Vehicle-mounted camera

Abstract

Relates to a vehicle-mounted camera. The purpose of the present invention is to suppress direct diffusion of heat from a heater unit, which removes raindrops, freezing, and the like from a first lens, into a metal lens barrel having high thermal conductivity. An in-vehicle camera includes: a lens barrel including a lens including at least a first lens and a second lens; an imaging element; a circuit board; a circuit board connector; the invention provides a housing and a connector. The lens barrel has an inner side surface and an outer side surface. The first lens has first and second lens surfaces, and a first lens side surface connecting the first and second lens surfaces. The second lens has third and fourth lens surfaces, and a second lens side surface connecting the third and fourth lens surfaces. The second lens surface has a first region and a second region outside the first region. The lens barrel is provided with: a heater unit disposed between a part of the second lens surface and a part of the third lens surface so as to extend along at least a part of the second region of the second lens surface; and a resin member disposed between the inner side surface and the first lens side surface.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to vehicle-mounted cameras.

[0002] In recent years, with the increasing demands for vehicle safety and the introduction of autonomous driving functions, the development of vehicle-mounted cameras that capture images of the vehicle's interior and exterior has become active (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: International Publication No. 2019 / 225745

[0006] Patent Document 2: International Publication No. 2021 / 075372 Summary of the Invention

[0007] The problem the invention aims to solve

[0008] The requirements for vehicle safety and autonomous driving functions have been raised, and on the other hand, there are also requirements for further performance improvements for vehicle cameras.

[0009] This disclosure relates to technology for providing new vehicle-mounted cameras.

[0010] Solution for solving the problem

[0011] This disclosure relates to a vehicle-mounted camera, comprising: a metal lens barrel, which is a first cylindrical shape along an optical axis, having a first end of the first cylindrical shape, a second end of the first cylindrical shape opposite to the first end, and a lens including at least a first lens and a second lens arranged along the optical axis; an imaging element disposed on the optical axis and positioned closer to the second end than the distance from the first end of the first cylindrical shape of the lens barrel; a circuit board having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, on which the imaging element is disposed; a circuit board connector disposed on the circuit board; a housing supporting the lens barrel and housing the imaging element and the circuit board; and a connector disposed on at least a portion of the housing and electrically connected to the circuit board connector, wherein the first cylindrical shape of the lens barrel has an inner surface and an outer surface, the first lens and the second lens of the lens barrel are arranged adjacent to each other, and the first lens of the lens barrel is positioned further away from the second lens in the direction along the optical axis, with reference to the first surface of the circuit board. The first lens of the barrel includes: a first lens surface through which the optical axis passes; a second lens surface through which the optical axis passes and opposite to the first lens surface; and a first lens side surface connecting the first lens surface and the second lens surface. The second lens of the barrel includes: a third lens surface through which the optical axis passes; a fourth lens surface through which the optical axis passes and opposite to the third lens surface; and a second lens side surface connecting the third lens surface and the fourth lens surface. The second lens surface of the first lens of the barrel has: a first region through which the optical axis passes; and a second region located outside the first region with respect to the optical axis and arranged to surround the first region. The barrel includes: a first annular heater portion located between a portion of the second lens surface of the first lens and a portion of the third lens surface of the second lens, arranged along at least a portion of the second region of the second lens surface of the first lens; and a second annular resin member disposed between the inner side surface of the first barrel and the first lens side surface of the first lens.

[0012] The effects of the invention

[0013] According to this disclosure, since the resin component is disposed on the side of the first lens of the first lens, it is possible to suppress the direct diffusion of heat from the heater section, which removes foreign matter such as raindrops and ice attached to the first lens, to the metal lens barrel with high thermal conductivity. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is an example of a vehicle, a top-down view of a vehicle equipped with an onboard camera.

[0015] Figure 2 It means set at Figure 1 The diagram shows a connection example of the vehicle's onboard camera, camera ECU, and display.

[0016] Figure 3 Another example of a vehicle is a schematic diagram of the interior of a vehicle equipped with an onboard camera.

[0017] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A top-down view of the vehicle.

[0018] Figure 5 It means set at Figure 3 The diagram shows a connection example of the vehicle's onboard camera, camera ECU, and display.

[0019] Figure 6 This is a frontal perspective view of the vehicle-mounted camera according to the first embodiment.

[0020] Figure 7 This is an exploded perspective view of the vehicle-mounted camera according to the first embodiment.

[0021] Figure 8 This is a top view of the vehicle-mounted camera according to the first embodiment.

[0022] Figure 9 It refers to the vicinity of the first end of the lens barrel of the vehicle-mounted camera in the first embodiment and along Figure 8 A three-dimensional view of the cross section of line II.

[0023] Figure 10 This is an exploded perspective view of the vehicle-mounted camera according to the second embodiment.

[0024] Figure 11 The vehicle-mounted camera in the second embodiment is along Figure 8 A sectional view along line II.

[0025] Figure 12 The vehicle-mounted camera in the second embodiment is along Figure 8 A sectional view along line II-II.

[0026] Figure 13 yes Figure 12 A magnified view of region A.

[0027] Figure 14 It refers to the vicinity of the first end of the lens barrel of the vehicle-mounted camera in the second embodiment and along Figure 8 A three-dimensional view of the cross section of line II.

[0028] Figure 15 It is a variation of the vehicle-mounted camera. Figure 8 A sectional view along line II. Detailed Implementation

[0029] Hereinafter, embodiments of the vehicle-mounted camera of this disclosure are described in detail with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings. However, sometimes unnecessary detailed descriptions are omitted. For example, detailed descriptions of matters already known and repetitive descriptions of substantially the same structures are sometimes omitted. This is to avoid making the following description overly lengthy and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art. Furthermore, the accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand this disclosure and are not intended to limit the subject matter of the claims.

