In-car camera

Abstract

To prevent light coming from the outside from passing through a ring member and entering the inside of a housing portion and to suppress an adverse influence on the imaging by an imaging element.SOLUTION: An in-vehicle camera comprises: a lens barrel; a circuit board; an imaging element disposed on a first surface of the circuit board and disposed on an optical axis of a lens of the lens barrel; a ring member made of a first resin having a first light transmittance and disposed to protrude in a direction away from the optical axis over an entire periphery of the lens barrel; and a housing portion of which at least one end surface in a tubular shape is formed of a second resin having a second light transmittance smaller than the first light transmittance and which accommodates at least the circuit board. The one end surface in the tubular shape of the housing portion is fixed with a second surface of the ring member. The in-vehicle camera includes a third resin disposed on an inner side in the tubular shape of the housing portion over an entire periphery around the optical axis and between the second surface of the ring member and the imaging element in a direction of the optical axis, and having a third light transmittance smaller than the first light transmittance.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an in-vehicle camera.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, with the demands for improving vehicle safety and introducing autonomous driving functions, the development of in-vehicle cameras mounted on vehicles for photographing the inside and outside of the vehicle has been active (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] While the required levels regarding vehicle safety, autonomous driving functions, etc. are on the rise, further performance improvements are also demanded for in-vehicle cameras.

[0005] The present disclosure relates to a technology for providing a new in-vehicle camera.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present disclosure includes at least one lens, a cylindrical lens barrel, a circuit board having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, an image sensor disposed on the first surface of the circuit board and on the optical axis of the at least one lens, and a first resin having a first light transmittance at a predetermined wavelength, the optical axis orthogonal to and in the alongThe present invention provides an in-vehicle camera comprising: a ring member positioned and having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface; and a housing portion that houses at least the circuit board, the housing portion having a cylindrical shape in part, with at least one end face of the cylindrical shape being formed of a second resin having a second light transmittance smaller than the first light transmittance at a predetermined wavelength, wherein the one end face of the cylindrical shape of the housing portion is fixed to the second surface of the ring member, and the housing portion comprises a third resin positioned inside the cylindrical shape of the housing portion, over the entire circumference around the optical axis, and between the second surface of the ring member and the image sensor in the direction of the optical axis, and having a third light transmittance smaller than the first light transmittance at a predetermined wavelength. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this disclosure, in an in-vehicle camera, it is possible to suppress light arriving from the outside passing through the ring member and entering the inside of the housing, thereby suppressing adverse effects on imaging by the image sensor. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1A] Top perspective view of an in-vehicle camera according to an embodiment [Figure 1B] Lower perspective view of an in-vehicle camera according to an embodiment [Figure 2] Exploded perspective view of an in-vehicle camera according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] Top view of an in-vehicle camera according to an embodiment [Figure 4] Cross-sectional view along line AA in Figure 3 [Figure 5] Enlarged view of section B in Figure 4 [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The following describes in detail embodiments of the in-vehicle camera disclosed herein, with appropriate reference to the drawings. However, unnecessary details may be omitted. For example, detailed explanations of already well-known matters and redundant explanations of substantially identical configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid the following explanation becoming unnecessarily verbose and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art. The accompanying drawings and the following explanation are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand this disclosure and are not intended to limit the subject matter of the claims.

[0010] Figure 1A is a top perspective view of the in-vehicle camera 100 according to the embodiment. Figure 1B is a bottom perspective view of the in-vehicle camera 100 according to the embodiment. Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the in-vehicle camera 100 according to the embodiment. Figure 3 is a top view of the in-vehicle camera 100 according to the embodiment.

[0011] The in-vehicle camera 100 is a camera that is installed on the front and rear ends and left and right sides of a vehicle body to capture images of the interior and exterior of the vehicle. In recent years, the development of in-vehicle cameras 100 has become active in response to the demands for improved vehicle safety and the introduction of autonomous driving functions.

[0012] The in-vehicle camera 100 of this embodiment comprises a lens barrel 30, a circuit board 40 (see Figure 2), a ring member 20, a third resin 50 (see Figure 2), and a housing 60.

