Optical components, cameras and vehicles

Abstract

To provide an optical component that is less likely to generate dew condensation on a surface of an optical component facing an optical system, a camera and a vehicle.SOLUTION: An optical component 100 covers an optical system 210 of a camera 200. The optical component 100 includes an optical member 10 and a heating element 20. The optical member 10 has a first region 11a capable of transmitting an electromagnetic wave coming from an angle of view of the optical system 210 into the optical system 210, and a second region 11b. The heating element 20 heats, to be higher than a temperature of a first space 12a, a second space 12b that is communicated with the first space 12a on the side of the camera 200 defined by the first region 11a and located on the side of the camera 200 defined by the second region 11b.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to optical components, cameras, and vehicles. [Background technology]

[0002] A camera equipped with an optical component that covers an optical system is known (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 6-258713 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] There is a demand for reducing the amount of condensation that occurs on the surfaces of optical components that face the optical system.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an optical component, a camera, and a vehicle in which condensation is less likely to occur on a surface of the optical component that faces the optical system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In one embodiment, (1) the optical component comprises an optical element that covers the optical system of the camera and has a first region and a second region that are capable of transmitting electromagnetic waves incident on the optical system from within the angle of view of the optical system, and a heating element that communicates with a first space on the camera side defined by the first region and heats the second space on the camera side defined by the second region so that the temperature of the second space is higher than that of the first space.

[0007] (2) In the optical component of (1) above, the optical member has a partition portion that separates a portion between the first space and the second space.

[0008] (3) In the optical component of (1) or (2) above, there is a gap between the heating element and the second region of the optical member.

[0009] (4) In the optical component according to any one of (1) to (3) above, the second space surrounds the first space.

[0010] (5) The optical component according to any one of (1) to (4) above includes a drainage hole in the second region.

[0011] In one embodiment, (6) a camera includes an optical system, a lens holder that holds the optical system, an optical element that covers the optical system and has a first region and a second region that are transparent to electromagnetic waves that enter the optical system from within the angle of view of the optical system, a wall that defines a first space together with the first region of the optical element and defines a second space together with the second region of the optical element, and a heating element located in the second space.

[0012] In one embodiment, (7) a vehicle is equipped with a camera including an optical system, a lens holder that holds the optical system, an optical element that covers the optical system and has a first region and a second region that are transparent to electromagnetic waves that enter the optical system from within the angle of view of the optical system, a wall that defines a first space together with the first region of the optical element and defines a second space together with the second region of the optical element, and a heating element located in the second space. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] The optical component, camera, and vehicle according to the present disclosure configured as described above can make it difficult for condensation to form on the surface of the optical component facing the optical system. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of an optical component and a camera according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a vehicle according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3]FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a first example of an optical member of the optical component according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a second example of an optical member of the optical component according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a third example of an optical member of the optical component according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a first example of an optical member of the optical component according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a second example of an optical member of the optical component according to the second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a first example of an optical member of the optical component according to the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Hereinafter, an embodiment of an imaging device to which the present disclosure is applied will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0016] 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a camera equipped with an optical component according to a first embodiment. Camera 200 includes an optical system 210, a wall 230, and optical component 100. Camera 200 may further include an imaging element.

[0017] The camera 200 may be an in-vehicle camera. Referring to Fig. 2, the camera 200 may be mounted on the vehicle 300 together with the display device 310. The camera 200 may be fixed to a side mirror or the like of the vehicle 300 in order to capture, for example, an image of the ground or the surroundings of the rear field of view. The camera 200 may be attached to the vehicle 300 with the optical system 210 facing downward, diagonally downward, or laterally. The display device 310 may be provided so as to be visible from the driver's seat.

[0018] The optical system 210 may form an image of a subject within an imaging field of view onto an imaging element. The optical system 210 may include at least one optical element. The optical system 210 may be designed and formed to satisfy desired optical characteristics such as focal length and depth of focus. The optical element may include a lens, an aperture, a mirror, etc.

[0019] The optical system 210 may include a retainer 210r that holds the lens. The retainer 210r may be cylindrical. The retainer 210r may be formed with an annular holding portion for holding the lens. The retainer 210r may hold the lens so that the optical axis OA of the optical system 210 passes through the center of an opening defined by the annular holding portion. A light beam incident on the lens may pass through the opening. The retainer 210r may be made of a resin member.

