Lens units, camera modules, in-vehicle systems and mobile devices

Abstract

The present invention provides a lens unit, camera module, in-vehicle system, and mobile device that can prevent the peeling of the sealing material due to the movement of electrical wiring led out to the outside of the lens barrel, and can also reduce the load on the sealing surface. [Solution] In the lens unit 11 of the present invention, a communication hole 12b is formed in the lens barrel 12 that connects the inner housing space S to the outside of the lens barrel. An sealing material 60 is provided to seal the communication hole 12b from the outside of the lens barrel 12 while the electrical wiring 36 extending from an electronic component 30 provided inside the lens barrel 12 is led out to the outside of the lens barrel through the communication hole 12b. The sealing material 60 is provided so as to cover the lead-out portion of the electrical wiring 36 from the outside. From the outer surface portion of the lens barrel 12 through which the electrical wiring 36 is led out, a surrounding body 65 extends for a predetermined length, surrounding the lead-out portion of the electrical wiring 36 together with the sealing material 60 from the outside.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention particularly relates to a lens unit, a camera module, an in-vehicle system, and a mobile object equipped with the in-vehicle system, which can constitute an in-vehicle camera mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, in-vehicle cameras have been mounted on automobiles to support parking and prevent collisions through image recognition, and attempts have also been made to apply such systems to automated driving. In addition, the camera module of such an in-vehicle camera generally includes a lens unit having a lens group formed by arranging a plurality of lenses along an optical axis, a lens barrel that accommodates and holds the lens group, and a diaphragm member disposed between lenses at at least one position of the lens group (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).

[0003] The lens unit (camera module) having the above configuration can be used not only for in-vehicle cameras but also in various optical devices. Especially when exposed to the external environment in cold regions, freezing of the lens surface and snow accretion on the lens can be assumed, so such lens units are generally provided with a snow melting function, an anti-fog function, and the like. Specifically, as schematically shown in, for example, (a) of FIG. 6, such a lens unit is configured to warm the first lens 101 that is positioned closest to the object side of the lens group L accommodated and held in the lens barrel 120 (only two object-side lenses of the lens group L are shown in (a) of FIG. 6 for simplification) and exposed from the lens barrel 120 (exposed to the external environment), by interposing a heater 130 between the image-side facing surface 101a of the first lens 101 and the object-side facing surface 102a of the second lens 102 adjacent to the first lens 101 on the image side.

[0004] The heater 130 incorporated in the lens barrel 120 in this manner is widely used as the most effective heating means capable of efficiently transferring generated heat to the surface of the first lens 101.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Document

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2013-231993 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] Incidentally, power is supplied to the heater 130 via electrical wiring, generally through a flexible printed circuit board (FPC). Therefore, the heater 130 is composed of a heating section 130a, which is an annular heater body interposed between the lenses 101 and 102, and a power supply section 130b, which is an FPC extending laterally from the heating section 130a, as shown in Figure 6(b). Power is supplied through the power supply section 130b, causing the heating section 130a to heat up and transfer heat to the lens 101. Generally, after the heating section 130a is positioned between the lenses 101 and 102, the power supply section 130b extends towards the image side through an insertion groove 150 on the inner surface of the lens barrel 120, and is led out to the outside of the lens barrel 120 through an extraction hole 120a provided on the side of the lens barrel 120 and electrically connected to the power supply side.

[0007] In this case, the outlet hole 120a of the lens barrel 120 for leading the power supply unit 130b to the outside must be sealed without any gaps to prevent moisture and foreign matter from entering the inside of the lens barrel 120 through it, thereby ensuring waterproofing, anti-fogging, and dustproofing. For this reason, conventionally, after leading the power supply unit 130b to the outside through the outlet hole 120a, the outlet hole 120a is sealed from the outside with a sealing material 160 such as a thermosetting adhesive, as shown in Figure 7.