[0013] The lens barrel 30 has a cylindrical body 31 which is part of it, and contains at least one lens (not shown) inside the body 31. When multiple lenses are provided in the lens barrel 30, each lens is arranged so that its optical axis (vertical direction in the plane of the paper in Figure 2) is aligned, and they constitute a lens group used for imaging the inside and outside of the vehicle body.

[0014] The lens barrel 30 has a flange portion 32 (see FIG. 2) that projects outward from the outer peripheral surface of the main body 31. The flange portion 32 is located near the opening of the internal space of the housing portion 60 described later, and projects toward the inner peripheral surface of the housing side wall 67 (see FIG. 2) of the housing portion 60. At least a part of the flange portion 32 is joined to the housing portion 60 via the ring member 20.

[0015] The lens barrel 30 is made of, for example, polyamide resin, olefin resin, vinyl resin, styrene resin, acrylic resin, polyester resin, polycarbonate resin, polyarylate resin, polysulfone resin, polyphenylene oxide resin, polyethersulfone resin, polyetherimide resin, etc. Note that the resin used may be one type or a plurality of types. Further, the main resin may contain an absorbent or a coloring material or both that absorb laser light.

[0016] Furthermore, the lens barrel 30 has a positioning rib 33 that stands up in the orthogonal direction (in other words, the plane direction) orthogonal to the optical axis of the lens barrel 30 in order to position the lens barrel 30 with respect to the housing portion 60.

[0017] The circuit board 40 is disposed in the internal space of the housing portion 60, has a first surface 41 facing the lens barrel 30 and a second surface 42 located on the opposite side of the first surface 41, and has an end surface 45 connecting the first surface 41 and the second surface 42. The circuit board 40 has an imaging element 44 that is disposed on the first surface 41 and on the optical axis of the lens of the lens barrel 30 and images the light transmitted through the lens barrel 30. The imaging element 44 has sensitivity to light in a wavelength range of, for example, 350 nm to 1200 nm.

[0018] The ring member 20 is formed of a flat plate having a rectangular ring shape in plan view and is fixed to the lens barrel 30 and the housing portion 60. The inner peripheral surface of the ring member 20 faces the outer peripheral surface of the main body 31 of the lens barrel 30. The inner diameter of the ring member 20 has a length into which the main body 31 can be inserted.

[0019] The ring member 20 is arranged to project in a direction away from the optical axis of the lens in the entire circumference of the lens barrel 30 (the entire circumference centered on the optical axis of the lens). Further, the ring member 20 has a first surface 21 facing the outside of the in-vehicle camera 100 and a second surface 22 on the opposite side of the first surface 21 and facing the housing portion 60 side.

[0020] The ring member 20 is made of a first resin having a first light transmittance. For example, the first resin is formed from a polyester resin, a polyolefin resin, a polyamide resin, a vinyl chloride resin, a fluororesin, or the like. As the polyester resin, polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or the like can be used. As the polyolefin resin, polyethylene, polypropylene, or the like can be used. Note that the first resin used may be one type or a plurality of types. Further, when laser welding described later is used, a coloring material, a filler, or both may be contained in the main light-transmitting resin as long as transmission performance above a certain level can be realized.

[0021] The first light transmittance of the first resin is 20% or more with respect to light in the wavelength range of 800 nm to 1200 nm, which is the wavelength of the laser light used for laser welding, for example. Further, the first light transmittance of the first resin is 0% or more and 5% or less with respect to light in the wavelength range of 350 nm to 800 nm, which is the wavelength range of visible light, for example.

[0022] Note that the ring member 20 is a flat plate rectangular ring shape in the present embodiment, but is not limited thereto, and it is sufficient that the welding portion is flat. Therefore, it is not limited to a polygon such as a rectangular ring, and may be an annular shape other than a circular ring shape, such as a circular ring shape, an elliptical ring shape, or the like. Further, the steps, thickness, etc. of the portions other than the welding portion do not have to be uniform.

