Optical device and imaging unit provided with optical device

Abstract

The present disclosure provides an optical device in which foreign substances adhering to the surface of a light-transmitting body can be sufficiently removed, and an imaging unit provided with the optical device. An optical device (10) is provided with an outermost layer lens (1) (light-transmitting body), a housing (2), a vibrating body (3), and a piezoelectric element (5). The outermost layer lens (1) transmits light of a predetermined wavelength. The housing (2) holds the outermost layer lens (1). The vibrating body (3) is a cylindrical body and is in contact with the outermost layer lens (1) at one end, and the piezoelectric element (5) is provided at the other end (32). The vibrating body (3), when in a heat generation mode among multiple vibration modes that vibrate the outermost layer lens (1), vibrates the outermost layer lens (1) at the natural vibration frequency of the outermost layer lens (1) and at a vibration acceleration rate in the range of 3.0×106m / s2 to 3.0×108m / s2.

Description

Optical device and imaging unit including optical device

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an optical device and an imaging unit including the optical device.

[0002] Imaging units are installed in the front or rear of a vehicle, and images obtained by the imaging units are used to control safety devices and drive assistance controls. Since such imaging units are often installed outside the vehicle, foreign matter such as raindrops (water droplets), mud, and dust may adhere to the transparent body (protective cover or lens) that covers the exterior. Furthermore, in cold weather, ice or frost may adhere to the surface of the transparent body of an imaging unit installed outside the vehicle, making it difficult to obtain clear images.

[0003] Therefore, in the optical unit described in Patent Document 1, the light-transmitting body can be vibrated at a first frequency (cleaning mode) to remove foreign matter adhering to the surface of the light-transmitting body, and the light-transmitting body is vibrated at a second frequency (heating mode) to heat the light-transmitting body. Specifically, in the optical unit described in Patent Document 1, a controller circuit switches between vibrating the light-transmitting body in the cleaning mode and vibrating the light-transmitting body in the heating mode.

[0004] US Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0246323

[0005] However, although Patent Document 1 describes an imaging unit that vibrates a light-transmitting body in a heating mode at a second frequency different from the first frequency, it does not describe an imaging unit that vibrates a light-transmitting body in a heating mode in a situation where there are constraints such as allowable power consumption, allowable wait time, etc. Therefore, with the imaging unit described in Patent Document 1, there is a risk that foreign matter such as ice or frost adhering to the surface of a light-transmitting body may not be sufficiently removed in a situation where there are constraints.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide an optical device that can sufficiently remove foreign matter adhering to the surface of a light-transmitting body under restricted conditions, and an imaging unit that includes the optical device.

[0007] An optical device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a light-transmitting body that transmits light of a predetermined wavelength, a housing that holds the light-transmitting body, a vibrating body that contacts the light-transmitting body held in the housing, and a piezoelectric element that is provided on the vibrating body and vibrates the vibrating body. The vibrating body is a cylindrical body that contacts the light-transmitting body at a first end, and the piezoelectric element is provided at a second end opposite to the first end. The vibrating body vibrates the light-transmitting body in a heat-generating mode among a plurality of vibration modes at the natural vibration frequency of the light-transmitting body, and the vibration frequency is 3.0 × 10 ６ m / s ２ Above 3.0 x 10 ８ m / s ２ The transparent body is vibrated at a vibration acceleration within the following range.

[0008] An imaging unit according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes the optical device described above and an imaging element arranged so that the light-transmitting body is in the field of view.

[0009] According to the present disclosure, the vibrator has a natural vibration frequency of 3.0 × 10 in a heat generation mode. ６ m / s ２ Above 3.0 x 10 ８ m / s ２ Since the light-transmitting body is vibrated at a vibration acceleration in the following range, foreign matter adhering to the surface of the light-transmitting body can be sufficiently removed even under restricted conditions.

