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

Abstract

To provide a lens unit, a camera module, an imaging system, and a mobile body including a heater that can be easily assembled (positioned and installed) to a lens unit without exposing a power supply unit to the outside of a lens tube.SOLUTION: A lens unit in the present invention includes a heater 30 for heating a first lens 13. The heater 30 includes a heating unit 32 that generates heat by power supply, and a power supply unit 34 that supplies power to the heating unit 32. The heating unit 32 includes a protrusion part 32a with an electrode. A lens tube 12 includes a protrusion part housing part 45 for housing the protrusion part 32a of the heating unit 32. The power supply unit 34 is exposed in the protrusion part housing part 45 of the lens tube 12 so that an electrode 34a corresponding to an end part thereof can be electrically connected to an electrode of the protrusion part 32a of the heating unit 32.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates particularly to a lens unit, a camera module, an imaging system, and a moving body equipped with the imaging system, which constitute an in-vehicle camera mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, in-vehicle cameras have been mounted on automobiles to support parking or prevent collisions through image recognition, and attempts have also been made to apply them to autonomous driving. In addition, such a camera module of an in-vehicle camera generally includes a lens unit having a lens group in which a plurality of lenses are arranged along an optical axis, a lens barrel that houses and holds the lens group, and a diaphragm member disposed between at least one pair of lenses in the lens group (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] The lens unit (camera module) having the above configuration can be used not only in in-vehicle cameras but also in various optical devices. In particular, when exposed to the external environment in a cold region, freezing of the lens surface or snow accumulation on the lens can be assumed, so generally, it is provided with a snow melting function or the like. Specifically, as schematically shown in FIG. 11(a), for example, such a lens unit has a heater 130 inserted between a surface 101a facing the image side of a first lens 101 and a surface 102a facing the object side of a second lens 102 adjacent to the first lens 101 in order to warm the first lens 101 that is located on the most object side among a lens group L (only two lenses on the object side of the lens group L are shown in FIG. 11(a) for simplification) housed and held in a lens barrel 120 and exposed from the lens barrel 120 (exposed to the external environment).

[0004] The heater 130 incorporated in the lens barrel 120 in this way is widely used as the most effective heating means capable of efficiently transmitting the generated heat to the surface of the first lens 101.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005] Patent Document 1 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-231993 Summary of the Invention Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] By the way, power supply to the heater 130 is generally performed via an electrical wiring, and in general, via a flexible printed circuit board (FPC). Therefore, the heater 130 is composed of, for example, a heating portion 130a which is an annular heater body inserted between the lenses 101 and 102 as shown in FIG. 11(b), and a power supply portion 130b composed of an FPC extending laterally from the heating portion 130a. Heat is generated in the heating portion 130a by power supply through the power supply portion 130b, and the heat is transmitted to the lens 101. And the power supply portion 130b is generally led out to the outside of the lens barrel through a lead-out hole 120a provided on the side surface of the lens barrel 120 and electrically connected to the power supply side.

[0007] However, such an arrangement form in which the power supply portion 130b is led out to the outside and extended for a long distance has several problems. That is, not only does the power supply portion 130b led out to the outside become an obstacle, but there are also problems with the waterproofing resistance of the power supply portion 130b exposed to the outside. In addition, the FPC constituting the power supply portion 130b generally has problems in terms of environmental resistance and mechanical strength, such as weak tensile strength. Further, at the time of assembling the lens unit, it is necessary to place the heating portion 130a on the surface 102a facing the object side of the second lens 102 for alignment and then pull out the power supply portion 130b from the inside of the lens barrel 120 through the lead-out hole 120a to the outside, and the operation is complicated (the installation of the heater 130 is troublesome).

