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

Abstract

To provide a lens unit capable of suppressing deterioration in strength of a housing and interference of wiring in the lens unit including a vibration mechanism, a camera module, an imaging system, and a moving body.SOLUTION: The lens unit comprises: a first housing 23 on which a first lens 31 is provided; a lens barrel 22 on which a lens positioned closer to an image side than the first lens is provided and which is provided radially inside of the first housing; a second housing 24 which is arranged closer to the image side than the first housing and is fitted to the first housing; a vibration mechanism 60 provided between the first housing and the lens barrel; and a wiring 306 for applying a driving signal to a vibration source 61. A wiring hole 24f through which the wiring is passed is provided in the second housing, and a separation portion 320 for separating the wiring 306 from an inner peripheral surface of the wiring hole 24f through which the wiring 306 is passed is provided.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, automobiles have been equipped with on-board cameras to support parking and prevent collisions through image recognition, and further attempts have been made to apply them to autonomous driving. In addition, camera modules such as such on-board cameras generally include a lens unit having a lens group consisting of a plurality of lenses arranged along an optical axis, a lens barrel that houses and holds the lens group, and an aperture member disposed between at least one of the lenses in the lens group (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0003] However, such a lens unit is attached to a mounting portion such as the front grille of a vehicle (automobile), and the first lens located closest to the object is exposed to the outside. Therefore, foreign matter such as water droplets, muddy water, ice, snow, and frost easily adheres to the surface (lens surface) of the first lens, and therefore, in some cases, the first lens is vibrated (ultrasonic vibration) by a vibrating body to remove the foreign matter from the lens surface (lens surface) of the first lens.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art There is known a vibration device that is provided in a camera having a lens unit and that removes foreign matter such as water droplets and dust that has adhered to a dome-shaped cover (lens cover) (see, for example, Patent Document 2). As shown in FIG. 16, the vibration device 2 comprises a dome-shaped cover 11, a cylindrical vibrating body 12 to which the cover 11 is fixed, and a piezoelectric element 13 fixed to the vibrating body 12 and vibrating the cover 11 via the vibrating body 12. The vibrating body 12 comprises a cylindrical portion 14 having a first end 14a located on the cover 11 side and a second end 14b located on the opposite side to the cover 11, a cylindrical first connecting portion 15 connected to the first end 14a of the cylindrical portion 14 and made of a cylinder having an inner diameter larger than that of the cylindrical portion 14, and a second connecting portion 15 connected to the cover 11 side of the first connecting portion 15 and made of a cylinder having an inner diameter larger than that of the cylindrical portion 14. The vibrating body 12 has a first ring-shaped portion 16 having an inner diameter smaller than that of the first end 14b of the cylindrical portion 14, and the cover 11 is fixed to the surface facing the cover 11, a second connecting portion 17 connected to the second end 14b of the cylindrical portion 14 and consisting of a cylinder having an outer diameter smaller than that of the cylindrical portion 14, and a second ring-shaped portion 18 fixed to the surface of the second connecting portion 17 opposite to the side to which the cylindrical portion 14 is connected and having an outer diameter larger than that of the second connecting portion 17, and the piezoelectric element 13 is fixed to the surface of the second ring-shaped portion 18 opposite to the side fixed to the second connecting portion 14b, and the cylindrical vibrating body 12 has a substantially S-shaped cross-sectional shape in a radial cross section. In such a vibration device 2, the dome-shaped cover 11 can be vibrated with a larger amplitude, and the movement and atomization of the droplets can be more effectively achieved.

[0005] As described above, the vibration device 2 is equipped with a cylindrical vibrating body 12 and a piezoelectric element 13, and removes foreign matter adhering to the surface of the light-transmitting part (cover) 11 by fixing the cover 11, which is a light-transmitting part, to the vibrating body 12 and vibrating it ultrasonically. Also, although not described in Patent Document 2, a camera equipped with vibration device 2 is provided with a drive circuit board for driving a piezoelectric element (vibration source), and this drive circuit board and the piezoelectric element are electrically connected by wiring such as an FPC. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-231993 A [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 6977784 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] As described above, the vibration source (piezoelectric element) and the drive circuit board are connected by a wire, and the wire vibrates in synchronization with the vibrating vibration source (e.g., ultrasonic vibration). When the wire vibrates, it may interfere with the components that make up the camera or lens unit with which it is in contact, resulting in the generation of abnormal noise or damage to the wire. Furthermore, the vibration of the wire may adversely affect the vibration characteristics of the vibration source. 17, for example, the wiring 306 connecting the vibration source (piezoelectric element) 61 and the drive circuit board 305 passes through the wiring hole 24f provided in the housing 24, but if the wiring 306 passing through this wiring hole 24f is in contact with or very close to the upper and lower opening edges of the wiring hole 24f, the wiring 306 will interfere with the opening edges when it vibrates. To avoid this, the diameter of the wiring hole 24f can be made larger, but the larger the diameter, the greater the decrease in strength of the housing 24. In other words, there is a trade-off between the interference of the wiring 306 and the decrease in strength of the housing 24.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and aims to provide a lens unit, a camera module, an imaging system, and a moving body that can suppress a decrease in strength of the housing and suppress interference with wiring in a lens unit equipped with a vibration mechanism. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, a lens unit of the present invention includes a lens group in which a plurality of lenses are arranged along the optical axis of the lenses, and a vibration mechanism having a vibration source that vibrates a first lens that is located closest to an object among the plurality of lenses, a first housing in which the first lens is provided, a lens barrel in which a lens located closer to the image side than the first lens is provided and which is provided radially inward from the first housing, a second housing which is located closer to the image side than the first housing and which fits into the first housing, the vibration mechanism which is provided between the first housing and the lens barrel, and wiring for applying a drive signal to the vibration source; The second housing is provided with a wiring hole through which the wiring passes, The wiring is passed through the wiring hole, The wiring hole is characterized in that it includes a spacing portion that spaces the wiring from an inner peripheral surface of the wiring hole.

[0010] In the present invention, the spacing portion separates the wiring from the inner surface of the wiring hole, thereby preventing the wiring from interfering with the inner surface of the wiring hole, and also prevents the diameter of the wiring hole from being increased, thereby preventing a decrease in strength of the second housing. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of abnormal noise (ringing) and damage to the wiring caused by vibration of the wiring, and further to suppress adverse effects on the vibration characteristics of the vibration source.

[0011] In addition, in the above-described configuration of the present invention, a drive circuit board for applying a drive signal to the vibration source via the wiring may be provided in the second housing, and the drive circuit board and the vibration source may be connected by the wiring.

[0012] With this configuration, the drive circuit board is provided in the second housing, so the drive circuit board can be protected by the second housing and the wiring can be made shorter compared to when the drive circuit board is provided separately from the lens unit.

