Imaging device

Abstract

To provide an imaging apparatus capable of suppressing deterioration in product accuracy due to curing shrinkage of an adhesive, and avoiding interference between a lens barrel and a windshield and arranging it close to the windshield.SOLUTION: An imaging apparatus 1 includes a lens barrel 20, a substrate 30, and a case 50. In the imaging apparatus 1, the tip surface 531 of a cylindrical body 53 of the case 50 includes an adhesive portion 531a facing a flange portion 22 via an adhesive GL and a non-adhesive portion 531b facing the flange portion 22 without the adhesive GL interposed outside the adhesive portion 531a. The flange portion 22 of the lens barrel 20 has an upper portion 223 above the central axis CL of the lens barrel 20 and a lower portion 224 below the upper portion 223. At least the upper end portion 223a of the upper portion has a shorter distance from the central axis CL of the lens barrel 20 than the lower portion 224.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an imaging device mounted on a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known an imaging device having a lens barrel in which a lens is housed, a board on which an imager is mounted, and a case that holds the board (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 discloses a method for assembling an imaging device in which an adhesive is applied between a flange provided on the lens barrel and the case, and the adhesive is hardened after focus adjustment, thereby fixing the distance between the lens focal point and the imager. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 9,635,230 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In imaging devices such as those disclosed in Patent Document 1, the level of precision required for the assembly and bonding process in which the lens barrel is bonded to the case is increasing year by year. However, during the assembly and bonding process, shrinkage occurs when the adhesive hardens. This hardening shrinkage affects the product precision of the imaging device and causes a decrease in the product precision of the imaging device.

[0005] Furthermore, it is desirable to place an imaging device mounted on a vehicle close to the windshield. However, in the imaging device shown in Patent Document 1, a flange is provided on the lens barrel for bonding the case to the lens barrel, and interference between the flange and the windshield prevents the imaging device from being placed close to the windshield.

[0006] The present disclosure aims to provide an imaging device that can be placed close to the windshield while suppressing a decrease in product accuracy due to the hardening shrinkage of adhesives and avoiding interference between the lens barrel and the windshield. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The invention described in claim 1 is An imaging device mounted on a vehicle, a lens barrel (20) including a main body (21) in which a lens (LS) is housed and protrusions (22, 23) formed on the outer periphery of the main body and protruding in a direction away from the center of the lens; a substrate (30) on which an imager (31) is mounted; a case (50) for holding the substrate; The lens barrel is installed close to the vehicle's windshield (FG), The case includes an opposing end surface (531) facing the protrusion at a predetermined interval, the opposing end surface has an adhesive portion (531a) facing the protruding portion via an adhesive (GL) and a non-adhesive portion (531b) facing the protruding portion outside the adhesive portion without any adhesive; The protrusion is When the protruding portion is divided into an upper portion (223, 231) located above the central axis of the lens barrel and a lower portion (224, 232) located below the upper portion, at least the upper end portion (223a, 231a) of the upper portion is closer to the central axis of the lens barrel than the lower portion, The flange is configured as an annular flange extending radially from the outer periphery of the main body, The upper part of the flange is configured as a flat end surface extending in the width direction of the vehicle. And, The flange has a flat end on the outside of the case, with the flat end exposed on the windshield side. The opposing end face of the case faces the opposite surface of the flange to the side face on the windshield side.

[0008] In this way, if a non-adhesive portion is provided on the opposing end surface of the case, the thickness of the adhesive between the protrusion of the lens barrel and the non-adhesive portion on the opposing end surface can be measured by measuring the distance between the protrusion and the opposing end surface. In this way, the amount of cure shrinkage of the adhesive can be calculated from the thickness of the adhesive, and by offsetting the position of the lens barrel relative to the case by the amount of cure shrinkage, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the product accuracy of the image pickup device due to adhesive shrinkage.

[0009] In addition, if the upper end portion of the protruding portion of the lens barrel is closer to the central axis of the lens barrel than the lower portion of the protruding portion, the lens barrel is less likely to interfere with the windshield even if the imaging device is placed close to the windshield.

