In-car camera

Abstract

This prevents heat from the heater unit, which removes raindrops and ice from the lens, from directly diffusing into the highly thermally conductive metal lens barrel. [Solution] The lens barrel comprises a circuit board 40 on which an image sensor 50 is arranged on a first surface 40a, a circuit board connector 47, a housing 60 that houses the image sensor and the circuit board, and a lens barrel 30 having an inner surface 33 and an outer surface 34. The lens barrel comprises a heater portion 10 arranged between a part of the second lens surface 35a2 of the first lens 35a and a part of the third lens surface 35b1 of the second lens 35b, so as to be along at least a part of the second region 35a22 of the second lens surface of the first lens, and a resin member 90 arranged between the inner surface and the first lens surface of the first lens.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] In recent years, with the demands for improving vehicle safety and introducing autonomous driving functions, the development of in-vehicle cameras mounted on vehicles to photograph the inside and outside of the vehicle has been active (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The required levels regarding vehicle safety, autonomous driving functions, etc. are on the rise, and further performance improvements, etc. are demanded for in-vehicle cameras.

[0005] The present disclosure relates to a technology for providing a new in-vehicle camera.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] This disclosure relates to a metal lens barrel having a first cylindrical shape along the optical axis, a first end of the first cylindrical shape, a second end of the first cylindrical shape opposite to the first end, and a lens including at least a first lens and a second lens arranged along the optical axis; an image sensor on the optical axis and positioned 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 sensor being positioned on the first surface; and a circuit board disposed on the circuit board. The lens barrel comprises a connector, a housing that supports the lens barrel and houses the image sensor and the circuit board, and a connector disposed on at least a part of the housing and electrically connected to the circuit board connector, wherein the first cylindrical shape of the lens barrel has an inner surface and an outer surface, the first lens and the second lens of the lens barrel are arranged adjacent to each other, the first lens of the lens barrel is positioned further away from the second lens in the direction along the optical axis with reference to the first surface of the circuit board, and the first The lens has a first lens surface through which the optical axis passes, a second lens surface through which the optical axis passes and opposite to the first surface, and a first lens side surface connecting the first lens surface and the second lens surface. The second lens of the lens barrel has a third lens surface through which the optical axis passes, a fourth lens surface through which the optical axis passes and opposite to the third lens surface, and a second lens side surface connecting the third lens surface and the fourth lens surface. The second lens surface of the first lens of the lens barrel has a first region through which the optical axis passes, and the optical axis as a reference. The present invention relates to an in-vehicle camera having a second region located outside the first region and surrounding the first region, the lens barrel comprising a first ring-shaped heater portion disposed between a part of the second lens surface of the first lens and a part of the third lens surface of the second lens, and along at least a part of the second region of the second lens surface of the first lens, and a second ring-shaped resin member disposed between the inner surface of the first cylindrical body and the first lens side of the first lens. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this disclosure, since the resin member is positioned on the side surface of the first lens, it is possible to suppress the direct diffusion of heat from the heater unit, which removes foreign matter such as raindrops and ice adhering to the first lens, to the metal lens barrel, which has high thermal conductivity. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] An example of a vehicle, a top view of a vehicle equipped with an on-board camera. [Figure 2] Block diagram showing an example of the connection of an in-vehicle camera, camera ECU, and display installed in the vehicle shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Another example of a vehicle: a schematic diagram of the interior of a vehicle equipped with an onboard camera. [Figure 4] Top view of the vehicle in Figure 3 [Figure 5] Block diagram showing an example of the connection of an in-vehicle camera, camera ECU, and display unit installed in the vehicle shown in Figure 3. [Figure 6] Front perspective view of an in-vehicle camera according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] Exploded perspective view of an in-vehicle camera according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] Top view of an in-vehicle camera according to the first embodiment [Figure 9] A perspective view showing a cross-section along line II in Figure 8, near the first end of the lens barrel of the in-vehicle camera according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] Exploded perspective view of an in-vehicle camera according to the second embodiment. [Figure 11] In the in-vehicle camera according to the second embodiment, a cross-sectional view along line II in Figure 8. [Figure 12] In the in-vehicle camera according to the second embodiment, a cross-sectional view along line II-II in Figure 8. [Figure 13] Enlarged view of area A in Figure 12 [Figure 14] A perspective view showing a cross-section along line II in Figure 8, near the first end of the lens barrel of the in-vehicle camera according to the second embodiment. [Figure 15]In a modified example of an in-vehicle camera, a cross-sectional view along line II in Figure 8. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The following describes in detail embodiments of the in-vehicle camera disclosed herein, with appropriate reference to the drawings. However, unnecessary details may be omitted. For example, detailed explanations of already well-known matters and redundant explanations of substantially identical configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid the following explanation becoming unnecessarily verbose and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art. The accompanying drawings and the following explanation are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand this disclosure and are not intended to limit the subject matter of the claims.

[0010] (Vehicles equipped with onboard cameras) Figure 1 shows an example of a vehicle, a top view of a vehicle equipped with onboard cameras. Vehicle V is equipped with onboard cameras 100A, 100B, 100C, and 100D. Onboard camera 100A is a front camera, onboard camera 100B is a rear camera, onboard camera 100C is a right side camera, and onboard camera 100D is a left side camera. Onboard cameras 100A to 100D are wide-angle cameras with a field of view of approximately 180°, for example, and are positioned to capture images of the entire circumference of vehicle V.