[0013] In the above-described configuration of the present invention, the separation portion may be formed on an inner peripheral surface of the entrance and an inner peripheral surface of the exit of the wiring hole, and may be configured by large-diameter surfaces that become larger in diameter toward the entrance and exit sides. Here, the large diameter surface may be formed by an R-chamfered portion or a C-chamfered portion formed at the entrance and exit of the wiring hole.

[0014] According to this configuration, the separation portion is formed on the inlet and outlet inner circumferential surfaces of the wiring hole, and is configured by large diameter surfaces that become larger toward the inlet and outlet sides, so that the wiring passed through the wiring hole is separated from the large diameter surfaces, and therefore, even if the wiring vibrates, interference with the inlet and outlet sides of the wiring hole can be suppressed. Also, although the diameter of the wiring hole is larger at the inlet and outlet sides, there is no need to increase the diameter of the entire wiring hole, so a decrease in strength of the second housing can be suppressed.

[0015] In addition, in the above-described configuration of the present invention, the separation portion may be provided on the second housing and include a reinforcing material protruding radially toward the inside of the wiring hole, and the wiring may extend from a tip of the reinforcing material and pass through the wiring hole.

[0016] With this configuration, the reinforcing material protrudes radially into the wiring hole, and the wiring extends from the tip of the reinforcing material and passes through the wiring hole, preventing the wiring from interfering with the entrance and exit sides of the wiring hole and the inner circumferential surface. In addition, the diameter of the wiring hole is not increased, so a decrease in the strength of the second housing can be prevented.

[0017] In the above-described configuration of the present invention, the width of the reinforcing material may be greater than the width of the wiring, and a protruding portion of the reinforcing material protruding in the width direction beyond the wiring may be fixed to the second housing.

[0018] According to this configuration, since the protruding portion of the reinforcing material is fixed to the second housing, the wiring can be easily fixed to the second housing by the reinforcing material.

[0019] In the above-described configuration of the present invention, the separation portion may include a pair of reinforcing members, and the wiring may be sandwiched between the reinforcing members.

[0020] According to this configuration, the wiring is fixed by being sandwiched between the pair of reinforcing members, so that the wiring can be firmly fixed and protected.

[0021] In the above-mentioned configuration of the present invention, the separating portion includes a reinforcing material having a higher rigidity than the wiring and attached to the wiring between a connection position of the wiring to the vibration source and a fixing position of the wiring to the second housing, The reinforcing material may be spaced from an inner circumferential surface of the wiring hole, thereby spacing the wiring from the inner circumferential surface of the wiring hole.

[0022] With this configuration, the reinforcing material, which is more rigid than the wiring, is separated from the inner surface of the wiring hole, thereby separating the wiring from the inner surface of the wiring hole, thereby preventing the wiring from interfering with the inner surface of the wiring hole and also preventing the diameter of the wiring hole from being increased, thereby preventing a decrease in strength of the second housing.

[0023] In the above-mentioned configuration of the present invention, the separation portion includes a reinforcing material attached to the wiring and having higher rigidity than the wiring, the reinforcing material is attached to the wiring between the inner wall surface of the second housing and the wiring hole or the vicinity of the wiring hole; The reinforcing material may be spaced radially from an inner circumferential surface of the wiring hole at or near the wiring hole, thereby spacing the wires away from the inner periphery of the wiring hole.

[0024] With this configuration, the reinforcing material is radially spaced away from the inner surface of the wiring hole in the wiring hole or near the wiring hole, thereby separating the wiring from the inner circumference of the wiring hole, thereby preventing the wiring from interfering with the inner surface of the wiring hole and without increasing the diameter of the wiring hole, thereby preventing a decrease in strength of the second housing. Furthermore, since no reinforcing material is attached to the connection portion of the wiring connected to the vibration source, it is possible to prevent the reinforcing material from impeding the vibration of the vibration source.

[0025] The present invention also provides a camera module having the lens unit, an imaging system having the camera module, and a moving body equipped with the imaging system. The camera module, imaging system, and moving body can also provide the same effects as the lens unit described above. Note that the term "moving body" refers to any object that can move, such as a vehicle. Effect of the Invention

[0026] According to the present invention, in a lens unit equipped with a vibration mechanism, it is possible to suppress a decrease in strength of the housing and to suppress interference with wiring. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a camera module equipped with a lens unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a second housing of the first example according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 13A is a perspective view of the second housing of a second example, and FIG. 13B is a perspective view of the second housing of a third example. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a main part of a camera module equipped with a lens unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a main part of a camera module equipped with a lens unit according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a main part of a camera module equipped with a lens unit according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the second housing as viewed from the bottom side of the first embodiment. [Figure 9]FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a main part of a camera module equipped with a lens unit, showing a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a main part of a camera module equipped with a lens unit, showing a sixth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a main part of a camera module equipped with a lens unit, showing a seventh embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a main part of a camera module equipped with a lens unit, showing an eighth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a main part of a camera module equipped with a lens unit, showing a ninth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle as a moving body on which an imaging system (on-vehicle system) including a camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention is mounted. [Figure 15] 15 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an imaging device that constitutes the imaging system shown in FIG. 14. [Figure 16] FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a lens unit including a conventional vibrating body. [Figure 17] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a main part of a lens unit equipped with a vibrating body. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiment contributes to "9. Industry, innovation and infrastructure" of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) advocated by the United Nations, which states, "9.1 Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all."

[0029] It should be noted that the lens unit of this embodiment described below is intended particularly for a camera module such as an in-vehicle camera, and is fixedly installed, for example, on the outer surface of a vehicle, with wiring being pulled into the vehicle and connected to a display or other device.

[0030] (First embodiment) FIG. 1 shows a camera module equipped with a lens unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and is a schematic cross-sectional view of the camera module, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the same camera module. 1 and 2, the camera module 300 of this embodiment includes a lens unit 20. This lens unit 20 includes a cylindrical lens barrel 22 and a square tube-shaped first housing 23 in which this lens barrel 22 is provided.

[0031] The ends of the lens barrel 22 and first housing 23 on the image side (lower side in FIG. 1) are supported by a square cylindrical second housing 24. The length of the second housing 24 in the optical axis direction is shorter than that of the first housing 23, but the lengths of the outer diameter and inner diameter are longer than those of the first housing 23. The optical axis is indicated by O, and the direction perpendicular to this optical axis O is the radial direction.

[0032] The first housing 23 is disposed radially outward from the lens barrel 22, and the second housing 24 is disposed closer to the image side (lower side in FIG. 1) than the first housing 23. The lens barrel 22, the first housing 23 and the second housing 24 are disposed coaxially. A rectangular plate-shaped inner flange portion 24a is formed at the upper end of the second housing 24, and a convex portion 24b that protrudes toward the object side (upward in Figure 1) is formed at the radial center of this inner flange portion 24a, and a through hole 24c is formed at the radial center of this convex portion 24b.

