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

Abstract

To provide a lens unit in which a heater can withstand a pressure when caulking a first lens and which can prevent an O ring from being shifted to an image side and to provide a camera module, an imaging system, and a moving body.SOLUTION: A lens unit includes a plurality of lenses which is arranged along an optical axis, a lens barrel 12 which stores and holds the plurality of lenses, a first lens 13 which is located closest to the object side, a second lens 24 which is adjacent to the first lens 13 in an optical axis direction, a heater 40 which is provided between the first lens and the second lens and can heat the first lens, and a heater unit 50 which stores the heater 40. The heater 40 is inserted between the first lens 13 and the second lens 14, in the state of being stored in the heater unit 50.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

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] In recent years, automobiles have been equipped with on-board cameras to support parking and prevent collisions through image recognition, and attempts are also being made to apply them to autonomous driving. In addition, the camera module of such on-board cameras generally includes a lens unit having a lens group consisting of multiple lenses arranged along an optical axis, a lens barrel that houses and holds the lens group, and an aperture member that is arranged between at least one of the lenses in the lens group (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0003] The lens unit (camera module) having the above-mentioned configuration can be used not only in vehicle-mounted cameras but also in various optical devices. In particular, when exposed to the external environment in cold regions, freezing of the lens surface and snow accumulation on the lens are expected, so that such a lens unit is generally provided with a snow melting function. Specifically, such a lens unit, for example, as shown in Fig. 10, is arranged such that a planar heater 40 is interposed between a flange portion 13f of the first lens 13 and a flange portion 14f of a second lens 14 adjacent to the first lens 13 in order to warm the first lens 13, which is located closest to the object side among the lens group L housed and held in the lens barrel 12 and exposed from the lens barrel 12 (exposed to the external environment). Note that hatching is omitted for the first lens 13 and the second lens 14 in Fig. 10. A ring-shaped protrusion 14p protruding toward the object side (upper side in FIG. 10) is provided on the inner diameter portion of the flange portion 14f of the second lens 14, and a gap is formed between the flange portions 13f, 14f by abutting this protrusion 14p against the flange portion 13f of the first lens 13, and a heater 40 is inserted into this gap. A power supply portion 41 formed of a flexible printed circuit board or the like, which supplies power to the heater 40, is connected to the heater 40. In addition, an O-ring (sealing member) 26 is provided between first lens 13 and barrel 12 to seal the gap.

[0004] Heater 40 thus incorporated within lens barrel 12 is widely used as the most effective heating means capable of efficiently transferring generated heat to the surface of first lens 13 . [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-231993 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Incidentally, when assembling the lens unit as described above, the lenses are inserted one by one from the opening on the object side (upper side in FIG. 10) of the lens barrel, and after inserting the second lens 14, the planar heater 40 is placed on the flange portion 14f of the second lens 14, and the first lens 13 is placed on the second lens 14 so as to sandwich the heater 40, and finally, the crimping portion 23 provided on the object side end of the lens barrel is crimped, thereby fixing the multiple lenses including the lenses 13 and 14 (of the multiple lenses, the first lens 13 and the second lens 14 are shown in FIG. 10) to the lens barrel 12. During this crimping, the first lens 13 is pressed toward the image side (lower side in FIG. 10), and the heater 40 is pressed toward the image side by the first lens 13. However, in order to prevent the heater 40 from receiving an excessive pressing force, the protrusion 14p is provided on the inner diameter portion of the flange portion 14f of the second lens 14 as described above.

[0007] The larger the radial width w of protrusion 14p is, the more firmly protrusion 14p can withstand the pressing force of first lens 13 caused by crimping. However, since the radial width of heater 40 becomes smaller by the amount that the width w of protrusion 14p is increased, it is not possible to make the width w of protrusion 14p larger than necessary.

[0008] Therefore, if the protrusion 14p is deformed and crushed by the pressure during crimping, a large pressure acts on the heater 40 from the first lens 13 and the second lens 14, and the heater 40 cannot exhibit its original heating performance. If the heater 40 is, for example, a PTC heater, the electric resistance value becomes high due to the above-mentioned pressure even at the initial stage when no current is applied, so the heater 40 cannot heat up to the desired temperature, and the heating performance is reduced. In addition, since the heater 40 is thin, if the heater 40 is damaged by the above-mentioned pressure, the heater 40 cannot exhibit its original heating performance.

