Optical unit and method of driving an optical unit

Abstract

The optical unit (1) of the present application includes: an optical member (2) having an optical functional surface (F); a piezoelectric element (3) attached to the optical member (2); a photographing section (4) that photographs the functional surface (F) to generate photographing data (D) of the functional surface (F); a judging section (24) that judges the surface state of the functional surface (F) based on the gradation information of each pixel corresponding to the functional surface in the photographing data (D); and an element driving section (26) that supplies a driving voltage for vibration to the piezoelectric element (3) when the surface state of the functional surface (F) satisfies a predetermined condition.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to an optical unit and a method for driving the optical unit. Background Technology

[0002] As a conventional optical unit, there is, for example, a vehicle camera lens device described in Japanese Utility Model Registration No. 3227550. This conventional device has a camera and a housing. The housing has an opening through which the camera's lens unit takes pictures. An air supply hole is provided in the opening, facing the lens unit, through which cleaning gas can be blown onto the surface of the lens unit. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In optical units like those described above, it is conceivable that foreign objects such as water droplets may adhere to the surface of the optical components during use. When foreign objects adhere to the surface of the optical components, the performance of the device using the optical unit may be degraded. Therefore, it is necessary to clean the surface of the optical components, but confirming the presence of foreign objects and cleaning them manually is time-consuming.

[0004] This disclosure was made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide an optical unit and a driving method for the optical unit that can automatically clean foreign objects and maintain the surface condition of optical components.

[0005] The key points of this disclosure are as follows.

[0006] [1] An optical unit includes: an optical component having an optical functional surface; a piezoelectric element mounted on the optical component; an imaging unit that captures images of the functional surface to generate imaging data of the functional surface; a judgment unit that determines the surface state of the functional surface based on the density information of each pixel corresponding to the functional surface in the imaging data; and an element driving unit that supplies a vibration driving voltage to the piezoelectric element when the surface state of the functional surface meets predetermined conditions.

[0007] In this optical unit, image data of the functional surfaces of the optical components is acquired, and the surface condition of the functional surfaces is determined based on the density information of each pixel corresponding to the functional surface in the image data. Based on the density information of each pixel, the presence or absence of foreign objects on the functional surfaces can be accurately determined. By vibrating the piezoelectric element when the surface condition of the functional surfaces meets predetermined conditions, foreign objects adhering to the functional surfaces can be automatically cleaned, thus maintaining the surface condition of the optical components effectively.

[0008] [2] The optical unit according to [1] further includes: an illumination unit that illuminates the functional surface with light; and an illumination driving unit that drives the illumination unit such that the light illuminates the functional surface at the moment the imaging unit captures the image of the functional surface. In this case, the influence of the density information of each pixel in the area outside the functional surface in the captured data can be reduced, and the surface state of the functional surface can be determined with higher accuracy. In addition, by limiting the illumination of light to the moment when the functional surface is captured, it is possible to avoid hindering the original function of the optical unit.

[0009] [3] According to the optical unit described in [2], the illumination unit is composed of a light source that outputs infrared light. In the wavelength region of infrared light, there are multiple absorption peaks of water. Therefore, by irradiating the functional surface with infrared light during the imaging of the functional surface, it is possible to determine with high precision whether water droplets are attached to the functional surface based on the density information.

[0010] [4] According to the optical unit described in [2], the illumination unit is composed of a light source that outputs white light. The wavelength region of the white light covers the entire visible light spectrum. Therefore, by illuminating the functional surface with white light during the imaging of the functional surface, it is possible to determine with high precision whether various types of foreign objects are attached to the functional surface based on the intensity information.

[0011] [5] The optical unit according to any one of [1] to [4] further comprises: a storage unit that stores reference data representing an initial state of the surface state of the functional surface; and a generation unit that generates the density information based on the difference between the pixel values ​​of each pixel corresponding to the functional surface in the captured data and the pixel values ​​of each pixel corresponding to the functional surface in the reference data. By performing differential processing between the image data and the reference data, the influence of noise such as background light can be reduced. Therefore, the surface state of the functional surface can be determined with higher accuracy.

