Imaging device

Abstract

The amount of misalignment between multiple substrates is reduced. [Solution] The imaging device 10 has a first substrate 11, a second substrate 12, and a holding part 13. The holding part 13 holds the first substrate 11 in a first position. The holding part 13 has a connecting part. The connecting part connects the second substrate 12 to the first substrate 11.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an imaging device.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, imaging devices have been used for various purposes. From the perspective of miniaturization of imaging devices, it has been proposed to divide the circuit board inside the imaging device into a plurality of boards. It is known to connect such a plurality of boards using a board-to-board (B to B) connector (see Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] A large displacement may occur in the board connected by the B to B connector with respect to the assumed position in the housing that houses the board.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to reduce the amount of displacement of displacement while having a plurality of boards.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An imaging device according to a first aspect includes a first board and a second board, and a holding portion having a connecting portion that holds the first board at a first position and connects the second board to the first board.

[0007] An imaging device according to a second aspect includes a holding portion that holds a first board connected to an imaging element or on which the imaging element is mounted, The connecting portion provided in the holding portion, A second circuit board is fixed to the aforementioned connection portion, and has a second rear connector on one main surface and a second front connector on the other main surface. A third substrate is located between the first substrate and the second substrate, and has a third rear connector on one main surface and a third front connector on the other main surface. A lens barrel including an optical system for forming an image of the subject light beam onto the image sensor, The device comprises a rear case having a terminal connector that connects to the second rear connector, The connecting portion extends in a first direction toward the rear case from the lens barrel, The first substrate has a first rear connector that connects to the third front connector, The aforementioned second front connector is connected to the aforementioned third rear connector. The third substrate has an opening or notch formed therein for the connection portion to pass through. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to this disclosure, the amount of misalignment between multiple substrates is reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] These are an overall perspective view and an exploded perspective view of the imaging device according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 1 shows the overall perspective view and exploded perspective view of the subassembly. [Figure 3] This is a front view of the first substrate in Figure 2, viewed in the first direction. [Figure 4] This is a rear view of the second substrate in Figure 2, viewed from the first direction. [Figure 5] This is a cross-sectional view of the subassembly in Figure 2, taken from a plane parallel to the first direction. [Figure 6] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the external appearance of the retaining part. [Figure 7] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the third substrate. [Figure 8]It is a perspective view of the appearance of the spacer in FIG. 2. [Figure 9] It is a perspective view by a plane parallel to the axial direction of the imaging device in FIG. 1. [Figure 10] It is a perspective view of the appearance of the rear case in FIG. 1. [Figure 11] It is a cross-sectional view by a plane passing through the diagonal of the rectangle of the cylindrical part in the housing of FIG. 1 in a plane parallel to the axis of the rectangular cylindrical part. [Figure 12] It is a front view of the housing of FIG. 1 as viewed from the lens barrel side. [Figure 13] It is a rear view of the imaging device in FIG. 1 as viewed from the rear case side. [Figure 14] It is a front view of the imaging device in FIG. 1 as viewed from the lens barrel side with the lens barrel removed.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the components shown in the following drawings, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, the imaging device 10 includes a first substrate 11, a second substrate 12, and a holding portion 13. The imaging device 10 may further include an imaging element 14, a third substrate 15, a spacer 16, a lens barrel 17, a rear case 18, and a housing 19.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 2, the first substrate 11, the second substrate 12, and the holding portion 13 may be assembled to form a sub-assembly 20. The sub-assembly 20 may further include an imaging element 14, a third substrate 15, and a spacer 16 and may be assembled.

[0013] In the subassembly 20, the image sensor 14, the first substrate 11, the holding part 13, the third substrate 15, the spacer 16, and the second substrate 12 may be arranged in order in a first direction from the lens barrel 17 side toward the rear case 18 side. In the subassembly 20, the first substrate 11 and the third substrate 15 may face each other. In the subassembly 20, the second substrate 12 and the third substrate 15 may face each other. In the subassembly 20, the first substrate 11, the second substrate 12, and the third substrate 15 may be arranged so that their main surfaces are perpendicular to the first direction.

[0014] The first substrate 11 may be a flat plate whose main surface has any shape. The main surface is the surface with the largest area. The first substrate 11 may be, for example, rectangular or circular overall.

[0015] As shown in Figure 3, a first notch nt1 may be formed in the first substrate 11 for fixing the subassembly 20 to the housing 19. The first notch nt1 may be formed in a position that overlaps with the first fixing part, which will be described later, when viewed in the first direction with the subassembly 20 installed in the housing 19. For example, in a configuration where the first substrate 11 is rectangular, the first notch nt1 may be formed in part or all of each vertex of the rectangle.

[0016] Electronic components may be mounted on either or both sides of the first substrate 11. For example, an image sensor 14 may be mounted on the first substrate 11. Alternatively, the image sensor 14 may not be mounted on the first substrate 11, but may be electrically connected to it via a lead frame. In a configuration where the image sensor 14 is not directly mounted on the first substrate 11, a first hole hl1 for arranging the image sensor 11 inside may be formed in the first substrate 11.

[0017] The first substrate 11 may have a second hole hl2 and a second notch nt2 formed therein. The second hole hl2 and the second notch nt2 may be located on opposite sides of the center of the first substrate 11. The second hole hl2 may be circular. The second notch nt2 may have a shape with two sides parallel to the direction in which the second hole hl2 and the second notch nt2 are aligned. The second notch nt2 may have a shape that includes, for example, a part of a rounded rectangle. The second notch nt2 may be formed as a hole having, for example, a circle, an ellipse, a rectangle, or a rounded rectangle.

