Lens unit, camera module, imaging system and mobile object

Abstract

To provide a lens unit, a camera module, an imaging system, and a mobile body that can suppress the eccentricity and the deformation of a lens due to thermal expansion.SOLUTION: A lens-barrel 12 has six supporting units 41 protruding from a virtual circle K with a larger diameter than that of the lens 40 in an inner side of the radial direction in a cross-sectional view perpendicular to an optical axis O, the supporting units being arranged evenly in a circumferential direction. Since the supporting unit 41 presses the outer surface of the lens 40, it becomes possible to suppress the eccentricity and the deformation of the lens due to thermal expansion.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a lens unit that can constitute an on-board camera mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile, a camera module, an imaging system, and a moving body equipped with an imaging system. [Background technology]

[0002] Cameras that are installed outdoors, such as surveillance cameras and vehicle-mounted cameras, are known. Such cameras installed outdoors use a lens unit in which multiple lenses are stored and fixed in a lens barrel. In such lens units, the lenses are stored and fixed in the lens barrel by aligning the optical axes of the lenses and the lens barrel and the optical axes between the multiple lenses.

[0003] On the other hand, in order to reduce costs, resin lenses and resin lens barrels are used in this type of lens unit. However, such resin lenses and lens barrels are prone to thermal expansion at high temperatures, and even if the lens is aligned when stored and fixed within the lens barrel and assembled, the lens barrel and lens have different linear expansion coefficients, so when the lens unit is heated during reliability testing, etc., thermal expansion occurs in the lens barrel and lens, and the optical axis between the lens and lens barrel or between the lens becomes misaligned, i.e., the lens becomes decentered, resulting in degradation of the optical characteristics.

[0004] To solve these problems, a lens unit is known, as described in Patent Document 1. This lens unit solves the above-mentioned problems by pressing the outer peripheral surface of a lens against the polygonal inner peripheral surface of a resin lens barrel having an inner peripheral surface of an octagon or more sides, for example a dodecagon. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2006-201378 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In the conventional lens unit described above, the inner peripheral surface of the lens barrel is a regular dodecagon so that the outer peripheral surface of the lens contacts the polygonal inner peripheral surface of the lens barrel at eight or more points, for example twelve points. The inner diameter of the lens barrel is not a perfect circle due to shrinkage variations after molding (due to the direction of resin flow). At room temperature, instead of 12 contact points, for example, only half of the 12 contact points, i.e., 6 contact points, are pressed in (this still effectively suppresses misalignment of the optical axis). However, when the lens barrel and lens expand at high temperatures, the difference in the linear expansion coefficient between the lens barrel and the lens causes the lens to expand more than the lens barrel, and even the remaining six points that are not in contact at room temperature become pressed in, causing stress to be generated in the lens more than at room temperature, causing permanent deformation of the lens and degrading its optical properties. This degradation of optical properties has become an issue that cannot be overlooked, especially in vehicle-mounted cameras for sensing applications that require high reliability.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a lens unit, a camera module, an imaging system, and a moving body that are capable of suppressing lens decentering and deformation due to thermal expansion. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, a lens unit according to the present invention is a lens unit including a plurality of resin lenses arranged along an optical axis, and a resin barrel that houses and holds the plurality of lenses, the lens barrel includes three to six support parts that protrude radially inward from a virtual circle having a diameter larger than a diameter of the lens in a cross section perpendicular to the optical axis and are arranged at equal intervals in a circumferential direction; The lens is characterized in that an outer peripheral surface of the lens is pressed against the support portion.

[0009] In the present invention, when viewed in a cross section perpendicular to the optical axis, the lens barrel has three to six support parts that protrude radially inward from an imaginary circle of a diameter larger than the diameter of the lens and are arranged at equal intervals around the circumference, and the outer peripheral surface of the lens is pressed against the support parts, so that decentering of the lens due to thermal expansion can be suppressed, and during thermal expansion, the lens receives force from the lens barrel only from three to six points on the outer peripheral surface of the lens, so that less stress is generated in the lens than in the past, and as a result, deformation of the lens due to thermal expansion can be suppressed.

[0010] In the above-mentioned configuration of the present invention, the lens barrel includes a plurality of restricting portions that protrude radially inward from the imaginary circle in a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the optical axis, and that have a protruding length from the imaginary circle shorter than that of the supporting portions, The plurality of restricting portions may be disposed in a well-balanced manner in the circumferential direction of the imaginary circle.