[0009] In addition, since the gap below the O-ring 26 is large and there is no support for the O-ring 26, there is a concern that the O-ring 26 may come off when it shifts downward (towards the image) or that the first lens 13 may be displaced during a high-pressure car wash.

[0010] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and has an object to provide a lens unit, a camera module, an imaging system, and a moving body that enable a heater to withstand the pressure applied when the first lens is crimped, and that can prevent the O-ring from shifting toward the image side. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] In order to achieve the above object, a lens unit of the present invention includes a plurality of lenses arranged along an optical axis, a lens barrel that houses and holds the plurality of lenses, a first lens that is located closest to an object, a second lens that is adjacent to the first lens in the optical axis direction, and a heater that is provided between the first lens and the second lens and is capable of heating the first lens, A heater unit that houses the heater is provided, The heater is inserted between the first lens and the second lens while being housed in the heater unit.

[0012] Here, the heater device may be made of metal, ceramic, or engineering plastic resin such as polycarbonate, so long as it has the strength to prevent excessive pressure from acting on the heater when it is subjected to pressure when the first lens is crimped.

[0013] In the present invention, the heater is inserted between the first lens and the second lens while being housed in the heater device, so the pressure applied when the first lens is crimped can be received by the heater device. Therefore, the heater can withstand the pressure applied when the first lens is crimped. Therefore, the heater can exhibit its original performance.

[0014] In the above-mentioned configuration of the present invention, a seal member is provided to seal between the first lens and the lens barrel, The outer periphery of the heater element may be located directly below the image side of the seal member.

[0015] With this configuration, the outer periphery of the heater is located directly below the image side of the seal member, so the gap that existed under the seal member in the past can be filled by the outer periphery of the heater. This prevents the seal member from slipping off toward the image side, and prevents the first lens from being displaced during high-pressure car washing.

[0016] In the above-described configuration of the present invention, the heater device may be provided with an opening, through which the heater is exposed, on a surface facing the object side.

[0017] According to this configuration, since an opening is provided on the surface of the heater device facing the object side, the heater can be exposed through this opening, and therefore the first lens can be efficiently heated by the heater.

[0018] 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

[0019] According to the present invention, the heater can withstand the pressure applied when the first lens is crimped, and the O-ring can be prevented from shifting toward the image side. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a lens unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a main part of the heater and the heater unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. [Diagram 5]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the heater body of the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 1A is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of a heater and a heater unit of a first modified example, (b) is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of a heater and a heater unit of a second modified example, (c) is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of a heater and a heater unit of a third modified example, (d) is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of a heater and a heater unit of a fourth modified example, and (e) is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of a heater and a heater unit of a fifth modified example. [Figure 7] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 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 9] 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an imaging device that constitutes the imaging system shown in FIG. 8. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a main part of an example of a conventional lens unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] 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 incorporating the heater 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 the automobile, with wiring drawn into the automobile and connected to a display or other device. Moreover, hatching is omitted for a plurality of lenses in FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG.

[0022] FIG. 1 shows a lens unit 11 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the lens unit 11 has a cylindrical lens barrel 12 and a plurality of lenses arranged in the inner storage space S of the lens barrel 12, for example, six lenses consisting of a first lens 13, a second lens 14, a third lens 15, a fourth lens 16, a fifth lens 17, and a sixth lens 18. In this case, the third lens 15 is supported by an intermediate ring 19 together with an IRCF (infrared cut filter) 20, thereby forming a subassembly 21 in which the lens and the filter are integrated as a unit. In addition, the fourth lens 16 and the fifth lens 17 are bonded together to form a bonded lens 24, and an aperture member 22A and an intermediate ring 27 are interposed between the second lens 14 and the third lens 15 in a state of being superimposed. In addition, an aperture member 22B is also interposed between the fifth lens 17 and the sixth lens 18. Aperture members 22A and 22B 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. An in-vehicle camera equipped with such lens unit 11 includes lens unit 11, a substrate having an image sensor (not shown), and an installation member (not shown) for installing the substrate on a vehicle such as an automobile.

[0023] In this embodiment, the first lens 13 that can be exposed to the outside is a glass lens, and the other inner second to sixth lenses 14 to 18 are all resin lenses made of resin (plastic), but this is not limiting. Also, the lens barrel 12 that houses these lenses 13 to 18 is made of resin in this embodiment, but it may be made of metal. Also, the shapes of the lens barrel and the lenses, the number of lenses, etc. can be set arbitrarily depending on the application, etc.