[0010] Therefore, according to the present disclosure, it is possible to suppress a decrease in product accuracy of the imaging device due to hardening shrinkage of the adhesive, and to position the imaging device close to the windshield while avoiding interference between the lens barrel and the windshield.

[0011] The reference symbols in parentheses attached to each component indicate an example of the correspondence between the component and the specific components described in the embodiments described below. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an imaging device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the imaging device. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of a camera module included in the imaging device. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the camera module. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a camera module. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the external shape of a lens barrel of a camera module. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the outer shape of a case of a camera module. [Figure 8] 10A to 10C are explanatory diagrams for explaining a part of the manufacturing process of the camera module. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a camera module included in an imaging device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a camera module included in an imaging device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a camera module included in an imaging device according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view of a camera module included in an imaging device according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a camera module. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a camera module. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, parts that are the same as or equivalent to those described in the preceding embodiments will be given the same reference numerals, and their description may be omitted. Furthermore, in the embodiments, when only some of the components are described, the components described in the preceding embodiments can be applied to the remaining components. The following embodiments can be partially combined with each other, even if not specifically stated, as long as there is no particular problem with the combination.

[0014] (First embodiment) This embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 8. The imaging device 1 shown in Figure 1 is mounted on a vehicle and is capable of capturing images of the exterior of the vehicle. In Figure 1 and other figures, arrows indicating up / down, front / rear, and left / right indicate the up / down direction UD, the front / rear direction FR, and the left / right direction LR when the imaging device 1 is mounted on the vehicle.

[0015] The imaging device 1 includes a camera module 10, a bracket BKT, a hood FD, and an image processing device IP. As shown in Fig. 1, the imaging device 1 is configured such that the camera module 10 and the image processing device IP are separate entities.

[0016] The bracket BKT is a component for disposing the camera module 10 close to the windshield FG, and is fixed to the windshield FG of the vehicle. The bracket BKT is provided with a generally L-shaped hook H for attaching the camera module 10. The camera module 10 is attached to a position close to the windshield FG by hooking a cylindrical attachment pin P provided on the outer surface of the camera module 10 onto the hook H of the bracket BKT.

[0017] The hood FD is a component that suppresses reflection of light from outside the angle of view of the camera module 10. The hood FD is a component made of black resin. As shown in FIG. 2, the hood FD has a trapezoidal bottom wall BW and a pair of side surfaces SW1 and SW2 erected on both the left and right sides of the bottom wall BW. The hood FD is attached to at least one of the camera module 10 and the bracket BKT, and covers the lens LS of the camera module 10 (described below) from below. By positioning the hood FD in this way, light reflected from the vehicle dashboard is blocked.

[0018] The image processing device IP is a device that processes signals of captured images output by the camera module 10, and is composed of a microcomputer including a processor and a memory. The image processing device IP performs, for example, recognition processing to recognize lanes, road shapes, obstacles, signs, etc. based on images captured by the camera module 10, and performs target route generation and vehicle control based on the results of the recognition processing. The image processing device IP is connected to the camera module 10 via a communication line. Note that the image processing device IP may also be connected to the camera module 10 wirelessly.

[0019] Next, the camera module 10 will be described. The camera module 10 is a fixed-focus type in which the distance between the lens LS and the imager 31 is fixed. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the camera module 10 is a monocular camera. In more detail, as shown in Figure 5, the camera module 10 includes a lens barrel 20 that houses the lens LS, a board 30 on which the imager 31 is mounted, and a case 50 that holds the board 30.

[0020] The lens barrel 20 is set at a position close to the windshield FG of the vehicle. The lens barrel 20 includes at least one lens LS, a main body 21 that houses the lens LS, and a flange 22 formed on the outer periphery of the main body 21. The main body 21 and the flange 22 are made of a resin material such as PPS resin. The main body 21 and the flange 22 are formed as an integrally molded product.

[0021] The main body 21 is a member having a substantially cylindrical shape. Although not shown, a through hole for passing light is formed inside the main body 21. The lens LS is disposed in the through hole of the main body 21 so that its center C coincides with the central axis CL of the lens barrel 20. The central axis of the lens barrel 20 is the central axis of the cylindrical portion of the lens barrel 20 including the inner wall to which the lens LS is fixed.