[0012] [6] According to any one of [1] to [5], the determination unit determines the surface state of the functional surface by applying Blob analysis to the density information. In Blob analysis, the number, shape, size, area, etc. of the density blocks can be detected. Therefore, by setting the analysis parameters corresponding to the type of foreign matter, the conditions for vibrating the piezoelectric element, i.e., the conditions for performing functional surface cleaning, can be optimized.

[0013] [7] A driving method for an optical unit is a driving method for an optical unit having an optical component having an optical functional surface and a piezoelectric element mounted on the optical component. The driving method for the optical unit includes: an imaging step of imaging the functional surface to generate imaging data of the functional surface; a judgment step of judging the surface state of the functional surface based on the density information of each pixel corresponding to the functional surface in the imaging data; and an element driving step of supplying a vibration driving voltage to the piezoelectric element when the surface state of the functional surface meets predetermined conditions.

[0014] In the driving method of this optical unit, imaging data of the functional surface of the optical component is acquired, and the surface condition of the functional surface is determined based on the density information of each pixel corresponding to the functional surface in the imaging data. According to the density information of each pixel, the presence or absence of foreign objects on the functional surface can be determined with high precision. By vibrating the piezoelectric element when the surface condition of the functional surface meets predetermined conditions, foreign objects attached to the functional surface can be automatically cleaned, and the surface condition of the optical component can be well maintained.

[0015] [8] According to the driving method of the optical unit described in [7], in the shooting step, light is irradiated onto the functional surface at the moment of shooting the functional surface. In this case, the influence of the density information of each pixel in the area outside the functional surface in the shooting data can be reduced, and the surface state of the functional surface can be judged with higher accuracy. In addition, by limiting the illumination of light to the moment of shooting the functional surface, it is possible to avoid hindering the original function of the optical unit.

[0016] [9] According to the driving method of the optical unit described in [8], infrared light is used as the light. In the wavelength region of infrared light, there are multiple absorption peaks of water. Therefore, by irradiating the functional surface with infrared light during the imaging of the functional surface, it is possible to determine with high precision whether water droplets are attached to the functional surface based on the density information.

[0017]

[10] According to the driving method of the optical unit described in [8], white light is used as the light. The wavelength region of the white light covers the entire visible light spectrum. Therefore, by irradiating the functional surface with infrared light during the imaging of the functional surface, it is possible to determine with high precision whether various types of foreign objects are attached to the functional surface based on the density information.

[0018]

[11] The driving method for the optical unit according to any one of [7] to

[10] further comprises: a generation step, which uses reference data representing an initial state of the surface state of the functional surface to generate the density information based on the difference between the pixel value of each pixel corresponding to the functional surface in the shooting data and the pixel value of each pixel corresponding to the functional surface in the reference data. By performing such processing, the influence of noise such as background light in the shooting data can be reduced. Therefore, the surface state of the functional surface can be determined with higher accuracy.

[0019]

[12] According to the driving method of the optical unit according to any one of [7] to

[11] , in the determination step, the surface state of the functional surface is determined by applying Blob analysis to the density information. In Blob analysis, the number, shape, area, etc. of the density blocks can be detected. Therefore, by setting the analysis parameters corresponding to the type of foreign matter, the conditions for the piezoelectric element to vibrate can be optimized. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a block diagram illustrating an optical unit according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view showing a structural example of an optical module including optical components and piezoelectric elements.

[0022] Figure 3 (a) is a schematic diagram showing an example of reference data, (b) is a schematic diagram showing an example of captured data, and (c) is a schematic diagram showing an example of differential data.

[0023] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the definition of the Feret diameter.

[0024] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating a driving method for an optical unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0025] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of an optical unit and a driving method for an optical unit according to one aspect of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] Figure 1 This is a block diagram illustrating an optical unit according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 1The optical unit 1 shown is configured to include an optical component 2, a piezoelectric element 3, an imaging unit 4, an illumination unit 5, and an optical unit control unit 6. In this embodiment, the optical unit 1 is configured as a vehicle-mounted camera lens unit. The optical unit 1 can be applied, for example, to a front-facing monitor or a rear-facing monitor in an automobile. The optical unit 1 has the function of: inspecting the surface condition of the optical component 2 (described later), and detecting foreign objects W (refer to...). Figure 3 (b) The cleaning function automatically cleans the foreign object W when it is attached to the optical component 2.