[0011] For example, the in-vehicle camera 100A is mounted on the front grille of vehicle V and captures images of the area in front of the vehicle in a direction that looks diagonally downwards relative to the ground. The in-vehicle camera 100B is mounted on the roof spoiler of vehicle V and captures images of the area behind the vehicle in a direction that looks diagonally downwards relative to the ground. The in-vehicle cameras 100C and 100D are each mounted on the side mirrors of vehicle V and capture images of the area to the side of the vehicle in a direction that looks diagonally downwards relative to the ground.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a connection example of in-vehicle cameras 100A to 100D, a camera ECU 111, and a display 7 provided in the vehicle V shown in FIG. 1. The camera ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 111 shown in FIG. 2 synthesizes the images captured by the in-vehicle cameras 100A to 100D and displays the synthesized image on the display 7 of a navigation system arranged, for example, on an instrument panel. The occupant can view the display 7 to check the situation around the vehicle V.

[0013] FIG. 3 is another example of a vehicle, which is a schematic view of a vehicle cabin equipped with an in-vehicle camera, and FIG. 4 is a top view of the vehicle in FIG. 3. The vehicle V is a front portion between the driver's seat 3 and the passenger seat 4 in the vehicle cabin 2 and includes a display 5 (for example, an electronic rearview mirror) at the mounting position of the rearview mirror. Further, the vehicle V is equipped with an in-vehicle camera 100 at the rear of the vehicle body. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a connection example of the in-vehicle camera 100, the camera ECU 111, and the display 5 provided in the vehicle V shown in FIG. 3. The camera ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 111 shown in FIG. 4 processes the image captured by the in-vehicle camera 100, and the display 5 displays the image. The occupant can view the display 5 to check the situation behind the vehicle V. [[ID=!]]

[0014] (First Embodiment of In-Vehicle Camera) FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the in-vehicle camera 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the in-vehicle camera 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a top view of the in-vehicle camera 100 according to the first embodiment. A coordinate system including an X-axis along one side of the in-vehicle camera 100, a Y-axis orthogonal to the X-axis and along the other side of the in-vehicle camera 100, and a Z-axis orthogonal to the X-axis and the Y-axis and along the height direction of the in-vehicle camera 100 is defined and used in the following description.

[0015] The in-vehicle camera 100 of the present embodiment includes a lens barrel 30, a circuit board 40, an imaging device 50, and a housing 60.

[0016] The metal lens barrel 30 is a first cylindrical shape aligned with 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 of the first cylindrical shape and a second end 30b opposite to the first end 30a in the direction along the optical axis L. The lens barrel 30 also has an inner surface 33 and an outer surface 34. The inner surface 33 corresponds to the inner surface of the first cylindrical shape of the lens barrel 30 and in this embodiment has a cylindrical surface. The inner surface 33 may have a stepped portion rather than being a flat surface. The outer surface 34 is located outside the inner surface 33 with respect to the optical axis L. The outer surface 34 corresponds to the outer surface of the first cylindrical shape of the lens barrel 30 and in this embodiment has a cylindrical surface.

[0017] The first end 30a constitutes the tip portion of the lens barrel 30, and the second end 30b, at least a portion of which faces the circuit board 40 inside the housing 60.

[0018] The lens barrel 30 has a lens 35 which includes at least a first lens 35a and a second lens 35b housed inside a first cylindrical shape at a position radially inward from the inner surface 33 and arranged on the optical axis L. Each lens is arranged so that its respective optical axis L is aligned, and they constitute a lens group used for imaging the inside and outside of the vehicle body V. As will be described later, the lens 35 may also include other lenses besides the first lens 35a and the second lens 35b.

[0019] The image sensor 50 is located on the optical axis L and is positioned in the internal space of the housing 60, closer to the second end 30b than to the first end 30a of the first cylindrical lens barrel 30. The image sensor 50 is electrically connected to the circuit of the circuit board 40, and by guiding external light to the image sensor 50, the image sensor 50 can capture an image. The image sensor 50 may be, for example, a CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor) image sensor.

[0020] The circuit board 40 is placed in the internal space of the housing 60 and has a first surface 40a and a second surface 40b opposite to the first surface 40a. However, two or more circuit boards may be provided. The image sensor 50 is placed on the first surface 40a of the circuit board 40.

[0021] The circuit board 40 has a first shape in plan view. The first shape in plan view is the shape when viewed from the first surface 40a to the second surface 40b of the circuit board 40. The first shape is a quadrilateral, as in the embodiment, but it may also be a polygon with five or more sides.

[0022] The housing 60 is a cylindrical member having an internal space, and it serves to support the lens barrel 30 while housing at least the circuit board 40 and the image sensor 50. The housing 60 is a second cylindrical shape along the optical axis L and has a third end 63 and a fourth end 64. The third end 63 is connected to the lens barrel 30. The fourth end 64 is opposite to the third end 63 in the direction along the optical axis L and is positioned further away from the third end 63 with respect to the first end 30a of the first cylindrical shape of the lens barrel 30. In this embodiment, the housing 60 is a rectangular cylindrical shape, but it is not limited to this and may be a polygonal cylindrical shape other than a rectangle, a circular or elliptical cylindrical shape, or a cylindrical shape of any other shape.

