Imaging unit and manufacturing method of imaging unit

Abstract

To provide an imaging unit that can be downsized and a manufacturing method of the imaging unit.SOLUTION: An imaging unit 1 includes: an imaging element 2 including a plurality of electrodes 22; a plurality of electric wires 31 electrically connected to the plurality of electrodes 22, respectively; a plurality of connection members 5 that electrically connect the plurality of electrodes 22 and the plurality of electric wires 31; and an insulation member 4 having an electric insulation property interposed between the imaging element 2 and the plurality of electric wires 31. The insulation member 4 is formed with a hole portion 41 opened toward both the electrode 22 and the electric wire 31 electrically connected to each other. The connection member 5 connects the electrode 22 and an outer peripheral surface of the electric wire 31 through the hole portion 41.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an imaging unit and a method for manufacturing the imaging unit. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an imaging unit in which an imaging element and a plurality of electric wires are connected. In the imaging unit described in Patent Document 1, the imaging element and the plurality of electric wires are connected via conductive circuits formed on a first electric board and a second electric board. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2023 / 017598 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the imaging unit described in Patent Document 1, the imaging element and a plurality of electric wires are connected via conductive circuits formed on the first electric board and the second electric board, which tends to lead to an increase in size.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an imaging unit that can be made smaller in size, and a method for manufacturing the imaging unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides an imaging unit comprising: an imaging element having a plurality of electrodes; a plurality of electric wires electrically connected to the plurality of electrodes, respectively; a plurality of connecting members electrically connecting the plurality of electrodes and the plurality of electric wires, respectively; and an insulating member having electrical insulation properties interposed between the imaging element and the plurality of electric wires, wherein the insulating member has a hole portion formed therein that opens toward both the electrodes and the electric wires which are electrically connected to each other, and the connecting member connects the electrodes and the outer peripheral surfaces of the electric wires through the hole portion.

[0007] In addition, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing an imaging unit in which a plurality of electric wires are electrically connected to a plurality of electrodes of an imaging element, the method comprising: interposing an insulating member having a hole formed therein between the plurality of electric wires and the imaging element; melting a plurality of connecting members while passing them through the hole; and electrically connecting the outer peripheral surfaces of the plurality of electric wires to the plurality of electrodes by the plurality of connecting members, respectively. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an imaging unit that can be made smaller and a method for manufacturing the imaging unit. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a side view of the imaging unit in the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the imaging unit in the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is an exploded bottom view of the imaging unit in the first embodiment. [Figure 6]3 is a cross-sectional view of an imaging element, a connection member, a plurality of insulating members, a plurality of electric wires, a jig, and a pulse heater before the connection member is melted in the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7] 3 is a cross-sectional view of the imaging element, the connection member, the insulating members, the electric wires, the jig, and the pulse heater after the connection member has melted and hardened in the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 8] 13 is a bottom view showing a state in which tip portions of a plurality of electric wires of a cable are fixed to an insulating member in the second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 9] 13 is a bottom view showing a state in which an imaging element 2 is placed on the side opposite to the four straight line portions of an insulating member in the second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a bottom view showing a state after a sealing portion is formed in the second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the imaging unit after the insulating member and the multiple electric wires have been cut off at predetermined positions in the second embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a bottom view showing a cable having four straight portions and an insulating member in the third embodiment. [Figure 13] 13 is a bottom view showing a state in which an imaging element is placed on the side opposite to the four straight line portions of an insulating member in the third embodiment. FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a bottom view showing a state after a sealing portion is formed in the third embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a bottom view of the imaging unit after the insulating member and the multiple electric wires have been cut off at predetermined positions in the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] [First embodiment] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 7. Note that the embodiment described below is shown as a preferred specific example for carrying out the present invention, and while there are some parts that specifically exemplify various technical matters that are technically preferable, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to this specific embodiment.

[0011] Fig. 1 is a side view of the imaging unit 1 in this embodiment. Fig. 2 is a bottom view of the imaging unit 1. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is an exploded bottom view of the imaging unit.

[0012] In this embodiment, the imaging unit 1 constitutes an endoscope. The imaging unit 1 is provided at the tip of a long insertion part of the endoscope that is inserted into the body. In this embodiment, the endoscope in which the imaging unit 1 is used is assumed to be a side-viewing endoscope that is provided so as to be able to image the side (i.e., the radially outer side of the insertion part).

