Vehicle-mounted camera

Abstract

To suppress an increase in cost and an increase in size of an on-vehicle camera by separately constituting a coaxial connector and a connector for a piezoelectric element.SOLUTION: The vehicle-mounted camera includes a lens barrel including at least one lens disposed along an optical axis, an imaging element, a circuit board having a first surface on which the imaging element is disposed, a first housing that houses at least the imaging element and the circuit board, and a coaxial connector that is electrically connected to the circuit board and is set to output an image signal from the imaging element to the outside. The vehicle-mounted camera includes a piezoelectric element that is disposed in the vicinity of the second end portion of the lens barrel and vibrates the at least one lens, a flexible substrate that is connected to the piezoelectric element so as to be exposed inside the first casing, and a piezoelectric element connector that is connected to the flexible substrate and extends from the flexible substrate to the fourth end portion of the first casing at a position outside the coaxial connector in a radial direction orthogonal to the optical axis.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an in-vehicle camera.

[0002] In recent years, with demands for improved vehicle safety and the introduction of autonomous driving functions, there has been active development of in-vehicle cameras that are mounted on vehicles and capture images of the inside and outside of the vehicle (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-170303 [Patent Document 2] International Publication No. 2023 / 127197 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The level of requirements for vehicle safety and autonomous driving functions is constantly increasing, and further improvements in the performance of in-vehicle cameras are also being called for.

[0005] The present disclosure relates to a technology for providing a new vehicle-mounted camera. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention provides a lens barrel having a first cylindrical shape along an optical axis, the lens barrel including a first end of the first cylindrical shape, a second end of the first cylindrical shape opposite the first end, and at least one lens arranged along the optical axis; an imaging element arranged on the optical axis and closer to the second end of the first cylindrical shape of the lens barrel than to the first end of the first cylindrical shape; a circuit board having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, the imaging element arranged on the first surface; a second housing that houses at least the imaging element and the circuit board, the second housing having a second cylindrical shape along the optical axis, the second end of the second cylindrical shape, and a fourth end of the second cylindrical shape that is arranged farther from the third end with respect to the first end of the first cylindrical shape of the lens barrel; Provided is an in-vehicle camera comprising: a coaxial connector disposed at the fourth end of a second cylindrical member, the coaxial connector having a first connector end and a second connector end opposite the first connector end, the first connector end being electrically connected to the circuit board and configured to output an image signal from the imaging element to the outside; a piezoelectric element disposed near the second end of the first cylindrical member of the lens barrel and vibrating the at least one lens; a flexible substrate connected to the piezoelectric element so as to be exposed inside the first housing; and a connector for the piezoelectric element connected to the flexible substrate and extending from the flexible substrate to the fourth end of the first housing at a position outside the coaxial connector in a radial direction perpendicular to the optical axis. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, foreign matter such as raindrops adhering to the lens can be removed by the vibration of the piezoelectric element. In addition, the conventional coaxial connector and the piezoelectric element connector can be configured separately, which reduces costs and prevents the in-vehicle camera from becoming larger. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a top view of an example of a vehicle equipped with an on-board camera. [Figure 2]FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of connections between an in-vehicle camera, a camera ECU, and a display provided in the vehicle shown in FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic diagram of another example of a vehicle, in which an on-board camera is installed; [Figure 4] Figure 3: Top view of the vehicle [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of connections between an in-vehicle camera, a camera ECU, and a display provided in the vehicle shown in FIG. [Figure 6A] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an in-vehicle camera according to an embodiment; [Figure 6B] FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of an in-vehicle camera according to an embodiment; [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an in-vehicle camera according to an embodiment; [Figure 8] 1 is a top view of an in-vehicle camera according to an embodiment; [Figure 9] Cross-sectional view taken along line II in Figure 8 [Figure 10] Enlarged view of area A in Figure 9 [Figure 11] A perspective view of the piezoelectric element seen from below [Figure 12] 10 is a perspective view of a cross section taken along line II-II in FIG. [Figure 13] Circuit diagram of vehicle-mounted camera and vehicle DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings as appropriate, a detailed description of an embodiment specifically disclosing an in-vehicle camera according to the present disclosure will be provided. However, more detailed description than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed description of well-known matters and redundant description of substantially identical configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid unnecessary redundancy in the following description and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art. Note that the accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter of the claims.

