Optical device, imaging apparatus, control system, and mobile apparatus

Abstract

To provide an optical device that enables miniaturization while reducing backlash and tightening amounts between a holding member and a lens.SOLUTION: An optical device includes: a barrel that holds an optical element; a holding member that contacts the optical element and the barrel; a biased member that is fixed to the barrel; and an elastic member that is disposed between the holding member and the biased member in a radial direction and is clamped by the biased member and the holding member in an optical axis direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an optical device, an imaging device, a control system, and a mobile device.

Background Art

[0002] For example, optical devices mounted on automobiles include sensors for driving assistance and autonomous driving functions, and cameras for imaging the surroundings of the automobile. In addition, as an optical device having a sensing function, there is LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging). In-vehicle cameras and LiDAR are required to ensure excellent performance and functions in the entire temperature range under a temperature environment that changes over a wide range. Furthermore, these devices usually do not include an autofocus mechanism for reasons of reliability so as not to lead to cost and failures, and a fixed-focus type is the mainstream. In addition, in-vehicle cameras are used to monitor the front, surroundings, and rear of the vehicle, and these generally require a wide-angle lens in order to obtain a lot of information with a single camera for space saving.

[0003] Here, when the optical systems of these devices become more complex and highly functional, the number of optical elements also increases, and it is considered that the play and tightening generated between the pressing member, the lens barrel, and the lens as an optical element due to temperature changes may become even larger. That is, when holding the lens in the lens barrel, if the environmental temperature changes due to the difference in the amount of expansion and contraction due to the difference in the linear expansion coefficients of the lens and the lens barrel, play and tightening may occur in the optical axis direction. Changes in the holding position due to the generated play and surface deformation of the lens due to tightening may cause deterioration of optical performance and aging of components over time. To avoid this, a flange is provided on the lens barrel, and a biased member that is screwed together with a pressing member that presses the lens closest to the object side on the image plane side of the flange is provided. A configuration is adopted in which an elastic member such as a wave washer is provided between the flange and the biased member. By thus crushing a necessary amount of the elastic member in advance during assembly at normal temperature to generate an elastic force, the play and the tightening amount are reduced.

[0004] On the one hand, in a fixed-focus camera such as an in-vehicle camera, since the focus cannot be adjusted during use, adjustment is required to suppress blurring before shipment. An optical adjustment method called "tilt adjustment" has been proposed, in which the inclination of the imaging element with respect to the optical axis of the optical system is adjusted in the pitch direction and the yaw direction to align the inclination of the imaging plane of the optical system and the imaging plane of the imaging element. The lens barrel equipped with the lens is fixed to the adjustment tool, and an evaluation chart arranged at a designed interval from the imaging device is photographed with this imaging device. The resolution and contrast values at the four corners of the peripheral part of the photographed image of the evaluation chart are confirmed, and the tilt adjustment of the imaging element is performed at a desired position. After the tilt adjustment, there is a method of fixing by applying an adhesive between another flange that does not contact the elastic member of the lens barrel equipped with the lens and the sensor holder that holds the imaging element.

[0005] Therefore, in the above-described configuration, since the elastic member is incorporated from the image plane side, it is necessary to make the inner diameter of the elastic member larger than the outer diameter of the flange for adhesive fixation with the sensor holder. As a result, the lens barrel becomes larger. To avoid this enlargement, as a method of incorporating the elastic member from the subject side, a configuration has been proposed in which a leaf spring is provided on a pressing member that holds a lens as in Patent Document 1, and no play in the optical axis direction due to temperature change is generated by the pressing of the leaf spring.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] However, in the prior art disclosed in the above-mentioned patent documents, a radial length is required to apply an elastic force to the leaf spring. Also, when holding the elastic member between the pressing member and the lens, the elastic member is disposed at a position radially away from the effective diameter of the lens in order to secure the viewing angle. That is, the pressing member becomes larger in the radial direction.

[0008] In a wide-angle camera, the radial size of the lens on the subject side tends to be large. Further, if a length in the radial direction is also required for the pressing member, the diameter of the lens barrel unit including the pressing member may become large and the size may increase. When the camera is installed close to the windshield that slopes from the front to the rear of the vehicle body, if the installation height is defined, the entire camera is disposed rearward and the installation space becomes large due to the increase in the diameter of the lens barrel unit on the subject side.

