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

Abstract

To provide a lens unit, a camera module, an imaging system, and a mobile body in which a lens can be fixed to a lens barrel with certainty.SOLUTION: The lens unit includes: a plurality of lenses 13 to 18 arranged along an optical axis; and a lens barrel 12 for storing and holding the lenses. At least one lens 18 of the lenses is an attachment lens 18 attached to the inner circumferential surface of the lens barrel 12 by an adhesive g. There is provided a protruding part 31 protruding from the inner circumferential surface of the lens barrel 12 to the inside in the radial direction, in a site of the inner circumferential surface which faces the attachment lens 18 in the radial direction, and the attachment lens 18 is attached to the protruding part 31.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention particularly 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] In such a lens unit, for example, as shown in FIG. 15, if the lens 101 located closest to the image among the multiple lenses provided in the lens barrel 100 is a resin lens 101, a radial gap S1 may be provided between the lens barrel 100 and the lens 101 in order to suppress deformation of the lens 101 due to the difference in thermal expansion between the lens 101 and the lens barrel 100. Furthermore, in order to prevent moisture from entering the inside of the lens barrel through a gap S1 between the lens barrel 100 and the lens 101, the lens 101 and the lens barrel 100 may be sealed together with an adhesive g. Note that hatching has been omitted for the lens 101 and the other lenses 102 to 104 in FIG. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-231993 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Incidentally, the amount of gap between the lens 101 and the lens barrel 100 is set so as not to cause interference during thermal expansion. However, if the amount of gap is large, it is difficult to fill the gap S1 between the lens 101 and the lens barrel 100 with adhesive, and there is a risk of a decrease in sealing performance. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 16, when the inner peripheral surface of the lens barrel 101 is formed into a polygonal cross-sectional shape, the amount of gap S2 between the lens 101 and the lens barrel 100 becomes large, making it difficult to fill the gap S2 with adhesive, and there is a risk of reduced sealing performance.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a lens unit, a camera module, an imaging system, and a moving body that enable a lens to be reliably adhesively fixed to a lens barrel with an adhesive. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, a lens unit of the present invention comprises a plurality of lenses arranged along an optical axis and a lens barrel that houses and holds the plurality of lenses, and at least one of the plurality of lenses is an adhesive lens that is adhered to an inner peripheral surface of the lens barrel with an adhesive, a protrusion protruding radially inward from an inner circumferential surface of the lens barrel at a portion radially opposed to the adhesive lens, The adhesive lens is bonded to the protruding portion.

[0008] In the present invention, a protrusion protruding radially inward from the inner circumferential surface of the lens barrel is provided at a portion of the inner circumferential surface facing the bonded lens in the radial direction, so that the gap between this protrusion and the bonded lens is smaller than the gap between the inner circumferential surface of the lens barrel and the bonded lens. Therefore, the gap between the bonded lens and the protrusion can be easily filled with adhesive, so that the bonded lens can be reliably bonded and fixed to the lens barrel with the adhesive.

[0009] In the above-mentioned configuration of the present invention, a polygonal portion having a substantially polygonal cross section is provided on an inner peripheral surface of the lens barrel, In a cross-sectional view, if a circle inscribed in the polygonal portion is defined as a virtual circle, In a cross-sectional view, the protrusion may be provided between the imaginary circle and the polygonal portion.

[0010] According to this configuration, in a cross-sectional view, a protrusion is provided between the imaginary circle and the polygonal portion, so that the gap between the adhesive lens and the protrusion can be easily filled with adhesive, and therefore the adhesive lens can be reliably adhered and fixed to the lens barrel with the adhesive.

[0011] In the above-mentioned configuration of the present invention, a polygonal portion having a substantially polygonal cross section is provided on an inner peripheral surface of the lens barrel, The polygonal portion may be provided with the protrusion.

[0012] According to this configuration, since a protrusion is provided on the polygonal portion, the gap between the adhesive lens and the protrusion can be easily filled with adhesive, and therefore the adhesive lens can be reliably adhered and fixed to the lens barrel by the adhesive.