[0010] (Vehicles equipped with in-vehicle cameras) 1 shows a top view of an example of a vehicle equipped with an on-board camera. Vehicle V is equipped with on-board cameras 100, including on-board camera 100A, on-board camera 100B, on-board camera 100C, and on-board camera 100D. On-board camera 100A is a front camera, on-board camera 100B is a rear camera, on-board camera 100C is a right-side camera, and on-board camera 100D is a left-side camera. On-board cameras 100A to 100D are wide-angle cameras with an angle of view of, for example, about 180°, and are positioned so that the entire periphery of vehicle V can be captured.

[0011] For example, vehicle-mounted camera 100A is installed on the front grill of vehicle V and captures images of the area ahead in a direction looking diagonally down relative to the ground. Vehicle-mounted camera 100B is installed on the roof spoiler of vehicle V and captures images of the area behind in a direction looking diagonally down relative to the ground. Vehicle-mounted camera 100C and vehicle-mounted camera 100D are each installed on the side mirrors of vehicle V and capture images of the areas to the side in a direction looking diagonally down relative to the ground.

[0012] Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of connections between the vehicle-mounted cameras 100A to 100D, the camera ECU 110, and the display 7 provided in the vehicle V shown in Fig. 1. The camera ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 111 shown in Fig. 2 combines images captured by the vehicle-mounted cameras 100A to 100D and displays the combined image on a display 7 of a navigation system disposed on, for example, an instrument panel. The occupants can view the display 7 to check the situation around the vehicle V.

[0013] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the cabin of another example of a vehicle equipped with an on-board camera, and FIG. 4 is a top view of the vehicle of FIG. 3. The vehicle V is provided with a display 5 (e.g., an electronic rearview mirror) in the front portion of the cabin 2 between the driver's seat 3 and the passenger seat 4 at the mounting position of the rearview mirror. The vehicle V also has an on-board camera 100 mounted on the rear of the vehicle body. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the connection between the on-board camera 100, camera ECU 111, and display 5 provided in the vehicle V shown in FIG. 3. The camera ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 111 shown in FIG. 4 processes images captured by the on-board camera 100, and the display 5 displays the images. Passengers can view the display 5 to check the situation behind the vehicle V.

[0014] (Embodiment of an in-vehicle camera) Fig. 6A is a front perspective view of the vehicle-mounted camera 100 according to the embodiment, and Fig. 6B is a rear perspective view of the vehicle-mounted camera 100 according to the embodiment. Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the vehicle-mounted camera 100 according to the embodiment. Fig. 8 is a top view of the vehicle-mounted camera 100 according to the embodiment. Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II in Fig. 8. Note that coordinates are defined that include an X-axis along one side of the vehicle-mounted camera 100, a Y-axis that is perpendicular to the X-axis and along the other side of the vehicle-mounted camera 100, and a Z-axis that is perpendicular to the X-axis and Y-axis and along the height direction of the vehicle-mounted camera 100, and these will be used in the following description.

[0015] The vehicle-mounted camera 100 of this embodiment includes a lens barrel 30, a piezoelectric element 20, a circuit board 40, an imaging element 50, a first housing 60, a second housing 70, and a box-shaped shield 90.

[0016] The lens barrel 30 has a first cylindrical shape along the optical axis L (a direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in Figure 8 and along the Z axis), and has a first end 30a and a second end 30b opposite to the first end 30a in the direction along the optical axis L (a direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in Figure 8 and along the Z axis).

[0017] First end 30a constitutes the tip portion of barrel 30, and second end 30b is located inside first housing 60, with at least a portion facing imaging element 50 and circuit board 40.

[0018] The lens barrel 30 also includes at least one lens 35 arranged on an optical axis L. The lens barrel 30 holds inside, for example, a lens group consisting of multiple lenses 35. In the lens group, the lenses 35 are arranged with their respective optical axes L aligned, constituting a lens group used for capturing images of the inside and outside of the body of the vehicle V.