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a lens unit, a camera module, an imaging system, and a moving body including a heater that enables easy incorporation (positioning and installation of the heater) with respect to the lens unit without exposing the power supply unit to the outside of the lens barrel.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a lens unit including a lens group in which a plurality of lenses are arranged along the optical axis of the lenses, a lens barrel that houses the lens group, and a heater for transmitting generated heat to the lens located on the most object side of the lens group, wherein the heater is inserted between a first lens located on the most object side of the lens group and a second lens adjacent to the first lens on the image side thereof, and includes a heating portion that generates heat by power supply, a power supply portion that supplies power to the heating portion and extends inside the lens barrel with at least a part thereof embedded in the lens barrel, and has the heating portion has a protruding portion that protrudes outward from a predetermined position along its outer periphery, and an electrode provided on the protruding portion, the lens barrel has a protruding portion accommodating portion for accommodating the protruding portion of the heating portion located at a position inserted between the first and second lenses, one end electrode of the power supply portion is exposed in the protruding portion accommodating portion of the lens barrel so as to be electrically connectable to the electrode provided on the protruding portion of the heating portion, which is characterized by the above.

[0010] Thus, according to the present invention, a protruding portion with an electrode is provided on the outer periphery of the heating portion, and a protruding portion accommodating portion for accommodating the protruding portion at the lens interposing position of the heating portion is provided in the lens barrel. Also, since the electrode of the power supply portion is exposed in the protruding portion accommodating portion so as to be electrically connectable to the electrode of the protruding portion of the heating portion, when incorporating (installing) the heater into the lens unit, it is not necessary to visually confirm the position of the electrode on the heating portion side on which part of the heating portion the electrode is located and perform the troublesome operation of aligning these electrodes with the electrodes on the power supply portion side. Just by positioning the heating portion at the lens interposing position so that the protruding portion of the heating portion is accommodated in the protruding portion accommodating portion of the lens barrel, for example, just by placing the heating portion on the object side surface of the second lens, the electrical connection between the heating portion and the power supply portion can be easily achieved. Therefore, the incorporation (installation) of the heater into the lens unit can be performed extremely easily.

[0011] Also, according to the present invention, the power supply portion for supplying power to the heating portion extends inside the lens barrel in a state where it is at least partially buried in the lens barrel, and since the power supply portion is not exposed outside the lens barrel, not only can the waterproof resistance of the power supply portion be ensured, but also the power supply portion can be protected from the external environment and external forces.

[0012] In addition, in the above configuration, the shape of the heating portion is not particularly limited, and it may have any shape such as circular or annular as long as it can efficiently and effectively heat the first lens. Also, regarding the protruding portion provided on the heating portion, its shape and number are not particularly limited. For example, when only one protruding portion is provided, both the + electrode and the - electrode are provided on the protruding portion. When two protruding portions are provided, the + electrode is provided on one protruding portion and the - electrode is provided on the other protruding portion. Also, as the heating portion, for example, a PTC (positive temperature coefficient) heater can be mentioned.

[0013] Also, in the above configuration, the power supply unit may be formed by a metal plate, electrical wiring, for example, lead wires, or may be composed of wiring made of FPC (Flexible Printed Circuits). In this case, the electrical resistance of the power supply unit must be made lower than that of the heating unit so that heat is not generated in the power supply unit. Also, as a method of embedding the power supply unit in the lens barrel, for example, an insert molding method or an outsert molding method can be adopted. Also, the power supply unit may be completely embedded in the lens barrel over its entire length, or may be embedded in the lens barrel only over a part of its entire length, or may be only partially embedded in the lens barrel. The main point is that the power supply unit may be extended inside the lens barrel so as not to be exposed outside the lens barrel. In this case, for example, the power supply unit may be arranged in a groove formed along the inner surface of the lens barrel. Also, the other end of the power supply unit is electrically connected to a sensor substrate on which an imaging element that converts light collected through the lens group of the lens unit into an electrical signal is mounted, for example, by soldering, or is electrically connected to a further power supply line of the camera housing, thereby receiving power supply. When electrically connecting the power supply unit and the heating unit, a conductive adhesive may be used, or for example, ACP (Anisotropic Conductive Adhesive) may be used as the conductive adhesive. Since ACP has the feature that conduction occurs only in the pressed part when the electrode +- is in the vicinity, there is an advantage that the manufacturing process can be simplified.