[0033] Further, a step portion 24d is formed on the upper surface of the inner flange portion 24a, and the lower end portion of the first housing 23 is fitted into this step portion 24d. As a result, the first housing 23 is positioned relative to the second housing 24 in the radial direction and the optical axis direction.

[0034] Furthermore, the lens unit 20 includes a plurality of (for example, six) lenses 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, and 36 arranged in order from the object side. The lens 31 is a first lens 31 located closest to the object side, and this first lens 31 is provided in the first housing 23 and held by a lens holding portion 50, which will be described later. Five lenses 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , and 36 arranged on the image side of the first lens 31 are provided inside the lens barrel 22 .

[0035] In addition, a cylindrical protrusion 27 that protrudes toward the image side (the lower side in FIG. 1) is formed at the lower end of the lens barrel 22, and this protrusion 27 is inserted into and fitted into the through hole 24c provided in the second housing 24. As a result, the lens barrel 22 and the second housing 24 are arranged coaxially and coincident with the optical axis O.

[0036] Furthermore, the first lens 31 located closest to the object side is a glass lens, and the lenses 32 to are plastic lenses, but are not limited to this (for example, the lens 31 may be a plastic lens). Furthermore, on the surfaces of the lenses 31 to , an anti-reflection film, a hydrophilic film, a water-repellent film, or the like is provided as necessary.

[0037] The multiple lenses 31-36 fixed and supported by the first housing 23 and the lens barrel 22 are arranged with their respective optical axes aligned, and the lenses 31-36 are lined up along a single optical axis O to form a single lens group L used for imaging.

[0038] In this embodiment, the first housing 23 is disposed on the outer side of the lens barrel 22 in the radial direction. The first housing 23 is formed from a metal such as SUS, and includes a rectangular cylindrical housing main body 23a, a rectangular plate-shaped top plate portion 23b formed integrally with the housing main body 23a at the upper end of the housing main body 23a, and a locking portion 23c formed integrally with the top plate portion 23b on the inner edge of the top plate portion 23b. The thickness of the top plate portion 23b (thickness in the optical axis direction) is smaller than the thickness of the housing main body 23a (thickness in the radial direction).

[0039] The locking portion 23c includes a generally cylindrical protruding portion 23d formed to protrude from the edge of the inner periphery of the top plate portion 23b toward the object side (upper side in FIG. 1), and a pressing portion 23e bent radially inward from the upper end of the protruding portion 23d. An inclined surface 23f inclined with respect to the optical axis O is formed along the circumferential direction on the pressing portion 23e. Then, the inclined surface 23f presses the surface edge of the first lens 31, thereby fixing the first lens 31. In other words, in a state in which the lens group L is assembled and housed within the first housing 23 and the lens barrel 22, the inclined surface 23f of the pressing portion 23e presses the first lens 31 located closest to the object side of the lens group L, and fixes it to the object side end of the first housing 23 in the optical axis direction.

[0040] Furthermore, an inner flange portion 26 having an opening with a diameter smaller than that of sixth lens 36 is provided at the end (the lower end portion in FIG. 1) of lens barrel 22 on the image side, and a flange portion of lens 36 abuts against this inner flange portion 26. Furthermore, lens 32 is adhesively fixed to lens barrel 22, and in this state, optical components such as lenses 33-36 located on the image side of lens 32 are pressed toward the image side by lens 32. Therefore, the optical components such as the lenses 33 to are held and fixed in the optical axis direction by the lens 32 and the inner flange portion . Further, a filter 99 such as an infrared cut filter is provided on the lower surface of the inner flange portion 26 .

[0041] In this embodiment, a ring-shaped lens holder 50 that holds the first lens 31 is provided. The lens holder 50 is manufactured by forming a metal such as SUS into a thin ring shape by lathe cutting. The lens holder 50 has an inner peripheral surface 50a having a cylindrical shape and an annular surface 50b perpendicular to the inner peripheral surface 50a, and the inner peripheral surface 50a and the annular surface 50b are formed to have an L-shaped cross section. The inner peripheral surface 50a is disposed coaxially with the optical axis O, and the annular surface 50b is disposed perpendicular to the optical axis O. In addition, the lens holding portion 50 has an inner surface 50c that is perpendicular to the annular surface 50b and arranged coaxially with the optical axis O, and this inner surface 50c is arranged closer to the image side (lower side in Figure 1) than the inner surface 50a and has a smaller inner diameter dimension than the inner surface 50a.

[0042] In addition, the inner diameter dimension of the inner surface 50c of the ring-shaped lens holding portion 50 is larger than the outer diameter dimension of the lens barrel 22, so that the upper end of the lens barrel 22 is positioned inside the inner surface 50c of the lens holding portion 50. Moreover, the lens holding part 50 is joined to the first housing 23. That is, the outer peripheral surface 50d and the upper surface 50e of the lens holding part 50 are each in contact with the inner periphery of the pressing part 23e of the first housing 23 with almost no gap, whereby the lens holding part 50 is fitted into the top plate part 23b of the first housing 23. In this way, the lens holding part 50 is joined to the first housing 23 having the top plate part 23b. The lens holder 50 joined to the first housing 23 has an axis that coincides with the optical axis O, and is positioned in the optical axis direction.

[0043] Furthermore, the lens holding part 50 holds the first lens 31. That is, an inner peripheral surface 50a of the lens holding part 50 abuts against an outer peripheral surface of the first lens 31 without any gap, whereby the first lens 31 is positioned in the radial direction and disposed coaxially with the optical axis O. Furthermore, an annular surface 50b of the lens holding part 50 abuts against a flat bottom surface 31e of the first lens 31 facing the image side without any gap, whereby the first lens 31 is positioned in the optical axis direction. Furthermore, lenses 32 to 36 arranged on the image side of first lens 31 are held by lens barrel 22 so that their optical axes are aligned, and lens barrel 22 is arranged coaxially with second housing 24 and aligned with optical axis O, so that first lens 31 and lenses 32 to 36 arranged on the image side of first lens 31 are arranged coaxially or with an eccentricity of less than a predetermined amount.

[0044] In this embodiment, a vibration mechanism 60 that vibrates the first lens 31 is provided. The vibration mechanism 60 includes a transducer (vibration source) 61 that generates ultrasonic vibrations, and a vibrating body 62 that transmits the ultrasonic vibrations of the transducer 61 to the first lens 31. Such a vibration mechanism 60 is disposed radially inward from the first housing 23 and radially outward from the lens barrel 22. The vibrator (vibration source) 61 is formed in a circular plate shape, and is provided inside the housing body 23a of the first housing 23. The vibrator 61 is formed of, for example, a piezoelectric element.