[0011] Here, the protruding length of the restricting portion from the imaginary circle is adjusted so that the restricting portion does not come into pressure contact with the lens even if the lens thermally expands at high temperatures.

[0012] Due to manufacturing errors, etc., the inner diameter surface (inner peripheral surface) of the resin barrel that holds the lens is not a perfect circle in cross section, but is likely to become an ellipse. For this reason, when 3 to 6 support parts are provided, some of the support parts may not be pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the lens depending on the temperature due to the difference in linear expansion coefficient between the lens and the barrel, resulting in a slight gap between the support parts and the lens, which may allow the lens to move slightly in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis. In this case, the position of the lens due to the pressure contact (press fit) is not stable, and the lens moves in the radial direction, causing eccentricity in the lens. In contrast, according to the above-mentioned configuration, since the multiple restricting portions are arranged in a well-balanced manner in the circumferential direction of the virtual circle, even if the lens moves in the radial direction, the lens abuts against the restricting portions and further movement is restricted. Therefore, the decentering of the lens can be suppressed. Furthermore, since the protruding length of the restricting portions is shorter than that of the supporting portions, pressure contact with the lens is suppressed even at high temperatures. Therefore, the above-mentioned effect of suppressing deformation of the lens due to thermal expansion is not impeded.

[0013] In addition, in the above-described configuration of the present invention, the multiple support portions may be formed by first chords of the same length having both end points on the imaginary circle, or may be formed by first protrusion portions protruding radially inward from the imaginary circle.

[0014] In addition, in the above-described configuration of the present invention, the multiple regulating portions may be formed by second chords of the same length having both end points on the imaginary circle, or may be formed by second protrusions protruding radially inward from the imaginary circle.

[0015] A camera module according to the present invention includes the lens unit. According to this configuration, the effects of the lens unit described above can be obtained in the camera module.

[0016] The present invention also provides a camera module including the lens unit described above, an imaging system having the camera module, and a moving body equipped with the imaging system. The camera module, imaging system, and moving body can also provide the same effects as the lens unit described above. Note that the term "moving body" refers to any object that can move, such as a vehicle. Effect of the Invention

[0017] According to the present invention, decentering and deformation of the lens due to thermal expansion can be suppressed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a lens unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the camera module according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the lens barrel taken along a plane perpendicular to the optical axis. [Figure 4]FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a lens barrel cut along a plane perpendicular to the optical axis, showing a second embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle as a moving body on which an imaging system (on-vehicle system) including a camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention is mounted. [Figure 6] 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an imaging device that constitutes the imaging system of FIG. 5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] An embodiment of the invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. This embodiment can realize a highly reliable system, particularly in a sensing system, and contributes to the development of resilient infrastructure, thereby contributing to "9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote industry, innovation and infrastructure" of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) advocated by the United Nations. The lens unit of the present embodiment described below is particularly for a camera module such as an in-vehicle camera, and is fixedly installed on the outer surface of a vehicle, with wiring drawn into the vehicle and connected to a display or other devices. Also, hatching of the lenses is omitted in Figures 1 to 4.

[0020] (First embodiment) 1 shows a lens unit 11 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, lens unit 11 of this embodiment includes a cylindrical lens barrel 12 made of, for example, resin, a plurality of lenses arranged in a stepped inner storage space S of lens barrel 12, for example, six lenses consisting of, from the object side, 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, and two aperture members 22a and 22b.

[0021] In this embodiment, the diaphragm members 22a, 22b are interposed between the second lens 14 and the first lens 15, and between the fourth lens 16 and the fifth lens 17, and serve as an "aperture diaphragm" that limits the amount of transmitted light and determines the F-number, which is an index of brightness, or a "light blocking diaphragm" that blocks light rays that cause ghosts and light rays that cause aberrations. An in-vehicle camera equipped with such a lens unit 11 includes the lens unit 11, a board having an image sensor (not shown), and an installation member (not shown) for installing the board on a vehicle such as an automobile.

[0022] The lenses 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18 are assembled and held in the inner storage space S of the lens barrel 12, and are stacked and arranged with their optical axes aligned, and the lenses 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18 are arranged along one optical axis O to form a group of lenses L used for imaging. In this case, the first lens 13, which is positioned closest to the object side of the lens group L, is a spherical glass lens having a convex surface on the object side and a concave surface on the image side, and the other lenses 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18 are resin lenses, but are not limited to this. In addition, the surfaces of these lenses 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18 (the surfaces on the object side and / or the surfaces on the image side) are provided with an anti-reflection film, a hydrophilic film, a water-repellent film, or the like, as necessary.