[0019] Furthermore, the lens barrel 30 has a flange portion 32 at the second end portion 30b, which is arranged around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L and extending outward with respect to the optical axis L. The flange portion 32 has a first flange surface 32a facing at least a portion of the upper side surface of the piezoelectric element 20, and a second flange surface 32b opposite to the first flange surface 32a.

[0020] At least second flange surface 32b of lens barrel 30 can be molded from the first resin. The entire lens barrel 30 may be molded from the first resin. This allows lens barrel 30 to be molded easily and at low cost. Lens barrel 30 may also be made of metal.

[0021] 9 does not show the interior of lens barrel 30 in detail, but only shows one lens (first lens) 35 exposed to the outside at first end 30a. For a specific example of the internal structure of lens barrel 30, see, for example, the contents of Patent Document 2.

[0022] The imaging element 50 is disposed in the internal space of the first housing 60 on the optical axis L, closer to the second end 30b of the lens barrel 30 than to the first end 30a. The imaging element 50 is electrically connected to the circuit of the circuit board 40, and can capture an image by guiding external light to the imaging element 50. The imaging element 50 may be, for example, a CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor) image sensor.

[0023] The circuit board 40 is disposed in the internal space of the first housing 60 and has a first surface 40a and a second surface 40b opposite the first surface 40a. However, two or more circuit boards may be provided. The imaging element 50 is disposed on the first surface 40a of the circuit board 40.

[0024] The circuit board 40 has a quadrangular shape in a plan view. The shape in a plan view refers to the shape when viewed in a direction from the first surface 40a to the second surface 40b of the circuit board 40. The circuit board 40 has a quadrangular shape as in the embodiment, for example, but may also have a polygonal shape with pentagons or more sides.

[0025] The first housing 60 is a cylindrical member with an internal space and serves to house at least the circuit board 40 and the image sensor 50. The first housing 60 has a second cylindrical shape along the optical axis L. The second cylindrical shape of the first housing 60 has a third end 63 and a fourth end 64. The third end 63 is connected to the flange portion 32 of the lens barrel 30. The fourth end 64 is opposite the third end 63 in the direction along the optical axis L and is located farther from the third end 63 than the first end 30a of the lens barrel 30. At least the third end 63 of the first housing 60 can be molded from a second resin. The entire first housing 60 may be molded from the second resin. The first housing 60 may be made of metal.

[0026] The second housing 70 has a third cylindrical shape along the optical axis L, and is formed so as to extend from the fourth end 64 of the first housing 60 in the opposite direction to the lens barrel 30. The diameter of the third cylindrical shape of the second housing 70 is smaller than the diameter of the second cylindrical shape of the first housing 60. The second housing 70 serves to house the portions of the coaxial connector 80 and the piezoelectric element connector 24, which will be described later in FIG. 9, that are exposed to the outside from the first housing 60, but the second housing 70 is not an essential component.

[0027] The first housing 60 and the second housing 70 can be integrally molded, or alternatively, separate first and second housings 60 and 70 may be prepared in advance and joined together by welding, screws, or other methods. Note that, although the first housing 60 and the second housing 70 are rectangular tubular in this embodiment, they may be polygonal tubular other than rectangular, circular or elliptical tubular, or tubular in other shapes.

[0028] With first housing 60 housing at least circuit board 40 and image sensor 50, second flange surface 32b of flange portion 32 of lens barrel 30 and third end 63 of first housing 60 are welded to each other around the entire periphery. This welding is performed by, for example, laser welding.

[0029] Typical laser welding is used to weld a first resin, which has a predetermined optical transmittance at the wavelength of the laser beam, to a second resin, which has an optical transmittance lower than that of the first resin. When laser light is irradiated onto the first resin while pressure is applied to both resins, the laser light passes through the first resin without being absorbed. The transmitted laser light is absorbed by the surface of the second resin, which has a lower optical transmittance than the first resin. The absorbed laser energy is converted into heat, heating the surface of the second resin. Furthermore, the surface of the first resin that contacts the surface of the second resin is also heated by thermal conduction. This melts both resins at their interface. When the laser irradiation is stopped, the molten resin solidifies, and the two resins are welded together.