[0009] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an optical device that enables miniaturization while reducing play and tightening amount between the pressing member and the lens.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0010] In order to achieve the above object, an optical device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a lens barrel that holds an optical element, a pressing member that contacts the optical element and the lens barrel, a biasing member that is fixed to the lens barrel, and an elastic member that is disposed between the pressing member and the biasing member in the radial direction and is sandwiched between the biasing member and the pressing member in the optical axis direction.

Effects of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an optical device that enables miniaturization while reducing play and tightening amount between the pressing member and the lens.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, the modes for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail. The embodiments described below are examples of means for realizing the present invention and should be appropriately modified or changed according to the configuration and various conditions of the device to which the present invention is applied, and the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0014] <Example 1> Hereinafter, the outline of the structure of the conventional optical unit shown in FIG. 4 will be described, and then the optical unit 102 in the present embodiment shown in FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the structure of the conventional optical unit 250.

[0015] The optical unit 250 is an example of an optical unit included in a conventional optical device. The sensor holder 201 fixedly holds the imaging element 202. It is a lens barrel 203 that houses a plurality of lenses to be described later. After tilting adjustment, an adhesive 204 is applied to fix between the flange 203a of the lens barrel 203 and the sensor holder 201 with respect to the sensor holder 201 in which the imaging element 202 is held. The lens barrel 203 is arranged in the order of the first lens 205, the second lens 206, the third lens 207, the fourth lens 208, and the fifth lens 209 from the subject side (left side in FIG. 4).

[0016] A first spacer 210 is disposed between the first lens 205 and the second lens 206, and a second spacer 211 is disposed between the second lens 206 and the third lens 207. Further, a third spacer 212 is disposed between the third lens 207 and the fourth lens 208, and a fourth spacer 213 is disposed between the fourth lens 208 and the fifth lens 209.

[0017] Further, in order to hold the lens barrel 203 in contact with the first lens 205, a pressing member 214, a biased member 215, and an elastic member 216 are configured.

[0018] The optical unit 250 houses and holds the first lens 205, the second lens 206, the third lens 207, the fourth lens 208, and the fifth lens 209 inside the lens barrel 203. Further, the optical unit 250 houses and holds the first spacer 210, the second spacer 211, the third spacer 212, and the fourth spacer 213 inside the lens barrel 203.

[0019] Then, with these lenses and spacers housed and held, the elastic member 216 is arranged from the image plane side (the right side in FIG. 4). After arranging the elastic member 216, the biased member 215 is inserted from the image plane side in the same manner. Finally, the female screw portion 214a of the pressing member 214 and the male screw portion 215a of the biased member 215 are screwed together so that the pressing member 214 abuts against the first lens 205, and the lens is fixed in the direction of the optical axis O in a state where the biased member 215 is compressed. By holding the lens with the pressing member 214 in a state where the elastic member 216 is compressed by a required amount, the first lens 205 is constantly pressed against the pressing member 214 by the reaction force of the elastic force of the elastic member 216.

[0020] At that time, in order to avoid interference between the elastic member 216 and the flange 203a of the lens barrel 203, the inner diameter of the elastic member 216 had to be made larger than the outer diameter of the flange 203a. Therefore, a problem occurs in that the outer diameter of the pressing member 214 becomes larger than the outer diameter of the flange 203a.

[0021] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an optical device 101 according to this embodiment.

[0022] The optical device 101 is composed of an optical unit 102, a housing 103, and an electrical device 104. For example, when the optical device 101 is an in-vehicle camera, the optical unit 102 functions as an imaging optical system. When an object 105 is imaged, a signal is input to the electrical device 104 including an image sensor, thereby acquiring environmental information around the vehicle.

[0023] The image sensor here assumes CCD, CMOS, etc., and converts the light that is condensed and reaches through the optical unit 102 into an electrical signal. The converted electrical signal is converted into analog data or digital data that are components of the captured image data. The obtained data is used in a driving support or an automatic driving system. Also, the optical unit 102 of the optical device 101 such as an in-vehicle camera may have the object side exposed from the housing 103 and may be installed on the vehicle body close to the windshield 106. In order to get as close to the windshield 106 as possible, since miniaturization of the installation space is required, it is preferable to miniaturize the optical unit 102 as well.

