Onboard camera

Abstract

This onboard camera comprises: a lens unit; an imaging element; a circuit board; and a metal housing that houses at least the imaging element and the circuit board. The lens unit and the housing have a melt-joined section in which at least a part of a flange protrusion top of a flange protrusion of a third flange surface of a flange section of the lens unit and at least a part of a third housing region of a housing end surface of the housing are melted along the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and then solidified to be joined together. The melt-joined section of the flange protrusion top of the flange protrusion is located at the flange protrusion top of the flange protrusion, extending from the outer surface of the flange protrusion to the inner surface of the flange protrusion. A third gap is between the inner surface of the flange protrusion and the outer surface of the housing protrusion and reaches a second housing region of the housing end surface of the housing.

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 Documents 1 to 3).

[0003] US Patent Application Publication No. 2022 / 360691 US Patent No. 10979611 US Patent No. 11617021 Japanese Patent Publication No. 2016-541029 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-134584 International Publication No. 2024 / 057729 US Patent Application Publication No. 2011 / 0063498

[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 relates to a lens unit including a first cylindrical portion having a first cylindrical shape along an optical axis, at least one lens arranged on the optical axis inside the first cylindrical portion, and a metal flange portion arranged on the outside of the first cylindrical portion so as to extend outward with the optical axis as a reference over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis; an imaging element arranged on the optical axis; a circuit board having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, with the imaging element arranged on the first surface; and a second cylindrical portion having a second cylindrical shape along the optical axis and accommodating at least the imaging element and the circuit board. the flange portion of the lens unit includes a first flange surface connected to the first cylindrical portion and arranged around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis; a second flange surface which is a surface opposite to the first flange surface and arranged closer to the first surface of the circuit board than the first flange surface in an optical axis direction along the optical axis, with the first surface of the circuit board being used as a reference; and a second flange surface which is a surface opposite to the first flange surface and is located between the first flange surface and the second flange surface in the optical axis direction, and arranged around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and and a flange side surface connected to the second flange surface and disposed around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis, wherein the third flange surface has a first flange region disposed around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis, a second flange region disposed around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and outward of the first flange region with respect to the optical axis, and a flange protrusion portion protruding from the second flange region in a direction away from the first flange surface and disposed around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis. The flange protrusion has a flange protrusion apex which is a apex, a flange protrusion inner side surface which is connected to the flange protrusion apex and the third flange surface and is arranged around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis, and a flange protrusion outer side surface which is arranged opposite to the flange protrusion inner side surface around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis, the flange has a flange outer side surface which is connected to the first flange surface and the flange protrusion outer side surface around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis, the second cylindrical portion of the housing is opposite to the first housing end and in the optical axis directionand a housing end face disposed at the first housing end over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis, the housing end face including a first housing region disposed over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis, a second housing region disposed over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and outward from the first housing region with respect to the optical axis, a third housing region disposed over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and outward from the second housing region with respect to the optical axis, and a housing protrusion protruding from the first housing region in a direction away from the second housing end and disposed over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis, the housing protrusion having a housing protrusion top portion that is a top portion, a housing protrusion inner side surface that is connected to at least the housing protrusion top portion and is disposed over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis, and a housing protrusion outer side surface that is connected to the housing protrusion top portion and the housing end face, is disposed over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis, and is disposed opposite to the housing protrusion inner side surface, and a fused connection portion formed by melting at least a portion of the flange protrusion apex of the flange protrusion on the third flange surface of the flange portion of the lens unit and at least a portion of the third housing region of the housing end surface of the second cylindrical portion of the housing over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and then solidifying and connecting the flange protrusion apex of the flange protrusion, the fused connection portion being located at the flange protrusion apex of the flange protrusion from the flange protrusion outer surface to the flange protrusion inner surface, and a gap is formed between the flange protrusion inner surface and the housing protrusion outer surface and reaching the second housing region of the housing end surface of the second cylindrical portion of the housing.

[0007] The present disclosure relates to a lens unit including a first cylindrical portion having a first cylindrical shape along an optical axis, at least one lens arranged on the optical axis inside the first cylindrical portion, and a metal flange portion arranged on the outside of the first cylindrical portion so as to extend outward with the optical axis as a reference over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis; an imaging element arranged on the optical axis; a circuit board having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, with the imaging element arranged on the first surface; and a second cylindrical portion having a second cylindrical shape along the optical axis and accommodating at least the imaging element and the circuit board. the flange portion of the lens unit includes a first flange surface connected to the first cylindrical portion and arranged around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis; a second flange surface which is a surface opposite to the first flange surface and arranged closer to the first surface of the circuit board than the first flange surface in an optical axis direction along the optical axis, with the first surface of the circuit board being used as a reference; and a second flange surface which is a surface opposite to the first flange surface and is located between the first flange surface and the second flange surface in the optical axis direction, and arranged around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and a third flange surface disposed outside the second flange surface and connected to the second flange surface; and a flange side surface connected to the second flange surface and disposed around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis, wherein the third flange surface includes a third flange region disposed around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis, a fourth flange region disposed around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and outward from the third flange region with respect to the optical axis, a fifth flange region disposed around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and outward from the fourth flange region with respect to the optical axis, and a flange side surface connected to the second flange surface and the third flange surface and disposed around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis. a flange protruding portion protruding from the third flange surface in a direction away from the first flange surface and disposed around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis, the flange protruding portion having a flange protruding apex portion that is a apex, a flange protruding inner surface that is connected to the flange protruding apex and the third flange surface and disposed around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis, and a flange protruding outer surface that is connected to the flange protruding apex and the third flange surface and disposed around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and is disposed opposite to the flange protruding inner surface, and the second cylindrical portion of the housing has a first housing end portion andthe housing end surface includes a fourth housing region arranged around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis, a fifth housing region arranged around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and positioned outward from the fourth housing region with respect to the optical axis, and a housing protrusion protruding from the fifth housing region in a direction away from the second housing end and arranged around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis, the housing protrusion having a housing protrusion top portion as a top portion, a housing protrusion inner side surface connected to the housing protrusion top portion and the housing end surface and arranged around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis, and a housing protrusion outer side surface arranged opposite to the housing protrusion inner side surface around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis, and the second cylindrical portion of the housing is connected to the housing protrusion outer side surface and the second housing end portion around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis. and a housing outer surface formed by melting a part of the housing protrusion top of the housing protrusion on the housing end surface of the second cylindrical portion of the housing over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis, wherein at least a part of the flange protrusion of the flange portion of the lens unit is disposed between the flange side surface of the flange portion and the housing protrusion inner surface of the housing protrusion on the housing end surface of the second cylindrical portion of the housing, and the lens unit and the housing have a fused connection part formed by melting at least a part of the fifth flange region of the third flange surface of the flange portion of the lens unit and at least a part of the housing protrusion top of the housing protrusion on the housing end surface of the second cylindrical portion of the housing over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and then solidifying and connecting them, and the fused connection part of the housing protrusion top of the housing protrusion is located at the housing protrusion top of the housing protrusion from the housing protrusion outer surface to the housing protrusion inner surface, and a gap is provided between the housing protrusion inner surface and the flange protrusion outer surface and reaches the fourth flange region of the third flange surface of the flange portion.

[0008] According to the present disclosure, by disposing the housing protrusion between the flange side surface and the flange protrusion inner surface, it is possible to lengthen the path from the fusion connection between the second housing region and the flange protrusion top to the inside of the housing. Therefore, the housing protrusion can function as a protective wall that prevents foreign matter such as spatter from entering the inside of the housing during welding. This prevents foreign matter generated during welding from entering the inside of the housing and causing malfunctions.

[0009] According to the present disclosure, the flange protrusion is disposed inside the housing protrusion, thereby lengthening the path from the fusion connection between the housing protrusion top and the fifth flange region to the interior of the housing. Therefore, the flange protrusion can function as a protective wall that prevents foreign matter from entering the interior of the housing during welding. This prevents foreign matter generated during welding from entering the interior of the housing and causing malfunctions.

[0010] 1. A top view of an example of a vehicle, a vehicle equipped with an on-board camera. 2. A block diagram showing an example of connections between an on-board camera, a camera ECU, and a display provided in the vehicle shown in FIG. 1. 3. A schematic diagram of the cabin of a vehicle, another example of a vehicle, equipped with an on-board camera. 4. A block diagram showing an example of connections between an on-board camera, a camera ECU, and a display provided in the vehicle shown in FIG. 3. 5. A perspective view of the on-board camera according to the first embodiment. 6. An exploded perspective view of the on-board camera according to the first embodiment. 7. A top view of the on-board camera according to the first embodiment. 11A and 11B are cross-sectional views taken along line II of FIG. 8A and line II of FIG. 8B, respectively, of the vehicle-mounted camera according to the second embodiment; and FIG. 11C is an enlarged view of region B of FIG. 11A and 11B are cross-sectional views taken along line II of FIG. 8A and line II of FIG. 13B, respectively, of the vehicle-mounted camera according to the third embodiment; and FIG. 13C is an enlarged view of region C of FIG. 13B, respectively, of the vehicle-mounted camera according to the fourth embodiment; and FIG. 15C is a cross-sectional view taken along line II of FIG. 8A and line II of FIG. 15B, respectively, of the vehicle-mounted camera according to the fifth embodiment; and FIG. 15C is an enlarged view of region D of FIG. 15B, respectively, of the vehicle-mounted camera according to the fifth embodiment; and FIG. 19C is an exploded perspective view of the vehicle-mounted camera according to the fifth embodiment; and FIG. 19D is a cross-sectional view of the interior of the lens barrel; and FIG. 19D is an enlarged view of region E of FIG. 20A and FIG. 19D is an enlarged view of region F of FIG. 20A and FIG. 20B are cross-sectional views of the interior of the lens barrel; and FIG. 20C is an enlarged view of region F of FIG. 20A and FIG. 20B are cross-sectional views of the interior of the lens barrel; and FIG. 20C is an enlarged view of region E of FIG. 20B and FIG. 20C are cross-sectional views of the interior of the lens barrel; and FIG. 20D is an enlarged view of region F of FIG. 20B and FIG. 20C are cross-sectional views of the interior of the lens barrel; and FIG. 20D is an enlarged view of region F of FIG. 20B and 24 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 24; 24 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of FIG. 24; 24 is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C of FIG. 24; 24 is a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D of FIG. 24; 24 is a cross-sectional view taken along line E-E of FIG. 24; 31 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II of FIG. 31; and FIG. 32 is an enlarged view of region A of FIG. 32. A schematic diagram illustrating the process of connecting two housing parts in the manufacturing process of a conventional in-vehicle camera. A schematic diagram illustrating the process of connecting two housing parts in the manufacturing process of a vehicle-mounted camera according to the sixth embodiment. Images of the fused joints of two housing parts, where (A) is an image of the fused joints of a conventional in-vehicle camera, and (B) is an image of the fused joints of the in-vehicle camera according to the first embodiment. A front perspective view of the in-vehicle camera according to the seventh embodiment. An exploded perspective view of the in-vehicle camera according to the seventh embodiment.Cross-sectional view taken along line I-I of FIG. 31, Enlarged view of region B in FIG. 39, Front perspective view of in-vehicle camera according to the eighth embodiment, Cross-sectional view taken along line I-I of FIG. 31 in the eighth embodiment, Enlarged view of region H in FIG. 42, Cross-sectional view taken along line I-I of FIG. 31 in the ninth embodiment, Enlarged view of region I in FIG. 44, Cross-sectional view taken along line I-I of FIG. 31 in the tenth embodiment, Enlarged view of region J in FIG. 46, Cross-sectional view taken along line I-I of FIG. 31 in the eleventh embodiment, Enlarged view of region K in FIG. 48, Front perspective view of in-vehicle camera according to the twelfth embodiment, Cross-sectional view taken along line I-I of FIG. 31 in the twelfth embodiment, Enlarged view of region L in FIG. 51, Cross-sectional view taken along line I-I of FIG. 31 in the thirteenth embodiment, Enlarged view of region M in FIG. 53, Cross-sectional view taken along line I-I of FIG. 31 in the fourteenth embodiment, Enlarged view of region N in FIG. 55, Cross-sectional view taken along line I-I of FIG. 31 in the fifteenth embodiment, Enlarged view of region O in FIG. 57

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments specifically disclosing the in-vehicle camera according to the present disclosure will be described in detail with appropriate reference to the drawings. However, a more detailed description than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed descriptions of well-known matters and duplicate descriptions of substantially the same configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid making the following description unnecessarily redundant and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art. Note that the accompanying drawings and the following description are provided for those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter of the claims.

[0012] (Vehicle equipped with an in-vehicle camera) FIG. 1 shows an example of a vehicle and is a top view of a vehicle equipped with an in-vehicle camera. The vehicle V is equipped with in-vehicle cameras 100A, 100B, 100C, and 100D as in-vehicle cameras 100. The in-vehicle camera 100A is a front camera, the in-vehicle camera 100B is a rear camera, the in-vehicle camera 100C is a right side camera, and the in-vehicle camera 100D is a left side camera. The in-vehicle cameras 100A to 100D are, for example, wide-angle cameras having an angle of view of about 180°, and are arranged so that the entire circumference of the vehicle V is imaged.

[0013] 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.

[0014] 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.

[0015] 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.

[0016] (First embodiment) Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the vehicle-mounted camera 100 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the vehicle-mounted camera 100 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 8 is a top view of the vehicle-mounted camera 100 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II in Fig. 8. Fig. 10 is an enlarged view of area A in Fig. 9. Coordinates are defined that include an X-axis along one side of the vehicle-mounted camera 100, a Y-axis that is perpendicular to the X-axis and along the other side of the vehicle-mounted camera 100, and a Z-axis that is perpendicular to the X-axis and Y-axis and along the height direction of the vehicle-mounted camera 100, and these will be used in the following description.

[0017] The vehicle-mounted camera 100 of this embodiment includes a lens unit 30 , a circuit board 40 , an imaging element 50 , and a housing 60 .

[0018] The lens unit 30 forms a cylindrical lens barrel and includes a first cylindrical portion 37 having a first cylindrical shape and at least one lens (not shown) arranged inside the first cylindrical portion 37 on an optical axis L (see FIG. 8 ). The first cylindrical portion 37 holds, for example, a lens group made up of multiple lenses. The lenses in the lens group are arranged with their optical axes L aligned, forming a lens group used for capturing images of the inside and outside of the body of the vehicle V.

[0019] Furthermore, the lens unit 30 has a flange portion 32 disposed on the outside of the first cylindrical portion 37, extending outward from the optical axis L around the entire circumference of the lens unit 30. In the lens unit 30, at least the flange portion 32 is made of metal.

[0020] The first cylindrical portion 37 may be integrally molded with the flange portion 32. In addition, if the first cylindrical portion 37 is a separate member from the flange portion 32, the first cylindrical portion 37 and the flange portion 32 may be joined by welding, adhesive, or the like. The first cylindrical portion 37 may be a metal member or a resin member.

[0021] The flange portion 32 has, for example, a quadrangular shape when viewed from a plane along the optical axis of the flange portion 32. The shape of the flange portion 32 in a plane view may be a polygon other than a pentagon, or may be a triangle. The corners of the flange portion 32 may be curved.

[0022] The circuit board 40 is disposed in the internal space of the housing 60 and has a first surface 40a and a second surface 40b opposite the first surface 40a. However, two or more circuit boards may be provided. In a plan view of the circuit board 40, the circuit board 40 has a first side 41, a second side 42, a third side 43, and a fourth side 44. The circuit board 40 has circuit board end faces connecting the first surface 40a and the second surface 40b. The circuit board 40 has a first circuit board end face 41a corresponding to the first side 41, a second circuit board end face 42a corresponding to the second side 42, a third circuit board end face 43a corresponding to the third side 43, and a fourth circuit board end face 44a corresponding to the fourth side 44.

[0023] The imaging element 50 is disposed on the first surface 40a of the circuit board 40, on the optical axis L of at least one lens of the lens unit 30. The lens unit 30 guides external light to the imaging element 50, allowing the imaging element 50 to capture an image.

[0024] The housing 60 is a cylindrical member with an internal space, supports the lens unit 30, and houses 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 and a small-diameter cylindrical portion 62 along the optical axis L. The large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 constituting the second cylindrical portion has a larger cross-sectional area than the small-diameter cylindrical portion 62, and both have rectangular cross sections. The large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 houses at least the circuit board 40 and the image sensor 50. The small-diameter cylindrical portion 62 houses a connector 80 that mainly ensures electrical connection between the vehicle-mounted camera 100 and the outside. The large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 and the small-diameter cylindrical portion 62 can be integrally molded, or they may be individually prepared and joined by welding, screws, or other methods.

[0025] The housing 60 has, for example, a rectangular shape in a plan view of the housing 60. In this case, the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 may have a first side wall portion 69a, a second side wall portion 69b, a third side wall portion 69c, and a fourth side wall portion 69d. However, the shape of the housing 60 in a plan view may be a polygon other than a pentagon, or may be a triangle. The corners of the housing 60 may be curved.

[0026] A more detailed description will be given of the flange portion 32 of the lens unit 30. The flange portion 32 has a first flange surface 32a, a second flange surface 32b, a third flange surface 32c, and a flange side surface 33a.

[0027] The first flange surface 32a is a surface exposed to the outside, is connected to the first cylindrical portion 37, and is disposed around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L. The second flange surface 32b is a surface opposite to the first flange surface 32a, and is disposed closer to the first surface 40a of the circuit board 40 than the first flange surface 32a in the optical axis direction along the optical axis L, with the first surface 40a of the circuit board 40 being used as a reference.

[0028] The flange portion 32 may have at least one protrusion extending from the second flange surface 32b toward the first surface 40a of the circuit board 40. The at least one protrusion may be bonded to the first surface 40a of the circuit board 40 via an adhesive 90 (FIG. 7). The number of the at least one protrusion is, for example, four.

[0029] The third flange surface 32c is the surface opposite to the first flange surface 32a, is between the first flange surface 32a and the second flange surface 32b in the optical axis direction, and is disposed outward from the second flange surface 32b with respect to the optical axis L, over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L. The flange side surface 33a is connected to the second flange surface 32b and the third flange surface 32c, and is disposed along the optical axis direction over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L.

[0030] The third flange surface 32c has a first flange region 32c1 arranged around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L, a second flange region 32c2 arranged around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L and outward from the first flange region 32c1 with the optical axis L as the reference, and a flange protrusion 34 protruding from the second flange region 32c2 in a direction away from the first flange surface 32a and arranged around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L. The first flange region 32c1 and the second flange region 32c2 are regions obtained by dividing the third flange surface 32c according to the distance from the optical axis L, and are not regions that exist independently in structure.

[0031] The flange protrusion 34 has a flange protrusion top portion 34a, which is a top portion, a flange protrusion inner surface 34b, and a flange protrusion outer surface 34c. The flange protrusion inner surface 34b is connected to the flange protrusion top portion 34a and the third flange surface 32c, and is disposed over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L. The flange protrusion outer surface 34c is disposed along the optical axis L on the opposite side to the flange protrusion inner surface 34b, over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L.

[0032] Note that a first portion, which is a portion of the flange protruding inner surface 34b in the entire circumferential direction, and a second portion, which is another portion of the flange protruding inner surface 34b in the entire circumferential direction, face each other directly or indirectly (indirectly in the embodiment) in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis L. In other words, it can be said that the first portion of the flange protruding inner surface 34b and the second portion of the flange protruding inner surface 34b face each other, disregarding the housing protrusion 66, the portion formed by the flange side surface 33a and the second flange surface 32b, and the like, which will be described later.

[0033] Furthermore, as will be described later, the flange portion 32 has a flange outer surface 33c that is connected to the first flange surface 32a and the flange protrusion outer surface 34c around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L. The flange outer surface 33c further has a flange outer surface 33c that is positioned outward from the flange protrusion inner surface 34b with respect to the optical axis L. The flange outer surface 33c is the outermost surface of the lens unit 30 and may include irregularities.

[0034] The large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 of the housing 60 will be described in more detail. The large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 has a first housing end 63 and a second housing end 64 that is opposite the first housing end 63 and is located farther from the lens unit 30 in the optical axis direction than the first housing end 63. The first housing end 63 is located, for example, between the first cylindrical portion 37 of the lens unit 30 and the circuit board 40.

[0035] The first side wall portion 69 a , the second side wall portion 69 b , the third side wall portion 69 c , and the fourth side wall portion 69 d of the large diameter cylindrical portion 61 each extend from the inner surface of the second housing end portion 64 toward the flange portion 32 .

[0036] At least a portion of the first inner surface 69a1 of the first side wall portion 69a faces the first circuit board end face 41a of the circuit board 40, at least a portion of the second inner surface 69b1 of the second side wall portion 69b faces the second circuit board end face 42a of the circuit board 40, at least a portion of the third inner surface 69c1 of the third side wall portion 69c faces the third circuit board end face 43a of the circuit board 40, and at least a portion of the fourth inner surface 69d1 of the fourth side wall portion 69d faces the fourth circuit board end face 44a of the circuit board 40.