[0023] In this embodiment, the two fifth and sixth lenses 17, 18 located on the image side constitute a cemented lens (composite lens) 30. The fifth and sixth lenses 17, 18 constituting such cemented lens 30 are assembled by fitting an annular convex portion on a surface facing the image side of the fifth lens 17 located on the object side into a corresponding annular concave portion on a surface facing the object side of the sixth lens 18 located on the image side, as shown in the figure, and are fixed together by an adhesive or the like.

[0024] In this embodiment, an O-ring 26 serving as a seal member is interposed between the first lens 13, which is positioned closest to the object, and the lens barrel 12 to prevent water and dust from entering the lens group L inside the lens barrel 12. In this case, a stepped reduced diameter portion 13d having a smaller diameter at the image side portion of the lens 13 is provided on the outer circumferential side surface 13c of the first lens 13, and an O-ring 26 is attached to this reduced diameter portion 13d, and the O-ring 26 is compressed in the radial direction between the outer circumferential side surface 13c of the first lens 13 and the inner circumferential surface of the lens barrel 12, thereby sealing the object side end of the lens barrel 12.

[0025] Furthermore, with lens group L assembled and housed in inner housing space S of lens barrel 12, crimping portion 23 at the object side end (upper end in FIG. 1) is crimped radially inward, thereby fixing first lens 13, which is positioned closest to the object side of lens group L, to the object side end of lens barrel 12 by crimping portion 23. Note that the fixing of first lens 13 is not limited to crimping portion 23, and may be performed by a fixing cap that is attached to the object side end of lens barrel 12 after lenses 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18 are housed in lens barrel 12. The inner storage space S includes a first storage / holding section S1 that stores and holds the first lens 13, a second storage / holding section S2 that stores the second lens 14, a third storage / holding section S3 that stores the third lens 15, a third storage / holding section S3 that stores the fourth lens 16, and a fifth storage / holding section S5 that stores the sixth lens 18, and the inner diameter of the space S decreases stepwise from the first storage / holding section S1 to the fifth storage / holding section S5. The fifth lens 17 is stored straddling the fourth storage / holding section S4 and the fifth storage / holding section S5. A stepped surface that protrudes radially inward is provided between the storage / holding sections adjacent to each other in the axial direction of the lens barrel 12.

[0026] Furthermore, an inner flange portion 24 having an opening with a diameter smaller than that of sixth lens 18 is provided at the end (the lower end in FIG. 1) of lens barrel 12 on the image side. By this inner flange portion 24 and crimped portion 23, multiple lenses 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18 and diaphragm members 22a and 22b constituting lens group L within lens barrel 12 are held and fixed in the optical axis direction. An outer flange portion 25 is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the lens barrel 12 in the shape of a brim and is used when installing the lens barrel 12 on a vehicle-mounted camera.

[0027] In this embodiment, the number of lenses, the materials of the lenses and the lens barrel, etc. can be set arbitrarily according to the application, etc. In this embodiment, the two fifth and sixth lenses 17, 18 located on the image side are laminated lenses 30, but this is not necessary. Note that the surfaces of these lenses 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 are provided with an anti-reflection film, a hydrophilic film, a water-repellent film, etc., as necessary.

[0028] Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a camera module 300 of this embodiment having the lens unit 11 shown in Fig. 1. As shown in the figure, the camera module 300 is configured to include the lens unit 11 to which a filter 105 is attached.

[0029] The camera module 300 includes an upper case (camera case) 301, which is an exterior component, and a mount (base) 302 that holds the lens unit 11. The camera module 300 also includes a seal member 303 and a package sensor (imaging element) 304.

[0030] Upper case 301 is a member that exposes the object side end of lens unit 11 and covers other portions. Mount 302 is disposed inside upper case 301, and has female threads 302a that screw into male threads 11a of lens unit 11. Sealing member 303 is a member that is interposed between the inner surface of upper case 301 and the outer circumferential surface of barrel 12 of lens unit 11, and is a member that maintains airtightness inside upper case 301.

[0031] Package sensor 304 is disposed inside mount 302, and is disposed at a position where it receives an image of an object formed by lens unit 11. Package sensor 304 also includes a CCD, CMOS, or the like, and converts the light that is collected and reaches it through lens unit 11 into an electrical signal. The converted electrical signal is then converted into analog data or digital data, which is a component of image data captured by the camera.