[0024] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the structure of the optical unit 102 according to the first embodiment. An imaging element 12 is fixedly held in a sensor holder 11. The lens barrel 13 houses a plurality of lenses described later. After the pitching adjustment of the lens barrel 13 housing the plurality of lenses with respect to the sensor holder 11 holding the imaging element 12, an adhesive 14 is applied to fix between the flange 13a of the lens barrel 13 and the sensor holder 11. Thereby, the lens barrel 13 and the sensor holder 11 can be fixed. The lens barrel 13 is arranged in the order of a first lens 15, a second lens 16, a third lens 17, a fourth lens 18, and a fifth lens 19 from the object side (the left side in FIG. 2).

[0025] A first spacer 20 is disposed between the first lens 15 and the second lens 16, a second spacer 21 is disposed between the second lens 16 and the third lens 17, a third spacer 22 is disposed between the third lens 17 and the fourth lens 18, and a fourth spacer 23 is disposed between the fourth lens 18 and the fifth lens 19.

[0026] Furthermore, in this embodiment, in order to hold the first lens 15 in contact with and in the lens barrel 13, a pressing member 24, a biased member 25, and an elastic member 26 are configured. Note that the first lens 15, the second lens 16, the third lens 17, the fourth lens 18, and the fifth lens 19 in this embodiment are glass lenses.

[0027] Also, the lens barrel 13, the first spacer 20, the second spacer 21, the third spacer 22, the pressing member 24, and the elastic member 26 are made of a metal material. The number of lenses and the number of spacers can be arbitrarily set according to the application and the like. Also, the materials of the lenses, spacers, and lens barrel can be arbitrarily set according to the application and the like. For example, the first lens 15 may be a spherical glass lens, and the second lens 16, the third lens 17, the fourth lens 18, and the fifth lens 19 may be resin lenses. Also, for example, the pressing member 24 may be made of a resin material.

[0028] The optical unit 102 may be provided with a "diaphragm" that limits the amount of transmitted light and determines the F value that is an indicator of brightness, or a "stop" that blocks light rays that cause ghosts or light rays that cause aberrations. In this embodiment, such a diaphragm or stop is not shown. Note that antireflection films, hydrophilic films, water-repellent films, etc. may be provided on the surfaces of these first lens 15, second lens 16, third lens 17, fourth lens 18, and fifth lens 19 as necessary.

[0029] The pressing member 24 is configured to have a short side portion 24a and a long side portion 24b that is longer than the short side portion 24a in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the short side portion 24a is formed. Further, the pressing member 24 has a first protrusion (protruding portion) 24c. The first protrusion 24c is formed to protrude from a part of the long side portion 24b in a direction opposite to the direction in which the short side portion 24a is formed. The pressing member 24 has a contact surface 24d that is a surface that contacts the first lens 15 on the short side portion 24a side and a contact surface 24e that is a surface that contacts the biasing member 25. Also, the pressing member 24 has a contact surface 24f on the surface opposite to the side where the first protrusion 24c is formed. The contact surface 24f is a surface that contacts the contact surface 13e of the lens barrel 13 when the pressing member 24 is disposed in the lens barrel 13.

[0030] The elastic member 26 is composed of a rubber material such as silicone rubber considering heat resistance so that its physical properties are not affected even in a harsh in-vehicle temperature environment, or a metal spring member such as a compression coil spring or a wave washer. The elastic member 26 is sandwiched and held between the pressing member 24 and the biasing member 25 with respect to the optical axis O direction.

[0031] Here, a method for assembling the optical unit 102 will be described. Note that the method for assembling the optical unit 102 will be described in a state where the first lens 15, the second lens 16, the third lens 17, the fourth lens 18, and the fifth lens 19 are housed and held inside the lens barrel 13. Further, it is assumed that the first spacer 20, the second spacer 21, the third spacer 22, and the fourth spacer 23 are housed and held inside the lens barrel 13.

[0032] With each of these lenses and each spacer housed and held, the pressing member 24 is arranged on the lens barrel 13 from the subject side. When arranging the pressing member 24, it is arranged such that the contact surface 24d of the pressing member 24 contacts the first lens 15. Incidentally, when the contact surface 24d of the pressing member 24 contacts the first lens 15, the contact surface 24d of the pressing member 24 is in a state of being spaced apart from the surface 13d of the lens barrel 13 in the direction of the optical axis O. And, as shown in FIG. 2, when the pressing member 24 is brought into contact with the lens barrel 13 and the first lens 15, the short side portion 24a, which is a part of the pressing member 24 on the subject side, is located outside the lens barrel 13 in the direction of the optical axis O.