[0030] In this embodiment, at least the second flange surface 32b of the flange portion 32 of the lens barrel 30 is molded from a first resin, and at least the third end 63 of the first housing 60 is molded from a second resin. In laser welding, the second flange surface 32b of the flange portion 32 of the lens barrel 30 is pressed against the third end 63 of the first housing 60, and a laser is applied from the flange portion 32 side to weld the second flange surface 32b and the third end 63 together. If the first housing 60 is made of metal and the lens barrel 30 is also made of metal, the second flange surface 32b of the flange portion 32 of the lens barrel 30 and the third end 63 of the first housing 60 may be welded to each other along the entire circumference. If one of the first housing 60 and the lens barrel 30 is made of metal and the other is made of resin, the first housing 60 and the lens barrel 30 may be fastened together with screws.

[0031] The box-shaped shield 90 is a box-shaped conductive member housed inside the first housing 60. The box-shaped shield 90 is made of a conductive metal or the like, and serves to shield the first housing 60 from noise inside and outside.

[0032] The vehicle-mounted camera 100 further includes a coaxial connector 80, at least a portion of which is disposed at the fourth end 64 of the first housing 60. The coaxial connector 80 includes a first connector end 81 and a second connector end 82 opposite the first connector end 81, and the first connector end 81 is electrically connected to the circuit board 40. The coaxial connector 80 is configured to receive power from the vehicle V as a power source for the vehicle-mounted camera 100 and supply it to the circuit board 40, and to output an image signal from the imaging element 50 to the outside.

[0033] In the embodiment, the circuit board 40 and the coaxial connector 80 are connected via a connector connection portion 47. The connector connection portion 47 is disposed on the second surface 40b of the circuit board 40, and a first connector end portion 81 of the coaxial connector 80 is connected to the connector connection portion 47. The connector connection portion 47 has, for example, a floating pin structure having a spring, and can absorb positional errors between the circuit board 40 and the coaxial connector 80. However, the circuit board 40 and the coaxial connector 80 may also be connected directly.

[0034] The vehicle-mounted camera 100 is mounted on the vehicle V with a portion of it, particularly the lens 35, exposed to the outside, and there is a risk that raindrops or other foreign matter may adhere to the lens 35. Since such foreign matter interferes with photography, it is desirable to remove it promptly.

[0035] To address this issue, the vehicle-mounted camera 100 of this embodiment further includes a piezoelectric element 20 that is disposed near the first cylindrical second end 30b of the lens barrel 30 and vibrates at least one lens 35. The piezoelectric element 20 is driven by receiving a power supply in a manner described below, and vibrates the lens 35 that is directly or indirectly connected to the piezoelectric element 20. This makes it possible to remove foreign matter adhering to the lens 35.

[0036] Piezoelectric element 20 is a flat member having a substantially circular ring shape (substantially C-shape) in the XY plane, and is formed so as to substantially surround optical axis L. Piezoelectric element 20 is connected to lens 35, which is exposed to the outside, inside lens barrel 30 using a transmission member not shown in FIG. 9. When piezoelectric element 20 is driven, the driving vibration is transmitted to lens 35 via the transmission member not shown, causing lens 35 to vibrate. Piezoelectric element 20 is formed so as to correspond to the entire periphery of lens 35, and therefore the vibration is transmitted to the entire periphery of lens 35, making it possible to efficiently remove foreign matter adhering to lens 35.

[0037] The transmission member not shown in FIG. 9 can be a known member such as the spring described in Patent Document 2, but the manner of connection between the lens 35 and the piezoelectric element 20 is not particularly limited.

[0038] Fig. 10 is an enlarged view of region A in Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the piezoelectric element 20 as seen from below, and is a view seen from the opposite direction of the Z axis to Fig. 9. Fig. 12 is a perspective view along a cross section taken along line II-II in Fig. 9. The piezoelectric element 20 is connected to a flexible substrate 22 in the vicinity of the second end 30b. The flexible substrate 22 is connected to a portion of the piezoelectric element 20 in the circumferential direction, and is bent from the connection point with the piezoelectric element 20 to be exposed inside the first housing 60.