[0023] The housing portion 60 is a member that has an internal space and is at least partially cylindrical in shape, and has a large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 and a small-diameter cylindrical portion 62. The large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 has a larger cross-sectional area than the small-diameter cylindrical portion 62, and both have a rectangular cross-section. The large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 houses at least the circuit board 40 described above. The small-diameter cylindrical portion 62 houses a connector (not shown) that secures an electrical connection to the outside of the in-vehicle camera 100. The large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 and the small-diameter cylindrical portion 62 can be integrally molded, but pre-prepared individual large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 and small-diameter cylindrical portion 62 may be joined by welding or screw fastening. In this embodiment, the housing portion 60 is rectangular in shape, but it is not limited to this, and may be a polygonal cylindrical shape other than rectangular, a circular or elliptical cylindrical shape, or a cylindrical shape of other shapes.

[0024] The housing portion 60 is formed of a second resin having a second light transmittance smaller than the first light transmittance of the first resin constituting the ring member 20. In particular, in this embodiment, one end face 65 on the ring member 20 and lens barrel 30 side of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 defines the cylindrical shape of the housing portion 60, and at least this one end face 65 is formed of the second resin. The majority of the housing portion 60 may be made of metal, with only the portion of the one end face 65 being made of resin. The one end face 65 is fixed to the second surface 22 of the ring member 20 (see Figure 5).

[0025] As the second resin, for example, polyamide resins, olefin resins, vinyl resins, styrene resins, acrylic resins, polyester resins, polycarbonate resins, polyarylate resins, polysulfone resins, polyphenylene oxide resins, polyethersulfone resins, and polyetherimide resins can be used. Note that one type of resin or multiple types may be used. Furthermore, when using laser welding as described later, the main light-absorbing resin may contain an absorbent or coloring material that absorbs laser light, or both.

[0026] The second light transmittance of the second resin is, for example, 0% to 5% for light in the wavelength range of 350nm to 1200nm.

[0027] Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view along line AA in Figure 3. Figure 5 shows an enlarged view of portion B in Figure 4. As shown in these figures, the third resin 50 is arranged inside the cylindrical shape of the housing portion 60 so as to extend around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis of the lens. At least a portion of the third resin 50 is positioned between the second surface 22 of the ring member 20 and the image sensor 44 in the direction of the optical axis of the lens.

[0028] The third resin 50 has a second light transmittance that is smaller than the first light transmittance of the first resin constituting the ring member 20. The third light transmittance of the third resin may be 0% or more and 5% or less for light in the wavelength range of 350 nm to 1200 nm, for example. In particular, the third light transmittance of the third resin is 0% or more and 5% or less for light in the wavelength range of 800 nm to 1200 nm, which is the wavelength range of laser light transmitted by the first resin.

[0029] The third resin 50 may be provided by potting, or it may be realized by a pre-formed part by injection molding or the like. In this embodiment, the third resin 50 is molded into a box-shaped member that fits inside the cylindrical shape of the housing 60.

[0030] In this embodiment, the third resin 50 has a shape that does not come into contact with the image sensor 44 of the circuit board 40. This shape prevents the third resin 50 from obstructing light that has passed through the lens from reaching the image sensor 44, thereby suppressing adverse effects on the image sensor 44. Adverse effects on the image sensor 44 include, for example, near-infrared light in the wavelength range of 800 nm to 1200 nm acting on the image sensor, which degrades the image quality of the image output by the image sensor.

[0031] Let's explain the ring member 20 again. As mentioned above, the ring member 20 is fixed to the lens barrel 30 and the housing portion 60. This fixing can be achieved, for example, by laser welding. Specifically, in this embodiment, one end face 65 of the cylindrical housing portion 60 and the second face 22 of the ring member 20 are fixed by laser welding using a laser beam transmitted from the first face 21 to the second face 22 of the ring member 20. By fixing using laser welding, the ring member 20 and the housing portion 60 can be fixed easily and reliably.

[0032] As shown in Figure 5, in this embodiment, the flange portion 32, which is the lower end of the lens barrel 30, is positioned at the upper opening of the housing portion 60, and a part of this flange portion 32 is welded to the second surface 22, which is the lower surface of the ring member 20. In addition, one end surface 65 of the housing portion 60 is also welded to the second surface 22 of the ring member 20, and as a result, the housing portion 60 and the lens barrel 30 are assembled integrally via the ring member 20. The lens barrel 30 is positioned so that its entirety lies inside the housing portion 60 in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis.