[0033] Also, when the pressing member 24 is arranged on the lens barrel 13, the first protrusion 24c of the pressing member 24 protrudes outward in the radial direction. Incidentally, when the pressing member 24 is arranged on the lens barrel 13, the contact surface 24f of the pressing member 24 also contacts the contact surface 13e of the lens barrel 13.

[0034] Next, the elastic member 26 is inserted from the subject side. The elastic member 26 can be arranged with respect to the pressing member 24 at the stage of being inserted.

[0035] And finally, with the pressing member 24 and the elastic member 26 arranged, the biasing member 25 is arranged with respect to the lens barrel 13, and the biasing member 25 is fixed to the lens barrel 13. At this time, with the inner surface of the biasing member 25 in the direction of the optical axis O contacting the contact surface 24e, which is the surface (outer surface) of the pressing member 24 on the subject side, the female screw portion 25a provided in the inner diameter portion of the biasing member 25 and the male screw portion 13b provided in the outer diameter portion of the lens barrel 13 are screwed together. Thereby, the elastic member 26 is sandwiched between the biasing member 25 and the pressing member 24 in the direction of the optical axis O. Specifically, when the biasing member 25 is arranged on the lens barrel 13, the elastic member 26 arranged between the biasing member 25 and the first protrusion 24c of the pressing member 24 in the direction of the optical axis O is in a compressed state. And by fixing the biasing member 25 to the lens barrel 13 with the elastic member 26 in a compressed state, the first lens 15 can be fixed with respect to the direction of the optical axis O.

[0036] Thus, the pressing member 24 is arranged on the lens barrel 13, then the elastic member 26 is arranged on the pressing member 24, and finally the biased member 25 is fixed to the lens barrel 13. Thereby, the elastic member 26 is positioned between the biased member 25 and the first protrusion 24c of the pressing member 24 in the direction of the optical axis O, and is positioned between the pressing member 24 and the biased member 25 in the direction orthogonal to the optical axis O (radial direction).

[0037] Also, when the pressing member 24 is arranged on the lens barrel 13, then the elastic member 26 is arranged on the pressing member 24, and finally the biased member 25 is fixed to the lens barrel 13 in this way, the first protrusion 24c of the pressing member 24 is positioned inside the biased member 25 in the direction of the optical axis O and in the radial direction. Further, even when the biased member 25 is fixed to the lens barrel 13 after arranging the pressing member 24 and the elastic member 26, the first protrusion 24c of the pressing member 24 does not contact the biased member 25.

[0038] Also, when the biased member 25 is fixed to the lens barrel 13 after arranging the pressing member 24 and the elastic member 26, the biased member 25 may include a first region which is a region outside the lens barrel 13 in the direction of the optical axis O and a second region which is a region outside the lens barrel 13 in the radial direction. Further, by adopting the structure of the optical unit 102 of the present embodiment, the inner diameter of the elastic member 26 can be made equal to or less than the outer diameter of the flange 13a.

[0039] By holding the first lens 15 with the pressing member 24 in a state where the elastic member 26 is compressed by a required amount, the first lens 15 is constantly pressed against the pressing member 24 by the reaction force of the elastic force of the elastic member 26.

[0040] Also, since the pressing member 24 constantly presses the first lens 15 by the reaction force of the elastic force of the elastic member 26, when the environmental temperature becomes low from the time of assembly, the lens deformation due to the tightening generated from the difference in the linear expansion coefficients of the lens barrel 13 and the lens can be absorbed by the elastic member 26.

[0041] In this embodiment, the lens barrel 13, the pressing member 24, the first spacer 20, the second spacer 21, the third spacer 22, and the fourth spacer 23 are made of aluminum alloy, and the linear expansion coefficient is 26×10^-6 / °C. The first lens 15, the second lens 16, the third lens 17, the fourth lens 18, and the fifth lens 19 are made of glass, and the linear expansion coefficient is 7×10^-6 / °C.