[0037] A resin member may be disposed inside the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61. The resin member may be in contact with, for example, the second surface 40b of the circuit board 40 and a first inner surface 69a1 of the first side wall 69a, a second inner surface 69b1 of the second side wall 69b, a third inner surface 69c1 of the third side wall 69c, and a fourth inner surface 69d1 of the fourth side wall 69d of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 of the housing. In this configuration, heat generated by the circuit board 40 can be transferred to the housing 60 via the resin member. Furthermore, the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 has a housing end surface 65 disposed around the entire circumference of the first housing end 63, centered on the optical axis L.

[0038] The housing end surface 65 has a first housing region 65a3, a second housing region 65a4, a third housing region 65a5, and a housing protrusion 66. The first housing region 65a3 is disposed around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L, and the second housing region 65a4 is disposed around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L and outward from the first housing region 65a3 with respect to the optical axis L. The housing protrusion 66 protrudes from the first housing region 65a3 in a direction away from the second housing end 64 and is disposed around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L. The third housing region 65a5 is disposed around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L and outward from the second housing region 65a4 with respect to the optical axis L. The first housing region 65a3, the second housing region 65a4, and the third housing region 65a5 are regions obtained by dividing the housing end surface 65 according to their distance from the optical axis L, and are not structurally independent regions.

[0039] The housing protrusion 66 has a housing protrusion top 66a, a housing protrusion outer surface 66b, and a housing protrusion inner surface 66c. The housing protrusion top 66a is the top of the housing protrusion 66. The housing protrusion outer surface 66b is connected to the housing protrusion top 66a and the housing end surface 65, is disposed around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L, and is disposed opposite the housing protrusion inner surface 66c. The housing protrusion inner surface 66c is connected to at least the housing protrusion top 66a, and is disposed around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L, opposite the housing protrusion outer surface 66b.

[0040] Note that a third portion, which is a portion of the housing protruding inner surface 66c in the entire circumferential direction, and a fourth portion, which is another portion of the housing protruding inner surface 66c in the entire circumferential direction, face each other directly or indirectly (indirectly in the embodiment) in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis L. In other words, it can be said that the third portion of the housing protruding inner surface 66c and the fourth portion of the housing protruding inner surface 66c face each other, disregarding the portion formed by the flange side surface 33a and the second flange surface 32b, etc.

[0041] In assembling the vehicle-mounted camera 100, the flange portion 32 of the lens unit 30 and the housing end surface 65 of the housing 60 are joined by welding. In particular, in this embodiment, at least a part of the third housing region 65a5 of the housing end surface 65 of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 of the housing 60 and at least a part of the flange protrusion apex 34a of the flange protrusion 34 of the third flange surface 32c of the flange portion 32 of the lens unit 30 are welded at the fusion joint 20 around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L.

[0042] The welding is performed by using a welding machine or the like to irradiate a welding medium onto the area where at least a portion of the flange portion 32 and at least a portion of the housing end face 65 come into contact and where the fused joint 20 is to be formed, which is exposed to the outside, as shown by the arrow in Figure 10. The welding medium can be electricity, gas, laser, or the like. The irradiation of the medium melts the flange portion 32 and the housing end face 65, both made of metal, and they are welded together.

[0043] During welding, spatter and other foreign matter are inevitably generated. If such foreign matter gets inside the housing 60 and interferes with the circuit board 40 and the image sensor 50 in particular, it may cause malfunctions. Therefore, some measure is required to prevent foreign matter from getting inside the housing 60.

[0044] In this embodiment, at least a portion of the housing protrusion 66 on the housing end surface 65 of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 of the housing 60 is positioned around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L, between the flange side surface 33a of the flange portion 32 and the flange protrusion inner surface 34b of the flange protrusion 34 of the third flange surface 32c of the flange portion 32 of the lens unit 30.

[0045] That is, the lens unit 30 and the housing 60 have a fused connection 20 formed by melting at least a portion of the flange protrusion apex 34a of the flange protrusion 34 on the third flange surface 32c of the flange portion 32 of the lens unit 30 and at least a portion of the third housing region 65a5 of the housing end surface 65 of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 of the housing 60 around the optical axis L, and then solidifying and connecting them. This fused connection 20 is located at the flange protrusion apex 34a of the flange protrusion 34, extending from the flange protrusion outer surface 34c to the flange protrusion inner surface 34b. Furthermore, a gap (third gap) G3 is defined between the flange protrusion inner surface 34b and the housing protrusion outer surface 66b, reaching the second housing region 65a4 of the housing end surface 65 of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 of the housing 60.

[0046] That is, by disposing the housing protrusion 66 between the flange side surface 33a and the flange protrusion inner surface 34b, it is possible to lengthen the path from the fused connection 20 between the third housing region 65a5 and the flange protrusion top 34a to the inside of the housing 60. Therefore, the housing protrusion 66 can function as a protective wall that prevents foreign matter such as spatter from entering the inside of the housing 60 during welding. This makes it possible to prevent foreign matter generated during welding from entering the inside of the housing 60 and causing malfunctions.

[0047] Furthermore, since there is no need to separately provide a special member to prevent the intrusion of foreign matter, it is possible to take measures against foreign matter during welding without increasing costs or size.

[0048] Furthermore, the presence of the gap G3 more effectively prevents foreign matter from entering the interior of the housing 60, and furthermore, it is also possible to prevent cracks from occurring in the fused connection portion 20.

[0049] Note that welding of the third housing region 65a5 and the flange protruding top 34a does not necessarily have to be performed over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L, as long as it is possible to prevent foreign matter from entering the housing 60, and only a portion of the entire circumference may not be welded. In other words, the fused connection portion 20 does not necessarily have to exist over the entire circumference. In other words, at least a portion of the flange protruding top 34a and the third housing region 65a5 are not necessarily welded over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L.

[0050] Gap G3 extends from housing protrusion top 66a of housing protrusion portion 66 on housing end surface 65 of large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 of housing 60 to second housing region 65a4 of housing end surface 65, and exists between flange protrusion inner surface 34b of flange protrusion portion 34 on third flange surface 32c of flange portion 32 and housing protrusion outer surface 66b of housing protrusion portion 66. This ensures the length of gap G3 in the optical axis direction, making it possible to effectively prevent foreign matter from entering the interior of housing 60.

[0051] The large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 of the housing 60 further has a housing inner side surface 61a that is arranged along the optical axis direction and over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L, and a housing outer side surface 61b that is arranged along the optical axis direction and over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L and is arranged opposite to the housing inner side surface 61a. A portion of the housing inner side surface 61a of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 that faces the housing protrusion outer side surface 66b of the housing protrusion portion 66 corresponds to a housing protrusion inner side surface 66c.

[0052] Then, after being melted around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L and then solidified and connected, at least a part of the flange protrusion apex 34a of the flange protrusion 34 of the third flange surface 32c of the flange portion 32 of the lens unit 30 is adjacent to the flange protrusion outer surface 34c of the flange protrusion 34. Furthermore, after being welded around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L and then solidified and connected, at least a part of the third housing region 65a5 of the housing end surface 65 of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 of the housing 60 is adjacent to the housing outer surface 61b of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61.

[0053] As a result, the third housing region 65a5 of the housing end surface 65 is adjacent to the housing outer side surface 61b of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61, and the flange protruding top 34a of the flange protruding portion 34 is adjacent to the flange outer side surface 33c of the flange portion 32. Therefore, when welding the third housing region 65a5 of the housing end surface 65 to the flange protruding top 34a of the flange protruding portion 34, the position of the fusion joint 20 can be established between the flange outer side surface 33c of the lens unit 30 and the housing outer side surface 61b of the housing 60, and welding can be performed appropriately.

[0054] At least a portion of a housing end surface 65 of the first housing end 63 of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 of the housing 60 is located, over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L, outside a first midpoint P1, which is the midpoint of the housing end surface 65, with respect to the optical axis L. Furthermore, at least a portion of a flange protruding apex 34a of the flange protruding portion 34 of the flange portion 32 of the lens unit 30 is located, over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L, outside a second midpoint P2, which is the midpoint of the flange protruding apex 34a, with respect to the optical axis L.

[0055] Also, as shown in Figure 9, in the optical axis direction, the first distance D1 between the flange protrusion top 34a of the flange protrusion 34 of the third flange surface 32c of the flange portion 32 of the lens unit 30 and the second housing end 64 of the large diameter cylindrical portion 61 of the housing 60 is longer than the second distance D2 between the second flange surface 32b of the flange portion 32 of the lens unit 30 and the second housing end 64 of the large diameter cylindrical portion 61 of the housing 60.

[0056] This means that the second flange surface 32b of the lens unit 30 is positioned closer to the second housing end 64 of the housing 60 than the flange protrusion top 34a of the flange protrusion 34 involved in welding, making it possible to make the path from the fused connection portion 20 to the inside of the housing 60 longer.

[0057] Furthermore, at least a portion of the second flange surface 32 b of the flange portion 32 of the lens unit 30 faces at least a portion of the first surface 40 a of the circuit board 40 .

[0058] This allows light that enters the lens unit 30 from the outside and passes through the second flange surface 32b to be guided to the circuit board 40 over a short distance.

[0059] In this embodiment, the lens unit 30 and the housing 60 have a welded connection 20 formed by welding at least a part of the flange protrusion apex 34a of the flange protrusion 34 on the third flange surface 32c of the flange portion 32 of the lens unit 30 and at least a part of the third housing region 65a5 of the housing end surface 65 of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 of the housing 60 together over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L using a laser, and then solidifying and connecting them. This allows for easy and strong welding.

[0060] At least a portion of the flange side surface 33a of the flange portion 32 of the lens unit 30 faces a housing protrusion inner surface 66c of the housing protrusion portion 66 on the housing end surface 65 of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 of the housing 60. The third flange surface 32c of the lens unit 30 faces at least a portion of the housing protrusion top 66a of the housing protrusion portion 66 on the housing end surface 65 of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 of the housing 60. Furthermore, the flange protrusion inner surface 34b of the flange protrusion portion 34 on the third flange surface 32c of the flange portion 32 of the lens unit 30 faces at least a portion of the housing protrusion outer surface 66b of the housing protrusion portion 66 of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 of the housing 60.

[0061] As a result, there are three opposing points between the lens unit 30 and the housing 60 (the opposing point between the flange side surface 33a and the housing protrusion inner surface 66c, the opposing point between the housing protrusion top 66a and the third flange surface 32c, and the opposing point between the housing protrusion outer surface 66b and the flange protrusion inner surface 34b), so the path from the fused connection portion 20 to the inside of the housing 60 can be made longer.

[0062] A first gap G1 exists between at least a portion of the flange side surface 33a of the flange portion 32 of the lens unit 30 and a housing protrusion inner surface 66c of the housing protrusion portion 66 on the housing end surface 65 of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 of the housing 60. A second gap G2 exists between at least a portion of the housing protrusion top 66a of the housing protrusion portion 66 on the housing end surface 65 of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 of the housing 60 and a third flange surface 32c of the flange portion 32. A third gap G3 exists between at least a portion of the housing protrusion outer surface 66b of the housing protrusion portion 66 on the housing end surface 65 of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 of the housing 60 and a flange protrusion inner surface 34b of the flange portion 32 of the lens unit 30. The first gap G1, the second gap G2, and the third gap G3 are connected in a cross-sectional view of the vehicle-mounted camera 100 in the optical axis direction, as shown in FIG.

[0063] 10, welding is performed after the third housing region 65a5 and the flange protruding top 34a are brought into close contact with each other and the lens unit 30 and the housing 60 are aligned. Therefore, there is no problem even if the second gap G2 is secured between the housing protruding top 66a and the third flange surface 32c, and there is no need to strictly position the housing protruding top 66a and the third flange surface 32c in the optical axis direction.

[0064] The housing protrusion 66 on the housing end surface 65 of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 of the housing 60 further has at least one housing protrusion corner 66d that is tapered and widens away from the optical axis from the housing protrusion inner surface 66c toward the housing protrusion apex 66a of the housing protrusion 66. This allows smooth assembly of the lens unit 30 and the housing 60 before welding. In this embodiment, the housing protrusion 66 also has at least one housing protrusion corner 66i that is tapered and narrows toward the optical axis L from the housing protrusion outer surface 66b of the housing protrusion 66 toward the housing protrusion apex 66a.

[0065] The flange portion 32 of the lens unit 30 further has a flange corner portion 32d that is tapered and widens away from the optical axis from the second flange surface 32b toward the flange side surface 33a, thereby facilitating the assembly of the lens unit 30 and the housing 60 before welding.

[0066] The vehicle-mounted camera 100 is equipped with a connector 80 for supplying external power. The connector 80 has a first connector end 81 located inside the housing 60 and a second connector end 82 located opposite the first connector end 81. The second housing end 64 of the housing 60 has a connector hole in which a portion of the connector 80 is disposed, and at least a portion of the connector 80 is disposed in the second housing end 64. In addition, a connector connection portion 45 is disposed on the second surface 40b of the circuit board 40 and is electrically connected to the second connector end 82 of the connector 80. This allows external power to be supplied to the circuit board 40.

[0067] When the vehicle-mounted camera 100 is installed in the vehicle V, the second connector end 82 of the connector 80 is electrically connected to a wire of the vehicle V. The connector 80 is, for example, a coaxial connector, a shielded twisted quad (STQ) connector, a shielded twisted pair (STP) connector, etc. The connector connection portion 45 is, for example, a floating connector.

[0068] The number of pixels of the image sensor 50 is, for example, between 3 megapixels and 15 megapixels. If the housing 60 is made of metal, heat from the image sensor 50, which has such a high pixel count and is prone to generating heat, can be efficiently dissipated.

[0069] Second Embodiment Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle-mounted camera 100 according to the second embodiment, taken along line II in Figure 8. Figure 12 is an enlarged view of region B in Figure 11. A perspective view, an exploded perspective view, and a top view of the vehicle-mounted camera 100 according to the second embodiment are omitted because they are substantially the same as Figures 6 to 8 of the first embodiment. Below, the second embodiment will be described mainly in terms of the parts that differ from the first embodiment, and a description of the common parts will be omitted.

[0070] In this embodiment, the third flange surface 32c has a third flange region 32c5, a fourth flange region 32c6, a fifth flange region 32c7, and a flange protrusion 34. The third flange region 32c5 is disposed around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L. The fourth flange region 32c6 is disposed around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L and is located outward from the third flange region 32c5 relative to the optical axis L. The fifth flange region 32c7 is disposed around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L and is located outward from the fourth flange region 32c6 relative to the optical axis L. The flange protrusion 34 protrudes from the fourth flange region 32c6 in a direction away from the first flange surface 32a and is disposed around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L. The sixth flange region 32c8 is disposed around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L and is located inward from the third flange region 32c5 relative to the optical axis L. The third flange region 32c5, the fourth flange region 32c6, the fifth flange region 32c7, and the sixth flange region 32c8 are regions obtained by dividing the third flange surface 32c according to the distance from the optical axis L, and are not regions that exist independently in structure.

[0071] The flange protrusion 34 has a flange protrusion apex 34a, a flange protrusion inner surface 34d, and a flange protrusion outer surface 34e. The flange protrusion apex 34a is the apex of the flange protrusion 34. The flange protrusion inner surface 34d is connected to the flange protrusion apex 34a and the third flange surface 32c, and is disposed along the optical axis direction over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L. The flange protrusion outer surface 34e is connected to the flange protrusion apex 34a and the third flange surface 32c, and is disposed along the optical axis direction over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L, and is disposed on the opposite side from the flange protrusion inner surface 34d.

[0072] The first portion, which is a portion of the flange protruding inner surface 34d in the entire circumferential direction, and the second portion, which is another portion of the flange protruding inner surface 34d in the entire circumferential direction, face each other directly or indirectly (indirectly in the embodiment) in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis L. In other words, it can be said that the first portion of the flange protruding inner surface 34d and the second portion of the flange protruding inner surface 34d face each other, disregarding the portion formed by the flange side surface 33a and the second flange surface 32b, etc.

[0073] In this embodiment, the housing end surface 65 has a fourth housing region 65a8, a fifth housing region 65a9, and a housing protrusion 67. The fourth housing region 65a8 is disposed over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L. The fifth housing region 65a9 is disposed over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L, and is disposed outward from the fourth housing region 65a8 with the optical axis L as the reference. The fourth housing region 65a8 and the fifth housing region 65a9 are regions obtained by dividing the housing end surface 65 according to the distance from the optical axis L, and are not regions that exist independently from each other structurally.

[0074] The housing protrusion 67 protrudes from the fifth housing region 65a9 in a direction away from the second housing end 64 and is disposed around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L. Another housing protrusion, a second housing protrusion 68, protrudes in a direction away from the second housing end 64 and is disposed inside the housing protrusion 67 around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L. Here, the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 of the housing 60 has a housing inner surface 61a and a housing outer surface 61b, similar to the first embodiment. The second housing protrusion 68 is not essential. If it is assumed that there is no part of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 corresponding to the second housing protrusion 68 along the optical axis L, the dashed line in FIG. 12 would be the housing inner surface 61a1 instead of the housing inner surface 61a.

[0075] The housing protrusion 67 has a housing protrusion top 67a which is the top, a housing protrusion inner surface 67b which is connected to the housing protrusion top 67a and the housing end surface 65 and is arranged around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L, and a housing protrusion outer surface 67c which is connected to at least the housing protrusion top 67a and is arranged opposite the housing protrusion inner surface 67b around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L.

[0076] Note that a third portion, which is a portion of the housing protruding inner surface 67b in the entire circumferential direction, and a fourth portion, which is another portion of the housing protruding inner surface 67b in the entire circumferential direction, face each other directly or indirectly (indirectly in the embodiment) in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis L. In other words, it can be said that the third portion of the housing protruding inner surface 67b and the fourth portion of the housing protruding inner surface 67b face each other, disregarding the portions formed by the flange protruding portion 34, the second housing protruding portion 68, the flange side surface 33a, and the second flange surface 32b, etc.

[0077] The second housing protrusion 68 has a second housing protrusion top 68a which is the top, a second housing protrusion outer surface 68b which is connected to the second housing protrusion top 68a and the fifth housing region 65a9 of the housing end surface 65 and is arranged around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L, and a second housing protrusion inner surface 68c which is connected to at least the second housing protrusion top 68a and is arranged opposite the second housing protrusion outer surface 68b around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L.

[0078] The lens unit 30 and the housing 60 have a fused connection portion 20 formed by melting at least a portion of the fifth flange region 32c7 of the third flange surface 32c of the flange portion 32 of the lens unit 30 and at least a portion of the housing protrusion top 67a of the housing protrusion portion 67 on the housing end surface 65 of the large diameter cylindrical portion 61 of the housing 60 around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L, and then solidifying and connecting them.

[0079] The welding is performed by using a welding machine or the like to irradiate a welding medium onto the area where at least a portion of the housing protruding top 67a and at least a portion of the fifth flange region 32c7 contact, where the fused joint 20 is to be formed, exposed to the outside, as shown by the arrow in Figure 12. The welding medium can be electricity, gas, laser, or the like. The medium irradiates the metal flange 32 and the housing end surface 65, melting them and welding them together.

[0080] During welding, spatter and other foreign matter are inevitably generated. If such foreign matter gets inside the housing 60 and interferes with the circuit board 40 and the image sensor 50 in particular, it may cause malfunctions. Therefore, some measure is required to prevent foreign matter from getting inside the housing 60.

[0081] In this embodiment, the fused connection portion 20 of the housing protrusion top portion 67a of the housing protrusion 67 is located from the housing protrusion outer surface 67c to the housing protrusion inner surface 67b at the housing protrusion top portion 67a of the housing protrusion 67. Furthermore, a gap (eighth gap) G8 is defined between the housing protrusion inner surface 67b and the flange protrusion outer surface 34e, and extends to the fourth flange region 32c6 of the third flange surface 32c of the flange portion 32.

[0082] That is, by arranging the flange protrusion 34 more inward than the housing protrusion 67 with respect to the optical axis L, it is possible to lengthen the path from the fused connection 20 between the housing protrusion top 67a and the fifth flange region 32c7 to the inside of the housing 60. Therefore, the flange protrusion 34 can function as a protective wall that prevents foreign matter from entering the inside of the housing 60 during welding. This makes it possible to prevent foreign matter generated during welding from entering the inside of the housing 60 and causing malfunctions.

[0083] Furthermore, since there is no need to separately provide a special member to prevent the intrusion of foreign matter, it is possible to take measures against foreign matter during welding without increasing costs or size.

[0084] Furthermore, the presence of the gap G8 more effectively prevents foreign matter from entering the interior of the housing 60, and furthermore, it is also possible to prevent cracks from occurring in the fused connection portion 20.