[0030] (Vehicle equipped with a vehicle-mounted camera)

[0031] Figure 1 This is an example of a vehicle, showing a top view of a vehicle equipped with onboard cameras. Vehicle V is equipped with onboard cameras 100A, 100B, 100C, and 100D as onboard camera 100. Onboard camera 100A is a front-facing camera, onboard camera 100B is a rear-facing camera, onboard camera 100C is a right-side camera, and onboard camera 100D is a left-side camera. Onboard cameras 100A-100D are, for example, wide-angle cameras with a field of view of approximately 180°, configured to capture the entire circumference of vehicle V.

[0032] For example, vehicle-mounted camera 100A is installed on the front grille of vehicle V and captures images of the area in front in a tilted, downward direction relative to the ground. Vehicle-mounted camera 100B is installed on the roof spoiler of vehicle V and captures images of the area behind in a tilted, downward direction relative to the ground. Vehicle-mounted cameras 100C and 100D are respectively installed on the side mirrors of vehicle V and capture images of the areas to the sides in a tilted, downward direction relative to the ground.

[0033] Figure 2 It means set at Figure 1 The diagram shows a connection example of the vehicle-mounted cameras 100A~100D, camera ECU 110, and display 7 of the vehicle V. Figure 2 The camera ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 110 synthesizes images captured by the vehicle-mounted cameras 100A to 100D, and displays the synthesized images, for example, on the display 7 of the navigation system located in the dashboard. Occupants can visually confirm the surroundings of the vehicle V by checking the display 7.

[0034] Figure 3 Another example of a vehicle is a schematic diagram of the interior of a vehicle equipped with an onboard camera. Figure 4 yes Figure 3A top-down view of the vehicle. The vehicle V has a display 5 (e.g., an electronic rearview mirror) in the front portion between the driver's seat 3 and the passenger seat 4 within the passenger compartment 2, at the location where the rearview mirror is mounted. Furthermore, the vehicle V has an onboard camera 100 mounted at the rear of the vehicle. Figure 5 It means set at Figure 3 The diagram shows a connection example of the vehicle-mounted camera 100, camera ECU 111, and display 5 of the vehicle V. Figure 4 The camera ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 111 shown processes the images captured by the vehicle-mounted camera 100, and the display 5 shows the images. The occupants can visually confirm the situation behind the vehicle V by checking the display 5.

[0035] (First implementation of a vehicle-mounted camera)

[0036] Figure 6 This is a frontal perspective view of the vehicle-mounted camera 100 according to the first embodiment. Figure 7 This is an exploded perspective view of the vehicle-mounted camera 100 according to the first embodiment. Figure 8 This is a top view of the vehicle-mounted camera 100 according to the first embodiment. Furthermore, coordinates are defined 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 both the X-axis and Y-axis and along the height direction of the vehicle-mounted camera 100, and are applied in the following description.

[0037] The vehicle-mounted camera 100 of this embodiment includes a lens barrel 30, a circuit board 40, an image sensor 50, and a housing 60.

[0038] The metal lens tube 30 is along the optical axis L (and) Figure 8 The first cylindrical shape (orthogonal to the plane of the paper and along the Z-axis) has a first end 30a and a second end 30b opposite to the first end 30a in the direction along the optical axis L. The lens barrel 30 also has an inner surface 33 and an outer surface 34. The inner surface 33 corresponds to the inner surface of the first cylindrical shape of the lens barrel 30, and in this embodiment has a cylindrical surface. The inner surface 33 may also be stepped rather than planar. The outer surface 34, with respect to the optical axis L, is located outside the inner surface 33. The outer surface 34 corresponds to the outer surface of the first cylindrical shape of the lens barrel 30, and in this embodiment has a cylindrical surface.

[0039] The first end 30a forms the front end portion of the lens barrel 30, and the second end 30b is inside the housing 60, at least a portion of which is opposed to the circuit board 40.

[0040] The lens barrel 30 has a lens 35 located radially inward from the inner side 33. This lens 35 is housed within the first cylindrical interior and includes at least a first lens 35a and a second lens 35b arranged on the optical axis L. The lenses are arranged such that their respective optical axes L are aligned, forming a lens group for photographing the interior and exterior of the vehicle V. As described later, the lens 35 may also include lenses other than the first lens 35a and the second lens 35b.

[0041] The imaging element 50 is positioned on the optical axis L, closer to the distance from the first cylindrical end 30a of the lens barrel 30 than to the distance from the second end 30b, and is disposed within the internal space of the housing 60. The imaging element 50 is electrically connected to the circuit board 40, and by guiding external light to the imaging element 50, it can capture images. The imaging element 50 may be, for example, a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor.

[0042] The circuit board 40 is disposed within the interior space of the housing 60, and has a first surface 40a and a second surface 40b opposite to the first surface 40a. However, two or more circuit boards may also be disposed. The imaging element 50 is disposed on the first surface 40a of the circuit board 40.

[0043] The circuit board 40 has a first shape when viewed from above. The first shape when viewed from above refers to the shape when viewed from the first surface 40a of the circuit board 40 toward the second surface 40b. The first shape is, for example, a quadrilateral shape as in the embodiment, but it can also be a polygon with pentagons or more.