[0042] Here, the length of the first lens 15 in the optical axis direction is 3 mm, the length of the second lens 16 in the optical axis direction is 5 mm, the lengths of the third lens 17 and the fifth lens 19 in the optical axis direction are 3 mm, and the length of the fourth lens 18 in the optical axis direction is 2.5 mm. Also, the length of the first spacer 20 in the optical axis direction is 1.5 mm, and the lengths of the second spacer 21, the third spacer 22, and the fourth spacer 23 in the optical axis direction are 3 mm. Furthermore, the length in the optical axis direction from the wall portion 13c of the lens barrel 13 to the contact portion with the first lens 15 of the pressing member 24 is 27 mm. At this time, when the temperature changes by 1°C, a distance difference of about 0.3 μm occurs between the lens barrel and the lens.

[0043] In an environment where the outside air temperature drops by 60°C from the time of assembly, the lens tends to deform in the direction of compression by about 18.8 μm in the optical axis direction, but the elastic member 26 can absorb this amount of deformation.

[0044] On the other hand, in an environment where the outside air temperature rises by 60°C from the time of assembly, play of about 19.4 μm will occur in the optical axis direction. However, since the elastic member 26 is compressed, the pressing member 24 constantly presses and holds the first lens 15 by the reaction force of the elastic force of the elastic member 26, so this amount of play can be absorbed.

[0045] According to the structure of the optical unit 102 in this embodiment, since the elastic member 26 can be inserted from the subject side, the inner diameter of the elastic member 26 can be made equal to or smaller than the outer diameter of the flange 13a of the lens barrel 13. Therefore, it is not necessary to consider the restriction of making the inner diameter of the elastic member 26 larger than the outer diameter of the flange 13a of the lens barrel 13 as in the prior art, and thus the optical device 101 can be miniaturized.

[0046] <Example 2> As Example 2, a structure in which an elastic member provided between a biased member and a pressing member prevents the occurrence of twisting will be described. When the elastic member is disposed between the biased member and the pressing member, twisting may occur in the elastic member due to the contact resistance between the biased member and the pressing member. As a result, the biasing force applied to the lens becomes non-uniform, and it may not be possible to reduce the play and tightening generated between the pressing member and the lens. Therefore, a structure capable of suppressing the twisting of the elastic member is required.

[0047] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the structure of the optical unit 111 according to Example 2. Note that, in the optical device of Example 2, description of the same structure and assembly method as those of the optical device 101 of Example 1 will be omitted.

[0048] The pressing member 112 of Example 2 is configured to have a short side portion 112a and a long side portion 112b that is longer than the short side portion 112a in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the short side portion 112a is formed. Further, the pressing member 112 has a first protrusion (projection) 112c. The first protrusion 112c is formed so as to protrude from a part of the long side portion 112b in a direction opposite to the direction in which the short side portion 112a is formed. The pressing member 112 has a contact surface 112d that is a surface that comes into contact with the first lens 15 on the short side portion 112a side and a contact surface 112e that is a surface that comes into contact with the biased member 113. Further, the pressing member 112 has a contact surface 112f on a surface opposite to the side where the first protrusion 112c is formed. The contact surface 112f is a surface that comes into contact with the contact surface 13e of the lens barrel 13 when the pressing member 112 is disposed in the lens barrel 13. Further, the pressing member 112 in Example 2 is provided with a second protrusion (rotation restricting portion) 112g for restricting rotation.

[0049] Also in the second embodiment, after arranging the pressing member 112 and the elastic member 26, by fixing the member 113 to be biased to the lens barrel 13, the elastic member 26 is sandwiched and held between the pressing member 112 and the member 113 to be biased in the direction of the optical axis O. Specifically, the pressing member 112 is arranged on the lens barrel 13 in the same manner as in the first embodiment, then the elastic member 26 is arranged on the pressing member 112, and finally the member 113 to be biased is fixed to the lens barrel 13. As a result, the elastic member 26 is positioned between the member 113 to be biased and the first protrusion 112c of the pressing member 112 in the direction of the optical axis O, and is positioned between the pressing member 112 and the member 113 to be biased in the direction orthogonal (radial direction) to the direction of the optical axis O.

[0050] In the second embodiment, when arranging the member 113 to be biased in a state where the pressing member 112 and the elastic member 26 are arranged, the second protrusion 112g provided on the pressing member 112 is inserted into the groove 113a provided in the inner diameter of the member 113 to be biased. That is, the second protrusion 112g is fitted into the groove 113a. As a result, the rotation of the pressing member 112 around the optical axis is restricted. Then, in a state where the second protrusion 112g is fitted into the groove 113a, the female screw portion 113b of the member 113 to be biased and the male screw portion 13b of the lens barrel 13 are screwed together to fix the member 113 to be biased and the lens barrel 13. Further, at this time, by adopting the configuration of the second embodiment, when the female screw portion 113b of the member 113 to be biased and the male screw portion 13b of the lens barrel 13 are screwed together, the elastic member 26 can be compressed without being twisted.