[0027] Optical component 2 is a component having an optical functional surface F. In this embodiment, a light-transmitting cover component 7 is exemplified as optical component 2. One main surface of the cover component serves as the functional surface F, allowing incident light to pass through and protecting the lens 8 built into the optical unit 1. In this embodiment, the functional surface F of the cover component 7 is the surface exposed to the outside when the optical unit 1 is applied to the front or rear monitor of an automobile. That is, in this embodiment, the functional surface F is the surface to be inspected for its surface condition, and is the surface that is automatically cleaned when foreign matter W is attached.

[0028] The piezoelectric element 3 is a component that converts electrical energy into mechanical energy using the piezoelectric effect. The piezoelectric element 3 is configured to include a piezoelectric body and a pair of electrodes (not shown). Here, the piezoelectric body is composed of a single-layer piezoelectric body layer. The piezoelectric body layer is formed of a piezoelectric material. In this embodiment, a piezoelectric ceramic material is used to form the piezoelectric body layer. Examples of piezoelectric ceramic materials used include PZT[Pb(Zr, Ti)O3], PT(PbTiO3), PLZT[(Pb, La)(Zr,Ti)O3], or barium titanate (BaTiO3). The piezoelectric body layer is formed, for example, from a sintered body of a ceramic green sheet including the above-mentioned piezoelectric ceramic material.

[0029] All electrodes are formed of a conductive material. Examples of conductive materials used include Ag, Cu, and Ag-Pd alloys. The electrodes are formed, for example, from a sintered body containing a conductive paste comprising the aforementioned conductive material. A pair of electrodes are arranged to sandwich a piezoelectric element. The region of the piezoelectric element sandwiched by the pair of electrodes functions as an active part that expands and contracts through the piezoelectric effect when a driving voltage V is supplied to the piezoelectric element 3.

[0030] The imaging unit 4 is the part that captures images of the functional surface F and generates the image data of the functional surface F. The imaging unit 4 is, for example, composed of a two-dimensional image sensor. The operation of the imaging unit 4 is controlled by the optical unit control unit 6, switching between a first mode that operates as a camera lens unit for vehicles and a second mode that operates for the cleaning function of the cover member 7.

[0031] The camera unit 4, operating in the first mode, captures images of the vehicle's exterior through lens 8, generating its image data Dp. Figure 1In this example, the image data Dp generated by the imaging unit 4 is output to the vehicle control unit 9. The vehicle control unit 9 is, for example, an electronic control unit (ECU) on the vehicle side. Based on the image data Dp input from the imaging unit 4, the vehicle control unit 9 performs various controls such as driving assistance. When the imaging unit 4 operates in the second mode and performs the cleaning function of the cover member 7, it photographs the functional surface F in cooperation with the lighting unit 5, generating its image data De. The image data De generated by the imaging unit 4 is output to the optical unit control unit 6.

[0032] The illumination unit 5 is the part that illuminates the functional surface F with light L. The illumination unit 5 can be composed of a light source that outputs infrared light or a light source that outputs white light. The type of light source is determined, for example, according to the type of foreign matter W that is envisioned to adhere to the functional surface F. For example, if water droplets are envisioned to adhere primarily to the foreign matter W, the illumination unit 5 can be composed of a light source that outputs infrared light. For example, if dust, dirt, or the like are envisioned to adhere primarily to the foreign matter W, the illumination unit 5 can be composed of a light source that outputs white light. LEDs or similar devices can be used for both infrared and white light outputs.

[0033] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view showing an example structure of an optical module including optical components and piezoelectric elements. For example... Figure 2 As shown, in this embodiment, the optical module 11 is formed by assembling the cover member 7, the piezoelectric element 3, the illumination part 5, and the imaging part 4 inside the frame 12. The frame 12 is made of resin such as LCP, ABS, or PPS and is cylindrical in shape. A circular window 12a is provided, for example, at one end of the long side of the frame 12.

