On-vehicle camera

Abstract

This on-vehicle camera comprises: a lens barrel; an imaging element; a circuit board; a housing which houses the imaging element and the circuit board; a connector; a connector connection part; a heater part; and a conductive wire part. The on-vehicle camera further comprises: a conductive wire connection part to which the other end of the conductive wire part is connected and which is electrically connected to the connector connection part and the conductive wire part; and a switch which is electrically connected to the connector connection part and the conductive wire connection part and which increases or decreases voltage and / or current to be supplied to the heater part. The conductive wire part has an intermediate section between one end and the other end thereof. The intermediate section of the conductive wire part extends from the one end connected to the heater part toward a first surface of the circuit board, and passes between an end surface of the circuit board and a second cylindrical inner surface of the housing. The connector connection part, the switch, and the conductive wire connection part are disposed on a second surface of the circuit board, and predetermined power is supplied to the heater part via the connector, the connector connection part, the switch, the conductive wire connection part, and a first conductive wire and a second conductive wire of the conductive wire part.

Description

In-vehicle cameras

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

[0002] In recent years, with demands for improved vehicle safety and the introduction of autonomous driving functions, there has been active development of in-vehicle cameras that are mounted on vehicles and capture images of the interior and exterior of the vehicle (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-131077 International Publication No. 2015 / 045110 Japanese Patent Publication No. 2024-017298 Japanese Patent Publication No. 2006-314074 Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-181856 International Publication No. 2024 / 004821 Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-158532

[0004] The level of requirements for vehicle safety and autonomous driving functions is constantly increasing, and further improvements in the performance of in-vehicle cameras are also being called for.

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

[0006] The present disclosure provides a lens barrel having a first cylindrical shape along an optical axis and including a first end of the first cylindrical shape, a second end of the first cylindrical shape opposite the first end, and at least one lens arranged along the optical axis; an image sensor arranged on the optical axis and closer to the second end of the first cylindrical shape of the lens barrel than to the first end of the first cylindrical shape; a circuit board having a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and an end surface connecting the first surface and the second surface, the image sensor being arranged on the first surface; and a second cylindrical shape having a third end of the second cylindrical shape and a third end of the second cylindrical shape and a third end of the first cylindrical shape relative to the first end of the first cylindrical shape of the lens barrel. a housing for accommodating at least the imaging element and the circuit board, the housing having at least a fourth end of the second cylindrical shape disposed farther than the third end, an inner surface of the second cylindrical shape, and an outer surface of the second cylindrical shape; a connector at least a portion of which is disposed at the fourth end of the second cylindrical shape of the housing, the connector having a first connector end and a second connector end opposite to the first connector end, the first connector end being electrically connected to the circuit board, and configured to output an image signal from the imaging element to the outside; and a connector disposed on the circuit board, the first connector end of the connector being connected a heater section disposed at the first end of the first cylindrical shape of the lens barrel and configured to heat the at least one lens; a conductor section having one end connected to the heater section and another end opposite to the one end; a conductor connection section disposed on the circuit board and connected to the other end of the conductor section and electrically connected to the connector connection section and the conductor section; and a voltage and / or current supply section disposed on the circuit board and electrically connected to the connector connection section and the conductor connection section and configured to increase or decrease a voltage and / or current supplied to the heater section. the connector connection portion, the switch, and the conductor connection portion are arranged on the second surface of the circuit board opposite to the first surface on which the imaging element is arranged, the conductor portion has an intermediate portion between the one end and the other end, the intermediate portion of the conductor portion extends from the one end connected to the heater portion toward the first surface of the circuit board and passes between the end surface of the circuit board and the inner surface of the second cylindrical shape of the housing, the conductor portion has a first conductor and a second conductor, and the connector, the connector connection portion, the switch,Provided is an in-vehicle camera that supplies a predetermined power to a heater unit via the wire connection portion, the first wire, and the second wire of the wire portion.

[0007] According to the present disclosure, members for supplying power to a heater unit for securing a field of view are intensively arranged on the second surface of a circuit board, so that power loss due to wiring resistance can be reduced and power consumption can be suppressed.

[0008] An example of a vehicle, a top view of a vehicle equipped with an in-vehicle camera, a block diagram showing a connection example of the in-vehicle camera, a camera ECU, and a display. Another example of a vehicle, a schematic view of the passenger compartment of a vehicle equipped with an in-vehicle camera, a top view of the vehicle shown in FIG. 3, a block diagram showing a connection example of the in-vehicle camera, a camera ECU, and a display provided in the vehicle shown in FIG. 3. A front perspective view of the in-vehicle camera according to the embodiment. An exploded perspective view of the in-vehicle camera according to the embodiment. A top view of the in-vehicle camera according to the embodiment. A cross-sectional view taken along line I-I of FIG. 8. A side view of the in-vehicle camera according to the embodiment. A cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 10. A perspective view of the lens barrel viewed from below. A bottom view of the lens barrel. A perspective view of the state in which a strip-shaped flexible wire is added to FIG. 12A. A perspective view of the state in which a strip-shaped flexible wire is added to FIG. 12B. A perspective view of the state in which a front shield is added to FIG. 12A. A perspective view of the state in which a front shield is added to FIG. 12B. A perspective view of the state in which a strip-shaped flexible wire and a front shield are added to FIG. 12A. A perspective view of the state in which a strip-shaped flexible wire and a front shield are added to FIG. 12B. A circuit diagram of the in-vehicle camera and the vehicle. A circuit diagram of the circuit board. A plan view of the second surface of the circuit board. A plan view of the developed heater unit and the strip-shaped flexible wire. A plan view of the second surface of the circuit board different from the embodiment of FIG. 19. A cross-sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG. 8.

[0009] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings as appropriate, a detailed description of an embodiment specifically disclosing an in-vehicle camera according to the present disclosure will be provided. However, more detailed description than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed description of well-known matters and redundant description of substantially identical configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid unnecessary redundancy in the following description and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art. Note that the accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter of the claims.

[0010] (Vehicle equipped with an on-board camera) Fig. 1 shows an example of a vehicle, a top view of a vehicle equipped with an on-board camera. Vehicle V is equipped with on-board cameras 100, including on-board cameras 100A, 100B, 100C, and 100D. On-board camera 100A is a front camera, on-board camera 100B is a rear camera, on-board camera 100C is a right-side camera, and on-board camera 100D is a left-side camera. On-board cameras 100A to 100D are wide-angle cameras with an angle of view of, for example, approximately 180°, and are positioned so that the entire circumference of vehicle V is captured.

[0011] For example, vehicle-mounted camera 100A is installed on the front grille of vehicle V and captures images of the area ahead in a direction looking diagonally down relative to the ground. Vehicle-mounted camera 100B is installed on the roof spoiler of vehicle V and captures images of the area behind in a direction looking diagonally down relative to the ground. Vehicle-mounted camera 100C and vehicle-mounted camera 100D are each installed on the side mirrors of vehicle V and capture images of the areas to the side in a direction looking diagonally down relative to the ground.

[0012] Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of connections between the on-board cameras 100A to 100D, the camera ECU 111, and the display 7 provided in the vehicle V shown in Fig. 1. The camera ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 111 shown in Fig. 2 combines images captured by the on-board cameras 100A to 100D and displays the combined image on a display 7 of a navigation system disposed on the instrument panel, for example. The occupants can view the display 7 to check the situation around the vehicle V.

[0013] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of another example of a vehicle cabin equipped with an on-board camera, and FIG. 4 is a top view of the vehicle of FIG. 3. The vehicle V is provided with a display 5 (e.g., an electronic rearview mirror) in the front portion of the cabin 2 between the driver's seat 3 and the passenger seat 4, at the mounting position of the rearview mirror. The vehicle V also has an on-board camera 100 mounted at the rear of the vehicle body. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the connection between the on-board camera 100, camera ECU 111, and display 5 provided in the vehicle V shown in FIG. 3. The camera ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 111 shown in FIG. 4 processes images captured by the on-board camera 100, and the display 5 displays the images. The occupants can visually check the situation behind the vehicle V by viewing the display 5.

[0014] (Embodiment of In-Vehicle Camera) FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of an in-vehicle camera 100 according to an embodiment. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the in-vehicle camera 100 according to an embodiment. FIG. 8 is a top view of the in-vehicle camera 100 according to an embodiment. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II in FIG. 8. FIG. 10 is a side view of the in-vehicle camera 100 according to an embodiment. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. 10. Coordinates are defined that include an X-axis along one side of the in-vehicle camera 100, a Y-axis that is perpendicular to the X-axis and along the other side of the in-vehicle camera 100, and a Z-axis that is perpendicular to the X-axis and Y-axis and along the height direction of the in-vehicle camera 100, and these will be used in the following description.

[0015] The vehicle-mounted camera 100 of this embodiment includes a ring member 20 , a lens barrel 30 , a circuit board 40 , an imaging element 50 , a housing 60 , a rear shield 70 , and a front shield 90 .

[0016] The ring member 20 is composed of a flat plate-shaped member having a first surface 20a and a second surface 20b opposite the first surface 20a. The second surface 20b of the ring member 20 is welded to the lens barrel 30 and the housing 60 by laser welding. The inner peripheral surface of the ring member 20 faces the outer peripheral surface of the first cylindrical portion 31 (see below) of the lens barrel 30. The inner diameter of the ring member 20 has a length that allows the first cylindrical portion 31 of the lens barrel 30 to be inserted therein.

[0017] The ring member 20 can be molded from a first resin having a predetermined optical transparency, which allows the ring member 20 to be molded easily and at low cost.

[0018] The lens barrel 30 includes a first cylindrical portion 31 having a first cylindrical shape. As shown in FIG. 9 , the lens barrel 30 has an inner surface 33 and an outer surface 34. The first end 30a and the second end 30b are opposite the first end 30a in the direction along the optical axis L (the direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 8 and along the Z axis). The inner surface 33 corresponds to the outer peripheral surface of the first cylindrical portion 31 and has a cylindrical surface in this embodiment. The outer surface 34 corresponds to the outer peripheral surface of the flange portion 32 described below and also has a cylindrical surface in this embodiment. The inner surface 33 and the outer surface 34 face each other, forming a predetermined radial gap. The first cylindrical portion 31 may be separate from the flange portion 32 and may be joined together via an adhesive. The first cylindrical portion 31 may also be molded integrally with the flange portion 32.