[0010] 1 is a half cross-sectional view of an imaging unit according to an embodiment; FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating displacement occurring in an optical device according to an embodiment; FIG. 3 is a graph illustrating vibration acceleration and temperature rise rate when vibrated in heat generation mode; FIG. 4 is a graph showing the relationship between frequency and resonance resistance when the outermost lens according to an embodiment is vibrated in heat generation mode; FIG. 5 is a graph showing the relationship between frequency and electromechanical coupling coefficient when the outermost lens according to an embodiment is vibrated in heat generation mode; FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating displacement occurring in an optical device when the set conditions are not met; FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating displacement of the outermost lens 1 when the vibrating body according to an embodiment is driven in a foreign matter removal mode; and FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating displacement of the outermost lens 1 when the vibrating body according to an embodiment is driven in another foreign matter removal mode.

[0011] An optical device according to an embodiment and an imaging unit including the optical device will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the same reference numerals in the drawings indicate the same or corresponding parts. The optical device described below is applied to, for example, an in-vehicle imaging unit, and can vibrate a transparent body (e.g., the outermost lens) to remove foreign matter adhering to the surface of the transparent body. The optical device is not limited to applications in in-vehicle imaging units. For example, the optical device can also be applied to security surveillance cameras, imaging units for drones, and the like.

[0012] 1 is a half-sectional view of an imaging unit 100 according to an embodiment. The X and Z directions in the figure indicate the horizontal and vertical directions of the imaging unit 100, respectively. The dashed-dotted line in FIG. 1 indicates a portion passing through the central axis of the imaging unit 100. The imaging unit 100 includes an optical device 10 and an imaging element 20 arranged so that the outermost lens 1 and the inner lens 4 are in the field of view. The imaging element 20 is an image sensor such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor) sensor, and is mounted on a circuit board (not shown).

[0013] The optical device 10 has an outermost lens 1, a housing 2, a vibrating body 3, an inner lens 4, a piezoelectric element 5, and an excitation circuit 6. In the present disclosure, the optical device 10 is required to include at least the outermost lens 1, the housing 2, the vibrating body 3, and the piezoelectric element 5, and may be configured to include the inner lens 4 or the excitation circuit 6, or the inner lens 4 and the excitation circuit 6, in the imaging unit 100. After adjusting the alignment between the outermost lens 1 and the inner lens 4, the optical device 10 becomes the imaging unit 100 by attaching a case including an imaging element 20.

[0014] The outermost lens 1 is a translucent body that transmits light of a predetermined wavelength (e.g., a wavelength of visible light or a wavelength that can be captured by an imaging element), and is, for example, a convex meniscus lens. Note that the optical device 10 may use a transparent member such as a protective cover instead of the outermost lens 1. The protective cover may be made of glass or a resin such as transparent plastic.

[0015] An end of the outermost lens 1 is held by an end of a leaf spring 2a extending from the housing 2. An adhesive is filled between the outermost lens 1 and a retainer 2b, which is the end of the leaf spring 2a. Furthermore, the optical device 10 has a vibrating body 3 provided at a position in contact with the outermost lens 1 to vibrate the outermost lens 1 held in the housing 2.

[0016] The vibrating body 3 is a cylindrical body, and is in contact with the outermost lens 1 at one end 31 (first end), and has a piezoelectric element 5 provided at the other end 32 (second end) opposite the one end. The vibrating body 3 is configured such that one end 31 and the other end 32 are connected by a support part 33. The cross section of the support part 33 is S-shaped. An inner lens 4 is arranged inside the cylinder of the vibrating body 3, as shown in FIG. 1.

[0017] One end 31 has a shape that extends in the radial direction (X and Y directions) of the cylindrical body, allowing it to be stably connected to the peripheral edge of the outermost lens 1. The other end 32 is a portion that vibrates along with the vibration of the piezoelectric element 5 and has a thickness greater than other portions. This makes it easier to transmit the vibration of the piezoelectric element 5 to the outermost lens 1 more efficiently. The support portion 33 supports the one end 31 and transmits the vibration of the other end 32 to the one end 31. Note that the one end 31, the other end 32, and the support portion 33 may be formed integrally or separately. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1 , the maximum outer dimension of the support portion 33 is larger than the maximum outer dimension of the one end 31, and the maximum outer dimension of the other end 32 is larger than the maximum outer dimension of the support portion 33. This allows the vibration of the other end 32 (i.e., the vibration of the piezoelectric element 5) to be efficiently transmitted to the outermost lens 1 (translucent body).