[0018] The first substrate 11 may be provided with a first rear connector 21 on its main surface facing the second substrate 12. On the first substrate 11, the first rear connector 21 may be provided at a predetermined position on the main surface of the first substrate 11.

[0019] As shown in Figure 2, the second substrate 12 may be a flat plate whose main surface has any shape. The second substrate 12 may be, for example, rectangular or circular overall. The contour of the second substrate 12 may be the same as, or substantially the same as, the first substrate 11.

[0020] As shown in Figure 4, a third notch nt3 may be formed in the second substrate 12 to prevent interference with the first fixing part, which will be described later. The third notch nt3 may be formed in a position that overlaps with the first fixing part, which will be described later, when viewed in the first direction with the subassembly 20 installed in the housing 19. For example, in a configuration where the second substrate 12 is rectangular, the third notch nt3 may be formed in part or all of the vertices of the rectangle. Electronic components may be mounted on the second substrate 12.

[0021] The second substrate 12 may have a third hole hl3 and a fourth hole hl4 formed therein. The third hole hl3 and the fourth hole hl4 may be formed in the same position as the connection when viewed in the first direction with the subassembly 20 installed in the housing 19. The third hole hl3 and the fourth hole hl4 may be located on opposite sides of the center of the second substrate 12. The third hole hl3 may be circular. The fourth hole hl4 may have any shape with two sides parallel to the direction in which the third hole hl3 and the fourth hole hl4 are aligned.

[0022] The second substrate 12 may be provided with a second rear connector (first connector) 22 on its main surface opposite to that of the first substrate 11. The second rear connector 22 may be a connector that includes terminals for video output. As shown in Figure 2, the second substrate 12 may further be provided with a second front connector (third connector) 23 on its main surface facing the third substrate 15. On the second substrate 12, the second rear connector 22 and the second front connector 23 may be provided at predetermined positions on the main surface of the second substrate 12.

[0023] As shown in Figure 2, the retaining portion 13 holds the first substrate 11 in a first position within the retaining portion 13. The first position may be a position determined by design in the subassembly 20 in a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The retaining portion 13 may fix the first substrate 11 with adhesive, tape, screws, etc. The retaining portion 13 may be made of resin or metal.

[0024] Furthermore, the holding portion 13 may hold the image sensor 14 at a second position within the holding portion 13. The second position may be a position determined by design in the subassembly 20 in a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The holding portion 13 may hold the image sensor 14 at the second position directly or indirectly via the first substrate 11.

[0025] As shown in Figure 5, the holding portion 13 has at least a connecting portion 24. The holding portion 13 may further have a main body portion 25.

[0026] The connecting portion 24 may connect the second substrate 12 to the main body portion 25. The second substrate 12 is positioned and fixed relative to the main body portion 25 by the connecting portion 24. The holding portion 13 connects the second substrate 12 to the first substrate 11 via the connecting portion 24. The connecting portion 24 may connect the first substrate 11 and the second substrate 12 so that their main surfaces are parallel to each other. The connecting portion 24 may fix the first substrate 11 via the main body portion 25 in a position determined by design in a first direction and a second direction. The connecting portion 24 may fix the second substrate 12 in a first position.

[0027] The connector 24 may secure the second substrate 12 in any way. For example, the connector 24 may secure the second substrate 12 by a nut that is screwed into a male screw provided at the end on the first direction side. The connector 24 may secure the second substrate 12 with adhesive.

[0028] The connecting portion 24 may have a shape that extends along the first direction. The connecting portion 24 may be tapered in at least one step near the end on the first direction side. The position where the diameter is tapered in the first direction may correspond to the position of the second substrate 12 in the first direction. For example, the connecting portion 24 may have a prismatic first portion 26, a cylindrical second portion 27, and a third portion 28 on which a male screw is formed. The first portion 26, the second portion 27, and the third portion 28 may be connected in order toward the first direction.

[0029] The first portion 26 may have an axial length determined based on the design spacing between the first substrate 11 and the second substrate 12. The maximum diameter of the first portion 26 in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction may be longer than the diameter of the cylindrical second portion 27. The axial length of the second portion 27 may be less than or equal to the thickness of the second substrate 12. The second portion 27 may have approximately the same diameter as the inner diameter of the third hole hl3. The third portion 28 may have a diameter less than or equal to that of the second portion 28. The third portion 28 may have a male screw formed on it.

[0030] The holding portion 13 may have a plurality of connecting portions 24. The holding portion 13 may have, for example, two connecting portions 24. The two connecting portions 24 may be located apart from each other when viewed in the first direction. As shown in Figure 6, for example, the two connecting portions 24 may be located near the center of opposite sides when viewing the rectangular main body portion 25, which will be described later, in the first direction.

[0031] As shown in Figure 6, the main body 25 may be composed of a peripheral wall 29 and a base 30. The main body 25 may be integrally formed with a connecting portion 24. The connecting portion 24 may be connected to the base 30 via the peripheral wall 29. Alternatively, the connecting portion 24 may be directly connected to the base 30. The peripheral wall 29 may be a peripheral wall surrounding a virtual line segment parallel to the first direction. The peripheral wall 29 may have substantially the same shape as the outer edge of the second substrate 12 as viewed from the main surface. The peripheral wall 29 is located between the third substrate 15 and the base 30 and may prevent interference between electronic components mounted on the third substrate 15 and the base 30. The base 30 may be continuous with the peripheral wall 29 at the end on the opposite side of the first direction.