[0044] The housing 60 is a cylindrical component with an internal space, serving to at least house the circuit board 40 and the imaging element 50 and support the lens barrel 30. The housing 60 is a second cylindrical shape along the optical axis L, having a third end 63 and a fourth end 64. The third end 63 is connected to the lens barrel 30. The fourth end 64 is opposite to the third end 63 in the direction along the optical axis L, and is positioned further away from the third end 63 than the first end 30a of the first cylindrical shape of the lens barrel 30. In this embodiment, the housing 60 is a rectangular cylindrical shape, but it is not limited to this; it can also be a polygonal cylindrical shape other than a rectangle, a circular or elliptical cylindrical shape, or a cylindrical shape of other shapes.

[0045] With the housing 60 containing at least the circuit board 40 and the imaging element 50, the second end 30b of the lens barrel 30 is welded to the third end 63 of the housing 60. This welding is performed, for example, by laser welding.

[0046] Next, the first lens 35a and the second lens 35b of the lens barrel 30 will be explained again. Figure 9It is shown near the first end 30a of the lens barrel 30 and along Figure 8 A cross-sectional view of line II. The first lens 35a and the second lens 35b are arranged adjacent to each other along the optical axis L. Figure 7 In the exploded perspective view, the first lens 35a of the lens 35 is depicted independently, while the second lens 35b and other lenses (such as those in the second embodiment described later) are depicted integrally. Figure 11 The third lens 35c, the fourth lens 35d, the fifth lens 35e, the sixth lens 35f, and the seventh lens 35g.

[0047] The first lens 35a of the lens barrel 30 is positioned further away from the second lens 35b along the optical axis L, with reference to the first surface 40a of the circuit board 40. The first lens 35a has a first lens surface 35a1 through which the optical axis L passes, a second lens surface 35a2 through which the optical axis L passes and opposite to the first lens surface 35a1, and a first lens side surface 35a3 connecting the first lens surface 35a1 and the second lens surface 35a2.

[0048] The second lens 35b of the lens barrel 30 is positioned closer to the first lens 35a along the optical axis L, with reference to the first surface 40a of the circuit board 40. The second lens 35b has a third lens surface 35b1 through which the optical axis L passes, a fourth lens surface 35b2 through which the optical axis L passes and opposite to the third lens surface 35b1, and a second lens side surface 35b3 connecting the third lens surface 35b1 and the fourth lens surface 35b2.

[0049] The lens barrel 30 also includes a heater section 10. The heater section 10 is located near the first end 30a of the lens barrel 30 and between a portion of the second lens surface 35a2 of the first lens 35a and a portion of the third lens surface 35b1 of the second lens 35b, and is arranged along at least a portion of the second region of the second lens surface 35a2 of the first lens 35a, and has a first ring shape.

[0050] The heater section 10 is a component used to remove foreign objects such as raindrops and frost adhering to the outwardly exposed first lens 35a by heating, thereby ensuring the field of view of the vehicle-mounted camera 100. The heater section 10 can be, for example, a PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) heater. A PTC heater can control its own temperature and suppress power consumption. The heater section 10 can also be, for example, a metal heater.

[0051] The vehicle-mounted camera 100 of this embodiment also includes a resin retaining member 70, which is a third cylindrical shape and is disposed around the first end 30a of the lens barrel 30. The retaining member 70 contacts the periphery of the first end 30a of the lens barrel 30 and the first lens surface 35a1 of the first lens 35a, thereby reliably retaining the first lens 35a in the lens barrel 30.

[0052] In addition, the vehicle camera 100 of this embodiment also includes an elastic member 20, which is disposed between the first portion 71 of the retaining member 70 and the first resin surface 90a of the resin member 90, and is disposed between the first lens side surface 35a3 of the first lens 35a and the first cylindrical inner side surface 33 of the lens barrel 30.

[0053] (Second implementation of the vehicle-mounted camera)

[0054] With the increasing demands for higher pixel counts in the image sensor 50, the vehicle-mounted camera 100 requires higher manufacturing and optical precision. To meet these requirements, the lens barrel 30 is manufactured from metal. When the lens barrel 30 is made of metal, it is easier to achieve higher manufacturing precision compared to manufacturing with resin or similar materials.

[0055] However, the fact that the lens barrel 30 is made of metal may be a major reason for the reduced functionality of the heater section 10. Specifically, since a portion of the metal lens barrel 30 is adjacent to the first lens 35a, and particularly the first lens side surface 35a3 of the first lens 35a, heat from the heater section 10 can easily escape into the metal lens barrel 30, which has high thermal conductivity, before removing foreign objects from the first lens 35a, potentially hindering the effective removal of foreign objects. The first lens 35a is typically made of a material with lower thermal conductivity than metal, such as glass or resin.

[0056] The vehicle-mounted camera in the second embodiment addresses the aforementioned problems. Figure 10 This is an exploded perspective view of the vehicle-mounted camera 100 according to the second embodiment. Figure 11 The vehicle-mounted camera 100 in the second embodiment is along Figure 8 A sectional view along line II. Figure 12 The vehicle-mounted camera 100 in the second embodiment is along Figure 8 A sectional view along line II-II. Figure 13 yes Figure 12 A magnified view of region A. Figure 14 It is near the first end 30a of the lens barrel 30 of the vehicle-mounted camera 100 shown in the second embodiment and along Figure 8 A three-dimensional view of the cross section of line II.

[0057] The appearance of the vehicle-mounted camera 100 in the second embodiment is similar to Figure 6 , Figure 8The first implementation method is the same. Figure 11 A cross-sectional view is not shown in the first embodiment, but it is the same as the first embodiment in that lens 35 includes a first lens 35a, a second lens 35b, a third lens 35c, a fourth lens 35d, a fifth lens 35e, a sixth lens 35f, and a seventh lens 35g. Figure 10 In the decomposed stereo diagram, with Figure 7 Similarly, the first lens 35a in lens 35 is depicted independently, while the second lens 35b, the third lens 35c, the fourth lens 35d, the fifth lens 35e, the sixth lens 35f, and the seventh lens 35g are depicted as a single unit.