[0018] The piezoelectric element 5 is provided at the other end 32. The piezoelectric element 5 has a hollow circular shape and vibrates by being polarized in the thickness direction, for example. The piezoelectric element 5 is made of lead zirconate titanate piezoelectric ceramics. However, (K,Na)NbO ３ Other piezoelectric ceramics such as LiTaO may also be used. ３ Alternatively, a piezoelectric single crystal such as the above may be used. The piezoelectric element 5 is connected to an excitation circuit 6, and vibrates the outermost lens 1 based on a signal from the circuit.

[0019] The excitation circuit 6 can drive the piezoelectric element 5 in a foreign matter removal mode in which the outermost lens 1 is vibrated at the resonance frequency of the vibrating body 3 in order to remove foreign matter such as raindrops, mud, and dust adhering to the outermost lens 1. The excitation circuit 6 can also drive the piezoelectric element 5 in a heat generation mode in which the outermost lens 1 is vibrated at the natural vibration frequency of the outermost lens 1 in order to remove foreign matter such as ice and frost adhering to the outermost lens 1. The excitation circuit 6 can drive the piezoelectric element 5 by switching between a plurality of vibration modes including the foreign matter removal mode and the heat generation mode. The excitation circuit 6 also serves as a switching unit that switches between the mode in which the outermost lens 1 is vibrated from a plurality of vibration modes.

[0020] In the heat generation mode, the outermost lens 1 is vibrated to generate heat by utilizing the mechanical loss of vibrations that occur in the outermost lens 1. In order to efficiently generate heat in the outermost lens 1, it is necessary to vibrate the outermost lens 1 at its natural vibration frequency. However, even if the outermost lens 1 is vibrated at this natural vibration frequency, the imaging unit 100 cannot capture the necessary images while ice or frost foreign matter is attached to the outermost lens 1. For this reason, in systems (such as in-vehicle systems) incorporating the imaging unit 100, the time (allowable wait time) until the ice or frost foreign matter can be removed in the heat generation mode and the necessary images can be captured is limited.

[0021] In order to increase the amount of heat generated by the outermost lens 1, the optical device 10 needs to increase the vibration acceleration of the outermost lens 1. For example, if the allowable wait time is limited to approximately 200 to 400 seconds, repeated simulations have revealed that the vibration acceleration of the outermost lens 1 required to remove ice or frost adhering to the outermost lens 1 within the allowable wait time is approximately 3.0×10 ６ m / s ２ I realized it would be more than that.

[0022] The optical device 10 reduces the vibration acceleration of the outermost lens 1 to approximately 3.0×10 ６ m / s ２ By vibrating the outermost lens 1 in the above manner, it becomes possible to remove ice or frost adhering to the outermost lens 1 within the allowable wait time. By further increasing the vibration acceleration of the outermost lens 1, the optical device 10 can shorten the time required to remove ice or frost adhering to the outermost lens 1. However, as the vibration acceleration of the outermost lens 1 is increased, the power consumed by the piezoelectric element 5 increases.