[0014] Also, in the above configuration, the protruding portion accommodating portion provided in the lens barrel to accommodate the protruding portion of the heating unit may be provided in the lens barrel in any form as long as it can accommodate the protruding portion in a state where the heating unit is positioned at the lens intervening position (the position inserted between the first and second lenses, that is, the position inserted between the first lens and the second lens, or the position where the first lens should be inserted between the first lens and the second lens as a result of the first lens being stacked on the second lens later). In this lens intervening position, the heating unit may be supported by the object-side surface of the second lens, may be supported by the part of the lens barrel including the protruding portion accommodating portion, or may be a combination of these.

[0015] In addition, in the above configuration, the protruding portion accommodating portion may be defined by a groove or a protrusion formed in the lens barrel so as to position the protruding portion in the circumferential direction with respect to the lens barrel. According to such a groove or protrusion, the heating portion (protruding portion) can be accurately positioned in the circumferential direction, and the electrodes of the heating portion and the electrodes of the power supply portion can be accurately aligned with each other within the protruding portion accommodating portion. Therefore, a good electrical connection between the heating portion and the power supply portion can be efficiently and surely achieved. Further, such a groove or protrusion may accurately position the protruding portion of the heating portion by abutting against it, or may position the protruding portion by at least partially fitting it with a predetermined play, and also acts as a guide for guiding the protruding portion into the protruding portion accommodating portion. The space portion within the protruding portion accommodating portion that forms the predetermined play allows excess adhesive to escape in the circumferential direction and / or the radial direction when the electrodes are electrically connected. In this regard, it is preferable that the groove or protrusion further forms an adhesive dam that restricts the outflow of the conductive adhesive from the protruding portion accommodating portion. That is, it is preferable that the groove or protrusion has both a positioning guide function for guiding and positioning the protruding portion of the heating portion and an adhesive overflow prevention function for preventing the adhesive from overflowing from the protruding portion accommodating portion.

[0016] The present invention also provides a camera module having the above-described lens unit, an imaging system having the camera module, and a moving body equipped with the imaging system. Such a camera module, imaging system, and moving body can obtain the same operational effects as the above-described lens unit. Note that the "moving body" refers to all objects that can move, and examples thereof include vehicles and the like.

Effects of the Invention

[0017] According to the present invention, since the power supply part of the heater extends inside the lens barrel, there is no need to expose the power supply part outside the lens barrel. Further, a protruding part with an electrode is provided on the outer periphery of the heating part of the heater, and a protruding part accommodating part for accommodating the protruding part at the lens insertion position between the lenses of the heating part is provided on the lens barrel, and in the protruding part accommodating part, the electrode of the power supply part is exposed so as to be electrically connectable to the electrode of the protruding part of the heating part. Therefore, the incorporation of the heater into the lens unit (positioning and installation of the heater) becomes extremely easy.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. This embodiment contributes to "9. Build the foundation for industry and technological innovation" among the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) proposed by the United Nations. Note that the lens unit of the present embodiment described below is particularly for a camera module such as an in-vehicle camera. For example, it is fixedly installed on the outer surface side of an automobile, and the wiring is drawn into the automobile and connected to a display or other devices. Also, hatching is omitted for a plurality of lenses in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 6, and 11.

[0020] FIG. 1 shows a camera module 80 having a lens unit 11 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the lens unit 11 includes a cylindrical lens barrel (barrel) 12, a plurality of lenses arranged in a stepped inner accommodation space S of the lens barrel 12, for example, five lenses including a first lens 13, a second lens 14, a third lens 15, a fourth lens 16, and a fifth lens 17, and a diaphragm member (not shown). The diaphragm member is an "aperture diaphragm" that limits the amount of transmitted light and determines the F-value, which is an indicator of brightness, or a "light-shielding diaphragm" that blocks light rays that cause ghosts or aberrations. An in-vehicle camera including such a lens unit 11 includes the lens unit 11, a sensor substrate 305 having an image sensor (imaging element) 304, and an installation member (not shown) for installing the substrate 305 on a vehicle such as an automobile. In the present embodiment, the first lens 13 that can be exposed to the outside is a glass lens, and the other inner second to fifth lenses 14, 15, 16, 17 are all resin lenses formed of resin (plastic), but the present invention is not limited to this. Further, the lens barrel 12 that houses these lenses 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 is made of resin in the present embodiment, but may be made of metal. Further, the shapes of the lens barrel and the lenses, the number of lenses, etc. can be arbitrarily set according to the application and the like.