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the imaging unit 1 includes an imaging element 2, a cable 3, an insulating member 4, a plurality of connecting members 5, and a sealing portion 6. The imaging element 2 includes a plurality of electrodes 22. The cable 3 includes a plurality of electric wires 31 electrically connected to the plurality of electrodes 22, respectively. The insulating member 4 is interposed between the imaging element 2 and the plurality of electric wires 31, and has a plurality of holes 41 formed therein. The plurality of connecting members 5 pass through the plurality of holes 41, respectively, and electrically connect the plurality of electrodes 22 and the plurality of electric wires 31, respectively. The sealing portion 6 covers and reinforces the connection points between the plurality of electrodes 22 of the imaging element 2 and the plurality of electric wires 31. In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, only the outer periphery of the sealing portion 6 is indicated by a two-dot chain line. Hereinafter, each component of the imaging unit 1 will be described in detail.

[0014] The imaging element 2 includes a main body 21 and four electrodes 22 formed on an electrode forming surface 211 of the main body 21. The main body 21 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The rectangular parallelepiped shape includes a shape in which the entire or main part is generally rectangular parallelepiped in addition to a strict rectangular parallelepiped shape. The imaging element 2 can image the side opposite to the side on which the electrode forming surface 211 is formed, and can image the outside in the radial direction perpendicular to the central axis of the cable 3. As a result, the imaging unit 1 is configured for a side-viewing endoscope. As shown in FIG. 5, the main body 21 has a length L1 of 0.65 mm or more and 1.10 mm or less when viewed from the side on which the electrode forming surface 211 faces. The main body 21 includes a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor, a CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) image sensor, or the like. The image sensor 2 converts information of the formed optical image into an electrical signal and outputs it to an image processing device or the like via a cable 3 .

[0015] As shown in FIG. 5, the four electrodes 22 are arranged in a matrix along the horizontal direction X and the vertical direction Y. In this embodiment, the four electrodes 22 are arranged at four positions that are the vertices of a square. The interval D1 between the electrodes 22 adjacent to each other in the horizontal direction X or the vertical direction Y can be, for example, 0.05 mm or more and 0.25 mm or less. In this embodiment, the interval between the electrodes 22 adjacent to each other in the horizontal direction X is the same as the interval between the electrodes 22 adjacent to each other in the vertical direction Y. Each electrode 22 is formed in a disk shape having a thickness in a height direction Z perpendicular to the electrode formation surface 211. When viewed from the side facing the electrode formation surface 211, the diameter φ1 of the electrode 22 can be, for example, 0.10 mm or more and 0.25 mm or less.

[0016] In this embodiment, the four electrodes 22 are composed of a power supply electrode for powering the imaging element 2, an information output electrode for outputting an imaging signal converted from information of an optical image coupled to the imaging element 2, a command receiving electrode for receiving a command signal for causing the imaging element 2 to perform a predetermined operation (e.g., an imaging operation, etc.), and a ground electrode connected to a ground potential. The four electrodes 22 are electrically connected to the four electric wires 31 of the cable 3, respectively.

[0017] As shown in Figs. 2 and 5, the cable 3 is a multi-core cable including four electric wires 31, a shield conductor (not shown) that collectively covers the four electric wires 31, and an outer jacket 32 ​​that covers the shield conductor. Each electric wire 31 includes a core wire 311 and a coating 312. The core wire 311 is made of a conductor made of a single wire or a twisted wire. The conductor is made of, for example, copper or a copper alloy. As shown in Fig. 5, the diameter φ2 of the core wire 311 is, for example, 0.05 mm or more and 0.10 mm or less. The coating 312 is made of a resin or the like having electrical insulation properties. For convenience, Figs. 2, 3, 5, etc. show an example in which the diameters of the core wires 311 and the thicknesses of the coatings 312 of the four electric wires 31 are equal to each other, but this is not limited thereto.

[0018] Each of the four electric wires 31 may have a coaxial line structure. That is, the portion of each of the four electric wires 21 disposed inside the outer cover 32 may be covered with a grounded outer conductor. Furthermore, among the four electric wires 31, the electric wire 31 connected to the ground electrode of the imaging element 2 may be a bare wire without the coating 312 and the outer conductor, and may be short-circuited with the shield conductor and the outer conductor of the other electric wires 31.

[0019] The outer cover 32 is made of electrically insulating resin or the like formed into a cylindrical shape. The outer cover 32 covers the four electric wires 31 while leaving the tip ends of the four electric wires 31 (i.e., the ends connected to the imaging element 2) exposed.