[0008] However, if the power supply unit 130b, which is led out to the outside of the lens barrel 120 from the extraction hole 120a, is moved repeatedly during subsequent assembly as shown by the arrow in Figure 8, the sealing material 160 may peel off from the surface of the power supply unit 130b, and a gap 170 may be created between the power supply unit 130b and the sealing material 160. Such a gap 170 reduces the sealing performance.

[0009] Furthermore, the power supply unit 130b, which is led out to the outside of the telescope tube 120, has a wide range of motion because its base is only fixed to the outer surface of the telescope tube 120 by the sealing material 160. Therefore, every time the power supply unit 130b is moved, a large load is likely to be placed on the sealing surface 120b of the telescope tube 120 to which the sealing material 160 is applied.

[0010] Furthermore, the peeling of the sealing material 160 from the surface of the power supply unit 130b when the power supply unit 130b is moved is thought to be due to insufficient adhesion of the sealing material 160 to the surface of the power supply unit 130b.

[0011] Furthermore, the above-mentioned problems are not limited to the heater 130. Such peeling of the sealing material 160 (creation of a gap 170) and the large load on the sealing surface 120b due to the movement of the power supply unit 130b can occur in any case in which the electrical wiring (power supply unit) of the electronic components placed inside the lens barrel 120 is led out to the outside through the outlet hole 120a.

[0012] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a lens unit, camera module, in-vehicle system, and mobile device that can prevent peeling of the sealing material due to the movement of electrical wiring led out to the outside of the lens barrel, and can reduce the load on the sealing surface. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] To solve the aforementioned problems, the present invention provides a lens unit comprising a lens group in which a plurality of lenses are arranged along the optical axis, and a lens barrel having an inner housing space for housing and holding the lens group, wherein the lens barrel has a communication hole formed therein that connects the inner housing space to the outside of the lens barrel, and a sealing material is provided to seal the communication hole from the outside of the lens barrel while electrical wiring extending from an electronic component provided inside the lens barrel is led out to the outside of the lens barrel through the communication hole, The sealing material is provided so as to cover the outlet portion of the electrical wiring from the outside. A characteristic feature is that a surrounding body extends from the outer surface of the lens barrel through which the electrical wiring is led out, together with the sealing material, to surround the electrical wiring lead-out portion from the outside, for a predetermined length.

[0014] According to the above configuration of the present invention, a surrounding body is provided around the outlet portion of the electrical wiring that is led out from the communication hole of the lens barrel to the outside of the lens barrel and covered with a sealing material. This surrounding body surrounds the outlet portion of the electrical wiring together with the sealing material from the outside. As a result, the range of motion of the electrical wiring is restricted by this surrounding body, and therefore, peeling of the sealing material from the surface of the electrical wiring due to large or frequent movements of the electrical wiring can be prevented. As a result, the situation in which a gap occurs between the electrical wiring and the sealing material can be avoided, and therefore, the desired sealing performance can be maintained. Furthermore, by restricting the range of motion of the electrical wiring, it is also possible to avoid a large load being applied to the sealing surface of the lens barrel to which the sealing material is applied due to the movement of the electrical wiring.

[0015] In the above configuration, the surrounding body may continuously surround the electrical wiring and sealing material in the circumferential direction, or it may intermittently surround the electrical wiring and sealing material in the circumferential direction, and may, for example, be cylindrical. Furthermore, the inner diameter and extension length of the surrounding body are preferably set so as to appropriately restrict the range of motion of the electrical wiring, so as to ensure a sufficient filling space inside that can accommodate a sufficient amount of sealing material, and so as to facilitate the filling of the sealing material into the surrounding space (sealing material filling space), which is the inner space of the surrounding body (the space defined by the surrounding body). If the surrounding body is cylindrical, its inner diameter is preferably set to be greater than or equal to the inner diameter of the communication hole. Furthermore, the surrounding body may be integrally formed with the lens barrel, or it may be formed separately from the lens barrel and attached to the lens barrel. Furthermore, the material of the surrounding body is arbitrary, and for example, it may be formed from the same material as the lens barrel.