[0019] The first end 30a constitutes the tip portion of the lens barrel 30, and the second end 30b has a lens barrel end surface 30c (see Figures 12A to 13B) inside the housing 60, at least a portion of which faces the circuit board 40.

[0020] The lens barrel 30 also includes at least one lens 35 housed inside the first cylindrical portion 31 at a position radially inward from the inner surface 33 and arranged on the optical axis L. The first cylindrical portion 31 is cylindrical and holds therein, for example, a lens group consisting of multiple lenses 35. In the lens group, the lenses 35 are arranged with their respective optical axes L aligned, constituting a lens group used for capturing images of the inside and outside of the body of the vehicle V.

[0021] Furthermore, the lens barrel 30 has a flange portion 32 at the second end portion 30b, which is arranged around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L and extending outward with respect to the optical axis L. The flange portion 32 has a first flange surface 32a facing at least a portion of the second surface 20b of the ring member 20, and a second flange surface 32b opposite the first flange surface 32a.

[0022] At least the second flange surface 32b of the lens barrel 30 can be molded from the second resin having the first light absorption property. The entire lens barrel 30 may be molded from the second resin. This allows the lens barrel 30 to be molded easily and at low cost.

[0023] The image sensor 50 is disposed in the internal space of the housing 60 on the optical axis L, closer to the second end 30b of the lens barrel 30 than to the first end 30a. The image sensor 50 is electrically connected to the circuit of the circuit board 40, and can capture an image by guiding external light to the image sensor 50. The image sensor 50 may be, for example, a CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor) image sensor.

[0024] The circuit board 40 is disposed in the internal space of the housing 60 and has a first surface 40 a and a second surface 40 b opposite the first surface 40 a. However, two or more circuit boards may be provided. The imaging element 50 is disposed on the first surface 40 a of the circuit board 40.

[0025] The circuit board 40 has a first shape in a plan view. The first shape in a plan view is the shape when viewed in a direction from the first surface 40a to the second surface 40b of the circuit board 40. The first shape is, for example, a first quadrilateral shape as in the embodiment, but may also be a triangle or a polygon with pentagons or more sides. The corners of the polygon may be rounded. When the circuit board 40 has the first quadrilateral shape, the circuit board 40 can be easily formed.

[0026] The housing 60 is a cylindrical member with an internal space and serves to house at least the circuit board 40 and the image sensor 50. The housing 60 has a large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 having a second cylindrical shape along the optical axis L, a third end 63, and a fourth end 64. The third end 63 is connected to the lens barrel 30. The fourth end 64 is opposite the third end 63 in the direction along the optical axis L and is located farther from the third end 63 than the first end 30a of the first cylindrical portion 31 of the lens barrel 30. The housing 60 also has an inner surface 66 facing the internal space of the second cylindrical shape and an outer surface 67 of the second cylindrical shape.

[0027] The housing 60 further has a small-diameter cylindrical portion 62 that is molded continuously with the fourth end portion 64, protrudes in a direction along the optical axis L away from the circuit board 40, and has a diameter smaller than the diameter of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61. The large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 constitutes the second cylindrical portion, and the small-diameter cylindrical portion 62 constitutes the third cylindrical portion.

[0028] The large diameter cylindrical portion 61 and the small diameter cylindrical portion 62 can be integrally molded, or separate large diameter cylindrical portion 61 and small diameter cylindrical portion 62 may be joined by welding, screws, or other methods. Although the housing 60 is rectangular in shape in this embodiment, it is not limited to this, and may be a polygonal cylindrical portion other than a rectangle, a circular or elliptical cylindrical portion, or a cylindrical portion of another shape.

[0029] With the housing 60 housing at least the circuit board 40 and the image sensor 50, the ring member 20 is welded along its entire circumference to the flange portion 32 of the lens barrel 30 on the radially inner side and to the third end portion 63 of the housing 60 on the radially outer side. This welding is performed by, for example, laser welding.

[0030] Typical laser welding is used to weld a first resin having a predetermined optical transmittance at the wavelength of the laser beam to a second or third resin having an optical transmittance lower than that of the first resin. When laser light is irradiated onto the first resin while applying pressure to both resins, the laser light passes through the first resin without being absorbed. The transmitted laser light is absorbed by the surface of the second or third resin, which has a lower optical transmittance than the first resin. The absorbed laser energy is converted into heat, heating the surface of the second or third resin. Furthermore, the surface of the first resin in contact with the surface of the second or third resin is also heated by thermal conduction. This melts both the first resin and the second or third resin at their interface. When the laser irradiation is stopped, the molten resin solidifies, and the two resins are welded together.

[0031] The ring member 20 is molded from a first resin, and at least the second flange surface 32b of the flange portion 32 of the lens barrel 30 is molded from a second resin having a first light absorbency. Furthermore, the first end 30a of the housing 60 is molded from a third resin having a second light absorbency.

[0032] In laser welding, first, a laser is applied while the second surface 20b of the ring member 20 is pressed against the first flange surface 32a of the flange portion 32 of the lens barrel 30, to weld the second surface 20b of the ring member 20 to the first flange surface 32a. Then, a laser is applied while the second surface 20b of the ring member 20 is pressed against the third end portion 63 of the housing 60, to weld the second surface 20b of the ring member 20 to the third end portion 63. Prior to laser welding, four protrusions 37 (see FIG. 12A , etc.) of the lens barrel 30, which will be described later, may be previously fixed to the first surface 40a of the circuit board 40 via an adhesive. In this case, the lens barrel 30 and the circuit board 40 must be accurately aligned.

[0033] The rear shield 70 is a box-shaped conductive member housed inside the housing 60. The rear shield 70 is made of a conductive metal or the like, and serves to shield noise from inside and outside the housing 60. The front shield 90 is a planar conductive member housed inside the housing 60. The front shield 90 is also made of a conductive metal or the like, and serves to shield noise from inside and outside the housing 60. Details of the front shield 90 will be described later.

[0034] The vehicle-mounted camera 100 of the embodiment further includes a heater unit 10 disposed at the first end 30a of the lens barrel 30 and generating heat by electric power. The heater unit 10 is a component that generates heat to remove raindrops, ice, etc., thereby ensuring the field of view of the vehicle-mounted camera 100. The heater unit 10 may be formed, for example, by a PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) heater. A PTC heater can self-control its temperature. The heater unit 10 may also be, for example, a metal heater.

[0035] The vehicle-mounted camera 100 of the embodiment further includes a strip-shaped flexible conductor 12 having one end 12a connected to the heater unit 10 and another end 12b opposite to the one end 12a connected to the circuit board 40, as a conductor for supplying power to the heater unit 10. The strip-shaped flexible conductor 12 may be formed from a flexible substrate having a polyimide base material, for example, and the strip-shaped flexible conductor 12 can be easily formed. However, the strip-shaped flexible conductor 12 is not limited to this, and may be any conductor that is strip-shaped, flexible, and electrically conductive.

[0036] Fig. 10 is a side view of the vehicle-mounted camera 100 according to the embodiment, and Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in Fig. 10. As shown in Fig. 9, the lens 35 includes a first lens 35a, a second lens 35b, a third lens 35c, a fourth lens 35d, a fifth lens 35e, and a sixth lens 35f arranged along the optical axis L. Fig. 11 shows the second lens 35b and the ribbon-shaped flexible conductor 12 beside it.

[0037] 9, the ribbon-shaped flexible conductor 12 has an intermediate portion 15 located between one end 12a and the other end 12b, a first connection portion 13 connecting the one end 12a and the intermediate portion 15, and a second connection portion 14 connecting the intermediate portion 15 and the other end 12b. As will be described later, the ribbon-shaped flexible conductor 12 may include multiple conductors. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, because the ribbon-shaped flexible conductor 12, which is the conductor portion, is linear, it can be arranged along the optical axis at the shortest distance between the inner surface 33 and the outer surface 34 of the lens barrel 30.

[0038] The inner surface 33 of the lens barrel 30 has a second shape in a cross section (cross section along the radial direction) perpendicular to the optical axis L. In the embodiment, the second shape is a circle. Also, in the embodiment, the first shape of the circuit board 40 is a square, and a first width passing through a first center of the first shape corresponds to the length of one side of the square.

[0039] The first width passing through the first center of the first shape of circuit board 40 is larger than the second width passing through the second center of the second shape of the cross section of inner surface 33 of barrel 30. In other words, one side of circuit board 40 is larger than the diameter of the circle that is the second shape of the cross section of inner surface 33 of barrel 30.

[0040] Fig. 12A is a perspective view of the lens barrel 30 as seen from below, and Fig. 12B is a bottom view of the lens barrel 30. Fig. 13A is a perspective view of Fig. 12A with the ribbon-shaped flexible conductor 12 added, and Fig. 13B is a perspective view of Fig. 12B with the ribbon-shaped flexible conductor 12 added. The lens barrel 30 has a tapered surface 35T. The tapered surface 35T faces the optical axis L and is formed so as to move away from the optical axis L from a predetermined position P1 between the first end 30a and the second end 30b of the lens barrel 30 toward the second end 30b of the lens barrel 30, and is arranged so as to follow at least a portion of the first connection portion 13 of the ribbon-shaped flexible conductor 12.

[0041] That is, the band-shaped flexible conductor 12 is led out from between the inner surface 33 and the outer surface 34 of the lens barrel 30 toward the circuit board 40. The band-shaped flexible conductor 12 is led out from the lens barrel 30 from the predetermined position P1, along the tapered surface 35T, so as to be guided radially outward.

[0042] This allows the ribbon-shaped flexible conductor 12 that supplies power to the heater section 10 for ensuring the field of view to be guided radially outward along the tapered surface 35T of the lens barrel 30 and connected to the circuit board 40.

[0043] As described above, before the ring member 20 and the lens barrel 30 are laser welded together, the four protrusions 37 of the lens barrel 30 are fixed to the first surface 40a of the circuit board 40 via an adhesive. In this case, it is necessary to accurately align the lens barrel 30 and the circuit board 40. If the ribbon-shaped flexible conductor 12 were led out from an arbitrary position, this alignment could be hindered. In this embodiment, the ribbon-shaped flexible conductor 12 is led out of the lens barrel 30 from the predetermined position P1 while being guided radially outward along the tapered surface 35T. This prevents the ribbon-shaped flexible conductor 12 from interfering with the alignment of the lens barrel 30 and the circuit board 40, allowing for smooth assembly of the vehicle-mounted camera 100.