[0045] The vibrating body 62 includes a donut-shaped disk-shaped attachment portion 62a, a main body portion 62b that extends from the attachment portion 62a toward the object side (upward in FIG. 1) and has an approximately cylindrical shape with bulges and constrictions with an S-shaped cross section, with the outer and inner diameters varying continuously in the axial direction (optical axis direction), and a ring-shaped joint portion 62c formed at the upper end portion of the main body portion 62b. The vibrator 61 is attached and fixed to the lower surface of the attachment portion 62a, and the upper surface of the joint portion 62c is joined to the lower surface (surface facing the image side) of the lens holding portion 50 with an adhesive.

[0046] In such vibration mechanism 60, the vibrator 61 ultrasonically vibrates, causing the vibrating body 62 to ultrasonically vibrate. When the vibrating body 62 vibrates, the first lens 31 ultrasonically vibrates via the lens holding part 50 because the vibrating body 62 is joined to the lens holding part 50, and thus foreign matter such as water droplets, muddy water, ice, snow, and frost on the lens surface 31a of the first lens 31 is removed.

[0047] The lens holding part 50 is fitted to the top plate part 23b of the first housing 23, but the thickness of the top plate part 23b is thinner than the thickness of the housing main body 23a, and the top plate part 23b functions as a damper, so that the vibration of the lens holding part 50 is not easily transmitted to the housing main body 23a. Therefore, the vibration is not easily transmitted to the second housing 24 fitted to the housing main body 23a, and as a result, the vibration is not easily transmitted to the lens barrel 22 fitted to the second housing 24, and the vibration is not easily transmitted to the lenses 32 to 36, so that the deterioration of the optical performance caused by the displacement of the lenses 32 to 36 due to the vibration can be suppressed.

[0048] In this embodiment, the second housing 24 is provided with a drive circuit board 305 for applying a drive signal to the vibrator (vibration source) 61, and a wiring 306 for connecting the vibrator 61 and the drive circuit board 305. The wiring 306 is formed by an FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit), but is not limited to this. Since the FPC is flexible, the wiring 306 is also flexible and can be bent relatively easily. A portion of the wiring 306 is fixed to the second housing 24 in the following manner. That is, first, a wiring hole 24f is formed in the inner flange portion 24a of the second housing 24. This wiring hole 24f is formed, for example, in an elliptical shape so that wiring 306 formed of an FPC can be passed through. Also, the inner flange portion 24a is formed to be thicker on the outer periphery side of the wiring hole 24f than on the inner periphery side. In this embodiment, one wiring hole 24f is formed in the inner flange portion 24a, but a plurality of wiring holes 24f may be formed.

[0049] A wire 306 is passed through the wiring hole 24f. One end of the wire 306 is connected to the transducer 61, and the other end is adhesively fixed to the inner wall surface 24g of the second housing 24, that is, the inner wall surface (surface facing the image side) 24g of the inner flange portion 24a, with an adhesive. A part of the wire 306 is arranged along the inner wall surface 24g and adhesively fixed to the inner wall surface 24g. Furthermore, the wire 306 extends from the fixed position where the wire 306 is adhesively fixed to the drive circuit board 305 side, and is connected to the drive circuit board 305.

[0050] In this embodiment, a spacing portion 320 is provided that spaces the wiring 306 from the inner circumferential surface of the wiring hole 24f. Separation portion 320 is formed on the entrance inner peripheral surface (inner peripheral surface on the object side) and the exit inner peripheral surface (inner peripheral surface on the image side) of wiring hole 24f, and is composed of large diameter surfaces 320a, 320b that become larger in diameter toward the entrance side and the exit side. Large diameter surface 320a is composed of a R-chamfered portion formed at the entrance of wiring hole 24f, and large diameter surface 320b is composed of a R-chamfered portion formed at the exit of wiring hole 24f. The R chamfered portion is formed on one radial side of the wiring hole 24f, but if the inner flange portion 24a is formed to have the same thickness on the outer and inner sides of the wiring hole 24f, it may be formed on the other radial side of the wiring hole 24f. Furthermore, between the connection position with the transducer 61 and the fixed position with the inner wall surface 24g, the wiring 306 forms a semicircular portion 306R that is substantially semicircular in cross section and is formed in a convex shape toward the optical axis O side. Furthermore, the radius of curvature of the large diameter surfaces 320, 320 formed by the R-chamfered portion is smaller than the radius of curvature of the semicircular portion 306R. Therefore, the large diameter surface (separating portion) 320 separates the semicircular portion 306R of the wiring 306 from the inner peripheral surface of the wiring hole 24f.

[0051] 3, the wiring hole 24f provided in the second housing 24 may be formed in an arc shape coaxial with the optical axis O. The optical axis O passes through the center of the through hole 24c formed in the central portion of the second housing 24, and the wiring hole 24f is formed in an arc shape coaxial with the optical axis O. The circumferential length of this arc-shaped wiring hole 24f is set to a length such that, for example, in a plan view, the angle of a line segment connecting both ends of the wiring hole 24f in the circumferential direction and the center of the through hole 24c is, for example, 30° to 180°. Since the position of the wiring 306 (position in the direction orthogonal to the optical axis) may vary on a circle centered on the optical axis O, the size of the wiring hole 24f can be kept small by forming the wiring hole 24f in an arc shape coaxial with the optical axis O. In other words, since the position of the wiring 306 (position in the direction orthogonal to the optical axis) may vary on a circle centered on the optical axis O due to the vibration body 62 being rotationally symmetrical about the optical axis, the size of the wiring hole 24f can be kept small by forming the wiring hole 24f in an arc shape coaxial with the optical axis O, and the size of the wiring hole 24f can be kept small while the size of the wiring hole 24f can be kept small by forming the wiring hole 24f in an arc shape coaxial with the optical axis O. This makes it possible to easily assemble the lens unit 20.

[0052] Also, as shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of wiring holes 24f may be formed coaxially with the optical axis O at predetermined intervals. In a second example shown in Fig. 4(a), four elliptical wiring holes 24f are formed at regular intervals around the optical axis O, and in a third example shown in Fig. 4(b), eight elliptical wiring holes 24f are formed at regular intervals around the optical axis O. The number of wiring holes 24f is not limited to this. Moreover, instead of an elliptical shape, the wiring holes 24f may be formed in an arc shape coaxial with the optical axis O.

[0053] In this way, since a plurality of wiring holes 24f are formed at predetermined intervals around the same axis as the optical axis O, the wiring 306 can be passed through the wiring hole 24f without making the size of the wiring hole 24f larger than necessary, and the lens unit 20 can be easily assembled.

[0054] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, lens unit 20 is composed of first housing 23, first lens 31 held in first housing 23, lens barrel 22, lenses 32-36 held in lens barrel 22, lens holding section 50, vibration mechanism 60, second housing 24, drive circuit board 305 provided in second housing 24, wiring 306, etc. The lens unit 20 and a package sensor (imaging element; image sensor) 304 provided inside the second housing 24 constitute a camera module 300 of the present embodiment.