[0022] The flange portion 22 is a "protrusion" formed on the outer periphery of the main body portion 21 and protruding in a direction away from the center C of the lens LS. In this embodiment, the flange portion 22 extends annularly in a direction substantially perpendicular to the central axis CL of the lens barrel 20. Specifically, the flange portion 22 is provided at an intermediate position between the front end 211 and rear end 212 of the main body portion 21. The flange portion 22 has a front end surface 221 that faces the windshield FG and a rear end surface 222 that faces the case 50. The rear end surface 222 of the flange portion 22 is adhered to the cylindrical body 53 of the case 50 with adhesive GL, thereby fixing the lens barrel 20 to the case 50. The portion of the lens barrel 20 rearward of the flange portion 22 is housed inside the case 50, while the flange portion 22 and the portion forward of the flange portion 22 are exposed to the outside of the case 50.

[0023] The substrate 30 is a circuit board on which a wiring pattern is formed on one surface and on which elements including an imager 31 are mounted. The imager 31 is mounted on the front side of the substrate 30, facing the lens LS. The substrate 30 is held in the case 50 by fastening elements such as bolts BT.

[0024] The imager 31 is composed of a semiconductor element such as a CCD image sensor or a CMOS image sensor. The imager 31 captures an image of a subject formed on a light receiving surface by the lens LS and outputs an image signal. The imager 31 is fixed to the substrate 30 by means of soldering or the like. Specifically, the imager 31 is mounted on a portion of the substrate 30 facing the lens LS so that light that has passed through the lens LS is incident on the imager 31.

[0025] 3 and 4, the case 50 is a box-shaped member made of metal or resin. The outer surface of the case 50 is provided with a plurality of mounting pins P for hooking onto the hooks H of the bracket BKT. As shown in FIG. 5, the case 50 has a base portion 51 and a lid portion 54 connected to the base portion 51.

[0026] Base portion 51 is an integrally molded product formed by integrally molding a substantially rectangular block body 52 and a cylindrical tubular body 53. Base portion 51 is formed with an insertion hole 511 through which a portion of main body 21 of lens barrel 20 is inserted. This insertion hole 511 passes through both block body 52 and tubular body 53.

[0027] The block body 52 has an inner end surface 521 connected to the lid portion 54 and an outer end surface 522 opposite to the inner end surface 521. The substrate 30 is held by the inner end surface 521 so that the imager 31 is positioned inside the insertion hole 511.

[0028] The cylindrical body 53 is a cylindrical member that surrounds the outer periphery of the lens barrel 20. The cylindrical body 53 protrudes in a direction away from the outer end surface 522 of the block body 52. ​​The tip surface 531 of the cylindrical body 53 faces the flange portion 22 at a predetermined distance. In this embodiment, the tip surface 531 of the cylindrical body 53 constitutes an "opposing end surface" that faces the flange portion 22 at a predetermined distance.

[0029] The lid 54 is connected to the base 51 by a fastening element (not shown). The lid 54 has an outer shape corresponding to the base 51, and forms a storage space between the lid 54 and the base 51 to store the board 30. The lid 54 is formed with an opening 541 for extracting communication lines and the like to the outside.

[0030] In case 50 configured in this manner, adhesive GL is applied circumferentially to front end surface 531 of cylindrical body 53 during the manufacture of camera module 10. This adhesive GL bonds rear end surface 222 of flange portion 22 of lens barrel 20 to front end surface 531 of cylindrical body 53, thereby fixing lens barrel 20 to case 50. In this example, a thermosetting adhesive is used as adhesive GL. Note that adhesive GL other than thermosetting adhesive may also be used.

[0031] In the imaging device 1 configured as described above, it is desirable to place the camera module of the imaging device 1 close to the windshield FG. However, if the flange portion 22 is provided on the lens barrel 20 for bonding the case 50 to the lens barrel 20, interference between the flange portion 22 and the windshield FG prevents the imaging device 1 from being placed close to the windshield FG.