[0023] With the housing 60 containing at least the circuit board 40 and the image sensor 50, the second end 30b of the lens barrel 30 and the third end 63 of the housing 60 are welded together. This welding is performed, for example, by laser welding.

[0024] Next, the first lens 35a and the second lens 35b of the lens barrel 30 will be explained again. Figure 9 is a cross-section of the lens barrel 30 near the first end 30a, along line II in Figure 8. The first lens 35a and the second lens 35b are arranged adjacent to each other in a direction along the optical axis L. In the exploded perspective view of Figure 7, the first lens 35a of the lens 35 is drawn independently, while the second lens 35b and the other lenses (for example, the third lens 35c, fourth lens 35d, fifth lens 35e, sixth lens 35f, and seventh lens 35g in Figure 11 of the second embodiment described later) are drawn as a single unit.

[0025] The first lens 35a of the lens barrel 30 is positioned further away from the second lens 35b in the direction along the optical axis L, with reference to the first surface 40a of the circuit board 40. The first lens 35a has a first lens surface 35a1 through which the optical axis L passes, a second lens surface 35a2 through which the optical axis L passes and opposite to the first lens surface 35a1, and a first lens side surface 35a3 connecting the first lens surface 35a1 and the second lens surface 35a2.

[0026] The second lens 35b of the lens barrel 30 is positioned closer to the first lens 35a than the first lens 35a, with reference to the first surface 40a of the circuit board 40, in the direction along the optical axis L. The second lens 35b has a third lens surface 35b1 through which the optical axis L passes, a fourth lens surface 35b2 through which the optical axis L passes and opposite to the third lens surface 35b1, and a second lens side surface 35b3 connecting the third lens surface 35b1 and the fourth lens surface 35b2.

[0027] The lens barrel 30 further includes a heater section 10. The heater section 10 is located near the first end 30a of the lens barrel 30, between a part of the second lens surface 35a2 of the first lens 35a and a part of the third lens surface 35b1 of the second lens 35b, and is positioned along at least a part of the second region of the second lens surface 35a2 of the first lens 35a, and has a first ring shape.

[0028] The heater unit 10 is a component that, by generating heat, removes foreign matter such as raindrops and ice adhering to the first lens 35a exposed to the outside, thereby ensuring the field of view of the in-vehicle camera 100. The heater unit 10 may be, for example, a PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) heater. A PTC heater can self-regulate its temperature and suppress power consumption. The heater unit 10 may also be, for example, a metal heater.

[0029] The in-vehicle camera 100 according to this embodiment further includes a third cylindrical resin retaining member 70 provided around the first end 30a of the lens barrel 30. The retaining member 70 contacts the first end 30a of the lens barrel 30 and the periphery of the first lens surface 35a1 of the first lens 35a, thereby securely holding the first lens 35a in the lens barrel 30.

[0030] Furthermore, the in-vehicle camera 100 according to this embodiment further includes an elastic member 20 which is located between the first portion 71 of the holding member 70 and the first resin surface 90a of the resin member 90, and is positioned between the first lens side surface 35a3 of the first lens 35a and the first cylindrical inner surface 33 of the lens barrel 30.

[0031] (Second embodiment of an in-vehicle camera) With the increasing demand for higher pixel counts in the image sensor 50, the in-vehicle camera 100 requires higher manufacturing and optical precision. To meet these demands, the lens barrel 30 is made of metal. When the lens barrel 30 is made of metal, it is easier to achieve higher manufacturing precision compared to when it is made of resin or other materials.

[0032] However, the fact that the lens barrel 30 is made of metal can be a factor that reduces the function of the heater unit 10. Specifically, because a part of the metal lens barrel 30 is adjacent to the first lens 35a, in particular to the first lens side surface 35a3 of the first lens 35a, heat from the heater unit 10 can easily escape to the metal lens barrel 30, which has high thermal conductivity, before it can remove foreign matter from the first lens 35a, and the foreign matter removal function may not be fully performed. The first lens 35a is generally made of a material that has lower thermal conductivity than metal, such as glass or resin.

[0033] The in-vehicle camera according to the second embodiment addresses the above-mentioned problems. Figure 10 is an exploded perspective view of the in-vehicle camera 100 according to the second embodiment. Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of the in-vehicle camera 100 according to the second embodiment along line II in Figure 8. Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of the in-vehicle camera 100 according to the second embodiment along line II-II in Figure 8. Figure 13 is an enlarged view of area A in Figure 12. Figure 14 is a perspective view of the area near the first end 30a of the lens barrel 30 of the in-vehicle camera 100 according to the second embodiment, showing a cross-section along line II in Figure 8.

[0034] The appearance of the in-vehicle camera 100 according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in Figures 6 and 8. The cross-sectional view in Figure 11 is not shown in the first embodiment, but it is the same as the first embodiment in that the lens 35 includes a first lens 35a, a second lens 35b, a third lens 35c, a fourth lens 35d, a fifth lens 35e, a sixth lens 35f, and a seventh lens 35g. In the exploded perspective view of Figure 10, similar to Figure 7, the first lens 35a is depicted independently, while the second lens 35b, third lens 35c, fourth lens 35d, fifth lens 35e, sixth lens 35f, and seventh lens 35g are depicted as a single unit.