[0058] The first lens 35a and the second lens 35b are also the same as in the first embodiment. In particular, the second lens surface 35a2 of the first lens 35a has: a first region 35a21 through which the optical axis L passes; and a second region 35a22, which is located outside the first region 35a21 with respect to the optical axis L, and is arranged to surround the first region 35a21. In addition, the third lens surface 35b1 of the second lens 35b has a third region 35b11 through which the optical axis L passes and a fourth region 35b12 located outside the third region 35b11.

[0059] In the vehicle-mounted camera 100 of the second embodiment, a resin component 90 is disposed in the lens barrel 30. The resin component 90 is positioned between the first cylindrical inner surface 33 of the lens barrel 30 and the first lens side surface 35a3 of the first lens 35a, and has a second annular shape. The resin component 90 is made of resin, and therefore has a lower thermal conductivity compared to the metal lens barrel 30.

[0060] By placing a resin component 90 with low thermal conductivity on the first lens side 35a3 of the first lens 35a, direct heat diffusion from the heater section 10, which removes foreign matter such as raindrops and frost adhering to the first lens 35a, to the metal lens barrel 30 with high thermal conductivity can be suppressed. Therefore, foreign matter on the first lens 35a can be removed before heat dissipates from the heater section 10 to the lens barrel 30, ensuring the field of view of the vehicle camera 100.

[0061] The second ring shape of the resin component 90 has a first resin surface 90a, a second resin surface 90b opposite to the first resin surface 90a, an inner resin surface 90c connecting the first resin surface 90a and the second resin surface 90b, and an outer resin surface 90d located outside the inner resin surface 90c and connecting the first resin surface 90a and the second resin surface 90b, with the optical axis L as a reference. Furthermore, at least a portion of the inner resin surface 90c of the resin component 90 contacts the first lens side surface 35a3 of the first lens 35a, and at least a portion of the outer resin surface 90d of the resin component 90 contacts the first cylindrical inner surface 33 of the lens barrel 30.

[0062] Thus, the resin component 90 contacts the first lens side surface 35a3 of the first lens 35a and the inner side surface 33 of the lens barrel 30, thereby effectively suppressing the diffusion of heat from the heater section 10 to the metal lens barrel 30, and stably configuring the resin component 90.

[0063] The first ring shape of the heater section 10 of the lens barrel 30 is also the same as that in the first embodiment. The first ring shape of the heater section 10 has a first heater surface 10a, a second heater surface 10b opposite to the first heater surface 10a, an inner heater surface 10c connecting the first heater surface 10a and the second heater surface 10b, and an outer heater surface 10d located outside the inner heater surface 10c and connecting the first heater surface 10a and the second heater surface 10b with reference to the optical axis L. Moreover, the first heater surface 10a of the heater section 10 is in contact with at least a portion of the second region 35a22 of the second lens surface 35a2 of the first lens 35a.

[0064] Car-mounted camera.

[0065] As a result, the first heater surface 10a of the heater section 10 contacts at least a portion of the first lens 35a, thus effectively removing raindrops, ice, etc. from the first lens 35a.

[0066] Furthermore, the heater outer surface 10d of the heater section 10 of the lens barrel 30 is separated from the resin inner surface 90c of the resin member 90. Therefore, the heater section 10 can be configured without interference between the heater outer surface 10d of the heater section 10 and the resin inner surface 90c of the resin member 90.

[0067] like Figure 11 As shown, the thickness T1 between the third region 35b11 of the third lens surface 35b1 of the second lens 35b and the fourth lens surface 35b2 of the second lens 35b is greater than the second thickness T2 between the fourth region 35b12 of the third lens surface 35b1 of the second lens 35b and the fourth lens surface 35b2 of the second lens 35b.

[0068] Therefore, space can be secured for the heater section 10 at a position corresponding to the fourth region 35b12 of the third lens surface 35b1 of the second lens 35b.

[0069] The heater section 10 of the lens barrel 30 includes a wire section 12, which has a first wire end 12a and a second wire end 12b opposite to the first wire end 12a. The first wire end 12a is connected to the heater section, and the second wire end 12b is electrically connected to the circuit board 40.

[0070] like Figure 10 , Figure 13 As shown, the resin member 90 has a resin cutout portion 90e on a portion of the second resin surface 90b, extending from the inner resin surface 90c to the outer resin surface 90d. Furthermore, a portion of the wire portion 12 of the heater portion 10 is disposed within the resin cutout portion 90e of the resin member 90. Therefore, even if the heater portion 10 is adjacent to the first lens 35a and the resin member 90, the wire portion 12 supplying power to the heater portion 10 can be efficiently disposed within the lens barrel 30. Moreover, the resin cutout portion 90e is not limited to being located on the second resin surface 90b; it can also be located on a portion of the first resin surface 90a.

[0071] The wire portion 12 of the heater section 10 of the lens barrel 30 is electrically connected to the circuit board 40 through the space between the inner side 33 and the outer side 34 of the first cylindrical part of the lens barrel 30. Therefore, the wire portion 12 can be disposed within the lens barrel 30 using the space between the inner side 33 and the outer side 34. Alternatively, the wire portion 12 can also be electrically connected to the circuit board 40 through the outer side 34 of the lens barrel 30.