[0021] The plurality of lenses 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 fixed and supported by the lens barrel 12 are arranged in a state where their respective optical axes are aligned, and a group of lens groups L used for imaging is configured in a state where the lenses 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 are arranged along a single optical axis O. Among these, the two fourth and fifth lenses 16, 17 located on the most image side (the innermost part of the inner accommodation space S) may be, for example, bonded lenses. Further, anti-reflection films, hydrophilic films, water-repellent films, etc. may be provided on the surfaces of these lenses 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 as necessary.

[0022] At the object-side end (the upper end in FIG. 1) of the lens barrel 12, there is provided a caulked portion 23 formed by caulking the end portion radially inward thermally. The first lens 13, which is the most object-side lens of the lens group L, is fixed to the object-side end of the lens barrel 12 by this caulked portion 23.

[0023] Also, at the image-side end (the lower end in FIG. 1) of the lens barrel 12, an inner flange portion 24 having an opening smaller in diameter than the fifth lens 17 is provided. By this inner flange portion 24 and the caulked portion 23, a plurality of lenses 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 constituting the lens group L and the diaphragm member are held inside the lens barrel 12.

[0024] On the outer peripheral surface of the first lens 13 located most on the object side, there is provided a reduced-diameter portion with a smaller diameter on the image-side portion of the lens 13. An O-ring 26 as a seal member is provided on the reduced-diameter portion, and the space between the outer peripheral surface of the lens 13 and the inner peripheral surface of the lens barrel 12 is sealed at the object-side end of the lens barrel 12. This prevents fine particles such as water and dust from entering the lens barrel 12 from the object-side end of the lens unit 11. Note that the seal member inserted between the first lens 13 and the lens barrel 12 is not limited to an O-ring, and may be in any form as long as it is an annular body capable of sealing between the first lens 13 and the lens barrel 12. On the outer peripheral surface of the lens barrel 12, an outer flange portion 25 used when installing the lens barrel 12 in an in-vehicle camera is provided in a flange shape on the outer peripheral surface of the lens barrel 12.

[0025] Also, in the present embodiment, a heater 30 for transmitting the generated heat to the first lens 13 located on the most object side of the lens group L is disposed in the lens barrel 12. The heater 30 includes a heating portion 32 that generates heat by power supply, and a power supply portion 34 that supplies power to the heating portion 32 and extends inside the lens barrel 12 while being embedded in the lens barrel 12. The heating portion 32 is formed in an annular shape as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 so as to substantially correspond to the shape of the surface 13a on the image side of the first lens 13 in order to warm the first lens 13 whose object-side surface is exposed from the lens barrel 12 and exposed to the external environment, and is inserted between the surface 13a facing the image side of the first lens 13 and the surface 14a facing the object side of the second lens 14 adjacent to the first lens 13 on the image side. Note that, as the heating portion 32, for example, a PTC (positive temperature coefficient) heater can be mentioned.

[0026] As clearly shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the annular heating portion 32 has a wiring pattern (conductive pattern) 39 formed by arranging concentric loops along the radial direction, and has a pair of protruding portions 32a, 32a that protrude radially outward from a predetermined position along the circumference (outer circumference) thereof. These protruding portions 32a, 32a are provided so as to face each other in the radial direction with an angular interval of 180° along the circumferential direction. An electrode (for example, a + electrode) 32b provided at one end of the wiring pattern 39 is located on one protruding portion 32a, and an electrode (for example, a - electrode) 32b provided at the other end of the wiring pattern 39 is located on the other protruding portion 32a.

[0027] Also, in the present embodiment, the lens barrel 12 has a protrusion accommodating portion 45 for accommodating a pair of protrusions 32a, 32a of a heating portion 32 that is positioned between the first and second lenses 13, 14. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the protrusion accommodating portion 45 accommodates the protrusions 32a, 32a on both sides of the heating portion 32 in a state where the heating portion 32 is placed on the object-side surface 14a of the second lens 14. Specifically, at two locations of an annular step portion 12a formed on the inner peripheral surface of the lens barrel 12, specifically, at two portions of the annular step portion 12a that face each other in the radial direction with an angular interval of 180° along the circumferential direction corresponding to the positions of the protrusions 32a, 32a.