[0051] As a result, similar to the first embodiment, miniaturization of the optical device is enabled, and since the elastic member 26 can be compressed without being twisted, it is possible to reduce the play and tightening amount between the pressing member and the lens caused by temperature changes.

[0052] <Third Embodiment> FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of the optical device according to each of the above embodiments and an in-vehicle system (driving support device) 1000 including the same. The optical device 1 in the third embodiment has the configuration of the optical devices in the first and second embodiments.

[0053] The in-vehicle system 1000 is a control system for assisting the driving (operation) of the vehicle 500, which is held by a movable moving body (moving device) such as an automobile (vehicle), and is based on the distance information of objects such as obstacles and pedestrians around the vehicle acquired by the optical device 1. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the vehicle 500 as a moving device including the in-vehicle system 1000. In FIG. 5, the case where the distance measurement range (detection range) of the optical device 1 is set in front of the vehicle 500 is shown, but the distance measurement range may be set behind or on the side of the vehicle 500, etc.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 6, the in-vehicle system 1000 includes an optical device 1, a vehicle information acquisition device 200, a control device (control unit, ECU: Electronic Control Unit) 300, and a warning device (warning unit) 400. In the in-vehicle system 1000, the control unit (not shown) provided in the optical device 1 has functions as a distance acquisition unit (acquisition unit) and a collision determination unit (determination unit). However, if necessary, a distance acquisition unit or a collision determination unit separate from the control unit may be provided in the in-vehicle system 1000, and each may be provided outside the optical device 1 (for example, inside the vehicle 500). Alternatively, the control device 300 may be used as the control unit. Further, the optical device 1 may include a scanning unit that scans an object using illumination light from a light source (not shown).

[0055] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the in-vehicle system 1000 according to the third embodiment. Hereinafter, the operation of the in-vehicle system 1000 will be described along this flowchart.

[0056] First, in step S1, an object around the vehicle 500 is illuminated by illumination light from the light source of the optical device 1, and the reflected light from the object is received. The control unit acquires distance information of the object based on a signal output by a light receiving element (light receiving unit) (not shown) by receiving the reflected light through a lens. At this time, the distance acquisition unit functions as acquisition means for acquiring distance information of an object based on a signal from the light receiving element. Here, the distance information may be information related to the distance from the moving device (vehicle 500) to the object, and does not necessarily have to be the distance itself. Also, in step S2, the vehicle information acquisition device 200 acquires vehicle information including the vehicle speed, yaw rate, steering angle, etc. of the vehicle 500. Then, in step S3, the control unit determines whether the distance to the object is within a preset distance range using the distance information acquired in step S1 and the vehicle information acquired in step S2.

[0057] Thereby, it can be determined whether an object exists within the set distance around the vehicle 500, and the possibility of collision between the vehicle 500 and the object can be determined. Note that steps S1 and S2 may be performed in an order reverse to the above order, or may be processed in parallel with each other. The control unit determines "possibility of collision" when an object exists within the set distance (step S4), and determines "no possibility of collision" when no object exists within the set distance (step S5).

[0058] Next, when the control unit determines "possibility of collision", it notifies (transmits) the determination result to the control device 300 and the warning device 400. At this time, the control device 300 controls the vehicle 500 based on the determination result by the control unit (step S6), and the warning device 400 warns the user (driver, passenger) of the vehicle 500 based on the determination result by the control unit (step S7). At this time, the warning device 400 functions as warning means for warning according to the distance information of the object. Note that the notification of the determination result may be made to at least one of the control device 300 and the warning device 400.

[0059] The control device 300 functions as a control means capable of controlling the driving and movement of the vehicle 500 by outputting a control signal to the drive unit (such as an engine or a motor) of the vehicle 500. For example, the control device 300 performs controls such as generating a control signal for applying brakes, releasing the accelerator, turning the steering wheel, or generating braking force on each wheel in the vehicle 500 to suppress the output of the engine or the motor. Further, the warning device 400 issues warnings to the user, such as emitting a warning sound, displaying warning information on the screen of a car navigation system, or applying vibration to the seat belt or the steering wheel.