[0044] The lens barrel 30 has a groove 36 that faces the optical axis L and extends from a predetermined position P1 between the first end 30a and the second end 30b to the second end 30b, and the tapered surface 35T is formed by the bottom surface of the groove 36. This makes it possible to easily form the tapered surface 35T by the bottom surface of the groove 36.

[0045] Fig. 14A is a perspective view of Fig. 12A with a front shield 90 added, and Fig. 14B is a perspective view of Fig. 12B with the front shield 90 added. Fig. 15A is a perspective view of Fig. 12A with a ribbon-shaped flexible conductor 12 and a front shield 90 added, and Fig. 15B is a perspective view of Fig. 12B with a ribbon-shaped flexible conductor 12 and a front shield 90 added.

[0046] At least a portion of the front shield 90 is located between the lens barrel end surface 30c of the second end 30b of the lens barrel 30 and the first surface 40a of the circuit board 40, and is arranged along the entire circumference of the lens barrel end surface 30c, centered on the optical axis L. The front shield 90 has a first hole 91 that corresponds to the optical axis L, and the ribbon-shaped flexible conductor 12 is arranged across the front shield 90. This allows the front shield 90, which shields against noise, to be arranged without being obstructed by the ribbon-shaped flexible conductor 12.

[0047] The front shield 90 has a second hole 92 through which the ribbon-shaped flexible conductor 12 passes. This allows the ribbon-shaped flexible conductor 12 to pass through the front shield 90.

[0048] The first hole 91 and the second hole 92 of the front shield 90 are integrally formed, which makes it possible to easily form the first hole 91 and the second hole 92.

[0049] 14A and 14B , an intersection region 30c2 of the barrel end face 30c, where the tapered surface 35T of the barrel 30 is in contact with an intersection line 30c1 where the tapered surface 35T intersects with the barrel end face 30c, is exposed at least along the intersection line 30c1, over a predetermined width W in the direction from the front shield 90 toward the circuit board 40. This predetermined width does not need to be constant. This allows the strip-shaped flexible conductor 12 to be led out of the second hole 92 without coming into contact with the front shield 90. It is preferable that at least the barrel end face 30c is made of resin. This prevents the strip-shaped flexible conductor 12 from wearing out.

[0050] Furthermore, a first length of the ribbon-shaped flexible conductor 12 from a predetermined position P1 between the first end 30a and the second end 30b of the lens barrel 30 to the heater portion 10 is longer than a second length from the predetermined position P1 to the intersection line 30c1. This allows the length of the tapered surface 35T to be shortened, and the lens barrel 30 can be easily formed.

[0051] 9 , the other end 12b of the strip-shaped flexible conductor 12 is connected to the second surface 40b of the circuit board 40. In particular, the second surface 40b of the circuit board 40 has a connector connection portion 47, and the other end 12b of the strip-shaped flexible conductor 12 is connected to the connector connection portion 47. This allows power to be supplied to the strip-shaped flexible conductor 12.

[0052] 7 and 9, the circuit board 40 has an end surface 40c that connects the first surface 40a and the second surface 40b. As will be described later, the intermediate portion 15 of the strip-shaped flexible conductor 12 is disposed between the end surface 40c of the circuit board 40 and the inner surface 66 of the housing 60. This allows the strip-shaped flexible conductor 12 to be routed to the second surface 40b of the circuit board 40. The structure around the intermediate portion 15 will be described again later.

[0053] As described above, the lens barrel 30 has the flange portion 32, and the third end 63 of the housing 60 is connected to the flange portion 32 of the lens barrel 30. This makes it possible to easily connect the lens barrel 30 and the housing 60.

[0054] The tapered surface 35T of the lens barrel 30 is disposed over at least a portion of the flange portion 32. This allows the tapered surface 35T to be easily disposed.

[0055] A third end 63 of the housing 60 is joined to the flange portion 32 of the lens barrel 30. Specifically, the third end 63 is joined to the flange portion 32 via the ring member 20. This makes it possible to easily join the lens barrel 30 and the housing 60.

[0056] The vehicle-mounted camera 100 further includes an external connector 80 disposed at the fourth end 64 of the housing 60, the external connector 80 extending from the exterior to the interior of the housing 60. The external connector 80 is electrically connected to the heater unit 10 and the image sensor 50. More specifically, at least a portion of the external connector 80 is disposed at the fourth end 64 of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 of the housing 60, and includes a first connector end 81 and a second connector end 82 opposite the first connector end 81. The first connector end 81 is electrically connected to the circuit board 40, and is configured to output an image signal from the image sensor 50 to the outside.

[0057] 16 is a circuit diagram of the in-vehicle camera 100 and the vehicle V. The in-vehicle camera 100 is connected to the vehicle V via an external connector 80. The vehicle V supplies current for the main power supply of the in-vehicle camera 100 itself and current for the power supply of the heater unit 10 via the external connector 80. The signal processing unit of the in-vehicle camera 100 supplies a video signal captured by the image sensor 50 and a control signal for the heater unit 10 to the vehicle V via the external connector 80. This enables the supply of power to the heater unit 10 and the supply of an electrical signal to the image sensor 50.

[0058] A connector joint 48 that joins with the external connector 80 is disposed on the second surface 40b of the circuit board 40. This allows for easy connection between the circuit board 40 and the external connector 80. More specifically, a first connector end 81 of the external connector 80 is connected to the connector connecting portion 47 via the connector joint 48.

[0059] The housing 60 has a housing end surface 64a that faces the circuit board 40 at the fourth end 64 and closes the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61, and the external connector 80 is disposed on the housing end surface 64a, thereby enabling the external connector 80 to be stably disposed.

[0060] 9, at least one lens 35 of the lens barrel 30 includes a plurality of lenses (first lens 35a to sixth lens 35f), and the heater unit 10 is capable of heating the lens among the plurality of lenses (first lens 35a to sixth lens 35f) that is farthest from the image sensor 50, specifically the first lens 35a. By heating the first lens 35a, which is most likely to obstruct the field of view, the field of view can be efficiently ensured.

[0061] As described above, in the embodiment, the first width passing through the first center of the first shape of circuit board 40 is larger than the second width passing through the second center of the second shape of the cross section of inner surface 33 of barrel 30. Furthermore, the first width passing through the first center of the first shape of circuit board 40 is the smallest among the widths passing through the first center of the first shape of circuit board 40, and the second width passing through the second center of the second shape of the inner surface cross section of barrel 30 is the largest among the widths passing through the second center of the second shape of barrel 30.

[0062] This allows the belt-shaped flexible conductor 12 to be reliably guided radially outward and connected to the circuit board 40. This prevents the belt-shaped flexible conductor 12 from interfering with the alignment of the lens barrel 30 and the circuit board 40, allowing for smooth assembly of the vehicle-mounted camera 100.

[0063] Fig. 17 is a detailed circuit diagram of the circuit board 40. Fig. 17 is a diagram that schematically shows the electrical connections of each part, and does not show the layout structure of either the first surface 40a or the second surface 40b of the circuit board 40. Fig. 18 is a plan view of the second surface 40b of the circuit board 40, and shows an example of the layout structure of the second surface 40b.

[0064] 9 shows the connection between the other end 12b of the ribbon-shaped flexible conductor 12, which is the conductor portion, and the connector connection portion 47. More specifically, various circuits and the like are electrically connected between the other end 12b of the ribbon-shaped flexible conductor 12 and the connector connection portion 47.

[0065] The circuit board 40 includes a heater circuit section 120 having the function of supplying power to the heater section 10, and a camera circuit section 130 having the function of supplying power mainly to parts of the vehicle-mounted camera 100 other than the heater section 10.

[0066] The heater circuit section 120 includes a conductor connector 121 and a switch 122. The conductor connector 121 is disposed on the circuit board 40, and the other end 12b of the strip-shaped flexible conductor 12 is connected to the conductor connector 121, which is electrically connected to the connector connection section 47 and the strip-shaped flexible conductor 12. The conductor connector 121 functions as a conductor connection section that connects the strip-shaped flexible conductor 12 to the circuit board 40.

[0067] The switch 122 is disposed on the circuit board 40 and is electrically connected to the connector connection portion 47 and the conductor connector 121 , and has the function of increasing or decreasing the voltage and / or current supplied to the heater portion 10 .

[0068] 18 , the connector connection portion 47, the switch 122, and the conductor connector 121 are arranged on a second surface 40b opposite to the first surface 40a on which the imaging element 50 is arranged of the circuit board 40. The power for driving the vehicle-mounted camera 100 is supplied from the vehicle V to the heater portion 10 via the external connector 80 as a connector, the connector connection portion 47, the switch 122, the conductor connector 121, and the strip-shaped flexible conductor 12.

[0069] According to the above configuration, the components for supplying power to the heater unit 10 to ensure visibility are arranged together on the second surface 40b of the circuit board 40. That is, at least the connector connection portion 47 that connects to the external connector 80, the lead wire connector 121 of the heater circuit unit 120, and the switch 122 are arranged on the second surface 40b. The amount of power supplied to the heater unit 10 is large, which tends to lead to an increase in power consumption, but by arranging the connector connection portion 47, the lead wire connector 121, and the switch 122 together on the second surface 40b and electrically connecting them, power loss due to wiring resistance can be reduced, and power consumption can be suppressed.

[0070] The switch 122 can be switched between at least a first state and a second state by a control signal output from a switch control circuit 132 of the camera circuit unit 130, which will be described later. When the switch 122 is in the first state, a first power is supplied from the switch 122 to the heater unit 10, and when the switch 122 is in the second state, a second power smaller than the first power is supplied from the switch 122 to the heater unit 10. The first state is, for example, a state in which the switch 122 is on, and the second state is, for example, a state in which the switch 122 is off. The second power includes zero power.

[0071] This makes it possible to change the state of the switch 122 to supply different power to the heater unit 10 and change the output of the heater unit 10 depending on the usage situation of the vehicle-mounted camera 100.