[0032] Furthermore, with regard to the imaging device 1, the level of precision required for the assembly and bonding process in which the lens barrel 20 is bonded and fixed to the case 50 is increasing year by year. However, during the assembly and bonding process, the adhesive GL shrinks as it hardens. This hardening shrinkage affects the product precision of the imaging device 1 and causes a decrease in the product precision of the imaging device 1.

[0033] Taking these into consideration, the imaging device 1 has a modified structure of the camera module 10 compared to conventional ones. The characteristic structure of the camera module 10 will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0034] As shown in Figure 6, the flange portion 22 of the lens barrel 20 has an outer shape that is approximately D-shaped when viewed from the axial direction along the central axis CL of the lens barrel 20, combining arcs and straight lines, so that it is less likely to interfere with the windshield FG.

[0035] Specifically, flange portion 22 has an upper portion 223 that is above the central axis CL of lens barrel 20, and a lower portion 224 that is below upper portion 223. In flange portion 22, at least an upper end portion 223a of upper portion 223 is closer to central axis CL of lens barrel 20 than lower portion 224. In other words, when the distance from upper end portion 223a to central axis CL of lens barrel 20 is L1 and the distance from lower portion 224 to central axis CL of lens barrel 20 is L2, L1 of flange portion 22 is smaller than L2 (L1 <L2)。

[0036] Furthermore, when the lens barrel 20 is mounted on a vehicle, the upper end UP of the tip portion TP, which is located foremost on the lens barrel 20, is located lower than the upper end portion 223a of the flange portion 22. Specifically, when the distance from the upper end UP to the central axis CL of the lens barrel 20 is L3, L1 of the flange portion 22 is greater than L3 (L1>L3).

[0037] 5, upper end portion 223a of flange portion 22 is located below the upper end of tip surface 531 of cylindrical body 53 of case 50 when mounted on a vehicle. Specifically, when the distance from the center of cylindrical body 53 to the outer edge of tip surface 531 is L4, L1 of flange portion 22 is smaller than L4.

[0038] A flange portion 22 having such an outer shape can be obtained, for example, by cutting the upper side of a ring-shaped member or by molding it using a mold including a D-shaped mold frame.

[0039] As shown in Fig. 7, the tip surface 531 of the cylindrical body 53 of the case 50 has a substantially annular shape. When the camera module 10 is manufactured, adhesive GL is applied in a circular pattern to the inner circumferential portion of the tip surface 531, and adhesive GL is not applied to the outer circumferential portion. For convenience, in Fig. 7, a dot pattern is applied to the annular region of the tip surface 531 where the adhesive GL is applied.

[0040] 5, the diameter φ1 of the outer edge of the tip surface 531 is larger than the diameter φ2 of the annular region to which the adhesive GL is applied. Furthermore, the diameter of the flange portion 22, except for the upper end portion 223a, is larger than the diameter φ2 of the annular region to which the adhesive GL is applied. Note that the diameters of the other portions of the flange portion 22 may be the same as or different from the diameter φ1 of the outer edge of the tip surface 531. Furthermore, the diameter of the upper end portion 223a of the flange portion 22 may be the same as or different from the diameter φ2 of the annular region to which the adhesive GL is applied.

[0041] As a result, as shown in Figure 5, the tip surface 531 has an adhesive portion 531a that faces the flange portion 22 via the adhesive GL and a non-adhesive portion 531b that faces the flange portion 22 outside the adhesive portion 531a without the adhesive GL.

[0042] Next, the assembly and bonding process of lens barrel 20 and case 50 in the manufacturing process of imaging device 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 8. As shown in Fig. 8, in the assembly and bonding process, an adjustment process shown on the left side of Fig. 8, an offset process shown in the center of Fig. 8, and a hardening process shown on the right side of Fig. 8 are carried out in this order.

[0043] The adjustment process is a process for adjusting the relative position of substrate 30 with respect to lens barrel 20. In the adjustment process, the relative position of substrate 30 with respect to lens barrel 20 is adjusted with a part of lens barrel 20 inserted inside cylindrical body 53 of case 50 to which substrate 30 is attached.