[0032] In the lens unit 11 and camera module 300 configured as described above, as shown in FIG. 3, the lens barrel 12, in a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the optical axis O, has three to six support portions 41 that protrude radially inward from an imaginary circle K having a diameter larger than the diameter of the lens and are arranged at equal intervals around the circumference, and the outer peripheral surface of the lens is pressed against the support portions 41.

[0033] 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of lens barrel 12 cut along a plane perpendicular to optical axis O. Here, of lenses 13-18, third lens 15 housed in third housing / holding portion S3 will be described as lens 40 to represent the third lens 15. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 41 denotes a support portion. Support portion 41 protrudes radially inward from an imaginary circle K having a diameter larger than the diameter of lens 40.

[0034] The imaginary circle K is a circle centered on the optical axis O, and a predetermined gap is provided between the imaginary circle K and the outer circumferential circle of the lens 40. Therefore, the lens 40 fits within the imaginary circle K without coming into contact with the imaginary circle K. In this embodiment, there are six support parts 41, and the six support parts 41 are disposed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the imaginary circle K. That is, the support parts 41 are disposed at intervals of 60° in the circumferential direction of the imaginary circle K. Note that the number of support parts 41 may be any number within the range of 3 to 6. The support portion 41 is formed by a first chord 41b having both end points 41a, 41a on an imaginary circle K. The length of the first chord 41b is set to be the same in all (six) support portions 41. The outer peripheral surface of the lens 40 is pressed against the support portion 41 formed by the first chord 41b. (Since FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view, the outer peripheral line of the lens 40 is pressed against the support portion 41.)

[0035] Furthermore, the lens barrel 12 includes a plurality of restricting portions 42 that protrude radially inward from an imaginary circle K in a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the optical axis O and have a shorter protruding length from the imaginary circle K than the support portions 41, and the restricting portions 42 are arranged in a well-balanced manner in the circumferential direction of the imaginary circle K. In this embodiment, there are six restricting portions 42, and the restricting portions 42 are arranged between the support portions 41, 41 that are adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction. In other words, like the support portions 41, the restricting portions 42 are arranged at equal intervals of 60° in the circumferential direction of the imaginary circle K, and are arranged in the center between the support portions 41, 41.

[0036] Here, arranging the plurality of restricting portions 42 in a well-balanced manner in the circumferential direction of the imaginary circle K does not mean, as described above, arranging six restricting portions 42 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the imaginary circle K. For example, three restricting portions 42 may be arranged at equal intervals of 120° in the circumferential direction of the imaginary circle K, four restricting portions 42 may be arranged at equal intervals of 90° in the circumferential direction of the imaginary circle K, or seven or more restricting portions may be arranged at equal or unequal intervals in the circumferential direction of the imaginary circle K, but the restricting portions 42 are arranged between the support portions 41, 41 adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction so as not to overlap the support portions 41.

[0037] In this embodiment, the restriction portions 42 are configured by second strings 42b having both end points 42a, 42a on an imaginary circle K. The lengths of the second strings 42b are set to be the same in all (six) restriction portions 42. Then, when the lens 40 is incorporated in the lens barrel 12, the outer peripheral surface of the lens 40 does not abut against the restricting portion 42 formed by the second chord 42b (since FIG. 3 is a cross section, the outer peripheral line of the lens 40 does not abut against the restricting portion 42), and a predetermined gap is provided between the restricting portion 42 and the lens 40. The protruding length of the restricting portion 42 from the imaginary circle K is adjusted so that the restricting portion 42 does not come into pressure contact with the lens 40 even if the lens 40 thermally expands at high temperatures, and so that even if the lens 40 moves in the radial direction, the lens 40 abuts against the restricting portion 42 and further movement is restricted.

[0038] That is, due to manufacturing errors and the like, the inner diameter surface (inner peripheral surface) of the resin barrel 12 is not a perfect circle in a cross-sectional view, and is likely to become an ellipse. For this reason, some of the support parts 41 may not be pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the lens 40, and a slight gap may occur between the support parts 41 and the lens 40. In this case, the position of the lens 40 due to the pressing (press-fitting) is not stable, and the lens 30 moves in the radial direction, causing eccentricity in the lens. In response to this, the protruding length of the restricting portion 42 from the imaginary circle K is adjusted so that even if the lens 40 moves in the radial direction, the lens 40 comes into contact with the restricting portion 42 and is restricted from moving any further.

