Imaging device

Abstract

To provide an imaging device with which it is possible to electrically connect two circuit boards by an inexpensive structure.SOLUTION: An imaging device 1 comprises: a front case 10 to which a lens barrel 3 is attached; a rear case 20 located side by side to the front case 10; a waterproof packing 41 for sealing between the front case 10 and the rear case 20; a first circuit board 51 secured to the front case 10 with its position adjusted on an XY plane; and a second circuit board 52 located side by side to the first circuit board 51. The second circuit board 52 includes a connector 55 that fits to a connector 54 of the first circuit board 51. The waterproof packing 41 is accommodated in a recess 17 that is formed on an opposing surface 16 of the front case 10. The rear case 20 includes a contact part 26 that comes into contact with the opposing surface 16 of the front case 10. A width WRA,WRB of the contact part 26 of the rear case 20 is larger by a tolerable movement amount TA,TB than a width WFA,WFB of the recess 17 of the front case 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an imaging device, and more particularly to an imaging device including two circuit boards. [Background technology]

[0002] In general, in an imaging device such as a camera, an imaging element, a lens, etc. are housed inside a housing consisting of, for example, two cases (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In recent years, the number of electric components built into a camera has increased, and therefore, it is becoming common for multiple circuit boards to be housed inside the housing. In this case, since the circuit board on which the imaging element is mounted needs to be aligned with the optical axis of the lens, it is conceivable that the positions of the two circuit boards will be misaligned in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis.

[0003] Conventionally, a rigid-flexible board having a deformable bent portion has been used as a structure for electrically connecting two circuit boards that may be misaligned in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis. When such a rigid-flexible board is used, the bent portion can absorb the misalignment between the two circuit boards. However, such a rigid-flexible board is expensive compared to a general connector structure. For this reason, there is a demand for a technology that can electrically connect two circuit boards in a housing of an imaging device with a cheaper configuration. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-162556 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the problems with the conventional technology, and has an object to provide an imaging device that can electrically connect two circuit boards with an inexpensive configuration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an imaging device capable of electrically connecting two circuit boards with an inexpensive configuration. The imaging device includes a lens barrel that holds at least one lens, a first case to which the lens barrel is attached, a second case that is arranged alongside the first case along a first direction, a sealing member that seals between the first case and the second case, a first circuit board that is fixed to the first case at a position adjusted in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and a second circuit board that is arranged alongside the first circuit board along the first direction. The first circuit board has an imaging element that is arranged at a position where light that has passed through the at least one lens forms an image, and a first connector that is electrically connected to the imaging element. The second circuit board has a second connector that fits into the first connector of the first circuit board and is electrically connected to the first connector, and a third connector that is electrically connected to the second connector. 。 The first case faces the second case and has an opposing surface in which a recess for accommodating the sealing member is formed. above The second case has a connector holding portion that holds the third connector of the second circuit board, and an abutment portion that abuts against the opposing surface of the first case in the first direction. The first case further has a first protective wall extending in the first direction from the opposing surface and covering an outer side of the abutment portion of the second case in the second direction. The width of the abutment portion of the second case in the second direction is larger than the width of the recess of the first case in the second direction by a first allowable movement amount. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an imaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the imaging device shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the imaging device shown in FIG. [Figure 4A] 4A is a perspective view showing a front case of the imaging device shown in FIG. [Figure 4B] FIG. 4B is a rear view of the front case shown in FIG. 4A. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a front view showing a rear case of the imaging device shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment of an imaging device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to Figs. 1 to 5. In Figs. 1 to 5, identical or corresponding components are denoted with the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted. In Figs. 1 to 5, the scale or dimensions of each component may be exaggerated or some components may be omitted. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish components from each other, and do not indicate a specific order or sequence.

[0009] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an imaging device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view, and Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view. As shown in Figs. 1 to 3, imaging device 1 has a housing 2 composed of a front case 10 (first case) and a rear case 20 (second case), and a lens barrel 3 attached to the front case 10. Note that in this embodiment, for convenience, the +Z direction in Fig. 1 will be referred to as "front" or "forward", and the -Z direction will be referred to as "rear" or "rear".