[0028] In this case, the protrusion accommodating portion 45 may be defined, for example, by grooves 40 formed in the annular step portion 12a of the lens barrel 12 so as to position the protrusions 32a, 32a in the circumferential direction with respect to the lens barrel 12, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6. The groove 40 extends in the radial and circumferential directions so as to form at least a space for receiving the protrusion 32a, and the protrusion 32a of the heating portion 32 may be accurately positioned by abutting against it, or may be positioned by at least partially fitting the protrusion 32a with a predetermined play as shown in FIG. 6. The groove 40 also acts as a guide for guiding the protrusion 32a into the protrusion accommodating portion 45.

[0029] Alternatively, the protrusion accommodating portion 45 may be defined, for example, by a pair of protrusions 43, 43 formed in the annular step portion 12a of the lens barrel 12 so as to position the protrusions 32a, 32a in the circumferential direction with respect to the lens barrel 12, as shown in FIG. 5. These protrusions 43, 43 extend in the radial and circumferential directions so as to form at least a space for receiving the protrusion 32a between them, and the protrusion 32a of the heating portion 32 may be accurately positioned by abutting against it, or may be positioned by at least partially fitting the protrusion 32a with a predetermined play. The protrusions 43, 43 also act as a guide for guiding the protrusion 32a into the protrusion accommodating portion 45.

[0030] Also, as clearly shown in FIG. 1, the power supply unit 34 for supplying power to the heating unit 32 is provided on both sides of the lens barrel 12 so as to be able to supply power to the electrodes 32b, 32b of the two protruding portions 32a, 32a of the heating unit 32 housed in each protruding portion housing portion 45, and extends from each protruding portion housing portion 45 to the image-side end portion 12c of the lens barrel 12 in a state of being completely embedded in the lens barrel 12 over the entire length. In this case, the power supply unit 34 is formed of a conductive member, for example, a metal plate in the present embodiment, but may be formed of electrical wiring, for example, lead wires, or may be composed of wiring made of FPC (Flexible printed circuits). In any case, the electrical resistance of the power supply unit 34 must be made lower than that of the heating unit 32 so that heat is not generated in the power supply unit 34.

[0031] When the power supply unit 34 is constituted by wiring or the like, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, the power supply unit 34 may be inserted into through holes 12b, 12b formed in the side wall of the lens barrel 12. In this case, the through holes 12b, 12b extend substantially parallel to the optical axis O and open in each protruding portion housing portion 45, 45 and at the image-side end portion 12c, respectively.

[0032] On the other hand, when the power supply unit 34 is made of a metal plate as in the present embodiment, the power supply unit 34 may be integrally formed with the lens barrel 12 by, for example, insert molding. An example of providing the power supply unit 34 to the lens barrel 12 by such integral molding is shown in FIG. 8 (the example of FIG. 8 corresponds to the embodiment of FIG. 3 described later, and the power supply unit 34 does not extend to the image-side end portion 12c of the lens barrel 12).

[0033] In any case, one end electrode 34a of the power supply unit 34 is exposed in the protruding portion accommodating portion 45 of the lens barrel 12 (for example, in a state where one end portion of the power supply unit 34 is bent) so as to be electrically connectable to the electrode 32b provided on the protruding portion 32a of the heating unit 32. On the other hand, the electrode 34b at the other end of the power supply unit 34 is exposed at the image-side end portion 12c of the lens barrel 12 (for example, in a state where the other end portion of the power supply unit 34 is bent). In the present embodiment, it is configured to receive power supply by being electrically connected to a sensor substrate 305 on which a package sensor (image pickup device) 304 that converts light condensed through the lens group L and via the filter 100 into an electrical signal is mounted, by means of a conductive adhesive 36 or soldering or the like. Note that the electrical connection between the electrode 34a of the power supply unit 34 and the electrode 32b provided on the protruding portion 32a of the heating unit 32 is performed via the conductive adhesive 36 in the present embodiment, and as such a conductive adhesive 36, for example, ACP (anisotropic conductive adhesive) can be used. However, the electrical connection between the electrodes 34a and 32b may be made by direct contact between the electrodes 34a and 32b without using the conductive adhesive 36. In this case, for example, the electrodes 34a and 32b may be directly brought into contact with each other by the pressing force accompanying the thermal caulking by the caulking portion 23 described above.