[0085] If it is possible to prevent foreign matter from entering the housing 60, at least a part of the fourth flange region 32c6 of the third flange surface 32c of the flange portion 32 of the lens unit 30 and at least a part of the housing protruding apex 67a of the housing protruding portion 67 on the housing end surface 65 of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 of the housing 60 are not welded over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L. In other words, at least a part of the fourth flange region 32c6 and the housing protruding apex 67a are not necessarily welded over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L.

[0086] Gap G8 extends from the fourth flange region 32c6 of the third flange surface 32c of the flange portion 32 to the flange protrusion top 34a of the flange protrusion portion 34, and exists between the housing protrusion inner surface 67b of the housing protrusion portion 67 on the housing end surface 65 of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 of the housing 60 and the flange protrusion outer surface 34e of the flange protrusion portion 34. This ensures the length of gap G8 in the optical axis direction, and effectively prevents foreign matter from entering the interior of the housing 60.

[0087] The flange portion 32 of the lens unit 30 further has a flange outer surface 33d that is connected to the first flange surface 32a and the third flange surface 32c of the flange portion 32 around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L. The flange outer surface 33d is the outermost surface of the lens unit 30 and may include irregularities. This allows the boundary between the flange outer surface 33d and the fifth flange region 32c7 of the third flange surface 32c to be determined as the welding position, allowing the welding to be performed appropriately.

[0088] At least a part of the housing protrusion outer surface 67c of the housing protrusion portion 67 of the fifth housing region 65a9 of the housing end surface 65 of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 of the housing 60, which has been melted and joined over the entire circumference around the optical axis L and then solidified, is adjacent to the housing outer surface 61b of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61. Furthermore, at least a part of the fifth flange region 32c7 of the third flange surface 32c of the flange portion 32 of the lens unit 30, which has been melted and joined over the entire circumference around the optical axis L and then solidified, is adjacent to the flange outer surface 33d of the flange portion 32.

[0089] As a result, the fifth housing region 65a9 of the housing end surface 65 is adjacent to the housing outer side surface 61b of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61, and the fifth flange region 32c7 of the third flange surface 32c is adjacent to the flange outer side surface 33d of the flange portion 32. Therefore, when welding the second housing protruding apex 68a of the second housing protruding portion 68 to the fifth flange region 32c7 of the third flange surface 23c of the flange portion 32, the boundary portion between the flange outer side surface 33d of the lens unit 30 and the housing outer side surface 61b of the housing 60 can be determined as the welding position, and welding can be performed appropriately.

[0090] In this embodiment, at least a part of the housing protrusion apex 67a of the housing protrusion 67 on the housing end surface 65 of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 of the housing 60 and at least a part of the fifth flange region 32c7 of the third flange surface 32c of the flange portion 32 of the lens unit 30 are welded by laser over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L. This makes it possible to perform welding easily and firmly.

[0091] At least a portion of the flange side surface 33a of the flange portion 32 of the lens unit 30 faces a housing protrusion inner surface 67b of the housing protrusion portion 67 on the housing end surface 65 of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 of the housing 60. At least a portion of the housing protrusion apex 67a of the housing protrusion portion 67 on the housing end surface 65 of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 of the housing 60 faces a fifth flange region 32c7 of the third flange surface 32c of the flange portion 32 of the lens unit 30. At least a portion of the housing protrusion inner surface 67b of the housing protrusion portion 67 on the housing end surface 65 of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 of the housing 60 faces a flange protrusion outer surface 34e of the flange portion 32 of the lens unit 30. At least a portion of the flange protrusion apex 34a of the flange protrusion portion 34 of the flange portion 32 of the lens unit 30 faces a fourth housing region 65a8 of the housing end surface 65 of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 of the housing 60. At least a part of the flange protrusion inner surface 34 d of the flange protrusion 34 of the flange portion 32 of the lens unit 30 faces the second housing protrusion outer surface 68 b of the housing end surface 65 of the large diameter cylindrical portion 61 of the housing 60 .

[0092] As a result, there are five opposing points between the lens unit 30 and the housing 60 (the opposing point between the flange side surface 33a and the second housing protruding inner surface 68c, the opposing point between the second housing protruding top 68a and the sixth flange region 32c8, the opposing point between the second housing protruding outer surface 68b and the flange protruding inner surface 34d, the opposing point between the flange protruding top 34a and the fourth housing region 65a8, and the opposing point between the flange protruding outer surface 34e and the housing protruding inner surface 67b), so the path from the fused connection portion 20 to the inside of the housing 60 can be made longer.

[0093] A fourth gap G4 exists between at least a part of the flange side surface 33 a of the flange portion 32 of the lens unit 30 and at least a part of the housing protrusion inner surface 68 c of the second housing protrusion portion 68 of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 of the housing 60. A fifth gap G5 exists between at least a part of the second housing protrusion top 68 a of the second housing protrusion portion 68 on the housing end surface 65 of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 of the housing 60 and at least a part of the sixth flange region 32 c8 of the third flange surface 32 c of the flange portion 32 of the lens unit 30. A sixth gap G6 exists between at least a part of the housing protrusion outer surface 68 b of the second housing protrusion portion 68 on the housing end surface 65 of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 of the housing 60 and at least a part of the flange protrusion inner surface 34 d of the flange protrusion portion 34 of the flange portion 32 of the lens unit 30. A seventh gap G7 exists between at least a part of the flange protrusion top 34a of the flange protrusion 34 of the flange portion 32 of the lens unit 30 and at least a part of the fifth housing region 65a8 of the housing end surface 65 of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 of the housing 60. An eighth gap G8 exists between at least a part of the flange protrusion outer surface 34e of the flange protrusion of the flange portion 32 of the lens unit 30 and at least a part of the housing protrusion inner surface 67b of the housing protrusion 67 of the housing end surface 65 of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 of the housing 60. The fourth gap G4, fifth gap G5, sixth gap G6, seventh gap G7, and eighth gap G8 are connected in a cross-sectional view of the vehicle-mounted camera 100 in the optical axis direction, as shown in FIG.

[0094] 12 , in this embodiment, the housing protruding top 67a and the fifth flange region 32c7 are brought into close contact with each other, and welding is performed after the lens unit 30 and the housing 60 are aligned. Therefore, there is no problem in providing a fifth gap G5 between the second housing protruding top 68a and the sixth flange region 32c8, and it is not necessary to precisely position the second housing protruding top 68a and the sixth flange region 32c8 in the optical axis direction. Similarly, there is no problem in providing a seventh gap G7 between the flange protruding top 34a and the fourth housing region 65a8, and it is not necessary to precisely position the flange protruding top 34a and the fifth housing region 65a9 in the optical axis direction.

[0095] The flange protrusion 34 on the third flange surface 32c of the flange portion 32 of the lens unit 30 further has at least one flange protrusion corner 34f that is tapered and widens away from the optical axis L from the flange protrusion inner surface 34d toward the flange protrusion apex 34a. This allows smooth assembly of the lens unit 30 and the housing 60 before welding. In this embodiment, the flange protrusion 34 also has at least one flange protrusion corner 34g that is tapered and narrows toward the optical axis L from the flange protrusion outer surface 34e toward the flange protrusion apex 34a.

[0096] (Third embodiment) Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle-mounted camera 100 according to the third embodiment, taken along line II in Figure 8. Figure 14 is an enlarged view of area C in Figure 13. A perspective view, an exploded perspective view, and a top view of the vehicle-mounted camera 100 according to the third embodiment are omitted because they are almost the same as Figures 6 to 8 of the first embodiment. Below, the third embodiment will be described mainly in terms of the parts that differ from the first and second embodiments, and a description of the common parts will be omitted.

[0097] In this embodiment, the flange portion 32 of the lens unit 30 is similar to that of the first embodiment. Meanwhile, the housing end surface 65 of the housing 60 is also similar to that of the first embodiment, but the housing protrusion 66 has a housing protrusion top 66a, a first housing side surface 66e, and a second housing side surface 66f. The housing protrusion top 66a is the top of the housing protrusion 66. The first housing side surface 66e is connected to the housing protrusion top 66a and the second housing region 65a4 of the housing end surface 65, and is disposed around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L. The second housing side surface 66f is connected to at least the housing protrusion top 66a, and is disposed opposite the first housing side surface 66e around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L.

[0098] As in the first embodiment, in this embodiment, at least a portion of the second housing region 65a4 of the housing end surface 65 of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 of the housing 60 and at least a portion of the flange protrusion top 34a of the flange protrusion portion 34 of the third flange surface 32c of the flange portion 32 of the lens unit 30 are welded at the fused connection portion 20 around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L.

[0099] The welding is performed by using a welding machine or the like to irradiate a welding medium onto the portion where at least a part of the flange portion 32 and at least a part of the housing end face 65 come into contact and where the fused joint 20 is to be formed, which is exposed to the outside, as shown by the arrow in Figure 14. The welding medium can be electricity, gas, laser, or the like. The medium irradiation melts the flange portion 32 and the housing end face 65, both made of metal, and they are welded together.

[0100] During welding, spatter and other foreign matter are inevitably generated. If such foreign matter gets inside the housing 60 and interferes with the circuit board 40 and the image sensor 50 in particular, it may cause malfunctions. Therefore, some measure is required to prevent foreign matter from getting inside the housing 60.

[0101] Therefore, in this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, at least a portion of the housing protrusion 66 on the housing end surface 65 of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 of the housing 60 is disposed over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L, between the flange side surface 33a of the flange portion 32 of the lens unit 30 and the flange protrusion inner surface 34b of the flange protrusion 34. Furthermore, at least a portion of the housing protrusion top 66a of the housing protrusion 66 on the housing end surface 65 of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 of the housing 60 contacts the first flange region 32c1 of the third flange surface 32c of the flange portion 32.

[0102] That is, by disposing the housing protrusion 66 between the flange side surface 33a and the flange protrusion inner surface 34b, the path from the fused connection 20 between the second housing region 65a4 and the flange protrusion apex 34a to the inside of the housing 60 can be lengthened. Furthermore, at least a portion of the housing protrusion apex 66a contacts the first flange region 32c1 of the third flange surface 32c of the flange portion 32, blocking the path. Therefore, the housing protrusion 66 can function as a protective wall that prevents foreign matter from entering the inside of the housing 60 during welding. This prevents foreign matter generated during welding from entering the inside of the housing 60 and causing malfunctions.

[0103] Furthermore, since there is no need to separately provide a special member to prevent the intrusion of foreign matter, it is possible to take measures against foreign matter during welding without increasing costs or size.

[0104] Note that the welding of the second housing region 65a4 and the flange protruding top portion 34a does not necessarily have to be performed along the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L, as long as it is possible to prevent foreign matter from entering the housing 60, and only a portion of the entire circumference may not be welded. In other words, the fused joint 20 does not necessarily have to exist along the entire circumference.

[0105] At least a part of the flange side surface 33 a of the flange portion 32 of the lens unit 30 faces the second housing side surface 66 f of the housing protrusion portion 66 of the housing end surface 65 of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 of the housing 60. At least a part of the first housing side surface 66 e of the housing protrusion portion 66 of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 of the housing 60 faces the flange protrusion inner surface 34 b of the flange protrusion portion 34 of the third flange surface 32 c of the flange portion 32 of the lens unit 30.

[0106] As a result, there are two opposing points between the lens unit 30 and the housing 60 (the opposing point between the flange side surface 33a and the second housing side surface 66f, and the opposing point between the first housing side surface 66e and the flange protruding inner surface 34b), so the path from the fused connection portion 20 to the inside of the housing 60 can be made longer.

[0107] A first gap G1 exists between at least a part of the flange side surface 33a of the flange portion 32 of the lens unit 30 and a second housing side surface 66f of the housing protrusion portion 66 of the housing end surface 65 of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 of the housing 60. A third gap G3 exists between at least a part of the first housing side surface 66e of the housing protrusion portion 66 of the housing end surface 65 of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 of the housing 60 and the flange protrusion inner surface 34b of the flange portion 32 of the lens unit 30. The first gap G1 and the third gap G3 are the same as in the first embodiment, but the second gap G2 of the first embodiment does not exist in this embodiment.

[0108] 14 , unlike the first embodiment, the second housing region 65a4 and the flange protruding top 34a are not tightly attached to each other, but rather the housing protruding top 66a and the first flange region 32c1 are tightly attached to each other, thereby aligning the lens unit 30 and the housing 60 before welding. Therefore, there is no problem in providing a clearance gap RG between the second housing region 65a4 and the flange protruding top 34a before welding, and it is not necessary to precisely position the second housing region 65a4 and the flange protruding top 3a in the optical axis direction. By welding, at least a portion of the clearance gap RG is filled by the fused joint 20.

[0109] (Fourth embodiment) Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle-mounted camera 100 according to the fourth embodiment, taken along line II in Figure 8. Figure 16 is an enlarged view of region D in Figure 15. A perspective view, an exploded perspective view, and a top view of the vehicle-mounted camera 100 according to the fourth embodiment are omitted because they are substantially the same as Figures 6 to 8 of the first embodiment. Below, the fourth embodiment will be described mainly in terms of the parts that differ from the first to third embodiments, and a description of the common parts will be omitted.

[0110] In this embodiment, the flange portion 32 of the lens unit 30 is similar to that in the second embodiment. The flange portion 32 has a first flange surface 32a, a fourth flange surface 32e, a fifth flange surface 32f, and a seventh flange side surface 33e. The fourth flange surface 32e is the surface opposite the first flange surface 32a, and is disposed around the entire circumference of the lens unit 30, centered on the optical axis L, closer to the first surface 40a of the circuit board 40 than the first flange surface 32a, in the optical axis direction along the optical axis L. The fourth flange surface 32e constitutes the tip portion of the flange protrusion 34.

[0111] The fifth flange surface 32f is the surface opposite to the first flange surface 32a, is between the first flange surface 32a and the fourth flange surface 32e in the optical axis direction, and is disposed outward from the fourth flange surface 32e with respect to the optical axis L, over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L. The seventh flange side surface 33e is connected to the fourth flange surface 32e and the fifth flange surface 32f, and is disposed along the optical axis direction over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L.

[0112] The housing end surface 65 of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 of the housing 60 has an eleventh region 65a11, a twelfth region 65a12, and a housing protrusion 66. The eleventh region 65a11 is disposed around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L, and the twelfth region 65a12 is disposed around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L and outward from the eleventh region 65a11 with respect to the optical axis L. The eleventh region 65a11 and the twelfth region 65a12 are regions obtained by dividing the housing end surface 65 according to their distance from the optical axis L, and are not structurally independent regions. The housing protrusion 66 protrudes from the twelfth region 65a12 in a direction away from the second housing end 64 and is disposed around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L.

[0113] The housing protrusion 66 has a housing protrusion top 66a, a third housing side surface 66g, and a fourth housing side surface 66h. The housing protrusion top 66a is the top of the housing protrusion 66. The third housing side surface 66g is connected to the housing protrusion top 66a and an eleventh region 65a11 of the housing end surface 65, and is disposed along the optical axis direction over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L. The fourth housing side surface 66h is connected to at least the housing protrusion top 66a, and is disposed along the optical axis direction over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L, opposite the third housing side surface 66g, and outward from the third housing side surface 66g with respect to the optical axis L.

[0114] In this embodiment, at least a portion of the housing protrusion top 66a of the housing protrusion portion 66 on the housing end surface 65 of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 of the housing 60 and at least a portion of the fifth flange surface 32f of the flange portion 32 of the lens unit 30 are welded at the fused connection portion 20 around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L.

[0115] The welding is performed by using a welding machine or the like to irradiate a welding medium onto the portion where at least a part of the flange portion 32 and at least a part of the housing end face 65 come into contact and where the fused joint 20 is to be formed, which is exposed to the outside, as shown by the arrow in Figure 16. The welding medium includes electricity, gas, laser, etc. The medium irradiation melts the flange portion 32 and the housing end face 65, both made of metal, and they are welded together.

[0116] During welding, spatter and other foreign matter are inevitably generated. If such foreign matter gets inside the housing 60 and interferes with the circuit board 40 and the image sensor 50 in particular, it may cause malfunctions. Therefore, some measure is required to prevent foreign matter from getting inside the housing 60.

[0117] Therefore, in this embodiment, at least a portion of the fourth flange surface 32 e of the flange portion 32 of the lens unit 30 contacts the eleventh region 65 a 11 of the housing end surface 65 of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 of the housing 60 .

[0118] That is, by disposing the flange protrusion 34 between the third housing side surface 66g and the flange side surface 33a, the path from the fused connection 20 between the housing protrusion top 66a and the fifth flange surface 32f to the interior of the housing 60 can be lengthened. Furthermore, at least a portion of the fourth flange surface 32e contacts the eleventh region 65a11, blocking the path. Therefore, the flange protrusion 34 can function as a protective wall that prevents foreign matter from entering the interior of the housing 60 during welding. This prevents foreign matter generated during welding from entering the interior of the housing 60 and causing malfunctions.

[0119] The flange portion 32 of the lens unit 30 further has a sixth flange surface 32g, which is the surface opposite to the first flange surface 32a, is closer to the first surface 40a of the circuit board 40 than the fourth flange surface 32e in the optical axis direction with respect to the first surface 40a of the circuit board 40, and is positioned inward from the fourth flange surface 32e around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L. As a result, the sixth flange surface 32g is positioned inward from the fourth flange surface 32e, and the path from the fused splice 20 to the inside of the housing 60 can be made longer.

[0120] The large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 of the housing 60 has an inner housing surface 61 a and an outer housing surface 61 b, as in the first embodiment. The flange portion 32 of the lens unit 30 further has an eighth flange side surface 33 f that is arranged along the optical axis direction, faces the inner housing surface 61 a of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 of the housing 60, and is arranged around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L, between the fourth flange surface 32 e and the sixth flange surface 32 g of the flange portion 32 with the optical axis L as the reference.

[0121] As a result, the eighth flange side surface 33f, which is located between the fourth flange surface 32e and the sixth flange surface 32g of the flange portion 32, faces the inner housing surface 61a of the housing 60, thereby making the path from the fused connection portion 20 to the inside of the housing 60 longer.

[0122] The flange portion 32 of the lens unit 30 is arranged along the optical axis direction, is connected to the first flange surface 32a and the fifth flange surface 32f, and further has a ninth flange side surface 33g that extends around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L and is arranged outward from the seventh flange side surface 33e with respect to the optical axis L. The ninth flange side surface 33g is the outermost surface of the flange portion 32 and may include irregularities.

[0123] This allows the boundary between the ninth flange side surface 33g and the fifth flange surface 32f to be determined as the welding position, allowing welding to be performed appropriately.

[0124] At least a portion of a housing protrusion apex 66a of a housing protrusion 66 on a housing end surface 65 of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 of the housing 60, which is welded around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L, is adjacent to a housing outer surface 61b of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61. Furthermore, at least a portion of a fifth flange surface 32f of the flange portion 32 of the lens unit 30, which is welded around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L, is adjacent to a ninth flange side surface 33g of the flange portion 32.

[0125] As a result, the housing protruding top 66a of the housing protruding portion 66 is adjacent to the housing outer side surface 61b of the housing 60, and the fifth flange surface 32f of the flange portion 32 is adjacent to the ninth flange side surface 33g. Therefore, when welding the housing protruding top 66a of the housing protruding portion 66 to the fifth flange surface 32f of the flange portion 32, the boundary portion between the ninth flange side surface 33g of the lens unit 30 and the housing outer side surface 61b of the housing 60 can be determined as the welding position, and welding can be performed appropriately.

[0126] At least a portion of the housing protrusion apex 66a of the housing protrusion portion 66 of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 of the housing 60 is located, over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L, outside a third midpoint P3 that is the midpoint of the housing protrusion apex 66a with respect to the optical axis L. Furthermore, at least a portion of the fourth flange surface 32e of the flange portion 32 of the lens unit 30 is located, over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L, outside a fourth midpoint P4 that is the midpoint of the fourth flange surface 32e with respect to the optical axis L.

[0127] Also, as shown in Figure 15, in the optical axis direction, the first distance D1 between the fourth flange surface 32e of the flange portion 32 of the lens unit 30 and the second housing end 64 of the large diameter cylindrical portion 61 of the housing 60 is longer than the second distance D2 between the sixth flange surface 32g of the flange portion 32 of the lens unit 30 and the second housing end 64 of the large diameter cylindrical portion 61 of the housing 60.

[0128] As a result, the sixth flange surface 32g of the lens unit 30 is positioned closer to the second housing end 64 of the housing 60 than the fourth flange surface 32e of the flange portion 32, which contacts the eleventh region 65a11 of the housing end surface 65, and the path from the fused connection portion 20 to the inside of the housing 60 can be made longer.

[0129] At least a portion of the sixth flange surface 32g of the flange portion 32 of the lens unit 30 faces at least a portion of the first surface 40a of the circuit board 40. This allows light that enters the lens unit 30 from the outside and passes through the sixth flange surface 32g to be guided to the circuit board 40 over a short distance.