[0072] The vehicle-mounted camera 100 of this embodiment also includes a resin retaining member 70 that is a third cylindrical shape and is disposed around the first end 30a of the lens barrel 30. The third cylindrical retaining member 70 has a first portion 71 that contacts the periphery of the first end 30a of the first cylindrical shape of the lens barrel 30 and the first lens surface 35a1 of the first lens 35a, and a second portion 72 that is fixed to a portion of the outer side surface 34 of the first cylindrical shape of the lens barrel 30.

[0073] Thus, the retaining member 70 contacts the first end 30a of the lens barrel 30 and the periphery of the first lens surface 35a1 of the first lens 35a, thereby reliably holding the first lens 35a to the lens barrel 30. The fixing of the retaining member 70 to the lens barrel 30 can also be based on the engagement of a threaded component. An adhesive can also be provided between the retaining member 70 and the outer surface of the lens barrel 30.

[0074] Furthermore, the vehicle-mounted camera 100 of this embodiment also includes an elastic member 20, which is disposed between the first portion 71 of the retaining member 70 and the first resin surface 90a of the resin member 90, and between the first lens side surface 35a3 of the first lens 35a and the first cylindrical inner side surface 33 of the lens barrel 30. This prevents foreign objects from entering the lens barrel 30 through the gap between the retaining member 70 and the first lens 35a.

[0075] The elastic member 20 can also be an O-ring. This makes it easy to prevent foreign objects from entering the lens barrel 30 through the gap between the retaining member 70 and the first lens 35a.

[0076] like Figure 11 As shown, at least one lens 35 of the lens barrel 30 has multiple lenses, but the heater section 10 can heat the first lens 35a, which is furthest from the imaging element 50 among the multiple lenses 35. The heater section 10 can remove raindrops, ice, etc. from the first lens 35a, which is furthest from the imaging element 50 and closest to the outside of the vehicle camera 100, thus efficiently ensuring the field of view.

[0077] The vehicle-mounted camera 100 also includes a circuit board connector 47 and a connector 80. The circuit board connector 47 is disposed on the circuit board 40, particularly on the second surface 40b of the circuit board 40. The connector 80 is disposed on at least a portion of the housing 60 and is electrically connected to the circuit board connector 47. Power from the outside is supplied to the circuit board 40 via the connector 80 and the circuit board connector 47.

[0078] When the vehicle-mounted camera 100 is installed in vehicle V, connector 80 is electrically connected to the cable of vehicle V. This ensures that power is supplied from vehicle V.

[0079] The conductive part 12 of the heater part 10 can be a flexible printed circuit board. Therefore, the conductive part 12 can be easily formed.

[0080] In the vehicle-mounted camera 100 of the embodiment, the circuit board connector 47 is disposed on the second surface 40b of the circuit board 40. As a result, the electrical connection between the circuit board 40 and the connector 80 can be easily ensured via the circuit board connector 47.

[0081] Connector 80 can also be a coaxial connector with signal terminals 83 and ground terminals 84. Thus, connector 80 can ensure both signal supply and grounding.

[0082] As described above, the housing 60 includes a third end 63 and a fourth end 64, which, opposite to the third end 63, is positioned further away from the third end 63 relative to the first end 30a of the lens barrel 30. The third end 63 supports the lens barrel 30, and the connector 80 is disposed at least a portion of the fourth end 64 of the housing 60. Thus, the housing 60 can support the lens barrel 30 while holding the connector 80.

[0083] The material constituting the housing 60 is not particularly limited, and the housing 60 can also be made of metal. Thus, the housing 60 can serve as a noise shield to protect the vehicle-mounted camera 100 from both internal and external noise.

[0084] Figure 15 It is a variation of the vehicle-mounted camera 100 along Figure 8 The image shows a cross-sectional view along line II. In this example, the circuit board 40 includes a first circuit board 40A and a second circuit board 40B. This allows components to be disposed on multiple circuit boards. The circuit board 40 may include three or more circuit boards.

[0085] Based on the above, at least the following matters are described in this disclosure. Furthermore, the constituent elements corresponding to the above embodiments are shown in parentheses, but the scope is not limited thereto.

[0086] (1) The vehicle-mounted camera (vehicle-mounted camera 100) has the following features:

[0087] A metal lens barrel (lens barrel 30) is a first cylindrical shape along the optical axis (optical axis L), having a first end (first end 30a) of the first cylindrical shape, a second end (second end 30b) of the first cylindrical shape opposite to the first end, and a lens (lens 35) including at least a first lens (first lens 35a) and a second lens (second lens 35b) arranged along the optical axis.

[0088] The imaging element (image element 50) is disposed on the optical axis and is located closer to the second end than the distance from the first end of the first cylindrical part of the lens barrel;

[0089] A circuit board (circuit board 40) has a first surface (first surface 40a) and a second surface (second surface 40b) opposite to the first surface, and the imaging element is disposed on the first surface;

[0090] A circuit board connector (circuit board connector 47) is disposed on the circuit board;

[0091] A housing (housing 60) that supports the lens barrel and houses the imaging element and the circuit board; and

[0092] A connector (connector 80), disposed on at least a portion of the housing, is electrically connected to the circuit board connector.

[0093] The first cylindrical part of the lens tube has an inner side (inner side 33) and an outer side (outer side 34).

[0094] The first lens and the second lens of the lens barrel are arranged adjacent to each other.

[0095] The first lens of the lens barrel, positioned further away from the second lens along the optical axis, with reference to the first surface of the circuit board.

[0096] The first lens of the lens barrel includes:

[0097] The optical axis passes through the first lens surface (first lens surface 35a1).