[0016] Furthermore, in the above configuration, "electrical wiring" refers to wiring that carries electric current (for example, a flexible circuit board, lead wires, etc.), and may be involved in power supply or rectification, for example. Also, in the above configuration, the position of the communication hole only needs to be such that it connects the inner housing space of the lens barrel with the outside of the lens barrel, and its position and direction can be set arbitrarily. Also, in the above configuration, "electronic component" refers to any component that exerts an electrical effect on the lens unit, for example, a heater that warms the lens or an ultrasonic transducer. If the electronic component is a heater, such a heater may have a heating section that is interposed between a first lens located on the object side of the lens group and a second lens adjacent to this first lens on the image side, and generates heat when power is supplied, and a power supply section that serves as electrical wiring to supply power to the heating section.

[0017] The heating element of the heater is not particularly limited in shape; it can be any shape, such as annular, circular, or rectangular, as long as it can efficiently and effectively heat the first lens. A PTC (positive temperature coefficient) heater can also be used as the heating element. The power supply section may be formed from a metal plate, electrical wiring, such as lead wires, or from FPC (flexible printed circuits) wiring. In this case, the electrical resistance of the power supply section must be lower than that of the heating element to prevent overheating. When electrically connecting the power supply section and the heating element, a conductive adhesive may be used, and an anisotropic conductive adhesive such as ACP (abrasive conductive adhesive) may be used. ACP has the advantage of simplifying the manufacturing process because it conducts only in the pressed area when the positive and negative electrodes are in close proximity.

[0018] Furthermore, in the above configuration, the sealing material is applied to the outer surface of the lens barrel to cover the electrical wiring from the outside, but any material can be used as long as it can seal the communication hole from the outside of the lens barrel. Also, the sealing material may be used together with other sealing parts such as gaskets and O-rings. Examples of materials for the sealing material include adhesive media such as adhesives, water vapor adsorbents (water absorbers), and airtight materials. Examples of adhesives include UV-curing adhesives and thermosetting adhesives, and in particular olefin-based adhesives with low moisture permeability (e.g., 60 g / m²) are preferred. 2 It is preferable to use an adhesive with a moisture permeability of 24 hours or less (for example, a UV-curable adhesive). Furthermore, when using a UV-curable adhesive, the surrounding body may be formed in a tapered shape that widens towards the extended end. This makes it easier for ultraviolet light to reach the UV-curable adhesive filled in the enclosed space from the outside, thereby preventing the adhesive from remaining uncured.

[0019] Furthermore, in the above configuration, it is preferable that the inner surface of the extended end of the enclosure is formed as a tapered surface that narrows from the inside to the outside of the enclosure. This makes it easier to fill the enclosed space (sealant-filled space) with the sealant from the outside of the enclosure, as the inner surface of the extended end of the enclosure, which serves as the entrance (filling port), is formed as a tapered surface. In addition, this tapered surface can reduce the load acting on the electrical wiring when it comes into contact with the extended end of the enclosure.

[0020] Furthermore, in the above configuration, it is preferable that the surface of the electrical wiring covered by the sealing material is formed as a rough surface. This increases the surface area on which the sealing material adheres to the electrical wiring, thereby improving the adhesion between the electrical wiring and the sealing material. Consequently, it is possible to prevent the sealing material from peeling off the surface of the electrical wiring when the electrical wiring is moved.

[0021] Further, in the above configuration, it is preferable that a pair of flange portions facing each other and extending radially outward are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the lens barrel, and a communication hole is formed in the lens barrel so as to be located between these flange portions and extend in the radial direction. According to such a configuration, the movable range of the electric wiring is restricted not only by the surrounding body but also by the pair of flanges, so that the aforementioned peeling of the sealing material and the occurrence of gaps can be more reliably prevented.