[0024] The multiple lenses 13-18 fixed to and supported by the lens barrel 12 are arranged with their optical axes aligned, and the lenses 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17 are aligned along a single optical axis O to form a group of lenses L used for imaging. Furthermore, the surfaces of these lenses 13-18 are provided with an anti-reflection film, a hydrophilic film, a water-repellent film, etc., as necessary.

[0025] In this embodiment, an O-ring (sealing member) 26 is interposed between the first lens 13 located closest to the object side 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 first 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 first lens 13 and the inner circumferential surface 12a of the lens barrel 12, thereby sealing the object side end of the lens barrel 12. The seal member interposed between the first lens 13 and the lens barrel 12 is not limited to the O-ring 26, and may be any shape as long as it is an annular body that can seal between the first lens 13 and the lens barrel 12.

[0026] In addition, in the state where the lens group L is assembled and housed in the inner housing space S 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 first 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 first 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.

[0027] Further, an inner flange portion 28 having an opening with a smaller diameter than sixth lens 18 positioned furthest to the image side in lens group L is provided at the end (the lower end in FIG. 1) of lens barrel 12. By this inner flange portion 28 and crimped portion 23, the multiple lenses 13-18 and diaphragm members 22A and 22B constituting lens group L are held and fixed in lens barrel 12 in the optical axis direction.

[0028] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the heater 40 is provided between the first lens 13 and the second lens 14 and is capable of heating the first lens 14. The heater 40 is a PTC (positive temperature coefficient) heater that generates heat by power supply, and is formed in a thin ring shape. A power supply unit 41 formed of a flexible printed circuit board or the like that supplies power to the heater 40 is connected to the heater 40. A guide groove 12g extending parallel to the optical axis O is formed on the inner peripheral surface 12a of the lens barrel 12, and the guide groove 12g is formed in the side wall of the lens barrel 12 and communicates with a through hole 12k that is perpendicular to the guide groove 12g. The power supply unit 41 passes through the guide groove 12g and then through the through hole 12k to be drawn out to the outside, and is connected to a power source by a connector.

[0029] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the heater 40 has a base 40a formed in the shape of a circular ring plate and a convex portion 40b protruding upward (toward the object) from the base 40a. The convex portion 40b is formed in the shape of a circular ring plate coaxial with the base 40a and serves as a heat generating portion. The heater 40 is housed in a heater unit 50. The heater unit 50 is formed into an annular plate shape from a relatively hard metal such as steel or an aluminum alloy, and has a unit body 50a formed into an annular plate shape, an outer diameter convex wall 50b formed on the outer diameter part of the unit body 50a so as to extend in the circumferential direction and protrude upward (toward the object), and an inner diameter convex wall 50c formed on the inner diameter part of the unit body 50a so as to extend in the circumferential direction and protrude upward (toward the object), with the upper surface side being an opening 50d. The depth d of the heater device 50 is deeper than the height h of the heater 40, so that when the heater 40 is stored in the heater device 50, the upper surface of the outer diameter convex wall 50b and the upper surface of the inner diameter convex wall 50c of the heater device 50 are higher than the upper surface of the heater 40.

[0030] Then, with the heater 40 housed in the heater device 50, it is inserted between the flange portion 13f of the first lens 13 and the flange portion 14f of the second lens 14. In this state, the outer peripheral surface of the outer diameter convex wall 50b of the heater device 50 abuts against the inner peripheral surface 12a of the lens barrel 12, thereby positioning the heater device 50 in the radial direction. The heater device 50 housing the heater 40 is clamped in the optical axis direction by the flange portions 13f, 14f, thereby determining its position in the optical axis direction. When assembling the lens unit 11, the crimping portion 23 is crimped so that the heater device 50 receives pressure (pressing force) from the flange portions 13f, 14f of the upper and lower first lens 13 and second lens 14, thereby preventing excessive pressure from acting on the heater 40.

[0031] The heater unit 50 has an opening 50d on the upper surface side thereof, and the upper surface of the heater 40 is exposed through this opening 50d. The outer periphery of the heater 50 is located directly below the image side of the O-ring (seal member) 26, and the upper part of the O-ring 26 is close to or in contact with the outer diameter convex wall 50b of the heater 50. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 3 and 5, a through hole 50e is formed in the main body 50a of the heater device 50, penetrating the main body 50a in the thickness direction, and the power supply part 41 connected to the heater 40 is inserted into this through hole 50e and led out to the guide groove 12g.