[0072] The external connector 80 may be, for example, a coaxial connector capable of supplying both power and signals. In this case, the external connector 80 can receive third power, which is the base power of the first power or second power (third power > first power > second power), from the vehicle V and supply it to the circuit board 40, and can also output power of the image signal output from the image sensor 50 to the vehicle V.

[0073] Corresponding to the function of the external connector 80 described above, a PoC filter 140, which is a filter circuit, is provided on the circuit board 40. The PoC filter 140 is electrically connected to the connector connection unit 47 and the switch 122, and is capable of separating a portion of the third power supplied from the external connector 80 from the power of the image signal output from the imaging element 50. As indicated by the dashed line in Fig. 18 , the PoC filter 140 may also be disposed on the second surface 40b of the circuit board 40.

[0074] As a result, by using the PoC filter 140 to separate the third power supplied from the power supply of the vehicle V via the external connector 80 from the image signal from the image sensor 50, it is possible to superimpose the image signal and the third power and transmit them through a single coaxial cable, that is, the external connector 80, without adversely affecting the signal quality. Furthermore, by disposing the PoC filter 140 on the second surface 40b and electrically connecting it to the connector connection part 47 and the switch 122, it is possible to reduce power loss due to wiring resistance and suppress power consumption.

[0075] A portion of the third power supplied from the external connector is supplied to the switch 122 via the PoC filter 140. This allows a portion of the third power to be supplied to the switch 122, which can increase or decrease the voltage and / or current supplied to the heater unit 10. Another filter circuit may be used instead of the PoC filter 140.

[0076] 18 , on the second surface 40b of the circuit board 40, a first distance D1 between the center of the PoC filter 140 and the center of the connector connection part 47 is set to be shorter than a second distance D2 between the center of the PoC filter 140 and the center of the switch 122 (D1<D2). The first distance D1 and the second distance D2 are distances when viewed in a plan view of the circuit board 40, i.e., when viewed from the direction from the first surface 40a to the second surface 40b of the circuit board 40 or along the optical axis L.

[0077] This allows the PoC filter 140 to be positioned closer to the connector connection part 47 than the switch 122, thereby shortening the distance (first distance D1) between the PoC filter 140 and the connector connection part 47 and improving the signal characteristics.

[0078] Furthermore, a serializer 131 of the camera circuit unit 130 is provided on the circuit board 40. The serializer 131 can be arranged on the first surface 40a or the second surface 40b of the circuit board 40, and is electrically connected to the connector connection portion 47 and the image sensor 50.

[0079] The image signal output from the imaging element 50 is a parallel signal. On the other hand, a signal suitable for handling by the external connector 80, which is a coaxial connector, is a serial signal. The serializer 131 converts the parallel signal (image signal) output from the imaging element 50 into a serial signal (parallel-serial conversion) and outputs the serial signal to the external connector 80. The image signal output from the imaging element 50 is not limited to a parallel signal, and may also be a serial signal.

[0080] This allows the serializer 131 to convert the parallel signals output from the image sensor 50 into serial signals suitable for the external connector 80 without signal synchronization, and output the serial signals to the external connector 80 .

[0081] 18 , the serializers 131 may also be arranged on the second surface 40b of the circuit board 40. This allows the serializers 131 to be arranged together on the second surface 40b of the circuit board 40, thereby reducing power loss due to wiring resistance on the circuit board 40 and suppressing power consumption.

[0082] Furthermore, a switch control circuit 132 is provided on the circuit board 40. The switch control circuit 132 can be arranged on the first surface 40a or the second surface 40b of the circuit board 40, and outputs a control signal for switching between the first state and the second state to the switch 122. This allows the switch 122 to switch between the first state and the second state based on the control signal from the switch control circuit 132. As shown in FIG. 17 , the serializer 131 may perform the function of the switch control circuit 132.

[0083] The control signal output by the switch control circuit 132 is output from a camera ECU (ECU) 111 mounted on the vehicle V, and is input to the switch control circuit 132 via an external connector 80 .

[0084] This allows the switch control circuit 132 to control the switch using a control signal output from a general ECU.

[0085] The ratio of the predetermined power supplied to the heater unit 10 to the fourth power obtained by subtracting the predetermined power from the third power of the external connector 80 can be set to a range of 1:2 to 2:1. This allows the vehicle-mounted camera 100 to operate smoothly while maintaining the functionality of the heater unit 10, even if the power supplied to the heater unit 10 is large in the total power consumption of the vehicle-mounted camera 100. The fourth power is power consumed by the image sensor 50 and the like.

[0086] Furthermore, a power supply IC (Integrated Circuit) 133 is provided on the circuit board 40. The power supply IC 133 can be arranged on the first surface 40a or the second surface 40b of the circuit board 40 and is electrically connected to the PoC filter 140, the image sensor 50, and the serializer 131. The power supply IC 133 not only combines multiple power supplies required for a specific system for a particular application, but also controls power supply startup sequences tailored to the system and power on / off control for reducing power consumption, and is also referred to as a power management IC. The power supply IC 133 is, for example, a PMIC (Power Management IC).

[0087] A portion of the third power supplied from the external connector 80 is supplied to the power supply IC 133 via the PoC filter 140, and then supplied from the power supply IC 133 to the image sensor 50 and the serializer 131. This allows the power supply IC 133 to secure power for driving the image sensor 50 and the serializer 131 from the third power.

[0088] 18, the power supply ICs 133 may also be arranged on the second surface 40b of the circuit board 40. This allows the power supply ICs 133 to be arranged together on the second surface 40b of the circuit board 40, thereby reducing power loss due to wiring resistance and suppressing power consumption.

[0089] Next, the relationship between the ribbon-shaped flexible conductor 12 and the circuit board 40 will be described again. As shown in FIG. 9 , the circuit board 40 has an end face 40c located between the first surface 40a and the second surface 40b. As described above, in the embodiment, the first shape of the circuit board 40 is a first rectangular shape having a first side 41a, a second side 41b, a third side 41c, and a fourth side 41d. Corresponding to the four sides, the end face 40c includes a first end face 40c1 corresponding to the first side 41a, a second end face 40c2 corresponding to the second side 41b, a third end face 40c3 corresponding to the third side 41c, and a fourth end face 40c4 corresponding to the fourth side 41d. Furthermore, as described above, the ribbon-shaped flexible conductor 12 has an intermediate portion 15, a first connection portion 13, and a second connection portion 14 between the one end 12a and the other end 12b. The intermediate portion 15 of the ribbon-shaped flexible conductor 12 is disposed between the second cylindrical inner surface 66 of the housing 60 and the first end surface 40 c 1 of the circuit board 40 .

[0090] In this embodiment, the conductor portion connecting the heater portion 10 and the circuit board 40 is a ribbon-shaped flexible conductor 12, so the ribbon-shaped flexible conductor 12 can be routed through the inside of the lens barrel 30 and between the first end face 40c1 of the end face 40c of the circuit board 40 and the inner surface 66 of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 of the housing 60.

[0091] 7, the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 of the housing 60 has a first side wall portion 65a, a second side wall portion 65b, a third side wall portion 65c, and a fourth side wall portion 65d. As shown in Fig. 18, the circuit board 40 has, inside the housing 60, a first side 41a corresponding to the first side wall portion 65a, a second side 41b corresponding to the second side wall portion 65b, a third side 41c corresponding to the third side wall portion 65c, and a fourth side 41d corresponding to the fourth side wall portion 65d in a plan view of the second surface 40b of the circuit board 40.

[0092] 9 and 18 , at least a part of the intermediate portion 15 of the ribbon-shaped flexible conductor 12 is located between the first side wall portion 65a of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 of the housing 60 and the first side 41a of the circuit board 40. In addition, the connector connection portion 47 is located in the center of the second surface 40b of the circuit board 40 in a plan view of the second surface 40b of the circuit board 40, and the conductor connector 121 is located on the second surface 40b of the circuit board 40 between the connector connection portion 47 and the first side 41a of the circuit board 40.

[0093] This allows the ribbon-shaped flexible conductor 12 to be pulled from between the first side wall portion 65a of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 of the housing 60 and the first edge 41a of the circuit board 40 to the second surface 40b of the circuit board 40 and connected to the conductor connector 121.

[0094] 9, at least one lens 35 of the lens barrel 30 includes a plurality of lenses, and the heater unit 10 can heat the first lens 35a, which is the farthest from the imaging element, among the plurality of lenses 35. This makes it possible to efficiently ensure a wide field of view.

[0095] The lens barrel 30 has a flange portion 32 at the second end 30b of the first cylindrical portion 31, which extends around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L and in a direction away from the optical axis L, and the third end 63 of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 of the housing 60 is connected to the flange portion 32 of the lens barrel 30. This makes it possible to easily connect the lens barrel 30 and the housing 60.

[0096] When the vehicle-mounted camera 100 is installed in the vehicle V, the second connector end 82 of the external connector 80 is electrically connected to a wire of the vehicle V. This makes it possible to secure power from the vehicle V.

[0097] As described above, the heater section 10 may be, for example, a PTC heater, which can reduce power consumption.

[0098] As described above, the filter circuit may be a PoC (Power over Coaxial cable) filter 140. By using the PoC filter 140 to separate the third power supplied from the power supply via the external connector 80 and the image signal from the image sensor 50, it is possible to superimpose the image signal and the third power and transmit them through a single coaxial cable without adversely affecting the signal quality.

[0099] The strip-shaped flexible conductor 12 may be a flexible printed circuit board, which makes it possible to easily form the strip-shaped flexible conductor 12.

[0100] 19 shows a plan view of the unfolded heater unit 10 and the strip-shaped flexible conductor 12, illustrating the state before they are incorporated into the in-vehicle camera 100. In this embodiment, the heater unit 10 has an annular shape and is arranged around the lens 35. The strip-shaped flexible conductor 12 has a linear, elongated form extending from the outer edge of the heater unit 10. Because the conductor unit is linear and is in the form of the strip-shaped flexible conductor 12, twisting of the strip-shaped flexible conductor 12 is unlikely to occur when the strip-shaped flexible conductor 12 is bent and connected to the conductor connector 121, which is the conductor connection unit, and this improves assembly efficiency.

[0101] Fig. 20 shows a plan view of the second surface 40b of the circuit board 40, which is different from the embodiment in Fig. 19. In this embodiment, the ribbon-shaped flexible conductor 12 includes at least a first conductor 12A and a second conductor 12B. The first conductor 12A and the second conductor 12B serve as power supply lines that supply power to the heater section 10.