[0034] The cover member 7 is made of materials such as glass, tempered glass, or optical plastic, and is disc-shaped. With the functional surface F exposed from the window 12a of the frame 12, the cover member 7 is fixed to the inner side of one end of the frame 12 along its long side, sealing the window 12a. The piezoelectric element 3, for example... Figure 2 As shown, for example, a ring-shaped component with the same diameter as the optical component 2 is fixed to the periphery of another main surface (the surface opposite to the functional surface F) of the optical component 2. Various bonding components such as adhesives and double-sided tape can be used to fix the piezoelectric element 3 to the optical component 2.

[0035] The lighting section 5 is annular in shape with a diameter slightly smaller than that of the piezoelectric element 3. The lighting section 5 can have a structure in which multiple lighting sections are arranged in annular shapes. The lighting section 5 is disposed on one side of an annular substrate 13 with a diameter similar to that of the cover member 7. A circular opening 13a, smaller than the diameter of the window portion 12a, is provided in the central portion of the substrate 13. The substrate 13 is fixed to the inside of the frame 12 with the lighting section 5 facing the cover member 7 and slightly separated from the cover member 7 and the piezoelectric element 3.

[0036] Lens 8 is held within the cylindrical lens holder 14. Figure 1 and Figure 2 For simplicity, the lens 8 is shown in a cylindrical shape, but the actual lens 8 can be composed of a combination of multiple lenses. One end of the lens holder 14 along its long side is fixed to the other side of the substrate 13 (opposite to the illumination unit 5) with one end of the lens 8 exposed through the opening 13a. The imaging unit 4 is disposed on the other end of the lens 8. The imaging unit 4 is disposed on one side of a disc-shaped substrate 15 with a diameter equal to the inner diameter of the frame 12. The substrate 15 is fixed to the inside of the frame 12 in such a way that it covers one end of the frame 12 along its long side.

[0037] return Figure 1 The optical unit control unit 6 is the part that controls the operation of the optical unit 1. Physically, the optical unit control unit 6 is a computer system equipped with RAM, ROM, and other memories, as well as processors such as CPU and GPU, communication interfaces, and SSD (Solid State Drive) storage devices. This computer system functions as the optical unit control unit 6 by executing programs stored in the memory via the CPU or GPU. In the case where the optical unit 1 is configured as a vehicle-mounted camera lens as in this embodiment, the optical unit control unit 6 can be configured by the vehicle-side ECU.

[0038] The optical unit control unit 6 functionally includes a mode switching unit 21, an illumination driving unit 22, a generation unit 23, a judgment unit 24, a storage unit 25, and an element driving unit 26. The mode switching unit 21 is the part that switches the operation mode of the imaging unit 4. The mode switching unit 21 enables the imaging unit 4 to operate in a first mode, which is basically the operation of a vehicle-mounted camera lens unit, and at a predetermined time, enables the imaging unit 4 to operate in a second mode, which is the operation of the cleaning function for the optical component 2.

[0039] In the second mode, there are no particular restrictions on the timing of the action; for example, a certain time interval can be set as a condition. When the optical unit 1 is configured as a vehicle-mounted camera lens as in this embodiment, the switch to the second mode can be performed in conjunction with the vehicle's movement. For example, the switch to the second mode can be performed at the start of vehicle movement, or it can be performed by operating a switch button located on the front panel or similar component inside the vehicle. When the optical unit 1 is applied to a rear-view monitor, the switch to the second mode can be performed at the start of the vehicle's reversing. After taking a picture in the second mode, the switch back to the first mode is performed.

[0040] The illumination drive unit 22 controls the operation of the illumination unit 5. The illumination drive unit 22 outputs a drive signal G to the illumination unit 5 such that light L illuminates the functional surface F when the imaging unit 4 captures the image. When the illumination drive unit 22 switches from the first mode to the second mode via the mode switching unit 21, it turns the illumination unit 5 on. After acquiring the image data De, the illumination drive unit 22 turns the illumination unit 5 off. That is, light L illuminates the functional surface F only when the imaging unit 4 acquires the image data De.

[0041] The generation unit 23 is responsible for processing the captured data De. When the generation unit 23 receives captured data De from the capturing unit 4, it refers to the storage unit 25 and reads reference data Dr representing the initial state of the surface state of the functional surface F from the storage unit 25. Based on the difference between the pixel values ​​of each pixel corresponding to the functional surface F in the captured data De and the pixel values ​​of each pixel corresponding to the functional surface F in the reference data Dr, the generation unit 23 generates density information for each pixel corresponding to the functional surface F. The generation unit 23 outputs the generated density information (here, the difference data Ds hereinafter) to the determination unit 24.