[0035] The first lens 35a and the second lens 35b are also common to the first embodiment 1. In particular, the second lens surface 35a2 of the first lens 35a has a first region 35a21 through which the optical axis L passes, and a second region 35a22 located outside the first region 35a21 with respect to the optical axis L, and surrounding the first region 35a21. The third lens surface 35b1 of the second lens 35b has a third region 35b11 through which the optical axis L passes, and a fourth region 35b12 located outside the third region 35b11.

[0036] In the in-vehicle camera 100 according to the second embodiment, a resin member 90 is provided on the lens barrel 30. The resin member 90 is positioned between the first cylindrical inner surface 33 of the lens barrel 30 and the first lens surface 35a3 of the first lens 35a, and has a second ring shape. Since the resin member 90 is made of resin, its thermal conductivity is lower than that of the metal lens barrel 30.

[0037] Because the resin component 90, which has low thermal conductivity, is placed on the first lens side surface 35a3 of the first lens 35a, it is possible to suppress the direct diffusion of heat from the heater unit 10, which removes foreign matter such as raindrops and ice adhering to the first lens 35a, to the metal lens barrel 30, which has high thermal conductivity. Therefore, foreign matter on the first lens 35a can be removed before the heat from the heater unit 10 escapes to the lens barrel 30, and the field of view of the in-vehicle camera 100 can be secured.

[0038] The second ring shape of the resin member 90 includes a first resin surface 90a, a second resin surface 90b opposite to the first resin surface 90a, an inner resin surface 90c connecting the first resin surface 90a and the second resin surface 90b, and an outer resin surface 90d located outside the inner resin surface 90c with respect to the optical axis L, and connecting the first resin surface 90a and the second resin surface 90b. At least a portion of the inner resin surface 90c of the resin member 90 contacts the first lens surface 35a3 of the first lens 35a, and at least a portion of the outer resin surface 90d of the resin member 90 contacts the first cylindrical inner surface 33 of the lens barrel 30.

[0039] As a result, the resin member 90 contacts the first lens side surface 35a3 of the first lens 35a and also contacts the inner surface 33 of the lens barrel 30, effectively suppressing the diffusion of heat from the heater unit 10 to the metal lens barrel 30, and allowing the resin member 90 to be stably positioned.

[0040] The first ring shape of the heater portion 10 of the lens barrel 30 is also the same as in the first embodiment. The first ring shape of the heater portion 10 has a first heater surface 10a, a second heater surface 10b opposite to the first heater surface 10a, an inner heater surface 10c connecting the first heater surface 10a and the second heater surface 10b, and an outer heater surface 10d that is located outside the inner heater surface 10c with respect to the optical axis L and connects the first heater surface 10a and the second heater surface 10b. The first heater surface 10a of the heater portion 10 is in contact with at least a part of the second region 35a22 of the second lens surface 35a2 of the first lens 35a. In-car camera.

[0041] As a result, the first heater surface 10a of the heater unit 10 comes into contact with at least a portion of the first lens 35a, allowing for efficient removal of raindrops, ice, etc., from the first lens 35a.

[0042] Furthermore, the outer surface 10d of the heater portion 10 of the lens barrel 30 is spaced apart from the inner resin surface 90c of the resin member 90. This allows the heater portion 10 to be positioned without the outer surface 10d of the heater portion 10 interfering with the inner resin surface 90c of the resin member 90.

[0043] As shown in Figure 11, the first thickness T1, which is the thickness between the third region 35b11 of the third lens surface 35b1 of the second lens 35b and the fourth lens surface 35b2 of the second lens 35b, is greater than the second thickness T2, which is the thickness between the fourth region 35b12 of the third lens surface 35b1 of the second lens 35b and the fourth lens surface 35b2 of the second lens 35b.

[0044] This makes it possible to secure space for positioning the heater unit 10 at a location corresponding to the fourth region 35b12 of the third lens surface 35b1 of the second lens 35b.

[0045] The heater section 10 of the lens barrel 30 includes a conductor section 12 having a first conductor end 12a and a second conductor end 12b opposite to the first conductor end 12a. The first conductor end 12a is connected to the heater section, and the second conductor end 12b is electrically connected to the circuit board 40.

[0046] As shown in Figures 10 and 13, the resin member 90 has a resin notch 90e in a part of the second resin surface 90b, which is cut out from the inner resin surface 90c to the outer resin surface 90d. A part of the conductor 12 of the heater unit 10 is arranged in the resin notch 90e of the resin member 90. This allows the conductor 12 that supplies power to the heater unit 10 to be efficiently arranged inside the lens barrel 30, even if the heater unit 10 is adjacent to the first lens 35a and the resin member 90. Note that the resin notch 90e is not limited to the second resin surface 90b, but may also be provided in a part of the first resin surface 90a.

[0047] The conductor portion 12 of the heater portion 10 of the lens barrel 30 passes between the first cylindrical inner surface 33 and outer surface 34 of the lens barrel 30 and is electrically connected to the circuit board 40. This allows the conductor portion 12 to be placed inside the lens barrel 30 by utilizing the space between the inner surface 33 and outer surface 34 of the lens barrel 30. Alternatively, the conductor portion 12 may pass outside the outer surface 34 of the lens barrel 30 and be electrically connected to the circuit board 40.