[0020] Wall 230 may have a wall surface extending in a direction intersecting the direction of optical axis OA of camera 200. Wall 230 may have, for example, a plane perpendicular to optical axis OA as a wall surface. Wall 230 may be provided at any position in the direction of optical axis OA. In the first embodiment, wall 230 may be provided on the outer edge of optical system 210 as seen from the direction of optical axis OA. Wall 230 may be disk-shaped. Wall 230 may be used to connect to optical component 100, as will be described later. Wall 230 may be part of a structure of vehicle 300. The structure may be a housing for a side mirror.

[0021] The imaging element may be disposed on the image side of the optical system 210. The imaging element may capture an image of a subject formed on a light receiving surface via the optical system 210, convert the image into an electrical signal, and output the electrical signal. The imaging element may be, for example, a charge coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor. The camera 200 may transmit an image signal based on the electrical signal from the imaging element to a device external to the camera 200, such as a display device 310. The image signal may be the electrical signal itself output from the imaging element, or may be a signal that has been subjected to necessary image processing by electronic components.

[0022] The optical component 100 includes an optical member 10 and a heating element 20. The optical component 100 may further include a cushion 30. The optical component 100 covers an optical system 210 of a camera 200.

[0023] 1 and 3, the optical element 10 includes a first region 11a and a second region 11b. The optical element 10 may further include a flange 11f, a partition 13, and a drainage hole 14. The optical element 10 may be a lens cover. In the camera 200, the optical element 10 may seal the optical system 210 together with a wall 230. The optical element 10 may include resin or glass. In the camera 200, the optical element 10 may be located on the object side of the optical system 210. With this configuration, the optical element 10 may reduce the possibility that wind, raindrops, etc. will hit the optical system 210. Therefore, the optical element 10 may reduce the possibility that the outer surface of the optical system 210 will be cooled.

[0024] The first region 11a is capable of transmitting incident electromagnetic waves. Specifically, the first region 11a is capable of transmitting electromagnetic waves incident on the optical system 210 from within the angle of view of the optical system 210 in the camera 200. In the camera 200, the first space 12a may be defined by a virtual plane that passes through the first region 11a, the camera 200, and the outer edge of the first region 11a and is parallel to the optical axis OA. The first region 11a may be plate-shaped with a curved surface having a uniform thickness. The first region 11a may be curved, or may further be spherical or flat. For size reduction, the first region 11a is preferably spherical. In the following description, the first region 11a is spherical.

[0025] The second region 11b is connected to at least a part of the outer edge of the first region 11a when viewed from the direction of the optical axis OA in the camera 200. The second space 12b may be defined in the camera 200 by an imaginary plane that passes through the second region 11b, the camera 200, and the outer edge of the second region 11b and is parallel to the optical axis OA.

[0026] In the first embodiment, the second region 11b may be positioned so as to surround the entire periphery of the first region 11a. In other words, the second space 12b may surround the first space 12a when viewed from the direction of the optical axis OA. In a configuration in which the first region 11a is spherical, the outer edge of the first region 11a and the outer edge of the second region 11b may be concentric in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis OA. The second region 11b may be an annular groove that follows the entire periphery of the first region 11a. Referring to FIG. 1, the groove may be recessed toward the object side of the camera 200. The bottom surface of the groove in the second region 11b may be flat. The width of the groove may decrease toward the bottom surface. With this configuration, when the optical system 210 of the camera 200 is mounted facing downward or diagonally downward, water condensed in the second space 12b can flow down the sidewall of the groove to the drain hole 14 (described later) formed in the bottom surface of the groove. Alternatively, referring to Fig. 4, a plurality of annular grooves 11bg may be provided in the second region 11b'. The plurality of annular grooves 11bg may be concentric.

[0027] In the first embodiment, the flange 11f may have a shape that allows it to be attached to the wall 230 of the camera 200. Specifically, in the camera 200, there is a region where the flange 11f and the wall 230 overlap as viewed from the optical axis OA. Preferably, the entire region of the flange 11f overlaps the wall 230. In the camera 200, the flange 11f may be provided on the outer edge of the second region 11b as viewed from the optical axis OA. More specifically, in the camera 200, the flange 11f may be provided on the outer edge of the second region 11b around the entire periphery of the optical axis OA. The flange 11f may be annular. In the camera 200, the flange 11f may be located closest to the image in the direction of the optical axis OA.