[0042] Reference data Dr is, for example, photographic data taken of the functional surface F while it is illuminated by light L, with water droplets Wa (as foreign objects) in the absence of W. Figure 3 In example (a), in the reference data Dr, each pixel belonging to the circular region corresponding to the functional surface F is lightened according to the intensity of light L. The shooting data De, as described above, is shooting data obtained by photographing the current functional surface F while it is illuminated by light L. Figure 3 In (b), the image data obtained with water droplets Wa attached to the functional surface F is shown. Figure 3In example (b), the pixels belonging to the circular region corresponding to the functional surface F that correspond to the outline of the water droplet Wa are darker in color compared to the pixels corresponding to other parts. Furthermore, the reference data Dr does not necessarily have to be the image capture data of the functional surface F of the main image; it can also be digital data such as threshold information for each determination parameter. In this case, the optical unit control unit 6 does not necessarily need to have a storage unit 25; the determination unit 24 only needs to store the threshold information for each determination parameter.

[0043] Generation section 23, as shown Figure 3 As shown in (c), binarization is applied to the difference data Ds obtained based on the difference between the captured data De and the reference data Dr. In the binarization process, for example, when the pixel values ​​are 256 color levels from 0 (black) to 255 (white), for example, the threshold is set to 200, and all pixel values ​​below the threshold are set to 0, while all pixel values ​​above the threshold are set to 255. Figure 3 In example (c), the pixel values ​​caused by light L are canceled out, and the intensity of each pixel is reversed. Figure 3 In (c), the pixels in the circular region corresponding to the functional surface F that correspond to the outline of the water droplet Wa are lighter in color compared to the pixels corresponding to other parts.

[0044] The determination unit 24 determines the surface state of the functional surface F based on the density information of each pixel corresponding to the functional surface F in the captured data De. If the determination unit 24 receives differential data Ds from the generation unit 23, it applies Blob analysis to the density information represented by the differential data Ds. Blob analysis is a process that analyzes density blobs (blocks) in an image that has undergone binarization. In Blob analysis, the number, shape, size, and area of ​​density blobs can be detected. Figure 4 In the example, since the water droplet Wa is roughly circular or elliptical, the side lengths in the X direction (Ferret diameter X) and Y direction (Ferret diameter Y) of the rectangles circumscribed by each density block are also detected.

[0045] The determination unit 24 determines whether the surface condition of the functional surface F meets predetermined conditions. In this embodiment, the determination unit 24 maintains a predetermined threshold for at least one parameter of the number, area, Ferrette diameter X, and Ferrette diameter Y of the density blocks detected by the above-described Blob analysis. As a result of the Blob analysis of the differential data Ds, the determination unit 24 determines that the surface condition of the functional surface F is good if these parameters are less than the predetermined threshold. As a result of the Blob analysis of the differential data Ds, the determination unit 24 determines that the surface condition of the functional surface F is poor if these parameters are above the predetermined threshold. When the determination unit 24 determines that the surface condition of the functional surface F is poor, it outputs the determination result information R indicating this to the component drive unit 26.

[0046] The element driving unit 26 supplies a vibration driving voltage V to the piezoelectric element 3 when the surface condition of the functional surface F meets predetermined conditions. When the element driving unit 26 receives judgment result information R from the judgment unit 24 indicating that the surface condition of the functional surface F is unsatisfactory, it supplies the vibration driving voltage V to the piezoelectric element 3. The piezoelectric element 3, receiving the driving voltage V, vibrates at a high frequency. The sound waves or ultrasonic waves generated by this vibration remove foreign matter W adhering to the functional surface F of the lens 8.

[0047] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating a driving method for an optical unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 5 As shown, the driving method of the optical unit in this embodiment includes: an image capture step S01, a generation step S02, a judgment step S03, and an element driving step S04.