[0022] Furthermore, the present invention also provides a camera module including the aforementioned lens unit, an in-vehicle system including the camera module, and a mobile object equipped with the in-vehicle system. Such a camera module, in-vehicle system, and mobile object can also achieve the same operational effects as the aforementioned lens unit. Note that the term "mobile object" refers to all objects capable of moving, and examples thereof include vehicles and the like. Effects of the Invention

[0023] According to the present invention, since the movable range of the electric wiring can be restricted by the surrounding body, it is possible to prevent peeling of the sealing material accompanying the movement of the electric wiring led out to the outside of the lens barrel, and to reduce the load on the sealing surface. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024] [Figure 1] This is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view along the optical axis direction of the lens unit according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part of the lens unit of Figure 1. [Figure 3] This is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view along the optical axis direction of a camera module having the lens unit of Figure 1. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram of a vehicle as a mobile object on which an imaging system (in-vehicle system) including a camera module according to one embodiment of the present invention is mounted. [Figure 5] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of an imaging device constituting the imaging system of Figure 4. [Figure 6](a) is a partial schematic cross-sectional view of a conventional lens unit with a heater, and (b) is a plan view showing an example of a conventional heater. [Figure 7] Figure 6(a) is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the heater power supply outlet region of the lens barrel in the conventional configuration. [Figure 8] This is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view corresponding to Figure 7, which shows the state in which the sealing material has been peeled off by moving the heater power supply unit. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0025] The following describes one embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings. This embodiment can realize a highly reliable system, particularly in sensing systems, and contributes to the development of resilient infrastructure. It targets "9. Build resilient infrastructure, including local and transboundary infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all," which is part of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The lens unit according to one embodiment described below is particularly for camera modules such as in-vehicle cameras, and is, for example, fixedly installed on the outer surface of a vehicle, with wiring routed into the vehicle and connected to a display or other device. Furthermore, the lens unit according to the embodiment described below incorporates a heater as an electronic component, but the electronic component is not limited to a heater, and the present invention can also be applied to lens units incorporating electronic components other than heaters. In addition, in all figures, including Figures 6 to 8 mentioned above, hatching has been omitted for the lens.

[0026] Figure 1 shows a lens unit 11 according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the lens unit 11 has a cylindrical lens barrel 12 and six lenses arranged in the inner housing space S of the lens barrel 12, for example, a first lens 13, a second lens 14, a third lens 15, a fourth lens 16, a fifth lens 17, and a sixth lens 18. In this case, the third lens 15 is supported by an intermediate ring 19 together with an IRCF (infrared cut filter) 20, thereby forming a subassembly 21 in which the lens and filter are integrated as a unit. The fourth lens 16 and the fifth lens 17 are bonded together to form a cemented lens 24, and an aperture member 22A and an intermediate ring 23 are interposed between the second lens 14 and the third lens 15 in a superimposed state. An aperture member 22B is also interposed between the fifth lens 17 and the sixth lens 18. The aperture members 22A and 22B are either "aperture diaphragms" that limit the amount of transmitted light and determine the F-number, which is an indicator of brightness, or "light-shielding diaphragms" that block light rays that cause ghosting or light rays that cause aberrations. An in-vehicle camera equipped with such a lens unit 11 comprises the lens unit 11, a substrate having an image sensor (not shown), and mounting members (not shown) for mounting the substrate in a vehicle such as an automobile.

[0027] In this embodiment, the first lens 13 that can be exposed to the outside is a glass lens, and the other second to sixth lenses 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18 inside are all resin lenses made of resin (plastic), but this is not limited to this. Also, the lens barrel 12 that houses these lenses 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18 is made of resin in this embodiment, but it may be made of metal. Furthermore, the shape of the lens barrel and lenses, the number of lenses, etc. can be arbitrarily set according to the application, etc.

[0028] Multiple lenses 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18, fixed and supported by the lens barrel 12, are arranged with their respective optical axes aligned. Each lens 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17 is aligned along a single optical axis O, forming a lens group L used for imaging. Furthermore, the surfaces of these lenses 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18 are provided with anti-reflective coatings, hydrophilic coatings, hydrophobic coatings, etc., as needed.