[0048] The in-vehicle camera 100 according to this embodiment further comprises a third cylindrical resin retaining member 70 provided around the first end 30a of the lens barrel 30. The third cylindrical retaining member 70 has a first portion 71 that contacts the first cylindrical first end 30a of the lens barrel 30 and the periphery of the first lens surface 35a1 of the first lens 35a, and a second portion 72 that is fixed to a part of the first cylindrical outer surface 34 of the lens barrel 30.

[0049] As a result, the retaining member 70 contacts the first end 30a of the lens barrel 30 and the periphery of the first lens surface 35a1 of the first lens 35a, thereby securely holding the first lens 35a in the lens barrel 30. The retaining member 70 may be fixed to the lens barrel 30 by screw fastening. Adhesive may be applied between the retaining member 70 and the outer surface of the lens barrel 30.

[0050] Furthermore, the in-vehicle camera 100 according to this embodiment further includes an elastic member 20 positioned between the first portion 71 of the holding member 70 and the first resin surface 90a of the resin member 90, and between the first lens side surface 35a3 of the first lens 35a and the first cylindrical inner surface 33 of the lens barrel 30. This prevents foreign matter from entering the lens barrel 30 through the gap between the holding member 70 and the first lens 35a.

[0051] The elastic member 20 may be an O-ring. This makes it easy to prevent foreign matter from entering the lens barrel 30 through the gap between the retaining member 70 and the first lens 35a.

[0052] As shown in Figure 11, at least one lens 35 of the lens barrel 30 has multiple lenses, but the heater unit 10 can heat the first lens 35a, which is the furthest from the image sensor 50 among the multiple lenses 35. The heater unit 10 can remove raindrops, ice, etc. from the first lens 35a, which is the furthest from the image sensor 50 and closest to the outside of the in-vehicle camera 100, thereby efficiently ensuring a clear field of view.

[0053] The in-vehicle camera 100 further comprises a circuit board connector 47 and a connector 80. The circuit board connector 47 is located on the circuit board 40, particularly on the second surface 40b of the circuit board 40. The connector 80 is located on at least a portion of the housing 60 and is electrically connected to the circuit board connector 47. External power is supplied to the circuit board 40 via the connector 80 and the circuit board connector 47.

[0054] When the in-vehicle camera 100 is installed in the vehicle V, the connector 80 is electrically connected to the vehicle V's cables. This ensures that power is supplied from the vehicle V.

[0055] The conductive wire portion 12 of the heater portion 10 may be a flexible printed circuit board. This allows the conductive wire portion 12 to be easily formed.

[0056] In the in-vehicle camera 100 of this embodiment, the circuit board connector 47 is located on the second surface 40b of the circuit board 40. This makes it easy to ensure an electrical connection between the circuit board 40 and the connector 80 via the circuit board connector 47.

[0057] The connector 80 may be a coaxial connector equipped with a signal terminal 83 and a ground terminal 84. This allows the connector 80 to ensure both signal supply and grounding.

[0058] As described above, the housing 60 comprises a third end 63 and a fourth end 64 opposite to the third end 63 and located further away from the third end 63 with respect to the first end 30a of the lens barrel 30. The third end 63 supports the lens barrel 30, and the connector 80 is located on at least a portion of the fourth end 64 of the housing 60. This allows the housing 60 to hold the connector 80 while supporting the lens barrel 30.

[0059] The materials that make up the housing 60 are not particularly limited, but the housing 60 may be made of metal. This allows the housing 60 to act as a noise shield, shielding against noise from inside and outside the in-vehicle camera 100.

[0060] Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view along line II in Figure 8 of a modified example of the in-vehicle camera 100. In this example, the circuit board 40 includes a first circuit board 40A and a second circuit board 40B. This allows components to be placed on each of the multiple circuit boards. The circuit board 40 may include three or more circuit boards.

[0061] Based on the above, this disclosure contains at least the following information. Note that the components and other elements corresponding to those in the embodiments described above are indicated in parentheses, but are not limited thereto.

[0062] (1) A metal lens barrel (lens barrel 30) which is a first cylindrical shape along the optical axis (optical axis L), and comprises a first end (first end 30a) of the first cylindrical shape, a second end (second end 30b) of the first cylindrical shape opposite to the first end, and a lens (lens 35) which includes at least a first lens (first lens 35a) and a second lens (second lens 35b) arranged along the optical axis, An image sensor (image sensor 50) positioned on the optical axis and closer to the second end than the first end of the first cylindrical shape of the lens barrel, 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, with the image sensor arranged on the first surface, A circuit board connector (circuit board connector 47) is arranged on the circuit board, A housing (housing 60) that supports the lens barrel and houses the image sensor and the circuit board, The housing comprises a connector (connector 80) which is arranged in at least a part of the housing and electrically connected to the circuit board connector, The first cylindrical part of the lens barrel has an inner surface (inner surface 33) and an outer surface (outer surface 34), The first lens and the second lens of the lens barrel are arranged adjacent to each other. The first lens of the lens barrel is In the direction along the optical axis, the first surface of the circuit board is positioned further away from the second lens than the first surface of the circuit board, The first lens of the lens barrel is The first lens surface (first lens surface 35a1) through which the optical axis passes, The optical axis passes through the second lens surface (second lens surface 35a2) opposite to the first lens surface, It has a first lens side surface (first lens side surface 35a3) connecting the first lens surface and the second lens surface, The second lens of the aforementioned lens barrel is The third lens surface (third lens surface 35b1) through which the optical axis passes, The optical axis passes through the fourth lens surface (fourth lens surface 35b2) opposite to the third lens surface, It has a second lens surface (second lens surface 35b3) connecting the third lens surface and the fourth lens surface, The second lens surface of the first lens of the lens barrel is The first region (first region 35a21) through which the optical axis passes, With respect to the optical axis, it has a second region (second region 35a22) located outside the first region and surrounding the first region, The aforementioned lens barrel is A first ring-shaped heater portion (heater portion 10) is positioned between a part of the second lens surface of the first lens and a part of the third lens surface of the second lens, so as to be aligned with at least a portion of the second region of the second lens surface of the first lens, The device comprises a second ring-shaped resin member (resin member 90) disposed between the first cylindrical inner surface and the first lens surface of the first lens, In-car camera (In-car camera 100).