[0039] 3, an arc that is a part of the imaginary circle K is disposed between the support portion 41 and the restriction portion 42 that are adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction, and this arc connects the support portion 41 and the restriction portion 42. In other words, the support portion 41 and the restriction portion 42 are each formed by a flat surface that extends in the optical axis O direction (a direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 3), and these flat surfaces are connected to each other by an arc surface.

[0040] As described above, according to this embodiment, when viewed in a cross section perpendicular to the optical axis, the lens barrel 12 has six support parts 41 that protrude radially inward from an imaginary circle K having a diameter larger than the diameter of the lens 40 and are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, and the outer peripheral surface of the lens 40 is pressed against the support parts 41, so that eccentricity of the lens 40 due to thermal expansion can be suppressed, and during thermal expansion, the lens 40 receives force from the lens barrel 12 only from six points on the outer peripheral surface of the lens 40, so that less stress is generated in the lens 40 compared to the conventional case, and as a result, deformation of the lens 40 due to thermal expansion can be suppressed. Furthermore, the lens barrel 12 includes six restricting portions 42 that protrude radially inward from an imaginary circle K in a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the optical axis O and have a length of protrusion from the imaginary circle K shorter than that of the support portions 41, and the six restricting portions 42 are arranged in a well-balanced manner in the circumferential direction of the imaginary circle, so that even if the lens 40 moves in the radial direction, the lens 40 comes into contact with the restricting portions 42 and is restricted from moving any further. Therefore, decentering of the lens 40 can be suppressed.

[0041] Second embodiment 4 shows the second embodiment, and is a schematic cross-sectional view of barrel 12 cut along a plane perpendicular to optical axis O. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the configurations of the support section and the restriction section, and other configurations are similar to those of the first embodiment. Therefore, the following describes the configurations of the support section and the restriction section, and a description of other configurations is omitted.

[0042] In this embodiment, the multiple support portions 51 are configured by first protrusions that protrude radially inward from the imaginary circle K. There are six support portions 51, and the six support portions 51 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the imaginary circle K. In other words, the support portions 51 are arranged at 60° intervals in the circumferential direction of the imaginary circle K. The number of support portions 51 may be any number within the range of 3 to 6. In the present embodiment, the support portions 51 are configured by first protrusions that are rectangular in cross section, but may be configured by first protrusions that are arc-shaped or semi-elliptical. In other words, the support portions 51 may have any shape as long as they protrude radially inward from the imaginary circle K. The outer peripheral surface of the lens 40 is pressed against the support portion 51 formed by the rectangular first protrusion. (Since FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view, the outer peripheral line of the lens 40 is pressed against the support portion 51.)

[0043] Moreover, in this embodiment, the plurality of restricting portions 52 are configured by second protruding portions protruding radially inward from the imaginary circle K in a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the optical axis. Moreover, the restricting portions 52 have a shorter protruding length from the imaginary circle K than the support portions 51. Moreover, in this embodiment, the restricting portions 52 are formed in a rectangular shape in a cross-sectional view, but may be formed in an arc shape or a semi-elliptical shape. In other words, the restricting portions 52 may have any shape as long as they protrude radially inward from the imaginary circle K.

[0044] Then, when lens 40 is incorporated in lens barrel 12, the outer peripheral surface of lens 40 does not abut on restricting portion 52 formed by the second protrusion (since FIG. 4 is a cross section, the outer peripheral line of lens 40 does not abut on restricting portion 52), and a predetermined gap is provided between restricting portion 52 and lens 40. The protruding length of restricting portion 52 from imaginary circle K is adjusted so that restricting portion 52 does not come into pressure contact with lens 40 even if lens 40 thermally expands at high temperatures, and so that even if lens 40 moves in the radial direction, lens 40 abuts on restricting portion 52 and further movement is restricted.

[0045] 4, an arc that is a part of an imaginary circle K is disposed between supporting portion 51 and restricting portion 52 that are adjacent in the circumferential direction, and this arc connects supporting portion 51 and restricting portion 52. In other words, supporting portion 51 and restricting portion 52 are each formed by a rectangular prism extending in the direction of optical axis O (a direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 4), and these rectangular prisms are connected to each other by arc surfaces, that is, arc surfaces that form the inner diameter surface of lens barrel 12.