[0029] The end of the lens barrel 12 on the object side (the upper end in Figure 1) is provided with a crimped portion 25 formed by thermally crimping the end radially inward. This crimped portion 25 fixes the first lens 13, which is located closest to the object in the lens group L, to the end of the lens barrel 12 on the object side.

[0030] Furthermore, an inner flange portion 26 having an opening smaller in diameter than the sixth lens 18 is provided at the image-side end (lower end in Figure 1) of the lens barrel 12. The multiple lenses 13, 14, 15 (sub-assembly 21), 16, 17, 18, intermediate rings 19, 23, and aperture members 22A, 22B that constitute the lens group L are held within the lens barrel 12 by this inner flange portion 26 and the crimping portion 25.

[0031] The outer circumferential surface of the first lens 13, which is located closest to the object, is provided with a reduced diameter portion on the image-side portion of the lens 13. An O-ring 27, acting as a sealing member, is provided on this reduced diameter portion, sealing the space between the outer circumferential surface of the lens 13 and the inner circumferential surface of the lens barrel 12 at the object-side end of the lens barrel 12. This prevents fine particles such as water and dust from entering the lens barrel 12 from the object-side end of the lens unit 11. The sealing member interposed between the first lens 13 and the lens barrel 12 is not limited to an O-ring; any annular body capable of sealing the space between the first lens 13 and the lens barrel 12 is acceptable. Furthermore, a first outer flange portion 29, used when installing the lens barrel 12 in a vehicle camera, is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the lens barrel 12, extending radially outward in a flange-like manner. Furthermore, a second outer flange portion 49 is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the lens barrel 12, positioned closer to the object than the first outer flange portion 29 and facing the first outer flange portion 29, extending radially outward.

[0032] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a heater 30 is provided inside the lens barrel 12 as an electronic component for transferring heat generated by power supply to the first lens 13, which is located closest to the object in the lens group L. The heater 30 has a heating section 32, for example, a PTC (positive temperature coefficient) heater section that generates heat when power is supplied, and a power supply section 36, which is an electrical wiring that supplies power to the heating section 32. The power supply section 36 is electrically connected to a power supply side (not shown) via a connector.

[0033] The heating unit 32 is formed as a circular annular body, for example, partially divided, so as to substantially correspond to the shape of the image-side surface 13a of the first lens 13, in order to warm the first lens 13 whose object-side surface is exposed from the lens barrel 12 and exposed to the external environment. It is interposed between the image-side surface 13a of the first lens 13 and the object-side surface 14a of the second lens 14, which is adjacent to the first lens 13 on the image side. In particular, in this embodiment, the heating unit 32 is positioned outside the effective diameter range of the lens 14 within an annular groove 14b formed on the outer circumference of the object-side surface 14a of the second lens 14.

[0034] Furthermore, the power supply unit 36 ​​is formed by an FPC wiring board extending from the heating unit 32, a pair of conductive first and second power supply lines formed on the board, and a coverlay (for example, formed from a heat-resistant polyimide film) as an outer sheath covering these power supply lines. The power supply unit 36 ​​is positioned within a guide groove 12a formed on the inner surface of the lens barrel 12 and guided along the optical axis O direction, and is led out to the outside of the lens barrel 12 through a communication hole 12b provided on the side surface of the lens barrel 12. In this case, the communication hole 12b is formed in the lens barrel 12 so as to be located between the first outer flange portion 29 and the second outer flange portion 49 and extend radially, connecting the inner housing space S to the outside of the lens barrel 12. If the lens barrel 12 has a polygonal inner surface, the power supply unit 36 ​​may be guided within the lens barrel 12 along the optical axis O direction through a gap formed between the circular cross-section lens and the inner surface of the lens barrel 12.