[0039] The flexible substrate 22 has pads 22a for electrical connection on the surface exposed inside the first housing 60. A piezoelectric element connector 24 is connected to the pads 22a of the flexible substrate 22. The piezoelectric element connector 24 extends from the connection point with the flexible substrate 22 to a fourth end 64 of the first housing 60, at a position outer than the coaxial connector 80 in a radial direction perpendicular to the optical axis L.

[0040] 13 is a circuit diagram of the in-vehicle camera 100 and the vehicle V. The in-vehicle camera 100 is connected to the vehicle V via a coaxial connector 80. The vehicle V is equipped with a camera ECU 110 that controls the in-vehicle camera 100. The camera ECU 110 supplies current to a main power supply unit 120 of the in-vehicle camera 100 itself via the coaxial connector 80. In addition, the signal processing unit 130 of the in-vehicle camera 100 supplies a video signal captured by the imaging element 50 to the vehicle V via the coaxial connector 80.

[0041] Furthermore, the camera ECU 110 controls a piezoelectric element driving unit 140 that supplies current to the piezoelectric element 20. The piezoelectric element driving unit 140 supplies current to the piezoelectric element connector 24 in response to the control of the camera ECU 110, and the current is supplied to the piezoelectric element 20 via the flexible substrate 22. In this drawing, the piezoelectric element driving unit 140 is provided on the vehicle side, but it may also be provided in the vehicle-mounted camera 100.

[0042] The current supplied to the piezoelectric element connector 24 is much larger than the current supplied to the coaxial connector 80, and although a special piezoelectric element drive unit 140 is provided, the roles of the piezoelectric element connector 24 and the coaxial connector 80 are completely different, and it is difficult to configure both with a single connector. Even if it were possible to design a connector that serves as both the piezoelectric element connector 24 and the coaxial connector 80, such a connector would have a complex structure, and this could lead to an increase in size and cost.

[0043] In this embodiment, the conventional coaxial connector 80 and the piezoelectric element connector 24 can be configured separately, which suppresses increases in cost and also prevents the in-vehicle camera from becoming larger. In particular, in this embodiment, the piezoelectric element connector 24 is provided at a position outside the coaxial connector 80 and separated from the coaxial connector 80 in a radial direction perpendicular to the optical axis L. Therefore, the coaxial connector 80 and the piezoelectric element connector 24 can be provided with a simple structure without complicating their respective structures.

[0044] In this embodiment, the flexible substrate 22 is disposed farther from the first surface 40a of the circuit board 40 with respect to the first connector end 81 of the coaxial connector 80. That is, the piezoelectric element connector 24 is connected to the flexible substrate 22 and the piezoelectric element 20 at a position farther from the circuit board 40 as viewed from the coaxial connector 80. This makes it possible to ensure connection between the piezoelectric element connector 24 and the piezoelectric element 20 while avoiding interference with the coaxial connector 80 and the circuit board 40.

[0045] In particular, in this embodiment, the piezoelectric element connector 24 extends from the flexible substrate 22 to the fourth end 64 of the first housing 60 while penetrating a portion of the circuit board 40. Specifically, a cutout portion 43 is provided in an edge portion 42 of the circuit board 40, and the piezoelectric element connector 24 penetrates the cutout portion 43. This allows the piezoelectric element connector 24 to be easily positioned regardless of the presence of the circuit board 40.

[0046] Furthermore, if at least a portion of the first housing 60 is made of resin (second resin), even if the box-shaped shield 90 is provided, noise inside and outside the first housing 60 cannot be sufficiently shielded, and the noise may interfere with the piezoelectric element connector 24. Therefore, the vehicle-mounted camera 100 of this embodiment further includes a metal shielding member 26 that covers the periphery of the piezoelectric element connector 24 from the flexible substrate 22 to the fourth end 64 of the first housing 60. The presence of the metal shielding member 26 makes it possible to prevent noise from interfering with the piezoelectric element connector 24. If the first housing 60 is made of metal, the box-shaped shield 90 does not need to be provided inside the first housing 60.