[0010] Fig. 4A is a perspective view of the front case 10, and Fig. 4B is a rear view of the front case shown in Fig. 4A. As shown in Figs. 2, 4A, and 4B, the front case 10 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped base 11 and a cylindrical portion 12 extending from the base 11 in the +Z direction. As shown in Fig. 2, the lens barrel 3 is fixed to an opening 12A on the inside of the cylindrical portion 12 of the front case 10 via an O-ring 42 (see Fig. 3). An accommodation space 11A is formed inside the base 11 of the front case 10 to accommodate a circuit board 51 described later. In addition, legs 13 extending in the -Z direction are formed at the four corners of the base 11 of the front case 10, and a screw hole 14 is formed in each of the legs 13.

[0011] 3, the lens barrel 3 includes six lenses 31-36, an IR cut filter 37 that cuts out light with infrared wavelengths, and a lens barrel 38 that holds the lenses 31-36 and the IR cut filter 37. An O-ring 43 is disposed between the lens 31 and the lens barrel 38.

[0012] 2, the rear case 20 has a rectangular frame-shaped base 21 and a connector connection portion 22 extending in the -Z direction from the base 21. An accommodation space 21A for accommodating a circuit board 52 (described later) is formed inside the base 21 of the rear case 20. Insertion holes 23 extending in the Z direction are formed in the four corners of the base 21 of the rear case 20.

[0013] When fixing the rear case 20 to the front case 10, the front case 10 and the rear case 20 are arranged side by side in the Z direction (first direction), and screws 40 (see FIG. 1) are inserted into the insertion holes 23 of the rear case 20. Then, the screws 40 are screwed into the screw holes 14 of the front case 10. As a result, the rear case 20 is fixed to the front case 10 as shown in FIG. 1. At this time, as shown in FIG. 3, a waterproof packing 41 (sealing member) that seals the gap between the front case 10 and the rear case 20 is arranged between them, and the space formed between the front case 10 and the rear case 20 is sealed from the outside.

[0014] As shown in Fig. 2, two circuit boards 51, 52 arranged side by side in the Z direction are housed in a space (11A, 21A) formed between the front case 10 and the rear case 20. An imaging element 53 is mounted on the surface of the first circuit board 51 on the +Z direction side. This imaging element 53 is disposed at a position where light that has passed through the lenses in the lens barrel 3 is coupled. Also, as shown in Fig. 3, a connector 54 (first connector) electrically connected to the imaging element 53 is provided on the surface of the first circuit board 51 on the -Z direction side.

[0015] A connector 55 (second connector) that fits and is electrically connected to the connector 54 of the first circuit board 51 is provided on the surface of the second circuit board 52 on the +Z direction side. Furthermore, a substantially cylindrical connector 56 (third connector) that is electrically connected to the connector 55 is provided on the surface of the second circuit board 52 on the -Z direction side.

[0016] FIG. 5 is a front view showing the rear case 20. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, a connector hole 24 for inserting the connector 56 of the second circuit board 52 is formed in the base 21 of the rear case 20. As shown in FIG. 3, a cylindrical connector holding portion 25 for holding the connector 56 of the second circuit board 52 is formed on the -Z direction side of the connector hole 24. The connector 56 of the second circuit board 52 is inserted into the inside of the connector holding portion 25 through the connector hole 24 of the rear case 20, and its end protrudes from the connector holding portion 25 in the -Z direction. The outer diameter of the connector 56 of the second circuit board 52 is approximately the same as the inner diameter of the connector holding portion 25 of the rear case 20, and the second circuit board 52 and the rear case 20 are moved together on the XY plane by the engagement of the connector 56 with the connector holding portion 25.

[0017] A mating connector (not shown) provided at an end of a signal line extending from a control unit (not shown) is connected to the connector 56 of the second circuit board 52 protruding in the -Z direction from the connector holding portion 25. The connector 56 of the second circuit board 52 has a terminal 56A extending in the -Z direction, and when the mating connector is connected to the connector 56, the terminal 56A is connected to the signal line extending from the control unit. As a result, the imaging element 53 on the first circuit board 51 is connected to the control unit via the connectors 54, 55, 56 and the signal line.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 2, the first circuit board 51 has an insertion hole 51A, and the front case 10 has a screw hole 15 corresponding to the insertion hole 51A, as shown in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B. The first circuit board 51 is attached to the front case 10 by inserting a screw (not shown) into the insertion hole 51A of the first circuit board 51 and screwing the screw into the screw hole 15 of the front case 10. Here, since the imaging element 53 mounted on the first circuit board 51 needs to be aligned with the optical axis of the lenses 31 to 36 in the lens barrel 3, the inner diameter of the insertion hole 51A of the first circuit board 51 is larger than the outer diameter of the screw. This allows the first circuit board 51 to be fixed to the front case 10 while adjusting the position of the first circuit board 51 on the XY plane.