[0130] In this embodiment, at least a part of the housing protrusion apex 66a of the housing protrusion 66 on the housing end surface 65 of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 of the housing 60 and at least a part of the fifth flange surface 32f of the flange portion 32 of the lens unit 30 are welded by a laser over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L. This makes it possible to perform welding easily and firmly.

[0131] The seventh flange side surface 33e of the flange portion 32 of the lens unit 30 faces the third housing side surface 66g of the housing protrusion 66 on the housing end surface 65 of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 of the housing 60. This makes it possible to lengthen the path from the fused connection portion 20 to the inside of the housing 60.

[0132] 16 , instead of tightly contacting the housing protruding top 66a and the fifth flange surface 32f, the fourth flange surface 32e and the eleventh region 65a11 are tightly contacted to align the lens unit 30 and the housing 60, and then welding is performed. Therefore, there is no problem in ensuring a clearance RG between the housing protruding top 66a and the fifth flange surface 32f before welding, and it is not necessary to precisely position the housing protruding top 66a and the fifth flange surface 32f in the optical axis direction. By welding, at least a portion of the clearance RG is filled by the fused joint 20.

[0133] Fifth Embodiment The lens unit 30 and the housing 60 are welded together, and heat is generated during the welding process. The generated heat is not only released to the outside, but also diffuses into the lens unit 30 and the housing 60. In particular, if a large amount of heat is transferred to the lens unit 30, it may have an adverse effect on the lens held in the lens unit 30 and, ultimately, on the circuit board 40. This embodiment focuses on this issue.

[0134] Fig. 17 is a perspective view of the vehicle-mounted camera 100 according to the fifth embodiment. Fig. 18 is an exploded perspective view of the vehicle-mounted camera 100 according to the fifth embodiment. Fig. 19 is a top view of the vehicle-mounted camera 100 according to the fifth embodiment. Fig. 20 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in Fig. 19.

[0135] In this embodiment, the lens unit 30 described in the first to fourth embodiments is described in a different form. That is, the vehicle-mounted camera 100 of this embodiment includes a lens barrel 31 and a flange portion 120 as components corresponding to the lens unit 30. The lens barrel 31 includes a first cylindrical portion 37 having a first cylindrical shape along the optical axis L, at least one lens 35 arranged on the optical axis L inside the first cylindrical portion 37, a first end portion 31a of the first cylindrical portion 37, and a second end portion 31b opposite the first end portion 31a. The flange portion 120 is a metal member arranged on the outside of the first cylindrical portion 37 so as to extend outward from the optical axis L around the entire circumference.

[0136] Fig. 21 is a cross-sectional view of the inside of lens barrel 31, and is a part of the cross section of Fig. 20. Lens barrel 31 holds, for example, a plurality of lenses 35 arranged on optical axis L. The shape, number, etc. of lenses 35 are not particularly limited.

[0137] The basic configurations of the image sensor 50, circuit board 40, and housing 60 are the same as those of the first to fourth embodiments. This embodiment will be described in detail below. Fig. 22 is an enlarged view of area E in Fig. 20. Fig. 23 is an enlarged view of area F in Fig. 20.

[0138] In this embodiment, the flange portion 120 has a first flange surface 120a exposed to the outside, a second flange surface 120b opposite the first flange surface 120a and positioned closer to the first surface 40a of the circuit board 40 than the first flange surface 120a, and a third flange surface 120c positioned closer to the first surface 40a of the circuit board 40 than the second flange surface 120b.

[0139] The flange portion 120 also has at least one support portion 121 that extends from the second flange surface 120 b toward the first surface 40 a of the circuit board 40 and supports the first surface 40 a of the circuit board 40 .

[0140] Furthermore, the flange portion 120 has a flange protrusion 122 that extends from the second flange surface 120b toward the first housing end 63 of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 of the housing 60 and is arranged around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L. The flange protrusion 122 has a flange protrusion apex 123 at its apex.

[0141] The vehicle-mounted camera 100 has a welded connection part W at which the flange protruding top part 123 of the flange protruding part 122 and the first housing end part 63 of the large-diameter cylindrical part 161 of the housing 60 are welded around the entire circumference of the optical axis L. In other words, the flange protruding top part 123 and the first housing end part 63 are welded at the welded connection part W.

[0142] Here, in the flange protruding portion 122 of the flange portion 120, the first cross-sectional area of ​​the flange weld adjacent portion 124 adjacent to the weld connection portion W is set to be smaller than the second cross-sectional area of ​​the housing weld adjacent portion 165 adjacent to the weld connection portion W in the first housing end portion 63 of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 of the housing 60. The first cross-sectional area and the second cross-sectional area are cross-sectional areas in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis L.

[0143] Heat generated by welding is more likely to be transmitted to the member with the larger cross-sectional area of ​​the two members in contact at the weld. In this embodiment, heat generated at the welded connection W is more likely to be transmitted to the housing weld adjacent portion 165, which has a larger cross-sectional area, than to the flange weld adjacent portion 124, which has a smaller cross-sectional area. In other words, heat generated during welding between the flange portion 120 and the first housing end portion 63 of the housing 60 is more likely to be transmitted to the housing 60 and less likely to be transmitted to the flange portion 120. The arrows in Figure 23 indicate the ease of heat transmission, with thicker arrows indicating greater heat transmission.

[0144] With this configuration, the effect that heat transferred to the flange portion 120 may have on the lens 35 of the lens barrel 31 can be suppressed, and the effect that heat may have on the circuit board 40 via the support portion 121 of the flange portion 120 can also be suppressed.

[0145] Furthermore, a fixing resin 70 is provided to fix at least one support portion 121 of the flange portion 120 to the circuit board 40. The fixing resin 70 corresponds to the adhesive 90 in FIG. 7 . This allows for stable support of the circuit board 40. The fixing resin 70 also serves to fix the support portion 121 to the circuit board 40 after accurately aligning the circuit board 40 (and the image sensor 50) with respect to the lens barrel 31. However, in this embodiment, heat generated during welding is less likely to reach the fixing resin 70 via the flange portion 120 and the support portion 121. Therefore, the fixing resin 70 is less susceptible to the effects of welding heat, and adverse effects on the alignment between the lens barrel 31 and the circuit board 40 can also be suppressed.

[0146] The fixing resin 70 may be a photo-curable resin, which allows the fixing resin 70 to be easily cured using light. The fixing resin 70 may also be cured by, for example, ultraviolet light irradiation.

[0147] The fixing resin 70 may be a thermosetting resin, which allows the fixing resin 70 to be easily hardened by using heat.

[0148] In this embodiment, the welded connection W is located closer to the second flange surface 120b of the flange portion 120 than to the first surface 40a of the circuit board 40 in the direction of the optical axis L. This ensures a predetermined distance between the welded connection W and the circuit board 40, and suppresses the effect that heat generated during welding may have on the circuit board 40 via the support portion 121 of the flange portion 120.

[0149] Furthermore, the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 of the housing 60 has a housing inner side surface 166 that faces the internal space of the housing 60, and a housing outer side surface 167 that is positioned outside the housing inner side surface 166 and is exposed to the outside. The fixing resin 70 faces the housing inner side surface 166 of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 of the housing 60. As a result, the support portion 121 supports the circuit board 40 at a position facing the housing inner side surface 166, thereby enabling more stable support of the circuit board 40.

[0150] Next, the configuration of the first housing end 63 of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 of the housing 60 will be described. Fig. 24 is the same cross-sectional view as Fig. 20, and shows the positions of the cross sections of Figs. 25A to 25E. Fig. 25A is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in Fig. 24, Fig. 25B is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in Fig. 24, Fig. 25C is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in Fig. 24, and Fig. 25D is a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D in Fig. 24.

[0151] The first housing end 63 includes a first region 163a, a second region 163b, and a housing protrusion 163c. The first region 163a is disposed around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L. The second region 163b is disposed around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L and is located more inward than the first region 163a with the optical axis L as the reference. The housing protrusion 163c extends from the second region 163b in a direction away from the second housing end 64 of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 and is disposed around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L.

[0152] Here, the first part W1 of the welded connection part W is arranged around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L in the first region 163a of the first housing end part 63 of the large diameter cylindrical part 61 of the housing, and the second part W2 of the welded connection part W is arranged around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L in the flange protrusion top part 123 of the flange protrusion part 122 of the flange part 120.

[0153] As a result, the flange portion 122 of the flange portion 120 and the housing protrusion 163c of the housing 60 are aligned in a state where they are adjacent to each other in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis L, and the welded connection W is formed across the first region 163a of the first housing end 63 of the housing 60 and the flange protrusion top 123 of the flange protrusion 122, thereby enabling accurate welding.

[0154] Next, the support portion 121 of the flange portion 120 will be described. Fig. 25E is a cross-sectional view taken along line E-E in Fig. 24. Fig. 26 is a perspective view of the lens barrel 31 and the flange portion 120 as seen from the bottom side, i.e., the side of the second end portion 31b of the lens barrel 31.

[0155] The support portion 121 includes at least a first support portion 121a, a second support portion 121b, and a third support portion 121c. The first support portion 121a extends from a first flange portion 125a of the third flange surface 120c toward a first board portion (first side 41) of the first surface 40a of the circuit board 40, and supports the first board portion of the first surface 40a of the circuit board 40. The second support portion 121b extends from a second flange portion 125b of the third flange surface 120c toward a second board portion (second side 42) of the first surface 40a of the circuit board 40, and supports the second board portion of the first surface 40a of the circuit board 40. The third support portion 121c extends from the third flange portion 125c of the third flange surface 120c (located on the rear side of the second flange portion 125b in Figure 24) toward the third board portion of the first surface 40a of the circuit board 40, and supports the third board portion (third edge 43) of the first surface 40a of the circuit board 40 (located on the rear side of the second board portion in Figure 24).

[0156] Since the support portion 121 includes at least three support portions, the first support portion 121a, the second support portion 121b, and the third support portion 121c, the circuit board 40 can be supported more stably.

[0157] Furthermore, the support portion 121 includes a fourth support portion 121d that extends from a fourth flange portion 125d of the third flange surface 120c (located on the rear side of the first flange portion 125a in FIG. 24 ) toward a fourth board portion (fourth edge 44) of the first surface 40a of the circuit board 40 and supports the fourth board portion (located on the rear side of the first board portion in FIG. 24 ) of the first surface 40a of the circuit board 40. As a result, the support portion 121 includes the fourth support portion 121d in addition to the first support portion 121a, the second support portion 121b, and the third support portion 121c, and therefore the circuit board 40 can be supported more stably.

[0158] Furthermore, the first support portion 121 a, the second support portion 121 b, the third support portion 121 c, and the fourth support portion 121 d of the flange portion 32 are disposed outside the imaging element 50 with respect to the optical axis L. This allows light arriving from the outside to be smoothly guided to the imaging element 50.

[0159] At least one support portion 121 of the flange portion 120 and the flange protruding portion 122 may be integral with each other, which makes it possible to easily form the support portion 121 and the flange protruding portion 122.

[0160] The support portion 121 may include a portion between the second flange surface 120b and the third flange surface 120c and a columnar portion extending from the third flange surface 120c toward the first surface 40a of the circuit board 40. Alternatively, only the columnar member may be considered as the support portion 121. The columnar portion may include at least three portions: a first support portion 121a, a second support portion 121b, and a third support portion 121c. Alternatively, the columnar portion may include four portions: a first support portion 121a, a second support portion 121b, a third support portion 121c, and a fourth support portion 121d. The first support portion 121a may extend from the first flange portion of the second flange surface 120b toward the first substrate portion of the first surface 40a of the circuit board 40 and support the first substrate portion of the first surface 40a of the circuit board 40. The second support portion 121b may extend from a second flange portion of the second flange surface 120b toward a second substrate portion of the first surface 40a of the circuit board 40 and support the second substrate portion of the first surface 40a of the circuit board 40. The third support portion 121c may extend from a third flange portion of the second flange surface 120b toward a third substrate portion of the first surface 40a of the circuit board 40 and support the third substrate portion of the first surface 40a of the circuit board 40. The fourth support portion 121d may extend from the third flange portion of the second flange surface 120b toward a fourth substrate portion of the first surface 40a of the circuit board 40 and support the fourth substrate portion of the first surface 40a of the circuit board 40.

[0161] The first cylindrical portion 37 may be made of metal or resin. The lens barrel 31 may be made of metal or resin. If the lens barrel 31 is made of metal, the lens barrel 31 and the flange portion 120 may be integral with each other. This makes it possible to easily form the lens barrel 31 and the flange portion 120. The flange portion 120 may be a part of the housing 60.

[0162] In flange weld adjacent portion 124, first thickness T1, which is the thickness in a direction perpendicular to optical axis L, is set to be smaller than second thickness T2, which is the thickness in case weld adjacent portion 165 in a direction perpendicular to optical axis L. In this way, by making the first thickness of flange weld adjacent portion 124 smaller than the second thickness of case weld adjacent portion 165, it is possible to make the first cross-sectional area of ​​flange weld adjacent portion 124 smaller than the second cross-sectional area of ​​case weld adjacent portion 165.

[0163] The in-vehicle camera 100 also includes a connector 80 disposed in the large-diameter cylindrical portion 61 of the housing 60, and a connector connection portion 47 disposed on the circuit board 40. The connector connection portion 47 is disposed approximately in the center of the second surface 40b of the circuit board 40. The connector 80 has a first connector end 81 connected to the connector connection portion 47 of the circuit board 40, and a second connector end 82 opposite the first connector end 81. When the in-vehicle camera 100 is disposed in the vehicle V, the second connector end 82 of the connector 80 is electrically connected to a wire of the vehicle V.

[0164] This allows power to be supplied from the vehicle V to the circuit board 40 via the connector 80 and the connector connection portion 47.

[0165] Fig. 27 is an enlarged view of region G in Fig. 20. Fig. 28A is a diagram showing the temperature distribution during welding in the region of Fig. 27 in a conventional configuration, and Fig. 28B is a diagram showing the temperature distribution during welding in the region of Fig. 27 in the fifth embodiment. Figs. 28A and 28B are diagrams simulating the propagation of heat when a predetermined amount of heat is applied to the welded connection W. The "maximum" region is the region with the highest temperature, and the "minimum" region is the region with the lowest temperature. In addition, in the conventional configuration of Fig. 28A, the first cross-sectional area of ​​flange weld adjacent portion 124 and the second cross-sectional area of ​​housing weld adjacent portion 165 are the same.

[0166] The fifth embodiment in Fig. 28B shows that heat propagation from the welded connection part W through the flange weld adjacent part 124 is smaller than in the conventional configuration in Fig. 28A. In other words, the fifth embodiment shows that welding heat is less likely to propagate to the lens barrel 31 side than in the conventional configuration.

[0167] Sixth Embodiment Fig. 29 is a front perspective view of an in-vehicle camera 100 according to a sixth embodiment. Fig. 30 is an exploded perspective view of an in-vehicle camera 100 according to the sixth embodiment. Fig. 31 is a top view of an in-vehicle camera 100 according to the sixth embodiment. Fig. 32 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II in Fig. 31. 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.

[0168] The vehicle-mounted camera 100 of this embodiment includes a lens barrel 210, an image sensor 220, a circuit board 230, a first housing unit 240, and a second housing unit 250. At least the image sensor 220 and the circuit board 230 are housed in the first housing unit 240 and the second housing unit 250.

[0169] The lens barrel 210 includes a first cylindrical portion 212 having a first cylindrical shape. As shown in Fig. 32 , the first cylindrical portion 212 of the lens barrel 210 has an inner surface 212a and an outer surface 212b. In this embodiment, the first cylindrical portion 212 has a cylindrical shape extending in the direction of the optical axis L (a direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in Fig. 31 and along the Z axis), and the inner surface 212a and the outer surface 212b are formed by cylindrical surfaces. A space is formed inside the inner surface 212a in the radial direction (a direction perpendicular to the optical axis L and along the X axis and Y axis).

[0170] The lens barrel 210 includes at least one lens 214 arranged on an optical axis L inside the first cylindrical portion 212. In the illustrated example, the lens 214 is arranged at the first end 210a of the lens barrel 210 and is exposed to the outside. However, other lenses (not shown) may be arranged in the radially inner space of the inner surface 212a of the first cylindrical portion 212. In this case, in a lens group consisting of multiple lenses, the lenses are arranged with their optical axes L aligned. The lens 214 and the lens group are used to capture images of the inside and outside of the body of the vehicle V.

[0171] The image sensor 220 is disposed on the optical axis L in the internal space defined by the first housing portion 240 and the second housing portion 250, near the second end 210b of the lens barrel 210 opposite the first end 210a. The image sensor 220 is electrically connected to the circuit of the circuit board 230, and external light that has passed through the lens 214 is guided to the image sensor 220, enabling the image sensor 220 to capture an image. The image sensor 220 may be, for example, a CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor) image sensor.

[0172] The circuit board 230 is disposed in the internal space defined by the first housing portion 240 and the second housing portion 250, and has a first surface 230a facing the first end portion 210a of the lens barrel 210, and a second surface 230b opposite the first surface 230a. However, two or more circuit boards may be provided. The image sensor 220 is disposed on the first surface 230a of the circuit board 230.

[0173] The circuit board 230 has a first shape in plan view. The shape in plan view is the shape when viewed in a direction along the Z axis (the same applies below). The first shape is, for example, a quadrilateral as in the embodiment, but may also be a triangle or a polygon with pentagons or more sides. As in the embodiment, the corners of the polygon may be rounded.

[0174] The first housing unit 240 is made of metal and supports the lens barrel 210. The first housing unit 240 has a second shape in plan view. The second shape is, for example, a quadrilateral as in the embodiment, but may also be a triangle or a polygon with pentagons or more sides. As in the embodiment, the corners of the polygon may be rounded.

[0175] The first housing unit 240 is connected to the lens barrel 210 and has a lens barrel support unit 241 that supports the lens barrel 210. The lens barrel support unit 241 is arranged so as to extend around the entire circumference of the lens barrel 210 with the optical axis L as its center and extend outward with the optical axis L as the reference. The lens barrel support unit 241 has a shape in plan view that is the same as that of the first housing unit 240, which is a quadrangular shape in this embodiment.

[0176] The barrel support 241 includes a third surface 241a, a fourth surface 241b, a hole 242, and a first protrusion 243. At least a portion of the third surface 241a faces the first surface 230a of the circuit board 230. At least a portion of the fourth surface 241b is located on the opposite side of the third surface 241a and is exposed to the outside. The hole 242 connects the third surface 241a and the fourth surface 241b and passes through the optical axis. Light passing through the lens 214 passes through the hole 242 and then reaches the image sensor 220. The first protrusion 243 is located around the optical axis L around the entire circumference of the barrel support 241 and protrudes from the third surface 241a toward the second housing 250. In this embodiment, the first protrusion 243 is formed along the vicinity of the outer edge of the barrel support 241.

[0177] The second housing unit 250 is made of metal, and at least a portion of it is disposed farther from the lens barrel 210 than the first housing unit 240. The second housing unit 250 has a third shape in plan view. The third shape is, for example, a quadrilateral as in the embodiment, but may also be a triangle or a polygon having pentagons or more sides. As in the embodiment, the corners of the polygon may be rounded. In the embodiment, the second shape of the first housing unit 240 and the third shape of the second housing unit 250 are substantially the same.

[0178] The second housing 250 has a large diameter portion 250a and a small diameter portion 250b that is smaller in diameter than the large diameter portion 250a. The large diameter portion 250a is located closer to the first housing 240 than the small diameter portion 250b, and is connected to the first housing 240. The large diameter portion 250a and the small diameter portion 250b can be integrally molded, or the large diameter portion 250a and the small diameter portion 250b may be individually prepared and joined by welding, screws, or other methods.

[0179] Large diameter portion 250a has bottom portion 251. Bottom portion 251 is the portion that forms the bottom of second housing portion 250 excluding small diameter portion 250b, and corresponds to the bottom of the internal space defined by first housing portion 240 and second housing portion 250 when viewed from the lens barrel 210 side. However, as long as second housing portion 250 has an internal space that can accommodate at least image sensor 220 and circuit board 230, small diameter portion 250b is not essential.

[0180] The bottom 251 has a fifth surface 251a, at least a portion of which faces the second surface 230b of the circuit board 230, a sixth surface 251b, at least a portion of which is opposite the fifth surface 251a, and a second protrusion 252, which is located around the entire circumference of the bottom 251 centered on the optical axis L and protrudes from the fifth surface 251a toward the lens barrel support portion 241.

[0181] With the first housing portion 240 and the second housing portion 250 housing at least the image sensor 220 and the circuit board 230 in their internal spaces, the first protrusion 243 of the lens barrel support portion 241 of the first housing portion 240 is connected to the second protrusion 252 of the bottom portion 251 of the second housing portion 250. This connection is performed by, for example, laser welding. Laser welding is performed by irradiating laser light having a predetermined wavelength from, for example, the direction of the arrow in FIG. 32 . The connection portion will be described in detail below with reference to FIG. 33 .