[0034] Also, in the electrical connection between the electrodes 32b and 34a in the protruding portion accommodating portion 45 via such a conductive adhesive 36, as shown in FIG. 6, the above-described groove 40 or protrusion 43 that defines the protruding portion accommodating portion 45 can regulate the outflow of the conductive adhesive 36 from the protruding portion accommodating portion 45. In this case, the fitting with a predetermined play between the groove 40 or protrusion 43 and the protruding portion 32a of the heating unit 32 can form a gap in the protruding portion accommodating portion 45 that allows the excess adhesive 36 to escape in the circumferential direction and / or the radial direction when the electrodes 32b and 34a are electrically connected. That is, in the present embodiment, the groove 40 or protrusion 43 serves both as a positioning guide function for guiding and positioning the protruding portion 32a of the heating unit 32 into the protruding portion accommodating portion 45, and an adhesive overflow prevention function for preventing the adhesive 36 from overflowing from the protruding portion accommodating portion 45 (overflow).

[0035] As described above, according to the present embodiment, a protruding portion 32a with an electrode 32b is provided on the outer periphery of the heating portion 32, and a protruding portion accommodating portion 45 that accommodates the protruding portion 32a at the lens interposing position of the heating portion 32 is provided on the lens barrel 12. Further, in the protruding portion accommodating portion 45, the electrode 34a of the power supply portion 34 is exposed so as to be electrically connected to the electrode 32b of the protruding portion 32a of the heating portion 32 via the conductive adhesive 36. Therefore, when the heater 30 is incorporated (installed) in the lens unit 11, it is not necessary to visually check the position of the electrode 32b on the heating portion 32 side on which part of the heating portion 32 the electrode 32b is located and perform the troublesome work of aligning these electrodes 32b with the electrodes 34a on the power supply portion 34 side. By simply positioning the heating portion 32 at the lens interposing position so that the protruding portion 32a of the heating portion 32 is accommodated in the protruding portion accommodating portion 45 of the lens barrel 12 (in the present embodiment, by simply placing the heating portion 32 on the surface 14a on the object side of the second lens 14), the electrical connection between the heating portion 32 and the power supply portion 34 can be easily achieved. Therefore, the incorporation (installation) of the heater 30 into the lens unit 11 can be performed extremely easily.

[0036] Further, according to the present invention, the power supply portion 34 that supplies power to the heating portion 32 extends inside the lens barrel 12 in a state of being embedded in the lens barrel 12, and the power supply portion 34 is not exposed to the outside of the lens barrel 12. Therefore, not only can the waterproof resistance of the power supply portion 34 be ensured, but the power supply portion 34 can also be protected from the external environment and external forces.

[0037] FIG. 2 shows a camera module 80A having a lens unit 11A with a heater 30 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, in the present embodiment, the electrical connection form of the electrode 34b at the other end of the power supply unit 34 with respect to the sensor substrate 305 is different from that of the first embodiment. That is, in the present embodiment, one of the power supply units 34 (the right side in the figure), the electrode 34b at the other end thereof is electrically connected to the sensor substrate 305 on its surface 305a, and the other power supply unit 34 (the left side in the figure), the electrode 34b at the other end thereof penetrates through the through hole 305c of the sensor substrate 305 and is electrically connected to the sensor substrate 305 on its back surface 305b. Note that other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and thus, the same operational effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0038] FIG. 3 shows a camera module 80B having a lens unit 11B with a heater 30 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the camera module 80B of the present embodiment includes a camera housing 302 that holds the lens unit 11B, and this camera housing 302 has a female screw 302a that engages with a male screw 12d of the lens unit 11B (lens barrel 12). A sensor substrate 305 on which a package sensor (imaging element) 304 is mounted is provided in the camera housing 302. The package sensor 304 includes a CCD, a CMOS, or the like, and converts light that is condensed and reaches through the lens unit 11B into an electrical signal. The converted electrical signal is converted into analog data or digital data that is a component of image data captured by the camera (the same applies to the above-described embodiments).