[0013] In the above-mentioned configuration of the present invention, the adhesive lens may have a straight section that is straight in cross section on an outer periphery, and the protrusion may be provided on an inner periphery of the lens barrel that faces the straight section in the radial direction.

[0014] According to this configuration, since the protrusion is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the lens barrel that faces the straight portion of the adhesive lens in the radial direction, the gap between the straight portion of the adhesive lens and the protrusion can be made smaller than the gap between the arc-shaped portion of the adhesive lens and the inner peripheral surface of the lens barrel. Therefore, the gap between the straight portion of the adhesive lens and the protrusion can be easily filled with adhesive, and the adhesive lens can be reliably bonded to the lens barrel with adhesive.

[0015] 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

[0016] According to the present invention, the lens can be reliably bonded and fixed to the lens barrel with an adhesive. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a lens unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a main part taken along a cross section parallel to the optical axis of the optical disc according to the first embodiment; [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a main part taken along a cross section perpendicular to the optical axis of the optical fiber. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a lens barrel according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a main part taken along a cross section perpendicular to the optical axis of the optical fiber. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a lens barrel according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a main part taken along a cross section perpendicular to the optical axis of the optical fiber. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a lens barrel according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a main part taken along a cross section perpendicular to the optical axis of the optical fiber. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a modified example of the lens barrel of the first embodiment. [Figure 12] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13]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 14] 14 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an imaging device that constitutes the imaging system shown in FIG. 13. [Figure 15] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of an example of a conventional lens unit, taken along a cross section parallel to the optical axis. [Figure 16] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of an example of a conventional lens unit, taken along a line perpendicular to the optical axis. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. This embodiment can realize a highly reliable system, particularly in a sensing system, and contributes to the development of resilient infrastructure, and 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." The lens unit of the present embodiment described below is particularly intended for use as a camera module for an in-vehicle camera, and is fixedly installed on the outer surface of an automobile, with wiring drawn into the automobile and connected to a display or other device. Hatching is omitted for multiple lenses and spacers in Figures 1, 2, and 12.

[0019] (First embodiment) 1 shows a lens unit 11 according to a first embodiment. This lens unit 11 is for, for example, an in-vehicle camera, and is installed on the outside of the automobile with at least the object-side end (the upper end in FIG. 1) of the lens unit 11 exposed.

[0020] Lens unit 11 includes a cylindrical lens barrel 12, multiple (e.g., six) lenses 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18 arranged inside lens barrel 12, three aperture members 20, 21, and 22, and one annular spacer 24. An in-vehicle camera including this lens unit 11 includes lens unit 11, a board having an image sensor (not shown), and an installation member (not shown) for installing the board on a vehicle such as an automobile. Furthermore, first lens 13 located closest to the object side is a glass lens, and lenses 14 to 18 are plastic lenses, but are not limited to this (for example, lens 13 may be a plastic lens). Furthermore, on the surfaces of the lenses 13 to 18, an anti-reflection film, a hydrophilic film, a water-repellent film, or the like is provided as necessary.

[0021] The multiple lenses 13-18 fixed to and supported by the lens barrel 12 are arranged with their respective optical axes aligned, and the lenses 13-18 are lined up along a single optical axis O to form a single lens group L used for imaging. Moreover, the lens 16 and the lens 17 are bonded together with an adhesive to form a cemented lens.

[0022] Of the three diaphragm members 20, 21, 22, the first diaphragm member 20 from the object side (one end of the lens barrel 12) is disposed between the second lens 14, which is the second from the object side, and the spacer 24. The second diaphragm member 21 from the object side is disposed between the spacer 24 and the fourth lens 16 from the object side. The third diaphragm member 22 from the object side is disposed between the fifth lens 17 and the sixth lens 18 from the object side. The diaphragm members 20, 21, and 22 are either "aperture diaphragms" that limit the amount of transmitted light and determine the F-number, which is an index of brightness, or "light blocking diaphragms" that block light rays that cause ghosts and light rays that cause aberrations.