[0035] Furthermore, the communication hole 12b of the lens barrel 120 for leading the power supply unit 36 ​​to the outside must be sealed without any gaps to prevent moisture and foreign matter from entering the inside of the lens barrel 12 through it, thereby ensuring waterproofing, anti-fogging, and dustproofing. For this reason, in this embodiment, after leading the power supply unit 36 ​​to the outside through the communication hole 12b, the communication hole 12b is sealed from the outside of the lens barrel 12 with a sealing material 60. In this case, as can be clearly seen in the enlarged view in Figure 2, in this embodiment, a surrounding body 65 extends for a predetermined length from the outer surface of the lens barrel 12 through which the power supply unit 36 ​​is led out, and surrounds the lead-out portion of the power supply unit 36 ​​together with the sealing material 60 from the outside. Therefore, in this embodiment, in order to seal the communication hole 12b with the sealing material 60, the power supply unit 36 ​​is passed through the communication hole 12b and inserted into the surrounding body 65 to lead it out to the outside, and then the sealing material 60 is filled from the outside into the space inside the surrounding body 65 (the surrounding space defined by the surrounding body 65) (as a result, the sealing material 60 is also applied to the outer surface of the lens barrel 12 in order to close the communication hole 12b from the outside). In this case, in order to easily fill the space inside the surrounding body 65 with the sealing material 60, the inner surface of the extended end of the surrounding body 65 is formed as a tapered surface 65a that tapers from the inside to the outside of the surrounding body 65. Furthermore, in this embodiment, in order to increase the adhesion area of ​​the sealing material 60 to the power supply unit 36 ​​and improve the adhesion between the power supply unit 36 ​​and the sealing material 60, the surface of the power supply unit 36 ​​covered by the sealing material 60 (the coverlay described above) is formed to be rough.

[0036] In this embodiment, the surrounding body 65 may continuously surround the power supply unit 36 ​​and the sealing material 60 in the circumferential direction, or it may intermittently surround the power supply unit 36 ​​and the sealing material 60 in the circumferential direction. For example, in this embodiment, it is formed in a cylindrical shape. The inner diameter and extension length of the surrounding body 65 are set to appropriately restrict the movable range of the power supply unit 36 ​​so that a sufficient filling space for the sealing material 60 can be filled inside, making it easy to fill the surrounding space (sealing material filling space), which is the inner space of the surrounding body 65, with the sealing material 60. In particular, in this embodiment, the inner diameter of the surrounding body 65 is set to be approximately the same as the inner diameter of the communication hole 12b. The surrounding body 65 may be integrally formed with the lens barrel 12, or it may be formed separately from the lens barrel 12 and attached to the lens barrel 12. In this embodiment, it is formed from the same material as the lens barrel 12.

[0037] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the sealing material 65 can be any material as long as it can seal the communication hole 12b from the outside of the lens barrel 12, but in this embodiment, it is formed of an adhesive, for example, an ultraviolet curing adhesive.

[0038] Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the camera module 300 of this embodiment, which has the lens unit 11 configured as described above. As shown in the figure, this camera module 300 is configured to include the lens unit 11 of Figure 1, into which the heater 30 is incorporated.

[0039] The camera module 300 comprises an outer casing (upper case, camera case) 301 and a mount (base) 302 that holds the lens unit 11. The camera module 300 also includes a sealing member 303 and a package sensor (image sensor) 304.

[0040] The upper case 301 engages with the aforementioned first outer flange portion 29, which is provided in a flange shape on the outer peripheral surface 12c of the lens barrel 12, and is a member that exposes the object-side end of the lens unit 11 and covers the other part. The mount 302 is located inside the upper case 301 and has a female thread 302a that screws into the male thread 11a of the lens unit 11. The sealing member 303 is a member interposed between the inner surface of the upper case 301 and the outer peripheral surface 12c of the lens barrel 12 of the lens unit 11, and is a member that maintains airtightness inside the upper case 301.

[0041] The package sensor 304 is located inside the mount 302 and positioned to receive the image of an object formed by the lens unit 11. The package sensor 304 also has a transparent cover on the outside and is equipped with a CCD or CMOS sensor inside, which converts the light that is focused and reaches it through the lens unit 11 into an electrical signal. The converted electrical signal is then converted into analog data or digital data, which are components of the image data captured by the camera.