[0098] The optical axis passes through a second lens surface (second lens surface 35a2) that is opposite to the first lens surface; and

[0099] The first lens side surface (first lens side surface 35a3) connects the first lens surface and the second lens surface.

[0100] The second lens of the lens barrel includes:

[0101] The optical axis passes through the third lens surface (third lens surface 35b1).

[0102] The optical axis passes through a fourth lens surface (fourth lens surface 35b2) that is opposite to the third lens surface; and

[0103] The second lens side surface (second lens side surface 35b3) connects the third lens surface and the fourth lens surface.

[0104] The second lens surface of the first lens of the lens barrel has:

[0105] The first region through which the optical axis passes (first region 35a21).

[0106] The second region (second region 35a22), with the optical axis as a reference, is located on the outer side of the first region and is arranged to surround the first region.

[0107] The lens tube includes:

[0108] A first annular heater portion (heater portion 10) is disposed between a portion of the second lens surface of the first lens and a portion of the third lens surface of the second lens, in such a manner as to extend along at least a portion of the second region of the second lens surface of the first lens; and

[0109] A second ring-shaped resin component (resin component 90) is disposed between the inner side of the first cylindrical part and the first lens side of the first lens.

[0110] Therefore, since the resin component is disposed on the side of the first lens, it is possible to suppress the direct diffusion of heat from the heater section, which removes foreign matter such as raindrops and ice adhering to the first lens, to the metal lens barrel with high thermal conductivity.

[0111] (2) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (1), wherein,

[0112] The second ring shape of the resin component of the lens barrel includes:

[0113] First resin surface (first resin surface 90a);

[0114] The second resin surface (second resin surface 90b) is opposite to the first resin surface;

[0115] The inner resin surface (inner resin surface 90c) connects the first resin surface and the second resin surface; and

[0116] The outer surface of the resin (resin outer surface 90d), with the optical axis as a reference, is located on the outer side of the inner surface of the resin, connecting the first resin surface and the second resin surface.

[0117] At least a portion of the inner resin surface of the resin component is in contact with the first lens surface of the first lens.

[0118] At least a portion of the resin outer surface of the resin component contacts the first cylindrical inner surface of the lens barrel.

[0119] Therefore, the resin component contacts the first lens side of the first lens and the inner side of the lens barrel, thus effectively suppressing the diffusion of heat from the heater section into the metal lens barrel and enabling the resin component to be stably configured.

[0120] (3) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (2), wherein,

[0121] The third lens surface of the second lens of the lens barrel has:

[0122] The optical axis passes through the third region (third region 35b11); and

[0123] The fourth region (fourth region 35b12) is located further outward than the third region.

[0124] The first annular shape of the heater portion of the mirror barrel includes:

[0125] First heater surface (first heater surface 10a);

[0126] The second heater surface (second heater surface 10b) is opposite to the first heater surface;

[0127] The inner side of the heater (inner side of the heater 10c) connects the first heater surface and the second heater surface; and

[0128] The outer surface of the heater (outer surface 10d), with the optical axis as a reference, is located on the outer side of the heater compared to the inner surface of the heater, and connects the first heater surface and the second heater surface.

[0129] The first heater surface of the heater section contacts at least a portion of the second region of the second lens surface of the first lens.

[0130] Therefore, the first heater surface of the heater section contacts at least a portion of the first lens, thus enabling efficient removal of raindrops, ice, etc. from the first lens.

[0131] (4) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (3), wherein,

[0132] The outer surface of the heater portion of the lens barrel is separated from the inner surface of the resin component.

[0133] Therefore, the heater section can be configured without interfering with the inner resin surface of the resin component.

[0134] (5) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (4), wherein,

[0135] The thickness between the third region of the third lens surface of the second lens and the fourth lens surface of the second lens, i.e., the first thickness, is greater than the thickness between the fourth region of the third lens surface of the second lens and the fourth lens surface of the second lens, i.e., the second thickness.

[0136] Therefore, space can be secured for the heater section at a position corresponding to the fourth region of the third lens surface of the second lens.

[0137] (6) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (3), wherein,

[0138] The heater section of the lens barrel includes a wire section (wire section 12), which has a first wire end (first wire end 12a) and a second wire end (second wire end 12b) opposite to the first wire end.

[0139] The first wire end of the wire section is connected to the heater section.

[0140] The second wire end of the wire portion is electrically connected to the circuit board.

[0141] The resin component has a resin cutout portion (resin cutout portion 90e) on a portion of the second resin surface, which is cut from the inner resin surface to the outer resin surface.

[0142] A portion of the conductive wire is disposed at the resin cutout portion of the resin component.

[0143] Therefore, even though the heater section is adjacent to the first lens and the resin component, the wire section that supplies power to the heater section can be efficiently arranged inside the lens barrel.

[0144] (7) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (6), wherein,

[0145] The conductor portion of the heater section of the mirror barrel is electrically connected to the circuit board through the inner and outer sides of the first cylindrical part of the mirror barrel.

[0146] Therefore, the guide wire section can be placed inside the lens barrel by utilizing the space between the inner and outer sides of the lens barrel.

[0147] (8) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (1), wherein,

[0148] It also includes a resin retaining member (retaining member 70) that is located around the first end of the lens barrel and is in the shape of a third cylindrical tube.

[0149] The second cylindrical retaining member has:

[0150] The first part (first part 71) is in contact with the periphery of the first cylindrical first end of the lens barrel and the first lens surface of the first lens.

[0151] The second part (second part 72) is fixed to a portion of the outer side of the first cylindrical part of the lens barrel.

[0152] Therefore, by maintaining contact between the component and the periphery of the first end of the lens barrel and the first lens surface of the first lens, the first lens can be reliably held in the lens barrel.

