Imaging device equipped with a miniature lens

Abstract

To provide an imaging device equipped with an ultra-compact lens that ensures a connection structure that prevents easy damage or separation of the connection between the flexible flat cable and the end of the image sensor even when the ultra-compact lens is placed horizontally, and that meets user needs by allowing the direction of the acquired image to be 90 degrees different by eliminating the prism. [Solution] The system comprises a lens mounting base 3 fixed near the front end in the insertion direction within an ultra-thin housing 2, an ultra-miniature lens 4 whose rear half is housed and held in a cylindrical hole 3a drilled in the inward and outward direction of the housing 2, with its front half protruding from the lens mounting base 3, an image sensor 5 held by the lens mounting base 3 corresponding to the rear end opening of the cylindrical hole 3a and acquiring an image focused by the ultra-miniature lens 4, a circuit board 6 equipped with an image processing engine housed at a required distance from the lens mounting base 3 in the insertion direction within the housing 2, and a flexible flat cable 7 electrically connecting the end of the image sensor 5 and the end of the circuit board 6.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an imaging device equipped with, for example, an ultra-small lens. In particular, in a state where an ultra-small lens, an image sensor, and a substrate on which an image processing engine are mounted are housed in an ultra-thin casing, for example, together with a processing device inserted into a narrow space of a semiconductor device or separately inserted into the narrow space, it relates to an imaging device equipped with an ultra-small lens that is used for position confirmation of the processing device in the deep position of the narrow space and acquisition of images.

Background Art

[0002] As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, a conventional imaging device 1B equipped with an ultra-small lens includes an ultra-small lens 4 inserted and held in a cylindrical hole drilled vertically in a lens mounting base 3B fixed near the front end in the insertion direction within an ultra-thin casing 2B, and an image sensor 5 adhered to the lower surface of the lens mounting base 3B so as to correspond to and coincide with the optical axis of the ultra-small lens 4. A substrate 6 on which an image processing engine is mounted is housed behind the lens mounting base 3B. Further, the end of the image sensor 5 and the end of the substrate 6 are electrically connected by soldering or the like with a flexible flat cable 7B.

[0003] The imaging device 1B equipped with the ultra-small lens 4 collects the image of information passing through the optical axis of the ultra-small lens 4 through a circular hole 2C provided corresponding to the ultra-small lens 4 on the upper surface portion of the lens mounting base 3B with the ultra-small lens 4, and converts the image (light) collected by the image sensor 5 into an electrical signal for acquisition.

[0004] An example of the size of each component is shown. The width of the lens mounting base 3B is about 2.6 mm, the thickness of the lens mounting base 3B is about 1.8 mm, the outer diameter of the ultra-small lens 4 is 2.2φ mm, the dimension from the front end surface of the lens to the rear surface of the image sensor 5 is about 5 mm, the accommodation dimension along the optical axis direction (vertical direction) of the ultra-small lens 4 in the ultra-thin casing 2B is about 5 mm, the length of the substrate 6 is about 20 mm, the thickness of the substrate 6 is about 2 mm, and the length in the accommodation direction of the ultra-thin casing 2B is about 24.5 mm.

Prior Art Documents

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 60-3608 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] According to requests from purchasers (users) of the imaging device 1B equipped with the ultra-compact lens shown in Figures 4A and 4B, there is a request for further miniaturization, specifically whether it is possible to reduce the dimension from the front surface of the lens to the rear surface of the image sensor 5 (approximately 5 mm) by about half. However, in response to this request, it is impossible to address the dimensional compression in the optical axis direction of the ultra-compact lens 4 as it has reached the limits of lens design.

[0007] Therefore, the inventors of the present invention considered that if the orientation of the ultra-small lens 4 was changed from vertical to horizontal, the vertical dimension could be reduced by approximately half, and the housing dimensions (vertical dimension) of the ultra-thin housing 2B, which is approximately 5.1 mm, could also be reduced by approximately half. However, it was found that when the orientation of the ultra-small lens 4 was changed from vertical to horizontal, the connection structure between the flexible flat cable 7B and the end of the image sensor 5 became such that it could easily break or separate if external force was applied.