[0019] 4A and 4B, the front case 10 has an opposing surface 16 that extends to surround the storage space 11A inside the base 11. This opposing surface 16 includes an opposing surface 16A that extends in the X direction and an opposing surface 16B that extends in the Y direction. A recess 17 that accommodates the above-mentioned waterproof packing 41 is formed around the entire periphery of the opposing surface 16. The recess 17 includes a recess 17A that extends in the X direction and a recess 17B that extends in the Y direction.

[0020] 5, the rear case 20 has an abutment portion 26 that protrudes in the +Z direction so as to surround the storage space 21A inside the base 21. This abutment portion 26 includes an abutment portion 26A extending in the X direction and an abutment portion 26B extending in the Y direction. When the rear case 20 is fixed to the front case 10, the abutment portion 26 of the rear case 20 faces and abuts against the opposing surface 16 of the front case 10 in the Z direction.

[0021] The contact portion 26A of the rear case 20 contacts the opposing surface 16A of the front case 10. The contact portion 26A of the rear case 20 has a width W RA (See FIG. 5) is the width W of the recess 17A of the front case 10 along the Y direction. FA (See FIG. 4B) A Similarly, the abutment portion 26B of the rear case 20 abuts against the opposing surface 16B of the front case 10, but the width W RB (See FIG. 5) is the width W of the recess 17B of the front case 10 along the X direction. FB (See FIG. 4B) B It's just getting bigger.

[0022] Allowable travel amount T A is the amount of movement from the design position that is permitted for the first circuit board 51 in the Y direction (which can be called the second direction with respect to the first direction, for example) during alignment, and can be, for example, about 0.3 mm. B is the amount of movement from the design position that is permitted for the first circuit board 51 in the X direction (which can be called the third direction with respect to the first direction, for example) during alignment, and can be, for example, about 0.3 mm. In this embodiment, the allowable movement amount T A and allowable movement T B are set equal to each other, but they may be different. Y The width W of the recess 17A of the front case 10 extending in the direction FA and XThe width W of the recess 17B of the front case 10 extending in the direction FB and are set equal to each other, but they may be different. Y The width W of the contact portion 26A of the rear case 20 extending in the direction RA and X The width W of the contact portion 26A of the rear case 20 extending in the direction RB are equal to each other, but they may be different.

[0023] When assembling such an imaging device 1, first, the first circuit board 51 is screwed to the front case 10 while adjusting the position of the first circuit board 51 on the XY plane in order to align the imaging element 53. After that, the connector 55 of the second circuit board 52 is fitted to the connector 54 of the first circuit board 51. Next, the connector 56 of the second circuit board 52 is inserted into the connector hole 24 and the inside of the connector holding portion 25 of the rear case 20, and the connector 56 of the second circuit board 52 is fitted to the connector holding portion 25 of the rear case 20. Finally, the screw 40 is inserted through the insertion hole 23 of the rear case 20 and screwed into the screw hole 14 of the front case 10 to fix the rear case 20 to the front case 10.

[0024] As described above, the connector 54 of the first circuit board 51 and the connector 55 of the second circuit board 52 are fitted to each other, and the connector 56 of the second circuit board 52 and the connector holding portion 25 of the rear case 20 are fitted to each other. Therefore, when the first circuit board 51 is moved on the XY plane and fixed to the front case 10 in order to align the imaging element 53, the positions of the second circuit board 52 and the rear case 20 on the XY plane relative to the front case 10 will be shifted from their designed positions. However, in this embodiment, even if the positions of the second circuit board 52 and the rear case 20 on the XY plane relative to the front case 10 are shifted from their designed positions, the waterproof packing 41 seals the gap between the front case 10 and the rear case 20.

[0025] For example, when the first circuit board 51 is moved in the Y direction from the designed position and fixed, the rear case 20 is also moved in the Y direction from the designed position and fixed to the front case 10. However, as described above, the width W RA (See FIG. 5) is the width W of the recess 17A of the front case 10. FA (See Fig. 4B) A Since the movement of the first circuit board 51 is larger than the allowable movement T A If it is less than this, recess 17A of front case 10 is always blocked by contact portion 26A of rear case 20, and the space within recess 17A does not communicate with the outside, so that the sealing by waterproof packing 41 can be maintained.