[0046] According to this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, in a cross-sectional view of the lens barrel 12 perpendicular to the optical axis, the lens barrel 12 has six support portions 51 that protrude radially inward from an imaginary circle K having a diameter larger than the diameter of the lens 40 and are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, and the outer peripheral surface of the lens 40 is pressed against the support portions 51, so that decentering of the lens 40 due to thermal expansion can be suppressed, and during thermal expansion, the lens 40 receives force from the lens barrel 12 only from six points on the outer peripheral surface of the lens 40, so that less stress is generated compared to the conventional case, and as a result, deformation of the lens 40 due to thermal expansion can be suppressed. Furthermore, the lens barrel 12 includes six restricting portions 52 that protrude radially inward from an imaginary circle K in a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the optical axis O and have a length of protrusion from the imaginary circle K shorter than that of the support portions 51, and the six restricting portions 52 are arranged in a well-balanced manner in the circumferential direction of the imaginary circle, so that even if the lens 40 moves in the radial direction, the lens 40 comes into contact with the restricting portions 52 and is restricted from moving any further. Therefore, decentering of the lens 40 can be suppressed.

[0047] In the first and second embodiments described above, an example has been described in which support portions 41, 51 and regulating portions 42, 52 are provided in the third housing / holding portion S3 that houses the third lens 15 (lens 40 has been described as a representative example). However, support portions 41, 51 and regulating portions 42, 52 may be similarly provided in the housing / holding portion S2 that holds the second lens 14, the housing / holding portion S4 that houses the fourth lens 16, and the housing / holding portion S5 that houses and holds the sixth lens 18.

[0048] In addition, support parts 41, 51 and regulating parts 42, 52 may be provided in appropriately selected storage and holding parts S2 to S5, and the other storage and holding parts not selected may not be provided with support parts 41, 51 and regulating parts 42, 52, but instead may be provided with an inner circumferential surface having a polygonal shape of octagon or more as in the conventional manner, and the outer circumferential surface of the lens may be pressed against the inner circumferential surface. In short, when the lens is prone to deformation due to thermal expansion, support portions 41, 51 and regulating portions 42, 52 are provided in the storage and holding portion that stores the lens, and when the lens is not prone to deformation due to thermal expansion and positional accuracy of the lens (radial positional accuracy) is required, an inner circumferential surface having a polygonal shape of octagon or more can be provided, and the outer circumferential surface of the lens can be pressed against the inner circumferential surface.

[0049] Furthermore, if the inner diameter surface (inner circumferential surface) of the lens barrel 12 that holds the lens is almost a perfect circle when viewed in cross section, and it is considered that there is almost no radial movement of the lens 40, then the lens barrel 12 only needs to be equipped with support portions 41, 51, and does not need to be equipped with regulating members 42, 52. Furthermore, the first housing / holding portion S1 that houses the first lens 13 is formed in a cylindrical surface shape, but the support portions 41, 51 and the restriction portions 42, 52 may be provided on this first housing / holding portion S1.

[0050] FIG. 5 shows a vehicle 240 as a moving body on which an in-vehicle system (imaging system) including an imaging device 250 including the camera module 300 shown in FIG. 2 is mounted. As shown in the figure, the imaging device 250 can be mounted on the vehicle 240, and FIG. 5 shows 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 places on the vehicle 240. For example, the first imaging device 250a may be disposed on or near the front bumper as a camera that monitors the front when the vehicle 240 is traveling. The second imaging device 250b that monitors the front may be disposed near the room mirror (inner rearview mirror) in the vehicle cabin of the vehicle 240. The third imaging device 250c may be disposed on the dashboard or in the instrument panel as a camera that monitors the driving situation of the driver. The fourth imaging device 250d may be installed at the rear of the vehicle 240 for rear monitoring of the vehicle 240. The imaging devices 250a and 250b may be called front cameras. The third imaging device 250c may be called an in-camera. The fourth imaging device 250d may be called a rear camera. The imaging device 250 is not limited to these, and may include imaging devices installed at 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.