[0032] The base 30 may have the same shape as the inner circumferential surface of the housing 19 when viewed in the first direction in the imaging device 10. For example, in a configuration in which a rectangular cylindrical housing 19 is applied, the base 30 may be rectangular.

[0033] The base 30 may have a plane perpendicular to the first direction on the side opposite to the first direction. A recess or hole may be formed in part of this plane of the base 30. On this plane of the base 30, the base 30 may support the first substrate 11 and the image sensor 14 in a state of surface contact with the first substrate 11 and the image sensor 14.

[0034] The main body portion 25 may be provided with a first projection 31 and a second projection 32 that project from the plane of the base 30 in the opposite direction to the first direction. The first projection 31 and the second projection 32 may be provided in the subassembly 20 at the same positions as the second hole hl2 and the second notch nt2 when viewed in the first direction. The first projection 31 may be cylindrical in shape with a diameter equal to the inner diameter of the second hole hl2 of the first substrate 12. The second projection 32 may be rod-shaped with a width in that direction equal to the distance between two sides parallel to the direction in which the second hole hl2 and the second notch nt2 are aligned.

[0035] The first substrate 11 is fixed to the holding portion 13 in a position determined by design by inserting the first projection 31 and the second projection 32 through the second hole hl2 and the second notch nt2, respectively, and by bonding the first substrate 11 to the base 30 in surface contact with the plane of the base 30.

[0036] The base 30 may have a fifth hole hl5, a sixth hole hl6, and a seventh hole hl7. The fifth hole hl5 may be formed in the same position as the third projection, described later, when viewed in the first direction with the subassembly 20 installed in the housing. The sixth hole hl6 may be formed in the same position as the fourth projection, described later, when viewed in the first direction with the subassembly 20 installed in the housing. The seventh hole hl7 may be formed in a position that overlaps with the first fixing part, described later, when viewed in the first direction with the subassembly 20 installed in the housing 19.

[0037] The fifth hole hl5 and the sixth hole hl6 may be formed, for example, at diagonal vertices of the rectangle in a configuration where the base 30 is rectangular. The fifth hole hl5 may be circular. The sixth hole hl6 may have any shape having two sides parallel to the direction in which the fifth hole hl5 and the sixth hole hl6 are aligned. The seventh hole hl7 may be formed at another diagonal vertex. The seventh hole hl7 may have any shape.

[0038] A first opening ap1 may be formed in the base 30. The first opening ap1 may be formed in the subassembly 20 at the same position as the first rear connector 21 and the third front connector, which will be described later. At least one of the first rear connector 21 and the third front connector may be inserted through the first opening ap1 in the subassembly 20.

[0039] As shown in Figure 2, the third substrate 15 may be located between the first substrate 11 and the second substrate 12. As shown in Figure 7, the third substrate 15 may be a flat plate with a main surface of any shape. The third substrate 15 may be, for example, rectangular or circular overall.

[0040] A fourth notch nt4 may be formed in the third substrate 15 to prevent interference with the first fixing part, which will be described later. The fourth notch nt4 may be formed in a position that overlaps with the first fixing part, which will be described later, when viewed in the first direction with the subassembly 20 installed in the housing 19. For example, in a configuration where the third substrate 15 is rectangular, the fourth notch nt4 may be formed in some or all of the vertices of the rectangle. Electronic components may be mounted on either or both sides of the third substrate 15.

[0041] The third substrate 15 may have an opening or notch formed therein for the connection portion 24 to pass through. For example, the third substrate 15 may have a fifth notch nt5 formed therein. The fifth notch nt5 may be formed in the subassembly 20 at the same position as the connection portion 24 when viewed in the first direction. The area of ​​the fifth notch nt5 may be larger than the area of ​​the cross-section obtained by cutting the connection portion 24 with a plane perpendicular to the first direction. As an example, the area of ​​the fifth notch nt5 may be about 1.5 times the cross-sectional area of ​​the connection portion 24. The fifth notch nt5 may pass through the connection portion 24 in the subassembly 20. The connection portion 24 and a part of the fifth notch nt5 may be in contact in the subassembly 20. The fifth notch nt5 may be formed as an opening.

[0042] The third substrate 15 may be provided with a third front connector 33 on its main surface facing the first substrate 11. The third front connector 33 may be located in the same position as the first rear connector 21 in the subassembly 20. The third substrate 15 may also be provided with a third rear connector (fourth connector) 34 on its main surface facing the second substrate 12. The third rear connector 34 may be located in the same position as the second front connector 23 in the subassembly 20.

[0043] One of the first rear connector 21 and the third front connector 33 may be male and the other female. The first rear connector 21 and the third front connector 33 may be electrically connected by inserting the male end of the first rear connector 21 and the female end along the first direction. Both the first rear connector 21 and the third front connector 33 may be female. The first rear connector 21 and the third front connector 33, which are both female, may be electrically connected by inserting them into the ends of an FFC (flexible flat cable).

[0044] One of the third rear connector 34 and the second front connector 23 may be male and the other female. The third rear connector 34 and the second front connector 23 may be electrically connected by inserting the male end of the third rear connector 34 and the female end of the second front connector 23 along the first direction. Both the third rear connector 34 and the second front connector 23 may be female. The third rear connector 34 and the second front connector 23, which are both female, may be electrically connected by inserting the ends of an FFC (flexible flat cable) into each of them.