[0044] Specifically, in the adjustment process, the imager-to-imager distance between the lens LS and the imager 31 is adjusted to achieve focus. Also, if the light-receiving surface of the imager 31 is tilted relative to the lens LS, one-sided blurring or the like will occur, degrading the image quality. For this reason, in the adjustment process, the case 50 and the lens barrel 20 are positioned so that the optical axis of the lens LS passes through the center of the light-receiving surface of the imager 31 and is perpendicular to the light-receiving surface of the imager 31.

[0045] Here, the adhesive GL interposed between the flange portion 22 of the lens barrel 20 and the case 50 has a thickness in the direction of the optical axis of the lens LS. Therefore, when a curing process is performed to harden the adhesive GL following the adjustment process, the adhesive GL shrinks as it cures, changing the distance between the imagers and causing the image to become out of focus. Furthermore, for example, if the thickness of the adhesive GL varies in the circumferential direction, the curing shrinkage of the adhesive GL will change the inclination of the light receiving surface of the imager 31 relative to the lens LS. This can cause one-sided blur.

[0046] Taking this into consideration, an offset process is performed during the period between the adjustment process and the curing process, which takes into account the cure shrinkage of the adhesive GL and offsets the position of the substrate 30 relative to the lens barrel 20. In this offset process, the amount of cure shrinkage of the adhesive GL is calculated based on the thickness of the adhesive GL, and the position of the substrate 30 relative to the lens barrel 20 is offset by the amount of this cure shrinkage.

[0047] The cure shrinkage rate of the adhesive GL is approximately constant depending on the material of the adhesive GL. If the thickness of the adhesive GL is known, the cure shrinkage amount of the adhesive GL can be calculated. However, the adhesive GL before hardening has an indefinite shape, and it is difficult to directly measure its thickness.

[0048] In contrast, in camera module 10 of the present embodiment, the diameters of tip surface 531 of cylindrical body 53 and part of flange portion 22 are each larger than diameter φ2 of the annular region to which adhesive GL is applied. Therefore, the gap distance between tip surface 531 of cylindrical body 53 and flange portion 22 can be calculated as equivalent to the thickness of adhesive GL. This makes it possible to calculate the amount of cure shrinkage of adhesive GL with high accuracy.

[0049] In the subsequent curing process, the adhesive GL is hardened. In this example, the adhesive GL is thermosetting. Therefore, in the curing process, the adhesive GL is irradiated with laser light, ultraviolet light, or the like to heat and harden the adhesive GL. This bonds the lens barrel 20 to the case 50.

[0050] In the imaging device 1 described above, the tip surface 531 of the cylindrical body 53 of the case 50 has an adhesive portion 531a that faces the flange portion 22 via the adhesive GL and a non-adhesive portion 531b that faces the flange portion 22 outside the adhesive portion 531a without the adhesive GL.

[0051] According to this, by measuring the distance between flange portion 22 of lens barrel 20 and non-adhesive portion 531b of tip surface 531, it is possible to measure the thickness of adhesive GL interposed between flange portion 22 and tip surface 531. In this way, by calculating the amount of cure shrinkage of adhesive GL from the thickness of adhesive GL and offsetting the attitude of lens barrel 20 relative to case 50 by the amount of this cure shrinkage, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the product accuracy of image pickup device 1 due to shrinkage of adhesive GL.

[0052] Additionally, flange portion 22 has an upper portion 223 that is above the central axis CL of lens barrel 20, and a lower portion 224 that is below upper portion 223. At least an upper end portion 223a of upper portion 223 is closer to central axis CL of lens barrel 20 than lower portion 224. This makes it less likely that lens barrel 20 will interfere with the windshield FG, even if imaging device 1 is placed close to the windshield FG.

[0053] With the imaging device 1 configured in this manner, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the product accuracy of the imaging device 1 due to the hardening shrinkage of the adhesive GL, and to position the imaging device 1 close to the windshield FG while avoiding interference between the lens barrel 20 and the windshield FG.