[0008] In other words, the mounting structure of the flexible flat cable 7B is such that one end of the flexible flat cable 7B overlaps the end of the image sensor 5 by the required length and is electrically connected by soldering, and the other end of the flexible flat cable B7 overlaps the end of the circuit board 6 by the required length and is electrically connected by soldering. This prevents damage or separation of the soldered connection of the flexible flat cable 7B even if some force is applied, but if the orientation of the ultra-small lens 4 is changed from vertical to horizontal, damage or separation of the soldered connection will easily occur.

[0009] On the other hand, if the orientation of the ultra-compact lens 4 is changed from vertical to horizontal, it becomes impossible to capture images in directions that are 90 degrees different from the cylindrical axis direction of the housing 2B. This can be addressed by taking other measures, and in fact, it has the advantage of providing the ability to check for obstacles in front of the cylindrical axis direction of the housing 2B.

[0010] The present invention was made to solve these problems, and aims to provide an imaging device equipped with an ultra-compact lens that meets user needs by ensuring a connection structure in which the connection between the flexible flat cable and the end of the image sensor is not easily damaged or separated even when the ultra-compact lens is placed horizontally, and by passing through a prism, it is possible to acquire an upward image even if the direction of the acquired image is different by 90 degrees, and by eliminating the prism, it is possible to acquire an image in the forward direction. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] To achieve the above objective, the imaging device equipped with a miniature lens according to the first aspect of the present application comprises: a lens mounting base fixed near the leading end in the insertion direction within an ultrathin housing; a miniature lens whose rear half is housed and held in a cylindrical hole drilled in the inward and outward direction of the housing, with its front half protruding from the lens mounting base; an image sensor held on the lens mounting base corresponding to the rear end opening of the cylindrical hole and which acquires an image focused by the miniature lens; a substrate equipped with an image processing engine housed in the housing at a required distance from the lens mounting base in the insertion direction; and a flexible flat cable electrically connecting the end of the image sensor and the end of the substrate.

[0012] In a second aspect of the present application, in the first aspect described above, there is a gap spaced a required distance from the lower end of the image sensor to the inner bottom surface of the housing, the substrate is provided at a height spaced a required distance from the inner bottom surface of the housing, and the flexible flat cable has a structure in which, for connection to the end of the image sensor, one end of the flexible flat cable bends up from a position in close contact with the inner bottom surface of the housing at the position of the gap and overlaps the end of the image sensor for a required length and is electrically connected by soldering or the like, and for connection to the end of the substrate, the other end of the flexible flat cable bends up from a position in close contact with the inner bottom surface of the housing and bends further backward and overlaps the end of the substrate for a required length and is electrically connected by soldering or the like.

[0013] In a third aspect of the present application, the configuration may be such that, in the second embodiment described above, a pair of LEDs illuminating the front of the lens mounting base and on both sides of the ultra-small lens are further provided.

[0014] In a fourth aspect of the present application, the third aspect may be further provided with a translucent cover having a circular hole drilled in the front side of the lens mounting base inside the housing, corresponding to the miniature lens.

[0015] In a fifth aspect of the present application, the configuration may further include, in the third aspect described above, a prism in front of the miniature lens that captures an image in a direction intersecting the optical axis of the lens into the miniature lens. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to each aspect of the present invention, even when the ultra-compact lens is placed horizontally, a connection structure can be ensured in which the connection between the flexible flat cable and the end of the image sensor is not easily damaged or separated. Furthermore, even if the direction of the acquired image differs by 90 degrees, an upward image can be acquired via a prism, and by omitting the prism, a forward image can be acquired. These new functions are passed through, providing an imaging device equipped with an ultra-compact lens that meets the needs of the user.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017] [Figure 1A] It is a plan view of an imaging device equipped with an ultra-small lens showing the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 1B] It is a longitudinal side view of an imaging device equipped with an ultra-small lens showing the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a perspective view of an imaging device equipped with an ultra-small lens according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3A] It is a plan view of an imaging device equipped with an ultra-small lens showing the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3B] It is a longitudinal side view of an imaging device equipped with an ultra-small lens showing the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4A] It is a plan view of an imaging device equipped with a conventional ultra-small lens. [Figure 4B] It is a longitudinal side view of an imaging device equipped with a conventional ultra-small lens.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] Hereinafter, an imaging device equipped with an ultra-small lens according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0019] [First Embodiment] FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B show an imaging device 1 equipped with an ultra-small lens according to the first embodiment of the present invention. This imaging device 1 equipped with an ultra-small lens has an ultra-thin housing 2, and inside this housing 2, a lens mounting base 3, an ultra-small lens 4, an image sensor 5, a substrate 6 equipped with an image processing engine, and a pair of flexible flat cables 7.