[0182] Figure 33 is an enlarged view of region A in Figure 32. The first protrusion 243 of the lens barrel support 241 of the first housing 240 has a first apex 244, a first protrusion inner surface 245, and a first protrusion outer surface 246. The first apex 244 is located around the entire circumference of the first protrusion 243 centered on the optical axis L, faces the second protrusion 252 of the bottom 251 of the second housing 250, and is formed by the tip portion of the first protrusion 243. The first protrusion inner surface 245 is located around the entire circumference of the first protrusion 243 centered on the optical axis L, and connects the third surface 241a and the first apex 244. Note that the third surface 241a is not flat, but is formed by an uneven surface. The first protruding outer surface 246 is located around the entire circumference of the first protruding portion 243 centered on the optical axis L, is located on the opposite side of the first protruding inner surface 245, and is exposed to the outside. A first region 245a, which is a part of the first protruding inner surface 245, and a second region 246a, which is a part of the first protruding outer surface 246, face each other.

[0183] The second protruding portion 252 on the bottom 251 of the second housing portion 250 has a second apex 253, a second protruding inner surface 254, and a second protruding outer surface 255. The second apex 253 is located around the entire circumference of the second protruding portion 252 centered on the optical axis L and faces the first protruding portion 243 of the lens barrel support portion 241 of the first housing portion 240. The second protruding inner surface 254 is located around the entire circumference of the second protruding portion 252 centered on the optical axis L and connects the fifth surface 251a to the second apex 253. The second protruding outer surface 255 is located around the entire circumference of the second protruding portion 252 centered on the optical axis L, is located on the opposite side of the second protruding inner surface 254, and is exposed to the outside. A third region 254a, which is part of the second protruding inner surface 254, faces a fourth region 255a, which is part of the second protruding outer surface 255.

[0184] Here, a first thickness T1 between the first protruding inner surface 245 and the first protruding outer surface 246 of the first protruding portion 243 is set to be smaller than a second thickness T2 between the second protruding inner surface 254 and the second protruding outer surface 255 of the second protruding portion 252. The thicknesses are measured in the radial direction (the same applies below).

[0185] The second apex 253 of the second protruding portion 252 has, between the second protruding outer surface 255 and the second protruding inner surface 254, an outer portion 253a that contacts the second protruding outer surface 255, and an inner portion 253b that is located between the outer portion 253a and the second protruding inner surface 254. The outer portion 253a is located radially outward of the inner portion 253b.

[0186] Using a technique such as laser welding as described above, at least a portion of the first protrusion 243 and at least a portion of the second protrusion 252 are melted and solidified together, thereby connecting the two. This connects the first housing 240 and the second housing 250, completing the in-vehicle camera 100. Specifically, the completed in-vehicle camera 100 has a fused connection W formed by melting at least a portion of the first apex 244 of the first protrusion 243 and at least a portion of the second apex 253 of the second protrusion 252 around the optical axis L, and then solidifying and connecting them.

[0187] The fused connection portion W is located at the first peak 244 of the first protruding portion 243, from the first protruding outer surface 246 to the first protruding inner surface 245, and is located at the second peak 253 of the second protruding portion 252, from the second protruding outer surface 255 to the outer portion 253a. However, the fused connection portion W is not located at the inner portion 253b of the second peak 253 of the second protruding portion 252. In other words, the second peak 253 is divided into the outer portion 253a, which is included in the fused connection, and the inner portion 253b, which is not included in the fused connection.

[0188] Fig. 34 is a schematic diagram illustrating the process of connecting two housing parts in a conventional manufacturing process for an in-vehicle camera. This figure is a sideways view of the view corresponding to Fig. 33, and shows only the first protrusion 243 of the first housing part 240. The connection is made by laser welding.

[0189] In step (1), the first protrusion 243 of the first housing 240 and the second protrusion 252 of the second housing 250 are butted together with at least the image sensor 220 and the circuit board 230 housed in the internal space. Then, in step (2), a laser beam is irradiated onto the butted portion to melt the portion and create a fused joint W. In conventional processes, the fused joint W does not extend from the first protruding outer surface 246 to the first protruding inner surface 245 at the first apex 244 of the first protruding portion 243, but only extends partway along the radial direction of the first apex 244. That is, there is a region X in the first apex 244 where the fused joint W is not created.

[0190] During melting, stress indicated by the dashed arrows acts in the cohesive direction (inward toward the butted portions) inside the fusion connection W. Meanwhile, stress indicated by the solid arrows acts in the region X outside the fusion connection W where no fusion connection W has been formed, in a direction that causes the butted portions to open as a reaction to the cohesive stress. This opening stress occurs as a reaction to the cohesive stress inside the fusion connection W. The opening stress may cause cracks C to occur, as shown in step (3) after irradiation.

[0191] 35 is a schematic diagram illustrating the process of connecting two housing parts in the manufacturing process of the vehicle-mounted camera 100 according to the sixth embodiment. Step (1) is the same as that shown in FIG. 34 . Step (2) involves irradiating the butted portion with laser light to melt the portion and create a fused joint W. However, in the process of the embodiment, the fused joint W exists at the first apex 244 of the first protrusion 243, extending from the first protrusion outer surface 246 to the first protrusion inner surface 245, and at the second apex 253 of the second protrusion 252, extending from the second protrusion outer surface 255 to the outer portion 253 a.

[0192] During melting, the stress indicated by the dashed arrows acts in the direction of aggregation inside the fusion connection W, as in the conventional example of Fig. 34. However, in the case of Fig. 35, the region X where the fusion connection W is not formed, as shown in Fig. 34, does not exist on the side of the first apex 244 of the first protrusion 243. Therefore, stress acting in the direction of separating the butted portions, as shown by the solid lines in Fig. 34, does not occur. Therefore, cracks C that may occur in the conventional process of Fig. 34 can be suppressed.

[0193] The first apex 244 of the first protrusion 243 has a smaller radial width (thickness) than the opposing second apex 253 of the second protrusion 252. In this embodiment, the fused connection W is formed over the entire radial direction of the first apex 244, which is the member with the smaller radial width of the two butted members. This eliminates the region X where the fused connection W is not formed, and makes it possible to suppress the occurrence of defects such as cracks C.

[0194] Figure 36 shows images of the fusion joint W of two housing parts, with Figure 36(A) being an image of the fusion joint of a conventional vehicle-mounted camera and Figure 36(B) being an image of the fusion joint of the vehicle-mounted camera 100 according to the sixth embodiment. The vehicle-mounted camera of Figure 36(A) was manufactured according to the process of Figure 34, and an area X that is not the fusion joint W exists in the first apex 244, and a crack C has occurred in the fusion joint W. On the other hand, the vehicle-mounted camera 100 according to the sixth embodiment of Figure 36(B) was manufactured according to the process of Figure 35, and an area X that is not the fusion joint W does not exist in the first apex 244, and no cracks have occurred.

[0195] According to this embodiment, the fused connection portion W is located at the first apex 244 of the first protrusion portion 243, spanning from the first protrusion outer surface 246 to the first protrusion inner surface 245, and is also located at the second apex 253 of the second protrusion portion 252, spanning from the second protrusion outer surface 255 to the outer portion 253a, thereby suppressing the occurrence of defects such as cracks and enabling a strong connection between the first housing portion 240 and the second housing portion 250.

[0196] Furthermore, the fusion connection W is not located in the inner portion 253b of the second apex 253 of the second protrusion 252. This means that a medium such as a laser beam does not penetrate deeply into the interior of the vehicle-mounted camera 100 when the fusion connection W is generated, and prevents foreign matter such as molten material and spatter from penetrating the interior when the fusion connection W is generated.

[0197] 33 , a third thickness T3 between the fourth region 255a and the inner region 253b of the second protruding outer surface 255 at the outer portion 253a of the second peak 253 of the second protruding portion 252 where the fusion connection W is located may be set to be greater than a fourth thickness between the second region 246a of the first protruding outer surface 246 and the first region 245a of the first protruding inner surface 245 at the first peak 244 of the first protruding portion 243 where the fusion connection W is located (T3 > T4). This allows the first peak 244 of the first protruding portion 243 to be completely melted at the fusion connection W, thereby more reliably preventing defects. The difference between the third thickness T3 and the fourth thickness T4 is, for example, 0.01 mm.

[0198] However, the third thickness T3 may correspond to the fourth thickness T4 (T3 = T4). Due to variations between products, the third thickness T3 and the fourth thickness T4 may vary, and the third thickness T3 may not be greater than the fourth thickness T4, but such variations are also acceptable.

[0199] The third thickness T3 may be smaller than the fourth thickness T4 (T3<T4). Due to variations between products, the third thickness T3 and the fourth thickness T4 may vary, and the third thickness T3 may not be greater than the fourth thickness T4, but such variations are also permitted. The difference between the third thickness T3 and the fourth thickness T4 is, for example, 0.01 mm.

[0200] The barrel support portion 241 of the first housing portion 240 may include a first side wall portion 247 located between the third surface 241 a and the first protrusion portion 243 in the direction of the optical axis L, and the first side wall portion 247 is located around the entire circumference of the barrel support portion 241 centered on the optical axis L. This makes it possible to further prevent foreign matter caused by the formation of the fused connection portion W from entering the interior.

[0201] The bottom 251 of the second housing 250 may include a second side wall 256 between the fifth surface 251 a and the second protrusion 252 in the direction of the optical axis L, and the second side wall 256 is located around the entire circumference of the bottom 251 centered on the optical axis L. This makes it possible to easily ensure a space for accommodating the image sensor 220 and the circuit board 230.

[0202] The lens barrel support portion 241 of the first housing portion 240 may have at least one board support portion 248 extending from the third surface 241 a toward the first surface 230 a of the circuit board 230. The at least one board support portion 248 has an end portion 248 a facing the first surface 230 a of the circuit board 230, and the end portion 248 a of the at least one board support portion 248 is fixed to the first surface 230 a of the circuit board 230 via the photocurable resin 235, and the fused connection portion W is disposed between the at least one lens 214 and the photocurable resin 235 in the direction of the optical axis L. This allows, in the manufacturing process of the vehicle-mounted camera 100, the lens barrel 210 and the circuit board 230 to be connected while aligning the lens barrel 210 and the circuit board 230, and then, with the lens barrel 210 and the circuit board 230 connected, the first housing portion 240 supporting the lens barrel 210 and the second housing portion 250 to be connected.

[0203] The metal constituting the first housing portion 240 and the second housing portion 250 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, an aluminum alloy containing magnesium and silicon. The magnesium content of the first housing portion 240 may be greater than the magnesium content of the second housing portion 250. The magnesium content of the first housing portion 240 may be less than the magnesium content of the second housing portion 250. The silicon content of the first housing portion 240 may be greater than the silicon content of the second housing portion 250. The silicon content of the first housing portion 240 may be less than the silicon content of the second housing portion 250. This makes it possible to change the magnesium content or silicon content of the aluminum alloy constituting the first housing portion 240 and the second housing portion 250 depending on the type of in-vehicle camera 100 to be manufactured.

[0204] The lens barrel 210 may be made of metal, in which case the lens barrel 210 and the first housing unit 240 may be integral with each other. This makes it possible to easily form the lens barrel 210 and the first housing unit 240.

[0205] 32 , the in-vehicle camera 100 may include a connector 280 disposed on the fifth surface 251 a of the second housing portion 250 and a connector connection portion 237 disposed on the second surface 230 b of the circuit board 230. The connector 280 includes a first connector end 281 connected to the connector connection portion 237 of the circuit board 230, and a second connector end 282 opposite to the first connector end 281. When the in-vehicle camera 100 is disposed in a vehicle V, the second connector end 282 of the connector 280 is electrically connected to a wire of the vehicle V. This allows power from the vehicle V to be secured.

[0206] Seventh Embodiment Fig. 37 is a front perspective view of the vehicle-mounted camera 100 according to the seventh embodiment. Fig. 38 is an exploded perspective view of the vehicle-mounted camera 100 according to the seventh embodiment. The top view of this embodiment is the same as Fig. 31 of the sixth embodiment, and Fig. 39 is a cross-sectional view of the sixth embodiment taken along line II of Fig. 31.

[0207] The vehicle-mounted camera 100 of this embodiment includes a lens barrel 210, an image sensor 220, a circuit board 230, a third housing unit 340, and a fourth housing unit 350. At least the image sensor 220 and the circuit board 230 are housed in the third housing unit 340 and the fourth housing unit 350. The lens barrel 210, the image sensor 220, and the circuit board 230 are the same as those in the sixth embodiment. The first housing unit 240 of the sixth embodiment corresponds to the third housing unit 340 of the seventh embodiment, and the second housing unit 250 of the sixth embodiment corresponds to the fourth housing unit 350 of the seventh embodiment.

[0208] The third housing unit 340 is made of metal and supports the lens barrel 210. The third housing unit 340 has a second shape in plan view. The second shape is, for example, a quadrilateral as in the embodiment, but may also be a triangle or a polygon with pentagons or more sides. As in the embodiment, the corners of the polygon may be rounded.

[0209] The third housing unit 340 is connected to the lens barrel 210 and has a lens barrel support unit 341 that supports the lens barrel 210. The lens barrel support unit 341 is arranged so as to extend around the entire circumference of the lens barrel 210 with the optical axis L as its center and extend outward with the optical axis L as the reference. The lens barrel support unit 341 has a shape in plan view that is the same as that of the third housing unit 340, which is a quadrangular shape in this embodiment.

[0210] The barrel support 341 includes a seventh surface 341a, an eighth surface 341b, a hole 342, and a third protrusion 343. At least a portion of the seventh surface 341a faces the first surface 230a of the circuit board 230. At least a portion of the eighth surface 341b is located on the opposite side of the seventh surface 341a and is exposed to the outside. The hole 342 connects the seventh surface 341a and the eighth surface 341b and passes through the optical axis. Light passing through the lens 214 passes through the hole 342 and then reaches the image sensor 220. The third protrusion 343 is located around the entire circumference of the barrel support 341, centered on the optical axis L, and protrudes from the eighth surface 341b toward the fourth housing 350. In this embodiment, the third protrusion 343 is formed along the vicinity of the outer edge of the barrel support 341.

[0211] The fourth housing unit 350 is made of metal, and at least a portion of it is disposed farther from the lens barrel 210 than the third housing unit 340. The fourth housing unit 350 has a third shape in plan view. The third shape is, for example, a quadrilateral as in the embodiment, but may also be a triangle or a polygon having pentagons or more sides. As in the embodiment, the corners of the polygon may be rounded. In the embodiment, the second shape of the third housing unit 340 and the third shape of the fourth housing unit 350 are substantially the same.

[0212] The fourth housing part 350 has a large diameter part 350a and a small diameter part 350b that is smaller in diameter than the large diameter part 350a. The large diameter part 350a is located closer to the third housing part 340 than the small diameter part 350b, and is connected to the third housing part 340. The large diameter part 350a and the small diameter part 350b can be integrally molded, or the large diameter part 350a and the small diameter part 350b may be individually prepared and joined by welding, screws, or other methods.

[0213] Large diameter portion 350a has bottom portion 351. Bottom portion 351 is the portion that forms the bottom of fourth housing portion 350 excluding small diameter portion 350b, and corresponds to the bottom of the internal space defined by third housing portion 340 and fourth housing portion 350 when viewed from the lens barrel 210 side. However, as long as fourth housing portion 350 has an internal space that can accommodate at least image sensor 220 and circuit board 230, small diameter portion 350b is not essential.

[0214] The bottom 351 has a ninth surface 351a, at least a portion of which faces the second surface 230b of the circuit board 230, a tenth surface 351b, at least a portion of which faces opposite the ninth surface 351a, and a fourth protrusion 352, which is located around the entire circumference of the bottom 351 centered on the optical axis L and protrudes from the ninth surface 351a toward the lens barrel support portion 341.

[0215] With the third housing section 340 and the fourth housing section 350 housing at least the image sensor 220 and the circuit board 230 in their internal spaces, the third protrusion 343 of the lens barrel support section 341 of the third housing section 340 is connected to the fourth protrusion 352 of the bottom section 351 of the fourth housing section 350. This connection is performed by, for example, laser welding. Laser welding is performed by irradiating a laser beam having a predetermined wavelength from the direction of the arrow in FIG. 39 . The connection portion will be described in detail below with reference to FIG. 40 .

[0216] Figure 40 is an enlarged view of region B in Figure 39. The third protrusion 343 of the lens barrel support 341 of the third housing 340 has a third apex 344, a third protrusion inner surface 345, and a third protrusion outer surface 346. The third apex 344 is located around the entire circumference of the third protrusion 343 centered on the optical axis L, faces the fourth protrusion 352 of the bottom 351 of the fourth housing 350, and is formed by the tip portion of the third protrusion 343. The third protrusion inner surface 345 is located around the entire circumference of the third protrusion 343 centered on the optical axis L, and connects the seventh surface 341a and the third apex 344. Note that the seventh surface 341a is not flat, but is formed by an uneven surface. The third protruding outer surface 346 is located around the entire circumference of the third protruding portion 343 centered on the optical axis L, is located opposite the third protruding inner surface 345, and is exposed to the outside. A fifth region 345a, which is a part of the third protruding inner surface 345, and a sixth region 346a, which is a part of the third protruding outer surface 346, face each other.

[0217] The fourth protrusion 352 on the bottom 351 of the fourth housing 350 has a fourth apex 353, a fourth protrusion inner surface 354, and a fourth protrusion outer surface 355. The fourth apex 353 is located around the entire circumference of the fourth protrusion 352 centered on the optical axis L and faces the third protrusion 343 of the lens barrel support 341 of the third housing 340. The fourth protrusion inner surface 354 is located around the entire circumference of the fourth protrusion 352 centered on the optical axis L and connects the ninth surface 351a and the fourth apex 353. The fourth protrusion outer surface 355 is located around the entire circumference of the fourth protrusion 352 centered on the optical axis L, is located on the opposite side of the fourth protrusion inner surface 354, and is exposed to the outside. In addition, a seventh region 354a, which is part of the fourth protrusion inner surface 354, faces an eighth region 355a, which is part of the fourth protrusion outer surface 355.

[0218] Here, the fifth thickness T5 between the third protruding inner surface 345 and the third protruding outer surface 346 of the third protruding portion 343 is set to be greater than the sixth thickness T6 between the fourth protruding inner surface 354 and the fourth protruding outer surface 355 of the fourth protruding portion 352.

[0219] Furthermore, the third apex 344 of the third protruding portion 343 has, between the third protruding outer surface 346 and the third protruding inner surface 345, an outer portion 344a that contacts the third protruding outer surface 346, and an inner portion 344b that is located between the outer portion 344a and the third protruding inner surface 345. The outer portion 344a is located radially outward of the inner portion 344b.

[0220] Using a technique such as laser welding as described above, at least a portion of the third protrusion 343 and at least a portion of the fourth protrusion 352 are melted and solidified together, thereby connecting the two. This connects the third housing unit 340 and the fourth housing unit 350, completing the in-vehicle camera 100. Specifically, the completed in-vehicle camera 100 has a fused connection W formed by melting at least a portion of the third apex 344 of the third protrusion 343 and at least a portion of the fourth apex 353 of the fourth protrusion 352 around the optical axis L, and then solidifying and connecting them.

[0221] The fused connection portion W is located at the third peak 344 of the third protruding portion 343 from the third protruding outer surface 346 to the outer portion 344a, and is located at the fourth peak 353 of the fourth protruding portion 352 from the fourth protruding outer surface 155 to the fourth protruding inner surface 154. However, the fused connection portion W is not present at the inner portion 344b of the third peak 344 of the third protruding portion 343. In other words, the third peak 344 is divided into the outer portion 344a that is included in the fused connection and the inner portion 344b that is not included in the fused connection.

[0222] 35 of the sixth embodiment, the fourth apex 353 of the fourth protrusion 352 has a smaller radial width (thickness) than the opposing third apex 344 of the third protrusion 343. In this embodiment, the fused connection W is formed over the entire radial length of the fourth apex 353, which is the member with the smaller radial width of the two butted members. This eliminates the region X where the fused connection W is not formed, and makes it possible to suppress the occurrence of defects such as cracks C.

[0223] Furthermore, the fusion connection W is not present in the inner portion 344b of the third apex 344 of the third protrusion 343. This means that when the fusion connection W is generated, a medium such as a laser beam does not penetrate deeply into the interior of the vehicle-mounted camera 100, and foreign matter such as molten material and spatters that accompany the generation of the fusion connection W is prevented from penetrating the interior.