[0023] In systems incorporating the imaging unit 100 (for example, in-vehicle systems), the power consumption (allowable power consumption) allocated to the imaging unit 100 is often limited. Therefore, in the optical device 10, it is necessary to vibrate the outermost lens 1 within the allowable power consumption range to remove ice or frost that has adhered to the outermost lens 1. For example, if the allowable power consumption is limited to approximately 3 W to 7 W, repeated simulations and experiments have revealed that the vibration acceleration of the outermost lens 1 that can be vibrated within the allowable power consumption range is approximately 3.0 × 10 ８ m / s ２ It turned out to be the following:

[0024] Therefore, in the optical device 10, when the outermost lens 1 is vibrated in the heat generation mode under the conditions of the allowable power consumption, the allowable wait time, etc., the natural vibration frequency of the outermost lens 1 is about 3.0×10 ６ m / s ２ More than 3.0 x 10 ８ m / s ２It is preferable to vibrate the outermost lens 1 at a vibration acceleration in the range of: ６ m / s ２ More than 4.9 x 10 ７ m / s ２ The outermost lens 1 is vibrated at a vibration acceleration within the following range: In the optical device 10, by vibrating the outermost lens 1 in this heat generation mode, foreign matter such as ice or frost adhering to the surface of the outermost lens 1 can be sufficiently removed even under restrictive conditions.

[0025] The optical device 10 can remove foreign matter such as ice or frost adhering to the surface of the outermost lens 1 by vibrating the outermost lens 1 in heat generation mode, but can also remove foreign matter more efficiently by causing the outermost lens 1 to undergo maximum vibration-induced displacement. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating displacements occurring in the optical device 10 according to an embodiment. Figure 2 shows the displacements caused by vibrations in the optical device 10 as a result of a simulation in which the optical device 10 is vibrated. The dashed-dotted line in Figure 2 indicates the portion passing through the central axis of the optical device 10. Note that in Figure 2, the magnitude of the displacement caused by vibration is indicated by the density of the hatching, with darker hatching indicating areas with greater displacement caused by vibration.

[0026] As can be seen from Figure 2, the central portion M of the outermost lens 1 is significantly deformed. Meanwhile, the deformation of other portions is smaller than that of the outermost lens 1. In other words, when the optical device 10 vibrates the outermost lens 1 in heat generation mode, it can vibrate the outermost lens 1 so that the maximum displacement due to vibration occurs in the outermost lens 1. In this way, by the optical device 10 vibrating the outermost lens 1 in heat generation mode, the energy input from the piezoelectric element 5 can be efficiently consumed as heat generation in the outermost lens 1.

[0027] FIG. 3 is a graph illustrating the vibration acceleration and the rate of temperature rise when vibrating in the heat generation mode. FIG. 3 shows experimental data comparing the vibration acceleration and the rate of temperature rise for a comparative vibration mode and a heat generation mode. In FIG. 3, the vibration acceleration and the rate of temperature rise when the outermost lens 1 is vibrated in the comparative vibration mode are set to "1," and the vibration acceleration and the rate of temperature rise when the outermost lens 1 is vibrated in the heat generation mode are shown. Note that both vibration modes are driven with the same power consumption, within the allowable power consumption range of 3 W to 7 W. Furthermore, the vibration acceleration for the comparative vibration mode is 3.0×10 , which is the lower limit of the specified range. ６ m / s ２ 3 , the vibration acceleration in the heat generation mode is approximately 6.7 times that of the comparative example, and the temperature rise rate is approximately 5.0 times that of the comparative example. Therefore, by vibrating the outermost lens 1 in the heat generation mode, a faster temperature rise rate can be achieved compared to vibrating the outermost lens 1 in the comparative vibration mode, and the input energy (power consumption) can be efficiently consumed for temperature rise (melting). In other words, the optical device 10 can remove ice and frost foreign matter more efficiently than when the outermost lens 1 does not experience maximum displacement due to vibration.

[0028] By vibrating the outermost lens 1 at its natural vibration frequency, the optical device 10 can increase the proportion of energy distributed to the outermost lens 1 out of the energy input from the piezoelectric element 5, thereby increasing the vibration acceleration of the outermost lens 1 and causing the outermost lens 1 to experience maximum displacement due to vibration.

[0029] Furthermore, in order to efficiently convert the energy distributed to the outermost lens 1 in the optical device 10 into thermal energy, it is necessary to optimize the electromechanical coupling coefficient between the outermost lens 1 and the piezoelectric element 5 .