[0026] Similarly, when the first circuit board 51 is moved in the X direction from the design position and fixed, the rear case 20 is also moved in the X direction from the design position and fixed to the front case 10. However, as described above, the width W RB (See FIG. 5) is the width W of the recess 17B of the front case 10. FB (See Fig. 4B) B Since the movement of the first circuit board 51 is larger than the allowable movement T B If it is less than this, recess 17B of front case 10 is always blocked by contact portion 26B of rear case 20, and the space within recess 17A is not exposed to the outside, so that the sealing by waterproof packing 41 can be maintained.

[0027] Furthermore, since water easily enters the recess 17A when water or the like is directly applied to the contact portion 26 of the rear case 20 from the outside, it is preferable to provide the front case 10 with a protective wall 19 that covers the outside of the contact portion 26 of the rear case 20. The front case 10 in this embodiment is provided with a protective wall 19A (e.g., a first protective wall) that covers the outside of the contact portion 26A of the rear case 20 in the Y direction, and a protective wall 19B (e.g., a second protective wall) that covers the outside of the contact portion 26B of the rear case 20 in the X direction.

[0028] In addition, the protective wall 19A is arranged so that the rear case 20 is prevented from moving by a permissible amount T in the Y direction from the designed position. A Even if the protective wall 19A moves Inside is preferably configured to be positioned outside the outer surface of the rear case 20 so that the outer surface of the rear case 20 does not protrude from the outer surface of the front case 10. Similarly, the protective wall 19B is configured to be positioned outside the outer surface of the rear case 20 so that the outer surface of the rear case 20 does not protrude from the outer surface of the front case 10. B Even if the protective wall 19B moves only Inside It is preferable that the rear case 20 is configured so that the rear case 20 is positioned outside the outer surface of the front case 10 and the outer surface of the rear case 20 does not protrude from the outer surface of the front case 10.

[0029] Here, a mating connector structure in which connectors are mated with each other to connect them can be obtained more cheaply than the above-mentioned rigid-flexible board. In this embodiment, the connector 54 of the first circuit board 51 and the connector 55 of the second circuit board 52 are configured with such an inexpensive mating connector structure. Even if such an inexpensive mating connector structure is adopted, as described above, the amount of movement of the front case 10 in the Y direction and the X direction is limited to the allowable movement amount T A ,T B If it is less than this, the recess 17 housing the waterproof packing 41 can always be blocked by the abutment portion 26 of the rear case 20, so that the space within the recess 17 is not in communication with the outside, and sealing by the waterproof packing 41 can be maintained. Thus, according to this embodiment, the two circuit boards 51, 52 can be electrically connected using a mating connector structure (connectors 54, 55) which is less expensive than a rigid-flexible board.

[0030] In this embodiment, the base 11 of the front case 10 and the base 21 of the rear case 20 are rectangular parallelepiped-shaped, but the shapes of the base 11 of the front case 10 and the base 21 of the rear case 20 are not limited to this and may be cylindrical, for example. In this case, if the width of the abutment portion 26 of the rear case 20 in any radial direction is larger than the width of the recess 17 of the front case 10 by a predetermined allowable movement amount, sealing by the waterproof packing 41 can be maintained.

[0031] As described above, according to one aspect of the present invention, an imaging device capable of electrically connecting two circuit boards with an inexpensive configuration is provided. The imaging device includes a lens barrel that holds at least one lens, a first case to which the lens barrel is attached, a second case arranged in line with the first case along a first direction, a sealing member that seals between the first case and the second case, a first circuit board fixed to the first case at a position adjusted in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and a second circuit board arranged in line with the first circuit board along the first direction. The first circuit board has an imaging element arranged at a position where light passing through the at least one lens forms an image, and a first connector electrically connected to the imaging element. The second circuit board has a second connector that fits with the first connector of the first circuit board and is electrically connected to the first connector, and a third connector electrically connected to the second connector. The first case faces the second case and has an opposing surface having a recess formed therein for accommodating the sealing member. The second case has a connector holding portion for holding the third connector of the second circuit board and an abutting portion for abutting the opposing surface of the first case in the first direction. The width of the abutting portion of the second case in the second direction is larger than the width of the recess of the first case in the second direction by a first allowable movement amount.