[0039] In the present embodiment, the electrode 34b at the other end of the power supply unit 34 is exposed at the image-side end face of the outer flange portion 25 of the lens barrel 12 located on the object side with respect to the male screw 12d. This electrode 34b is electrically connected to the exposed object-side electrode 90a of the conductive portion 90 embedded in the camera housing 302 by a conductive adhesive 36 or soldering. Also, the exposed image-side electrode 90b of the conductive portion 90 is electrically connected to the power supply line 92 of the sensor substrate 305 by a conductive adhesive 36 or soldering.

[0040] Note that the other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and thus, the same operational effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0041] FIG. 9 schematically shows a vehicle 240 as a moving body on which an in-vehicle system (imaging system) including an imaging device 250 including the camera module 80 of FIG. 1 (which may be the camera modules 80A and 80B of FIGS. 2 and 3) is mounted. As shown in the figure, the imaging device 250 can be mounted on the vehicle 240, and FIG. 9 is an arrangement example illustrating the mounting position of the imaging device 250 in the vehicle 240. The imaging device 250 mounted on the vehicle 240 can also be called an in-vehicle camera and can be installed at various locations on the vehicle 240. For example, the first imaging device 250a may be arranged at the front bumper or in the vicinity thereof as a camera for monitoring the front when the vehicle 240 is running. Also, the second imaging device 250b for monitoring the front may be arranged in the vicinity of the inner rearview mirror in the passenger compartment of the vehicle 240. The third imaging device 250c may be arranged on the dashboard or inside the instrument panel as a camera for monitoring the driving situation of the driver. The fourth imaging device 250d may be installed at the rear of the vehicle 240 for rear monitoring of the vehicle 240. The imaging devices 250a and 250b can be called front cameras. The third imaging device 250c can be called an in-camera. The fourth imaging device 250d can be called a rear camera. The imaging device 250 is not limited to these, and includes imaging devices installed at various positions, such as a left side camera for imaging the left rear side and a right side camera for imaging the right rear side.

[0042] The image signal of the image captured by the imaging device 250 can be output to the information processing device 242 and / or the display device 243 etc. within the vehicle 240. These information processing device 242 and display device 243, together with the imaging device 250, constitute an in-vehicle system. The information processing device 242 within the vehicle 240 includes devices that process the image signal acquired by the imaging device 250, recognize the image, and assist the driver in driving. Also, the information processing device 242 includes, for example, a navigation device, a collision damage mitigation braking device, an inter-vehicle distance control device, and a lane departure warning device etc., but is not limited thereto. The display device 243 displays the image processed and output by the information processing device 242, but can also receive the image signal directly from the imaging device 250. Also, the display device 243 can adopt a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, and an inorganic EL display, but is not limited thereto. The display device 243 can display the image signal output from the imaging device 250 that captures an image at a position difficult for the driver to visually recognize, such as a rear camera, to the driver.

[0043] FIG. 10 shows the configuration of the imaging device that constitutes the in-vehicle system of FIG. 9. As shown in the figure, the imaging device 250 according to an embodiment includes a control unit 252, a storage unit 254, and the camera module 80 of FIG. 1 described above (which may be the camera modules 80A and 80B of FIGS. 2 and 3).

[0044] The control unit 252 controls the camera module 80 and processes the electrical signal output from the imaging element 304 of the camera module 80. This control unit 252 may be configured as a processor, for example. Also, the control unit 252 may include one or more processors. The processor may include a general-purpose processor that reads a specific program and executes a specific function, and a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process. The dedicated processor may include an application-specific integrated circuit (IC). The application-specific IC is also referred to as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The processor may include a programmable logic device. The programmable logic device is also referred to as a programmable logic device (PLD). The PLD may include a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). The control unit 252 may be either a system-on-a-chip (SoC) or a system in a package (SiP) in which one or more processors cooperate.