[0030] Fig. 4 is a graph showing the relationship between frequency and resonance resistance when the outermost lens 1 according to the embodiment is vibrated in heat generation mode. In Fig. 3, the horizontal axis represents the frequency (kHz) of the piezoelectric element 5, and the vertical axis represents the resonance resistance (Ω) of the vibrating body 3 including the outermost lens 1. Fig. 5 is a graph showing the relationship between frequency and electromechanical coupling coefficient when the outermost lens 1 according to the embodiment is vibrated in heat generation mode. In Fig. 5, the horizontal axis represents the frequency (kHz) of the piezoelectric element 5, and the vertical axis represents the electromechanical coupling coefficient (%) between the outermost lens 1 and the piezoelectric element 5. The data plotted in Figs. 4 and 5 are simulation results of vibrations in which energy distributed to the outermost lens 1 is converted into thermal energy with an efficiency equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

[0031] When vibrating outermost lens 1 in optical device 10 so as to efficiently convert the energy distributed to outermost lens 1 into thermal energy, it is clear from Fig. 4 that it is preferable to set the resonance resistance to 60 Ω or more. Furthermore, when vibrating outermost lens 1 in optical device 10 so as to efficiently convert the energy distributed to outermost lens 1 into thermal energy, it is clear from Fig. 5 that it is preferable to set the electromechanical coupling coefficient between outermost lens 1 and piezoelectric element 5 in the range of 0% to 6%.

[0032] In optical device 10, by satisfying the setting conditions of an electromechanical coupling coefficient between outermost lens 1 and piezoelectric element 5 in the range of 0% to 6% or a resonance resistance of 60 Ω or more, when outermost lens 1 is vibrated in a heat generation mode, the vibration mode does not overlap with the higher-order resonance mode of piezoelectric element 5. Therefore, optical device 10 can efficiently convert the energy distributed to outermost lens 1 into thermal energy, causing outermost lens 1 to efficiently generate heat.

[0033] If the optical device 10 deviates from the set conditions, for example, if the electromechanical coupling coefficient between the outermost lens 1 and the piezoelectric element 5 becomes greater than 6% or the resonance resistance becomes smaller than 60 Ω, the displacement due to vibration increases in parts other than the outermost lens 1, and the heat generated from these parts increases. Figure 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining the displacement that occurs in the optical device 10 when the set conditions are deviated from.

[0034] Figure 6 shows the results of a vibration simulation performed on an optical device 10 in which the electromechanical coupling coefficient between the outermost lens 1 and the piezoelectric element 5 is greater than 6% or the resonance resistance is less than 60 Ω. The dashed-dotted line in Figure 6 indicates the portion passing through the central axis of the optical device 10. In Figure 6, the density of the hatching indicates the magnitude of displacement due to vibration, with darker hatched areas indicating areas with greater displacement due to vibration.

[0035] If the set conditions are not met, vibrating the optical device 10 will result in a vibration mode that is superimposed on a higher-order resonance mode of the piezoelectric element 5, and as shown in Figure 6, the displacement of the piezoelectric element 5 will be greater than the displacement of the outermost lens 1. Since the area that experiences large displacement becomes the heat source, in the case shown in Figure 6, the energy consumed for heat generation in the piezoelectric element 5 will be greater than the energy consumed for heat generation in the outermost lens 1. Furthermore, if the displacement of the outermost lens 1 becomes small, the energy distributed to the outermost lens 1 will no longer be efficiently converted into thermal energy.

[0036] In addition to driving the piezoelectric element 5 in the heat generation mode, the optical device 10 can also drive the piezoelectric element 5 in a foreign matter removal mode in which the outermost lens 1 is vibrated at the resonance frequency of the vibrating body 3 in order to remove foreign matter such as raindrops, mud, and dust adhering to the outermost lens 1. Figure 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining the displacement of the outermost lens 1 when the vibrating body 3 according to the embodiment is driven in the foreign matter removal mode.