[0045] As shown in Figure 2, the spacer 16 may be positioned between the second substrate 12 and the third substrate 15. The spacer 16 may maintain a distance of at least a first length between the second substrate 12 and the third substrate 15. The spacer 16 does not need to be connected to both the second substrate 12 and the third substrate 15. In other words, the spacer 16 does not need to be fixed to either the second substrate 12 or the third substrate 15, and may be fixed to only one of them. The spacer 16 may have an opening or notch formed therein for the connection portion 24 to pass through.

[0046] As shown in Figure 8, the spacer 16 may specifically have a flat plate portion 35 and a peripheral wall portion 36.

[0047] The flat plate portion 35 may have any shape. The flat plate portion 35 may be, for example, circular or rectangular. The flat plate portion 35 may be, for example, the same shape as the third substrate 15. In other words, the flat plate portion 35 may be a rectangle with a sixth notch nt6 formed at some or all of its vertices. The flat plate portion 35 may separate at least a portion of the space between the second substrate 12 and the third substrate 15. The flat plate portion 35 may have a second opening ap2 formed in the flat plate portion 35 at the same position as the second front connector 23 and the third rear connector 34 when viewed in the first direction in the subassembly 20. The second opening ap2 prevents interference between the flat plate portion 35 and the second front connector 23 and the third rear connector 34, and allows the second front connector 23 and the third rear connector 34 to be connected.

[0048] The peripheral wall portion 36 may surround at least a portion of the periphery of the flat plate portion 35 when viewed in the first direction. The length of the peripheral wall portion 36 in the first direction may be a first length. The peripheral wall portion 36 may be formed to have a predetermined height with respect to both faces of the flat plate portion 35. The second substrate 12 and the third substrate 15 may be placed on the edges of the peripheral wall portion 36.

[0049] In the subassembly 20, when viewed in the first direction, the aforementioned opening or notch may be formed in the region where at least one of the flat plate portion 35 and the peripheral wall portion 36 overlaps with the connecting portion 24. The area of ​​the seventh notch nt7 may be larger than the area of ​​the cross-section obtained by cutting the connecting portion 24 with a plane perpendicular to the first direction. For example, the area of ​​the seventh notch nt7 may be about 1.5 times the cross-sectional area of ​​the connecting portion 24. The area of ​​the seventh notch nt7 may be the same as the area of ​​the fifth notch nt5. The opening or notch may pass through the connecting portion 24 in the subassembly 20. For example, the seventh notch nt7 may be formed in the flat plate portion 35 and the peripheral wall portion 36. The connecting portion 24 and the seventh notch nt7 may be in contact. The peripheral wall portion 36 may be formed along the seventh notch nt7. The seventh notch nt7 may be formed as an opening.

[0050] The spacer 16 may be made of metal or resin. The peripheral wall portion 36 of the spacer 16 may be in direct or indirect contact with the cylindrical portion of the housing 19, which will be described later. In a configuration in which the spacer 16 is made of a material with high thermal conductivity, the heat generated from the electronic components mounted on the second substrate 12 and the third substrate 15 can be dissipated to the housing 19 by the contact between the peripheral wall portion 36 and the housing 19. The larger the contact area between the peripheral wall portion 36 and the housing 19, the higher the efficiency of heat dissipation.

[0051] As shown in Figure 9, the lens barrel 17 may support the optical system 37. The optical system 37 may include one or more lenses. The optical system 37 may image the subject light beam onto the image sensor 14. The lens barrel 17 may have, for example, a cylindrical portion 38 and a flange portion 39. The cylindrical portion 38 may support the optical system 37 internally. The flange portion 39 may be provided at one end of the cylindrical portion 38 in the axial direction. The flange portion 39 may have the same or similar shape as the end face of the housing 19 in the opposite direction to the first direction, as viewed in the imaging device 10 in the first direction.

[0052] As shown in Figure 10, the rear case 18 may have at least a terminal connector (second connector) 40. The rear case 18 may further have, for example, a flat plate portion 41 and a cylindrical portion 42.

[0053] The terminal connector 40 may be a connector that includes terminals for outputting the image captured by the imaging device 10 to the outside. The terminal connector 40 may be located at the end opposite to the subassembly 20 side of the imaging device 10. The terminal connector 40 may be located in the same position as the second rear connector 22 when viewed in the first direction on the imaging device 10.

[0054] One of the terminal connector 40 and the second rear connector 22 may be male and the other female. The terminal connector 40 and the second rear connector 22 may be electrically connected by inserting the male end of the terminal connector 40 and the female end along the first direction.

[0055] The flat plate portion 41 may have the same shape as the end face of the housing 19 in the first direction, as viewed in the first direction of the imaging device 10. The flat plate portion 41 may be, for example, rectangular.

[0056] The flat plate portion 41 may have an eighth hole hl8 and a ninth hole hl9 formed at arbitrary positions on its main surface. The eighth hole hl8 may be circular. The ninth hole hl9 may have any shape, having two sides parallel to the direction in which the eighth hole hl8 and the ninth hole hl9 are aligned. The ninth hole hl9 may be, for example, a rounded rectangle.

[0057] The cylindrical portion 42 may house wiring connected to the terminal connector 40.

[0058] As shown in Figure 9, the housing 19 may house the retaining portion 13. More specifically, the housing 19 may house the subassembly 20 including the retaining portion 13. The housing 19 may be cylindrical with one end open. The housing 19 may fix the subassembly 20 inside such that the axis of the cylinder is parallel to the first direction. Part of the retaining portion 13, or the connecting portion 24, may be in contact with the housing 19. Heat generated in at least one of the first substrate 11 and the image sensor 14 may be transferred to the housing 19 via the retaining portion 13 or the connecting portion 24. The housing 19 may fix the lens barrel 17 and the rear case 18.

