial size) of the mounting opening 150a can be set to be approximately equal to or slightly larger than the outer diameter of the protrusion 23d, which is slightly larger than the lens size of the first lens 31. Therefore, the degree of freedom in the formation position of the opening 150a in the mounting portion 150 is increased, and as a result, the degree of freedom in the mounting position of the lens unit 20 can be improved.

[0079] Furthermore, since the first housing 23 has a locking portion 23c that protrudes from the top plate portion 23b toward the object side and is locked to the first lens 31, by increasing the protrusion length of the protrusion 23d of the locking portion 23c in the optical axis direction, the first lens 31 can protrude significantly from the top plate portion 23b toward the object side in the optical axis direction.

[0080] Furthermore, since the lens holding part 50 is engaged with the first housing 23, the lens holding part 50 can be reliably installed in a predetermined position. In addition, the vibration mechanism 60 is disposed at a position that is radially inward of the first housing 23 and radially outward of the lens barrel 22, so the vibration mechanism 60 can be protected by the first housing 23, and the lenses 32 to 36, which are disposed at a position closer to the image side than the first lens 31, are held in the lens barrel 22, so the vibration mechanism 60 will not interfere with the lenses 32 to 36.

[0081] Furthermore, the inner peripheral surface 50a of the lens holding part 50 abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the first lens 31, and the annular surface 50b of the lens holding part 50 abuts against the bottom surface 31e of the first lens 31 facing the image side. Therefore, the first lens 31 can be easily and accurately positioned in the radial and axial (optical axis direction).

[0082] exist Figure 4 The image shows, in general, the equipment that includes... Figure 1 The vehicle 240 is a mobile body of the on-board system (shooting system) of the camera module 300 and the shooting device 250 shown. As shown, the shooting device 250 can be mounted on the vehicle 240. Figure 4 This is an example of the mounting location of the camera device 250 in vehicle 240. The camera device 250 mounted in vehicle 240 can also be called a vehicle-mounted camera and can be installed in various locations within vehicle 240. For example, the first camera device 250a can also be used as a camera monitoring the front of vehicle 240 while it is moving, and can be installed on or near the front bumper. Additionally, the second camera device 250b, which monitors the front, can also be installed near the interior rearview mirror inside vehicle 240. The third camera device 250c can also be used as a camera monitoring the driver's driving status, and can be installed on or inside the dashboard. The fourth camera device 250d can also be installed at the rear of vehicle 240, similar to a rear-view monitor. Camera devices 250a and 250b can be referred to as front cameras. The third camera device 250c can be referred to as a built-in camera. The fourth camera device 250d can be referred to as a rear camera. The shooting device 250 is not limited to this, and includes shooting devices set in various positions, such as a left-side camera that shoots to the left rear side and a right-side camera that shoots to the right rear side.

[0083] Image signals from images captured by the imaging device 250 can be output to an information processing device 242 and / or a display device 243 within the vehicle 240. The information processing device 242 and the display device 243, together with the imaging device 250, constitute an in-vehicle system. The information processing device 242 within the vehicle 240 includes a device for processing and recognizing the image signals acquired by the imaging device 250 to support the driver's driving. Furthermore, the information processing device 242 may include, for example, a navigation device, a collision damage mitigation braking device, a lane departure warning device, and so on, but is not limited to these. The display device 243 displays the images processed and output by the information processing device 242, but may also directly receive image signals from the imaging device 250. Furthermore, the display device 243 may employ a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic EL (electro-Luminescence) display, or an inorganic EL display, but is not limited to these. The display device 243 can display to the driver the image signal output by the imaging device 250, which captures images from a position that is difficult for the driver to visually identify (such as a rear-mounted camera). (Information that can be output to the crew)

[0084] Figure 5 The composition is shown Figure 4 The configuration of the camera device in the vehicle-mounted system is shown. As shown in the figure, the camera device 250 of the embodiment includes a control unit 252, a storage unit 254, and the aforementioned... Figure 1 The camera module 300 shown.