[0028] The partition 13 may separate a portion of the space between the first space 12a and the second space 12b. Specifically, the partition 13 may include a wall having a gap in a portion on the image side within the entire region of the boundary between the first space 12a and the second space 12b in the camera 200. In a configuration in which the second region 11b is annular, the partition 13 may have a shape that protrudes from the optical member 10 toward the image side over the entire region in the circumferential direction of the optical axis OA in the camera 200. The apex of the partition 13 may be located closer to the object side than the flange 11f in the camera 200.

[0029] Referring to FIG. 1 , the drainage hole 14 may be formed in the second region 11b. The drainage hole 14 may be a through-hole. The drainage hole 14 may be located at the center of the bottom surface of the groove in the second region 11b. Condensed water may be discharged from the drainage hole 14 to the outside of the optical member 10. The drainage hole 14 may be openable and closable. The drainage hole 14 may be opened when the amount of condensed water reaches a certain amount or more.

[0030] In the first embodiment, the drain holes 14 may be located in the bottom surface of the annular groove in the second region 11b, spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the groove.

[0031] The heating element 20 may heat the second space 12b to a temperature higher than that of the first space 12a. The heating element 20 may include a heater 21. The heater 21 may generate heat when energized. In other words, the heater 21 may heat the surrounding space when energized. The heating element 20 may have a power terminal.

[0032] Alternatively, the heating element 20 may include a Peltier element. When energized, the Peltier element may cool one side surface and heat the other side surface. In other words, when energized, the Peltier element may cool the air near one side surface and heat the air near the other side surface. Specifically, when energized, the Peltier element may cool the air near the side surface of the Peltier element facing the second region 11b and heat the air near the side surface opposite the second region 11b. In a configuration in which a Peltier element is used as the heating element 20, the cooling surface may be provided so as to face one surface of the second region 11b.

[0033] The heating element 20 may have any shape. Referring to Fig. 3, the heating element 20 may be annular. The heating element 20 may be located on the second region 11b. The heating element 20 may be located on the bottom surface of the groove in the second region 11b.

[0034] 5, the heating element 20' may be a rectangular plate. The shape of the heating element 20' is not limited to a rectangle and may be, for example, a circle. There may be a single or multiple rectangular plate-shaped heating element 20'. In the optical member 10, the multiple heating elements 20' may be located on the bottom surface of the annular groove in the second region 11b at intervals along the circumferential direction of the groove.

[0035] The heating element 20 may be installed so as to have a gap 12s between it and the optical member 10. Specifically, the heating element 20 may be fixed to the second region 11b via a cushion 30. The cushion 30 may be provided on the bottom surface of a groove in the second region 11b of the optical member 10. The cushion 30 may be fixed to the bottom surface of the groove in the second region 11b. The cushion 30 may be fixed using any fixing means, such as double-sided tape. A portion of the surface of the heating element 20 facing the cushion 30 may be in contact with the cushion 30. A gap 12s may be formed between the second region 11b and a portion of the opposing surface other than the contact area with the cushion 30. The cushion 30 may include an outer cushion 30o and an inner cushion 30i. The inner cushion 30i may be located closer to the partition 13 than the outer cushion 30o. The outer cushion 30o and the inner cushion 30i may extend parallel to each other.

[0036] In the first embodiment, the outer cushion 30o and the inner cushion 30i may be annular. An annular gap 12s may exist between the heating element 20 and the outer cushion 30o and the inner cushion 30i. The gap 12s may communicate with the drainage hole 14. For example, the outer cushion 30o and the inner cushion 30i may be arranged so that the gap 12s overlaps with the drainage hole 14 when viewed from the optical axis OA direction of the camera 200.

[0037] The following describes the effects achieved by the optical component 100 of this embodiment. Optical components 400 and 500 of the following embodiments also have similar effects.

[0038] The optical component 100 of this embodiment includes a heating element 20 that communicates with a first space 12a on the camera 200 side, at least a portion of which is defined by the first region 11a, and heats a second space 12b on the camera 200 side, at least a portion of which is defined by the second region 11b, to a temperature higher than that of the first space 12a. With this configuration, the optical component 100 can cause condensation in the second space 12b, reducing the humidity of the air in the second space 12b. This can also reduce the humidity in the first space 12a, which communicates with the second space 12b. Therefore, the optical component 100 can reduce the amount of condensation that occurs on the inner surface of the first region 11a of the optical member 10, in other words, on the surface on the first space 12a side.