[0102] As shown in the figure, the ribbon-shaped flexible conductor 12 may also include a third conductor 12C and a fourth conductor 12D. The third conductor 12C and the fourth conductor 12D are conductors electrically connected to a temperature sensor (thermistor) (not shown) disposed near the lens 35.

[0103] As described above, the end surface 40c of the circuit board 40 has a first end surface 40c1 at the first side 41a. Also, as shown in Fig. 18, the connector connection portion 47 is disposed on the second surface 40b of the circuit board 40, on the optical axis L. Furthermore, the conductor wire connector 121 is disposed on the second surface 40b of the circuit board 40, between the first side 41a of the first shape of the circuit board 40 and the connector connection portion 47.

[0104] As described above, the ribbon-shaped flexible conductor 12 has the intermediate portion 15, the first connection portion 13, and the second connection portion 14. The intermediate portion 15 is disposed between the second cylindrical inner surface 66 of the housing 60 and the first end surface 40c1 of the circuit board 40. The intermediate portion 15 is also disposed at a position through which a straight line S that is perpendicular to the first end surface 40c1 of the circuit board 40 and intersects with the optical axis L passes. This straight line S is a theoretical auxiliary line and is not actually shown on the circuit board 40.

[0105] Power is required to operate the heater section 10, and this power is supplied to the heater section 10, for example, from the wire of the vehicle V via the external connector 80, connector joint 48, and connector connection section 47, from the conductor connector 121, and through the first conductor 12A and second conductor 12B that are provided across the second connection section 14, intermediate section 15, and first connection section 13 of the ribbon-shaped flexible conductor 12.

[0106] According to this embodiment, the ribbon-shaped flexible conductor 12 that supplies power to the heater unit 10 to ensure field of view is formed by bending a long, straight wire as shown in Fig. 19. That is, the ribbon-shaped flexible conductor 12 is formed by bending it only in the X direction so as to bypass other components, as shown in Fig. 9, but is not bent in the Y direction so as to bypass other components. This prevents the ribbon-shaped flexible conductor 12 from becoming too long, thereby reducing the amount of material required for the ribbon-shaped flexible conductor 12 and reducing power loss, thereby suppressing power consumption.

[0107] As described above, the lens barrel 30 has four protrusions 37 at the second end 30b, which are the first protrusion 37a, the second protrusion 37b, the third protrusion 37c, and the fourth protrusion 37d. The first protrusion 37a protrudes from the first portion 30b1 of the second end 30b toward the first surface 40a of the circuit board 40. The second protrusion 37b protrudes from the second portion 30b2 of the second end 30b toward the first surface 40a of the circuit board 40. The third protrusion 37c protrudes from the third portion 30b3 of the second end 30b toward the first surface 40a of the circuit board 40. The fourth protrusion 37d protrudes from the fourth portion 30b4 of the second end 30b toward the first surface 40a of the circuit board 40.

[0108] Furthermore, the first distance between the first protrusion 37a and the second protrusion 37b is shorter than the second distance between the first protrusion 37a and the third protrusion 37c, the third distance between the second protrusion 37b and the third protrusion 37c is shorter than the second distance, and the fourth distance between the third protrusion 37c and the fourth protrusion 37d is shorter than the second distance.

[0109] Figure 21 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in Figure 8, and unlike the cross-section of Figure 9, shows that each of the first protrusion 37a, the second protrusion 37b, the third protrusion 37c, and the fourth protrusion 37d is connected to the first surface 40a of the circuit board 40 via an adhesive. That is, the first protrusion 37a of the lens barrel 30 is connected to the first surface 40a via a first adhesive 44a, the second protrusion 37b is connected to the first surface 40a via a second adhesive 44b, the third protrusion 37c is connected to the first surface 40a via a third adhesive 44c, and the fourth protrusion 37d is connected to the first surface 40a via a fourth adhesive 44d.

[0110] With this configuration, circuit board 40 can support lens barrel 30 via the protrusions, and lens barrel 30 can be more stably supported not only by housing 60 but also by the internal circuit board 40. Note that in order for circuit board 40 to stably support lens barrel 30, three protrusions are sufficient, and for example, fourth protrusion 37d may be omitted.

[0111] 13A, 13B, 15A, and 15B, at least a portion of the first connection portion 13 of the ribbon-shaped flexible conductor 12 is disposed between the first protrusion 37a and the second protrusion 37b, thereby preventing interference between the ribbon-shaped flexible conductor 12 and the first protrusion 37a and the second protrusion 37b.

[0112] Furthermore, at least a portion of the first connection portion 13 of the belt-shaped flexible conductor 12, specifically the portion arranged along the inner surface 33 of the first connection portion 13, is arranged in the lens barrel 30 along the direction of the optical axis L. This makes it possible to prevent the first connection portion 13 of the belt-shaped flexible conductor 12 from becoming too long.

[0113] 18 , the intermediate portion 15 of the strip-shaped flexible conductor 12 faces the midpoint in the longitudinal direction of the first side 41a of the first end surface 40c1 of the circuit board 40. As a result, the intermediate portion 15 is positioned to face the midpoint of the first side 41a, which prevents the strip-shaped flexible conductor 12 from wobbling in a specific direction, specifically the Y direction, and prevents the strip-shaped flexible conductor 12 from becoming longer.

[0114] Furthermore, the second connection portion 14 of the strip-shaped flexible conductor 12 is disposed along a straight line S that intersects with the optical axis L. This makes it possible to prevent the second connection portion 14 of the strip-shaped flexible conductor 12 from becoming too long.

[0115] Furthermore, the connector connection portion 47 is disposed at the center of the second surface 40b of the circuit board 40. The center of the second surface 40b coincides with the optical axis L. This allows the external connector 80 to be connected to the center of the circuit board 40, which can facilitate design, for example.

[0116] As described above, the first shape of the circuit board 40 has a first side 41 a, a second side 41 b, a third side 41 c, and a fourth side 41 d, and the end face 40 c of the circuit board 40 includes a first end face 40 c 1 at the first side 41 a, a second end face 40 c 2 at the second side 41 b, a third end face 40 c 3 at the third side 41 c, and a fourth end face 40 c 4 at the fourth side 41 d. That is, in the embodiment, the first shape of the circuit board 40 is a first quadrangle. This makes it possible to easily form the circuit board 40.

[0117] The second cylindrical second end 30b of the lens barrel 30 has a second shape in a plan view of the lens barrel 30, and the second shape is a square. That is, the flange portion 32 has the second shape, which is a square. This makes it possible to easily form the second end 30b of the lens barrel 30 and to match the shape of the housing 60.

[0118] In some cases, an ultrasonic vibrator that vibrates the lens is disposed in the lens barrel to remove foreign matter. The flexible ribbon-shaped conductor 12 as the conductor section is not limited to a heater section that heats the lens, but can also be used to supply power to such an ultrasonic vibrator.

[0119] As a result, the present disclosure describes at least the following: Note that the components in parentheses correspond to those in the above-described embodiments, but are not limited to these.

[0120] (A1) A lens barrel (lens barrel 30) having an inner surface (inner surface 33) and an outer surface (outer surface 34), a first cylindrical shape along an optical axis (optical axis L), a first end (first end 30a), a second end (second end 30b) opposite the first end, and at least one lens (lens 35) arranged along the optical axis; an image pickup element (image pickup element 50) arranged on the optical axis and closer to the second end of the first cylindrical shape of the lens barrel than the first end; a circuit board (circuit board 40) having a first surface (first surface 40a) and a second surface (second surface 40b) opposite the first surface, the image pickup element being arranged on the first surface, and having a first shape in a plan view; an in-vehicle camera (in-vehicle camera 100) comprising: a housing (housing 60) that houses at least the image sensor and the circuit board, has a second cylindrical shape along the optical axis, and has a third end (third end 63) connected to the lens barrel and a fourth end (fourth end 64) opposite the third end; a heater section (heater section 10) that is disposed at the first end of the lens barrel and generates heat by electric power; and a strip-shaped flexible conductor (belt-shaped flexible conductor 12) that has one end (one end 12a) connected to the heater section and the other end (other end 12b) connected to the circuit board and supplies electric power to the heater section, wherein, on the inner surface of the lens barrel, an inner surface cross section orthogonal to the optical axis has a second shape, and a first width passing through a first center of the first shape of the circuit board is greater than a second width passing through a second center of the second shape of the inner surface cross section of the lens barrel, an optical axis direction of the flexible conductor, the optical axis direction being perpendicular to the optical axis direction; a first portion (first portion 13) of the flexible conductor, which is closer to the heater portion than the circuit board, is arranged between the inner surface and the outer surface of the lens barrel, and a second portion (second portion 14) of the flexible conductor, which is closer to the circuit board than the first portion, is arranged so as to move away from the optical axis from the first portion toward the circuit board; and the lens barrel faces the optical axis and is formed so as to move away from the optical axis from a predetermined position (predetermined position P1) between the first end and the second end toward the second end, and is provided with a tapered surface (tapered surface 35T) arranged so as to follow the second portion of the flexible conductor.This allows the flexible conductor, which supplies power to the heater for ensuring visibility, to be guided radially outward along the tapered surface of the lens barrel and connected to the circuit board, preventing the flexible conductor from interfering with the alignment of the lens barrel and the circuit board, and enabling smooth assembly of the vehicle-mounted camera.

[0121] (A2) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (A1), wherein the lens barrel includes a groove (groove 36) facing the optical axis from the predetermined position between the first end and the second end to the second end, and the tapered surface is a bottom surface of the groove. This makes it possible to easily form the tapered surface by the bottom surface of the groove.

[0122] (A3) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (A1), wherein the second end of the lens barrel has a lens barrel end face (lens barrel end face 30c) at least a portion of which faces the circuit board, and further comprises a planar conductive member (front shield 90) at least a portion of which is between the lens barrel end face and the first surface of the circuit board, the planar conductive member being arranged along the lens barrel end face around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis, and having a first hole (first hole 91) corresponding to the optical axis, and the band-shaped flexible conductor is arranged across the planar conductive member. This allows the planar conductive member, which shields noise, to be positioned without being obstructed by the band-shaped flexible conductor.