[0055] Package sensor 304 is disposed inside second housing 24 facing filter 99, and is disposed at a position where it receives an image of an object formed by lens unit 20. Package sensor 304 also includes a CCD, CMOS, or the like, and converts the light that is collected and reaches it through lens unit 20 into an electrical signal. The converted electrical signal is converted into analog data or digital data, which is a component of image data captured by the camera.

[0056] As described above, according to the first embodiment, the spacing portion 320 spaces the semicircular portion 306R of the wiring 306 from the inner surface of the wiring hole 24f, thereby preventing the wiring 306 from interfering with the inner surface of the wiring hole 24f, and also prevents the diameter of the wiring hole 24f from being increased, thereby preventing a decrease in strength of the second housing 24. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the generation of abnormal noise (ringing) and damage to the wiring caused by vibration of the wiring 306, and further to suppress adverse effects on the vibration characteristics of the vibration source 61. Even if the wiring 306 interferes with the wiring hole 24f, damage to the wiring 306 can be suppressed because the large diameter surface 320 is formed by the R-chamfered portion. The drive circuit board 305 may be separated from the lens unit 20, and may be held in a back case (not shown) together with the package sensor 304. Furthermore, the drive circuit board 305 may be arranged separately from the camera module 300 and outside, and a drive signal may be supplied to the transducer 61 via wiring 306 extended to the outside of the camera module 300.

[0057] Moreover, since the lens holding part 50 is joined to the first housing 23, the lens holding part 50 can be reliably attached to a predetermined position. Moreover, since the vibration mechanism 60 is disposed radially inward from the first housing 23 and radially outward from the lens barrel 22, the vibration mechanism 60 can be protected by the first housing 23, and since the lenses 32 to 36 disposed on the image side of the first lens 31 are held by the lens barrel 22, the vibration mechanism 60 does not interfere with the lenses 32 to 36.

[0058] Furthermore, since the inner surface 50a of the lens holding portion 50 abuts against the outer surface of the first lens 31, and the annular surface 50b of the lens holding portion 50 abuts against the bottom surface 31e facing the image side of the first lens 31, the first lens 31 can be easily and accurately positioned in the radial and axial directions (optical axis direction).

[0059] Second Embodiment 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a main part of a camera module including a lens unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and shows the configuration of the camera module other than the main part, which is the same as that of the first embodiment. The present embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the separation portion (large diameter surface) 320 is formed by a C-chamfered portion. Therefore, this point will be described below, and the same components as those in the first embodiment will be given the same reference symbols and their description may be omitted.

[0060] As shown in Fig. 5, similarly to the first embodiment, the separation portion 320 is formed on the entrance inner peripheral surface (inner peripheral surface on the object side) and the exit inner peripheral surface (inner peripheral surface on the image side) of the wiring hole 24f, and is constituted by large diameter surfaces 320c, 320d that have larger diameters toward the entrance side and the exit side. The large diameter surface 320c is constituted by a C-chamfered portion formed at the entrance of the wiring hole 24f, and the large diameter surface 320d is constituted by a C-chamfered portion formed at the exit of the wiring hole 24f. The C-chamfered portion is formed on one radial side of the wiring hole 24f, but may be formed on the other radial side of the wiring hole 24f when the inner flange portion 24a is formed to have the same thickness on the outer peripheral side and the inner peripheral side of the wiring hole 24f. Moreover, the C-chamfered portion is formed so that when the semicircular portion 306R of the wiring 306 is passed through the wiring hole 24f, the semicircular portion 306R does not come into contact with the C-chamfered portion.

[0061] According to this embodiment, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those of the first embodiment.

[0062] (Third embodiment) 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a main part of a camera module including a lens unit according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and shows the configuration of the camera module other than the main part, which is the same as that of the first embodiment. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the configuration of the separating portion, so this point will be described below, and the same configuration as in the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals and the description thereof may be omitted.

[0063] 6, in this embodiment, the separating portion 321 is provided in the second housing 24 and includes a reinforcing member 321a that protrudes radially inwardly of the wiring hole 24f. The wiring 306 extends from the tip of the reinforcing member 321a and passes through the wiring hole 24f. That is, the reinforcing member 321a is made of a resin such as polyimide and has a rectangular plate shape that is long in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis. Note that the material of the reinforcing member 321a is not limited to resin. Further, the reinforcing material 321 a has a predetermined thickness that is thicker than the wiring 306 formed by the FPC, and has a predetermined bending strength that is stronger than the wiring 306 . In this embodiment, the wiring hole 24f does not have an R-chamfered portion or a C-chamfered portion, and is formed in a straight shape.

[0064] The reinforcing member 321a is fixed to the inner wall surface 24g of the inner flange portion 24a of the second housing 24 by an adhesive, and in this state, the tip of the reinforcing member 321a protrudes inwardly of the wiring hole 24f in the radial direction (direction perpendicular to the optical axis). The middle of the wiring 306 extending from the drive circuit board 305 to the object side extends inwardly in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis along the lower surface (surface facing the image side) of the reinforcing member 321a, and is fixed to the lower surface of the reinforcing member 321a by an adhesive. The wiring 306 extends from the tip of the reinforcing member 321a and passes through the wiring hole 24f. The protruding length of the tip of the reinforcing member 321a is set appropriately, but is set to a protruding length such that the semicircular portion 306R of the wiring 306 passes through the center of the wiring hole 24f.

[0065] According to this embodiment, the reinforcing member 321a protrudes radially inward of the wiring hole 24f, and the wiring 306 extends from the tip of the reinforcing member 321a and passes through the wiring hole 24f, so that the wiring 306 can be prevented from interfering with the entrance side and exit side of the wiring hole 24f and the inner circumferential surface. In addition, the diameter of the wiring hole 24f is not increased, so that the strength of the second housing can be prevented from being reduced. Therefore, the generation of abnormal noise (ringing) and damage to the wiring caused by the vibration of the wiring 306 can be suppressed, and further, adverse effects on the vibration characteristics of the vibration source 61 can be suppressed.

[0066] (Fourth embodiment) Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 show a camera module equipped with a lens unit according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the main parts of the camera module, and Fig. 8 is a rear view of the second housing as viewed from the bottom side. Also, the configuration other than the main parts is configured in the same way as the third embodiment. The present embodiment differs from the third embodiment in the position of the wiring that is adhesively fixed to the reinforcing material, and so this point will be explained below. In some cases, the same components as in the third embodiment will be given the same symbols and their explanations will be omitted.

[0067] 7, in the present embodiment, similarly to the third embodiment, the separating portion 321 includes a reinforcing member 321a that is provided in the second housing 24 and protrudes radially inwardly of the wiring hole 24f. The wiring 306 extends from the tip of the reinforcing member 321a and passes through the wiring hole 24f.