[0059] As shown in Figure 11, the housing 19 may be configured to include a cylindrical portion 43, a bottom portion 44, a fixing portion 45, a first positioning portion 46, a first anti-rotation portion 47, a second positioning portion 48, and a second anti-rotation portion 49.

[0060] Figure 12 is a front view of the housing 19 as seen from the lens barrel side. As shown in Figure 12, the cylindrical portion 43 may be cylindrical. The cylindrical portion 43 may be, for example, rectangular. The cylindrical portion 43 may be cylindrical. As shown in Figure 11, a bottom portion 44 may be provided at one end of the cylindrical portion 43 in the axial direction. The cylindrical portion 43 may have a connecting surface 50 and a recessed portion 51 at the other end.

[0061] As shown in Figure 9, the connection surface 50 may be connected to the lens barrel 17. For example, the connection surface 50 may be connected to the lens barrel 17 via adhesive 52. Therefore, the housing 19 and the lens barrel 17 may be connected at the connection surface 50 by adhesive 52. The housing 19 and the lens barrel 17 may be connected at the connection surface 50 by soldering or welding. As shown in Figure 11, the connection surface 50 may be the end face of the cylindrical portion 43. The lens barrel 17 may be connected to the housing 19 such that its optical axis is parallel to the axial direction of the housing 19.

[0062] The recessed portion 51 may be continuous with the connecting surface 50. The recessed portion 51 may be recessed away from the lens barrel 17 along the optical axis of the lens barrel 17 from the connecting surface 50. The recessed portion 51 may be, for example, a step relative to the connecting surface 50 that is continuous in the circumferential direction on the outer surface side of the cylindrical portion 43. Alternatively, the recessed portion 51 may be, for example, recesses provided intermittently in the connecting surface 50 in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion 42. In a configuration in which the housing 19 and the lens barrel 17 are connected by adhesive 52, the adhesive 52 may be located in the recessed portion 51 continuously from the connecting surface 50. The recessed portion 51 may function as a groove to prevent the adhesive 52 overflowing from between the housing 19 and the connecting surface 50 from flowing onto the surface of the housing 19.

[0063] The bottom portion 44 may close one end of the cylindrical portion 43 in the axial direction. The bottom portion 44 may be in surface contact with the rear case 18.

[0064] As shown in Figure 1, the fixing portion 45 may fix the holding portion 13. As shown in Figure 12, multiple fixing portions 45 may be provided on the housing 19. The multiple fixing portions 45 may be provided on the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 43, or in its vicinity, when viewed from the axial direction. The multiple fixing portions 45 may be provided distributed in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion 43. Two fixing portions 45 may be located on opposite sides of the central axis. In the case of a rectangular cylindrical portion 43, two fixing portions 45 may be provided diagonally opposite each other.

[0065] The fixing portion 45 may, for example, have a plane perpendicular to the axial direction. The fixing portion 45 may determine the axial position of the retaining portion 13 in the imaging device 10. The fixing portion 45 may fix the retaining portion 13 by any method. For example, the fixing portion 45 may fix the retaining portion 13 by screwing a male screw that passes through the seventh hole hl7 of the retaining portion 13 into a female screw formed on the fixing portion 45 that is parallel to the axial direction. The fixing portion 45 and the retaining portion 13 may be fixed together with an adhesive.

[0066] The first positioning portion 46 may determine the fixed position of the rear case 18. Therefore, the housing 19 may fix the rear case 18 via the first positioning portion 46. The first positioning portion 46 may include, for example, a first projection 53 and a bottom portion 44. The first projection 53 may be provided on the side of the bottom portion 44 opposite to the side connected to the cylindrical portion 43. The first projection 53 may extend along the axial direction. The first projection 53 may be cylindrical. The diameter of the first projection 53 may be approximately the same as the inner diameter of the eighth hole hl8 of the rear case 18.

[0067] The first projection 53 may determine the fixed position of the rear case 18 in the imaging device 10 in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction. Specifically, as shown in Figure 13, the fixed position perpendicular to the axial direction may be determined by inserting the first projection 53 into the eighth hole hl8 of the rear case 18.

[0068] As shown in Figure 9, the surface on the bottom 44 where the first projection 53 is provided may determine the axial fixed position of the rear case 18 in the imaging device 10. Specifically, the axial fixed position may be determined by making surface contact between the rear case 18 and the bottom 44.

[0069] As shown in Figure 13, the first anti-rotation part 47 may prevent rotation around the first projection 53 of the rear case 18. Specifically, the first anti-rotation part 47 may be fixed in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction by inserting it into the ninth hole hl9 of the rear case 18.

[0070] The first anti-rotation portion 47 may be provided on the side of the bottom portion 44 opposite to the side connected to the cylindrical portion 43. The first anti-rotation portion 47 may be located away from the first projection 53 on the bottom portion 44. The first anti-rotation portion 47 may be provided at a position that sandwiches the center of the bottom portion 44 between the first projection 53. The first anti-rotation portion 47 may extend along the axial direction. The first anti-rotation portion 47 may be cylindrical. The diameter of the first anti-rotation portion 47 may be approximately the same as the inner diameter of the ninth hole hl9 in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the eighth hole hl8 and the ninth hole hl9 are aligned.