[0039] In optical component 100 of this embodiment, optical member 10 has partition 13 that separates a portion of first space 12a from second space 12b. With this configuration, optical component 100 can reduce the amount of water condensed in second space 12b that flows into first space 12a when camera 200 is attached to vehicle 300 or the like with optical system 210 facing downward.

[0040] In the optical component 100 of this embodiment, there is a gap 12s between the heating element 20 and the second region 11b of the optical member 10. With this configuration, the optical component 100 can reduce the amount of heat applied to the second region 11b by the heating element 20. Therefore, the warm air in the second space 12b may be further cooled on the second region 11b, causing condensation.

[0041] In optical component 100 of this embodiment, optical member 10 includes drainage hole 14 in second region 11b. With this configuration, optical component 100 can drain condensation that occurs in second space 12b when camera 200 is attached to vehicle 300 or the like with optical system 210 facing downward.

[0042] Next, an optical component according to a second embodiment will be described. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the optical component according to the second embodiment. Below, the same configuration as that of optical component 100 will not be described again, and only the configuration different from that of optical component 100 will be described.

[0043] 6, the first region 411a may have a plane 411ap parallel to the optical axis OA in the camera 200. Furthermore, the first region 411a may include a plane perpendicular to the optical axis OA and a spherical surface cut by the plane 411ap.

[0044] Unlike the first embodiment, in the second embodiment, the second region 411b may be connected to a part of the outer edge of the first region 411a when viewed from the optical axis direction of the camera. The second region 411b may be provided at the same position as the plane 411ap of the first region 411a in the circumferential direction of the optical axis OA of the camera 200. The second region 411b may have a box-like shape with one open side. The open side of the second region 411b may be located on the wall body 230 side of the camera 200. In other words, the bottom surface opposite the open side may be located on the object side of the camera 200. A part of the wall surface of the box-like shape may be missing at the connecting portion of the second region 411b with the first region 411a. More specifically, the second region 411b may have a rectangular plate 411ba. The second region 411b may have three side walls 411bb standing on the outer edge of the plate 411ba. The outer edge of the plate 411ba adjacent to the partition 413 may not have a side wall. The side walls 411bb may protrude toward the image side when the optical component 400 is incorporated into the camera 200.

[0045] The wall along optical axis OA, including plane 411ap of first region 411a, may function as partition 413. Partition 413 may protrude from optical member 410 toward the image side when optical component 400 is attached to camera 200. Partition 413 may terminate on the image side on the object side of outer peripheral wall 410w of optical member 410 when viewed from the direction of optical axis OA of camera 200.

[0046] Heating element 420 may be a rectangular plate. In the second embodiment, heating element 420 may be provided in second region 411b at a position separated from first region 411a when viewed from the direction of optical axis OA of camera 200.

[0047] Similar to the first embodiment, in the second embodiment, the heating element 420 may be fixed to the bottom of the second region 411b via a cushion 430. The cushion 430 may include an outer cushion 430o and an inner cushion 430i. A gap 412s between the outer cushion 430o and the inner cushion 430i may communicate with a drainage hole 414 formed in the second region 411b.

[0048] Referring to FIG. 7 , the heating element 420 may be covered by a cover 440. The cover 440 may have a box-like shape with one open side. The cover 440 may be attached so that the open side faces the second region 411b. A hole may be formed in a portion of the cover 440. This configuration may make it difficult for warm air inside the cover 440 to flow out of the cover 440. Therefore, condensation may easily occur on the wall surface of the second region 411b inside the cover 440. The cover 440 may have a rectangular plate 440a and four side walls 440b erected on the outer edge of the plate 440a. The side walls 410b may protrude toward the object side of the camera 200. There may be a gap between the side wall 440b of the cover 440 and the second region 411b. Condensed water can pass through the gap.

[0049] Next, an optical component according to a third embodiment will be described. Fig. 8 is a plan view of the optical component according to the third embodiment. Hereinafter, the same configuration as that of optical component 400 will not be described again, and only the configuration different from that of optical component 400 will be described. Optical member 510 may further include a second partition portion 550.

[0050] In the third embodiment, the shapes of the first region 511a and the second region 511b of the optical member 510 may be similar to those in the second embodiment.