[0054] (1) Here, the windshield FG is inclined upward from the front side to the rear side of the vehicle. Correspondingly, the upper end portion 223a of the flange portion 22 is located below the upper end of the tip surface 531 of the cylindrical body 53. This has the advantage that it is easier to arrange the camera module 10 close to the windshield FG.

[0055] (2) Furthermore, the upper end UP of the tip portion TP, which is located most forward on the lens barrel 20, is positioned below the upper end portion 223a of the flange portion 22. In this way, if the upper end UP of the tip portion TP of the lens barrel 20 is configured to be positioned below the upper end portion 223a of the flange portion 22 in accordance with the installation posture of the windshield FG, there is an advantage in that it becomes easier to position the lens barrel 20 close to the windshield FG.

[0056] (Second embodiment) Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 9. In this embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

[0057] Lens barrel 20 of this embodiment is made of a resin material. To ensure adhesive strength, at least flange portion 22 of lens barrel 20 is subjected to a surface treatment such as plasma or UV treatment. When such a surface treatment is performed, the wettability of the surface of flange portion 22 increases, making it easier for adhesive GL to seep out.

[0058] Taking this into consideration, a limiting portion 60 that limits the spreading of the adhesive GL is provided in the flange portion 22. The limiting portion 60 is configured as an integrally molded part that is molded integrally with the flange portion 22.

[0059] 9, flange portion 22 is provided with a step portion 61 as a limiting portion 60, which is recessed in a direction away from tip surface 531 of cylindrical body 53. This step portion 61 is provided in flange portion 22 at a position opposite to the boundary between bonded portion 531a and non-bonded portion 531b of tip surface 531. With step portion 61 provided, flange portion 22 is thinner on the outer circumferential side than on the inner circumferential side.

[0060] The rest of the configuration is the same as in the first embodiment. The imaging device 1 of this embodiment can obtain the same effects as in the first embodiment that are achieved by a configuration that is common to or equivalent to the first embodiment.

[0061] (1) In this embodiment, the flange portion 22 is provided with a limiting portion 60 that limits the spread of the adhesive GL. This prevents the adhesive GL from flowing into the gap between the flange portion 22 and the tip surface 531 of the cylindrical body 53 before the adhesive GL hardens. This is effective in ensuring the product precision of the imaging device 1.

[0062] (2) Specifically, the restricting portion 60 includes a step portion 61 recessed in a direction away from the tip surface 531 of the cylindrical body 53. As a result, the step portion 61 blocks the adhesive GL from seeping out before the adhesive GL hardens, thereby preventing the adhesive GL from flowing into the gap between the flange portion 22 and the tip surface 531 of the cylindrical body 53.

[0063] (Modification of the second embodiment) Step portion 61 may be different from that shown in Fig. 9. Step portion 61 may have a shape different from that shown in Fig. 9, for example, by having an inclined surface that intersects with the central axis CL of barrel 20.

[0064] (Third embodiment) Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 10. In this embodiment, differences from the first and second embodiments will be mainly described.

[0065] 10, instead of the step portion 61, the flange portion 22 is provided with a protrusion 62 that protrudes in a direction approaching the tip surface 531 of the cylindrical body 53. The protrusion 62 is provided in the flange portion 22 at a position opposite to the boundary between the bonded portion 531a and the non-bonded portion 531b of the tip surface 531.

[0066] The rest of the configuration is the same as in the first embodiment. The imaging device 1 of this embodiment can obtain the same effects as in the first embodiment that are achieved by a configuration that is common to or equivalent to the first embodiment.

[0067] (1) The limiting portion 60 of this embodiment includes a protrusion 62 that protrudes in a direction approaching the tip surface 531 of the cylindrical body 53. This makes it possible to provide an adhesive surface on the flange portion 22 side in two directions: a direction along the tip surface 531 and a direction intersecting this surface. This ensures adhesive strength in the shear direction in any direction, thereby ensuring the reliability of the adhesion between the lens barrel 20 and the case 50.

[0068] In addition, before the adhesive GL is hardened, the protrusion 62 blocks the adhesive GL from seeping out, thereby preventing the adhesive GL from flowing into the gap between the flange portion 22 and the tip surface 531 of the cylindrical body 53.

