Imaging device and elastic dustproof member used therein
The imaging device uses a cylindrical elastic dustproof member with a larger first frame and smaller second frame to maintain stability and compactness, addressing size and cost issues in conventional devices.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- DENSO CORP
- Filing Date
- 2024-12-23
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-03
AI Technical Summary
Conventional imaging devices with dustproof rubbers increase in size and cost due to the need for wide gaps to accommodate thick portions, compromising the device's compactness and efficiency.
An imaging device with a lens barrel and a cylindrical elastic dustproof member featuring a first frame portion with a larger width dimension and a second frame portion with a smaller width dimension, connected by a flexible portion, which minimizes contact area and deformation, allowing for compact design and stable contact.
The solution maintains stable contact while reducing the device's size and cost by minimizing the gap required for electronic components, ensuring accurate image capture and output.
Smart Images
Figure 2026111156000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present disclosure relates to an imaging device mounted on a vehicle and an elastic dustproof member used therefor.
Background Art
[0002] Conventionally, an imaging device having a lens barrel in which a lens is stored, a substrate on which an imager is mounted, and a case that holds the substrate is known. The imaging device captures a subject image input through the lens with the imager and outputs it as an image signal. However, if foreign matter adheres to the imager or the like, an accurate image signal cannot be output. For this reason, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which a dustproof rubber having a thick portion on the substrate side where the imager is mounted and a thin portion on the lens side is disposed between the substrate and the lens to prevent foreign matter from adhering to the imager.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0003]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] However, various electronic components are mounted on the substrate on which the imager is mounted. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a gap so as not to interfere with the dustproof rubber and mount the electronic components. For this reason, when using a dustproof rubber with a thick portion on the substrate side as in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to provide a wide gap as the arrangement space for the thick portion, which increases the size of the substrate, and consequently leads to an increase in the size of the imaging device and the cost of the product.
[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an imaging device having a structure capable of suppressing an increase in size and an elastic dustproof member used therefor.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0006] One aspect of this disclosure is an imaging device mounted on a vehicle, A lens barrel (20) includes a main body (21) in which a lens (LS) is housed, and a projection (22) formed on the outer circumference of the main body that protrudes away from the center of the lens, and a through hole (213) formed in the main body for light from the lens to pass through, A circuit board (30) on which an imager (31) is mounted, A case (50) is formed which an insertion hole (411) is formed through which the main body is inserted, and which includes a base portion (41) to which the protruding portion is fixed around the main body and the insertion hole, and which includes a housing space (54) for holding the substrate, The camera module (10) includes an elastic dustproof member (50) disposed between the base portion and the substrate, which constitutes a partition wall separating the space (54a) in which the imager and the through-hole are arranged from the space outside (54b) within the housing space, The elastic dustproof member is cylindrical in shape and includes a first frame portion (51) located on the base portion side, a second frame portion (52) in contact with the substrate, and a flexible portion (53) connected to the first frame portion and the second frame portion, which changes the distance between the first frame portion and the second frame portion by elastic deformation. Taking the center line of the cylindrical portion constituting the inner wall of the lens barrel as the central axis (CL), the dimensions of the first frame portion and the second frame portion in a direction perpendicular to the central axis and also perpendicular to the extending direction of the first frame portion and the second frame portion are defined as the first width dimension (W1) and the second width dimension (W2), respectively, and the second width dimension is smaller than the first width dimension.
[0007] As described above, the elastic dustproof member is equipped with a flexible portion and has a flexible structure. Therefore, even if the elastic dustproof member deforms between the base and the substrate, the flexible structure expands and contracts, suppressing deformation of the first and second frame portions. This minimizes the contact area between the second frame portion and the substrate. In addition, because the width dimension of the first frame portion is larger than that of the second frame portion, stable contact with the base can be maintained on the first frame portion side, and contact between the second frame portion and the substrate can be ensured even if the contact area between them is small. Furthermore, because the width dimension of the second frame portion that contacts the substrate is reduced, the gap required for contact between the substrate and the second frame portion can be reduced. Consequently, it becomes easier to secure space for arranging electronic components on the substrate, suppressing the expansion of the substrate size, and consequently suppressing the expansion of the imaging device size.
[0008] Another aspect of this disclosure is an elastic dustproof member applicable to an imaging device mounted on a vehicle, The structure is cylindrical in shape and comprises a first frame section (51) located at one end of the cylindrical shape, a second frame section (52) located at the other end of the cylindrical shape, and a flexible section (53) connected to the first frame section and the second frame section, which elastically deforms to vary the distance between the first frame section and the second frame section. The dimensions of the first frame section and the second frame section in a direction perpendicular to the expansion and contraction direction of the flexible section and also perpendicular to the extension direction of the first frame section and the second frame section are defined as the first width dimension (W1) and the second width dimension (W2), respectively, with the second width dimension being smaller than the first width dimension.