[0071] Figure 14 is a view of the imaging device 10 from the lens barrel 17 side with the lens barrel 17 removed. As shown in Figure 14, the second positioning part 48 may determine the fixed position of the holding part 13 in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction. Specifically, the fixed position in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction may be determined by inserting the second positioning part 48 into the fifth hole hl5 of the holding part 13. As shown in Figure 11, the second positioning part 48 may be provided inside the cylindrical part 43. The second positioning part 48 may be formed to stand upright in a columnar shape from the bottom part 44. The second positioning part 48 may be a columnar member extending along the axial direction. The second positioning part 48 may be approximately the same as the inner diameter of the fifth hole hl5 of the holding part 13.

[0072] The second anti-rotation part 49 may prevent rotation of the holding part 13 around the second positioning part 48. Specifically, the fixed position perpendicular to the axial direction may be determined by inserting the second anti-rotation part 49 into the sixth hole hl6 of the holding part 13. The second anti-rotation part 49 may be located away from the second positioning part 48 within the cylindrical part 43 when viewed from the axial direction. The second anti-rotation part 49 may be provided at a position that sandwiches the central axis with the first positioning part 48. The second anti-rotation part 49 may extend along the axial direction. The second anti-rotation part 49 may be formed to stand upright in a columnar shape from the bottom part 44. The second anti-rotation part 49 may be cylindrical. The diameter of the second anti-rotation part 49 may be approximately the same as the inner diameter of the sixth hole hl6 in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the fifth hole hl5 and the sixth hole hl6 are aligned.

[0073] The imaging device 10 of this embodiment, having the configuration described above, comprises a first substrate 11 and a second substrate 12, and a holding part 13 having a connecting part 24 that holds the first substrate 11 in a first position and connects the second substrate 12 to the first substrate 11. With this configuration, the imaging device 10 can reduce the amount of misalignment of the substrates in a structure in which multiple substrates included in the imaging device 10 are fixed to each other. Specifically, even in a configuration in which the imaging device 10 has a substrate 15 between the first substrate 11 and the second substrate 12 that is electrically connected to each other via B to B connectors 21, 23, 33, and 34, the imaging device 10 can position the first substrate 11 and the second substrate 12 with respect to the holding part 13. Therefore, the imaging device 10 can reduce the amount of misalignment of the substrates even when it has multiple substrates.

[0074] Furthermore, the imaging device 10 further includes a lens barrel 17 that supports an optical system 37 that forms an image of a subject on an image sensor 14 held in a second position by a holding part 13, and a rear case 18 having a terminal connector (second connector) 40 that can be connected to a second rear connector (first connector) 22 provided on the second substrate 12. With this configuration, the imaging device 10 has a substrate 15 between the first substrate 11 and the second substrate 12 that are electrically connected to each other via B to B connectors 21, 23, 33, and 34, and the amount of misalignment between the image sensor 14 and the terminal connector 40 can be reduced.

[0075] Furthermore, in the imaging device 10, the housing 19 has a first positioning unit 46 that determines the fixed position of the rear case 18, and the rear case 18 is fixed via the first positioning unit 46, thereby fixing the lens barrel 17. With this configuration, the imaging device 10 has a configuration in which a substrate 15 is electrically connected to each other via B to B connectors 21, 23, 33, and 34 between the first substrate 11 and the second substrate 12, and the amount of misalignment between the lens barrel 17 and the rear case 18 can be reduced.

[0076] Furthermore, in the imaging device 10, the housing 19 has a connection surface 50 that connects to the lens barrel 17, and a recessed area 51 that is continuous with the connection surface 50 and recesses away from the lens barrel 17 along the optical axis of the lens barrel 17. With this configuration, the imaging device 10 can spread the adhesive that bonds the housing 19 and the lens barrel 17 over the entire surface of the connection surface 50, while reducing the amount of excess adhesive 52 that seeps out from the outer circumference of the housing 19. Therefore, the imaging device 10 can improve its external aesthetics.

[0077] Furthermore, in the imaging device 10, the housing 19 and the lens barrel 17 are connected at the connection surface 50 by adhesive 52, and the adhesive 52 is located continuously from the connection surface 50 in the recessed area 51. With this configuration, the imaging device 10 allows the user to visually confirm that the adhesive 52 has spread sufficiently on the connection surface 50.

[0078] Furthermore, the imaging device 10 further includes a third substrate 15 positioned between the first substrate 11 and the second substrate 12, and a spacer 16 having an opening or notch nt5 through which the connecting portion 24 passes, and which maintains a distance of more than a predetermined distance between the second substrate 12 and the third substrate 15. With this configuration, the imaging device 10 prevents interference of the third substrate 15 from the holding portion 13, so that the third substrate 15 is not fixed and can be displaced within an allowable position range. Therefore, the imaging device 10 allows the third substrate 15 to be easily assembled between the first substrate 11 and the second substrate 12 regardless of the misalignment of the B to B connectors 21, 23, 33, and 34.

[0079] Furthermore, in the imaging device 10, the spacer 16 has a flat plate portion 35 that separates at least a part of the space between the second substrate 12 and the third substrate 15, and a peripheral wall portion 36 that surrounds at least a part of the periphery of the flat plate portion 35. With this configuration, the imaging device 10 can prevent interference between electronic components mounted on the second substrate 12 and electronic components mounted on the third substrate 15.

[0080] Furthermore, in the imaging device 10, the second substrate 12 has a second front connector (third connector) 23 on the side facing the third substrate 15, and the third substrate 15 has a third rear connector (fourth connector) 34 connected to the second front connector 23. An opening (second opening) ap2 is formed in the flat plate portion 35 for connecting the second front connector 23 and the third rear connector 34. With this configuration, the imaging device 10 can prevent interference between the flat plate portion 23 and the second front connector 23 and the third rear connector 34, even though it has a flat plate portion 35 separating the second substrate 12 and the third substrate 13.