[0047] Specifically, the shielding member 26 is a cylindrical metal member having one end 26a connected to the flexible substrate 22 and the other end 26b connected to the fourth end 64 of the first housing 60. This makes it possible to prevent noise from interfering with the piezoelectric element connector 24 with a simple configuration.

[0048] As described above, the circuit board 40 has the cutout portion 43 on the edge portion 42, and in addition to the piezoelectric element connector 24, the shielding member 26 also penetrates the cutout portion 43. This allows the piezoelectric element connector 24 and the shielding member 26 to be easily positioned regardless of the presence of the circuit board 40. In particular, the slight deformation of the circuit board 40 due to the cutout portion 43 allows the piezoelectric element connector 24 and the shielding member 26 to be easily positioned.

[0049] The piezoelectric element connector 24 can be configured as, for example, a two-pin connector including two pins, which makes it easy to form the piezoelectric element connector 24. When the piezoelectric element connector 24 is a two-pin connector, each of the two pins is connected to the two pads 22a shown in FIG.

[0050] The piezoelectric element connector 24 is exposed to the outside of the first housing 60 from a fourth end 64 of the first housing 60. This allows the piezoelectric element connector 24 to be connected to an external conductive member. Note that in FIG. 9, the radial position of the piezoelectric element connector 24 inside the first housing 60 is different from the radial position of the piezoelectric element connector 24 outside the first housing 60, but the piezoelectric element connector 24 is bent at the fourth end 64 of the first housing 60. Furthermore, the two pins of the piezoelectric element connector 24 overlap in the X direction at the position where they are exposed from the first housing 60 (they appear as one pin in FIG. 9).

[0051] The coaxial connector 80 is also exposed to the outside of the first housing 60 from the fourth end 64 of the first housing 60, and correspondingly, the piezoelectric element connector 24 is exposed to the outside of the first housing 60 from the fourth end 64 of the first housing 60 at a position radially outer than the coaxial connector 80. This allows the piezoelectric element connector 24 to be exposed to the outside while maintaining the position at which the coaxial connector 80 is exposed to the outside (the central position in the radial direction) in the conventional position.

[0052] As in the embodiment, the vehicle-mounted camera 100 may further include a second housing 70 that has a third cylindrical shape along the optical axis L and extends from a fourth end 64 of the first housing 60 in the opposite direction to the lens barrel 30. The coaxial connector 80 and the piezoelectric element connector 24 are arranged to extend from the fourth end 64 of the first housing 60 into the internal space of the second housing 70. This makes it possible to protect the coaxial connector 80 and the piezoelectric element connector 24 that are exposed to the outside from the first housing 60.

[0053] As in the embodiment, the coaxial connector 80 and the piezoelectric element connector 24 may be configured so as not to protrude from the second housing 70. As a result, the coaxial connector 80 and the piezoelectric element connector 24 exposed to the outside from the first housing 60 are inside the second housing 70, which makes it possible to avoid contact with other members and facilitate handling.

[0054] As a result, the present disclosure describes at least the following: Note that the components in parentheses correspond to those in the above-described embodiments, but are not limited to these.

[0055] (1) A lens barrel (lens barrel 30) having a first cylindrical shape along an optical axis (optical axis L), the first cylindrical shape having a first end (first end 30a) and a second end (second end 30b) of the first cylindrical shape opposite to the first end, and at least one lens (lens 35) arranged along the optical axis; an imaging element (imaging element 50) disposed on the optical axis and closer to the second end of the first cylindrical shape of the lens barrel than to the first end; a circuit board (circuit board 40) having a first surface (first surface 40a) and a second surface (second surface 40b) opposite to the first surface, the image pickup element being disposed on the first surface; a first housing (first housing 60) that houses at least the imaging element and the circuit board, has a second cylindrical shape along the optical axis, and includes a third end (third end 63) of the second cylindrical shape, and a fourth end (fourth end 64) of the second cylindrical shape that is positioned farther from the third end with respect to the first end of the first cylindrical shape of the lens barrel; a coaxial connector (coaxial connector 80) at least a portion of which is disposed at the fourth end of the second cylindrical body, the coaxial connector having a first connector end and a second connector end opposite to the first connector end, the first connector end being electrically connected to the circuit board, and configured to output an image signal from the imaging element to the outside; a piezoelectric element (piezoelectric element 20) disposed near the second end of the first cylindrical portion of the lens barrel and vibrating the at least one lens; a flexible substrate (flexible substrate 22) connected to the piezoelectric element so as to be exposed inside the first housing; a piezoelectric element connector (piezoelectric element connector 24) connected to the flexible substrate and extending from the flexible substrate to the fourth end of the first housing at a position outside the coaxial connector in a radial direction perpendicular to the optical axis; An in-vehicle camera (in-vehicle camera 100) comprising:

[0056] This allows the vibration of the piezoelectric element to remove foreign matter such as raindrops that have adhered to the lens. Also, the conventional coaxial connector and the piezoelectric element connector can be constructed separately, which reduces costs and prevents the in-vehicle camera from becoming larger.

[0057] (2) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (1), the flexible substrate is disposed farther from the first surface of the circuit board with respect to the first connector end of the coaxial connector; An in-vehicle camera comprising:

[0058] This makes it possible to ensure connection between the piezoelectric element connector and the piezoelectric element while avoiding interference with the coaxial connector and the circuit board.

[0059] (3) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (1), the piezoelectric element connector extends from the flexible substrate to the fourth end of the first housing while penetrating a portion of the circuit board; In-car camera.

[0060] This allows the piezoelectric element connector to be easily arranged regardless of the presence of a circuit board.

[0061] (4) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (3), At least a portion of the first housing is formed from resin, a metallic shielding member (shielding member 26) that covers the periphery of the piezoelectric element connector from the flexible substrate to the fourth end of the first housing; In-car camera.

[0062] This makes it possible to prevent noise from interfering with the piezoelectric element connector.

[0063] (5) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (4), The shielding member is a cylindrical metal member having one end (one end 26a) connected to the flexible substrate and the other end (the other end 26b) connected to the fourth end of the first housing. In-car camera.

[0064] This makes it possible to prevent noise from interfering with the piezoelectric element connector with a simple configuration.

[0065] (6) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (4), The circuit board has a notch (notch 43), the piezoelectric element connector and the shielding member pass through the notch; In-car camera.

[0066] This allows the piezoelectric element connector and the shielding member to be easily arranged regardless of the presence of a circuit board.

[0067] (7) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (6), The notch is formed on an edge (edge ​​42) of the circuit board. In-car camera.

[0068] This allows the piezoelectric element connector and the shielding member to be easily positioned by slight deformation of the circuit board.

[0069] (8) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (1), The piezoelectric element connector is a two-pin connector. In-car camera.

[0070] This makes it possible to easily form the connector for the piezoelectric element.

[0071] (9) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (1), the piezoelectric element connector is exposed to the outside of the first housing from the fourth end of the first housing. In-car camera.

[0072] This allows the piezoelectric element connector to be connected to an external conductive member.

[0073] (10) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (9), the coaxial connector is exposed to the outside of the first housing from the fourth end of the first housing; the piezoelectric element connector is exposed from the fourth end of the first housing to the outside of the first housing at a position outer than the coaxial connector in the radial direction. In-car camera.

[0074] This allows the piezoelectric element connector to be exposed to the outside while maintaining the coaxial connector at the conventional position where it is exposed to the outside.

[0075] (11) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (6), a second housing (second housing 70) that has a third cylindrical shape along the optical axis and extends from the fourth end of the first housing in a direction opposite to the lens barrel, the coaxial connector and the piezoelectric element connector are arranged to extend from the fourth end of the first housing into the internal space of the second housing; In-car camera.

[0076] This makes it possible to protect the coaxial connector and the piezoelectric element connector exposed to the outside from the first housing.

[0077] (12) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (11), The coaxial connector and the piezoelectric element connector do not protrude from the second housing. In-car camera.

[0078] As a result, the coaxial connector and the piezoelectric element connector exposed to the outside from the first housing are inside the second housing, making handling easier.