[0009] By applying an elastic dustproof member with such a structure to an imaging device, the effects of one aspect of the present disclosure described above can be obtained.
[0010] The reference numerals in parentheses attached to each component indicate an example of the correspondence between that component and the specific components described in the embodiments described later. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0011] [Figure 1]It is a schematic configuration diagram of an imaging device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a diagram showing a cross section of the camera module in the imaging device shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] It is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the camera module. [Figure 4A] It is a plan view of the elastic dust-proof member. [Figure 4B] It is a side view of the elastic dust-proof member. [Figure 5] It is a comparison diagram of state 1 showing before reduction and state 2 showing after reduction of the flexible part. [Figure 6] It is a comparison diagram of state 1 showing before reduction and state 2 showing after reduction of the flexible part. [Figure 7] It is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the camera module according to the second embodiment. [Figure 8] It is a plan view of the elastic dust-proof member according to the third embodiment. [Figure 9] It is a cross-sectional view of the elastic dust-proof member according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 10A] It is a cross-sectional view of the elastic dust-proof member described in other embodiments. [Figure 10B] It is a cross-sectional view of the elastic dust-proof member described in other embodiments. [Figure 10C] It is a cross-sectional view of the elastic dust-proof member described in other embodiments.
Mode for Carrying Out the Invention
[0012] Also, in the embodiments, when only a part of the components is described, for the other parts of the components, the components described in the previous embodiments can be applied. In the following embodiments, as long as there is no problem in the combination, the embodiments can be partially combined with each other even if not particularly specified.
[0013] (First Embodiment) This embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. The imaging device 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a device mounted on a vehicle and capable of imaging the outside of the vehicle. Here, the imaging device 1 is applied to a front monitoring camera that images the front of the vehicle, and each arrow indicating up and down, front and back shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 corresponds to the up-down direction UD and the front-back direction FR in the state where the imaging device 1 is mounted on the vehicle. Also, the direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper corresponds to the left-right direction.
[0014] The imaging device 1 includes a camera module 10, a bracket BKT, and an image processing device IP. As shown in FIG. 1, the imaging device 1 is configured such that the camera module 10 and the image processing device IP are separate bodies.
[0015] The bracket BKT is a member for arranging the camera module 10 close to the front glass FG, and is fixed to the front glass FG of the vehicle. The bracket BKT is provided with a substantially L-shaped hook H for attaching the camera module 10. The camera module 10 is attached to a position close to the front glass FG by hooking a cylindrical mounting pin P provided on its outer surface on the hook H of the bracket BKT.
[0016] The image processing device IP is a device that processes the signal of the captured image output by the camera module 10, and is composed of a microcomputer including a processor and a memory. The image processing device IP, for example, performs recognition processing for recognizing lanes, road shapes, obstacles, signs, etc. based on the image captured by the camera module 10, and executes target path generation and vehicle control, etc. based on the result of the recognition processing. The image processing device IP is connected to the camera module 10 via a communication line. Note that the image processing device IP may be wirelessly connected to the camera module 10.
[0017] Next, the camera module 10 will be described. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the camera module 10 is a fixed-focus monocular camera in which the distance between the lens LS and the imager 31 (described later) is fixed at a constant level. The camera module 10 comprises a lens barrel 20 in which the lens LS is housed, a substrate 30 on which the imager 31 is mounted, a case 40 that holds the substrate 30, and an elastic dustproof member 50 placed between the substrate 30 and the case 40.
[0018] The lens barrel 20 is positioned close to the vehicle's windshield FG. The lens barrel 20 includes a lens LS, a main body 21 in which the lens LS is housed, and a flange portion 22 corresponding to a protrusion formed on the outer circumference of the main body 21. The main body 21 and the flange portion 22 are made of a resin material such as PPS resin. The main body 21 and the flange portion 22 are formed as a single, integrally molded product.
[0019] The main body 21 is a roughly cylindrical member. Although not shown in the diagram, a through-hole 213 for light transmission is formed inside the main body 21. The lens LS is positioned in the through-hole 213 of the main body 21 such that its optical axis coincides with the central axis CL of the lens barrel 20. The central axis CL of the lens barrel 20 coincides with the center line of the cylindrical portion that constitutes the inner wall of the lens barrel 20 to which the lens LS is fixed. Although only one lens LS is shown in the diagram of the optical system, it is sufficient to have at least one lens LS, and multiple lenses LS may be provided. If multiple lenses LS are provided, the optical axes of each lens LS are aligned and positioned within the through-hole 213.