[0068] In the third embodiment, the reinforcing material 321a was directly adhesively fixed to the inner wall surface 24g of the inner flange portion 24a of the second housing 24, but in this embodiment, the reinforcing material 321a is adhesively fixed to the inner wall surface 24g with the wiring 306 sandwiched therebetween. 8, the width of reinforcing material 321a is larger than the width of wiring 306, and protruding portions 321b, 321b of reinforcing material 321a protruding in the width direction beyond wiring 306 are adhesively fixed to inner wall surface 24g of second housing 24. Note that protruding portions 321b, 321b may be fixed to inner wall surface 24g by a fixing means such as a clip. Furthermore, the overlapping portion of wiring 306 with reinforcing material 321a may be adhesively fixed to inner wall surface 24g, but does not need to be adhesively fixed because protruding portions 321b, 321b of reinforcing material 321a are adhesively fixed to inner wall surface 24g.

[0069] According to this embodiment, in addition to obtaining the same effects as those of the third embodiment, since the protruding portions 321b, 321b of the reinforcing material 321a are adhesively fixed to the inner wall surface 24g of the second housing 24, the middle of the wiring 306 can be easily fixed to the second housing 24 by the reinforcing material 321a, thereby improving productivity.

[0070] Fifth embodiment 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a main part of a camera module including a lens unit according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, and the configuration other than the main part is the same as that of the third embodiment. The present embodiment differs from the third embodiment in the configuration of the reinforcing material that constitutes the separation portion, and so this point will be explained below. In some cases, the same components as those in the third embodiment will be given the same symbols and their explanations will be omitted.

[0071] 9, in this embodiment, the spaced portion 322 includes a pair of reinforcing members 322a and 322b. Similar to the reinforcing member 321a, the reinforcing members 322a and 322b are formed of a resin such as polyimide into a rectangular plate shape that is long in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis. The reinforcing member 322a is adhesively fixed to the inner wall surface 24g of the second housing 24, and the wiring 306 is fixed by being sandwiched between the reinforcing members 322a and 322b. The reinforcing member 322b is shorter in length than the reinforcing member 322a, but both ends of the reinforcing members 322a and 322b are aligned, and both ends protrude inwardly of the wiring hole 24f in the radial direction (direction perpendicular to the optical axis). The wiring 306 extending from the drive circuit board 305 to the object side is sandwiched midway between the reinforcing members 322a and 322b, and is fixed to the inner wall surface 24g via the reinforcing members 322a and 322b. The width of the reinforcing members 322a, 322b is greater than the width of the wiring 306, and the protruding portions of the reinforcing members 322a, 322b protruding in the width direction beyond the wiring 306 are bonded together with an adhesive, thereby fixing the wiring 306 to the reinforcing members 322a, 322b.

[0072] According to this embodiment, the wiring 306 is fixed by being sandwiched midway between the reinforcing members 322a and 322b, so that the wiring 306 can be firmly fixed and protected.

[0073] Sixth embodiment 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a main part of a camera module including a lens unit according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention, and the configuration other than the main part is the same as that of the first embodiment. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the configuration of the separating portion, so this point will be described below, and the same configuration as in the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals and the description thereof may be omitted.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 10, in this embodiment, the separation portion 323 includes a reinforcing material 323a attached to the wiring 306 between the connection position of the wiring 306 to the transducer 61 and the fixed position at which the wiring 306 is fixed to the second housing 24. The reinforcing material 323a is more rigid than the wiring 306 formed of the FPC, and is formed of a plate material having a certain thickness, such as polyurethane foam. The material of the reinforcing material 323a is not limited to polyurethane foam. The reinforcing material 323a is more rigid than the wiring 306, but has a degree of rigidity that allows it to be bent relatively easily.

[0075] The reinforcing material 323a is adhered by an adhesive to the entire back surface of the wiring 306 between the connection position of the wiring 306 to the vibrator 61 and a fixing position where the wiring 306 is fixed to the inner wall surface 24g of the second housing 24. Here, the back surface of the wiring 306 refers to the side that is not connected to the vibrator 61, assuming that the side of the wiring 306 that is connected to the vibrator 61 is the front surface. Since the front surface of the wiring 306 is connected to the vibrator 61, when the reinforcing material 323a is adhered to the front surface, it is adhered to the part excluding the connection portion with the vibrator 61. Furthermore, the reinforcing member 323a is formed in a generally J-shape in cross section between the connection position of the wiring 306 to the transducer 61 and the fixed position on the inner wall surface 24g of the second housing 24, and is capable of maintaining this shape. The semicircular portion 323b of the reinforcing member 323a passes through the approximate center of the wiring hole 24f. Furthermore, a portion (rear surface) of the reinforcing member 323a located inside the second housing 24 is adhesively fixed to the inner wall surface 24g.

[0076] The wiring 306 is affixed to the reinforcing material 323a with adhesive between a connection position to the vibrator 61 and a fixed position where it is fixed to the inner wall surface 24g of the second housing 24, and one end of the wiring 306 is connected to the vibrator 61 and the other end is connected to the drive circuit board 305. Since semicircular portion 323b of reinforcing member 323a is held in a state spaced apart from the inner circumferential surface of wiring hole 24f, semicircular portion 306R along semicircular portion 323b of wiring 306 is spaced apart from the inner circumferential surface of wiring hole 24f.

[0077] According to this embodiment, the spacing portion 323 is provided with a reinforcing material 323a having higher rigidity than the wiring 306 and attached to the wiring 306 between the connection position of the wiring 306 to the vibrator 61 and the fixed position where the wiring 306 is fixed to the inner wall surface 24g of the second housing 24. Since the reinforcing material 323a is spaced from the inner surface of the wiring hole 24f, the wiring 306 is spaced from the inner surface of the wiring hole 24f, thereby preventing the wiring 306 from interfering with the inner surface of the wiring hole 24f and preventing the diameter of the wiring hole 24f from being increased, thereby preventing a decrease in strength of the second housing 24. Furthermore, reinforcing member 323a is made of polyurethane foam or the like and has a relatively low rigidity, so that the vibration performance of vibrator 61 is not hindered.

[0078] Seventh embodiment 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a main part of a camera module including a lens unit according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention, and shows the configuration other than the main part in the same manner as in the first embodiment. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the configuration of the separating portion, so this point will be described below, and the same configuration as in the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals and the description thereof may be omitted.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 11, in this embodiment, the spaced portion 324 includes a reinforcing member 324a attached to the wiring 306 and having higher rigidity than the wiring 306. The reinforcing material 324a is more rigid than the wiring 306 formed of FPC, and is formed in a plate shape from a highly rigid resin such as FR-4. FR-4 is an abbreviation for Flame Retardant Type 4, and is made by impregnating epoxy resin into a woven glass fabric made of glass fibers woven into a cloth-like material, and is a material that combines flame retardancy and low electrical conductivity. The material of the reinforcing material 324a is not limited to FR-4. Any material may be used as long as the reinforcing material 324a is more rigid than the wiring 306 and has a high enough rigidity to maintain its shape.