[0032] According to this embodiment, the heater 40 is inserted between the first lens 13 and the second lens 14 while being housed in the heater device 50, so that the pressure applied when the first lens 13 is crimped can be received by the heater device 50. Therefore, the heater 40 can withstand the pressure applied when the first lens 13 is crimped. Therefore, the heater can exhibit its original heater performance.

[0033] In addition, since the outer periphery of the heater device 50 is located directly below the image side of the O-ring (sealing member) 26, the gap that existed conventionally below the sealing member can be filled by the outer periphery of the heater device 50. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the O-ring 56 from shifting toward the image side and coming off, and to prevent the first lens 13 from being displaced during a high-pressure car wash. Furthermore, since the opening 50d is provided on the surface of the heater device 50 facing the object side, the heater 40 can be exposed through this opening 50d. Therefore, the first lens 13 can be efficiently heated by the heater 40.

[0034] In the present embodiment, the heater 40 is housed in the heater unit 50, but the heater may be housed in a heater unit as described below. 6(a) to 6(e) are cross-sectional views showing modified examples of the heater device.

[0035] (First Modification) In a first modified example shown in FIG. 6(a), a heater unit 51 is used, which is obtained by turning the heater unit 50 of the above-described embodiment upside down. The heater device 51 has a device body 51a formed in the shape of a circular ring plate, an outer diameter convex wall 51b formed on the outer diameter part of the device body 50a and extending circumferentially and protruding downward (to the image side), and an inner diameter convex wall 51c formed on the inner diameter part of the device body 50a and extending circumferentially and protruding downward (to the image side), and the lower surface side forms an opening 51d. In the first modified example, the heater 40 is housed in the heater device 51 by covering the heater 40 from above (the object side).

[0036] According to the first modified example, the upper surface side of heater 40 is covered by device body 51a, so flange portion 13b of first lens 13 does not come into contact with heater 40. This makes it possible to reduce the pressing force acting on heater 40 from flange portion 13b of first lens 13. In addition, since the lower surface side of the heater unit 51 is open, the power supply unit 41 can be directly connected to the heater 40 without providing a through hole 50e as in the embodiment.

[0037] (Second Modification) In the second modified example shown in FIG. 6(b), the shape of a heater unit 52 is different from that of the heater unit 51 in the first modified example. That is, in the first modified example, as shown in FIG. 6(a), a gap S exists between the heater 40 and the heater element 51, but in the second modified example, a protrusion 52e for filling the gap S is formed integrally with the heater element 52.

[0038] According to the second modified example, in addition to being able to obtain the same effects as the first modified example, the strength of the heater element 52 can be increased compared to that of the heater element 51 because the gap S is filled with the protrusion 52e.

[0039] (Third Modification) 6(b), the heater 40 is covered with a heater unit 52, but in a third modified example shown in FIG. 6(c), the heater 40 is covered with a heater unit 52, and the heater 40 and the heater unit 52 are bonded and integrated with each other by an adhesive layer L. The adhesive layer L is formed on the joint surface between the heater 40 and the heater unit 52.

[0040] According to the third modified example, in addition to being able to obtain the same effect as the second modified example, since the heater 40 and the heater device 52 are integrated by the adhesive layer L, the heater 40 can be firmly fixed to the heater device 52 to form an integrated subassembly 60, and the integrated subassembly 60 can be easily incorporated between the flange portion 13f of the first lens 13 and the flange portion 14f of the second lens 14.

[0041] (Fourth Modification) In the second modified example shown in FIG. 6(b), the heater 40 is covered with a heater unit 52, and the heater unit 52 covers the entire upper surface of the heater 40. In the fourth modified example shown in FIG. 6(d), the heater unit 53 has an opening 53a on the upper surface side, and the opening 53a exposes the upper surface of the convex portion 40b, which is the heat generating portion of the heater 40. In addition, the upper surface (the surface on the object side) of the heater unit 53 is higher than the upper surface of the convex portion 40b of the heater 40. Therefore, by inserting the heater unit 53 containing the heater 40 between the flange portion 13f of the first lens 13 and the flange portion 14f of the second lens 14, the upper surface of the convex portion 40b of the heater 40 comes close to the flange portion 13f.