[0033] In a typical laser welding method, when a laser is shone onto a light-transmitting resin while pressure is applied to the resin, the laser is not absorbed by the light-transmitting resin but passes through it and is absorbed at the surface of the light-absorbing resin. The absorbed laser energy is converted into heat, heating the surface of the light-absorbing resin. Furthermore, due to heat conduction, the surface of the light-transmitting resin in contact with the surface of the light-absorbing resin is also heated. As a result, the resins melt at the interface between the light-absorbing and light-transmitting resins. When the laser irradiation is stopped, the molten resin solidifies, and the two resins are welded together.

[0034] In this embodiment, first, the ring member 20 is pressed against the flange portion 32 of the lens barrel 30 and a laser is irradiated to weld the second surface 22 of the ring member 20 to the flange portion 32. Then, the ring member 20 is pressed against one end surface 65 of the housing portion 60 and a laser is irradiated to weld the second surface 22 of the ring member 20 to one end surface 65. This welded ring member 20 is sometimes referred to as a welded ring. The wavelength of the laser light used for laser welding is set to, for example, in the range of 970 nm to 1070 nm.

[0035] Furthermore, because there are limitations to the molding accuracy of the components (the molding accuracy of the resin material), it is difficult to mold the surface of the welded ring (ring member 20), the flange portion 32, and one end face 65 of the housing portion 60 to a perfectly flat surface. Inevitably, a certain amount of waviness, unevenness, etc. will exist on at least one of the surfaces. For this reason, it is not easy to properly achieve laser welding between flat surfaces.

[0036] Therefore, in this embodiment, a first welding rib 35 that contacts the welding ring (ring member 20) is formed in advance on the flange portion 32, and a second welding rib 64 that contacts the welding ring (ring member 20) is formed in advance on one end face 65 of the housing portion 60. During laser welding, by melting the first welding rib 35 and the second welding rib 64 with a predetermined melting amount (for example, about 0.1 mm to 0.2 mm), it is possible to achieve proper welding while suppressing the effects of the aforementioned waviness, unevenness, etc.

[0037] It is desirable that one end face 65 of the housing portion 60 be fixed (including laser welding) to the ring member 20 along the entire circumference of the cylindrical shape of the housing portion 60. This allows the ring member 20 and the housing portion 60 to be firmly fixed together.

[0038] Furthermore, the lens barrel 30 and the ring member 20 may be formed as a single, integrally connected component before being attached to the housing 60. By using such a component, the process of fixing the lens barrel 30 and the ring member 20 can be omitted, thereby simplifying the assembly process of the in-vehicle camera 100.

[0039] Furthermore, the lens barrel 30 and the ring member 20 may be a single component that is pre-joined before being attached to the housing 60. This joining may be achieved by the laser welding described above. By using such a component, the process of fixing the lens barrel 30 and the ring member 20 can be omitted, thereby simplifying the assembly process of the in-vehicle camera 100.

[0040] Incidentally, the lens barrel 30 and the housing 60 are joined to each other via a welding ring (ring member 20), but due to the molding precision of the members, it is difficult to completely eliminate the gap that occurs between the lens barrel 30 and the housing 60. If such a gap exists, there is a risk that light coming from the outside will not pass through the lens barrel 30 but will pass through this gap and enter the internal space of the housing 60.

[0041] For example, as shown in Figure 5, a gap g1 may be formed between the inner surface 68 of the housing portion 60 and the flange portion 32 of the lens barrel 30. The ring member 20 covers the gap g1, but the first resin constituting the ring member 20 has a relatively high first light transmittance, assuming welding by laser light. Therefore, light from the outside that does not pass through the lens barrel 30 can easily pass through the ring member 20 and the gap g1 and enter the internal space of the housing portion 60. If such light reaches the image sensor 44, it may adversely affect imaging.

[0042] To address the concerns mentioned above, in this embodiment, a third resin 50 having a second light transmittance smaller than the first light transmittance of the first resin constituting the ring member 20 is arranged inside the housing portion 60. The third resin 50 is arranged inside the cylindrical shape of the housing portion 60 so as to extend around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis of the lens.