[0020] The flange portion 22 is formed on the outer circumference of the main body portion 21 and protrudes in a direction away from the central axis CL of the lens barrel 20. In this embodiment, the flange portion 22 spreads out in an annular shape in a direction substantially perpendicular to the central axis CL. Specifically, the flange portion 22 is provided at an intermediate position between the front end 211 and the rear end 212 of the main body portion 21. The flange portion 22 has a front end surface 221 located on the front end 211 side and a rear end surface 222 located on the rear end 212 side of the front end surface 221. The lens barrel 20 is fixed to the case 40 by bonding the rear end surface 222 of the flange portion 222 to the case 40, for example via adhesive GL. The portion of the lens barrel 20 rearward of the flange portion 22 is housed inside the case 40, while the flange portion 22 and the portion forward of the flange portion 22 are exposed outside the case 40.
[0021] The substrate 30 is a circuit board on which wiring patterns are formed and elements including the imager 31 are mounted. The imager 31 is mounted on one surface 30a of the substrate 30 that faces the lens LS, and multiple electronic components 32 and wiring patterns (not shown) are mounted on the portion of the surface 30a located around the imager 31. The substrate 30 is held in place by fastening elements such as bolts BT in the case 40.
[0022] The imager 31 is composed of semiconductor elements such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor. The imager 31 captures the image of the subject formed on the light-receiving surface by the lens LS and outputs an image signal. The imager 31 is fixed to the substrate 30 by means of soldering or other means. Specifically, the imager 31 is mounted on the part of the substrate 30 facing the lens LS so that light that has passed through the lens LS is incident on it.
[0023] The case 40 is a box-shaped component made of metal or resin. As shown in Figure 1, the outer surface of the case 40 is provided with multiple mounting pins P for hooking onto the hooks H of the bracket BKT. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the case 40 has a base portion 41 and a lid portion 42 connected to the base portion 41.
[0024] The base portion 41 is the component to which the lens barrel 20, to which the lens LS is attached, is fixed. The base portion 41 has a through hole 411 that penetrates in the front-to-back direction FR. A part of the main body portion 21 of the lens barrel 20 is inserted through this through hole 411, and the flange portion 22 is fixed to the base portion 41, thereby fixing the lens barrel 20 to the case 40 so as to surround the entire circumference of the main body portion 21 and the through hole 213. The positions of the through hole 411 and the substrate 30 are set so that the optical axis of the lens barrel 20 positioned within the through hole 411 coincides with the center of the imager 31. The base portion 41 has a front end surface 41a on the side where the lens LS is positioned, and a rear end surface 41b on the side connected to the lid portion 42. The rear end surface 41b has a stepped shape with the inner part recessed relative to the outer edge, and a seat surface 41c is formed to surround the circumference of the lens barrel 20. The seat surface 41c is the area where the elastic dustproof member 50 is placed, and it is a flat surface.
[0025] In this example, the rear end surface 41b is given a stepped shape with the inner part recessed relative to the outer edge, but it may also be a simple flat surface or a stepped shape with the inner part protruding relative to the outer edge. Similarly, although the front end surface 41a is made of a flat surface, the area around the lens LS may be given a circular or polygonal shape that protrudes beyond the outer edge along the lens LS.
[0026] The lid portion 42 is connected to the base portion 41 by fastening elements (not shown). The lid portion 42 has an external shape corresponding to the base portion 41 and forms a housing space 54 between it and the base portion 41 for housing the substrate 30. The lid portion 42 has an opening 43 for bringing out communication lines and the like to the outside.
[0027] The case 40 and the lens barrel 20 are tightly bonded together via adhesive GL. For example, during the manufacturing of the camera module 10, adhesive GL is applied circumferentially to the front end surface 41a of the base portion 41, and the rear end surface 222 of the flange portion 22 of the lens barrel 20 is bonded to the front end surface 41a, thereby fixing the lens barrel 20 to the case 40. A thermosetting material is used as the adhesive GL, but other non-thermosetting materials may also be used.
[0028] The elastic dustproof member 50 is positioned between the base portion 41 and the substrate 30. The elastic dustproof member 50 acts as a partition wall within the housing space 54 of the case 40, separating the space 54a where the through-hole 213 of the lens barrel 20 and the imager 31 are located from the outer space 54b, thereby suppressing the entry of foreign matter into space 54a. Here, the elastic dustproof member 50 is made of a rubber material, but it may also be made of an elastic material such as a foamed material like sponge. Examples of rubber materials include silicone rubber, nitrile rubber, and fluororubber, and examples of foamed materials include polyurethane, polyethylene, and polypropylene.