[0123] (A4) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (A3), wherein the planar conductive member has a second hole (second hole 92) through which the strip-shaped flexible conductor passes, thereby allowing the strip-shaped flexible conductor to pass through the planar conductive member.

[0124] (A5) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (A4), wherein the first hole and the second hole of the planar conductive member are integrally formed. This makes it possible to easily form the first hole and the second hole.

[0125] (A6) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (A3), wherein an intersection region (intersection region 30c2) of the lens barrel end face, where the tapered surface of the lens barrel is in contact with an intersection line (intersection line 30c1) where the tapered surface of the lens barrel intersects with the lens barrel end face, is exposed in a direction from the sheet-shaped conductive member toward the circuit board by at least a predetermined width along the intersection line, thereby allowing the band-shaped flexible conductor to be led out of the second hole of the sheet-shaped conductive member without contacting the sheet-shaped conductive member.

[0126] (A7) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (A6), wherein a first length of the band-shaped flexible conductor from the predetermined position between the first end of the lens barrel and the second end of the lens barrel to the heater section is longer than a second length from the predetermined position between the first end of the lens barrel and the second end of the lens barrel to the intersection line. This allows the length of the tapered surface to be shortened, and the lens barrel can be easily molded.

[0127] (A8) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (A1), wherein the other end of the belt-shaped flexible conductor is connected to the second surface of the circuit board, thereby enabling power to be supplied to the belt-shaped flexible conductor.

[0128] (A9) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (A8), wherein the second surface of the circuit board is provided with a connector connection portion (connector connection portion 47), and the other end of the belt-shaped flexible conductor is connected to the connector connection portion, thereby enabling power to be supplied to the belt-shaped flexible conductor.

[0129] (A10) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (A8), wherein the circuit board has an end face (end face 40c) connecting the first face and the second face, and a part of the portion between the second portion and the other end of the strip-shaped flexible conductor is disposed between the end face of the circuit board and the inner surface of the housing, thereby allowing the strip-shaped flexible conductor to be routed to the second face of the circuit board.

[0130] (A11) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (A1), wherein the lens barrel includes a flange portion (flange portion 32) at the second end portion that extends in a direction away from the optical axis around the entire circumference of the optical axis, and the third end portion of the housing is connected to the flange portion of the lens barrel. This makes it possible to easily connect the lens barrel to the housing.

[0131] (A12) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (A11), wherein the tapered surface of the lens barrel is disposed over at least a portion of the flange portion, thereby making it possible to easily position the tapered surface.

[0132] (A13) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (A11), wherein the third end of the housing is joined to the flange portion of the lens barrel. This makes it possible to easily join the lens barrel and the housing.

[0133] (A14) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (A1), further comprising an external connector (external connector 80) disposed at the fourth end of the second cylindrical portion of the housing across the exterior and interior of the housing, the external connector being electrically connected to the heater unit and the imaging element, thereby realizing the supply of power to the heater unit and the supply of an electrical signal to the imaging element.

[0134] (A15) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (A14), wherein the second surface of the circuit board is provided with a connector joint (connector joint 48) that joins with the external connector, thereby facilitating connection between the circuit board and the external connector.

[0135] (A16) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (A14), wherein the housing includes a housing end surface (housing end surface 64 a) that faces the circuit board at the fourth end of the second cylinder and closes the second cylinder, and the external connector is disposed on the housing end surface, thereby enabling the external connector to be stably disposed.

[0136] (A17) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (A1), wherein the at least one lens of the lens barrel includes a plurality of lenses, and the heater unit is capable of heating a lens of the plurality of lenses that is farthest from the imaging element, thereby enabling efficient securing of a field of view.

[0137] (A18) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (A1), wherein the first width passing through the first center of the first shape of the circuit board is the smallest among widths passing through the first center of the first shape of the circuit board, and the second width passing through the second center of the second shape of the inner surface cross section of the lens barrel is the largest among widths passing through the second center of the second shape of the lens barrel. This allows the belt-shaped flexible conductor to be reliably guided radially outward and connected to the circuit board. This prevents the belt-shaped flexible conductor from interfering with the alignment of the lens barrel and the circuit board, allowing for smooth assembly of the vehicle-mounted camera.

[0138] (A19) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (A1), wherein the heater unit is a PTC heater, thereby making it possible to reduce power consumption.

[0139] (A20) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (A1), wherein the belt-shaped flexible conductor is a flexible substrate having a polyimide base material, thereby making it possible to easily form the belt-shaped flexible conductor.

[0140] (B1) A lens barrel (lens barrel 30) having a first cylindrical shape along an optical axis (optical axis L), the lens barrel having a first end (first end 30a) of the first cylindrical shape, a second end (second end 30b) of the first cylindrical shape opposite the first end, and at least one lens (lens 35) arranged along the optical axis; an image pickup element (image pickup element 50) arranged on the optical axis and closer to the second end of the first cylindrical shape of the lens barrel than the first end; a circuit board (circuit board 40) having a first surface (first surface 40a), a second surface (second surface 40b) opposite the first surface, and an end surface (40c) connecting the first surface and the second surface, the image pickup element being arranged on the first surface; an outer surface of the second cylindrical housing (60) that houses at least the image pickup element and the circuit board; a connector (80) at least a portion of which is disposed at the fourth end of the second cylindrical housing, the connector having a first connector end (81) and a second connector end (82) opposite to the first connector end, the first connector end being electrically connected to the circuit board and configured to output an image signal from the image pickup element to the outside; and a connector connection portion (47) that is disposed on the circuit board and to which the first connector end of the connector is connected, the vehicle-mounted camera (100) comprising: the lens barrel further comprises: a heater section (heater section 10) disposed at the first end of the first cylindrical shape of the lens barrel, for heating the at least one lens; a conductor section (strip-shaped flexible conductor 12) having one end connected to the heater section and another end opposite the one end, and electrically connected to the heater section; a conductor connection section (conductor connector 121) disposed on the circuit board, to which the other end of the conductor section is connected and electrically connected to the connector connection section and the conductor section; and a switch (switch 112) disposed on the circuit board, electrically connected to the connector connection section and the conductor connection section, for increasing or decreasing the voltage and / or current supplied to the heater section,an in-vehicle camera, wherein the connector connection portion, the switch, and the conductor connection portion are arranged on the second surface of the circuit board opposite the first surface on which the imaging element is arranged, the conductor portion having an intermediate portion (15) between the one end and the other end, the intermediate portion of the conductor portion extending from the one end connected to the heater portion toward the first surface of the circuit board and passing between the end face of the circuit board and the second cylindrical inner surface of the housing, the conductor portion having a first conductor wire (12A) and a second conductor wire (12B), and a predetermined amount of power is supplied to the heater portion via the connector, the connector connection portion, the switch, the conductor connection portion, and the first and second conductor wires of the conductor portion. As a result, components for supplying power to the heater portion to ensure a field of view are arranged together on the second surface of the circuit board, thereby reducing power loss due to wiring resistance and suppressing power consumption.

[0141] (B2) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (B1), wherein the first conductor of the conductor portion, the heater portion, and the second conductor of the conductor portion constitute a part of a closed circuit, thereby enabling the supply of power to the heater portion.

[0142] (B3) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (B1), wherein the intermediate portion of the conductor portion extends from the one end connected to the heater portion through the interior of the lens barrel toward the first surface of the circuit board and passes between the end surface of the circuit board and the second cylindrical inner surface of the housing, thereby allowing the conductor portion to be routed so that the intermediate portion of the conductor portion passes through the interior of the lens barrel and between the end surface of the circuit board and the second cylindrical inner surface of the housing.

[0143] (B4) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (B3), further comprising a shield portion (70) arranged to surround the circuit board, wherein a portion of the shield portion is arranged between the inner surface of the second cylindrical shape of the housing and the end face of the circuit board, and the portion of the shield portion is arranged between the inner surface of the second cylindrical shape of the housing and the intermediate portion of the conductor portion. This allows the portion of the shield portion to be arranged between the inner surface of the second cylindrical shape of the housing and the intermediate portion of the conductor portion.

[0144] (B5) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (B1), wherein when the switch is in a first state, a first power is supplied from the switch to the heater unit, and when the switch is in a second state, a second power smaller than the first power is supplied from the switch to the heater unit. This makes it possible to change the output of the heater unit by switching the state of the switch to supply different power to the heater unit depending on the usage situation of the vehicle-mounted camera.

[0145] (B6) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (B1), wherein the connector is a coaxial connector, and further comprising a filter circuit (PoC filter 140) electrically connected to the connector connection portion and the switch and separating a portion of the third power supplied from the connector from the power of the image signal output from the imaging element, the filter circuit being arranged on the second surface of the circuit board opposite the first surface on which the imaging element is arranged. This allows the image signal and the third power to be superimposed and transmitted through a single coaxial cable without adversely affecting signal quality by using the filter circuit to separate the third power supplied from a power source via the connector from the image signal from the imaging element. Furthermore, by also arranging the filter circuit on the second surface and electrically connecting it to the connector connection portion and the switch, power loss due to wiring resistance can be reduced, thereby suppressing power consumption.

[0146] (B7) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (B6), wherein a portion of the third power is supplied to the switch via the filter circuit, whereby the switch can increase or decrease the voltage and / or current supplied to the heater unit.

[0147] (B8) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (B7), wherein, on the second surface of the circuit board opposite to the first surface on which the imaging element is arranged, a first distance between a center of the filter circuit and a center of the connector connection portion is shorter than a second distance between a center of the filter circuit and a center of the switch, whereby the filter circuit is arranged closer to the connector connection portion than the switch, thereby improving signal characteristics.

[0148] (B9) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (B6), further comprising a serializer (serializer 131) disposed on the first surface or the second surface of the circuit board and electrically connected to the connector connection portion and the imaging element, wherein the image signal output from the imaging element is a parallel signal, and the serializer converts the parallel signal into a serial signal and outputs the serial signal to the connector. This allows the serializer to convert the parallel signal output from the imaging element into a serial signal suitable for the connector without signal synchronization and output it to the connector.

[0149] (B10) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (B9), wherein the serializer is disposed on the second surface of the circuit board, whereby the serializers are also disposed together on the second surface of the circuit board, thereby reducing power loss due to wiring resistance and suppressing power consumption.