[0043] Furthermore, at least a portion of the third resin 50 is positioned between the second surface 22 of the ring member 20 and the image sensor 44 in the direction of the optical axis of the lens. For example, a protrusion 51, which is part of the third resin 50, protrudes from one end face of the third resin 50 toward the second surface 22 of the ring member 20, but at least the protrusion 51 is positioned between the second surface 22 of the ring member 20 and the image sensor 44 in the direction of the optical axis.

[0044] In this configuration, the third resin 50, which has a relatively low light transmittance, suppresses the entry of light from the outside through the ring member 20 and the gap g1 into the housing 60, thereby suppressing adverse effects on imaging by the image sensor 44. In particular, the third resin 50 suppresses the transmission of light from the outside in the wavelength range of 800 nm to 1200 nm, which is the wavelength range of the laser light transmitted by the ring member 20, thereby suppressing adverse effects on imaging by the image sensor 44.

[0045] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the flange portion 32, which is part of the lens barrel 30, protrudes inward from the housing portion 60 with respect to the ring member 20. The protruding portion 51, which is at least a part of the third resin 50, is positioned between the flange portion 32 of the lens barrel 30 and the cylindrical inner surface 68 of the housing portion 60. With this configuration, it is possible to more reliably suppress external light from passing through the ring member 20 and entering the interior of the housing portion 60.

[0046] Although gap g1 was given as an example of a gap through which light can pass, gaps may occur in other places depending on the configuration of the housing 60 and the lens barrel 30. Even if gaps occur in other places, the intrusion of light can be prevented by positioning the third resin 50 according to the location and shape of the gap.

[0047] Next, we will explain another role of the third resin 50. Electronic components such as the circuit board 40 are located in the internal space of the housing 60. As these electronic components operate, they generate heat in the confined internal space, which can cause malfunctions in the in-vehicle camera 100.

[0048] In relation to this problem, we will focus on the third resin 50. As shown in Figure 4, the third resin 50 occupies a large volume proportion in the internal space of the housing 60. Therefore, it is conceivable that malfunctions can be easily avoided by giving the third resin 50 the role of a heat dissipation material that dissipates the heat generated in the internal space of the housing 60 to the outside.

[0049] From this perspective, it is desirable that the third resin 50 be composed of a material containing at least a silicone compounded with a thermally conductive substance. Silicone compounded with a thermally conductive substance has a heat dissipation function and can efficiently dissipate heat from inside the housing 60. The thermally conductive substance is a material with higher thermal conductivity than silicone, such as an inorganic material like aluminum oxide.

[0050] From the viewpoint of efficient heat dissipation, it is desirable that the third resin 50 has the following shape, as shown in Figure 4.

[0051] A portion of the third resin 50 is in contact with the first surface 41 of the circuit board 40. This allows for efficient heat dissipation from the circuit board 40.

[0052] Furthermore, a portion of the third resin 50 is in contact with the cylindrical inner surface 68 of the housing 60. This allows for efficient heat dissipation from inside the housing 60.

[0053] Furthermore, a portion of the third resin 50 is also placed in the gap g2 formed between the end face 45 of the circuit board 40 and the cylindrical inner surface 68 of the housing portion 60. This allows for efficient heat dissipation from the circuit board 40.

[0054] Furthermore, a portion of the third resin 50 is in contact with the second surface 42 of the circuit board 40. This allows for efficient heat dissipation from the circuit board 40.

[0055] The housing portion 60 has a bottom portion 69 that closes the cylindrical shape on the opposite side of one end face 65 of the cylindrical shape. The bottom portion 69 is formed at the end of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61. Therefore, the housing portion 60 can accommodate various parts. Furthermore, a part of the third resin 50 is in contact with the inner surface 68 of the bottom portion 69. This allows for efficient heat dissipation from inside the housing portion 60.

[0056] As described above, this disclosure contains at least the following technical concepts. The components etc. in parentheses indicate those corresponding to the embodiments described above, but are not limited to those.