[0051] The second partition 550 may be formed in the second region 511b. The second partition 550 may divide the second space 512b into a second inner space 512c and a second outer space 512d in a direction away from the first space 512a. The second inner space 512c may be closer to the first space 512a than the second outer space 512d. The second partition 550 may be in the shape of a flat plate parallel to the optical axis OA direction in the camera 200. The flat second partition 550 may be parallel to the partition 513. The second partition 550 may abut against the wall 230 in the camera 200.

[0052] A portion of the second partitioning portion 550 may be missing. Specifically, a slit 550s may be formed in the second partitioning portion 550. The slit 550s may be located at the center of the second partitioning portion 550 in the longitudinal direction. A barb may be formed on both sides of a portion of the second partitioning portion 550 facing the slit 550s. The barb may include a barb 550a that protrudes toward the second inner region 511c and a barb 550b that protrudes toward the second outer region 511d. The angle between the extension direction of each of the barbs 550a and 550b and the longitudinal direction of the second partitioning portion 550 may be an acute angle.

[0053] The heating element 520 may include an air conditioner 522. The air conditioner 522 may blow warm air when energized. The air conditioner 522 may be located within the second inner region 511c. An air outlet of the air conditioner 522 may face the slit 550s. The warm air from the air outlet of the air conditioner 522 may flow into the second outer space 512d through the slit 550s. In a configuration in which the angle between the extension direction of the return 550a and the longitudinal direction of the second partition portion 550 is acute, the return 550a may direct the warm air from the air outlet of the air conditioner 522 toward the slit 550s. This may make it easier for the warm air to pass through the slit 550s. The return 550b may reduce the amount of warm air that has flowed into the second outer space 512d that flows out from the second outer space 512d to the second inner space 512c.

[0054] Alternatively, the heating element 520 may include a heater. The heater may be located in the second outer space 512d. The heater may be fixed on the wall 230 of the camera 200, rather than on the bottom surface of the second outer space 511d.

[0055] A drain groove 514 may be formed in the center of the bottom surface of the second outer region 511d.

[0056] Although the present invention has been described based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that various modifications and alterations can be easily made by those skilled in the art based on the present disclosure, and therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and alterations are included within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 100, 400, 500 optics 10, 410, 510 Optical components 11a, 411a First Region 11b, 411b, 511b Second Region 11bg groove 11f Flange (outer edge) 12a, 412a, 512a 1st space 12b, 412b, 512b 2nd space 12s, 412s gap 13, 413, 513 Partition 14, 414, 514 Drain hole 20, 420, 520 heating element 21 Heater 30, 430 cushion 30о Outer cushion 30i inner cushion 200 cameras 210 Optical system 210r retainer 230 Wall 300 vehicles 310 Display device 410w outer wall 411ap plane 411ba rectangular plate 411bb side wall 440 Cover 511c Second Inner Region 511d Second Outer Region 512c 2nd inner space 512d 2nd outer space 522 Air Conditioner 550 Second partition 550a Return 550b return 550s slit OA optical axis

Claims

1. An optical component that covers the optical system of a camera, an optical member having a first region and a second region that can transmit electromagnetic waves incident on the optical system from within the angle of view of the optical system; a heating element that communicates with a first space on the camera side defined by the first region and heats a second space on the camera side defined by the second region so that the temperature of the second space is higher than that of the first space, the optical member includes a drainage hole in the second region; A gap communicating with the drain hole is provided between the heating element and the second region of the optical member. Optical components.

2. The optical component according to claim 1 , wherein the optical member has a partition portion that separates a portion of the first space from the second space.

3. When viewed from the optical axis direction of the optical system, the second space surrounds the first space.

3. The optical component according to claim 1 or 2.

4. An optical system; a lens holder for holding the optical system; an optical member covering the optical system and having a first region and a second region that are capable of transmitting electromagnetic waves incident on the optical system from within the angle of view of the optical system; a wall defining a first space together with the first region of the optical member and a second space together with the second region of the optical member; a heating element located in the second space; Equipped with the optical member includes a drainage hole in the second region; A gap communicating with the drain hole is provided between the heating element and the second region of the optical member. camera.

5. An optical system; a lens holder for holding the optical system; an optical member covering the optical system and having a first region and a second region that are capable of transmitting electromagnetic waves incident on the optical system from within the angle of view of the optical system; a wall defining a first space together with the first region of the optical member and a second space together with the second region of the optical member; a heating element located in the second space. Equipped with the optical member includes a drainage hole in the second region; A gap communicating with the drain hole is provided between the heating element and the second region of the optical member. vehicle.

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