[0224] 40 , a seventh thickness T7 between the sixth region 346a and the inner portion 344b of the third protruding outer surface 346 of the third protruding portion 343, which corresponds to the outer portion 344a of the third peak 344 of the third protruding portion 343 where the fusion connection W is located, may be set to be greater than an eighth thickness T8 between the eighth region 355a of the fourth protruding outer surface 355 and the seventh region 354a of the fourth protruding inner surface 354, which corresponds to the fourth peak 353 of the fourth protruding portion 352 where the fusion connection W is located (T7 > T8). This allows the fourth peak 353 of the fourth protruding portion 352 to be completely melted at the fusion connection W, thereby more reliably preventing defects. The difference between the seventh thickness T7 and the eighth thickness T8 is, for example, 0.01 mm.

[0225] However, the seventh thickness T7 may correspond to the eighth thickness T8 (T7 = T8). Due to variations between products, the seventh thickness T7 and the eighth thickness T8 may vary, and the seventh thickness T7 may not be greater than the eighth thickness T8, but such variations are also acceptable.

[0226] The seventh thickness T7 may be smaller than the eighth thickness T8 (T7<T8). Due to variations between products, the seventh thickness T7 and the eighth thickness T8 may vary, and the seventh thickness T7 may not be greater than the eighth thickness T8, but such variations are permitted. The difference between the seventh thickness T7 and the eighth thickness T8 is, for example, 0.01 mm.

[0227] The barrel support portion 341 of the third housing portion 340 may include a third side wall portion 347 located between the seventh surface 341 a and the third protrusion portion 343 in the direction of the optical axis L, and the third side wall portion 347 is located around the entire circumference of the barrel support portion 341 centered on the optical axis L. This makes it possible to further prevent foreign matter caused by the formation of the fused connection portion W from entering the interior.

[0228] The bottom 351 of the fourth housing unit 350 may include a fourth side wall 356 between the ninth surface 351 a and the fourth protrusion 352 in the direction of the optical axis L, and the fourth side wall 356 is located around the entire circumference of the bottom 351 centered on the optical axis L. This makes it possible to easily ensure a space for accommodating the image sensor 220 and the circuit board 230.

[0229] The lens barrel support portion 341 of the third housing portion 340 may have at least one board support portion 348 extending from the seventh surface 341 a toward the first surface 230 a of the circuit board 230. The at least one board support portion 348 has an end portion 348 a facing the first surface 230 a of the circuit board 230, and the end portion 348 a of the at least one board support portion 348 is fixed to the first surface 230 a of the circuit board 230 via the photocurable resin 235, and the fused connection portion W is disposed between the at least one lens 214 and the photocurable resin 235 in the direction of the optical axis L. This allows, in the manufacturing process of the vehicle-mounted camera 100, the lens barrel 210 and the circuit board 230 to be connected while aligning the lens barrel 210 and the circuit board 230, and then, with the lens barrel 210 and the circuit board 230 connected, the third housing portion 340 supporting the lens barrel 210 can be connected to the fourth housing portion 350.

[0230] The metal constituting the third housing portion 340 and the fourth housing portion 350 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, an aluminum alloy containing magnesium and silicon. The magnesium content of the third housing portion 340 may be greater than the magnesium content of the fourth housing portion 350. The magnesium content of the third housing portion 340 may be less than the magnesium content of the fourth housing portion 350. The silicon content of the third housing portion 340 may be greater than the silicon content of the fourth housing portion 350. The silicon content of the third housing portion 340 may be less than the silicon content of the fourth housing portion 350. This allows the magnesium content or silicon content of the aluminum alloy constituting the third housing portion 340 and the fourth housing portion 350 to be changed depending on the type of in-vehicle camera 100 to be manufactured.

[0231] The lens barrel 210 may be made of metal, in which case the lens barrel 210 and the third housing unit 340 may be integral with each other. This makes it possible to easily form the lens barrel 210 and the third housing unit 340.

[0232] 39 , the in-vehicle camera 100 may include a connector 280 disposed on the ninth surface 351 a of the fourth housing portion 350 and a connector connection portion 237 disposed on the second surface 230 b of the circuit board 230. The connector 280 includes a first connector end 281 connected to the connector connection portion 237 of the circuit board 230 and a second connector end 282 opposite to the first connector end 281. When the in-vehicle camera 100 is disposed in a vehicle V, the second connector end 282 of the connector 280 is electrically connected to a wire of the vehicle V. This allows power from the vehicle V to be secured.

[0233] Eighth Embodiment Fig. 41 is a front perspective view of an in-vehicle camera 100 according to an eighth embodiment. The top view of this embodiment is the same as Fig. 31 of the sixth embodiment, and Fig. 42 is a cross-sectional view of the eighth embodiment taken along line II of Fig. 31.

[0234] The vehicle-mounted camera 100 of this embodiment includes a lens barrel 410, an image sensor 420, a circuit board 430, a first housing unit 440, and a second housing unit 450. At least the image sensor 420 and the circuit board 430 are housed in the first housing unit 440 and the second housing unit 450.

[0235] The lens barrel 410 includes a first cylindrical portion 412 having a first cylindrical shape, and at least one lens 414 arranged inside the first cylindrical portion 412 and on the optical axis L. The lens barrel 410 is made of metal, and the lens barrel 410 and the first housing portion 440 may be integral with each other.

[0236] The imaging element 420 is disposed on the optical axis L. The circuit board 430 has a first surface 430a and a second surface 430b opposite to the first surface 430a, and the imaging element 420 is disposed on the first surface 430a. The circuit board 430 further has a circuit board end surface 430c connecting the first surface 430a and the second surface 430b.

[0237] The first housing unit 440 includes a second cylindrical portion 449 that is a second cylindrical shape, is made of metal, and supports the lens barrel 410. The second housing unit 450 is also made of metal, and at least a portion of the second housing unit 450 is disposed farther from the lens barrel 410 than the first housing unit 440.

[0238] The first housing 440 includes a barrel support 441. The barrel support 441 extends outward from the end of the barrel 410 and includes a third surface 441a, a fourth surface 441b, a hole 442, and a sidewall 443. The third surface 441a is connected to the barrel 410, and at least a portion of the fourth surface 441b faces the first surface 430a of the circuit board 430 and is located on the opposite side from the third surface 441a. The hole 442 connects the third surface 441a and the fourth surface 441b, through which the optical axis passes, allowing light entering the barrel 410 from the outside to be guided to the image sensor 420. The sidewall 443 is located around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L and extends from the fourth surface 441b of the barrel support 441 toward the second housing 450.

[0239] The second housing unit 450 has a fifth surface 451, a sixth surface 452, and a housing end surface 453. The fifth surface 451 faces the first housing unit 440, and at least a portion of the fifth surface 451 faces the second surface 430b of the circuit board 430. At least a portion of the sixth surface 452 is located on the opposite side to the fifth surface 451. The housing end surface 453 is located around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L, and connects the fifth surface 451 and the sixth surface 452.

[0240] Furthermore, the side wall portion 443 of the barrel support portion 441 of the first housing portion 440 has a side wall end portion 444, a side wall inner surface 445, and a side wall outer surface 446. The side wall end portion 444 is located around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L and faces a fifth surface 451 of the second housing portion 450. The side wall inner surface 445 is the innermost surface of the side wall portion 443 and is located inside the first housing portion 440 around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L, connecting the fourth surface 441b of the barrel support portion 441 and the side wall end portion 444. The side wall outer surface 446 is located outside the first housing portion 440 around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L and is located opposite the side wall inner surface 445. In addition, the first region, which is a part of the side wall inner surface 445 in the entire circumferential direction, and the second region, which is another part of the side wall inner surface 445 in the entire circumferential direction, face each other directly or indirectly (indirectly in the embodiment) in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis L.

[0241] The first housing 440 and the second housing 450 have a fused connection W formed by melting at least a portion of a side wall end 444 of the side wall 443 of the barrel support 441 of the first housing 440 and a portion of the fifth surface 451 of the second housing 450 around the optical axis L, and then solidifying and connecting them. The fused connection W of the side wall end 444 is located at the side wall end 444 of the side wall 443 of the first housing 440, spanning from the side wall outer surface 446 to the side wall inner surface 445. The fused connection W is formed in the same manner as the fused connection (welded connection) W of the above-described embodiment.

[0242] According to this embodiment, the fused connection portion W is present between at least a portion of the side wall end portion 444 of the side wall portion 443 of the lens barrel support portion 441 of the first housing portion 440 and a portion of the fifth surface 451 of the second housing portion 450, and is located at the side wall end portion 444 of the side wall portion 443 of the first housing portion 440, from the side wall outer surface 446 to the side wall inner surface 445, thereby suppressing the occurrence of defects such as cracks and ensuring the connection between the first housing portion 440 and the second housing portion 450.

[0243] 43 , the sidewall end portion 444 has a sidewall end surface 447 and a housing protrusion 448. The sidewall end surface 447 is located around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L, is located farther from the barrel support portion 441 than the fourth surface 441b, is connected to the sidewall inner surface 445 and the sidewall outer surface 446, and faces a fifth surface 451 of the second housing portion 450. The housing protrusion 448 is located around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L, and protrudes from the sidewall end surface 447 toward the fifth surface 451 of the second housing portion 450.

[0244] Furthermore, the housing protrusion 448 has a housing protrusion inner surface 448a, a housing protrusion outer surface 448b, and a housing protrusion top surface 448c. The housing protrusion inner surface 448a is the innermost surface of the housing protrusion 448 and is located inside the first housing unit 440 around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L. The housing protrusion outer surface 448b is located outside the first housing unit 440 around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L and is located on the opposite side from the housing protrusion inner surface 448a. The housing protrusion top surface 448c forms the top surface of the housing protrusion 448 around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L, is located farther from the side wall end surface 447 relative to the lens barrel support unit 441, is connected to the housing protrusion inner surface 448a and the housing protrusion outer surface 448b, and faces a fifth surface 451 of the second housing unit 450. In addition, the first portion, which is a part of the housing protruding inner surface 448a in the entire circumferential direction, and the second portion, which is another part of the housing protruding inner surface 448a in the entire circumferential direction, face each other directly or indirectly (indirectly in the embodiment) in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis L.

[0245] The housing protrusion top surface 448c of the housing protrusion 448 and a part of the fifth surface 451 of the second housing part 450 are melted around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L, and then solidified to form a fused connection part W. The fused connection part W of the housing protrusion top surface 448c of the housing protrusion 448 is located on the housing protrusion top surface 448c of the housing protrusion 448 from the housing protrusion outer surface 448b to the housing protrusion inner surface 448a.

[0246] In this way, the sidewall end 444 of the first housing part 440 has a sidewall end surface 447 and a housing protrusion 448 that protrudes from the sidewall end surface 447 toward the fifth surface 451 of the second housing part 450. The fused connection part W is present between the housing protrusion top surface 448c of the housing protrusion part 448 and a part of the fifth surface 451 of the second housing part 450, and is located on the housing protrusion top surface 448c from the housing protrusion outer surface 448b to the housing protrusion inner surface 448a. This suppresses the occurrence of defects such as cracks, and ensures the connection between the first housing part 440 and the second housing part 450.

[0247] Furthermore, a sidewall end surface 447 of a sidewall end portion 444 of a sidewall portion 443 of a lens barrel support portion 441 of the first housing portion 440 has an outer region 447a located over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L, and an inner region 447b located over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L and positioned more inward than the outer region 447a. The housing protrusion 448 protrudes from the outer region 447a of the sidewall end surface 447 toward a fifth surface 451 of the second housing portion 450.

[0248] The housing protrusion 448 protrudes from the outer region 447a of the side wall end surface 447 toward the fifth surface 451 of the second housing part 450, and the fused connection part W exists between the housing protrusion top surface 448c of the side wall end part 444 and a part of the fifth surface 451 of the second housing part 450, thereby suppressing the occurrence of defects such as cracks and ensuring the connection between the first housing part 440 and the second housing part 450.

[0249] As shown in the figure, the side wall outer surface 446 of the side wall portion 443 of the barrel support portion 441 of the first housing portion 440 and the housing protrusion outer surface 448b of the housing protrusion portion 448 of the side wall end portion 444 of the side wall portion 443 may be formed so as to be continuous. This allows the side wall outer surface 446 of the side wall portion 443 of the barrel support portion 441 and the housing protrusion outer surface 448b of the housing protrusion portion 448 to be formed so as to be continuous.

[0250] (Ninth embodiment) Fig. 44 is a cross-sectional view of an in-vehicle camera 100 according to a ninth embodiment. The front perspective view of this embodiment is substantially the same as Fig. 41 of the eighth embodiment, the top view is the same as Fig. 31 of the sixth embodiment, and Fig. 44 is a cross-sectional view of the ninth embodiment taken along line II of Fig. 31. Fig. 45 is an enlarged view of region I of Fig. 44.

[0251] This embodiment is similar to the eighth embodiment, but a housing protrusion 448 protrudes from an inner region 447b of the side wall end surface 447 toward a fifth surface 451 of the second housing part 450. The housing protrusion 448 protrudes from the inner region 447b of the side wall end surface 447 toward the fifth surface 451 of the second housing part 450, and a fused connection part W exists between the housing protrusion top surface 448c of the side wall end part 444 and a part of the fifth surface 451 of the second housing part 450. This suppresses the occurrence of defects such as cracks, and ensures the connection between the first housing part 440 and the second housing part 450.

[0252] As shown in the figure, the side wall inner surface 445 of the side wall portion 443 of the barrel support portion 441 of the first housing portion 440 and the housing protrusion inner surface 448a of the housing protrusion portion 448 of the side wall end portion 444 of the side wall portion 443 may be formed so as to be continuous. This allows the side wall inner surface 445 of the side wall portion 443 of the barrel support portion 441 and the housing protrusion inner surface 448a of the housing protrusion portion 448 to be formed so as to be continuous.

[0253] (Tenth embodiment) Fig. 46 is a cross-sectional view of an in-vehicle camera 100 according to a tenth embodiment. The front perspective view of this embodiment is substantially the same as Fig. 41 of the eighth embodiment, the top view is the same as Fig. 31 of the sixth embodiment, and Fig. 46 is a cross-sectional view of the tenth embodiment taken along line II of Fig. 31. Fig. 47 is an enlarged view of area J in Fig. 46.

[0254] In this embodiment, as in the eighth embodiment, the housing protrusion 448 protrudes from an outer region 447a of the side wall end surface 447 toward the fifth surface 451 of the second housing part 450, and a housing protrusion top surface 448c of the housing protrusion 448 contacts the fifth surface 451. Here, a part of the fifth surface 451 of the second housing part 450 is defined as a third region 451a. The third region 451a is located over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L, and has a fused connection part W that is melted together with the housing protrusion top surface 448c of the housing protrusion 448 over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L and then solidified and connected.

[0255] Furthermore, the fifth surface 451 of the second housing 450 is located around the entire circumference of the optical axis L and has a fourth region 451b that is located more inward than the third region 451a. The second housing 450 also has a convex portion 454 in the fourth region 451b that protrudes from the fifth surface 451 in a direction away from the sixth surface 452. This ensures the thickness of the bottom surface of the second housing 450 and the rigidity of the in-vehicle camera 100.

[0256] The convex portion 454 of the second housing portion 450 has a seventh surface 455 at its top, and the seventh surface 455 is located around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L and has a fifth region 455a that is located more inward than the fourth region 451b, and the second housing portion 450 has a recess 456 in the fifth region 455a that is recessed from the seventh surface 455 of the convex portion 454 toward the sixth surface 452. This makes it possible to ensure space for arranging the connector 280.

[0257] (Eleventh embodiment) Fig. 48 is a cross-sectional view of an in-vehicle camera 100 according to an eleventh embodiment. The front perspective view of this embodiment is substantially the same as Fig. 41 of the eighth embodiment, the top view is the same as Fig. 31 of the sixth embodiment, and Fig. 48 is a cross-sectional view of the eleventh embodiment taken along line II of Fig. 31. Fig. 49 is an enlarged view of area K of Fig. 48.

[0258] In this embodiment, as in the ninth embodiment, the housing protrusion 448 protrudes from an inner region 447b of the side wall end surface 447 toward a fifth surface 451 of the second housing part 450. Furthermore, in this embodiment, as in the tenth embodiment, a third region 451a that is part of the fifth surface 451 of the second housing part 450 is located over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L, and has a fused connection part W that is melted over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L together with a housing protrusion top surface 448c of the housing protrusion 448 and then solidified and connected.

[0259] In the eighth to eleventh embodiments, a portion of the sidewall inner surface 445 of the sidewall portion 443 of the barrel support portion 441 of the first housing portion 440 faces the connector connection portion 237 arranged on the second surface 430b of the circuit board 430. As a result, the connector connection portion 237 is arranged on the side of the first housing portion 440. Note that a portion of the sidewall inner surface 445 faces the connector connection portion 237 in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis L, and also faces the circuit board end surface 430c of the circuit board 430. Furthermore, the second housing portion 450 does not face the circuit board end surface 430c of the circuit board 430.

[0260] Twelfth Embodiment Fig. 50 is a front perspective view of an in-vehicle camera 100 according to a twelfth embodiment. The top view of this embodiment is the same as Fig. 31 of the sixth embodiment, and Fig. 51 is a cross-sectional view of the twelfth embodiment taken along line II of Fig. 31. Fig. 52 is an enlarged view of area L in Fig. 51. The in-vehicle camera 100 of this embodiment includes a lens barrel 410, an image sensor 420, a circuit board 430, a first housing unit 440, and a second housing unit 450, similar to the eighth to eleventh embodiments.

[0261] The first housing 440 includes a barrel support 441. The barrel support 441 extends outward from the end of the barrel 410 and includes a third surface 441a, a fourth surface 441b, a hole 442, and a housing end surface 461. The third surface 441a is a surface connected to the barrel 410, and at least a portion of the fourth surface 441b faces the first surface 430a of the circuit board 430 and is located on the opposite side from the third surface 441a. The hole 442 connects the third surface 441a and the fourth surface 441b, and an optical axis passes through the hole 442, allowing light that enters the barrel 410 from the outside to be guided to the image sensor 420. The housing end surface 461 is located around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L and is a surface connecting the third surface 441a and the fourth surface 441b, and its length in the direction of the optical axis L is shorter than that of the side wall portion 443 of the eighth to eleventh embodiments.

[0262] The second housing unit 450 includes a fifth surface 451, a sixth surface 452, and a sidewall 471. The fifth surface 451 faces the first housing unit 440, and at least a portion of the fifth surface 451 faces the second surface 430b of the circuit board 430. At least a portion of the sixth surface 452 is located on the opposite side from the fifth surface 451. The sidewall 471 is located around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L, extends from the fifth surface 451 toward the first housing unit 440, and is longer in the direction of the optical axis L than the housing end surface 453 of the eighth to eleventh embodiments.

[0263] Furthermore, the side wall portion 471 of the second housing portion 450 has a side wall end portion 472, a side wall inner surface 473, and a side wall outer surface 474. The side wall end portion 472 is located around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L and faces the fourth surface 441b of the first housing portion 440. The side wall inner surface 473 is the innermost surface of the side wall portion 471 and is located around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L inside the second housing portion 450, connecting the fifth surface 451 and the side wall end portion 472. The side wall outer surface 474 is located around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L and is located on the opposite side from the side wall inner surface 473 outside the second housing portion 450. In addition, the first region, which is a part of the side wall inner surface 473 in the entire circumferential direction, and the second region, which is another part of the side wall inner surface 473 in the entire circumferential direction, face each other directly or indirectly (indirectly in the embodiment) in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis L.

[0264] The first housing 440 and the second housing 450 have a fused connection W formed by melting a portion of the fourth surface 441b of the first housing 440 and at least a portion of the side wall end 472 of the side wall 471 of the second housing 450 around the optical axis L, and then solidifying and connecting them. The fused connection W of the side wall end 472 is located at the side wall end 472 of the side wall 471 of the second housing 450, from the side wall outer surface 474 to the side wall inner surface 473. The fused connection W is formed in the same manner as the fused connection (welded connection) W of the above-described embodiment.

[0265] As a result, the fused connection portion W is located between a portion of the fourth surface 441b of the first housing portion 440 and at least a portion of the side wall end portion 472 of the side wall portion 471 of the second housing portion 450, and is located at the side wall end portion 472 of the side wall portion 471 of the second housing portion 450, from the side wall outer surface 474 to the side wall inner surface 473, thereby suppressing the occurrence of defects such as cracks and ensuring the connection between the first housing portion 440 and the second housing portion 450.

[0266] 52 , the sidewall end portion 472 has a sidewall end surface 475 and a housing protrusion 476. The sidewall end surface 475 is located around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L, is located farther from the fifth surface 451 with respect to the sixth surface 452, is connected to the sidewall inner surface 473 and the sidewall outer surface 474, and faces the fourth surface 441 b of the first housing unit 440. The housing protrusion 476 is located around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L, and protrudes from the sidewall end surface 475 toward the fourth surface 441 b of the first housing unit 440.