[0023] Furthermore, an O-ring 26 serving as a seal member is interposed between the first lens 13 located closest to the object and the lens barrel 12 to prevent water and dust from entering the lens group L inside the lens barrel 12. In this case, a stepped reduced diameter portion 13b having a smaller diameter at the image side portion of the lens 13 is provided on the outer circumferential surface 13a of the lens 13, and an O-ring 26 is attached to this reduced diameter portion 13b, and the O-ring 26 is compressed in the radial direction between the outer circumferential surface 13a of the lens 13 and the inner circumferential surface of the lens barrel 12, thereby sealing the object side end of the lens barrel 12. The sealing member interposed between the lens 13 and the barrel 12 is not limited to the O-ring 26, but may be in any form as long as it is an annular body that can seal between the lens 13 and the barrel 12.

[0024] In addition, in the state where the lens group L is assembled and housed in the inner housing space of the lens barrel 12, the crimping portion 23 at the object side end (upper end in FIG. 1) of the lens barrel 12 is thermally crimped radially inward, thereby fixing the lens 13 located closest to the object side of the lens group L to the object side end of the lens barrel 12 in the optical axis direction by the crimping portion 23. In this case, in order to perform stable crimping, the part of the glass lens 13 to which the crimping portion 23 is pressed is formed as a flat portion 13c that is cut obliquely in a planar shape. Note that the means for fixing the first lens 13 to the object side end of the lens barrel 12 in the optical axis direction is not limited to the crimping portion 23. For example, when the lens barrel 12 is made of metal, the first lens 13 may be fixed to the object side end of the lens barrel 12 in the optical axis direction by a cap that is screwed onto the object side end of the lens barrel 12.

[0025] Further, an inner flange portion 25 is provided at the image side end (the lower end in FIG. 1) of lens barrel 12, which has an opening with a diameter smaller than that of lens 18 located closest to the image side of lens group L. A plurality of lenses 13-18 constituting lens group L, aperture members 20, 21, 22, and spacer 24 are held and fixed in the optical axis direction within lens barrel 12 by this inner flange portion 25 and crimped portion 23.

[0026] In this embodiment, the lens 18 located closest to the image side (the lower side in FIGS. 1 and 2) is an adhesive lens 18, and this adhesive lens 18 is adhered to the inner circumferential surface of the lens barrel 12 with adhesive g. 3 and 4, the inner peripheral surface of the lens barrel 12 is provided with a polygonal section 30 having a substantially polygonal cross section in a cross section perpendicular to the optical axis O. The portion of the lens barrel 12 where the lens 13 closest to the object (upper side) is attached is a cylindrical surface section 28 formed into a cylindrical surface, and the polygonal section 30 is provided below the cylindrical surface section 28 up to the lower end (image side end) of the lens barrel 12. The polygonal section 30 is formed into a regular polygon having a cross section of, for example, a quadrilateral to icosagonal cross section, but may also be a regular polygon having 21 or more sides, or may not be a regular polygon.

[0027] The polygonal portion 30 has a plurality of straight line portions 30a having a straight cross section, and these straight line portions 30a are adjacent to each other at equal angles in the circumferential direction. A plurality of protrusions 31 protruding radially inward from the inner peripheral surface 30A are provided adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction at a portion of the inner peripheral surface 30A of the polygonal portion 30 formed by the plurality of straight line portions 30a, which faces the adhesive lens 18 in the radial direction.

[0028] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, in a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the optical axis, a circle inscribed in the inner peripheral surface 30A of the polygonal portion 30 is defined as a virtual circle K, and the space between the virtual circle K and the inner peripheral surface 30A of the polygonal portion 30 is defined as a clearance portion. The protrusion 31 is formed in a substantially triangular cross section, but the long side is formed in an arc shape centered on the optical axis O. By providing such a protrusion 31, the gap between the bonded lens 18 and the inner peripheral surface of the lens barrel 12 is locally narrowed. The protrusion 31 is provided integrally with the lens barrel 12 when the lens barrel 12 is molded, but may be provided separately. When the protrusion 31 is provided integrally with the lens barrel 12, the protrusion 31 is set to a protrusion amount that does not cause an obstacle during molding. 2, the protrusion 31 is formed in an arc-shaped cross section in a cross section parallel to the optical axis O, and is continuous in the circumferential direction. The upper part of the protrusion 31 is located slightly above (on the object side) the flange part 18a of the adhesive lens 18, and the lower part is located below (on the image side) the upper surface of the flange part 18a.