[0020] The ultra-thin housing 2 consists of a flat cylinder 2a with both ends open and a lid 2b that is inserted and fitted into the rear end of the flat cylinder 2a. The flat cylinder 2a and the lid 2b are made of stainless steel (SUS304, SUS316) which will not be eroded or rust even when exposed to highly reactive toxic gases generated by an image processing engine mounted on the substrate 6 in an atmosphere of 150 degrees Celsius.

[0021] The lens mounting base 3 is formed in a square bar shape and is housed so as to closely adhere to the inner surfaces of the four sides of the housing 2 near the tip in the insertion direction inside the ultra-thin housing 2, and is fastened with screws from the outside in the vertical direction of the housing 2. This lens mounting base 3 is also made of SUS304, SUS316 or heat-resistant plastic. A cylindrical hole 3a that matches the outer diameter of the ultra-small lens 4 (for example, 2.2φmm) in the inner and outer directions is drilled in the lens mounting base 3 at the center of the width of the housing 2.

[0022] The ultra-small lens 4 contains, for example, 3 to 5 micro-lens arrays inside the cylinder. Approximately the latter half is housed and held in the cylindrical hole 3a drilled in the housing 2, and approximately the first half protrudes from the lens mounting base 3.

[0023] The image sensor 5 is held on the lens mounting base 3 corresponding to the rear end opening of the cylindrical hole 3a. The image sensor 5 is formed by laminating a color filter array and a photodiode array in a matrix arrangement. It converts the image (light) condensed by the ultra-small lens 4 into an electrical signal and acquires it, and transmits it as image data to a signal processor (not shown). The lower end of the image sensor 5 does not closely adhere to the inner bottom surface of the housing 2. There is a gap of a required dimension from the lower end of the image sensor 5 to the inner bottom surface of the housing 2. This gap is a space for the flexible flat cable 7 to be connected to the image sensor 5.

[0024] The circuit board 6, which houses the image processing engine, is housed in the housing 2 at a required distance from the lens mounting base 3 in the insertion direction, towards the rear. The circuit board 6 is mounted and fixed on multiple protrusions 2c that protrude from the inner bottom surface of the housing 2, and is thus positioned at a height required distance from the inner bottom surface of the housing 2. The reason the circuit board 6 is elevated from the inner bottom surface of the housing 2 is to allow for the routing of the flexible flat cable 7 to be connected to the circuit board 6. However, even if the circuit board 6 were in close contact with the inner bottom surface of the housing 2, it would still be possible to route the flexible flat cable 7 to connect to the circuit board 6.

[0025] The flexible flat cable 7 connects the ends of the image sensor 5 and the ends of the circuit board 6 in pairs on both sides in the width direction inside the housing 2. One flexible flat cable 7 is for power supply and transmitting scan signals to the image sensor 5, and the other flexible flat cable 7 is for data acquisition. For the connection to the end of the image sensor 5, one end of the flexible flat cable 7 bends upward from a position in close contact with the inner bottom surface of the housing 2 at the position of the gap, overlaps the end of the image sensor 5 by the required length, and is electrically connected by soldering or the like. For the connection to the end of the circuit board 6, the other end of the flexible flat cable 7 bends upward from a position in close contact with the inner bottom surface of the housing 2, bends further backward, overlaps the end of the circuit board 6 by the required length, and is electrically connected by soldering or the like.

[0026] The lens mounting base 3 has a pair of LEDs 8 on its front surface and on both sides of the ultra-compact lens 4 to illuminate the area in front. Power is supplied to the LEDs 8 from the circuit board 6 via a power supply line that runs over the lens mounting base 3 through one of the flexible flat cables 7.

[0027] The housing 2 is equipped with a translucent cover 9 on the front side of the lens mounting base 3, with a circular hole drilled to accommodate the miniature lens 4. This translucent cover 9 prevents obstacles in front of the lens from directly colliding with the miniature lens 4. The translucent cover 9 is a molded body made of transparent resin or transparent glass.