[0150] (B11) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (B5), further comprising a switch control circuit (switch control circuit 132) on the first surface or the second surface of the circuit board, the switch control circuit outputting a control signal to the switch for switching between the first state and the second state, thereby enabling the switch to switch between the first state and the second state based on the control signal from the switch control circuit.

[0151] (B12) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (B11), wherein the control signal is output from an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) mounted on the vehicle and input to the switch control circuit via the connector, thereby allowing the switch control circuit to control the switch using the control signal output from a general ECU.

[0152] (B13) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (B1), wherein a ratio of the predetermined power supplied to the heater unit to a fourth power obtained by subtracting the predetermined power from the third power is in a range of 1:2 to 2:1. This allows the vehicle-mounted camera to be driven smoothly while maintaining the function of the heater unit, even if the power supplied to the heater unit is large in the total power consumption of the vehicle-mounted camera.

[0153] (B14) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (B9), further comprising a power supply IC (Integrated Circuit) (power supply IC133) disposed on the first surface or the second surface of the circuit board and electrically connected to the filter circuit, the image sensor, and the serializer, wherein a portion of the third power supplied from the connector is supplied to the power supply IC via the filter circuit, and then supplied from the power supply IC to the image sensor and the serializer. This allows the power supply IC to secure power for driving the image sensor and the serializer from the third power.

[0154] (B15) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (B14), wherein the power supply ICs are arranged on the second surface of the circuit board, whereby the power supply ICs are also arranged together on the second surface of the circuit board, thereby reducing power loss due to wiring resistance and suppressing power consumption.

[0155] (B16) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (B1), wherein the second cylindrical body of the housing has a first side wall portion (first side wall portion 65a), a second side wall portion (second side wall portion 65b), a third side wall portion (third side wall portion 65c), and a fourth side wall portion (fourth side wall portion 65d), and the circuit board has, in a plan view of the second surface of the circuit board, a first edge portion (first edge portion 41a) corresponding to the first side wall portion, a second edge portion (second edge portion 41b) corresponding to the second side wall portion, a third edge portion (third edge portion 41c) corresponding to the third side wall portion, and a fourth edge portion (fourth edge portion 41d) corresponding to the fourth side wall portion, and at least a part of the intermediate portion of the conductor portion is located between the first side wall portion of the second cylindrical body of the housing and the first edge portion of the circuit board, and the connector connection portion is located on the second surface of the circuit board in a central portion of the second surface of the circuit board, the conductor connection portion is disposed on the second surface of the circuit board between the connector connection portion and the first edge portion of the circuit board, whereby the ribbon-shaped flexible conductor can be routed from between the second cylindrical first side wall portion of the housing and the first edge portion of the circuit board to the second surface of the circuit board and connected to the conductor connection portion.

[0156] (B17) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (B1), wherein the at least one lens of the lens barrel includes a plurality of lenses, and the heater unit is capable of heating a lens of the plurality of lenses that is farthest from the imaging element, thereby enabling efficient securing of a field of view.

[0157] (B18) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (B17), wherein the lens barrel further comprises a flange portion (flange portion 32) at the second end portion of the first cylinder, the flange portion extending in a direction away from the optical axis around the entire circumference of the optical axis, and the third end portion of the second cylinder of the housing is connected to the flange portion of the lens barrel. This makes it possible to easily connect the lens barrel to the housing.

[0158] (B19) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (B1), wherein the connector is configured such that the second connector end is electrically connected to a wire of the vehicle when the vehicle-mounted camera is installed in the vehicle, thereby ensuring power from the vehicle.

[0159] (B20) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (B1), wherein the conductor portion is a flexible printed circuit board, thereby making it possible to easily form a band-shaped flexible conductor.

[0160] (C1) A lens barrel (lens barrel 30) having a first cylindrical shape along an optical axis (optical axis L), the lens barrel having a first end (first end 30a) of the first cylindrical shape, a second end (second end 30b) of the first cylindrical shape opposite the first end, and at least one lens (lens 35) arranged along the optical axis; an image pickup element (image pickup element 50) arranged on the optical axis and closer to the second end of the first cylindrical shape of the lens barrel than the first end; a circuit board (circuit board 40) having a first shape in a plan view, the circuit board having a first surface (first surface 40a), a second surface (second surface 40b) opposite the first surface, and an end surface (end surface 40c) connecting the first surface and the second surface, the image pickup element being arranged on the first surface; a housing (housing 60) that houses at least the image sensor and the circuit board, the housing (housing 60) having a second cylindrical shape along the optical axis and including an inner surface (inner surface 66) of the second cylindrical shape, an outer surface (outer surface 67) of the second cylindrical shape, a third end (third end 63) of the second cylindrical shape, and a fourth end (fourth end 64) of the second cylindrical shape that is located farther from the first end of the first cylindrical shape of the lens barrel than the third end based on the first end of the first cylindrical shape; a connector (external connector 80) at least a portion of which is located at the fourth end of the second cylindrical shape of the housing, the connector (external connector 80) having a first connector end (first connector end 81) and a second connector end (second connector end 82) opposite to the first connector end, the first connector end being electrically connected to the circuit board and configured to output an image signal from the image sensor to the outside; a connector connection portion (connector connection portion 47) that is located on the second surface of the circuit board and to which the first connector end of the connector is connected; a heater section (heater section 10) disposed at the first end of the first cylindrical shape of the lens barrel and configured to heat the at least one lens; a conductor section (strip-shaped flexible conductor 12) including at least a first conductor (first conductor 12A) and a second conductor (second conductor 12B), the conductor section having one end (one end 12a) connected to the heater section and another end (another end 12b) opposite the one end; and a conductor connection section (conductor connector 121) disposed on the second surface of the circuit board, the other end of the conductor section being connected and electrically connected to the connector connection section and the conductor section,the first shape of the circuit board has a first side (first side 41a); the end face of the circuit board has a first end face (first end face 40c1) on the first side; the connector connection portion is arranged on the optical axis on the second surface of the circuit board; the conductor connection portion is arranged on the second surface of the circuit board between the first side of the first shape and the connector connection portion; the conductor portion has: an intermediate portion (intermediate portion 15) located between the one end and the other end; a first connection portion (first connection portion 13) connecting the one end and the intermediate portion; and a second connection portion (second connection portion 14) connecting the intermediate portion and the other end; the intermediate portion of the conductor portion is arranged between the inner surface of the second cylindrical shape of the housing and the first end face of the circuit board; the intermediate portion of the conductor portion is disposed at a position where a straight line that is perpendicular to the first end face of the circuit board and intersects with the optical axis passes through, and power is supplied to the heater portion from the conductor connection portion via the first conductor and the second conductor that are provided across the second connection portion, the intermediate portion, and the first connection portion of the conductor portion. This prevents the conductor portion that supplies power to the heater portion for ensuring a field of view from becoming longer, thereby reducing the amount of material required for the conductor portion and reducing power loss, thereby suppressing power consumption.

[0161] (C2) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (C1), wherein the lens barrel has: a first protrusion (first protrusion 37a) protruding from a first portion (first portion 30b1) of the second end toward the first surface of the circuit board; a second protrusion (second protrusion 37b) protruding from a second portion (second portion 30b2) of the second end toward the first surface of the circuit board; and a third protrusion (third protrusion 37c) protruding from a third portion (third portion 30b3) of the second end toward the first surface of the circuit board, wherein a first distance between the first protrusion and the second protrusion is shorter than a second distance between the first protrusion and the third protrusion, and a third distance between the second protrusion and the third protrusion is shorter than the second distance, and the first protrusion of the lens barrel is connected to the first surface of the circuit board via a first adhesive (first adhesive 44a), an in-vehicle camera, wherein the second protrusion of the lens barrel is connected to the first surface of the circuit board via a second adhesive (second adhesive 44b), and the third protrusion of the lens barrel is connected to the first surface of the circuit board via a third adhesive (third adhesive 44c), thereby allowing the circuit board to support the lens barrel via the protrusions.

[0162] (C3) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (C2), wherein at least a part of the first connection portion of the conductor portion is disposed between the first protrusion and the second protrusion, thereby preventing interference between the conductor portion and the first protrusion and the second protrusion.

[0163] (C4) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (C1), wherein at least a part of the first connection portion of the conductor portion is arranged in the lens barrel along the direction of the optical axis, thereby preventing the first connection portion of the conductor portion from becoming long.

[0164] (C5) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (C1), wherein the intermediate portion of the conductor portion faces a midpoint of the first side of the first end surface of the circuit board in the length direction. This allows the intermediate portion of the conductor portion to be positioned so as to face the midpoint of the first side of the circuit board, thereby preventing the conductor portion from becoming long.

[0165] (C6) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (C1), wherein the second connection portion of the conductor portion is arranged along the straight line intersecting the optical axis, thereby preventing the second connection portion of the conductor portion from becoming long.

[0166] (C7) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (C1), wherein the connector connection portion is disposed at the center of the second surface of the circuit board, thereby enabling the connector to be connected to the center of the circuit board.

[0167] (C8) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (C1), wherein the first shape of the circuit board further has a second side (second side 41b), a third side (third side 41c), and a fourth side (fourth side 41d), and the end faces of the circuit board further have a second end face (second end face 40c2) at the second side, a third end face (third end face 40c3) at the third side, and a fourth end face (fourth end face 40c4) at the fourth side. This makes it possible to easily form the circuit board.

[0168] (C9) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (C8), wherein the first shape of the circuit board is a first rectangular shape. This makes it possible to easily form the circuit board.

[0169] (C10) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (C1), wherein the second end of the second cylindrical shape of the lens barrel has a second shape in a plan view of the lens barrel, and the second shape is a quadrangle. This makes it easy to form the second end of the lens barrel.

[0170] (C11) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (C1), further comprising a switch disposed on the second surface of the circuit board, electrically connected to the connector connection portion and the conductor connection portion, and configured to increase or decrease the voltage and / or current supplied to the heater unit. This makes it possible to change the state of the switch to supply different power to the heater unit and change the output of the heater unit depending on the usage status of the vehicle-mounted camera.

[0171] (C12) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (C1), wherein the at least one lens of the lens barrel includes a plurality of lenses, and the heater unit is capable of heating a lens of the plurality of lenses that is farthest from the imaging element, thereby ensuring efficient visibility.

[0172] (C13) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (C1), wherein the connector is configured such that the second connector end is electrically connected to a wire of the vehicle when the vehicle-mounted camera is disposed in the vehicle, thereby ensuring power from the vehicle.