[0029] As shown in Figures 4A and 4B, the elastic dustproof member 50 has a cylindrical shape. In this embodiment, the elastic dustproof member 50 has an annular planar shape when viewed from the front-rear direction FR, and is generally cylindrical in shape, although its outer and inner diameters change along the central axis CL. Specifically, the elastic dustproof member 50 has a first frame portion 51 which constitutes a first contact surface 51a that abuts against the base portion 41, a second frame portion 52 which constitutes a second contact surface 52a that abuts against the substrate 30, and a flexible portion 53 disposed between the first frame portion 51 and the second frame portion 52.
[0030] The shapes and dimensions of each part of the first frame section 51 and the second frame section 52 are set as follows. The dimensions of each part of the first frame section 51 and the second frame section 52 are described below, but the dimension of the first frame section 51 and the second frame section 52 in the direction along the central axis CL is called the height dimension, and the dimension in the direction perpendicular to the central axis CL and also perpendicular to the extension direction of the first frame section 51 and the second frame section 52 is called the width dimension. If the planar shape of the elastic dustproof member 50 is annular, the extension direction of the elastic dustproof member 50 is the circumferential direction, and the width dimension is the radial dimension centered on the central axis CL. If the planar shape of the first frame section 51 and the second frame section 52 is not annular, but for example has a straight section, then for the straight section, the direction of the straight section is the extension direction of the first frame section 51 and the second frame section 52, and the width dimension is the dimension perpendicular to the straight section and also perpendicular to the central axis CL.
[0031] As shown in Figure 3, the first frame portion 51 and the second frame portion 52 have a rectangular shape with rounded corners in the cross-section normalized to their extension direction, which in this embodiment is the radial cross-section. More specifically, the shape of the first frame portion 51 in this cross-section is rectangular, with the side 511 that becomes the first contact surface 51a and the side 512 opposite to it being the two long sides, and the two opposing sides 513 and 514 located between these two long sides being the short sides. Similarly, the shape of the second frame portion 52 in this cross-section is rectangular, with the side 521 that becomes the second contact surface 52a and the side 522 opposite to it being the two long sides, and the two opposing sides 523 and 524 located between these two long sides being the short sides.
[0032] As shown in Figure 5, the width dimension W1 of the first frame portion 51, which corresponds to the first width dimension, is larger than the width dimension W2 of the second frame portion 52, which corresponds to the second width dimension. Also, the height dimension T1 of the first frame portion 51 is larger than the height dimension T2 of the second frame portion 52. Because the width dimension W1 and height dimension T1 of the first frame portion 51 are large, the contact area with the base portion 41 is large and it is less prone to deformation, so it can maintain a stable contact state in an upright position relative to the base portion 41. Compared to the first frame portion 51, the second frame portion 52 has a smaller width dimension W2 and height dimension T2, so the contact area with the substrate 30 is smaller and it is slightly more prone to deformation, but because the first frame portion 51 maintains a stable contact state, the second frame portion 52 can also maintain contact with the substrate 30. In addition, in this embodiment, the dimensions of the second frame portion 52 are set as follows, so the contact state with the substrate 30 can be further stabilized.
[0033] In order to ensure that the second frame portion 52 makes stable contact with the substrate 30 in an upright position, it is preferable to set the width dimension W2 to a certain size. After careful consideration, it was found that the width dimension W2 that allows the second frame portion 52 to make stable contact with the substrate 30 is related to the amount of deflection S of the flexible portion 53, which will be described later, and that the ratio of the amount of deflection S to the width dimension W2, S / W2, should be 2 or less. For this reason, since the difference in the height dimension of the elastic dustproof member 50 before and after assembly between the base portion 41 and the substrate 30 becomes the amount of deflection S, the maximum value of this difference is assumed to be the amount of deflection S, taking into account manufacturing variations, and the width dimension W2 is set to 1 / 2 times or more the amount of deflection S. A larger width dimension W2 can stabilize the contact between the second frame portion 52 and the substrate 30, but if it is too large, it will cause the substrate 30 to expand, so it is preferable to set it to 2 times or less the amount of deflection S.
[0034] The height dimension T2 of the second frame portion 52 is arbitrary, but the less the second frame portion 52 deforms, the more stably it can be brought into contact with the substrate 30. In this embodiment, when the cross-sectional shape of the second frame portion 52 is made square, if the ratio of the amount of deflection S to the height dimension T2, S / T2, is 2 or less, the second frame portion 52 can be brought into more stably contact with the substrate 30.