[0029] The bonded lens 18 is bonded to the protruding portion 31 with an adhesive g. That is, as shown in Fig. 2, the adhesive g is applied and filled from the upper surface of the flange portion 18a of the bonded lens 18 to the upper portion of the side surface, and in this state, the adhesive g is in close contact with the lower portion of the protruding portion 31 and the upper portion of the inner peripheral surface 30A. Also, as shown in Fig. 4, the adhesive g is continuous in an annular shape on the outer peripheral side of the bonded lens 18. Examples of the adhesive g include an acrylic adhesive, an epoxy adhesive, and an olefin adhesive.

[0030] Therefore, according to this embodiment, the protrusion 31 protruding radially inward from the inner circumferential surface 30A is provided in the relief portion between the imaginary circle K and the polygonal portion 30 at a portion of the inner circumferential surface 30A of the polygonal portion 30 of the lens barrel 12 that faces the adhesive lens 18 in the radial direction, so that the gap S2 between this protrusion 31 and the adhesive lens 18 is smaller than the maximum gap S1 between the inner circumferential surface 30A of the polygonal portion 30 of the lens barrel 12 and the adhesive lens 18. Therefore, the gap S2 between the adhesive lens 18 and the protrusion 31 can be easily filled with adhesive g, so that the adhesive lens 18 can be reliably bonded and fixed to the lens barrel 12 by the adhesive.

[0031] Second embodiment Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 show the second embodiment, where Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the lens barrel and Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the main parts. Note that the same components as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and their explanation may be omitted.

[0032] In this embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the inner circumferential surface of the lens barrel 12 is provided with a polygonal portion 30 having a generally polygonal cross section in a cross section perpendicular to the optical axis O. The polygonal portion 30 has a plurality of straight line portions 30a having a straight cross section, and these straight line portions 30a are adjacent to each other at equal angles in the circumferential direction. In the first embodiment, the protrusions 31 are provided in the clearance between the imaginary circle K and the inner circumferential surface 30A of the polygonal portion 30, but in this embodiment, the protrusions 32 protruding radially inward from the inner circumferential surface 30A are provided continuously in the circumferential direction at the portion of the inner circumferential surface 30A of the polygonal portion 30 that faces the adhesive lens 18 in the radial direction. In other words, in this embodiment, the protrusions 32 protruding radially inward and protruding inward from the imaginary circle K are provided continuously in the circumferential direction on the inner circumferential surface 30A including the clearance.

[0033] 6, the protruding portion 32 is formed in an annular shape with a polygonal outer periphery and a circular inner periphery in a cross-sectional view. The protruding portion 32 protrudes more from the inner periphery 30A of the polygonal portion 30 than the protruding portion 31 in the first embodiment. The bonded lens 18 is bonded to the protruding portion 32 by the adhesive g in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

[0034] According to this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the polygonal portion 30 is provided with the protrusion 32, so that the gap between the adhesive lens 18 and the protrusion 32 can be easily filled with adhesive g, and therefore the adhesive lens 18 can be reliably adhered and fixed to the lens barrel 12 by the adhesive g. Furthermore, since the protruding portion 32 protrudes from the inner circumferential surface 30A by a larger amount than the protruding portion 31 in the first embodiment, the amount of adhesive g can be reduced compared to the first embodiment.

[0035] (Third embodiment) Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 show the third embodiment, where Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the lens barrel and Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the main parts. Note that the same components as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and their explanation may be omitted.

[0036] In this embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, the lower part of the inner circumferential surface of the lens barrel 12 is not polygonal in a cross section perpendicular to the optical axis O, but is a cylindrical surface-shaped portion 35. A polygonal portion 40 having a substantially polygonal cross section is provided between this cylindrical surface-shaped portion 35 and the cylindrical surface-shaped portion 28. This polygonal portion 40 has the same cross-sectional shape (cross-sectional shape in a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the optical axis O) as the polygonal portion 30 of the first embodiment, but the length in the optical axis direction is shorter by the amount of the cylindrical surface-shaped portion 35.