[0153] (9) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (8), wherein,

[0154] It also includes an elastic member (elastic member 20) disposed between the first portion of the retaining member and the first resin surface of the resin member, and disposed between the first lens side surface of the first lens and the first cylindrical inner side surface of the lens barrel.

[0155] This prevents foreign objects from entering the lens barrel through the gap between the retaining member and the first lens.

[0156] (10) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (9), wherein,

[0157] The elastic member is an O-ring.

[0158] Therefore, it is easy to prevent foreign objects from entering the lens barrel through the gap between the retaining member and the first lens.

[0159] (11) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (1), wherein,

[0160] The first lens of the lens barrel is the lens furthest from the imaging element.

[0161] The heater section of the lens barrel is capable of heating the first lens of the lens barrel.

[0162] Therefore, the heater section can remove raindrops, ice, etc. from the first lens, which is farthest from the imaging element and closest to the exterior of the vehicle camera, thus efficiently ensuring the field of view.

[0163] (12) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (1), wherein,

[0164] The heater section of the lens barrel is a PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) heater.

[0165] This can suppress electricity consumption.

[0166] (13) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (1), wherein,

[0167] When the vehicle-mounted camera is installed in a vehicle, the connector is electrically connected to the vehicle's cable.

[0168] This ensures that power is supplied from the vehicle.

[0169] (14) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (1), wherein,

[0170] The circuit board connector is disposed on the second side of the circuit board.

[0171] Therefore, the electrical connection between the circuit board and the connector can be easily ensured via the circuit board connector.

[0172] (15) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (1), wherein,

[0173] The circuit board includes a first circuit board (first circuit board 40A) and a second circuit board (second circuit board 40B).

[0174] Therefore, components can be configured on multiple circuit boards.

[0175] (16) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (1), wherein,

[0176] The connector is a coaxial connector with signal terminals (signal terminal 83) and ground terminals (ground terminal 84).

[0177] Therefore, the connector can ensure both signal supply and grounding.

[0178] (17) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (1), wherein,

[0179] The shell is a second cylindrical shape.

[0180] The housing includes:

[0181] The third end of the second cylindrical section (third end 63); and

[0182] The fourth end (fourth end 64) of the second cylindrical part, opposite to the third end, is positioned further away from the third end of the second cylindrical part, based on the first end of the first cylindrical part of the lens tube.

[0183] The third end of the second cylindrical section supports the lens tube.

[0184] The connector is disposed at at least a portion of the fourth end of the second cylindrical part of the housing.

[0185] Thus, the housing can support the lens barrel while holding the connector.

[0186] (18) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (1), wherein,

[0187] The casing is made of metal.

[0188] Therefore, the casing can serve as a noise shield.

[0189] The embodiments have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, but this disclosure is not limited to this example. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, alterations, substitutions, additions, deletions, and equivalents can be conceived within the scope of the claims, and these also fall within the technical scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, the constituent elements in the above embodiments can be arbitrarily combined without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0190] Industrial availability

[0191] This disclosure is useful for vehicle-mounted cameras that can suppress direct thermal diffusion from the heater section, which removes foreign matter attached to the first lens, into the lens barrel, thereby ensuring a field of view.

[0192] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0193] 10. Heater Section