[0069] (Modification of the third embodiment) The protrusions 62 may be different from those shown in Fig. 10. The protrusions 62 may have a cross-sectional shape such as a triangular or semicircular shape, and may have a shape different from that shown in Fig. 10.

[0070] (Fourth embodiment) Next, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 11. In this embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

[0071] 11, lens barrel 20 is provided with large diameter portion 23 instead of flange portion 22. Large diameter portion 23 is provided in front of the insertion portion of lens barrel 20 that is inserted into the inside of case 50, and is a portion with a larger diameter than the insertion portion. In this embodiment, large diameter portion 23 is formed on the outer periphery of main body portion 21 and constitutes a "protrusion" that protrudes in a direction away from center C of lens LS.

[0072] The outer shape of large diameter portion 23 when viewed from the axial direction along central axis CL of lens barrel 20 is a roughly D-shape that combines arcs and straight lines so as to minimize interference with the windshield FG. Large diameter portion 23 also has a roughly truncated cone shape that tapers toward the tip portion TP of lens barrel 20. While it is desirable for large diameter portion 23 to have a roughly truncated cone shape, the shape is not limited to this and may be, for example, cylindrical.

[0073] Specifically, large diameter portion 23 has an upper portion 231 located above the central axis CL of barrel 20, and a lower portion 232 located below upper portion 231. In large diameter portion 23, at least an upper end portion 231a of upper portion 231 is closer to central axis CL of barrel 20 than the lower end of lower portion 232. In other words, when the distance from upper end portion 231a to central axis CL of barrel 20 is L5 and the distance from the lower end of lower portion 232 to central axis CL of barrel 20 is L6, L5 of flange portion 22 is smaller than L6 (L5 <L6)。

[0074] Furthermore, in the lens barrel 20, the upper end UP of the tip portion TP, which is located foremost in the lens barrel 20, is located lower than the upper end portion 231a of the large diameter portion 23. Specifically, when the distance from the upper end UP to the central axis CL of the lens barrel 20 is L7, in the large diameter portion 23, L5 is greater than L7 (L5>L7).

[0075] Furthermore, upper end portion 231a of large diameter portion 23 is located lower than the upper end of tip surface 531 of cylindrical body 53 of case 50. Specifically, when the distance from the center of cylindrical body 53 to the outer edge of tip surface 531 is L4, large diameter portion 23 has L5 smaller than L4.

[0076] The rest of the configuration is the same as in the first embodiment. The imaging device 1 of this embodiment can obtain the same effects as in the first embodiment that are achieved by a configuration that is common to or equivalent to the first embodiment.

[0077] (Fifth embodiment) Next, a fifth embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 12 to 14. In this embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described. In a camera module 10A of an imaging device 1 of this embodiment, an image processing device IP is built into a case 50A of the camera module 10A.

[0078] As shown in FIGS. 12, 13, and 14, a camera module 10A of this embodiment includes an imager assembly IA, a case 50A, and a main board PCB that constitutes an image processing device IP.

[0079] The imager assembly IA is an assembly formed by integrally assembling the lens barrel 20, substrate 30, base portion 51 of case 50, signal output portion SL, and terminal TN described in the first embodiment. The signal output portion SL is a component for outputting the signal of the captured image output by the imager 31 to the outside. The signal output portion SL is made of a flexible substrate. The terminal TN forms the end of the signal output portion SL and is connected to the main substrate PCB. The other components of the imager assembly IA are configured in the same way as those described in the first embodiment, so their description will be omitted.

[0080] The main board PCB is a circuit board that constitutes the image processing device IP. The main board PCB is disposed below the lens barrel 20 of the imager assembly IA. A chip T for processing images and the like are mounted on the upper surface of the main board PCB. Heat from this chip T is dissipated by a heat sink HS. The chip T is protected by a protective member PM that includes a cushioning material and the like. The main board PCB also has an opening BH formed therein for guiding the signal output section SL, terminals TN, and the like of the imager assembly IA below the main board PCB.