[0032] According to this configuration, even when the first circuit board is attached to the first case while adjusting the position of the first circuit board for centering the imaging element, and the first connector of the first circuit board and the second connector of the second circuit board are connected by a fitting structure, if the movement amount of the first circuit board in the second direction is less than the first allowable movement amount, the recess in which the sealing member is housed can always be blocked by the abutting portion of the second case. Therefore, the space in the recess is not connected to the outside, and the sealing by the sealing member can be maintained. Thus, according to the present invention, two circuit boards can be electrically connected using a fitting type connector structure that is less expensive than a rigid-flexible board.

[0033] In order to prevent water or the like from splashing directly on the contact portion of the second case from the outside, it is preferable that the first case further has a first protective wall that covers the outside of the contact portion of the second case in the second direction. In this case, the first protective wall is such that the first protective wall does not fall off even when the second case moves in the second direction from the design position by the first allowable movement amount. Inside is preferably configured to be positioned outside the outer surface of the second case so that the outer surface of the second case does not protrude from the outer surface of the first case.

[0034] The first circuit board may be fixed to the first case at a position adjusted in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction, and a width of the abutment portion of the second case in the third direction may be greater than a width of the recess of the first case in the third direction by a second allowable movement amount.

[0035] According to this configuration, even when the first circuit board is attached to the first case while adjusting the position of the first circuit board for centering the imaging element, and the first connector of the first circuit board and the second connector of the second circuit board are connected by a fitting structure, the recess in which the sealing member is housed can always be blocked by the abutting portion of the second case as long as the movement amount of the first circuit board in the third direction is less than the second allowable movement amount. Therefore, the space within the recess is not connected to the outside, and sealing by the sealing member can be maintained.

[0036] In order to prevent water or the like from being directly splashed on the contact portion of the second case from the outside, it is preferable that the first case further has a second protective wall that covers the outside of the contact portion of the second case in the third direction. In this case, the second protective wall is such that the second protective wall does not move even when the second case moves in the third direction from the design position by the second allowable movement amount. Inside is preferably configured to be positioned outside the outer surface of the second case so that the outer surface of the second case does not protrude from the outer surface of the first case.

[0037] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and may be embodied in various different forms within the scope of the technical concept thereof. [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] 1. Imaging device 2. Housing 3 Lens barrel 10 Front case (first case) 11 Base 12 Cylindrical part 16 Opposite Surface 17 Recess 19 Protective wall 20 Rear case 21 Base 22 Connector connection part 25 Connector holder 26 Contact part 31~36 Lens 37 IR cut filter 38 Lens barrel 41 Waterproof packing (sealing material) 42,43 O-ring 51 (First) Circuit Board 52 (Second) Circuit Board 53 Image sensor 54 (first) connector 55 (second) connector 56 (Third) Connector

Claims

1. a lens barrel holding at least one lens; a first case to which the lens barrel is attached; a second case arranged next to the first case along a first direction; a sealing member that seals between the first case and the second case; a first circuit board fixed to the first case at a position adjusted in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, an image sensor disposed at a position where light passing through the at least one lens forms an image; a first connector electrically connected to the imaging element; A first circuit board having a second circuit board arranged next to the first circuit board along the first direction, a second connector that mates with the first connector of the first circuit board and is electrically connected to the first connector; a third connector electrically connected to the second connector; A second circuit board having Equipped with the first case has an opposing surface facing the second case and having a recess formed therein for accommodating the sealing member; The second case is a connector holding portion that holds the third connector of the second circuit board; a contact portion that contacts the opposing surface of the first case in the first direction; having the first case further includes a first protective wall extending in the first direction from an outer side of the opposing surface and covering an outer side of the abutment portion of the second case in the second direction; a width of the contact portion of the second case in the second direction is larger than a width of the recess of the first case in the second direction by a first allowable movement amount; Imaging device.

2. 2. The imaging device of claim 1, wherein the first protective wall is configured such that an inner surface of the first protective wall is positioned outside an outer surface of the second case even when the second case moves from a design position in the second direction by the first allowable movement amount.

3. the first circuit board is fixed to the first case at a position adjusted in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction; a width of the contact portion of the second case in the third direction is larger than a width of the recess of the first case in the third direction by a second allowable movement amount; The imaging device according to claim 1 .

4. The imaging device according to claim 3 , wherein the first case further includes a second protective wall extending in the first direction from an outer side of the opposing surface and covering an outer side of the abutment portion of the second case in the third direction.

5. 5. The imaging device of claim 4, wherein the second protective wall is configured such that an inner surface of the second protective wall is positioned outside an outer surface of the second case even when the second case moves from a design position in the third direction by the second allowable movement amount.

Images