[0035] Note that the width dimensions W1 and W2 are the maximum dimensions of the first frame section 51 and the second frame section 52 in a cross-section where the extension direction of the first frame section 51 and the second frame section 52 is the normal direction. Therefore, if the cross-sectional shape of the first frame section 51 and the second frame section 52 is a square with rounded corners, the width dimensions of sides 511 and 521 will actually be slightly smaller than the width dimensions W1 and W2, respectively, but the width dimensions of sides 511 and 521 can be treated as equivalent to the width dimensions W1 and W2, respectively. Thus, it can be said that the width dimension of side 511 is larger than the width dimension of side 521. Also, it can be said that the area of the first contact surface 51a is larger than that of the second contact surface 52a.
[0036] The flexible portion 53 is a part that constitutes a flexible structure, as shown in Figure 3. The flexible portion 53 is connected to one surface 51b of the first frame portion 51 that faces the first contact surface 51a, i.e., the part that constitutes edge 512, and to one surface 52b of the second frame portion 52 that faces the second contact surface 52a, i.e., the part that constitutes edge 522. The flexible portion 53 is thinner and more flexible than the first frame portion 51 and the second frame portion 52, and by expanding and contracting in the direction of the central axis CL, it makes the distance between the first frame portion 51 and the second frame portion 52 variable. Therefore, when the elastic dustproof member 50 is placed between the base portion 41 and the substrate 30, the flexible portion 53 is compressed, ensuring contact between the first contact surface 51a and the base portion 41 and between the second contact surface 52a and the substrate 30.
[0037] Here, as shown in Figure 3, the flexible portion 53 has a V-shaped cross-sectional shape in the radial direction between the connecting portion 53a with the first frame portion 51 and the connecting portion 53b with the second frame portion 52. This structure reduces the reaction force when the flexible portion 53 is compressed. Furthermore, the intermediate portion 53c located between the connecting portions 53a and 53b has a bulging shape that is bent so as to protrude radially outward around the central axis CL. As a result, even when the flexible portion 53 expands or contracts, as shown in states 1 and 2 in Figure 6, the intermediate portion 53c is displaced radially outward, preventing the flexible portion 53 from protruding into the space 54a that continues from the lens barrel 20 to the imager 31.
[0038] The imaging device 1, configured as described above, includes an elastic dustproof member 50 between the base portion 41 and the substrate 30. This isolates the through-hole 213 of the lens barrel 20 and the space 54a where the imager 31 is located from the space 54b outside of it, preventing foreign matter from adhering to the imager 31 and other components. Therefore, when the image of the subject is captured by the imager 31 and output as an image signal, an accurate image signal can be output. Since the flange portion 22 of the lens barrel 20 and the base portion 41 are tightly sealed with adhesive GL, it is rare for foreign matter to enter through this gap. If foreign matter were to enter, it would be through the gap or opening 43 between the base portion 41 and the lid portion 42. Therefore, by positioning the elastic dustproof member 50 to surround the imager 31, foreign matter is prevented from adhering to the imager 31 and other components.
[0039] Furthermore, since the elastic dustproof member 50 is equipped with a flexible portion 53 to give it a flexible structure, even if the elastic dustproof member 50 deforms between the base portion 41 and the substrate 30, the flexible structure expands and contracts, suppressing deformation of the first frame portion 51 and the second frame portion 52. As a result, the contact area between the second frame portion 52 and the substrate 30 can be minimized.
[0040] In addition, since the width dimension W1 of the first frame portion 51 is larger than the width dimension W2 of the second frame portion 52, stable contact with the base portion 41 can be maintained on the first frame portion 51 side, and contact between the second frame portion 52 and the substrate 30 can be ensured even if the contact area between them is small. Furthermore, since the width dimension W2 of the second frame portion 52 that contacts the substrate 30 is small, the gap required for contact between the substrate 30 and the second frame portion 52 can be reduced. Therefore, it becomes easier to secure space for arranging electronic components 32 on the substrate 30, which suppresses the enlargement of the substrate 30, and consequently the enlargement of the imaging device, and makes it possible to reduce the cost of the product.
[0041] Furthermore, by reducing the width dimension W2 of the second frame 52 while maintaining a deflection amount S of more than half, it becomes possible to maintain better contact between the second frame 52 and the substrate 30.
[0042] Furthermore, when manufacturing the camera module 10, the elastic dustproof member 50 is placed on the base portion 41 before the substrate 30 is fixed with fastening elements such as bolts BT. Therefore, the first frame portion 51, which has a large contact area with the base portion 41, is placed to maintain a stable contact state, and the second frame portion 52 is brought into contact with the substrate 30. As a result, even if the flexible portion 53 bends, displacement of the elastic dustproof member 50 can be suppressed.