[0267] Furthermore, the housing protrusion 476 has a housing protrusion inner surface 476a, a housing protrusion outer surface 476b, and a housing protrusion top surface 476c. The housing protrusion inner surface 476a is the innermost surface of the housing protrusion 476 and is located inside the second housing unit 450 around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L. The housing protrusion outer surface 476b is located outside the second housing unit 450 around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L and is located on the opposite side from the housing protrusion inner surface 476a. The housing protrusion top surface 476c forms the top surface of the housing protrusion 476 around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L, is located farther from the side wall end surface 475 with respect to the sixth surface 452, is connected to the housing protrusion inner surface 476a and the housing protrusion outer surface 476b, and faces the fourth surface 441b of the first housing unit 440. The first portion, which is a portion of the housing protruding inner surface 476a in the entire circumferential direction, and the second portion, which is another portion of the housing protruding inner surface 476a in the entire circumferential direction, face each other directly or indirectly (indirectly in the embodiment) in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis L, sandwiching a portion of the lens barrel support portion 441 therebetween.

[0268] Then, the housing protrusion top surface 476c of the housing protrusion 476 and a part of the fourth surface 441b of the first housing part 440 are melted around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L, and then solidified to form a fused connection portion W. The fused connection portion W of the housing protrusion top surface 476c of the housing protrusion 476 is located on the housing protrusion top surface 476c of the housing protrusion 476, from the housing protrusion outer surface 476b to the housing protrusion inner surface 476a.

[0269] In this way, the sidewall end 472 of the second housing part 450 has a sidewall end surface 475 and a housing protrusion 476 that protrudes from the sidewall end surface 475 toward the fourth surface 441 b of the first housing part 440. The fused connection part W is present between the housing protrusion top surface 476 c of the housing protrusion part 476 and a part of the fourth surface 441 b of the first housing part 440, and is located on the housing protrusion top surface 476 c from the housing protrusion outer surface 476 b to the housing protrusion inner surface 476 a. This suppresses the occurrence of defects such as cracks, and ensures the connection between the first housing part 440 and the second housing part 450.

[0270] Furthermore, a sidewall end surface 475 of a sidewall end portion 472 of a sidewall portion 471 of the second housing portion 450 has an outer region 475a located over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L, and an inner region 475b located over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L and positioned more inward than the outer region 475a. The housing protrusion 476 protrudes from the outer region 475a of the sidewall end surface 475 toward the fourth surface 441b of the first housing portion 440.

[0271] The housing protrusion 476 protrudes from the outer region 475a of the side wall end surface 475 toward the fourth surface 441b of the first housing part 440, and the fused connection part W exists between the housing protrusion top surface 476c of the side wall end part 472 and a part of the fourth surface 441b of the first housing part 440, thereby suppressing the occurrence of defects such as cracks and ensuring the connection between the first housing part 440 and the second housing part 450.

[0272] As shown in the figure, the side wall outer surface 474 of the side wall portion 471 of the second housing portion 450 and the housing protruding outer surface 476b of the housing protruding portion 476 of the side wall end portion 472 of the side wall portion 471 may be formed so as to be continuous with each other. This allows the side wall outer surface 474 of the side wall portion 471 of the second housing portion 450 and the housing protruding outer surface 476b of the housing protruding portion 476 to be formed so as to be continuous with each other.

[0273] (Thirteenth embodiment) Fig. 53 is a cross-sectional view of an in-vehicle camera 100 according to a thirteenth embodiment. The front perspective view of this embodiment is substantially the same as Fig. 50 of the twelfth embodiment, the top view is the same as Fig. 31 of the sixth embodiment, and Fig. 53 is a cross-sectional view of the thirteenth embodiment taken along line II of Fig. 31. Fig. 54 is an enlarged view of region M of Fig. 53.

[0274] This embodiment is similar to the twelfth embodiment, but a housing protrusion 476 protrudes from an inner region 475b of the sidewall end surface 475 toward the fourth surface 441b of the first housing part 440. The housing protrusion 476 protrudes from the inner region 475b of the sidewall end surface 475 toward the fourth surface 441b of the first housing part 440, and a fused connection part W exists between the housing protrusion top surface 476c of the sidewall end part 472 and a part of the fourth surface 441b of the first housing part 440. This suppresses the occurrence of defects such as cracks, and ensures the connection between the first housing part 440 and the second housing part 450.

[0275] As shown in the figure, the side wall inner surface 473 of the side wall portion 471 of the second housing portion 450 and the housing protruding inner surface 476a of the housing protruding portion 476 of the side wall end portion 472 of the side wall portion 471 may be formed so as to be continuous with each other. This allows the side wall inner surface 473 of the side wall portion 471 of the second housing portion 450 and the housing protruding inner surface 476a of the housing protruding portion 476 to be formed so as to be continuous with each other.

[0276] (14th embodiment) Fig. 55 is a cross-sectional view of an in-vehicle camera 100 according to a 14th embodiment. The front perspective view of this embodiment is substantially the same as Fig. 50 of the 12th embodiment, the top view is the same as Fig. 31 of the sixth embodiment, and Fig. 55 is a cross-sectional view of the 14th embodiment taken along line II of Fig. 31. Fig. 56 is an enlarged view of region N of Fig. 55.

[0277] In this embodiment, as in the thirteenth embodiment, the housing protrusion 476 protrudes from the inner region 475b of the sidewall end surface 475 toward the fourth surface 441b of the first housing unit 440 and contacts a portion of the fourth surface 441b of the first housing unit 440. Here, the portion of the fourth surface 441b of the first housing unit 440 is referred to as a third region 462. The third region 462 is located around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L. The fourth surface 441b of the first housing unit 440 also has a fourth region 463 that is located around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L and is located more inward than the third region 462. The first housing unit 440 has a convex portion 464 in the fourth region 463 that protrudes from the fourth surface 441b in a direction away from the third surface 441a. This ensures the thickness of the bottom surface of the first housing unit 440 and ensures the rigidity of the in-vehicle camera 100.

[0278] Note that the twelfth and thirteenth embodiments also have a convex portion 464, but in these embodiments, the convex portion 464 has a seventh surface 465 at the top, and the seventh surface 465 is located around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis L and has a fifth region 465a that is located more inward than the fourth region 463. The first housing unit 440 has a second convex portion 466 in the fifth region 465a that protrudes from the seventh surface 465 of the convex portion 464 in a direction away from the third surface 441a.

[0279] (Fifteenth embodiment) Fig. 57 is a cross-sectional view of an in-vehicle camera 100 according to a fifteenth embodiment. The front perspective view of this embodiment is substantially the same as Fig. 50 of the twelfth embodiment, the top view is the same as Fig. 31 of the sixth embodiment, and Fig. 57 is a cross-sectional view of the fifteenth embodiment taken along line II of Fig. 31. Fig. 58 is an enlarged view of area O of Fig. 57.

[0280] In this embodiment, similar to the twelfth embodiment, the housing protrusion 476 protrudes from the outer region 475a of the side wall end surface 475 toward the fourth surface 441b of the first housing part 440. However, unlike the twelfth embodiment, this embodiment does not have the second convex portion 466.

[0281] In the twelfth to fifteenth embodiments, a portion of the side wall inner surface 473 of the side wall portion 471 of the second housing portion 450 faces the circuit board end surface 430c of the circuit board 430. As a result, the connector connection portion is disposed on the side of the second housing portion 450. Note that a portion of the side wall inner surface 473 faces the connector connection portion 237 in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis L, and also faces the circuit board end surface 430c of the circuit board 430. Furthermore, the first housing portion 440 does not face the circuit board end surface 430c of the circuit board 430.

[0282] The lens barrel support 441 of the first housing 440 and the circuit board 430 may be fixed not only by adhesive 90 ( FIG. 7 ) but also by screws. Furthermore, after the six-axis adjustment of the lens barrel support 441 and the circuit board 430, the lens barrel support 441 of the first housing 440 may be welded to the side wall 443 or the side wall 471, and then the side wall 443 or the side wall 471 may be welded to the second housing 450.

[0283] Although the first to fifteenth embodiments have been described above, each embodiment may be implemented separately. It is understood that the present disclosure is not limited to each embodiment or structure. The present disclosure also encompasses various modifications and modifications within the scope of equivalents. In addition, various combinations and forms of the first to fifteenth embodiments, as well as other combinations and forms including only one element, more than one element, or less than one element, are also within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. The present disclosure describes at least the following: Note that, although corresponding components in the above-described embodiments are shown in parentheses, the present disclosure is not limited to these.

[0284] 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.

[0285] (A1) A lens unit (lens unit 30) comprising: a first cylindrical portion (first cylindrical portion 37) having a first cylindrical shape along an optical axis (optical axis L); at least one lens arranged inside the first cylindrical portion on the optical axis; and a metal flange portion (flange portion 32) arranged on the outside of the first cylindrical portion so as to extend outward with the optical axis as a reference around the entire circumference with the optical axis as the center; an image pickup element (image pickup element 50) arranged on the optical axis; a circuit board (circuit board 40) having a first surface (first surface 40a) and a second surface (second surface 40b) opposite to the first surface, with the image pickup element arranged on the first surface; and a metal housing (housing 60) that houses at least the image pickup element and the circuit board and has a second cylindrical portion (large diameter cylindrical portion 61) having a second cylindrical shape along the optical axis, wherein the flange portion of the lens unit is a first flange surface (first flange surface 32a) connected to the first cylindrical portion and arranged around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis; a second flange surface (second flange surface 32b) on the opposite side to the first flange surface and arranged closer to the first surface of the circuit board than the first flange surface in the optical axis direction along the optical axis, with the first surface of the circuit board being used as a reference; a third flange surface (third flange surface 32c) on the opposite side to the first flange surface, between the first flange surface and the second flange surface in the optical axis direction, arranged around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and outward from the second flange surface with the optical axis being used as a reference; and flange side surfaces (flange side surfaces 33a) connected to the second flange surface and the third flange surface and arranged around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis, a second flange region (second flange region 32c2) disposed on the outer side of the first flange region with the optical axis as a reference, over the entire circumference around the optical axis; and a flange protrusion (flange protrusion 34) protruding from the second flange region in a direction away from the first flange surface and disposed over the entire circumference around the optical axis, wherein the flange protrusion comprises: a flange protrusion apex (flange protrusion apex 34a) that is an apex;the second tubular portion of the housing has: a flange protrusion inner surface (flange protrusion inner surface 34b) connected to the flange protrusion top portion and the third flange surface, and arranged around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis; and a flange protrusion outer surface (flange protrusion outer surface 34c) arranged opposite the flange protrusion inner surface around the optical axis, the flange portion has a flange outer surface (flange outer surface 33c) connected to the first flange surface and the flange protrusion outer surface around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis; the second tubular portion of the housing has: a first housing end (first housing end 63); and a second housing end (second housing end 64) opposite to the first housing end and arranged farther than the first housing end in the optical axis direction with the lens unit as a reference; and a housing end surface (housing end surface 65) arranged at the first housing end around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis, the housing end surface having: a first housing region (first housing region 65a3) arranged around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis; a second housing region (second housing region 65a4) that is disposed around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and that is located outside the first housing region with the optical axis as a reference; a third housing region (third housing region 65a5) that is disposed around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and that is located outside the second housing region with the optical axis as a reference; and a housing protrusion (housing protrusion 66) that protrudes from the first housing region in a direction away from the second housing end portion and that is disposed around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis, wherein the housing protrusion has: a housing protrusion top (housing protrusion top 66a) that is a top portion; a housing protrusion inner side surface (housing protrusion inner side surface 66c) that is connected to at least the housing protrusion top and that is disposed around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis; and a housing protrusion outer side surface (housing protrusion outer side surface 66b) that is connected to the housing protrusion top and the housing end surface, that is disposed around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and that is disposed opposite the housing protrusion inner side surface, at least a part of the housing protrusion on the housing end surface of the second cylindrical portion of the housing is disposed around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis between the flange side surface of the flange portion and the flange protrusion inner surface of the flange protrusion on the third flange surface of the flange portion of the flange portion of the lens unit,The lens unit and the housing have a fused connection (fused connection 20) formed by melting at least a portion of the flange protrusion apex of the flange protrusion of the third flange surface of the flange portion of the lens unit and at least a portion of the third housing region of the housing end surface of the second cylindrical portion of the housing over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and then solidifying to connect them, the fused connection portion of the flange protrusion apex of the flange protrusion is located at the flange protrusion apex of the flange protrusion from the flange protrusion outer surface to the flange protrusion inner surface, and a gap (third gap G3) is located between the flange protrusion inner surface and the housing protrusion outer surface and reaches the second housing region of the housing end surface of the second cylindrical portion of the housing. In this way, by disposing the housing protrusion between the flange side surface and the flange protrusion inner surface, it is possible to lengthen the path from the fused connection portion between the second housing region and the flange protrusion apex to the interior of the housing. Therefore, the housing protrusion can act as a protective wall that prevents foreign matter, such as spatter, from entering the housing during welding. This prevents foreign matter generated during welding from entering the housing and causing problems. Furthermore, since there is no need to separately provide a special component to prevent foreign matter from entering, it is possible to implement measures to prevent foreign matter from entering the housing during welding without increasing costs or size. Furthermore, the presence of the gap more effectively prevents foreign matter from entering the housing and also prevents cracks from occurring in the fused joint.

[0286] (A2) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (A1), wherein the gap exists between the flange protrusion inner surface of the flange protrusion of the third flange surface of the flange portion and the housing protrusion outer surface of the housing protrusion, from the housing protrusion top of the housing protrusion of the housing end surface of the second cylindrical portion of the housing to the second housing region of the housing end surface, thereby ensuring the axial length of the gap and effectively preventing foreign matter from entering the interior of the housing.

[0287] (A3) The vehicle-mounted camera described in (A2), wherein the second cylindrical portion of the housing further has a housing inner side surface (housing inner side surface 61a) arranged along the optical axis direction and arranged around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis, and a housing outer side surface (housing outer side surface 61b) arranged along the optical axis direction and arranged opposite to the housing inner side surface around the optical axis, wherein at least a portion of the flange protrusion apex of the flange protrusion of the third flange surface of the flange portion of the lens unit that has been melted around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and then solidified and connected is adjacent to the flange protrusion outer side surface of the flange protrusion, and wherein at least a portion of the third housing region of the housing end surface of the second cylindrical portion of the housing that has been melted around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and then solidified and connected is adjacent to the housing outer side surface of the second cylindrical portion. As a result, the third housing region of the housing end surface is adjacent to the housing outer surface of the second cylindrical portion, and the flange protruding apex of the flange protruding portion is adjacent to the flange outer surface of the flange portion. Therefore, when welding the third housing region of the housing end surface to the flange protruding apex of the flange protruding portion, the position of the fusion joint 2 can be established between the flange outer surface of the lens unit and the housing outer surface, and welding can be performed appropriately.

[0288] (A4) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (A1), wherein, in the optical axis direction, a first distance (first distance D1) between the flange protrusion top of the flange protrusion of the third flange surface of the flange portion of the lens unit and the second housing end of the second cylindrical portion of the housing is longer than a second distance (second distance D2) between the second flange surface of the flange portion of the lens unit and the second housing end of the second cylindrical portion of the housing. This allows the second flange surface of the lens unit to be positioned closer to the second housing end of the housing than the flange protrusion top of the flange protrusion related to welding, thereby making it possible to lengthen the path from the welded connection to the inside of the housing.

[0289] (A5) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (A1), wherein at least a part of the second flange surface of the flange portion of the lens unit faces at least a part of the first surface of the circuit board, thereby enabling light that enters the lens unit from the outside and passes through the second flange surface to be guided to the circuit board over a short distance.

[0290] (A6) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (A1), wherein the lens unit and the housing have the fused connection portion formed by melting at least a portion of the flange protrusion apex of the flange protrusion portion of the third flange surface of the flange portion of the lens unit and at least a portion of the third housing region of the housing end surface of the second cylindrical portion of the housing over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis by a laser, and then solidifying and connecting them. This allows for easy and strong welding.

[0291] (A7) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (A1), wherein at least a portion of the flange side surface of the flange portion of the lens unit faces the housing-protruding inner surface of the housing protruding portion of the housing end surface of the second cylindrical portion of the housing, the third flange surface of the lens unit faces at least a portion of the housing-protruding top of the housing protruding portion of the housing end surface of the second cylindrical portion of the housing, and the flange-protruding inner surface of the flange protruding portion of the third flange surface of the flange portion of the lens unit faces at least a portion of the housing-protruding outer surface of the housing protruding portion of the second cylindrical portion of the housing. This provides three opposing points between the lens unit and the housing (an opposing point between the flange side surface and the housing-protruding inner surface, an opposing point between the housing-protruding top and the third flange surface, and an opposing point between the housing-protruding outer surface and the flange-protruding inner surface), thereby making it possible to lengthen the path from the fused connection to the interior of the housing.

[0292] (A8) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (A1), wherein the housing protrusion on the housing end surface of the second cylindrical portion of the housing further has at least one housing protrusion corner (housing protrusion corner 66d) that is tapered and widens away from the optical axis from the housing protrusion inner surface toward the housing protrusion top of the housing protrusion, thereby facilitating the assembly of the lens unit and the housing before welding.

[0293] (A9) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (A1), wherein the flange portion of the lens unit further has a flange corner portion (flange corner portion 32d) that is tapered and widens away from the optical axis from the second flange surface toward the flange side surface, thereby facilitating the assembly of the lens unit and the housing before welding.

[0294] (A10) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (A1), further comprising: a connector (connector 80) having a first connector end (first connector end 81) located inside the housing and a second connector end (second connector end 82) located opposite the first connector end, the connector (connector 80) being arranged at the second housing end of the second cylindrical portion of the housing; and a connector connection portion (connector connection portion 45) electrically connected to the first connector end of the connector and arranged on the second surface of the circuit board, thereby enabling external power to be supplied to the circuit board.

[0295] (A11) A lens unit (lens unit 30) comprising: a first cylindrical portion (first cylindrical portion 37) having a first cylindrical shape along an optical axis (optical axis L); at least one lens arranged inside the first cylindrical portion on the optical axis; and a metal flange portion (flange portion 32) arranged on the outside of the first cylindrical portion so as to extend outward with the optical axis as a reference around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis; an image pickup element (image pickup element 50) arranged on the optical axis; a circuit board (circuit board 40) having a first surface (first surface 40a) and a second surface (second surface 40b) opposite to the first surface, with the image pickup element arranged on the first surface; and a metal housing (housing 60) that houses at least the image pickup element and the circuit board and has a second cylindrical portion (large diameter cylindrical portion 61) having a second cylindrical shape along the optical axis, wherein the flange portion of the lens unit is a first flange surface (first flange surface 32a) connected to the first cylindrical portion and arranged around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis; a second flange surface (second flange surface 32b) on the opposite side to the first flange surface and arranged closer to the first surface of the circuit board than the first flange surface in the optical axis direction along the optical axis, with the first surface of the circuit board being used as a reference; a third flange surface (third flange surface 32c) on the opposite side to the first flange surface, between the first flange surface and the second flange surface in the optical axis direction, arranged around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and outward from the second flange surface with the optical axis as a reference; and flange side surfaces (flange side surfaces 33a) connected to the second flange surface and the third flange surface and arranged around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis, a fourth flange region (fourth flange region 32c6) arranged around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and positioned outside the third flange region with respect to the optical axis; a fifth flange region (fifth flange region 32c7) arranged around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and positioned outside the fourth flange region with respect to the optical axis;the housing has a flange protrusion (flange protrusion 34) that protrudes from the third flange region in a direction away from the first flange surface and is arranged around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis, the flange protrusion has: a flange protrusion apex (flange protrusion apex 34a) that is an apex; a flange protrusion inner surface (flange protrusion inner surface 34d) that is connected to the flange protrusion apex and the third flange surface and is arranged around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis; and a flange protrusion outer surface (flange protrusion outer surface 34e) that is connected to the flange protrusion apex and the third flange surface and is arranged around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and is arranged opposite to the flange protrusion inner surface; the second cylindrical portion of the housing has: a first housing end (first housing end 63), and a second housing end (second housing end 64) that is opposite to the first housing end and is arranged farther than the first housing end in the optical axis direction with the lens unit as a reference; the first housing end has a housing end surface (housing end surface 65) arranged around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis, the housing end surface having: a fourth housing region (fourth housing region 65a8) arranged around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis; a fifth housing region (fifth housing region 65a9) arranged around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and outward from the fourth housing region with the optical axis as a reference; and a housing protrusion (housing protrusion 67) protruding from the fifth housing region in a direction away from the second housing end and arranged around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis, the housing protrusion having: a housing protrusion top (housing protrusion top 67a) that is a top; a housing protrusion inner side surface (housing protrusion inner side surface 67b) connected to the housing protrusion top and the housing end surface and arranged around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis; and a housing protrusion outer side surface (housing protrusion outer side surface 67c) arranged opposite the housing protrusion inner side surface around the optical axis, the second cylindrical portion of the housing has a housing outer surface (housing outer surface 61 b) connected to the housing protruding outer surface and the second housing end portion around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis,at least a part of the flange protrusion of the flange portion of the lens unit is arranged over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis between the flange side surface of the flange portion and the housing protrusion inner surface of the housing protrusion of the housing end face of the second cylindrical portion of the housing; the lens unit and the housing have a fused connection portion formed by melting at least a part of the fifth flange region of the third flange surface of the flange portion of the lens unit and at least a part of the housing protrusion apex of the housing protrusion on the housing end face of the second cylindrical portion of the housing over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and then solidifying and connecting them; the fused connection portion of the housing protrusion apex of the housing protrusion is located at the housing protrusion apex of the housing protrusion from the housing protrusion outer surface to the housing protrusion inner surface; and a gap (eighth gap G8) is between the housing protrusion inner surface and the flange protrusion outer surface and reaches the fourth flange region of the third flange surface of the flange portion. As a result, by arranging the flange protrusion inside the housing protrusion, the path from the fusion joint between the housing protrusion top and the fifth flange region to the interior of the housing can be lengthened. Therefore, the flange protrusion can function as a protective wall that prevents foreign matter from entering the interior of the housing during welding. This prevents foreign matter generated during welding from entering the interior of the housing and causing malfunctions. Furthermore, since there is no need to separately provide a special member to prevent the intrusion of foreign matter, measures to prevent foreign matter from entering the interior of the housing can be taken without increasing cost or size. Furthermore, the presence of the gap more effectively prevents foreign matter from entering the interior of the housing and also prevents cracks from occurring in the fusion joint.