[0173] (C14) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (C1), wherein the conductor portion is a flexible printed circuit board, thereby making it possible to easily form the conductor portion.

[0174] (C15) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (C1), wherein the heater unit is a PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) heater, thereby making it possible to reduce power consumption.

[0175] (C16) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (C1), wherein the connector is a coaxial connector, whereby the connector can supply both power and signals.

[0176] Although the embodiments have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present disclosure is not limited to such examples. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications, alterations, substitutions, additions, deletions, and equivalents may be made within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that these also fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the components of the above-described embodiments may be combined in any manner without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0177] In addition, this application is a Japanese patent application filed on December 27, 2023 (Patent Application No. 2023-221717), a Japanese patent application filed on March 8, 2024 (Patent Application No. 2024-035752), and a Japanese patent application filed on December 13, 2024 (Patent Application No. 2024-218774), the contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application.

[0178] The present disclosure is useful for an in-vehicle camera that can reduce power loss due to wiring resistance and suppress power consumption.

[0179] 10 Heater portion 12 Band-shaped flexible conductor (conductor portion) 12A First conductor 12B Second conductor 12C Third conductor 12D Fourth conductor 12a One end portion 12b Other end portion 13 First connecting portion 14 Second connecting portion 15 Intermediate portion 20 Ring member 20a First surface 20b Second surface 30 Lens barrel 30a First end portion 30b Second end portion 30b1 First portion 30b2 Second portion 30b3 Third portion 30b4 Fourth portion 30c Lens barrel end surface 30c1 Intersection line 30c2 Intersection region 31 First cylindrical portion 32 Flange portion 32a First flange surface 32b Second flange surface 33 Inner surface 34 Outer surface 35 Lens 37 Protrusion 37a First protrusion 37b Second protrusion 37c Third protrusion 37d Fourth protrusion 40 Circuit board 40a First surface 40b Second surface 40c End surface 40c1 First end surface 40c2 Second end surface 40c3 Third end surface 40c4 Fourth end surface 41a First side 41b Second side 41c Third side 41d Fourth side 44a First adhesive 44b Second adhesive 44c Third adhesive 44d Fourth adhesive 47 Connector connecting portion 48 Connector joint portion 50 Imaging element 60 Housing 61 Large diameter cylindrical portion (second cylindrical portion) 62 Small diameter cylindrical portion (third cylindrical portion) 63 Third end portion 63a End surface 64 Fourth end portion 64a Housing end surface 65a First side wall portion 65b Second side wall portion 65c Third side wall portion 65d Fourth side wall portion 66 Inner surface 67 Outer surface 70 Rear shield (box-shaped conductive member) 80 External connector (connector) 81 First connector end 82 Second connector end 90 Front shield (planar conductive member) 91 First hole 92 Second hole 100 In-vehicle camera 111 Camera ECU (ECU) 120 Heater circuit portion 121 Conductive wire connector (conductor connection portion) 122 Switch 130 Camera circuit portion 131 Serializer 132 Switch control circuit 133 Power supply IC 140 PoC filter (filter circuit) L Optical axis S Straight line

Claims

1. A lens barrel that is first cylindrical along the optical axis, having a first end portion of the first cylindrical shape, a second end portion of the first cylindrical shape that is opposite to the first end portion, and at least one lens disposed along the optical axis; An image sensor disposed on the optical axis and closer to the second end portion than the first end portion of the first cylindrical shape of the lens barrel; A circuit board having a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and an end surface connecting the first surface and the second surface, with the image sensor disposed on the first surface; A second cylindrical shape, having a third end portion of the second cylindrical shape, a fourth end portion of the second cylindrical shape disposed farther from the third end portion than the first end portion of the first cylindrical shape of the lens barrel, an inner surface of the second cylindrical shape, and an outer surface of the second cylindrical shape, and housing at least the image sensor and the circuit board; A connector at least partially disposed at the fourth end portion of the second cylindrical shape of the housing, having a first connector end portion and a second connector end portion opposite to the first connector end portion, with the first connector end portion electrically connected to the circuit board and configured to output an image signal from the image sensor to the outside; An in-vehicle camera comprising a connector connection portion disposed on the circuit board and connected to the first connector end portion of the connector; The in-vehicle camera further comprises: A heater portion disposed at the first end portion of the first cylindrical shape of the lens barrel for heating the at least one lens; A wire portion having one end connected to the heater portion and the other end opposite to the one end; A wire connection portion disposed on the circuit board, with the other end of the wire portion connected thereto, and electrically connected to the connector connection portion and the wire portion; A switch disposed on the circuit board, electrically connected to the connector connection portion and the wire connection portion, and configured to increase or decrease the voltage and / or current supplied to the heater portion; The connector connection portion, the switch, and the wire connection portion are disposed on the second surface of the circuit board opposite to the first surface where the image sensor is disposed; The wire portion has an intermediate portion between the one end and the other end; The intermediate portion of the wire portion extends from the one end connected to the heater portion toward the first surface of the circuit board and passes between the end surface of the circuit board and the inner surface of the second cylindrical shape of the housing; The wire portion has a first wire and a second wire.An in-vehicle camera that supplies predetermined power to the heater unit via the connector, the connector connection portion, the switch, the wire connection portion, the first wire of the wire portion, and the second wire.

2. The in-vehicle camera according to claim 1, wherein the first conductor of the wire portion, the heater portion, and the second conductor of the wire portion form a part of a closed circuit. In-vehicle camera.

3. The in-vehicle camera according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate portion of the wire portion extends from the one end portion connected to the heater portion through the inside of the lens barrel toward the first surface of the circuit board, and passes between the end surface of the circuit board and the inner surface of the second cylindrical portion of the housing. In-vehicle camera.

4. The in-vehicle camera according to claim 3, further comprising a shield portion disposed so as to surround the circuit board, a part of the shield portion being disposed between the inner surface of the second cylindrical portion of the housing and the end surface of the circuit board, and the part of the shield portion being disposed between the inner surface of the second cylindrical portion of the housing and the intermediate portion of the wire portion. In-vehicle camera.

5. The in-vehicle camera according to claim 1, wherein when the switch is in the first state, first power is supplied from the switch to the heater portion, and when the switch is in the second state, second power smaller than the first power is supplied from the switch to the heater portion. In-vehicle camera.

6. The in-vehicle camera according to claim 1, wherein the connector is a coaxial connector, and further comprising a filter circuit that is electrically connected to the connector connection portion and the switch and separates a part of the third power supplied from the connector and the power of the image signal output from the imaging element, and the filter circuit is disposed on the second surface of the circuit board opposite to the first surface on which the imaging element is disposed. In-vehicle camera.

7. The in-vehicle camera according to claim 6, wherein a part of the third power is supplied to the switch via the filter circuit. In-vehicle camera.

8. The in-vehicle camera according to claim 7, wherein on the second surface of the circuit board opposite to the first surface on which the imaging element is disposed, a first distance between the center of the filter circuit and the center of the connector connection portion is shorter than a second distance between the center of the filter circuit and the center of the switch. In-vehicle camera.

9. The in-vehicle camera according to claim 6, further comprising a serializer disposed on the first surface or the second surface of the circuit board and electrically connected to the connector connection portion and the imaging element, wherein the image signal output from the imaging element is a parallel signal, and the serializer converts the parallel signal into a serial signal and outputs the serial signal to the connector. In-vehicle camera.

10. The in-vehicle camera according to claim 9, wherein the serializer is disposed on the second surface of the circuit board. In-vehicle camera.

11. The in-vehicle camera according to claim 5, further comprising a switch control circuit on the first surface or the second surface of the circuit board, wherein the switch control circuit outputs a control signal for switching between the first state and the second state to the switch. In-vehicle camera.

12. The in-vehicle camera according to claim 11, wherein the control signal is output from an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) mounted on the vehicle and input to the switch control circuit via the connector. In-vehicle camera.

13. The in-vehicle camera according to claim 6, wherein the ratio of the predetermined power supplied to the heater unit to the fourth power obtained by subtracting the predetermined power from the third power is in the range of 1:2 to 2:

1. In-vehicle camera.

14. The in-vehicle camera according to claim 9, further comprising a power supply IC (Integrated Circuit) disposed on the first surface or the second surface of the circuit board and electrically connected to the filter circuit, the imaging element, and the serializer, wherein a part of the third power supplied from the connector is supplied to the power supply IC via the filter circuit and then supplied from the power supply IC to the imaging element and the serializer. In-vehicle camera.

15. The in-vehicle camera according to claim 14, wherein the power supply IC is disposed on the second surface of the circuit board. In-vehicle camera.

16. The in-vehicle camera according to claim 1, wherein the second cylindrical portion of the housing has a first side wall portion, a second side wall portion, a third side wall portion, and a fourth side wall portion; the circuit board has, in a plan view of the second surface of the circuit board, a first edge portion corresponding to the first side wall portion, a second edge portion corresponding to the second side wall portion, a third edge portion corresponding to the third side wall portion, and a fourth edge portion corresponding to the fourth side wall portion; at least a part of the intermediate portion of the wire portion is between the first side wall portion of the second cylindrical portion of the housing and the first edge portion of the circuit board; the connector connection portion is disposed at a central portion of the second surface of the circuit board on the second surface of the circuit board; and the wire connection portion is disposed between the connector connection portion and the first edge portion of the circuit board on the second surface of the circuit board. In-vehicle camera.

17. The in-vehicle camera according to claim 1, wherein at least one lens of the lens barrel includes a plurality of lenses, and the heater portion can heat the lens farthest from the imaging element among the plurality of lenses. In-vehicle camera.

18. The in-vehicle camera according to claim 17, wherein the lens barrel further includes a flange portion extending in a direction away from the optical axis over the entire circumference around the optical axis at the second end portion of the first cylindrical portion, and the third end portion of the second cylindrical portion of the housing is connected to the flange portion of the lens barrel. In-vehicle camera.

19. The in-vehicle camera according to claim 1, wherein when the in-vehicle camera is disposed in a vehicle, the second connector end portion is electrically connected to a wire of the vehicle. In-vehicle camera.

20. The in-vehicle camera according to claim 1, wherein the wire portion is a flexible printed circuit board. In-vehicle camera.

Images