[0079] Although the embodiments have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present disclosure is not limited to such examples. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications, alterations, substitutions, additions, deletions, and equivalents may be made within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that these also fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the components of the above-described embodiments may be combined in any manner without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0080] The present disclosure is useful for an in-vehicle camera that can suppress increases in cost and size. [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] 20 Piezoelectric element 22 Flexible PCB 22a pad 24 Piezoelectric element connector 26 Shielding material 26a one end 26b other end 30 Telescope tube 30a 1st end 30b 2nd end 32 Flange 32a First flange surface 32b Second flange surface 35 Lens 40 Circuit Board 40a Page 1 40b 2nd side 42 Edge 43 Cutout 47 Connector connection part 50 imaging element 60 First cabinet 63 Third end 64 4th end 70 Second cabinet 80 Coaxial Connector 81 First connector end 82 Second connector end 90 Box Shield 100 In-vehicle cameras

Claims

1. a lens barrel having a first cylindrical shape along an optical axis, the lens barrel including a first end of the first cylindrical shape, a second end of the first cylindrical shape opposite to the first end, and at least one lens arranged along the optical axis; an imaging element disposed on the optical axis closer to the second end of the first cylindrical shape of the lens barrel than to the first end; a circuit board having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, the image pickup element being disposed on the first surface; a first housing that houses at least the image sensor and the circuit board, has a second cylindrical shape along the optical axis, and includes a third end of the second cylindrical shape and a fourth end of the second cylindrical shape that is positioned farther from the third end with respect to the first end of the first cylindrical shape of the lens barrel; a coaxial connector, at least a portion of which is disposed at the fourth end of the second cylindrical member, the coaxial connector including a first connector end and a second connector end opposite to the first connector end, the first connector end being electrically connected to the circuit board, capable of receiving power from an external source and outputting an image signal from the imaging element to an external source; a piezoelectric element disposed near the second end of the first cylindrical portion of the lens barrel and vibrating the at least one lens; a flexible substrate connected to the piezoelectric element so as to be exposed inside the first housing; a piezoelectric element connector connected to the flexible substrate and extending from the flexible substrate to the fourth end of the first housing at a position outside the coaxial connector in a radial direction perpendicular to the optical axis; An in-vehicle camera comprising:

2. The vehicle-mounted camera according to claim 1, the flexible substrate is disposed farther from the first surface of the circuit board with respect to the first connector end of the coaxial connector; In-car camera.

3. The vehicle-mounted camera according to claim 1, the piezoelectric element connector extends from the flexible substrate to the fourth end of the first housing while penetrating a portion of the circuit board; In-car camera.

4. The vehicle-mounted camera according to claim 3, At least a portion of the first housing is formed from resin, a metallic shield member covering the periphery of the piezoelectric element connector from the flexible substrate to the fourth end of the first housing; In-car camera.

5. The vehicle-mounted camera according to claim 4, the shielding member is a cylindrical metal member having one end connected to the flexible substrate and the other end connected to the fourth end of the first housing; In-car camera.

6. The vehicle-mounted camera according to claim 4, the circuit board has a notch, the piezoelectric element connector and the shielding member pass through the notch; In-car camera.

7. The vehicle-mounted camera according to claim 6, The notch is formed on an edge of the circuit board. In-car camera.

8. The vehicle-mounted camera according to claim 1, The piezoelectric element connector is a two-pin connector. In-car camera.

9. The vehicle-mounted camera according to claim 1, the piezoelectric element connector is exposed to the outside of the first housing from the fourth end of the first housing. In-car camera.

10. The vehicle-mounted camera according to claim 9, the coaxial connector is exposed to the outside of the first housing from the fourth end of the first housing, the piezoelectric element connector is exposed from the fourth end of the first housing to the outside of the first housing at a position outer than the coaxial connector in the radial direction. In-car camera.

11. The vehicle-mounted camera according to claim 10, a second housing having a third cylindrical shape along the optical axis and extending from the fourth end of the first housing in a direction opposite to the lens barrel; the coaxial connector and the piezoelectric element connector are arranged to extend from the fourth end of the first housing into the internal space of the second housing; In-car camera.

12. The vehicle-mounted camera according to claim 11, the coaxial connector and the piezoelectric element connector do not protrude from the second housing; In-car camera.

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