[0042] According to the fourth modified example, in addition to being able to obtain the same effect as the second modified example, the convex portion 40b, which is the heat generating portion of the heater 40, is exposed and is directly adjacent to the flange portion 13f of the first lens 13, so that the first lens 13 can be heated by the heater 40 more efficiently than in the second modified example.

[0043] (Fifth Modification) In the fifth modified example shown in Fig. 6(e), the thickness of the upper surface of the heater unit 54 is thicker than the thickness of the upper surface of the heater unit 53 of the fourth modified example shown in Fig. 6(d) (the heater unit 54 is thicker than the heater unit 53 by that amount), and a step 54d is provided on the rear side of the upper surface. Due to this step 54d, the thickness of the heater 40 is thicker than the thickness of the heater 40 of the fourth modified example. The heater unit 54 has an opening 54a on the upper surface side, and this opening 54a exposes the upper surface of the protrusion 40b, which is the heat generating portion of the heater 40, but the exposed area is narrower than that of the fourth modified example. By inserting the heater device 54 housing the heater 40 between the flange portion 13f of the first lens 13 and the flange portion 14f of the second lens 14, a gap is created between the upper surface of the convex portion 40b of the heater 40 and the flange portion 13f, so that the flange portion 13b of the first lens 13 does not abut against the convex portion 40b of the heater 40.

[0044] According to the fifth modified example, in addition to being able to obtain the same effect as the fourth modified example, since the flange portion 13b of the first lens 13 does not abut against the convex portion 40b of the heater 40 and the heater element 54 is thicker than the heater element 53, the pressing force acting from the flange portion 13b of the first lens 13 to the heater 40 can be reduced compared to the fourth modified example.

[0045] 7 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.

[0046] 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.

[0047] Package sensor 304 is disposed inside mount 302, and is disposed at a position where it receives an image of an object formed by lens unit 11. Package sensor 304 also includes a CCD, CMOS, or the like, and converts the light that is collected and reaches it through lens unit 11 into an electrical signal. The converted electrical signal is then converted into analog data or digital data, which is a component of image data captured by the camera.

[0048] FIG. 8 shows a vehicle 240 as a moving body equipped with an in-vehicle system (imaging system) including an imaging device 250 including the camera module 300 shown in FIG. 7. As shown in the figure, the imaging device 250 can be mounted on the vehicle 240, and FIG. 8 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 arranged 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 arranged near the room mirror (inner rearview mirror) inside the vehicle 240. The third imaging device 250c may be arranged 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 can be called front cameras. The third imaging device 250c can be called an in-camera. The fourth imaging device 250d can be called a rear camera. The imaging device 250 is not limited to these, and includes imaging devices installed in various positions, such as a left side camera that captures the left rear side and a right side camera that captures the right rear side.

[0049] 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.

[0050] Fig. 9 shows the configuration of an imaging device constituting the in-vehicle system shown in Fig. 8. As shown in the figure, imaging device 250 according to the embodiment includes control unit 252, storage unit 254, and camera module 300 shown in Fig. 5 described above.

[0051] 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.

[0052] 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.

[0053] 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.

[0054] 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.

[0055] 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.

[0056] 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., in the present invention are not limited to those in 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]

[0057] 11 Lens unit 12 Telescope tube 13 First lens 14 Second lens 26 Sealing material 40 Heater 50, 51, 52, 53, 54 Heater 50d,53a,54a opening 300 Camera Module 240 Vehicles (mobile) L lens group O optical axis

Claims

1. A lens unit including a plurality of lenses arranged along an optical axis, a lens barrel that houses and holds the plurality of lenses, a first lens located closest to an object, a second lens adjacent to the first lens in the optical axis direction, and a heater provided between the first lens and the second lens and capable of heating the first lens, A heater unit that houses the heater is provided, The lens unit according to claim 1, wherein the heater is inserted between the first lens and the second lens while being housed in the heater device.

2. a seal member that seals between the first lens and the lens barrel, 2. The lens unit according to claim 1, wherein an outer periphery of the heater element is located directly below the image side of the seal member.

3. 2. The lens unit according to claim 1, wherein the heater device has an opening on a surface facing the object side through which the heater is exposed.

4. 4. 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.

5. an imaging device comprising: the camera module according to claim 4; 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:

6. 6. A vehicle equipped with the imaging system according to claim 5, wherein information is output to a passenger by the display device.

Images