[0080] The reinforcing member 324a is attached to the surface of the wiring 306 with an adhesive between the inner wall surface 24g of the second housing 24 and the wiring hole 24f. The reinforcing member 324a is formed in a generally J-shape in cross section, and one end of the reinforcing member 324a (the end closer to the wiring hole 24f) is located within the wiring hole 24f. In addition, the middle of the wiring 306 is attached to the inner wall surface 24g with an adhesive. One end of reinforcing material 324a is spaced apart from the inner periphery of wiring hole 24f in the radial direction, and this state is maintained. Since wiring 306 is attached to reinforcing material 324a, wiring 306 is spaced apart from the inner periphery of wiring hole 24f.

[0081] According to this embodiment, the reinforcing material 324a is radially spaced away from the inner surface of the wiring hole 24f in the wiring hole 24f, so that the wiring 306 is spaced away from the inner circumference of the wiring hole 24f, thereby preventing the wiring 306 from interfering with the inner surface of the wiring hole 24f and also preventing the diameter of the wiring hole 24f from being increased, thereby preventing a decrease in strength of the second housing. Furthermore, since the reinforcing material 324a is not attached to the connection portion where the wiring 306 is connected to the vibrator 61, the vibration of the vibrator 61 is prevented from being hindered by the reinforcing material 324a.

[0082] Eighth embodiment 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a main part of a camera module including a lens unit according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention, and shows the configuration other than the main part in the same manner as in the seventh embodiment. The present embodiment differs from the seventh embodiment in that the attachment position of the reinforcing material 324a has been changed. Therefore, this point will be explained below, and the same components as in the seventh embodiment may be given the same symbols and their explanations may be omitted.

[0083] 12, in this embodiment, the reinforcing material 324a is attached by an adhesive to the back surface of the wiring 306 between the inner wall surface 24g and the wiring hole 24f of the second housing 24. That is, the reinforcing material 324a is disposed between the wiring 306 and the inner wall surface 24g. The reinforcing member 324a is formed in a generally J-shape in cross section, and one end portion (the end portion closer to the wiring hole 24f) is located inside the wiring hole 24f. The reinforcing member 324a is attached to the inner wall surface 24g of the second housing 24 with an adhesive. One end of the reinforcing material 324a is spaced apart from the inner periphery of the wiring hole 24f in the radial direction, and this state is maintained. The wiring 306 is attached to the reinforcing material 324a with an adhesive. Since the wiring 306 is attached to the reinforcing material 324a, the wiring 306 is spaced apart from the inner periphery of the wiring hole 24f.

[0084] According to this embodiment, in addition to obtaining the same effects as those of the seventh embodiment, since the reinforcing material 324a is attached to the inner wall surface 24g of the second housing 24 and the wiring 306 is attached to this reinforcing material 324a, the reinforcing material 324a can insulate the wiring 306 from the second housing 24 made of metal.

[0085] Ninth embodiment 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a main part of a camera module including a lens unit according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention, and shows the configuration other than the main part, which is the same as that of the seventh and eighth embodiments. This embodiment differs from the seventh and eighth embodiments in that reinforcing material is attached to both sides of wiring 306, so this point will be explained below, and the same components as in the seventh and eighth embodiments may be given the same symbols and their explanations may be omitted.

[0086] 13, the present embodiment includes two reinforcing members 325a and 325b that configure the separation portion 325, and one of the reinforcing members 325a is attached by an adhesive to the back surface of the wiring 306 between the inner wall surface 24g and the wiring hole 24f of the second housing 24. In other words, the reinforcing member 324a is disposed between the wiring 306 and the inner wall surface 24g. The other reinforcing member 325b is attached with an adhesive to the surface of the wiring 306 between the position facing the inner wall surface 24g of the second housing 24 and the wiring hole 24f.

[0087] The reinforcing members 325a and 325b, like the reinforcing member 324a, have higher rigidity than the wiring 306 formed of the FPC, and are formed in a plate shape from a highly rigid resin such as FR-4. The reinforcing members 325a and 325b are formed in a generally J-shape in cross section, and one end portion (the end portion closer to the wiring hole 24f) is aligned and positioned within the wiring hole 24f. The reinforcing member 325a is attached to the inner wall surface 24g of the second housing 24 with an adhesive. One end of the reinforcing members 325a, 325b is spaced from the inner periphery of the wiring hole 24f in the radial direction and maintained in this state. In such a state that the wiring 306 is sandwiched between the reinforcing members 325a, 325b, the wiring 306 is attached to the reinforcing members 325a, 325b with an adhesive. Since the wiring 306 is attached to the reinforcing members 325a, 325b, the wiring 306 is spaced from the inner periphery of the wiring hole 24f.

[0088] According to this embodiment, in addition to obtaining the same effects as those of the seventh and eighth embodiments, since the middle of the wiring 306 is sandwiched and attached between the reinforcing members 325a, 325b, the wiring 306 can be firmly fixed and protected.

[0089] FIG. 14 shows a vehicle 240 as a moving body on which an in-vehicle system (imaging system) including an imaging device 250 including the camera module 300 shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 7, FIG. 9, FIG. 10, FIG. 11, FIG. 12, or FIG. 13 is mounted. As shown in the figure, the imaging device 250 can be mounted on the vehicle 240, and FIG. 14 shows an example of an arrangement illustrating the mounting position of the imaging device 250 on the vehicle 240. The imaging device 250 mounted on the vehicle 240 can also be called an in-vehicle camera, and can be installed in various places on the vehicle 240. For example, the first imaging device 250a may be disposed on or near the front bumper as a camera that monitors the front when the vehicle 240 is traveling. Also, the second imaging device 250b that monitors the front may be disposed near the room mirror (inner rearview mirror) in the cabin of the vehicle 240. The third imaging device 250c may be disposed on the dashboard or in the instrument panel as a camera for monitoring the driving status of the driver. The fourth imaging device 250d may be installed at the rear of the vehicle 240 for rear monitoring of the vehicle 240. The imaging devices 250a and 250b may be called front cameras. The third imaging device 250c may be called an in-camera. The fourth imaging device 250d may be called a rear camera. The imaging device 250 is not limited to these, and may include imaging devices installed at various positions, such as a left side camera that images the left rear side and a right side camera that images the right rear side.