[0081] In one embodiment, (1) the imaging device is A first substrate and a second substrate, The device comprises a holding portion that holds the first substrate in a first position and has a connecting portion that connects the second substrate to the first substrate.

[0082] (2) In the imaging device described in (1) above, The connecting portion connects the first substrate and the second substrate so that their main surfaces are parallel to each other.

[0083] (3) In the imaging device described in (2) above, The connecting portion fixes the second substrate with respect to the first substrate, with the position of the second substrate relative to the first substrate being defined as the first position, in at least one of a first direction perpendicular to the main surface of the first substrate and a second direction parallel to the main surface of the first substrate.

[0084] (4) Any imaging device described in (1) to (3) above is A lens barrel supporting an optical system that forms an image of a subject light beam on an image sensor held in a second position by the aforementioned holding part, The device further comprises a rear case having a second connector that can be connected to a first connector provided on the second substrate.

[0085] (5) The imaging device described in (4) above is The present invention further comprises a housing that houses the retaining portion and has a fixing portion for fixing the retaining portion.

[0086] (6) In the imaging device described in (5) above, The housing has a first positioning portion that determines the fixing position of the rear case, and fixes the rear case via the first positioning portion, thereby fixing the lens barrel.

[0087] (7) In the imaging device described in (5) or (6) above, The housing has a connecting surface that connects to the lens barrel, and a recess that is continuous with the connecting surface and recesses away from the lens barrel along the optical axis of the lens barrel from the connecting surface.

[0088] (8) In the imaging device described in (7) above, The housing and the lens barrel are connected at the connection surface by adhesive. The adhesive is positioned in the recessed area, continuously from the connecting surface.

[0089] (9) Any imaging device described in (1) to (8) above is A third substrate located between the first substrate and the second substrate, The system further includes a spacer having an opening or notch through which the connecting portion passes, and which maintains a distance of at least a predetermined distance between the second substrate and the third substrate.

[0090] (10) In the imaging device described in (9) above, The spacer has a flat plate portion that separates at least a portion of the space between the second substrate and the third substrate, and a peripheral wall portion that surrounds at least a portion of the periphery of the flat plate portion.

[0091] (11) In the imaging device described in (10) above, The second substrate has a third connector on the side of the third substrate, The third substrate has a fourth connector which is connected to the third connector. The flat plate portion has openings formed in it for connecting the third connector and the fourth connector.

[0092] In one embodiment, (12) the imaging device is A holding portion that is connected to or holds a first substrate on which the image sensor is mounted, The connecting portion provided in the holding portion, A second circuit board is fixed to the aforementioned connection portion, and has a second rear connector on one main surface and a second front connector on the other main surface. A third substrate is located between the first substrate and the second substrate, and has a third rear connector on one main surface and a third front connector on the other main surface. A lens barrel including an optical system for forming an image of the subject light beam onto the image sensor, The device comprises a rear case having a terminal connector that connects to the second rear connector, The connecting portion extends in a first direction toward the rear case from the lens barrel, The first substrate has a first rear connector that connects to the third front connector, The aforementioned second front connector is connected to the aforementioned third rear connector. The third substrate has an opening or notch formed therein for the connection portion to pass through.

[0093] The diagrams illustrating the embodiments described herein are schematic. Dimensions and proportions shown in the drawings do not necessarily correspond to actual dimensions.

[0094] While embodiments relating to this disclosure have been described based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications or alterations based on this disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications or alterations are within the scope of this disclosure. For example, the functions included in each component can be rearranged in a logically consistent manner, and multiple components can be combined into one or separated.

[0095] For example, the imaging device 10 of this embodiment has a configuration having three substrates: a first substrate 11, a second substrate 12, and a third substrate 15, but it may have four or more substrates. In a configuration with four or more substrates, multiple substrates, including the third substrate 15, may be sandwiched between the first substrate 11 and the second substrate 12. These multiple substrates do not have to be connected to the holding portion 13, similar to the third substrate 15, and may only be partially connected. Alternatively, in a configuration with four or more substrates, the imaging device 10 may include multiple subassemblies 20. Spacers 16 may be provided between the substrates.

[0096] Furthermore, in the imaging device 10 of this embodiment, for example, the first rear connector 21 and the third front connector 33 are connected, the second front connector 23 and the third rear connector 34 are electrically connected, and the first substrate 11, the third substrate 15, and the second substrate 12 are connected in that order, but the configuration is not limited to this. For example, the first substrate 11 and the third substrate 15 may be electrically connected by the first rear connector 21 and the third front connector 33, the first substrate 11 and the second substrate 12 may be electrically connected by a method other than a connector, such as a flexible flat cable, and the third substrate 15 and the second substrate 12 may not be connected. In other words, the third substrate 15 may be electrically connected to at least one of the first substrate 11 or the second substrate 12. In this disclosure, the terms "front connector" and "rear connector" are used for convenience to distinguish between the connectors and are not intended to specify the location of the connectors.

[0097] Furthermore, for example, the image sensor 13 may be any of the following: an image sensor that detects visible light, an image sensor that detects far-infrared light, or an image sensor that detects near-infrared light.

[0098] Furthermore, the use of the imaging device 10 is not particularly limited. The imaging device 10 may be, for example, a camera mounted on a moving object such as a vehicle, or a camera used as a surveillance camera installed on a road.

[0099] All of the constituent elements described in this disclosure, and / or all of the disclosed methods or steps of processing, may be combined in any combination except for any combination in which these features are mutually exclusive. Furthermore, each of the features described in this disclosure may be replaced by an alternative feature that works for the same, equivalent, or similar purpose, unless expressly disregarded. Thus, unless expressly disregarded, each of the disclosed features is merely an example of a comprehensive set of identical or equivalent features.