[0060] As described above, according to the in-vehicle system 1000 according to the third embodiment, detection and ranging of the object can be performed by the above processing, and it becomes possible to avoid a collision between the vehicle 500 and the object. In particular, by applying the optical device according to each of the above-described embodiments to the in-vehicle system 1000, high ranging accuracy can be realized, so that detection of the object and collision determination can be performed with high accuracy.

[0061] In the third embodiment, the in-vehicle system 1000 is applied to driving assistance (collision damage reduction), but it is not limited thereto, and the in-vehicle system 1000 may be applied to cruise control (including a function of following the entire vehicle speed) or automatic driving. Further, the in-vehicle system 1000 is not limited to vehicles such as automobiles, and can be applied to moving bodies such as ships, airplanes, and industrial robots. Further, not limited to moving bodies, it can be applied to various devices that utilize object recognition such as advanced road traffic systems (ITS) and monitoring systems.

[0062] Further, the in-vehicle system 1000 and the vehicle 500 may be provided with a notification device (notification unit) for notifying the manufacturer (maker) of the in-vehicle system or the dealer (dealer) of the moving device, etc. in the event that the vehicle 500 collides with an obstacle. For example, as the notification device, one that transmits information regarding the collision between the vehicle 500 and the obstacle (collision information) to a preset external notification destination by e-mail or the like can be adopted.

[0063] By adopting a configuration in which the collision information is automatically notified by the notification device in this way, it is possible to promptly take measures such as inspection and repair after a collision occurs. Note that the notification destination of the collision information may be an insurance company, a medical institution, a police station, etc., or any arbitrary one set by the user. Further, not limited to the collision information, the notification device may be configured to notify the notification destination of the failure information of each part and the consumption information of consumables. Regarding the detection of the presence or absence of a collision, it may be performed using the distance information acquired based on the output from the above-described light receiving element, or may be performed by another detection unit (sensor).

[0064] As described above, the present invention has been described in detail based on its preferred embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various forms within the scope not departing from the gist of this invention are also included in the present invention. Some of the above-described embodiments may be appropriately combined.

[0065] The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configurations and systems.

[0066] (Configuration 1) A lens barrel that holds an optical element, A pressing member that contacts the optical element and the lens barrel, A biasing member that is fixed to the lens barrel, An optical device characterized by having an elastic member disposed between the pressing member and the biasing member in the radial direction and sandwiched between the biasing member and the pressing member in the optical axis direction.

[0067] (Configuration 2) The pressing member has a protruding portion that protrudes in the radial direction, The optical device according to Configuration 1, wherein the elastic member is disposed between the biasing member and the protruding portion in the optical axis direction.

[0068] (Configuration 3) The optical device according to Configuration 2, wherein the protruding portion is located inside the biasing member in the optical axis direction and the radial direction.

[0069] (Configuration 4) When the pressing member is brought into contact with the optical element and the lens barrel, a part of the pressing member on the subject side is located outside the lens barrel in the optical axis direction, according to any one of Configurations 1 to 3. The optical apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

[0070] (Configuration 5) The biasing member is arranged to include a first region that is a region outside the lens barrel in the optical axis direction and in the radial direction, and a second region that is a region outside the lens barrel in the radial direction, according to any one of Configurations 1 to 4. The optical apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

[0071] (Configuration 6) The lens barrel is arranged in the order of the pressing member and the elastic member from the subject side, and is configured to be fixed to the lens barrel with the biasing member in contact with the pressing member, according to any one of Configurations 1 to 5. The optical apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

[0072] (Configuration 7) The biasing member is fixed to the lens barrel in a state of being in contact with the surface of the pressing member on the subject side in the optical axis direction, according to any one of Configurations 1 to 6. The optical apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

[0073] (Configuration 8) The lens barrel has a male screw portion on its outer diameter portion, The biasing member has a female screw portion on its inner diameter portion, The biasing member is fixed to the lens barrel by screwing the male screw portion and the female screw portion together, according to any one of Configurations 1 to 7. The optical apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

[0074] (Configuration 9) The elastic member is a spring member made of a metal material, according to any one of Configurations 1 to 8. The optical apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

[0075] (Configuration 10) The lens barrel is made of a metal material, according to any one of Configurations 1 to 9. The optical apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

[0076] (Configuration 11) It has a sensor holder that holds the imaging element, The lens barrel is characterized in that it has a flange for fixing to the sensor holder, and is the optical device according to any one of Configurations 1 to 10.