[0051] An image signal of an image captured by the imaging device 250 may be output to an information processing device 242 and / or a display device 243 in the vehicle 240. The information processing device 242 and the display device 243, together with the imaging device 250, constitute an in-vehicle system. The information processing device 242 in the vehicle 240 includes a device that processes an image signal acquired by the imaging device 250, recognizes the image, and assists the driver in driving. The information processing device 242 includes, but is not limited to, a navigation device, a collision damage mitigation brake device, a vehicle distance control device, and a lane departure warning device. The display device 243 displays an image processed and output by the information processing device 242, but can also receive an image signal directly from the imaging device 250. The display device 243 may employ, but is not limited to, a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, and an inorganic EL display. The display device 243 can display to the driver an image signal output from an imaging device 250 that captures an image from a position that is difficult for the driver to view, such as a rear camera.

[0052] Fig. 6 shows the configuration of an imaging device constituting the in-vehicle system of Fig. 5. As shown in the figure, imaging device 250 according to one embodiment includes control unit 252, storage unit 254, and camera module 300 shown in Fig. 2 described above.

[0053] The control unit 252 controls the camera module 300 and processes an electrical signal output from the image sensor 304 of the camera module 300. The control unit 252 may be configured as a processor, for example. The control unit 252 may include one or more processors. The processor may include a general-purpose processor that loads a specific program to execute a specific function, and a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process. The dedicated processor may include an application-specific integrated circuit (IC). An application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) may also be called an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The processor may include a programmable logic device. The programmable logic device may also be called a programmable logic device (PLD). The PLD may include a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). The control unit 252 may be either a system-on-a-chip (SoC) in which one or more processors work together, or a system in a package (SiP).

[0054] 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 or the like. 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 and the like 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.

[0055] As described above, the camera module 300 captures an object 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 a captured image.

[0056] The image sensor 304 may be configured, for example, as a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor or a charge coupled device (CCD). The image sensor 304 has an imaging surface on which a plurality of pixels are arranged. Each pixel outputs a signal specified by a current or voltage according to the amount of incident light. The signal output by each pixel is also referred to as imaging data.

[0057] The imaging data may be read by the camera module 300 for all pixels and taken into the control unit 252 as a captured image. The captured image read out for all pixels is also referred to as a maximum captured image. The imaging data may be read by the camera module 300 for some pixels and taken into the control unit 252 as a captured image. In other words, the imaging data may be read out from pixels in a predetermined capture range. The imaging data read out from pixels in the predetermined capture range may be taken into the control unit 252 as a captured image. The predetermined capture range may be set by the control unit 252. The camera module 300 may obtain the predetermined capture range from the control unit 252. The imaging element 304 may capture an image of a predetermined capture range of a subject image formed through the lens unit 11.

[0058] Although the present invention has been described above in relation to specific embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the shapes of the lenses, lens barrels, etc., in the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments. Furthermore, some or all of the above-mentioned embodiments may be combined, or part of the configuration may be omitted from one of the above-mentioned embodiments, without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 11 Lens unit 12 Telescope tube 13,14,15(40),16,17,40 Lenses 41,51 Support part 41b 1st string 42,52 Regulatory Department 42b 2nd string 240 Vehicles (mobile) 242 Information processing equipment (processing equipment) 243 Display device 250 Imaging Device 252 Control section 300 Camera Module O optical axis S Retaining part

Claims

1. A lens unit including a plurality of resin lenses arranged along an optical axis and a resin barrel that houses and holds the plurality of lenses, the lens barrel includes three to six support parts that protrude radially inward from an imaginary circle having a diameter larger than a diameter of the lens and are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction in a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the optical axis, and a plurality of restricting parts that protrude radially inward from the imaginary circle in a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the optical axis and have a protruding length from the imaginary circle shorter than that of the support parts, The outer peripheral surface of the lens is pressed against the support portion, The lens unit according to claim 1, wherein the support portions and the restriction portions are alternately arranged in a circumferential direction of the imaginary circle.

2. A lens unit as described in claim 1, characterized in that the support portion is formed by a first chord of the same length having both end points on the virtual circle, and the regulating portion is formed by a second chord of the same length having both end points on the virtual circle.

3. A lens unit as described in claim 1, characterized in that the support portion is constituted by a first protrusion portion protruding radially inward from the virtual circle, and the regulating portion is constituted by a second protrusion portion protruding radially inward from the virtual circle.

4. A camera module comprising the lens unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. an imaging device comprising: the camera module according to claim 4; and a control unit that controls the camera module and processes an electrical signal output from the imaging element of the camera module; a processing device that processes an image signal acquired by the imaging device; a display device that displays an image that has been processed and output by the processing device; An imaging system comprising:

6. 6. A vehicle equipped with the imaging system according to claim 5, wherein information is output to a passenger by the display device.

Images