[0043] (Second Embodiment) A second embodiment will now be described. This embodiment is a modification of the connection structure between the lens barrel 20 and the base portion 41 compared to the first embodiment. Since the other aspects are the same as the first embodiment, only the differences from the first embodiment will be described.
[0044] As shown in Figure 7, in this embodiment, the camera module 10 has a flange portion 22 of the lens barrel 20 located inside the case 40, and the front end surface 221 of the flange portion 22 is attached to the seat surface 41c of the base portion 41 via adhesive GL.
[0045] In this structure, the rear end surface 222 of the flange portion 22 serves as the seating surface, and the first contact surface 51a of the first frame portion 51 comes into contact with it. Thus, even when the part that the first frame portion 51 contacts is the flange portion 22 instead of the base portion 41, the same effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained.
[0046] (Third embodiment) A third embodiment will now be described. This embodiment is similar to the first and second embodiments in that the shape of the elastic dustproof member 50 is changed, and other aspects are the same as the first and second embodiments. Therefore, only the parts that differ from the first and second embodiments will be described.
[0047] As shown in Figure 8, in this embodiment, the planar shape of the elastic dustproof member 50 as viewed from the front-rear direction FR is a square shape, more specifically a square shape with rounded corners. In other words, the elastic dustproof member 50 is constructed in a roughly square cylindrical shape. Even with an elastic dustproof member 50 of this shape, the same effects as in the first and second embodiments can be obtained. Furthermore, if each side of the square shape formed by the elastic dustproof member 50 is aligned with each side of the square shape formed by the imager 31, the second frame portion 52 can be placed in the gap surrounding the imager 31, thereby reducing the space required for the second frame portion 52.
[0048] In this embodiment, the planar shape of the elastic dustproof member 50 when viewed from the front-to-back direction FR is a shape other than a circle. Therefore, the width and height dimensions of the cross-section, with the direction along each side of the rectangle formed by the elastic dustproof member 50 as the normal, become the width dimensions W1 and W2, and the height dimensions T1 and T2, respectively.
[0049] (Fourth Embodiment) A fourth embodiment will now be described. This embodiment is similar to the first and second embodiments in that the shape of the elastic dustproof member 50 is changed, and other aspects are the same as the first and second embodiments. Therefore, only the parts that differ from the first and second embodiments will be described.
[0050] As shown in Figure 9, in this embodiment, the shape of the second frame portion 52 of the elastic dustproof member 50 has been changed compared to the first embodiment. Specifically, the outer peripheral end of the second frame portion 52 is curved in a direction away from the first frame portion 51 than the inner peripheral end. In other words, the second contact surface 52a is structured so that as you move toward the outer peripheral side of the second frame portion 52, that is, toward the radially outward side of the central axis CL, it gradually moves toward the opposite side from the flexible portion 53.
[0051] As described above, by increasing the width dimension W1 of the first frame portion 51, contact between the second frame portion 52 and the substrate 30 can be ensured even if the width dimension W2 of the second frame portion 52 is reduced. However, the second frame portion 52 may tilt with respect to the central axis CL, reducing the contact area with the substrate 30. In contrast, by curving the outer circumference of the second frame portion 52 away from the first frame portion 51, it becomes possible to secure a larger contact area between the second frame portion 52 and the substrate 30.
[0052] (Other embodiments) This disclosure is written in accordance with the embodiments described above, but is not limited to those embodiments and includes various modifications and variations within the scope of equivalents. In addition, various combinations and forms, as well as other combinations and forms that include only one, more, or fewer of those elements, fall within the scope and concept of this disclosure.
[0053] (1) For example, the structure of the elastic dustproof member 50 may be changed for each of the above embodiments. Specifically, the flexible portion 53 may have a structure other than a corrugated shape, or the positional relationship between the first frame portion 51 and the second frame portion 52 may be changed.
[0054] For example, as shown in Figure 10A, the flexible portion 53 may have a structure in which it extends linearly along the central axis CL. Alternatively, the flexible portion 53 may have a bent shape. In this case, as viewed from the front-rear direction FR, as shown in Figure 10B, the portion of the flexible portion 53 on the first frame portion 51 side may be located radially outward from the portion on the second frame portion 52 side, or conversely, it may be located radially inward. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, when viewing the elastic dustproof member 50 from the front-rear direction FR, the entire width dimension W2 of the second frame portion 52 is included inside the width dimension W1 of the first frame portion 51, but these may be offset from each other. In that case as well, as viewed from the front-rear direction FR, as shown in Figure 10C, the second frame portion 52 may be located inward from the first frame portion 51, or conversely, it may be located outward.