[0020] The tip portions of the four electric wires 31 have portions where the core wires 311 are exposed from the coating 312 and the outer jacket 32 ​​(hereinafter, also referred to as "exposed portions"). As shown in Figs. 2 and 5, the exposed portions of the four core wires 311 have straight portions 311a arranged in a parallel direction. The straight portions 311a are formed in a substantially straight line along one direction. In this embodiment, the parallel direction of the four straight portions 311a is the vertical direction Y, and the axial direction of each straight portion 311a is the horizontal direction X. In this embodiment, the entire exposed portions of the four core wires 311 constitute the straight portions 311a. The straight portions 311a include portions connected to the connection member 5. The four connection members 5 are connected to one side of the four straight portions 311a in a direction (i.e., height direction Z) perpendicular to both the axial direction of the straight portions 311a (i.e., horizontal direction X) and the arrangement direction of the four straight portions 311a (i.e., vertical direction Y). That is, the connection member 5 is connected to the outer peripheral surface of the straight portion 311a, not to the tip surface thereof. From the viewpoint of facilitating the formation of the straight portion 311a, it is preferable to use, for the core wire 311, a solid wire that is easy to maintain its straightness, or a stranded wire in which the portion that becomes the straight portion 311a is solidified by pre-soldering.

[0021] The electrodes 22 arranged in the horizontal direction X are collectively referred to as an electrode row 22r. In this embodiment, there is an electrode row 22r consisting of the lower two electrodes 22 and an electrode row 22r consisting of the upper two electrodes 22 in Figs. 2 and 5. As shown in Fig. 2, each straight line portion 311a is arranged at a position overlapping the electrodes 22 constituting one electrode row 22r in the height direction Z. As shown in Fig. 5, the interval D2 between the straight line portions 311a connected to the electrodes 22 of the same electrode row 22r is smaller than the interval D3 between the adjacent straight line portions 311a connected to the electrodes 22 of the adjacent electrode row 22r. It is preferable that the diameter φ1, the diameter φ2, the interval D1, the interval D2, and the interval D3 satisfy the relationship 2φ1+D1=2D2+D3+4φ2. The intervals D2 and D3 are adjusted so that this relationship is satisfied. Here, the diameter φ1 and the interval D2 satisfy φ1>D2. Moreover, it is preferable that the distances D1 and D3 satisfy the relationship D1>D3. An insulating member 4 is disposed to separate the four straight line portions 311a and the imaging element 2.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 3, the insulating member 4 is formed in a thin film having a thickness T smaller than the diameter φ2 of each of the core wires 311 of the four electric wires 31. The thickness T of the insulating member 4 can be, for example, 0.010 mm or more and 0.050 mm or less. As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 5, the insulating member 4 is formed in a rectangular thin film. As shown in FIG. 2, in this embodiment, the outer periphery of the insulating member 4 when viewed from the height direction Z is approximately the same as the outer periphery of the imaging element 2. The insulating member 4 is made of a resin or the like that has electrical insulation properties and does not melt with heat when the connection member 5 is melted. For example, the insulating member 4 is made of a resin such as polyimide or epoxy. The insulating member 4 is configured separately from the cable 3. The straight portions 311a of the four electric wires 31 are arranged on one main surface of the insulating member 4, and the four electrodes 22 of the imaging element 2 are arranged on the other side of the insulating member 4.

[0023] 2 and 5, the insulating member 4 is formed with holes 41 in the same number as the number of the electric wires 31 and the electrodes 22 (four in this embodiment). The holes 41 are formed so as to penetrate the insulating member 4 in the thickness direction of the insulating member 4. The four holes 41 are formed in the opposing regions of the four electrodes 22 and the four electric wires 31. On the other hand, the holes 41 are not formed between the electrodes 22 and the electric wires 31 that are not electrically connected, and the insulating member 4 separates the electrodes 22 and the electric wires 31 that are not electrically connected. As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the holes 41 become a passage for the connecting member 5 in a molten state when the connecting member 5 connects the electrodes 22 and the electric wires 31, and limit the path of the connecting member 5 in a molten state.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 5, in this embodiment, the hole 41 is formed in a slit shape long in the horizontal direction X. The length L2 of the hole 41 in the vertical direction Y (i.e., the width direction of the slit) is smaller than the length of the electrode 22 in the vertical direction Y (i.e., the diameter φ1 of the electrode 22), and may be less than half the length of the electrode 22 in the vertical direction Y. As a result, when the electrode 22 and the electric wire 31 are connected by the connection member 5 as described later, the path of the molten connection member 5 is restricted, and the connection member 5 is prevented from being electrically connected to an unintended electric wire 31. In this embodiment, the length L2 of the hole 41 in the vertical direction Y is larger than the length of the straight portion 311a in the vertical direction Y (i.e., the diameter φ2 of the core wire 311). As a result, the electrical connectivity between the connection member 5 and the straight portion 311a is easily ensured. The hole 41 is not limited to a slit. For example, the hole 41 may be a round hole or the like, or may be an open hole formed from the periphery of the insulating member 4.