[0028] An example of the size of each component is described below. By changing the orientation of the ultra-small lens 4 from vertical to horizontal, the thickness of the lens mounting base 3 is approximately 2.6 mm, and the vertical dimension of the opening at the front of the ultra-thin housing 2 can also be made approximately 2.6 mm, thus meeting the demands of users of imaging devices equipped with ultra-small lenses. The outer diameter of the ultra-small lens 4 is 2.2 mm, and the distance from the front surface of the lens to the rear surface of the image sensor 5 is approximately 5 mm, which remains unchanged from the conventional design. In addition, the length and thickness of the circuit board 6 and the length of the housing 2 in the housing direction also remain unchanged from the conventional design.

[0029] Figure 2 is a perspective view of an imaging device 1 equipped with a miniature lens according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In Figure 2, reference numeral 11 denotes a positioning panel for fixing the substrate 6 inside the housing 2, reference numeral 12 denotes a power supply line, reference numeral 13 denotes a data transmission line, and reference numeral 14 denotes a toxic gas exhaust pipe.

[0030] [Second Embodiment] Figures 3A and 3B show an imaging device 1A equipped with a miniature lens according to a second embodiment of the present invention. This imaging device 1A, like the imaging device 1 equipped with an ultra-miniature lens shown in Figures 1A and 1B, has an ultra-thin housing 2, and within this housing 2, a lens mounting base 3, an ultra-miniature lens 4, an image sensor 5, a circuit board 6 equipped with an image processing engine, and a flexible flat cable 7. Further explanation is omitted.

[0031] The only difference between this imaging device 1A and the imaging device 1 equipped with a miniature lens according to the first embodiment shown in Figures 1A and 1B is that it also includes a prism 10.

[0032] The prism 10 is positioned in close proximity to or in contact with the front of the miniature lens 4, and is designed to capture an image in a direction intersecting the optical axis of the lens into the miniature lens 4. The prism 10 is held in close contact with the inclined surface and both sides by a holding means (not shown). [Explanation of Symbols]

[0033] 1, 1A, 1B... Imaging devices equipped with ultra-compact lenses, 2, 2B... cabinet, 2a...Flat tube, 2b...Lid, 2c...Convex strip, 3, 3B... Lens mounting base, 3a...Cylindrical bore, 4... Ultra-small lens, 5…Image sensor, 6... Circuit board, 7, 7B... Flexible flat cable, 8…LED, 9…Translucent cover, 10...Prism, 11…Positioning panel, 12...Power line, 13...Data transmission line, 14... Exhaust pipe.

Claims

1. A lens mounting base fixed near the front end in the insertion direction inside the ultra-thin housing, An ultra-miniature lens having approximately its rear half housed and held in a cylindrical hole drilled in the inward and outward directions of the housing, and approximately its front half protruding from the lens mounting base, An image sensor that is held on the lens mounting base corresponding to the rear end opening of the cylindrical hole and acquires an image focused by the ultra-small lens, A circuit board equipped with an image processing engine is housed in the aforementioned housing at a required distance from the rear in the insertion direction of the lens mounting base, A flexible flat cable electrically connects the end of the image sensor to the end of the substrate. An imaging device equipped with an ultra-compact lens, characterized by having the following features.

2. The image sensor has a gap that is spaced a required distance from the lower end to the inner bottom surface of the housing. The substrate is provided at a height that is a required distance from the inner bottom surface of the housing. The flexible flat cable has the following structure for connection to the end of the image sensor: one end of the flexible flat cable bends upward from a position in close contact with the inner bottom surface of the housing at the position of the gap, overlaps the end of the image sensor by the required length, and is electrically connected by soldering or the like; and the other end of the flexible flat cable bends upward from a position in close contact with the inner bottom surface of the housing, bends further backward, overlaps the end of the circuit board by the required length, and is electrically connected by soldering or the like. An imaging device equipped with an ultra-compact lens as described in feature 1.

3. The imaging device equipped with an ultra-small lens according to claim 2, further comprising a pair of LEDs that illuminate forward on the front surface of the lens mounting base and on both sides of the ultra-small lens.

4. The imaging device equipped with an ultra-miniature lens according to claim 3, further comprising a translucent cover with a circular hole drilled in the front side of the lens mounting base inside the housing, corresponding to the ultra-miniature lens.

5. The imaging device equipped with a miniature lens according to claim 4, further comprising a prism in front of the miniature lens for capturing an image in a direction intersecting the optical axis of the lens into the miniature lens.

Images