[0057] (1) A cylindrical lens barrel (lens barrel 30) having at least one lens, A circuit board (circuit board 40) having a first surface (first surface 41) and a second surface (second surface 42) opposite to the first surface, An image sensor (image sensor 44) is arranged on the first surface of the circuit board and positioned on the optical axis of at least one lens, A ring member (ring member 20) is made of a first resin having a first light transmittance at a predetermined wavelength, is arranged so as to protrude in a direction away from the optical axis around the entire circumference of the lens barrel, and has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, At least a portion of the device is cylindrical, and at least one end face (one end face 65) of the cylindrical shape is formed of a second resin having a second light transmittance smaller than the first light transmittance at the predetermined wavelength, and the device comprises at least a housing portion (housing portion 60) that houses the circuit board, The one end face of the cylindrical shape of the housing portion is fixed to the second face of the ring member. The housing portion includes a third resin (third resin 50) which is positioned inside the cylindrical shape of the housing portion, extending around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and between the second surface of the ring member and the image sensor in the direction of the optical axis, and having a third light transmittance smaller than the first light transmittance at a predetermined wavelength. In-car camera.

[0058] This prevents light from entering the housing of an in-vehicle camera from passing through the ring component, thereby suppressing adverse effects on imaging by the image sensor.

[0059] (2) The in-vehicle camera described in (1), The third resin is not in contact with the image sensor on the circuit board. In-car camera.

[0060] This makes it possible to suppress the adverse effects of the third resin on the image sensor in in-vehicle cameras.

[0061] (3)(1) The in-vehicle camera described above, The one end face of the cylindrical shape of the housing portion is fixed to the ring member along the entire circumference of the cylindrical shape. In-car camera.

[0062] This allows the ring member and the housing to be firmly fixed together in the in-vehicle camera.

[0063] (4)(1) The in-vehicle camera described above, The one end face of the cylindrical housing portion and the second face of the ring member are fixed together by laser welding using a laser beam transmitted from the first face to the second face of the ring member. In-car camera.

[0064] This makes it easy and reliable to fix the ring member and the housing part in an in-vehicle camera.

[0065] (5)(1) The in-vehicle camera described above, The lens barrel and the ring member are formed integrally. In-car camera.

[0066] This allows for a simplification of the assembly process for in-vehicle cameras.

[0067] (6)(1) The in-vehicle camera described above, The lens barrel and the ring member are connected. In-car camera.

[0068] This allows for a simplification of the assembly process for in-vehicle cameras.

[0069] (7)(1) The in-vehicle camera described above, The third resin comprises at least silicone, In-car camera.

[0070] This allows for efficient heat dissipation from inside the housing of the in-vehicle camera.

[0071] (8)(1) The in-vehicle camera described above, A portion of the lens barrel protrudes inward from the housing portion with respect to the ring member. At least a portion of the third resin is disposed between the portion of the lens barrel and the cylindrical inner surface (inner surface 68) of the housing portion. In-car camera.

[0072] This makes it possible to more reliably suppress external light from passing through the ring component and entering the interior of the housing in an in-vehicle camera.

[0073] (9)(1) The in-vehicle camera described above, A portion of the third resin is in contact with the first surface of the circuit board. In-car camera

[0074] This allows for efficient heat dissipation from the circuit board in in-vehicle cameras.

[0075] (10)(9) The in-vehicle camera described above, A portion of the third resin is in contact with the inner surface of the cylindrical shape of the housing portion. In-car camera.

[0076] This allows for efficient heat dissipation from inside the housing of the in-vehicle camera.

[0077] (11)(10) The in-vehicle camera described above, The circuit board has an end face (end face 45) connecting the first surface of the circuit board and the second surface of the circuit board. A portion of the third resin is placed between the end face of the circuit board and the cylindrical inner surface of the housing portion. In-car camera.

[0078] This allows for efficient heat dissipation from the circuit board in in-vehicle cameras.

[0079] (12)(11) The in-vehicle camera described above, A portion of the third resin is in contact with the second surface of the circuit board. In-car camera.

[0080] This allows for efficient heat dissipation from the circuit board in in-vehicle cameras.

[0081] (13)(1) The in-vehicle camera described above, The housing portion includes a bottom portion that closes the cylindrical shape on the opposite side of the one end face of the cylindrical shape. In-car camera.

[0082] This allows the housing of an in-vehicle camera to accommodate various components.

[0083] (14)(13) The in-vehicle camera described above, A portion of the third resin is in contact with the inner surface of the bottom surface (bottom surface 69) of the housing. In-car camera.