[0025] The four holes 41 are formed at intervals in the vertical direction Y. In this embodiment, the interval D4 in the vertical direction Y between the multiple holes 41 opening into the multiple electrodes 22 in the same electrode row 22r is smaller than the interval D5 between the multiple holes 41 formed at adjacent positions in the vertical direction Y and opening into the electrodes 22 in different electrode rows 22r. In addition, the two holes 41 opening into the two electrodes 22 in the same electrode row 22r are formed at an interval D6 in the horizontal direction X between them. In this embodiment, the interval D6 is larger than the interval D4.

[0026] Here, the electrodes 22 arranged in the vertical direction Y are collectively referred to as an electrode row 22c. In this embodiment, two holes 41 opening in two electrodes 22 of the same electrode row 22c are formed in the same range in the horizontal direction X. In this embodiment, as an example, the two holes 41 located at both ends in the vertical direction Y among the four holes 41 are located closer to the tip of the electric wire 31 than the two holes 41 located in the center in the vertical direction Y among the four holes 41.

[0027] The arrangement of the four holes 41 of the insulating member 4 is not limited to the above arrangement. For example, the insulating member 4 may have a configuration in which the insulating member 4 shown in Figs. 2 and 5 is inverted from left to right. Also, in the insulating member 4 shown in Figs. 2 and 5, the four holes 41 may be arranged alternately left and right (or right and left) from the top. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the four connection members 5 connect the four electrodes 22 and the four electric wires 31 through the four holes 41, respectively.

[0028] The connection member 5 is made of a material that is conductive and changes between a molten state and a hardened state depending on temperature changes, etc. In this embodiment, the connection member 5 is made of solder, but may be made of conductive resin, etc. As the solder, for example, Ag-Sn-Cu solder can be used. The connection member 5 is disposed on the main surface of the electrode 22 and is electrically connected to the electric wire 31 through the hole 41. A sealing portion 6 is provided to reinforce the connection portion between the electrode 22 and the electric wire 31 by the connection member 5.

[0029] The sealing portion 6 is made of, for example, an adhesive having electrical insulation properties. The sealing portion 6 is made of, for example, an adhesive such as cyanoacrylate, a resin such as epoxy resin, or a rubber such as silicone rubber. As shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, the sealing portion 6 covers the electrode formation surface 211, the four electrodes 22, the four connection members 5, the insulating member 4, the portion of the cable 3 exposed from the outer sheath 32, and the tip portion of the outer sheath 32. The sealing portion 6 covers the four straight portions 311a, and also plays a role in maintaining the intervals between the four straight portions 311a and suppressing short circuits.

[0030] Next, a manufacturing method of the imaging unit 1 in this embodiment will be described. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the imaging element 2, the connection member 5, the insulating members 4, the electric wires 31, the jig 7, and the pulse heater 8 before the connection member 5 is melted. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the imaging element 2, the connection member 5, the insulating members 4, the electric wires 31, the jig 7, and the pulse heater 8 after the connection member 5 is melted and hardened.

[0031] 5, four electric wires 31, an insulating member 4, and an imaging element 2 are prepared. The four electric wires 31 prepared are stripped in stages from the tip so that the core wire 311, the coating 312, and the outer jacket 32 ​​are exposed in that order. The imaging element 2 prepared has hemispherical solder bumps formed as connection members 5 on the main surfaces of the four electrodes 22. The height of the solder bumps (i.e., the height in the direction perpendicular to the electrode formation surface 211) is preferably greater than the thickness of the insulating member 4.

[0032] 6, the four exposed core wires 311 in the cable 3 are arranged in parallel to form the straight portion 311a. At this time, for example, a jig 7 having four parallel arrangement grooves 71 is used to arrange the core wires 311 of the four electric wires 31 in these four arrangement grooves 71, thereby forming the four straight portions 311a.

[0033] Next, the insulating member 4 and the imaging element 2 are overlapped on the side of the four straight line portions 311a opposite to the jig 7. At this time, the four hole portions 41 of the insulating member 4 are overlapped with the four straight line portions 311a, and the four electrodes 22 of the imaging element 2 are overlapped with the four hole portions 41. The relative positions of the insulating member 4 and the imaging element 2 in a two-dimensional direction perpendicular to the height direction Z may be determined by aligning their respective outer contour positions as viewed from the height direction Z.