[0063] As a result, since the resin component is positioned on the side of the first lens, it is possible to suppress the direct diffusion of heat from the heater unit, which removes foreign matter such as raindrops and ice adhering to the first lens, to the metal lens barrel, which has high thermal conductivity.

[0064] (2) The in-vehicle camera described in (1), The second ring shape of the resin member of the lens barrel is, The first resin surface (first resin surface 90a) and The second resin surface (second resin surface 90b) opposite to the first resin surface, The resin inner surface (resin inner surface 90c) connecting the first resin surface and the second resin surface, It has an outer resin surface (outer resin surface 90d) that is located outside the inner resin surface with respect to the optical axis and connects the first resin surface and the second resin surface, At least a portion of the inner surface of the resin member contacts the side surface of the first lens of the first lens, At least a portion of the resin outer surface of the resin member is in contact with the first cylindrical inner surface of the lens barrel. In-car camera.

[0065] As a result, the resin component comes into contact with the side surface of the first lens and the inner surface of the lens barrel, effectively suppressing the diffusion of heat from the heater into the metal lens barrel, and allowing the resin component to be stably positioned.

[0066] (3) The in-vehicle camera described in (2), The third lens surface of the second lens of the lens barrel is The third region (third region 35b11) through which the optical axis passes, It has a fourth region (fourth region 35b12) located outside the third region, The shape of the first ring in the heater portion of the lens barrel is The first heater surface (first heater surface 10a), The second heater surface (second heater surface 10b) opposite to the first heater surface, The heater inner surface (heater inner surface 10c) connecting the first heater surface and the second heater surface, With respect to the optical axis, it has an outer heater surface (outer heater surface 10d) located outside the inner heater surface and connecting the first heater surface and the second heater surface, The first heater surface of the heater portion is in contact with at least a portion of the second region of the second lens surface of the first lens. In-car camera.

[0067] As a result, the first heater surface of the heater unit comes into contact with at least a portion of the first lens, allowing for efficient removal of raindrops, ice, etc., from the first lens.

[0068] (4) The in-vehicle camera described in (3), The outer surface of the heater portion of the lens barrel is spaced apart from the inner surface of the resin member. In-car camera.

[0069] This allows the heater to be positioned without the outer surface of the heater interfering with the inner surface of the resin component.

[0070] (5) The in-vehicle camera described in (4), The first thickness, which is the thickness between the third region of the third lens surface of the second lens and the fourth lens surface of the second lens, is greater than the second thickness, which is the thickness between the fourth region of the third lens surface of the second lens and the fourth lens surface of the second lens. In-car camera.

[0071] This makes it possible to secure space for placing the heater unit in a position corresponding to the fourth region of the third lens surface of the second lens.

[0072] (6) The in-vehicle camera described in (3), The heater portion of the lens barrel comprises a conductor portion (conductor portion 12) having a first conductor end (first conductor end 12a) and a second conductor end (second conductor end 12b) opposite to the first conductor end. The first end of the conductor section is connected to the heater section. The second end of the conductor portion is electrically connected to the circuit board. The resin member has a resin notch (resin notch 90e) in a part of the second resin surface that is cut out from the inner surface of the resin to the outer surface of the resin, A portion of the conductor is placed in the resin notch of the resin member. In-car camera.

[0073] This allows the power supply wires for the heater to be efficiently positioned inside the lens barrel, even if the heater is adjacent to the first lens and resin components.

[0074] (7) The in-vehicle camera described in (6), The conductor portion of the heater section of the lens barrel passes between the inner surface and the outer surface of the first cylindrical lens barrel and is electrically connected to the circuit board. In-car camera.

[0075] This allows the wiring to be placed inside the telescope tube by utilizing the space between the inner and outer surfaces of the tube.

[0076] (8) The in-vehicle camera described in (1), The lens barrel is further provided with a second cylindrical resin retaining member (retaining member 70) located around the first end, The second cylindrical retaining member is A first portion (first portion 71) that contacts the first cylindrical end of the lens barrel and the periphery of the first lens surface of the first lens, The lens barrel has a second portion (second portion 72) that is fixed to a part of the outer surface of the first cylindrical lens barrel, In-car camera.

[0077] As a result, the retaining member contacts the first end of the lens barrel and the peripheral edge of the surface of the first lens, thereby securely holding the first lens in the lens barrel.