[0048] The imaging step S01 is a step of photographing the functional surface F and generating imaging data of the functional surface F. In this embodiment, in the imaging step S01, light L is irradiated onto the functional surface F at the moment of photographing the functional surface F. As light L, infrared light or white light is used depending on the type of foreign object W mainly attached to the functional surface F.

[0049] Generation step S02 is a step of generating density information based on the captured data De. In generation step S02, using reference data Dr representing the initial state of the surface state of the functional surface F, density information corresponding to each pixel of the functional surface F is generated based on the difference between the pixel values ​​of each pixel corresponding to the functional surface F in the captured data De and the pixel values ​​of each pixel corresponding to the functional surface F in the reference data Dr.

[0050] The judgment step S03 is a step of judging the surface state of the functional surface F based on the density information of each pixel corresponding to the functional surface F in the captured data De. In the judgment step S03 of this embodiment, Blob analysis is applied to the density information generated in the generation step S02, and the surface state of the functional surface F is judged by comparing the parameters of the density blocks (Blob) obtained by the analysis with a predetermined threshold.

[0051] The component driving step S04 is the step of supplying a vibration driving voltage V to the piezoelectric element 3 when the surface condition of the functional surface F meets predetermined conditions. In the component driving step S04, if the surface condition of the functional surface F is determined to be poor in the determination step S03, the piezoelectric element 3 is vibrated, and the foreign matter W attached to the functional surface F of the lens 8 is removed by the resulting sound wave or ultrasonic wave. If the surface condition of the functional surface F is determined to be good in the determination step S03, the component driving step S04 is omitted, and the process ends.

[0052] As explained above, in optical unit 1, image data De of the functional surface F of optical component 2 is acquired. Based on the density information of each pixel corresponding to the functional surface F in the image data De, the surface state of the functional surface F is determined. According to the density information of each pixel, the presence or absence of foreign matter W on the functional surface F can be accurately determined. By vibrating the piezoelectric element 3 when the surface state of the functional surface F meets predetermined conditions, foreign matter W attached to the functional surface F can be automatically cleaned, and the surface state of optical component 2 can be well maintained.

[0053] The optical unit 1 of this embodiment includes: an illumination unit 5 that illuminates the functional surface F with light L; and an illumination driving unit 22 that drives the illumination unit 5 such that light L illuminates the functional surface F when the imaging unit 4 is capturing images of the functional surface F. This reduces the influence of pixel density information in areas other than the functional surface F in the captured data De, enabling more accurate determination of the surface state of the functional surface F. Furthermore, by limiting the illumination of light L to the moment when the functional surface F is captured, interference with the original function of the optical unit 1 can be avoided.

[0054] The optical unit 1 of this embodiment includes an illumination section 5 composed of a light source that outputs infrared light. In the wavelength region of infrared light, there are multiple absorption peaks for water (e.g., around 1450 nm, around 1940 nm, and around 2900 nm). Therefore, by irradiating the functional surface F with infrared light during imaging, it is possible to determine with high precision whether water droplets Wa are attached to the functional surface F based on the density information.

[0055] The optical unit 1 of this embodiment includes an illumination section 5 composed of a light source that outputs white light. The wavelength range of the white light covers the entire visible light spectrum. Therefore, by illuminating the functional surface F with white light during imaging, it is possible to determine with high precision whether various types of foreign objects W are attached to the functional surface F based on the intensity information.

[0056] The optical unit 1 in this embodiment includes: a storage unit 25 that stores reference data Dr representing the initial state of the surface state of the functional surface F; and a generation unit 23 that generates density information based on the difference between the pixel values ​​of each pixel corresponding to the functional surface F in the captured data De and the pixel values ​​of each pixel corresponding to the functional surface F in the reference data Dr. By performing differential processing between the captured data De and the reference data Dr, the influence of noise such as background light can be reduced. Therefore, the surface state of the functional surface F can be determined with higher accuracy.

[0057] In this embodiment, the determination unit 24 determines the surface state of the functional surface F by applying blob analysis to the concentration information. Blob analysis can detect the number, shape, size, and area of ​​concentration blocks. Therefore, by setting analysis parameters corresponding to the type of foreign object W, the conditions for vibrating the piezoelectric element 3, i.e., the conditions for cleaning the functional surface F, can be optimized.