[0034] Next, the four connection members 5 are heated and melted. As shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, in this embodiment, the pulse heat 8 is applied toward the bottom surface 72 of the jig 7, so that the heat of the pulse heat 8 is transferred to each connection member 5 via the jig 7 and each straight portion 311a, and each connection member 5 is melted. At this time, the pressure of the pulse heat 8 makes it easier for the four molten connection members 5 to pass through each of the four hole portions 41 and reach each of the four straight portions 311a. As a result, the four connection members 5 pass through each of the four hole portions 41 to connect the four electrodes 22 and the four electric wires 31, respectively. Then, the four connection members 5 are cooled and hardened. Note that the method of melting and hardening the connection members 5 is not limited to this, and the connection members 5 may be melted without pressure using, for example, a reflow furnace or the like.

[0035] Next, the uncured sealing portion 6 is placed at a predetermined location using a syringe with a sharp tip or the like, and is cured to form the sealing portion 6 as shown in FIGS. In this manner, the imaging unit 1 can be manufactured.

[0036] (Functions and Effects of the First Embodiment) The imaging unit 1 of this embodiment includes an imaging element 2 having a plurality of electrodes 22, a plurality of electric wires 31 electrically connected to the plurality of electrodes 22, a plurality of connecting members 5 electrically connecting the plurality of electrodes 22 and the plurality of electric wires 31, and an insulating member 4 having electrical insulation properties interposed between the imaging element 2 and the plurality of electric wires 31. The insulating member 4 has a hole 41 formed therein that opens toward both the electrode 22 and the electric wires 31 that are electrically connected to each other. The connecting member 5 connects the electrode 22 and the outer circumferential surface of the electric wire 31 through the hole 41. Therefore, the connection structure between the plurality of electrodes 22 and the plurality of electric wires 31 can be made compact, and the imaging unit 1 can be easily made smaller.

[0037] In addition, for example, in the invention described in the aforementioned Patent Document 1 (i.e., International Publication No. 2023 / 017598), the imaging element 2 and the multiple electric wires 31 are connected via a substrate, so that a rigid portion that does not bend is formed for the length of the substrate. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, a substrate is not used, and the rigid portion can be easily shortened.

[0038] Further, the core wires 311 of the electric wires 31 are arranged in the vertical direction Y and have a plurality of straight portions 311a including a portion connected to the connection member 5. The electrodes 22 are arranged in a matrix shape so as to be arranged in the parallel direction in which the straight portions 311a are arranged (i.e., the vertical direction Y) and in the axial direction of the straight portions 311a (i.e., the horizontal direction X). When the above-mentioned prerequisite configuration is provided, each straight portion 311a is arranged at a position overlapping with the electrodes 22 constituting one electrode row 22r in the height direction Z, and therefore, unless special measures are taken, there is a concern that the electric wires 31 connected to the same electrode row 22r may be short-circuited with each other. Therefore, the insulating member 4 separates the electrodes 22 and the electric wires 31 that are not connected. Therefore, the short-circuiting between the electric wires 31 is suppressed.

[0039] Furthermore, the distance D2 between the straight line portions 311a connected to the electrodes 22 of the same electrode row 22r is smaller than the distance D3 between adjacent straight line portions 311a connected to the electrodes 22 of the adjacent electrode row 22r. In this manner, by shortening the distance between the holes 41 through which the connecting members 5 connected to the electrodes 22 constituting the same electrode row 22r are passed, the area of ​​the region of the hole 41 opening to the electrode 22 is more easily ensured, and the connectivity between the electrodes 22 and the electric wires 31 is improved.

[0040] Moreover, the hole 41 is a slit that is long in the axial direction of the straight portion 311a. If the hole 41 is too large, there is a risk of short-circuiting the multiple electric wires 31, and if it is too small, the connectivity between the electrode 22 and the electric wire 31 decreases. However, by forming the hole 41 as a slit along the straight portion 311a, it is possible to ensure the connectivity between the electrode 22 and the electric wire 31 while preventing the hole 41 from becoming excessively large.

[0041] Furthermore, the length of the slit as the hole 41 in the vertical direction Y is smaller than the length of the electrode 22 in the vertical direction Y. Therefore, the flow path of the molten connection member 5 in the hole 41 can be restricted, and short-circuiting between the multiple electric wires 31 is suppressed.