[0037] A protruding portion 33 protruding radially inward from the inner circumferential surface 35A is provided continuously in the circumferential direction at a portion of the inner circumferential surface 35A of the cylindrical surface portion 35 that faces the adhesive lens 18 in the radial direction. The protruding portion 33 is formed in an annular shape in a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view perpendicular to the optical axis O). The adhesive lens 18 is adhered to the protruding portion 33 with an adhesive g in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

[0038] According to this embodiment, since the protrusion 33 is provided on the cylindrical surface portion 35, the gap between this protrusion 33 and the adhesive lens 18 is smaller than the gap between the adhesive lens 18 and the inner circumferential surface 35A of the cylindrical surface portion 35 of the lens barrel 12. Therefore, the gap between the adhesive lens 18 and the protrusion 33 can be easily filled with adhesive, so that the adhesive lens 18 can be reliably bonded and fixed to the lens barrel 12 by the adhesive g.

[0039] (Fourth embodiment) Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 show the fourth embodiment, where Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the lens barrel and Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the main parts. Note that the same components as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and their explanation may be omitted.

[0040] In this embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, the bonded lens 18 is a D-cut lens having a straight line portion 18d having a straight cross section on the outer periphery. When the bonded lens 18 is a D-cut lens, the gap between the straight line portion 18d and the inner periphery of the lens barrel 12 is larger than the gap between the arc-shaped portion 18b of the bonded lens 18 and the inner periphery of the lens barrel 12. This makes it difficult to fill the gap between the straight portion 18d and the inner circumferential surface of the lens barrel 12 with adhesive.

[0041] In this embodiment, when a cylindrical surface portion 35 having a cylindrical surface shape is provided at the lower part of the inner peripheral surface of the lens barrel 12 in a cross section perpendicular to the optical axis O, as in the third embodiment, a protrusion 34 is provided at a portion of the inner peripheral surface 35A of the cylindrical surface portion 35 that faces the straight line portion 18d of the bonded lens 18 in the radial direction. The protrusion 34 is formed in an arc plate shape in a cross section (cross section perpendicular to the optical axis O), and is provided on the inner peripheral surface 35A so that the straight line portion 34d is parallel to the straight line portion 18d of the bonded lens 18. The protrusion 34 may be formed integrally with the lens barrel 12 or may be formed separately. The adhesive lens 18 has the straight portion 18d adhered to the protruding portion 34 with adhesive g, and the arc-shaped portion 18b adhered to the inner circumferential surface 35A with adhesive g.

[0042] According to this embodiment, since the protrusion 34 is provided on the inner circumferential surface 35A of the cylindrical surface portion 35 of the lens barrel 12 that faces the straight line portion 18d of the bonded lens 18 in the radial direction, the gap between the straight line portion 18d of the bonded lens 18 and the protrusion 34 can be made smaller than the gap between the arcuate portion 18b of the bonded lens 18 and the inner circumferential surface 35A. Therefore, the gap between the straight line portion 18d of the bonded lens 18 and the protrusion 34 can be easily filled with adhesive, and therefore the bonded lens can be reliably bonded and fixed to the lens barrel 12 by the adhesive g.

[0043] In this embodiment, a case has been described in which a protrusion 34 is provided on the inner surface 35A of the cylindrical surface portion 35 of the lens barrel 12. However, for example, as in a modified example shown in Figure 11, when a polygonal portion 30 having an approximately polygonal cross section in a cross section perpendicular to the optical axis O is provided on the inner surface of the lens barrel 12, a protrusion 34 may be provided on the inner surface 30A of this polygonal portion 30.

[0044] 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a camera module 300 of this embodiment having the lens unit 11 configured as described above. As shown in the figure, the camera module 300 includes an upper case (camera case) 301, which is an exterior component, and a mount (base) 302 that holds the lens unit 11. The camera module 300 also includes a seal member 303 and a package sensor (imaging element; image sensor) 304.