[0055] (2) In the above embodiment, the case in which the first frame portion 51 and the second frame portion 52 have the same shape, that is, both are annular or rectangular, has been described, but they do not have to be the same shape. For example, one of the first frame portion 51 and the second frame portion 52 may be annular and the other rectangular, and the flexible portion 53 may gradually change from the shape of the first frame portion 51 to the shape of the second frame portion 52 as it approaches the second frame portion 52 from the first frame portion 51.
[0056] (3) In the above embodiment, the shape of the elastic dustproof member 50 when viewed from the front-rear direction FR was an annular or square shape, but it may also be a polygonal shape or a shape that combines an arc portion and a polygonal portion. In other words, the elastic dustproof member 50 can be a polygonal tube or the like, in addition to a cylindrical shape.
[0057] (4) In addition, although the above embodiment described an example in which the imaging device 1 is used as a camera for monitoring the front of the vehicle, it is also possible to use it as a peripheral monitoring camera for monitoring the area around the vehicle.
[0058] (5) Furthermore, although the above embodiment has given an example of applying the present disclosure to an imaging device 1, it can also be applied to other electronic devices. For example, it can be applied to an electronic device having a path from an introduction window into which light or a laser is introduced to a photodetector, where the elastic dustproof member 50 is arranged to surround the photodetector and the introduction window, and the adhesion of foreign matter to the optical path inside the elastic dustproof member 50 is suppressed. (Perspective of this disclosure) The above disclosure can be understood from the following perspectives, for example.
[0059] [First point of view] An imaging device mounted on a vehicle, A lens barrel (20) includes a main body (21) in which a lens (LS) is housed, and a projection (22) formed on the outer circumference of the main body that protrudes away from the center of the lens, and a through hole (213) formed in the main body for light from the lens to pass through, A circuit board (30) on which an imager (31) is mounted, A case (50) is formed which an insertion hole (411) is formed through which the main body is inserted, and which includes a base portion (41) to which the protruding portion is fixed around the main body and the insertion hole, and which includes a housing space (54) for holding the substrate, The camera module (10) includes an elastic dustproof member (50) disposed between the base portion and the substrate, which constitutes a partition wall separating the space (54a) in which the imager and the through-hole are arranged from the space outside (54b) within the housing space, The elastic dustproof member is cylindrical in shape and has a first frame portion (51) located on the base portion side, a second frame portion (52) in contact with the substrate, and a flexible portion (53) connected to the first frame portion and the second frame portion, which changes the distance between the first frame portion and the second frame portion by elastic deformation, and the imaging device wherein the center line of the cylindrical portion constituting the inner wall of the lens barrel is the central axis (CL), and the dimensions of the first frame portion and the second frame portion in a direction perpendicular to the central axis and also perpendicular to the extending direction of the first frame portion and the second frame portion are defined as the first width dimension (W1) and the second width dimension (W2), respectively, the second width dimension is smaller than the first width dimension. [Second perspective] The imaging apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the flexible portion has a V-shaped corrugated cross-sectional shape in the radial direction with respect to the central axis. [Third perspective] The protruding portion is fixed to the end face (41a) of the base portion that is located outside the housing space, The first frame portion has a first contact surface (51a) that is in contact with the seat surface (41c) of the base portion located within the accommodation space, The imaging apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein the second frame portion has a second contact surface (52a) that is brought into contact with the substrate. [Fourth perspective] The aforementioned protrusion is fixed to the seat surface (41c) of the base portion located within the storage space, The first frame portion has a first contact surface (51a) that comes into contact with the protruding portion, The imaging apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein the second frame portion has a second contact surface (52a) that is brought into contact with the substrate. [Fifth perspective] The imaging apparatus according to the third or fourth aspect, wherein the second contact surface is structured to move away from the flexible portion as it moves radially outward from the central axis. [Sixth perspective] The imaging device according to any one of the first to fifth views, wherein the elastic dustproof member has a cylindrical shape. [Seventh perspective] The imaging device according to any one of the first to fifth views, wherein the elastic dustproof member is in the shape of a polygonal cylinder. [Perspective 8] The imaging apparatus according to any one of the first to seventh views, wherein the second width dimension is at least half the amount of deflection (S) of the elastic dustproof member before and after assembly between the base portion and the substrate. [Perspective 9] An elastic dustproof member applied to an imaging device mounted on a vehicle, An elastic dustproof member comprising a cylindrical shape, a first frame portion (51) located at one end of the cylindrical shape, a second frame portion (52) located at the other end of the cylindrical shape, and a flexible portion (53) connected to the first frame portion and the second frame portion, which is elastically deformed to vary the distance between the first frame portion and the second frame portion, wherein the dimensions of the first frame portion and the second frame portion in a direction perpendicular to the expansion and contraction direction of the flexible portion and also perpendicular to the extension direction of the first frame portion and the second frame portion are defined as the first width dimension (W1) and the second width dimension (W2), respectively, and the second width dimension is smaller than the first width dimension. [Explanation of Symbols]