[0042] Moreover, the insulating member 4 is formed in a thin film shape having a thickness T smaller than the diameter φ2 of each of the core wires 311 of the multiple electric wires 31. This makes it possible to reduce the size of the entire imaging unit 1. Furthermore, if the insulating member 4 is too thick, there is a risk that the connecting member 5 will not reach at least one of the electrodes 22 and the electric wires 31. However, by forming the insulating member 4 in a thin film shape as in this embodiment, it is possible to ensure electrical connectivity between the electrodes 22 and the electric wires 31.

[0043] The imaging unit 1 is used in an endoscope. As described above, the imaging unit 1 of this embodiment can be made compact, and since miniaturization is particularly required for endoscopes that are inserted into the body, the imaging unit 1 of this embodiment is preferably used.

[0044] As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide an imaging unit that can be made smaller and a manufacturing method for the imaging unit.

[0045] [Second embodiment] A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0046] This embodiment is an embodiment in which the manufacturing method of the imaging unit 1 is modified from that of the first embodiment. Fig. 8 is a bottom view showing a state in which the tip portions of the multiple electric wires 31 of the cable 3 are fixed to the insulating member 4. Fig. 9 is a bottom view showing a state in which the imaging element 2 is overlapped on the side opposite to the four straight portions 311a of the insulating member 4. Fig. 10 is a bottom view showing a state after the sealing portion 6 is formed. Fig. 11 is a bottom view of the imaging unit 1 after the insulating member 4 and the multiple electric wires 31 have been cut off at predetermined positions.

[0047] In the manufacturing method of the imaging unit 1 of this embodiment, first, four electric wires 31, an insulating member 4, and an imaging element 2 are prepared. As shown in Fig. 8, the insulating member 4 to be prepared is longer than the vertical and horizontal widths of the imaging element (see reference numeral 2 in Fig. 9) in the longitudinal direction of the hole 41. In this embodiment, the four holes 41 are formed in the insulating member 4 at positions offset to one side in the longitudinal direction. In addition, the electric wires 31 to be prepared have an exposed portion of the core wire 311 that is approximately the same length as or longer than the length of the insulating member 4.

[0048] Next, as shown in FIG. 8, the exposed portions of the four core wires 311 are arranged in parallel on the main surface of the insulating member 4 to form the straight portion 311a. At this time, the four straight portions 311a are arranged so as to overlap the four holes 41, respectively. Then, the tip portion of the straight portion 311a is fixed to the main surface of the end portion opposite to the side where the four holes 41 are formed in the insulating member 4 by using the first fixing portion 11 made of an adhesive or the like. In addition, the base end side portion of the straight portion 311a of the four electric wires 31 is fixed by using the second fixing portion 12 made of an adhesive or the like. This makes it easier to maintain the state where the four straight portions 311a are arranged in parallel. Either the first fixing portion 11 or the second fixing portion 12 may be formed first.

[0049] 9, the imaging element 2 is placed on the side opposite the four straight line portions 311a of the insulating member 4. At this time, the outer edge position of the imaging element 2 when viewed from the height direction Z is aligned with the outer edge position of the side of the insulating member 4 on which the four hole portions 41 are formed.

[0050] Next, the connection member 5 is melted and hardened by heating and cooling, thereby connecting the four electrodes 22 of the imaging element 2 and the four straight line portions 311a, respectively.

[0051] 10, similarly to the first embodiment, the sealing portion 6 is formed to seal the connection points between the four electrodes 22 and the four straight portions 311a. In this embodiment, the sealing portion 6 is formed up to the second fixed portion 12. Note that the sealing portion 6 may be formed up to the tip portion of the outer skin 32, similarly to the first embodiment.

[0052] Next, as shown in FIG. 11, the portions of the insulating member 4 and the straight portion 311a that protrude beyond the imaging element 2 toward the first fixed portion 11 in the lateral direction X are cut off. In this manner, the imaging unit 1 of this embodiment can be manufactured.

[0053] The other configurations of this embodiment are similar to those of the first embodiment. In addition, among the symbols used in the second and subsequent embodiments, the same symbols as those used in the previously described embodiments represent the same components, etc. as those in the previously described embodiments, unless otherwise specified.

[0054] (Functions and Effects of the Second Embodiment) In the manufacturing method of the imaging unit 1 of this embodiment, the connecting member 5 is melted and hardened with the four straight portions 311a fixed to the insulating member 4 in advance, so that the four straight portions 311a are less likely to move when the connecting member 5 is melted and hardened, which makes it easier to manufacture the imaging unit 1. In addition, the second embodiment has the same functions and effects as the first embodiment.