[0085] The control unit 252 controls the camera module 300 and processes the electrical signals output from the imaging element 304 of the camera module 300. The control unit 252 may, for example, be configured as a processor. Alternatively, the control unit 252 may include more than one processor. The processor may include a general-purpose processor that reads a specific program to perform a specific function, and a dedicated processor for a specific process. A dedicated processor may include an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). An application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) is also called an application-specific integrated circuit. A processor may include a programmable logic device (PLD). A PLD may include a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). The control unit 252 may also be either a system-on-a-chip (SoC) or a system-in-a-package (SiP) that works with more than one processor.

[0086] The storage unit 254 stores various information or parameters related to the operation of the imaging device 250. The storage unit 254 may, for example, be composed of a semiconductor memory. The storage unit 254 may also function as working memory for the control unit 252. The storage unit 254 may also store captured images. The storage unit 254 may also store various parameters used by the control unit 252 for performing detection processing based on the captured images. The storage unit 254 may also be included within the control unit 252.

[0087] As previously described, the camera module 300 captures an image of the subject formed by the lens unit 20 via the capturing element 304, and outputs the captured image. The image captured by the camera module 300 is also referred to as the captured image.

[0088] The imaging element 304 can be, for example, a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor or a CCD (Charge Coupled Device). The imaging element 304 has an imaging surface with multiple pixels arranged thereon. Each pixel outputs a signal determined by current or voltage based on the amount of incident light. The signal output by each pixel is also referred to as imaging data.

[0089] The shooting data can also be read out by the camera module 300 for all pixels and captured as a captured image by the control unit 252. The captured image read out for all pixels is also called the maximum captured image. The shooting data can also be read out by the camera module 300 for a portion of pixels and captured as a captured image. In other words, the shooting data can also be read out from pixels within a predetermined capture range. The shooting data read out from pixels within a predetermined capture range can also be captured as a captured image. The predetermined capture range can also be set by the control unit 252. The camera module 300 can obtain the predetermined capture range from the control unit 252. The imaging element 304 can also capture an image within the preset capture range of the subject image imaged by the lens unit 20.

[0090] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be implemented in various modifications without departing from its spirit. For example, in the present invention, the shapes of the lens, housing, lens barrel, etc., are not limited to the embodiments described above. In addition, without departing from the spirit of the present invention, some or all of the foregoing embodiments may be combined, or a portion of an omitted structure from the foregoing embodiments may be used.

[0091] Symbol Explanation

[0092] 20: Lens Unit

[0093] 22: Lens tube

[0094] 23: First shell (shell)

[0095] 23b: Top plate section

[0096] 23c: Caliper section

[0097] 24: Second shell

[0098] 31: First lens

[0099] 60: Vibration Mechanism

[0100] 61: Piezoelectric element (oscillator)

[0101] 62: Vibrating body

[0102] 150: Installation Department

[0103] 150a: Opening

[0104] 240: Vehicles (mobile vehicles)

[0105] 242: Information processing device (processing unit)

[0106] 243: Display device

[0107] 250: Filming device

[0108] 252: Control Department

[0109] 300: Camera Module

[0110] 304: Camera element

Claims

1. A lens unit comprising: a lens group consisting of a plurality of lenses arranged along the optical axis of the lens; and a vibration mechanism that causes the first lens located closest to the object among the plurality of lenses to vibrate. The lens unit is characterized by having: The system comprises: a housing having the first lens; a lens barrel having a lens located on the image side of the first lens and positioned radially inward of the housing and on the image side of the first lens; and a vibration mechanism disposed between the housing and the lens barrel. The first lens is inserted from the back side of the mounting portion into the opening formed in the mounting portion on the vehicle side where the lens unit is mounted, and protrudes from the surface of the mounting portion. The top plate of the housing is located on the inner side of the back of the mounting portion.

2. The lens unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The housing includes: a top plate portion disposed on the inner side of the back of the mounting portion; and a locking portion protruding from the top plate portion toward the object side and locking to the first lens.

3. A camera module, characterized in that, have: The lens unit as described in claim 1 or 2; and The imaging element converts light focused by the lens group of the lens unit into an electrical signal.

4. A shooting system, characterized in that, have: A shooting device comprising: a camera module as claimed in claim 3; and a control unit that controls the camera module and processes electrical signals output from the shooting element of the camera module; A processing device that processes the image signals acquired by the capturing device, and A display device that displays an image output after being processed by the processing device.

5. A mobile body, characterized in that... ， Equipped with the shooting system of claim 4, information is output to the flight attendants through the display device.

Images