[0058] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above. For example, in the above embodiments, the illumination unit 5 is used to illuminate the functional surface F with light L at the moment the image data De is acquired, but the illumination unit 5 may be omitted. If the illumination unit 5 is omitted, for example, the lens 8 may be driven along the optical axis at the moment the image data De is acquired, so that the focal point of the lens 8 is moved to a position where the background light is not imaged by the image capturing unit 4. Furthermore, a physical polarizing filter or shutter may be configured at the moment the image data De is acquired to cut off the background light directed toward the image capturing unit 4.

[0059] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, reference data Dr is used to generate difference data Ds with the captured data De. However, it is not necessary to use reference data Dr, and the density information of each pixel corresponding to the functional surface F can be directly generated based on the captured data De. In this case, binarization processing and blob analysis can be applied to the captured data De itself in the same way as in the above embodiment. AI can be used to determine the surface condition of the functional surface F. In this case, multiple captured data of functional surfaces determined to have good surface conditions and multiple captured data of functional surfaces determined to have poor surface conditions can be used to enable AI to learn in advance, and the density information of each pixel corresponding to the functional surface F can be determined based on the captured data De obtained by the imaging unit 4.

[0060] In this embodiment, an automotive camera lens is exemplified as optical unit 1, but the application of optical unit 1 is not limited to this and can be applied to various devices. The shape of the frame 12 does not necessarily have to be cylindrical; it can be other shapes such as cubes or cuboids depending on the device to which it is applied. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a cover member 7 is exemplified as optical component 2, but optical component 2 is not limited to cover member 7 and can also be other optical components such as lenses, mirrors, or prisms.

Claims

1. An optical unit, wherein, have: Optical components, which have optical functional surfaces; A piezoelectric element, which is mounted on the optical component; The imaging unit captures images of the functional surfaces and generates imaging data of the functional surfaces. The judgment unit determines the surface state of the functional surface based on the density information of each pixel corresponding to the functional surface in the captured data. and The component driving unit supplies a vibration driving voltage to the piezoelectric element when the surface state of the functional surface meets predetermined conditions.

2. The optical unit according to claim 1, wherein, It also has: The lighting section illuminates the functional surfaces; and An illumination drive unit drives the illumination unit in such a way that the light illuminates the functional surface at the moment when the imaging unit is taking a picture of the functional surface.

3. The optical unit according to claim 2, wherein, The illumination unit is composed of a light source that outputs infrared light.

4. The optical unit according to claim 2, wherein, The lighting unit is composed of a light source that outputs white light.

5. The optical unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, It also has: The storage unit stores reference data representing the initial state of the surface state of the functional surface; and The generation unit generates the density information based on the difference between the pixel values ​​of each pixel corresponding to the functional surface in the captured data and the pixel values ​​of each pixel corresponding to the functional surface in the reference data.

6. The optical unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The judgment unit determines the surface state of the functional surface by applying Blob analysis to the concentration information.

7. A driving method for an optical unit, wherein, It is a driving method for an optical unit comprising an optical component having an optical functional surface and a piezoelectric element mounted on the optical component. have: The shooting steps involve taking pictures of the functional surfaces to generate shooting data for the functional surfaces; The judgment step involves determining the surface state of the functional surface based on the density information of each pixel corresponding to the functional surface in the captured data; and In the component driving step, when the surface state of the functional surface meets predetermined conditions, a vibration driving voltage is supplied to the piezoelectric element.

8. The driving method for the optical unit according to claim 7, wherein, In the shooting step, light is irradiated onto the functional surface at the moment the functional surface is photographed.

9. The driving method for the optical unit according to claim 8, wherein, Infrared light is used as the light source.

10. The driving method for the optical unit according to claim 8, wherein, White light is used as the light source.

11. The driving method for the optical unit according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein, It also includes a generation step, which uses reference data representing the initial state of the surface state of the functional surface to generate the density information based on the difference between the pixel values ​​of each pixel corresponding to the functional surface in the shooting data and the pixel values ​​of each pixel corresponding to the functional surface in the reference data.

12. The driving method for the optical unit according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein, In the judgment step, the surface state of the functional surface is determined by applying Blob analysis to the concentration information.

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