[0045] The storage unit 254 stores various information or parameters related to the operation of the imaging device 250. The storage unit 254 may be configured as, for example, a semiconductor memory or the like. The storage unit 254 may function as a working memory of the control unit 252. The storage unit 254 may store the captured image. The storage unit 254 may store various parameters and the like for the control unit 252 to perform detection processing based on the captured image. The storage unit 254 may be included in the control unit 252.

[0046] As described above, the camera module 80 captures an object image formed through the lens unit 11 with the imaging element 304 and outputs the captured image. The image captured by the camera module 80 is also referred to as a captured image.

[0047] The imaging device 304 may be configured by, for example, a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), or the like. The imaging device 304 has an imaging surface on which a plurality of pixels are arranged. Each pixel outputs a signal specified by a current or a voltage according to the amount of incident light. The signal output by each pixel is also referred to as imaging data.

[0048] The imaging data may be read out by the camera module 80 for all pixels and taken into the control unit 252 as an imaging image. The imaging image read out for all pixels is also referred to as the maximum imaging image. The imaging data may be read out by the camera module 80 for some pixels and taken in as an imaging image. In other words, the imaging data may be read out from the pixels within a predetermined capture range. The imaging data read out from the pixels within the predetermined capture range may be taken in as an imaging image. The predetermined capture range may be set by the control unit 252. The camera module 80 may acquire the predetermined capture range from the control unit 252. The imaging device 304 may image an image within a predetermined capture range of the subject image formed through the lens unit 11.

[0049] As described above, the present invention has been described in relation to specific embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be implemented with various modifications without departing from the gist thereof. For example, in the present invention, the shapes of the lens, the lens barrel, etc., and the formation form of the heater are not limited to the above-described embodiments. Also, within the range not departing from the gist of the present invention, a part or all of the above-described embodiments may be combined, or a part of the configuration may be omitted from one of the above-described embodiments.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0050] 11, 11A, 11B Lens unit 12 Lens barrel 13 First lens 14 Second lens 30 Heater 32 Heating part 32a Protrusion 32b Electrode 34 Power supply part 34a Electrode 36 Conductive adhesive 40 Groove 43 Protrusion 45 Protrusion housing part 80, 80A, 80B Camera module 240 Vehicle (mobile body) L Lens group O Optical axis

Claims

1. A lens unit comprising: a lens group in which a plurality of lenses are arranged along the optical axis of the lens; a lens barrel that houses the lens group; and a heater for transmitting generated heat to the lens located on the most object side of the lens group, wherein the heater, is inserted between a first lens located on the most object side of the lens group and a second lens adjacent to the first lens on the image side thereof, and includes a heating portion that generates heat by power supply, a power supply portion that supplies power to the heating portion and extends inside the lens barrel with at least a part thereof embedded in the lens barrel, has, the heating portion has a protruding portion that protrudes outward from a predetermined position along its outer periphery, and an electrode provided on the protruding portion, the lens barrel has a protruding portion accommodating portion for accommodating the protruding portion of the heating portion located at a position inserted between the first and second lenses, one end electrode of the power supply portion is exposed in the protruding portion accommodating portion of the lens barrel so as to be electrically connectable to the electrode provided on the protruding portion of the heating portion, the protruding portion accommodating portion is defined by a protrusion formed on the lens barrel so as to position the protruding portion in the circumferential direction with respect to the lens barrel, characterized in that it is a lens unit.

2. The electrode at one end of the power supply portion is electrically connected to the electrode provided on the protruding portion of the heating portion via a conductive adhesive, and the protrusion restricts the outflow of the conductive adhesive from the protruding portion accommodating portion. The lens unit according to claim 1.

3. A camera module comprising the lens unit according to claim 1 or 2, and an imaging element that converts light condensed through the lens group of the lens unit into an electrical signal.

4. An imaging device having the camera module according to claim 3, and a control unit that controls the camera module and processes an electrical signal output from the imaging element of the camera module, a processing device that processes an image signal acquired by the imaging device, and a display device that displays an image output after being processed by the processing device, characterized in that it has.

5. A moving body equipped with the imaging system according to claim 4, and characterized in that information to the occupant is output by the display device.

Images