[0081] Case 50A has an upper member 55 and a lower member 56, and stores imager assembly IA, main circuit board PCB, etc. Upper member 55 has an opening CH for exposing tip portion TP of lens barrel 20 to the outside.

[0082] The rest of the configuration is the same as in the first embodiment. The imaging device 1 of this embodiment can obtain the same effects as in the first embodiment that are achieved by a configuration that is common to or equivalent to the first embodiment.

[0083] (Other embodiments) Representative embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, but the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be modified in various ways, for example, as follows.

[0084] In the above-described embodiment, an example was described in which the flange portion 22 and the large diameter portion 23 have a D-shape when viewed from the front side, but the shapes of the flange portion 22 and the large diameter portion 23 are not limited to a D-shape and may be other shapes.

[0085] As in the above-described embodiment, it is desirable that the upper end portion 223a of the flange portion 22 and the upper end portion 231a of the large diameter portion 23 are positioned below the upper end of the tip surface 531, but this does not have to be the case.

[0086] As in the above-described embodiment, it is desirable that the upper end UP of the tip portion TP located at the forefront of the telescope tube 20 is positioned lower than the upper end portion 223a of the flange portion 22 and the upper end portion 231a of the large diameter portion 23, but this does not have to be the case.

[0087] In the above embodiment, each component of the imaging device 1 has been described in detail, but each component of the imaging device 1 does not need to be the same as in the above embodiment, and some of them may be different.

[0088] In the above-described embodiments, it goes without saying that the elements constituting the embodiments are not necessarily essential unless they are specifically stated as essential or are clearly considered essential in principle.

[0089] In the above-described embodiments, when numerical values ​​such as the number, values, amounts, ranges, etc. of components of the embodiments are mentioned, they are not limited to the specific numbers unless they are specifically stated as essential or are clearly limited to a specific number in principle.

[0090] In the above-described embodiments, when referring to the shapes, positional relationships, etc. of components, etc., the shapes, positional relationships, etc. are not limited to those unless otherwise specified or when they are fundamentally limited to specific shapes, positional relationships, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0091] 1. Imaging device 20 Telescope tube 22 Flange part (protrusion) 23 Large diameter section 30 boards 31 Imager 50 cases 531 Tip surface (opposite end surface) 531a Adhesive part 531b Non-bonded part

Claims

1. An imaging device mounted on a vehicle, a lens barrel (20) including a main body (21) in which a lens (LS) is housed and protrusions (22, 23) formed on the outer periphery of the main body and protruding in a direction away from the center of the lens; a substrate (30) on which an imager (31) is mounted; a case (50) for holding the substrate; The lens barrel is installed in a position close to a windshield (FG) of the vehicle, The case includes an opposing end surface (531) facing the protrusion at a predetermined interval, the opposing end surface has an adhesive portion (531a) facing the protruding portion via an adhesive (GL) and a non-adhesive portion (531b) facing the protruding portion outside the adhesive portion without the adhesive, The protrusion is When the protrusion is divided into an upper portion (223, 231) above the central axis of the lens barrel and a lower portion (224, 232) below the upper portion, at least an upper end portion (223a, 231a) of the upper portion is closer to the central axis than the lower portion, The flange is configured as an annular flange extending radially from the outer periphery of the main body, An upper portion of the flange is configured as a flat end surface extending in the width direction of the vehicle, the flange has a flat end surface on the outside of the case so that the flat end surface is exposed to the windshield side; The opposing end surface of the case faces a surface of the flange opposite the side surface on the windshield side.

2. The imaging device according to claim 1 , wherein the upper end portion is located lower than an upper end of the opposing end surface when the imaging device is mounted on the vehicle.

3. 3. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein when the lens barrel is mounted on the vehicle, an upper end of a front end portion of the lens barrel that is located at the forefront is positioned lower than the upper end portion.

4. 4. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion is provided with a limiting portion (60) for limiting the spreading of the adhesive.

5. The imaging device according to claim 4, wherein the limiting portion includes a step portion recessed in a direction away from the opposing end surface.

6. The imaging device according to claim 4, wherein the limiting portion includes a protrusion (62) that protrudes in a direction approaching the opposing end surface.

Images