[0042] Figure 4 schematically shows a vehicle 240 as a mobile body on which an in-vehicle system (imaging system) comprising an imaging device 250 including the camera module 300 of Figure 3 is mounted. As shown in the figure, the imaging device 250 can be mounted on the vehicle 240, and Figure 4 is an example of an arrangement illustrating the mounting position of the imaging device 250 on the vehicle 240. The imaging device 250 mounted on the vehicle 240 can also be called an in-vehicle camera and can be installed in various locations on the vehicle 240. For example, the first imaging device 250a may be placed on or near the front bumper as a camera that monitors the area in front of the vehicle 240 while it is in motion. The second imaging device 250b, which also monitors the area in front, may be placed near the rearview mirror inside the vehicle 240. The third imaging device 250c may be placed on the dashboard or inside the instrument panel, etc., as a camera that monitors the driver's driving conditions. The fourth imaging device 250d may be installed at the rear of the vehicle 240 for use as a rear monitor. Imaging devices 250a and 250b can be called front cameras. The third imaging device 250c can be called an in-camera. The fourth imaging device 250d can be called a rear camera. The imaging device 250 is not limited to these, and includes imaging devices installed in various positions, such as a left side camera that images the left rear side and a right side camera that images the right rear side.

[0043] The image signal of the image captured by the imaging device 250 can be output to an information processing device (control unit) 242 and / or a display device (output device) 243, etc., within the vehicle 240. These information processing devices 242 and 243 together with the imaging device 250 constitute an in-vehicle system. The information processing device 242 within the vehicle 240 includes a device that processes the image signal (captured image) acquired by the imaging device 250, recognizes the image (recognizes objects in the captured image), and assists the driver in driving. The information processing device 242 is also configured to output recognition information of objects in the captured image to the display device 243, and includes, but is not limited to, a navigation device, a collision damage mitigation braking device, a vehicle-to-vehicle distance control device, and a lane departure warning device. The display device 243 displays the image processed and output by the information processing device 242, but can also receive the image signal directly from the imaging device 250. Furthermore, the display device 243 may employ, but is not limited to, a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic electro-luminescence (EL) display, or an inorganic EL display. The display device 243 can display image signals output from an imaging device 250, such as a rear camera, which captures images from positions that are difficult for the driver to see (it can output information to the occupants).

[0044] Figure 5 shows the configuration of the imaging device that constitutes the in-vehicle system shown in Figure 4. As shown in the figure, the imaging device 250 according to one embodiment comprises a control unit 252, a storage unit 254, and the camera module 300 shown in Figure 3.

[0045] The control unit 252 controls the camera module 300 and processes the electrical signals output from the image sensor 304 of the camera module 80. This control unit 252 may be configured as a processor, for example. The control unit 252 may also include one or more processors. The processors may include general-purpose processors that load a specific program and execute a specific function, and dedicated processors specialized for specific processing. Dedicated processors may include application-specific integrated circuits (ICs). Application-specific integrated circuits are also called ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits). The processors may also include programmable logic devices. Programmable logic devices are also called PLDs (Programmable Logic Devices). PLDs may include field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). The control unit 252 may be either a system-on-a-chip (SoC) or a system-in-a-package (SiP) in which one or more processors cooperate. Furthermore, the control unit 252 may have the same functions as the information processing device 242 described above. For example, it may process the captured image output from the image sensor 304 to recognize objects within the captured image.

[0046] The storage unit 254 stores various information or parameters related to the operation of the imaging device 250. The storage unit 254 may be composed of, for example, a semiconductor memory. The storage unit 254 may function as a work memory for the control unit 252. The storage unit 254 may store captured images. The storage unit 254 may store various parameters, etc., for the control unit 252 to perform detection processing based on the captured images. The storage unit 254 may be included in the control unit 252.