[0084] This allows for efficient heat dissipation from inside the housing of the in-vehicle camera.

[0085] While embodiments have been described above with reference to the attached drawings, this disclosure is not limited to such examples. Those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications, alterations, substitutions, additions, deletions, and equivalents are possible within the scope of the claims, and that these also fall within the technical scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, the components of the embodiments described above may be combined in any way without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Industrial applicability]

[0086] This disclosure is useful as an in-vehicle camera because it suppresses light arriving from the outside from passing through the ring member and entering the inside of the housing, thereby suppressing adverse effects on imaging by the image sensor. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0087] 20 Ring Member 21 Page 1 22 Side 2 30 Lens barrel 31 Main unit 32 Guard section 33 Positioning ribs 35 First welded rib 40 Circuit boards 41 Page 1 42 Side 2 44 Image sensors 45 End face 50 Third resin 51 Protrusion 60 Housing section 61 Large diameter cylindrical section 62 Small diameter cylindrical part 64 Second welded rib 65 One end face 67 Side wall of the enclosure 68 Inner self 69 Bottom part 100 In-Car Cameras

Claims

1. It has at least one lens, and a cylindrical lens barrel, A circuit board having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, An image sensor is disposed on the first surface of the circuit board and positioned on the optical axis of at least one lens, A ring member is made of a first resin having a first light transmittance at a predetermined wavelength, is arranged along a direction perpendicular to the optical axis around the entire circumference of the lens barrel, and has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, The device comprises a housing portion that houses at least the circuit board, wherein at least a portion of the device is cylindrical, and at least one end face of the cylindrical shape is formed of a second resin having a second light transmittance smaller than the first light transmittance at the predetermined wavelength, The one end face of the cylindrical shape of the housing portion is fixed to the second face of the ring member. The housing portion comprises a third resin having a third light transmittance smaller than the first light transmittance at a predetermined wavelength, which is arranged inside the cylindrical shape of the housing portion, over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and between the second surface of the ring member and the image sensor in the direction of the optical axis, In-car camera.

2. An in-vehicle camera according to claim 1, The third resin is not in contact with the image sensor on the circuit board. In-car camera.

3. An in-vehicle camera according to claim 1, The one end face of the cylindrical shape of the housing portion is fixed to the ring member along the entire circumference of the cylindrical shape. In-car camera.

4. An in-vehicle camera according to claim 1, The one end face of the cylindrical housing portion and the second face of the ring member are fixed together by laser welding using a laser beam transmitted from the first face to the second face of the ring member. In-car camera.

5. An in-vehicle camera according to claim 1, The lens barrel and the ring member are formed integrally. In-car camera.

6. An in-vehicle camera according to claim 1, The lens barrel and the ring member are connected. In-car camera.

7. An in-vehicle camera according to claim 1, The third resin comprises at least silicone. In-car camera.

8. An in-vehicle camera according to claim 1, A portion of the lens barrel protrudes inward from the housing portion with respect to the ring member. At least a portion of the third resin is disposed between the portion of the lens barrel and the cylindrical inner surface of the housing portion. In-car camera.

9. An in-vehicle camera according to claim 1, A portion of the third resin is in contact with the first surface of the circuit board. In-car camera.

10. The in-vehicle camera according to claim 9, A portion of the third resin is in contact with the inner surface of the cylindrical shape of the housing portion. In-car camera.

11. An in-vehicle camera according to claim 10, The circuit board has an end face connecting the first surface of the circuit board and the second surface of the circuit board, A portion of the third resin is placed between the end face of the circuit board and the cylindrical inner surface of the housing portion. In-car camera.

12. An in-vehicle camera according to claim 11, A portion of the third resin is in contact with the second surface of the circuit board. In-car camera.

13. An in-vehicle camera according to claim 1, The housing portion includes a bottom portion that closes the cylindrical shape on the opposite side of the one end face of the cylindrical shape. In-car camera.

14. The in-vehicle camera according to claim 13, A portion of the third resin is in contact with the inner surface of the bottom of the housing. In-car camera.

15. An in-vehicle camera according to claim 1, The predetermined wavelength is 800 nm to 1200 nm. In-car camera.

Images