[0077] (Configuration 12) The optical device according to Configuration 11, wherein the inner diameter of the elastic member is equal to or less than the outer diameter of the flange.

[0078] (Configuration 13) The optical device according to any one of Configurations 1 to 12, wherein the pressing member is provided with a rotation restricting portion that restricts rotation around the optical axis with respect to the energized member.

[0079] (Configuration 14) The optical device according to Configuration 1, and an imaging element that receives light from the optical device, and is an imaging device characterized by this.

[0080] (Configuration 15) Equipped with the imaging device according to Configuration 14, A control system characterized by having an acquisition unit that acquires distance information of an object based on a signal from the imaging element.

[0081] (Configuration 16) The control system according to Configuration 15, characterized by comprising a control device that controls the movement of the moving device based on the distance information.

[0082] (Configuration 17) The control system according to Configuration 15 or 16, characterized by comprising a warning device that gives a warning according to the distance information of the object.

[0083] (Configuration 18) A moving device characterized by comprising the optical device according to Configuration 1 and being movable while holding the optical device.

[0084] ​ (Configuration 19) Comprising the optical device according to Configuration 1, A mobile device, characterized by having acquisition means for acquiring distance information of an object based on a signal from a light receiving element.

[0085] (Configuration 20) The mobile device according to Configuration 19, characterized by comprising control means for controlling the movement of the mobile device based on the distance information.

Explanation of Reference Signs

[0086] 13 Lens barrel 15 First lens 24 Pressing member 25 Biased member 26 Elastic member 102 Optical unit 101 Optical device

Claims

1. A lens barrel that holds an optical element, A pressing member that contacts the optical element and the lens barrel, A biasing member fixed to the lens barrel, An optical device comprising: an elastic member disposed between the pressing member and the biasing member in the radial direction and sandwiched between the biasing member and the pressing member in the optical axis direction.

2. The pressing member has a protruding portion that protrudes in the radial direction, The optical device according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member is disposed between the biasing member and the protruding portion in the optical axis direction.

3. The optical device according to claim 2, wherein the protruding portion is located inside the biasing member in the optical axis direction and the radial direction.

4. When the pressing member is brought into contact with the optical element and the lens barrel, a part of the subject side of the pressing member is located outside the lens barrel in the optical axis direction. The optical device according to claim 1, characterized in that

5. The biasing member is arranged to include a first region that is a region outside the lens barrel in the optical axis direction and the radial direction and a second region that is a region outside the lens barrel in the radial direction. The optical device according to claim 1, characterized in that

6. The pressing member, the elastic member are arranged in this order from the subject side of the lens barrel, and the biasing member is fixed to the lens barrel in a state where it abuts against the pressing member. The optical device according to claim 1, characterized in that

7. The optical device according to claim 1, wherein the biasing member is fixed to the lens barrel in a state of being in contact with the surface of the subject side of the pressing member in the optical axis direction.

8. The outer diameter portion of the lens barrel has a male screw portion, The inner diameter portion of the biasing member has a female screw portion, The optical device according to claim 1, wherein the biasing member is fixed to the lens barrel by screwing the male screw portion and the female screw portion together.

9. The optical device according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member is a spring member made of a metal material.

10. The optical device according to claim 1, wherein the lens barrel is made of a metal material.

11. Having a sensor holder that holds an imaging element, The optical device according to claim 1, wherein the lens barrel has a flange for fixing to the sensor holder.

12. The optical device according to claim 11, wherein an inner diameter of the elastic member is equal to or less than an outer diameter of the flange.

13. The optical device according to claim 1, wherein the pressing member is provided with a rotation restricting portion that restricts rotation of the energized member about the optical axis.

14. An imaging device, comprising: the optical device according to claim 1; and an imaging element that receives light from the optical device.

15. A control system, comprising: the imaging device according to claim 14, and an acquisition unit that acquires distance information of an object based on a signal from the imaging element.

16. The control system according to claim 15, further comprising: a control device that controls movement of a mobile device based on the distance information.

17. The control system according to claim 15 or 16, further comprising: a warning device that issues a warning according to the distance information of the object.

18. A mobile device, comprising: the optical device according to claim 1, and being movable while holding the optical device.

Images