[0090] An image signal of an image captured by the imaging device 250 may be output to an information processing device 242 and / or a display device 243 in the vehicle 240. The information processing device 242 and the display device 243, together with the imaging device 250, constitute an in-vehicle system. The information processing device 242 in the vehicle 240 includes a device that processes an image signal acquired by the imaging device 250, recognizes the image, and assists the driver in driving. The information processing device 242 includes, but is not limited to, a navigation device, a collision damage mitigation brake device, a vehicle distance control device, and a lane departure warning device. The display device 243 displays an image processed and output by the information processing device 242, but can also receive an image signal directly from the imaging device 250. The display device 243 may employ, but is not limited to, a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, and an inorganic EL display. The display device 243 can display to the driver (can output information to passengers) an image signal output from an imaging device 250 that captures an image from a position that is difficult for the driver to view, such as a rear camera.

[0091] Fig. 15 shows the configuration of an imaging device constituting the in-vehicle system shown in Fig. 14. As shown in the figure, an imaging device 250 according to the embodiment includes a control unit 252, a storage unit 254, and the camera module 300 shown in Fig. 1 described above.

[0092] The control unit 252 controls the camera module 300 and processes an electrical signal output from the image sensor 304 of the camera module 300. The control unit 252 may be configured as a processor, for example. The control unit 252 may include one or more processors. The processor may include a general-purpose processor that loads a specific program to execute a specific function, and a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process. The dedicated processor may include an application-specific integrated circuit (IC). The application-specific IC may be an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The processor may include a programmable logic device, which is also called a programmable logic device (PLD). A PLD is a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). The control unit 252 may be either a System-on-a-Chip (SoC) or a System In a Package (SiP) in which one or more processors work together.

[0093] The storage unit 254 stores various information or parameters related to the operation of the imaging device 250. The storage unit 254 may be composed of, for example, a semiconductor memory or the like. The storage unit 254 may function as a work memory for the control unit 252. The storage unit 254 may store captured images. The storage unit 254 may store various parameters and the like for the control unit 252 to perform detection processing based on the captured images. The storage unit 254 may be included in the control unit 252.

[0094] As described above, the camera module 300 captures an image of a subject formed via the lens unit 20 with the image sensor 304, and outputs the captured image. The image captured by the camera module 300 is also called a captured image.

[0095] The image sensor 304 may be configured, for example, as a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor or a charge coupled device (CCD). The image sensor 304 has an imaging surface on which a plurality of pixels are arranged. Each pixel outputs a signal specified by a current or voltage according to the amount of incident light. The signal output by each pixel is also referred to as imaging data.

[0096] The imaging data may be read by the camera module 300 for all pixels and taken into the control unit 252 as a captured image. The captured image read out for all pixels is also referred to as a maximum captured image. The imaging data may be read by the camera module 300 for some pixels and taken into the control unit 252 as a captured image. In other words, the imaging data may be read out from pixels in a predetermined capture range. The imaging data read out from pixels in the predetermined capture range may be taken into the capture image. The predetermined capture range may be set by the control unit 252. The camera module 300 may obtain the predetermined capture range from the control unit 252. The imaging element 304 may capture an image of a predetermined capture range of a subject image formed through the lens unit 20.

[0097] The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and can be modified in various ways without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the shapes of the lens, the housing, the lens barrel, etc. are not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment. Furthermore, the above-mentioned embodiments may be combined in part or in whole, or a part of the configuration may be omitted from one of the above-mentioned embodiments, without departing from the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0098] 20 Lens unit 22 Telescope tube 23 1st cabinet 24 2nd cabinet (cabinet) 24f Wiring hole 31 First lens 60 Vibration mechanism 61 Piezoelectric element (vibrator) 240 Vehicles (mobile) 242 Information processing equipment (processing equipment) 243 Display device 250 Imaging Device 252 Control section 300 Camera Module 304 Image sensor 305 Drive circuit board 306 Wiring 320,321,322,323,324,325 Separation part 320a, 320b, 320c, 320d Large diameter surface 321a,322a,322b,323a,324a,325a,325b Reinforcement material

Claims

1. A lens unit including a lens group in which a plurality of lenses are arranged along the optical axes of the lenses, and a vibration mechanism having a vibration source that vibrates a first lens that is located closest to an object among the plurality of lenses, a first housing in which the first lens is provided, a lens barrel in which a lens located closer to the image side than the first lens is provided and which is provided radially inward from the first housing, a second housing which is disposed closer to the image side than the first housing and which fits into the first housing, the vibration mechanism which is provided between the first housing and the lens barrel, and wiring for applying a drive signal to the vibration source, The second housing is provided with a wiring hole through which the wiring passes, The wiring is passed through the wiring hole, A lens unit comprising: a spacing portion that spaces the wiring from an inner peripheral surface of the wiring hole.

2. 2. The lens unit according to claim 1, wherein the second housing is provided with a drive circuit board for applying a drive signal to the vibration source via the wiring, and the drive circuit board and the vibration source are connected by the wiring.

3. 2. The lens unit according to claim 1, wherein the separation portion is formed on an inner peripheral surface of an entrance and an inner peripheral surface of an exit of the wiring hole, and is configured by a large-diameter surface having a larger diameter toward the entrance side and the exit side.

4. The lens unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the separation portion comprises a reinforcing material provided on the second housing and protruding radially inwardly into the wiring hole, and the wiring extends from a tip of the reinforcing material and passes through the wiring hole.

5. 5. The lens unit according to claim 4, wherein the width of the reinforcing material is greater than the width of the wiring, and a protruding portion of the reinforcing material protruding in the width direction beyond the wiring is fixed to the second housing.

6. The lens unit according to claim 4 , wherein the spaced portion includes a pair of reinforcing members, and the wiring is sandwiched between the reinforcing members.

7. the separation portion includes a reinforcing material having higher rigidity than the wiring and attached to the wiring between a connection position of the wiring to the vibration source and a fixing position at which the wiring is fixed to the second housing, 2. The lens unit according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing member is spaced apart from an inner peripheral surface of the wiring hole, thereby spacing the wiring apart from the inner peripheral surface of the wiring hole.

8. the separation portion includes a reinforcing material attached to the wiring and having higher rigidity than the wiring, the reinforcing material is attached to the wiring between the inner wall surface of the second housing and the wiring hole or the vicinity of the wiring hole; The lens unit according to claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing material is spaced radially from an inner surface of the wiring hole at or near the wiring hole, thereby spacing the wiring from the inner circumference of the wiring hole.

9. 9. A camera module comprising: a lens unit according to claim 1; and an image sensor that converts light focused through the lens group of the lens unit into an electrical signal.

10. an imaging device comprising: a camera module according to claim 9; and a control unit that controls the camera module and processes an electrical signal output from an imaging element of the camera module; a processing device that processes an image signal acquired by the imaging device; a display device that displays an image that has been processed and output by the processing device; An imaging system comprising:

11. A vehicle equipped with the imaging system according to claim 10, wherein information is output to a passenger by the display device.

Images