[0055] [Third embodiment] A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0056] This embodiment is an embodiment in which the manufacturing method of the imaging unit 1 is modified from that of the first embodiment. Fig. 12 is a bottom view showing the cable 3 on which the four straight portions 311a are formed and the insulating member 4. Fig. 13 is a bottom view showing a state in which the imaging element 2 is overlapped on the side of the insulating member 4 opposite to the four straight portions 311a. Fig. 14 is a bottom view showing a state after the sealing portion 6 is formed. Fig. 15 is a bottom view of the imaging unit 1 after the insulating member 4 and the multiple electric wires 31 have been cut off at predetermined positions.

[0057] In the manufacturing method of the imaging unit 1 of this embodiment, first, four electric wires 31, an insulating member 4, and an imaging element 2 are prepared. As shown in Fig. 12, the insulating member 4 to be prepared is longer than the vertical and horizontal widths of the imaging element (see reference numeral 2 in Fig. 13) in the longitudinal direction of the hole 41. In addition, the length of the exposed portion of the core wire 311 of the prepared electric wire 31 exceeds the length of the insulating member 4.

[0058] Next, the four exposed core wires 311 in the cable 3 are arranged in parallel to form the straight portion 311a. At this time, for example, a jig 7 having four parallel arrangement grooves 71 is used to arrange the core wires 311 of the four electric wires 31 in these four arrangement grooves 71, thereby forming the four straight portions 311a. The jig 7 is arranged at a position closer to the base end than the tips of the four straight portions 311a.

[0059] Next, the tip ends of the four straight portions 311a are fixed to each other by a third fixing portion 13 made of an adhesive or the like. In addition, the base end sides of the straight portions 311a of the four electric wires 31 are fixed by using a fourth fixing portion 14 made of an adhesive or the like. Either the third fixing portion 13 or the fourth fixing portion 14 may be formed first.

[0060] Next, the insulating member 4 is placed on the four straight portions 311a at positions between the jig 7 and the fourth fixing portion 14. At this time, the four holes 41 of the insulating member 4 are opened to the four straight portions 311a, respectively. When the insulating member 4 is placed on the four straight portions 311a, the jig 7 may be removed from the four straight portions 311a.

[0061] 13, the imaging element 2 is placed on the side opposite the four straight line portions 311a of the insulating member 4. At this time, the outer edge position of the imaging element 2 when viewed from the height direction Z is aligned with the outer edge position of the side of the insulating member 4 on which the four hole portions 41 are formed.

[0062] Next, the connection member 5 is melted and hardened by heating and cooling, thereby connecting the four electrodes 22 of the imaging element 2 and the four straight line portions 311a, respectively.

[0063] 14, similarly to the first embodiment, the sealing portion 6 is formed to seal the connection points between the four electrodes 22 and the four straight portions 311a. In this embodiment, the sealing portion 6 is formed up to the fourth fixed portion 14. Note that the sealing portion 6 may be formed up to the tip portion of the outer skin 32, similarly to the first embodiment.

[0064] Next, as shown in FIG. 15, the portions of the insulating member 4 and the straight portion 311a that protrude further toward the third fixed portion 13 in the axial direction than the imaging element 2 are cut off. In this manner, the imaging unit 1 of this embodiment can be manufactured.

[0065] (Functions and Effects of the Third Embodiment) In the manufacturing method of the imaging unit 1 of this embodiment, the connecting member 5 is melted and hardened with the spacing between the four straight portions 311a fixed in advance, so that the four straight portions 311a are less likely to move when the connecting member 5 is melted and hardened, which makes it easier to manufacture the imaging unit 1. In addition, the second embodiment has the same functions and effects as the first embodiment.

[0066] (Summary of the embodiment) Next, the technical ideas grasped from the above-described embodiment will be described by using the reference numerals and the like in the embodiment. However, the reference numerals and the like in the following description do not limit the components in the claims to the members and the like specifically shown in the embodiment.

[0067] [1] An imaging unit 1 comprising: an imaging element 2 having a plurality of electrodes 22; a plurality of electric wires 31 electrically connected to the plurality of electrodes 22, respectively; a plurality of connecting members 5 electrically connecting the plurality of electrodes 22 and the plurality of electric wires 31, respectively; and an insulating member 4 having electrical insulation properties interposed between the imaging element 2 and the plurality of electric wires 31, wherein the insulating member 4 has a hole 41 formed therein that opens toward both the electrodes 22 and the electric wires 31 which are electrically connected to each other, and the connecting member 5 connects the electrodes 22 and the outer peripheral surfaces of the electric wires 31 through the hole 41.