[0100] Furthermore, the embodiments relating to this disclosure are not limited to any specific configuration of the embodiments described above. The embodiments relating to this disclosure can be extended to all novel features or combinations thereof described herein, or all novel methods or processing steps or combinations thereof described herein.

[0101] In this disclosure, the designations "First," "Second," etc., are identifiers used to distinguish the configurations. Configurations distinguished by the designations "First," "Second," etc., in this disclosure may have their numbers swapped. For example, the first substrate may have its identifiers "First" and "Second" swapped with those of the second substrate. The swapping of identifiers occurs simultaneously. The configurations remain distinguishable even after the swapping of identifiers. Identifiers may be deleted. Configurations from which identifiers have been deleted are distinguished by codes. The designations "First," "Second," etc., in this disclosure should not be used alone to interpret the order of the configurations or to justify the existence of smaller numbered identifiers. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0102] 10 Imaging device 11. First substrate 12 Second substrate 13 Holding part 14 Image sensor 15. Third substrate 16 Spacers 17 Telescope Tube 18 Rear Case 19 Housing 20 Subassemblies 21 First rear connector 22. Second rear connector (first connector) 23. Second front connector (third connector) 24 Connection part 25 Main body 26 Part 1 27 Part 2 28. Part 3 29 Peripheral wall section 30 bases 31 First projection 32 Second projection 33 Third front connector 34. Third rear connector (fourth connector) 35 Flat plate part 36 Peripheral wall section 37 Optical system 38 Cylinder part 39 Guard section 40 Terminal connector (second connector) 41 Flat plate part 42 Cylinder part 43 Cylinder part 44 Bottom 45 Fixed part 46 First positioning unit 47 First anti-rotation part 48 Second positioning unit 49 Second anti-rotation part 50 connection surface 51 Depression 52 Adhesives 53 First projection ap1 First opening ap2 Second opening hl1 First hole hl2 Second hole hl3 Third hole hl4 Fourth hole hl5 Fifth hole hl6 The sixth hole hl7 Seventh hole hl8 The eighth hole hl9 9th hole hl10 10th hole hl11 Eleventh hole nt1 First notch nt2 Second notch nt3 Third notch nt4 The fourth notch nt5 Fifth notch nt6 The sixth notch nt7 The seventh notch

Claims

1. A first substrate and a second substrate, The device comprises a holding portion that holds the first substrate in a first position and has a connecting portion that connects the second substrate to the first substrate. Imaging device.

2. In the imaging apparatus according to claim 1, The connecting portion connects the first substrate and the second substrate so that their main surfaces are parallel to each other. Imaging device.

3. In the imaging device according to claim 2, The connecting portion fixes the second substrate with respect to the first substrate, with the position of the second substrate relative to the first substrate being defined as the first position, in at least one of a first direction perpendicular to the main surface of the first substrate and a second direction parallel to the main surface of the first substrate. Imaging device.

4. In the imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, A lens barrel supporting an optical system that forms an image of a subject light beam on an image sensor held in a second position by the holding part, The present invention further comprises a rear case having a second connector that can be connected to a first connector provided on the second substrate. Imaging device.

5. In the imaging device according to claim 4, The present invention further comprises a housing having a fixing portion for fixing the aforementioned holding portion and housing the aforementioned holding portion. Imaging device.

6. In the imaging apparatus according to claim 5, The housing has a first positioning portion that determines the fixing position of the rear case, and fixes the rear case via the first positioning portion and fixes the lens barrel. Imaging device.

7. In the imaging apparatus according to claim 5, The housing has a connecting surface that connects to the lens barrel, and a recess that is continuous with the connecting surface and recesses away from the lens barrel along the optical axis of the lens barrel from the connecting surface. Imaging device.

8. In the imaging device according to claim 7, The housing and the lens barrel are connected at the connection surface by adhesive. The adhesive is located in the recessed area, continuously from the connecting surface. Imaging device.

9. In the imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, A third substrate located between the first substrate and the second substrate, The facility further comprises a spacer having an opening or notch through which the connecting portion passes, and which maintains a distance of more than a predetermined distance between the second substrate and the third substrate. Imaging device.

10. In the imaging device according to claim 9, The spacer has a flat plate portion that separates at least a portion of the space between the second substrate and the third substrate, and a peripheral wall portion that surrounds at least a portion of the periphery of the flat plate portion. Imaging device.

11. In the imaging device according to claim 10, The second substrate has a third connector on the side of the third substrate, The third substrate has a fourth connector which is connected to the third connector. The flat plate portion is formed with openings for connecting the third connector and the fourth connector. Imaging device.

12. A holding portion that is connected to or holds a first substrate on which an image sensor is mounted, The connecting portion provided in the holding portion, A second substrate is fixed to the aforementioned connection portion, and has a second rear connector on one main surface and a second front connector on the other main surface. A third substrate is located between the first substrate and the second substrate, and has a third rear connector on one main surface and a third front connector on the other main surface. A lens barrel including an optical system for forming an image of the subject light beam onto the image sensor, The device comprises a rear case having a terminal connector that connects to the second rear connector, The aforementioned connecting portion extends in a first direction toward the rear case from the lens barrel, The first substrate has a first rear connector that connects to the third front connector, The second front connector is connected to the third rear connector. The third substrate has an opening or notch formed therein for the connection portion to pass through. Imaging device.

Images