[0078] (9) The in-vehicle camera described in (8), The present invention further comprises an elastic member (elastic member 20) located between the first portion of the holding member and the first resin surface of the resin member, and positioned between the first lens side surface of the first lens and the first cylindrical inner surface of the lens barrel. In-car camera.

[0079] This prevents foreign objects from entering the lens barrel through the gap between the retaining member and the first lens.

[0080] (10) The in-vehicle camera described in (9), The elastic member is an O-ring. In-car camera.

[0081] This makes it easy to prevent foreign objects from entering the lens barrel through the gap between the retaining member and the first lens.

[0082] (11) The in-vehicle camera described in (1), The first lens of the lens barrel is the lens furthest from the image sensor, The heater portion of the lens barrel is capable of heating the first lens of the lens barrel. In-car camera.

[0083] This allows the heater unit to remove raindrops, ice, etc., from the first lens, which is furthest from the image sensor and closest to the outside of the in-vehicle camera, thereby efficiently ensuring a clear field of view.

[0084] (12) The in-vehicle camera described in (1), The heater section of the aforementioned lens barrel is a PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) heater. In-car camera.

[0085] This makes it possible to reduce electricity consumption.

[0086] (13) The in-vehicle camera described in (1), When the in-vehicle camera is installed in a vehicle, the connector is electrically connected to the vehicle's cable. In-car camera.

[0087] This allows power to be secured from the vehicle.

[0088] (14) The in-vehicle camera described in (1), The circuit board connector is located on the second surface of the circuit board. In-car camera.

[0089] This makes it easy to ensure an electrical connection between the circuit board and the connector via the circuit board connector.

[0090] (15) The in-vehicle camera described in (1), The circuit board includes a first circuit board (first circuit board 40A) and a second circuit board (second circuit board 40B). In-car camera.

[0091] This allows components to be placed on each of multiple circuit boards.

[0092] (16) The in-vehicle camera described in (1), The aforementioned connector is a coaxial connector equipped with a signal terminal (signal terminal 83) and a ground terminal (ground terminal 84). In-car camera.

[0093] This allows the connector to ensure both signal supply and grounding.

[0094] (17) The in-vehicle camera described in (1), The aforementioned housing is a second cylindrical shape, The aforementioned enclosure is The aforementioned second cylindrical third end (third end 63), The lens barrel comprises a second cylindrical fourth end (fourth end 64) which is opposite to the third end and is located further away from the second cylindrical third end with respect to the first cylindrical first end of the lens barrel, The third end of the second cylindrical shape supports the lens barrel. The connector is located on at least a portion of the second cylindrical fourth end of the housing, In-car camera.

[0095] This allows the housing to support the lens barrel while also holding the connector.

[0096] (18) The in-vehicle camera described in (1), The aforementioned housing is made of metal. In-car camera.

[0097] This allows the enclosure to act as a noise shield.

[0098] While embodiments have been described above with reference to the attached drawings, this disclosure is not limited to such examples. Those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications, alterations, substitutions, additions, deletions, and equivalents are possible within the scope of the claims, and that these also fall within the technical scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, the components of the embodiments described above may be combined in any way without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Industrial applicability]

[0099] This disclosure is useful for an in-vehicle camera that can maintain a clear field of view by suppressing the direct diffusion of heat from a heater unit that removes foreign matter adhering to the first lens to a metal lens barrel with high thermal conductivity. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0100] 10 Heater section 10a First heater surface 10b Second heater surface 10c Heater inner surface 10d Heater outer surface 12 Conductor section 12a 1st conductor end 12b Second conductor end 20 Elastic members 30 Telescope Tubes 30a 1st end 30b 2nd end 33 Inner surface 34 External surface 35 Lens 35a First lens 35a1 First lens surface 35a2 Second lens surface 35a21 1st area 35a22 2nd area 35a3 First lens side view 35b Second lens 35b1 Third lens surface 35b11 Third area 35b12 4th area 35b2 Fourth lens surface 35b3 Second lens side view 40 Circuit boards 40A First Circuit Board 40B 2nd circuit board 40a Page 1 40b 2nd side 47 Circuit board connectors 50 Image sensors 60 cabinets 63 Third end 64 4th end 70 Retaining member 71 Part 1 72 Part 2 80 connectors 83 Signal terminals 84 Ground terminal 90 Resin component 90a First resin surface 90b 2nd resin surface 90c resin inner surface 90d resin outer surface 90e resin cutout 100 In-Car Cameras L optical axis