[0068] [2] The imaging unit 1 described in [1], wherein the core wires 311 of the multiple electric wires 31 are arranged in a parallel direction Y and have multiple straight portions 311a including portions connected to the connection member 5, the multiple electrodes 22 are arranged in a matrix so as to be aligned in the parallel direction Y and the axial direction X of the straight portions 311a, and the insulating member 4 separates the electrodes 22 that are not connected and the electric wires 31.

[0069] [3] When the multiple electrodes 22 arranged in the axial direction X are defined as an electrode row 22r, a distance D2 between the multiple straight portions 311a connected to the multiple electrodes 22 in the same electrode row 22r is smaller than a distance D3 between adjacent straight portions 311a connected to the electrodes 22 in the adjacent electrode rows 22r.

[0070] [4] The imaging unit 1 according to [2] or [3], wherein the hole 41 is a slit that is long in the axial direction X.

[0071] [5] The imaging unit 1 according to [4], wherein a width direction length L2 of the slit is smaller than a width direction length φ1 of the electrode 22.

[0072] [6] The imaging unit 1 described in any one of [1] to [5], wherein the insulating member 4 is formed in a thin film shape having a thickness T smaller than the diameter φ2 of each core wire 311 of the multiple electric wires 31.

[0073] [7] The imaging unit 1 described in any one of [1] to [6], which is used in an endoscope.

[0074] [8] A method for manufacturing an imaging unit 1 in which a plurality of electric wires 31 are electrically connected to a plurality of electrodes 22 of an imaging element 2, the method comprising: interposing an insulating member 4 having a hole 41 formed therein between the plurality of electric wires 31 and the imaging element 2; melting a plurality of connecting members 5 while passing them through the hole 41; and electrically connecting the outer peripheral surfaces of the plurality of electric wires 31 to the plurality of electrodes 22 by the plurality of connecting members 5, respectively.

[0075] (Additional Note) Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the invention according to the claims is not limited to the above embodiment. It should be noted that not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiment are essential to the means for solving the problems of the invention. The present invention can be modified appropriately without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 1...Imaging unit 2. Image sensor 22...Electrode 22r…electrode row 31...Electric wire 311…Core wire 311a...Straight section 4...Insulating material 41...Hole 5...Connecting member T…Thickness X…Axis direction Y…Parallel direction

Claims

1. An imaging element having a plurality of electrodes; a plurality of electric wires electrically connected to the plurality of electrodes, respectively; a plurality of connection members electrically connecting the plurality of electrodes and the plurality of electric wires, respectively; an insulating member having electrical insulation properties and interposed between the imaging element and the plurality of electric wires; a hole portion is formed in the insulating member, the hole portion being open toward both the electrode and the electric wire which are electrically connected to each other; The connection member connects the electrode and the outer circumferential surface of the electric wire through the hole. Imaging unit.

2. The core wires of the plurality of electric wires are arranged in a parallel direction and have a plurality of straight portions including a portion to be connected to the connection member, The plurality of electrodes are arranged in a matrix so as to be aligned in the parallel direction and in an axial direction of the straight portion, The insulating member separates the electrodes and the electric wires that are not connected. The imaging unit according to claim 1 .

3. When the electrodes arranged in the axial direction are defined as electrode rows, an interval between the straight line portions connected to the electrodes in the same electrode row is smaller than an interval between adjacent straight line portions connected to the electrodes in the adjacent electrode rows. The imaging unit according to claim 2 .

4. The hole portion is a slit that is elongated in the axial direction. The imaging unit according to claim 2 or 3.

5. The length of the slit in the width direction is smaller than the length of the electrode in the width direction. The imaging unit according to claim 4.

6. The insulating member is formed in a thin film shape having a thickness smaller than a diameter of each of the core wires of the plurality of electric wires. The imaging unit according to claim 1 .

7. Used in endoscopes, The imaging unit according to claim 1 .

8. A method for manufacturing an imaging unit in which a plurality of electric wires are electrically connected to a plurality of electrodes of an imaging element, the method comprising the steps of: an insulating member having a hole formed therein is interposed between the plurality of electric wires and the imaging element; a plurality of connection members are melted and passed through the hole portion, and the plurality of connection members electrically connect the outer circumferential surfaces of the plurality of electric wires to the plurality of electrodes, respectively; A method for manufacturing an imaging unit.

Images