[0037] 7(a) shows the position of maximum displacement of the outermost lens 1 when the vibrating body 3 is driven in the foreign substance removal mode, and FIG. 7(b) shows the vibration amplitude when the outermost lens 1 is vibrated in the foreign substance removal mode, assuming that the outermost lens 1 is a flat plate.

[0038] When the piezoelectric element 5 is driven at the resonant frequency of the vibrating body 3, the optical device 10 can vibrate the outermost lens 1 in the foreign matter removal mode. When the outermost lens 1 is vibrated in the foreign matter removal mode, the maximum vibration displacement occurs at the center 1a of the outermost lens 1, as shown in Fig. 7(a). Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 7(b), if the outermost lens 1 is assumed to be a flat plate, the portion with the greatest displacement is the center 1a of the outermost lens 1 (vibration antinode 1b), and the portion with the least displacement is the peripheral portion of the outermost lens 1 (vibration node 1c).

[0039] Among the multiple vibration modes, the vibrating body 3 can vibrate the outermost lens 1 at a resonance frequency in which the center 1a of the outermost lens 1 becomes the antinode 1b of the vibration and the peripheral portion of the outermost lens 1 held in the housing 2 becomes the node 1c of the vibration as a foreign matter removal mode. This allows the optical device 10 to remove foreign matter such as raindrops, mud, and dust adhering to the outermost lens 1 by vibrating the outermost lens 1.

[0040] The foreign substance removal mode is not limited to the vibration shown in FIG. 7 . FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram for explaining the displacement of the outermost lens 1 when the vibrator according to the embodiment is driven in another foreign substance removal mode. As can be seen from FIG. 8 , the vibrator 3 elastically deforms like a spring, thereby displacing the entire outermost lens 1 in the Z direction (field of view). The vibration of the vibrator 3 also elastically deforms the leaf spring 2a of the housing 2 that holds the outermost lens 1. Also, as can be seen from FIG. 8 , the vibrator 3 has a vibration node N in the center of the S-shaped cross section. Here, the vibration node N is a portion where the amplitude is approximately 1 / 50 or less of the maximum amplitude of the vibrator 3. Therefore, while the vibration of the vibrator 3 maximizes the displacement of the outermost lens 1, the displacement of the vibration node N is small. Note that in FIG. 8 , the magnitude of displacement is indicated by the shade of hatching, with darker hatching indicating areas with greater displacement, and the outermost lens 1 experiencing greater displacement.

[0041] The optical device 10 can switch between the foreign matter removal mode and the heat generation mode using the excitation circuit 6. The optical device 10 may switch between the foreign matter removal mode and the heat generation mode, for example, based on an image captured by the image sensor 20. Specifically, the optical device 10 may store in advance an image of a case where foreign matter such as raindrops, mud, or dust has adhered to the outermost lens 1, and an image of a case where foreign matter such as ice or frost has adhered to the outermost lens 1, and switch between the foreign matter removal mode and the heat generation mode based on whether the image matches either of the images.

[0042] (Modification) In the optical device 10 according to the embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the support portion 33 is described as being S-shaped. However, the cross-sectional shape of the support portion is not limited to an S-shape as long as it is a shape that does not cause stress concentration in the vibrating body. For example, the cross-sectional shape of the support portion 33 may be a shape formed by connecting multiple S-shapes. Furthermore, as long as the cross-sectional shape reduces the areas where stress concentrates in the support portion 33, the cross-sectional shape may be a curved shape that is half of an S-shape.

[0043] The imaging unit 100 according to the above-described embodiment may include a camera, LiDAR, radar, etc. Furthermore, a plurality of imaging units 100 may be arranged side by side.

[0044] The imaging unit 100 according to the above-described embodiment is not limited to imaging units installed in vehicles, but can be similarly applied to any imaging unit that includes an optical device and an imaging element arranged so that a light-transmitting body is in the field of view, and that requires removal of foreign matter from the light-transmitting body.