[0194] 10a First heater surface

[0195] 10b Second heater surface

[0196] 10c Inner surface of heater

[0197] 10d heater outer surface

[0198] 12 Conductor section

[0199] 12a First conductor end

[0200] 12b Second conductor end

[0201] 20 Elastic Components

[0202] 30mm lens tube

[0203] 30a First end

[0204] 30b Second end

[0205] 33 Inner surface

[0206] 34. Outer surface

[0207] 35 Lens

[0208] 35a First Lens

[0209] 35a1 First Lens Surface

[0210] 35a2 Second Lens Surface

[0211] 35a21 First Region

[0212] 35a22 Second Region

[0213] 35a3 First lens side view

[0214] 35b Second Lens

[0215] 35b1 Third Lens Surface

[0216] 35b11 Third Zone

[0217] 35b12 Fourth Region

[0218] 35b2 Fourth lens surface

[0219] 35b3 Second lens side

[0220] 40 Circuit board

[0221] 40A First Circuit Board

[0222] 40B Second Circuit Board

[0223] 40a First page

[0224] 40b Second page

[0225] 47 Circuit board connector

[0226] 50 camera elements

[0227] 60 Housing

[0228] 63 Third end

[0229] 64 Fourth end

[0230] 70 Retaining components

[0231] 71 Part One

[0232] 72 Part Two

[0233] 80 connector

[0234] 83 signal terminal

[0235] 84 Grounding terminal

[0236] 90 Resin Components

[0237] 90a First resin surface

[0238] 90b Second Resin Surface

[0239] 90c Resin Inner Surface

[0240] 90d resin outer surface

[0241] 90e resin cut section

[0242] 100 Car-mounted Cameras

[0243] L optical axis

Claims

1. A vehicle-mounted camera, comprising: A metal lens barrel, which is a first cylindrical shape along the optical axis, has a first end of the first cylindrical shape, a second end of the first cylindrical shape opposite to the first end, and a lens including at least a first lens and a second lens arranged along the optical axis; The imaging element is positioned on the optical axis and closer to the second end than to the first end of the first cylindrical part of the lens barrel; A circuit board having a first side and a second side opposite to the first side, wherein the imaging element is disposed on the first side; A circuit board connector disposed on the circuit board; A housing that supports the lens barrel and houses the imaging element and the circuit board; and A connector, disposed on at least a portion of the housing, is electrically connected to the circuit board connector. The first cylindrical part of the lens tube has an inner side and an outer side. The first lens and the second lens of the lens barrel are arranged adjacent to each other. The first lens of the lens barrel, positioned further away from the second lens along the optical axis, with reference to the first surface of the circuit board. The first lens of the lens barrel includes: The first lens surface through which the optical axis passes; The optical axis passes through a second lens surface that is opposite to the first lens surface; and The side surface of the first lens that connects the first lens surface and the second lens surface. The second lens of the lens barrel includes: The optical axis passes through the third lens surface; The optical axis passes through a fourth lens surface that is opposite to the third lens surface; and The second lens side surface connecting the third lens surface and the fourth lens surface The second lens surface of the first lens of the lens barrel has: The first region through which the optical axis passes; and The second region, with the optical axis as a reference, is located outside the first region and is arranged to surround the first region. The lens tube includes: A first annular heater portion is disposed between a portion of the second lens surface of the first lens and a portion of the third lens surface of the second lens, in a manner that extends along at least a portion of the second region of the second lens surface of the first lens; and A second ring-shaped resin component is disposed between the inner side of the first cylindrical part and the first lens side of the first lens.

2. The vehicle-mounted camera according to claim 1, wherein, The second ring shape of the resin component of the lens barrel includes: First resin surface; The second resin surface is opposite to the first resin surface; The inner surface of the resin connects the first resin surface and the second resin surface; and The outer surface of the resin, with the optical axis as a reference, is located further outward than the inner surface of the resin, connecting the first resin surface and the second resin surface. At least a portion of the inner resin surface of the resin component is in contact with the first lens surface of the first lens. At least a portion of the resin outer surface of the resin component contacts the first cylindrical inner surface of the lens barrel.

3. The vehicle-mounted camera according to claim 2, wherein, The third lens surface of the second lens of the lens barrel has: The third region through which the optical axis passes; as well as The fourth region is located further outward than the third region. The first annular shape of the heater portion of the mirror barrel includes: First heater surface; The second heater surface is opposite to the first heater surface; The inner surface of the heater, which connects the first heater surface and the second heater surface; and The outer surface of the heater, with the optical axis as a reference, is located further outward than the inner surface of the heater, connecting the first heater surface and the second heater surface. The first heater surface of the heater section contacts at least a portion of the second region of the second lens surface of the first lens.

4. The vehicle-mounted camera according to claim 3, wherein, The outer surface of the heater portion of the lens barrel is separated from the inner surface of the resin component.

5. The vehicle-mounted camera according to claim 4, wherein, The thickness between the third region of the third lens surface of the second lens and the fourth lens surface of the second lens, i.e., the first thickness, is greater than the thickness between the fourth region of the third lens surface of the second lens and the fourth lens surface of the second lens, i.e., the second thickness.

6. The vehicle-mounted camera according to claim 3, wherein, The heater portion of the lens barrel includes a wire portion, which has a first wire end and a second wire end opposite to the first wire end. The first wire end of the wire section is connected to the heater section. The second wire end of the wire portion is electrically connected to the circuit board. The resin component has a resin cutout portion on a portion of the second resin surface, extending from the inner resin surface to the outer resin surface. A portion of the conductive wire is disposed at the resin cutout portion of the resin component.

7. The vehicle-mounted camera according to claim 6, wherein, The conductor portion of the heater section of the mirror barrel is electrically connected to the circuit board through the inner and outer sides of the first cylindrical part of the mirror barrel.

8. The vehicle-mounted camera according to claim 1, wherein, It also includes a resin retaining member, which is a third cylindrical shape and is disposed around the first end of the lens barrel. The third cylindrical retaining member has: The first portion contacts the periphery of the first cylindrical end of the lens barrel and the first lens surface of the first lens; and The second part is fixed to a portion of the outer side of the first cylindrical part of the lens barrel.

9. The vehicle-mounted camera according to claim 8, wherein, It also includes an elastic member disposed between the first portion of the retaining member and the first resin surface of the resin member, and disposed between the first lens side surface of the first lens and the first cylindrical inner side surface of the lens barrel.

10. The vehicle-mounted camera according to claim 9, wherein, The elastic member is an O-ring.

11. The vehicle-mounted camera according to claim 1, wherein, The first lens of the lens barrel is the lens furthest from the imaging element. The heater section of the lens barrel is capable of heating the first lens of the lens barrel.

12. The vehicle-mounted camera according to claim 1, wherein, The heater section of the lens barrel is a positive temperature coefficient heater, i.e., a PTC heater.

13. The vehicle-mounted camera according to claim 1, wherein, When the vehicle-mounted camera is installed in a vehicle, the connector is electrically connected to the vehicle's cable.

14. The vehicle-mounted camera according to claim 1, wherein, The circuit board connector is disposed on the second side of the circuit board.

15. The vehicle-mounted camera according to claim 1, wherein, The circuit board includes a first circuit board and a second circuit board.

16. The vehicle-mounted camera according to claim 1, wherein, The connector is a coaxial connector with signal terminals and ground terminals.

17. The vehicle-mounted camera according to claim 1, wherein, The shell is a second cylindrical shape. The housing includes: The third end of the second cylindrical section; and The fourth end of the second cylindrical section, opposite to the third end, is positioned further away from the third end of the first cylindrical section of the lens tube, based on the first end of the first cylindrical section. The third end of the second cylindrical section supports the lens tube. The connector is disposed at at least a portion of the fourth end of the second cylindrical part of the housing.

18. The vehicle-mounted camera according to claim 1, wherein, The casing is made of metal.

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