[0045] Upper case 301 is a member that engages with flange portion 25 that is provided like a brim on the outer circumferential surface of lens barrel 12, and that exposes the object side end of lens unit 11 and covers the other portions. Mount 302 is disposed inside upper case 301, and has female threads 302a that screw into male threads 11a of lens unit 11. Sealing member 303 is a member that is interposed between the inner surface of upper case 301 and the outer circumferential surface of lens barrel 12 of lens unit 11, and is a member that maintains airtightness inside upper case 301.

[0046] The package sensor 304 is disposed inside the mount 302 facing the infrared cut filter 99, and is disposed at a position where it receives an image of an object formed by the lens unit 11. The package sensor 304 is also a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) Coupled Device) and CMOS(Complementary Device) The lens unit 11 is equipped with a photodiode (photodiode) and a photodiode (photodiode) that converts the light that is collected through the lens unit 11 and reaches the photodiode into an electrical signal. The electrical signal is then converted into analog data or digital data, which is a component of the image data captured by the camera.

[0047] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle 240 as a moving body on which an in-vehicle system (imaging system) equipped with an imaging device 250 including the camera module 300 shown in FIG. 12 is mounted. As shown in the figure, the imaging device 250 can be mounted on the vehicle 240, and FIG. 13 is 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. The second imaging device 250b that monitors the front may be disposed near the room mirror (inner rearview mirror) in the vehicle cabin of the vehicle 240. The third imaging device 250c may be disposed on the dashboard or in the instrument panel as a camera that monitors the driving situation 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.

[0048] 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.

[0049] Fig. 14 shows the configuration of an imaging device constituting the in-vehicle system shown in Fig. 13. 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. 12 described above.

[0050] 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.

[0051] 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.

[0052] As described above, the camera module 300 captures an object image formed via the lens unit 11 with the image sensor 304, and outputs the captured image. The image captured by the camera module 300 is also called a captured image.

[0053] The image sensor 304 may be, for example, a CMOS image sensor or a CCD. The image sensor 304 has an image sensing 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 called imaging data.

[0054] 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 control unit 252 as a captured 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 11.

[0055] 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 lenses, lens barrels, 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]

[0056] 11 Lens unit 12 Telescope tube 18 Adhesive Lens 30,40 Polygonal part 30A inner surface 31,32,33,34 Protrusion 34d straight section g. Adhesive K Virtual circle 300 Camera Module L lens group O optical axis

Claims

1. A lens unit comprising a plurality of lenses arranged along an optical axis and a lens barrel that houses and holds the plurality of lenses, at least one of the plurality of lenses being an adhesive lens that is adhered to an inner peripheral surface of the lens barrel by an adhesive, a protrusion protruding radially inward from an inner circumferential surface of the lens barrel at a portion radially opposed to the adhesive lens, The lens unit is characterized in that the adhesive lens is adhered to the protruding portion.

2. a polygonal portion having a substantially polygonal cross section is provided on an inner peripheral surface of the lens barrel, In a cross-sectional view, if a circle inscribed in the polygonal portion is defined as a virtual circle, The lens unit according to claim 1 , wherein, in a cross-sectional view, the protrusion is provided between the imaginary circle and the polygonal portion.

3. a polygonal portion having a substantially polygonal cross section is provided on an inner peripheral surface of the lens barrel, The lens unit according to claim 1 , wherein the polygonal portion is provided with the protrusion.

4. 2. The lens unit according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive lens has a straight portion having a straight cross section on an outer periphery thereof, and the protrusion is provided on an inner periphery of the lens barrel radially opposed to the straight portion.

5. A camera module comprising: a lens unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4; and an image sensor that converts light collected through a lens group having the plurality of lenses of the lens unit into an electrical signal.

6. an imaging device comprising: the camera module according to claim 5; and a control unit that controls the camera module and processes an electrical signal output from the 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:

7. 7. A vehicle equipped with the imaging system according to claim 6, wherein information is output to a passenger by the display device.

Images