[0045] (Aspects) (1) An optical device according to the present disclosure includes: a translucent body that transmits light of a predetermined wavelength; a housing that holds the translucent body; a vibrator that contacts the translucent body held in the housing; and a piezoelectric element that is provided on the vibrator and vibrates the vibrator, wherein the vibrator is a cylindrical body that contacts the translucent body at a first end and has the piezoelectric element provided at a second end opposite to the first end, and a heat generation mode among a plurality of vibration modes that vibrate the translucent body is a natural vibration frequency of the translucent body of 3.0 × 10 ６ m / s ２ Above 3.0 x 10 ８ m / s２ The transparent body is vibrated at a vibration acceleration within the following range.

[0046] (2) In the optical device described in (1), when the vibrator vibrates the light-transmitting body in the heat generation mode, the vibrator vibrates the light-transmitting body so that a maximum displacement due to the vibration occurs in the light-transmitting body.

[0047] (3) In the optical device described in (1) or (2), when the light-transmitting body is vibrated in a heat generation mode, the electromechanical coupling coefficient between the light-transmitting body and the piezoelectric element is in the range of 0% to 6%, or the resonance resistance is 60 Ω or more.

[0048] (4) In the optical device described in any one of (1) to (3), the vibrator vibrates the light-transmitting body at a resonance frequency in which the center of the light-transmitting body becomes the antinode of vibration and the peripheral part of the light-transmitting body held in the housing becomes the node of vibration, in a foreign matter removal mode among a plurality of vibration modes, or vibrates the entire light-transmitting body held in the housing in the field of view direction.

[0049] (5) The optical device described in (4) further includes a switching unit that switches the mode in which the light-transmitting body is vibrated from among a plurality of vibration modes, and the switching unit switches between the foreign matter removal mode and the heat generation mode based on an image obtained by the imaging element.

[0050] (6) An imaging unit according to the present disclosure includes the optical device according to any one of (1) to (5) and an imaging element arranged so that the light-transmitting body is in the field of view.

[0051] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims, not by the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0052] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 outermost lens, 2 housing, 2a leaf spring, 2b retainer, 3 vibrating body, 4 inner lens, 5 piezoelectric element, 6 excitation circuit, 10 optical device, 20 imaging element, 100 imaging unit

Claims

1. A light-transmitting body that transmits light of a predetermined wavelength; A housing for holding the light-transmitting body; a vibrator in contact with the light-transmitting body held by the housing; a piezoelectric element provided on the vibrating body to vibrate the vibrating body, The vibrating body is a cylindrical body, the first end of the cylindrical body being in contact with the light-transmitting body, and the piezoelectric element being provided at a second end opposite to the first end; Among the multiple vibration modes in which the transparent body is vibrated, a heat generation mode is set to a natural vibration frequency of the transparent body of 3.0×10 ６ m / s ２ Above 3.0 x 10 ８ m / s ２ The optical device vibrates the transparent body at a vibration acceleration in the following range.

2. The optical device according to claim 1 , wherein, when the vibrating body vibrates the transparent body in the heat generation mode, the vibrating body vibrates the transparent body such that a maximum displacement due to vibration occurs in the transparent body.

3. 3. The optical device according to claim 1, wherein when the light-transmitting body is vibrated in the heat generation mode, an electromechanical coupling coefficient between the light-transmitting body and the piezoelectric element is in the range of 0% to 6%, or a resonance resistance is 60 Ω or more.

4. 3. The optical device according to claim 1, wherein the vibrator vibrates the light-transmitting body at a resonant frequency in which a center of the light-transmitting body becomes an antinode of vibration and a peripheral portion of the light-transmitting body held in the housing becomes a node of vibration, or vibrates the entire light-transmitting body held in the housing in a field of view, as a foreign matter removal mode among the plurality of vibration modes.

5. A switching unit that switches a mode in which the light-transmitting body is vibrated from among the plurality of vibration modes, The optical device according to claim 4 , wherein the switching unit switches between the foreign substance removal mode and the heat generation mode based on an image obtained by an image sensor.

6. The optical device according to claim 1 or 2; an imaging element disposed so that the light-transmitting body is in a field of view;