[0060] 1...Imaging device, 10...Camera module, 20...Lens barrel, 21...Main body, 22...Flange, 30...Substrate, 30a...Single surface, 31...Imager, 32...Electronic component, 40...Case, 41...Base, 41a...Front end surface, 41b...Rear end surface, 41c...Seat surface, 42...Lid, 50...Elastic dustproof member, 51...First frame, 51a...First contact surface, 51b...Single surface, 52...Second frame, 52a...Second contact surface, 52 b...one side, 53...flexible part, 53a, 53b...connecting part, 53c...intermediate part, 211...tip, 212...rear end, 221...front end face, 222...rear end face, 411...through hole, 511~514, 521~524...side, BKT...bracket, BT...bolt, CL...central axis, FG...windshield, FR...direction, GL...adhesive, H...hook, IP...image processing device, LR...left / right direction, LS...lens, P...mounting pin
Claims
1. An imaging device mounted on a vehicle, A lens barrel (20) includes a main body (21) in which a lens (LS) is housed, and a projection (22) formed on the outer circumference of the main body that protrudes away from the center of the lens, and a through hole (213) formed in the main body for light from the lens to pass through, A circuit board (30) on which an imager (31) is mounted, A case (50) is formed which an insertion hole (411) is formed through which the main body is inserted, and which includes a base portion (41) to which the protruding portion is fixed around the main body and the insertion hole, and which includes a housing space (54) for holding the substrate, The camera module (10) includes an elastic dustproof member (50) disposed between the base portion and the substrate, which constitutes a partition wall separating the space (54a) in which the imager and the through-hole are arranged from the space outside (54b) within the housing space, The elastic dustproof member is cylindrical in shape and comprises a first frame portion (51) located on the base portion side, a second frame portion (52) in contact with the substrate, and a flexible portion (53) connected to the first frame portion and the second frame portion, which is elastically deformed to vary the distance between the first frame portion and the second frame portion. The imaging device has a central axis (CL) as the center line of the cylindrical portion constituting the inner wall of the lens barrel, and the dimensions of the first frame portion and the second frame portion in a direction perpendicular to the central axis and also perpendicular to the extending direction of the first frame portion and the second frame portion are defined as the first width dimension (W1) and the second width dimension (W2), respectively, wherein the second width dimension is smaller than the first width dimension.
2. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the flexible portion has a V-shaped corrugated cross-sectional shape in the radial direction with respect to the central axis.
3. The protruding portion is fixed to the end face (41a) of the base portion that is located outside the housing space. The first frame portion has a first contact surface (51a) that is in contact with the seat surface (41c) of the base portion located within the accommodation space, The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second frame portion has a second contact surface (52a) that is brought into contact with the substrate.
4. The aforementioned protruding portion is fixed to the seat surface (41c) of the base portion located within the storage space, The first frame portion has a first contact surface (51a) that comes into contact with the protruding portion, The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second frame portion has a second contact surface (52a) that is brought into contact with the substrate.
5. The imaging apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the second contact surface is structured to move away from the flexible portion as it moves radially outward from the central axis.
6. The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the elastic dustproof member has a cylindrical shape.
7. The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the elastic dustproof member is in the shape of a polygonal cylinder.
8. The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second width dimension is 1 / 2 or more of the amount of deflection (S) of the elastic dustproof member before and after assembly between the base portion and the substrate.
9. An elastic dustproof member applied to an imaging device mounted on a vehicle, An elastic dustproof member comprising a cylindrical shape, a first frame portion (51) located at one end of the cylindrical shape, a second frame portion (52) located at the other end of the cylindrical shape, and a flexible portion (53) connected to the first frame portion and the second frame portion, which is elastically deformed to vary the distance between the first frame portion and the second frame portion, wherein the dimensions of the first frame portion and the second frame portion in a direction perpendicular to the expansion and contraction direction of the flexible portion and also perpendicular to the extension direction of the first frame portion and the second frame portion are defined as the first width dimension (W1) and the second width dimension (W2), respectively, and the second width dimension is smaller than the first width dimension.