[0047] As mentioned above, the camera module 300 captures the subject image formed via the lens unit 11 with the image sensor 304 and outputs the captured image. The image captured by the camera module 300 is also called the captured image.

[0048] The image sensor 304 may be composed of, for example, a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor or a CCD (Charge Coupled Device). The image sensor 304 has an imaging surface in which multiple pixels are arranged. Each pixel outputs a signal that is specified by current or voltage according to the amount of incident light. The signal output by each pixel is also called imaging data.

[0049] The image data may be read out by the camera module 300 for all pixels and taken into the control unit 252 as an image. The image data read out for all pixels is also called the maximum image. The image data may be read out by the camera module 300 for some pixels and taken into the image. In other words, the image data may be read out from pixels within a predetermined acquisition range. The image data read out from pixels within a predetermined acquisition range may be taken into the image. The predetermined acquisition range may be set by the control unit 252. The camera module 300 may obtain the predetermined acquisition range from the control unit 252. The image sensor 304 may capture an image within a predetermined acquisition range from the subject image formed via the lens unit 11.

[0050] Although the present invention has been described above in relation to various embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and can be implemented in various ways without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, in the present invention, the shapes of lenses, lens barrels, etc., are not limited to the shapes of the embodiments described above. Also, the location and number of heaters are not limited. Furthermore, the location and number of communication holes provided in the lens barrel for inserting heaters are not limited. In addition, some or all of the embodiments described above may be combined without departing from the spirit of the invention, or some of the components of one of the embodiments described above may be omitted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 11 Lens Unit 12 Telescope Tubes 12b Communication hole 29 First outer flange portion 30 Heaters (electronic components) 32 Heating section 36 Power supply section (electrical wiring) 49 Second outer flange portion 60 Sealing material 65 Encircling Formation 65a Tapered surface 300 Camera Modules 240 vehicles (mobile) L lens group O optical axis S Internal storage space

Claims

1. A lens unit comprising a lens group consisting of multiple lenses arranged along the optical axis, and a lens barrel having an inner housing space for housing and holding the lens group, wherein the lens barrel has a communication hole that connects the inner housing space to the outside of the lens barrel, and a sealing material is provided to seal the communication hole from the outside of the lens barrel while electrical wiring extending from an electronic component provided inside the lens barrel is led out to the outside of the lens barrel through the communication hole, The sealing material is provided so as to cover the outlet portion of the electrical wiring from the outside. A lens unit characterized in that a surrounding body extends from a portion of the outer surface of the lens barrel through which the electrical wiring is led out, together with the sealing material, for a predetermined length, surrounding the portion where the electrical wiring is led out from the outside.

2. The lens unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner surface of the extended end of the surrounding body is formed as a tapered surface that narrows from the inside to the outside of the surrounding body.

3. The lens unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the surface of the electrical wiring covered by the sealing material is formed as a rough surface.

4. The lens unit according to claim 1, characterized in that a pair of flange portions are provided on the outer circumferential surface of the lens barrel, facing each other and extending radially outward, and the communication hole is formed in the lens barrel so as to extend radially between these flange portions.

5. The lens unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the electronic component is a heater that transmits heat generated by power supply via the electrical wiring to the lens.

6. The aforementioned lens group includes a first lens located closest to the object and a second lens adjacent to the first lens on the image side. The lens unit according to claim 5, characterized in that the heater has a heating section interposed between the first lens and the second lens and generating heat by power supply, and a power supply section which is the electrical wiring that supplies power to the heating section.

7. A camera module comprising a lens unit according to any one of claims 1 to 6, and an image sensor that converts light collected through the lens group of the lens unit into an electrical signal.

8. An in-vehicle system installed in a vehicle, The camera module according to claim 7, A control unit that processes the captured image output from the image sensor of the camera module and recognizes an object in the captured image, An in-vehicle system characterized by having [a certain feature].

9. A mobile body equipped with the in-vehicle system described in claim 8 and an output device that outputs information to the occupants, The mobile body is characterized in that the control unit is configured to output recognition information of the object to the output device.

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