Claims

1. A metal lens barrel having a first cylindrical shape along the optical axis, a first end of the first cylindrical shape, a second end of the first cylindrical shape opposite to the first end, and a lens comprising at least a first lens and a second lens arranged along the optical axis, An image sensor positioned on the optical axis, closer to the second end than the first end of the first cylindrical shape of the lens barrel, A circuit board having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, with the image sensor arranged on the first surface, A circuit board connector arranged on the aforementioned circuit board, A housing that supports the lens barrel and houses the image sensor and the circuit board, The housing comprises a connector that is arranged in at least a part of the housing and is electrically connected to the circuit board connector, The first cylindrical part of the lens barrel has an inner surface and an outer surface, The first lens and the second lens of the lens barrel are arranged adjacent to each other. The first lens of the lens barrel is In the direction along the optical axis, the first surface of the circuit board is positioned further away from the second lens than the first surface of the circuit board, The first lens of the lens barrel is The first lens surface through which the optical axis passes, The optical axis passes through the second lens surface, which is opposite to the first lens surface, It has a first lens surface that connects the first lens surface and the second lens surface, The second lens of the lens barrel is The third lens surface through which the optical axis passes, The optical axis passes through the fourth lens surface, which is opposite to the third lens surface, It has a second lens surface that connects the third lens surface and the fourth lens surface, The second lens surface of the first lens of the lens barrel is The first region through which the optical axis passes, With respect to the optical axis, it has a second region located outside the first region and surrounding the first region, The aforementioned lens barrel is A first ring-shaped heater portion is positioned between a part of the second lens surface of the first lens and a part of the third lens surface of the second lens, so as to be aligned with at least a portion of the second region of the second lens surface of the first lens. The device comprises a second ring-shaped resin member disposed between the first cylindrical inner surface and the first lens surface of the first lens, In-car camera.

2. An in-vehicle camera according to claim 1, The second ring shape of the resin member of the lens barrel is, The first resin surface and The second resin surface opposite to the first resin surface, The inner resin surface connecting the first resin surface and the second resin surface, It has an outer resin surface that is located outside the inner resin surface with respect to the optical axis and connects the first resin surface and the second resin surface, At least a portion of the inner surface of the resin member contacts the side surface of the first lens of the first lens. At least a portion of the resin outer surface of the resin member is in contact with the first cylindrical inner surface of the lens barrel. In-car camera.

3. The in-vehicle camera according to claim 2, The third lens surface of the second lens of the lens barrel is The third region through which the optical axis passes, It has a fourth region located outside the third region, The shape of the first ring in the heater portion of the lens barrel is The first heater surface and The second heater surface opposite to the first heater surface, The inner surface of the heater connecting the first heater surface and the second heater surface, With respect to the optical axis, it has an outer heater surface located outside the inner heater surface and connecting the first heater surface and the second heater surface, The first heater surface of the heater portion is in contact with at least a portion of the second region of the second lens surface of the first lens. In-car camera.

4. The in-vehicle camera according to claim 3, The outer surface of the heater portion of the lens barrel is spaced apart from the inner surface of the resin member. In-car camera.

5. The in-vehicle camera according to claim 4, The first thickness, which is the thickness between the third region of the third lens surface of the second lens and the fourth lens surface of the second lens, is greater than the second thickness, which is the thickness between the fourth region of the third lens surface of the second lens and the fourth lens surface of the second lens. In-car camera.

6. The in-vehicle camera according to claim 3, The heater portion of the lens barrel comprises a wire portion having a first wire end and a second wire end opposite to the first wire end, The first end of the conductor section is connected to the heater section. The second end of the conductor portion is electrically connected to the circuit board. The resin member has a resin notch in a part of the second resin surface that extends from the inner surface of the resin to the outer surface of the resin, A portion of the conductor is placed in the resin notch of the resin member. In-car camera.

7. The in-vehicle camera according to claim 6, The conductor portion of the heater section of the lens barrel passes between the inner surface and the outer surface of the first cylindrical lens barrel and is electrically connected to the circuit board. In-car camera.

8. An in-vehicle camera according to claim 1, The lens barrel further comprises a third cylindrical resin retaining member provided around the first end, The third cylindrical retaining member is The first cylindrical end of the lens barrel and the first portion that contacts the periphery of the first lens surface of the first lens, The lens barrel has a second portion which is fixed to a part of the first cylindrical outer surface of the lens barrel, In-car camera.

9. The in-vehicle camera according to claim 8, The present invention further comprises an elastic member located between the first portion of the holding member and the first resin surface of the resin member, and positioned between the first lens surface of the first lens and the first cylindrical inner surface of the lens barrel. In-car camera.

10. The in-vehicle camera according to claim 9, The elastic member is an O-ring. In-car camera.

11. An in-vehicle camera according to claim 1, The first lens of the lens barrel is the lens furthest from the image sensor, The heater portion of the lens barrel is capable of heating the first lens of the lens barrel. In-car camera.

12. An in-vehicle camera according to claim 1, The heater section of the aforementioned lens barrel is a PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) heater. In-car camera.

13. An in-vehicle camera according to claim 1, When the in-vehicle camera is installed in a vehicle, the connector is electrically connected to the vehicle's cable. In-car camera.

14. An in-vehicle camera according to claim 1, The circuit board connector is located on the second surface of the circuit board. In-car camera.

15. An in-vehicle camera according to claim 1, The circuit board includes a first circuit board and a second circuit board. In-car camera.

16. An in-vehicle camera according to claim 1, The aforementioned connector is a coaxial connector equipped with a signal terminal and a ground terminal. In-car camera.

17. An in-vehicle camera according to claim 1, The housing is a second cylindrical shape, The aforementioned enclosure is The aforementioned second cylindrical third end, The lens barrel comprises a fourth end of the second cylindrical shape, which is opposite to the third end and is positioned further away from the third end of the second cylindrical shape than from the first end of the first cylindrical shape of the lens barrel, The third end of the second cylindrical shape supports the lens barrel. The connector is located on at least a portion of the second cylindrical fourth end of the housing, In-car camera.

18. An in-vehicle camera according to claim 1, The aforementioned housing is made of metal. In-car camera.

Images