[0296] (A12) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (A11), wherein the gap exists between the inner surface of the housing protrusion of the housing protrusion of the housing end face of the second cylindrical portion of the housing and the outer surface of the flange protrusion of the flange protrusion, from the fourth flange region of the third flange surface of the flange portion to the flange protrusion top of the flange protrusion, whereby the length of the gap in the optical axis direction is secured and foreign matter can be effectively prevented from entering the interior of the housing.

[0297] (A13) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (A11), wherein the flange portion of the lens unit further has a flange outer surface (flange outer surface 33d) connected to the first flange surface and the third flange surface of the flange portion over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis, whereby a boundary portion between the flange outer surface and a fifth flange region of the third flange surface can be determined as a welding position, and welding can be performed appropriately.

[0298] (A14) The vehicle-mounted camera described in (A13), wherein the second cylindrical portion of the housing further has a housing inner side surface (housing inner side surface 61a, housing inner side surface 61a1) arranged along the optical axis direction and arranged around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis, and a housing outer side surface (housing outer side surface 61b) arranged along the optical axis direction and arranged opposite the housing inner side surface around the optical axis, wherein at least a portion of the fifth flange region of the third flange surface of the flange portion of the lens unit that has been melted around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and then solidified and connected is adjacent to the flange outer side surface of the flange portion, and wherein at least a portion of the fifth housing region of the housing end surface of the second cylindrical portion of the housing that has been melted around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and then solidified and connected is adjacent to the housing outer side surface of the second cylindrical portion. As a result, the fifth housing region of the housing end face is adjacent to the housing outer surface of the second cylindrical portion, and the fifth flange region of the third flange surface is adjacent to the flange outer surface of the flange portion. Therefore, when welding the second housing protruding top of the second housing protruding portion to the fifth flange region of the third flange surface of the flange portion, the boundary between the flange outer surface of the lens unit and the housing outer surface of the housing can be determined as the welding position, and welding can be performed appropriately.

[0299] (A15) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (A11), wherein, in the optical axis direction, a first distance (first distance D1) between the flange protrusion apex of the flange protrusion of the third flange surface of the flange portion of the lens unit and the second housing end of the second cylindrical portion of the housing is longer than a second distance (second distance D2) between the second flange surface of the flange portion of the lens unit and the second housing end of the second cylindrical portion of the housing. This allows the second flange surface of the lens unit to be positioned closer to the second housing end of the housing than the flange protrusion apex of the flange protrusion involved in welding, thereby making it possible to lengthen the path from the welded connection portion to the inside of the housing.

[0300] (A16) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (A11), wherein at least a part of the second flange surface of the flange portion of the lens unit faces at least a part of the first surface of the circuit board, thereby enabling light that enters the lens unit from the outside and passes through the second flange surface to be guided to the circuit board over a short distance.

[0301] (A17) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (A11), wherein the lens unit and the housing have the fused connection portion formed by melting at least a part of the fifth flange region of the third flange surface of the flange portion of the lens unit and at least a part of the housing protrusion apex of the housing protrusion portion of the housing end face of the second cylindrical portion of the housing over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis by a laser, and then solidifying and connecting them. This allows for easy and strong welding.

[0302] (A18) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (A11), wherein the flange protrusion of the third flange surface of the flange portion of the lens unit further has at least one flange protrusion corner (flange protrusion corner 34f, flange protrusion corner 34g) that is tapered and widens away from the optical axis from the flange protrusion inner surface toward the flange protrusion top, thereby facilitating the assembly of the lens unit and the housing before welding.

[0303] (A19) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (A11), wherein the flange portion of the lens unit further has a flange corner portion (flange corner portion 32d) that is tapered and widens away from the optical axis from the second flange surface toward the flange side surface, thereby facilitating the assembly of the lens unit and the housing before welding.

[0304] (A20) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (A11), further comprising: a connector (connector 80) having a first connector end (first connector end 81) located inside the housing and a second connector end (second connector end 82) located opposite the first connector end, the connector (connector 80) being arranged at the second housing end of the second cylindrical portion of the housing; and a connector connection portion (connector connection portion 45) electrically connected to the first connector end of the connector and arranged on the second surface of the circuit board, thereby enabling external power to be supplied to the circuit board.

[0305] (B1) A lens unit (lens unit 30) comprising: a first cylindrical portion (first cylindrical portion 37) having a first cylindrical shape along an optical axis (optical axis L); at least one lens arranged inside the first cylindrical portion on the optical axis; and a metal flange portion (flange portion 32) arranged on the outside of the first cylindrical portion so as to extend outward with the optical axis as a reference around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis; an image pickup element (image pickup element 50) arranged on the optical axis; a circuit board (circuit board 40) having a first surface (first surface 40a) and a second surface (second surface 40b) opposite to the first surface, with the image pickup element arranged on the first surface; and a metal housing (housing 60) that houses at least the image pickup element and the circuit board and has a second cylindrical portion (large diameter cylindrical portion 61) having a second cylindrical shape along the optical axis, wherein the flange portion of the lens unit is a first flange surface (first flange surface 32a) connected to the first cylindrical portion and arranged around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis; a second flange surface (second flange surface 32b) on the opposite side to the first flange surface and arranged closer to the first surface of the circuit board than the first flange surface in the optical axis direction along the optical axis, with the first surface of the circuit board being used as a reference; a third flange surface (third flange surface 32c) on the opposite side to the first flange surface, between the first flange surface and the second flange surface in the optical axis direction, arranged around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and outward from the second flange surface with the optical axis as a reference; and a first flange side surface (first flange side surface 33a) connected to the second flange surface and the third flange surface and arranged around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis, wherein the third flange surface has: a first region (first region 32c1) arranged around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis; a second region (second region 32c2) disposed around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and outward of the first region with the optical axis as a reference; and a flange protrusion (flange protrusion 34) protruding from the second region in a direction away from the first flange surface and disposed around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis, wherein the flange protrusion comprises: a flange protrusion apex (flange protrusion apex 34a) that is an apex;the housing has a second flange side surface (second flange side surface 34b) connected to the flange protruding top and the first region of the third flange surface and arranged around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis, the second cylindrical portion of the housing has: a first housing end (first housing end 63); a second housing end (second housing end 64) opposite to the first housing end and arranged farther than the first housing end in the optical axis direction with the lens unit as the reference; and a housing end face (housing end face 65) arranged at the first housing end around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis, the housing end face having: a third region (third region 65a3) arranged around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis; and a fourth region (fourth region 65a4) arranged around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and outward from the third region with the optical axis as the reference; a housing protrusion (housing protrusion 66) that protrudes from the third region in a direction away from the second housing end portion and is arranged around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis, the housing protrusion having: a housing protrusion top (housing protrusion top 66a) that is a top portion; a first housing side surface (first housing side surface 66e) that is connected to the housing protrusion top and the fourth region of the housing end surface and is arranged around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis; and a second housing side surface (second housing side surface 66f) that is connected to at least the housing protrusion top and is arranged opposite to the first housing side surface around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis, and at least a part of the fourth region of the housing end surface of the second cylindrical portion of the housing and at least a part of the flange protrusion top of the flange protrusion of the third flange surface of the flange portion of the lens unit are welded around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis, an in-vehicle camera (in-vehicle camera 100), wherein at least a portion of the housing protrusion on the housing end surface of the second cylindrical portion of the housing is positioned between the first flange side surface and the second flange side surface of the flange portion of the lens unit around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis, and at least a portion of the housing protrusion apex of the housing protrusion on the housing end surface of the second cylindrical portion of the housing is in contact with the first region of the third flange surface of the flange portion.

[0306] As a result, the vehicle-mounted camera has a housing protrusion disposed between the first flange side surface and the second flange side surface, thereby lengthening the path from the weld between the fourth region and the flange protrusion apex to the interior of the housing. Furthermore, at least a portion of the housing protrusion apex contacts the first region of the third flange surface of the flange portion, blocking the path. Therefore, the housing protrusion can function as a protective wall that prevents foreign matter from entering the interior of the housing during welding. This prevents foreign matter generated during welding from entering the interior of the housing and causing malfunctions.

[0307] (B2) An in-vehicle camera as described in (B1), wherein the flange portion of the lens unit is arranged along the optical axis direction, is connected to the first flange surface and the flange protrusion top of the flange protrusion portion, and further has a third flange side surface (third flange side surface 33c) that is arranged around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and is positioned outward from the second flange side surface with respect to the optical axis.

[0308] This allows the boundary between the third flange side surface and the flange protruding top portion to be determined as the welding position, allowing welding to be performed appropriately.

[0309] (B3) The vehicle-mounted camera described in (B2), wherein the second cylindrical portion of the housing further has an inner surface (inner surface 61a) arranged along the optical axis direction and arranged around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis, and an outer surface (outer surface 61b) arranged along the optical axis direction and arranged opposite the inner surface around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis, at least a portion of the fourth region of the housing end surface of the second cylindrical portion of the housing welded around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis is adjacent to the outer surface of the second cylindrical portion, and at least a portion of the flange protrusion apex of the flange protrusion of the third flange surface of the flange portion of the flange unit welded around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis is adjacent to the third flange side surface of the flange portion.

[0310] As a result, the fourth region of the housing end face is adjacent to the outer surface of the second cylindrical portion, and the flange protrusion apex of the flange protrusion is adjacent to the third flange side surface of the flange portion. Therefore, when welding the fourth region of the housing end face to the flange protrusion apex of the flange protrusion, the boundary between the third flange side surface of the lens unit and the outer surface of the housing can be determined as the welding position, allowing for appropriate welding.

[0311] (B4) An in-vehicle camera as described in (B1), wherein, in the optical axis direction, a first distance (first distance D1) between the flange protrusion top of the flange protrusion of the third flange surface of the flange portion of the lens unit and the second housing end of the second cylindrical portion of the housing is longer than a second distance (second distance D2) between the second flange surface of the flange portion of the lens unit and the second housing end of the second cylindrical portion of the housing.

[0312] This allows the second flange surface of the lens unit to be positioned closer to the second housing end of the housing than the flange protrusion top of the flange protrusion involved in the welding, making it possible to make the path from the welded part to the inside of the housing longer.

[0313] (B5) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (B1), wherein at least a part of the second flange surface of the flange portion of the lens unit faces at least a part of the first surface of the circuit board.

[0314] This allows light that enters the lens unit from the outside and passes through the second flange surface to be guided to the circuit board over a short distance.

[0315] (B6) An in-vehicle camera as described in (B1), wherein at least a portion of the fourth region of the housing end surface of the second cylindrical portion of the housing and at least a portion of the flange protrusion apex of the flange protrusion of the third flange surface of the flange portion of the lens unit are welded by a laser around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis.

[0316] This allows welding to be performed easily and firmly.

[0317] (B7) An in-vehicle camera as described in (B1), wherein at least a portion of the first flange side surface of the flange portion of the lens unit faces the second housing side surface of the housing protrusion of the housing end surface of the second cylindrical portion of the housing, and at least a portion of the first housing side surface of the housing protrusion of the second cylindrical portion of the housing faces the second flange side surface of the flange protrusion of the third flange surface of the flange portion of the flange portion of the lens unit.

[0318] This allows two opposing points to be present between the lens unit and the housing, making it possible to lengthen the path from the welded portion to the inside of the housing.

[0319] (B8) An in-vehicle camera as described in (B7), wherein the housing protrusion on the housing end surface of the second cylindrical portion of the housing further has at least one housing protrusion corner (housing protrusion corner 66d) that is tapered and widens away from the optical axis as it moves from the second housing side surface of the housing protrusion toward the housing protrusion top.

[0320] This allows smooth assembly of the lens unit and the housing before welding.

[0321] (B9) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (B7), wherein the flange portion of the lens unit further has a flange corner portion (flange corner portion 32d) that is tapered and widens away from the optical axis as it moves from the second flange surface toward the first flange side surface.

[0322] This allows smooth assembly of the lens unit and the housing before welding.

[0323] (B10) The vehicle-mounted camera described in (B1), further comprising: a connector (connector 80) having a first connector end (first connector end 81) located inside the housing and a second connector end (second connector end 82) located opposite the first connector end, and arranged at the second housing end of the second cylindrical part of the housing; and a connector connection portion (connector connection portion 45) electrically connected to the first connector end of the connector and arranged on the second surface of the circuit board.

[0324] This allows power to be supplied to the circuit board from an external source.

[0325] (B11) A lens unit (lens unit 30) comprising: a first cylindrical portion (first cylindrical portion 37) having a first cylindrical shape along an optical axis (optical axis L); at least one lens arranged inside the first cylindrical portion on the optical axis; and a metal flange portion (flange portion 32) arranged on the outside of the first cylindrical portion so as to extend outward with the optical axis as a reference around the entire circumference with the optical axis as the center; an image pickup element (image pickup element 50) arranged on the optical axis; a circuit board (circuit board 40) having a first surface (first surface 40a) and a second surface (second surface 40b) opposite to the first surface, with the image pickup element arranged on the first surface; and a metal housing (housing 60) that houses at least the image pickup element and the circuit board and has a second cylindrical portion (large diameter cylindrical portion 61) having a second cylindrical shape along the optical axis, wherein the flange portion of the lens unit is the second cylindrical portion of the housing has: a first flange surface (first flange surface 32a) connected to the first cylindrical portion and arranged around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis; a fourth flange surface (fourth flange surface 32e) on the opposite side to the first flange surface, and arranged closer to the first surface of the circuit board in the optical axis direction along the optical axis with the first surface of the circuit board as a reference than the first flange surface, and arranged around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis; a fifth flange surface (fifth flange surface 32f) on the opposite side to the first flange surface, between the first flange surface and the fourth flange surface in the optical axis direction, and arranged around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and outward from the fourth flange surface with the optical axis as a reference; and a seventh flange side surface (seventh flange side surface 33e) connected to the fourth flange surface and the fifth flange surface and arranged around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis, and the second cylindrical portion of the housing has: a first housing end (first housing end 63); The housing end has a second housing end (second housing end 64) that is opposite to the first housing end and is disposed farther from the first housing end in the optical axis direction with the lens unit as a reference, and a housing end surface (housing end surface 65) that is disposed around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis at the first housing end, and the housing end surface has an eleventh region (eleventh region 65a11) that is disposed around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis,the housing end surface includes: a twelfth region (twelfth region 65a12) disposed outward of the eleventh region with the optical axis as a reference, over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis; and a housing protrusion (housing protrusion 66) protruding from the twelfth region in a direction away from the second housing end surface and disposed over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis, the housing protrusion having: a housing protrusion top (housing protrusion top 66a) that is a top; a third housing side surface (third housing side surface 66g) that is connected to the housing protrusion top and the eleventh region of the housing end surface and is disposed over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis; and a fourth housing side surface (fourth housing side surface 66h) that is connected to at least the housing protrusion top, is disposed opposite the third housing side surface over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis, an in-vehicle camera (in-vehicle camera 100), wherein at least a part of the housing protrusion apex of the housing protrusion portion on the housing end face of the second cylindrical portion of the housing and at least a part of the fifth flange surface of the flange portion of the lens unit are welded around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis, and at least a part of the fourth flange surface of the flange portion of the lens unit is in contact with the eleventh region of the housing end face of the second cylindrical portion of the housing.

[0326] As a result, the vehicle-mounted camera has a flange protrusion disposed between the third housing side surface and the first flange side surface, thereby lengthening the path from the weld between the housing protrusion top and the fifth flange surface to the interior of the housing. Furthermore, at least a portion of the fourth flange surface contacts the eleventh region, blocking the path. Therefore, the flange protrusion can function as a protective wall that prevents foreign matter from entering the interior of the housing during welding. This prevents foreign matter generated during welding from entering the interior of the housing and causing malfunctions.

[0327] (B12) An in-vehicle camera as described in (B11), wherein the flange portion of the lens unit is on the surface opposite to the first flange surface, is closer to the first surface of the circuit board in the optical axis direction than the fourth flange surface with respect to the first surface of the circuit board, and further has a sixth flange surface (6th flange surface 32g) that is positioned inward from the fourth flange surface with respect to the optical axis around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis.

[0328] This allows the sixth flange surface to be positioned more inward than the fourth flange surface, making it possible to lengthen the path from the welded portion to the inside of the housing.

[0329] (B13) An in-vehicle camera as described in (B12), wherein the second cylindrical portion of the housing further has an inner surface (inner surface 61a) arranged along the optical axis direction and arranged around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis, and an outer surface (outer surface 61b) arranged along the optical axis direction and opposite the inner surface and arranged around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis, and the flange portion of the lens unit further has an eighth flange side surface (8th flange side surface 33f) arranged along the optical axis direction, facing the inner surface of the second cylindrical portion of the housing, and arranged around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis, between the fourth flange surface and the sixth flange surface of the flange portion with the optical axis as the reference.

[0330] As a result, the eighth flange side surface, which is located between the fourth flange surface and the sixth flange surface of the flange portion, faces the inner surface of the housing, thereby making it possible to lengthen the path from the welded portion to the inside of the housing.

[0331] (B14) An in-vehicle camera as described in (B13), wherein the flange portion of the lens unit is arranged along the optical axis direction, is connected to the first flange surface and the fifth flange surface, and further has a ninth flange side surface (ninth flange side surface 33g) arranged outward from the seventh flange side surface with respect to the optical axis over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis.

[0332] This allows the boundary between the ninth flange side surface and the fifth flange surface to be determined as the welding position, allowing welding to be performed appropriately.

[0333] (B15) An in-vehicle camera as described in (B14), wherein at least a portion of the housing protrusion apex of the housing protrusion of the housing end face of the second cylindrical portion of the housing welded around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis is adjacent to the outer surface of the second cylindrical portion, and at least a portion of the fifth flange surface of the flange portion of the lens unit welded around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis is adjacent to the ninth flange side surface of the flange portion.

[0334] As a result, the housing protruding top of the housing protruding portion is adjacent to the outer surface of the housing, and the fifth flange surface of the flange portion is adjacent to the ninth flange side surface. Therefore, when welding the housing protruding top of the housing protruding portion to the fifth flange surface of the flange portion, the boundary between the ninth flange side surface of the lens unit and the outer surface of the housing can be determined as the welding position, allowing for appropriate welding.

[0335] (B16) An in-vehicle camera as described in (B12), wherein, in the optical axis direction, a first distance (first distance D1) between the fourth flange surface of the flange portion of the lens unit and the second housing end portion of the second cylindrical portion of the housing is longer than a second distance (second distance D2) between the sixth flange surface of the flange portion of the lens unit and the second housing end portion of the second cylindrical portion of the housing.

[0336] This means that the sixth flange surface of the lens unit is positioned closer to the second housing end of the housing than the fourth flange surface of the flange portion that contacts the eleventh region of the housing end surface, making it possible to make the path from the welded portion to the inside of the housing longer.

[0337] (B17) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (B12), wherein at least a part of the sixth flange surface of the flange portion of the lens unit faces at least a part of the first surface of the circuit board.

[0338] This allows light that enters the lens unit from the outside and passes through the sixth flange surface to be guided to the circuit board over a short distance.

[0339] (B18) An in-vehicle camera as described in (B11), wherein at least a portion of the housing protrusion top of the housing protrusion portion on the housing end face of the second cylindrical portion of the housing and at least a portion of the fifth flange surface of the flange portion of the lens unit are welded by a laser around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis.

[0340] This allows welding to be performed easily and firmly.

[0341] (B19) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (B11), wherein the seventh flange side surface of the flange portion of the lens unit faces the third housing side surface of the housing protrusion portion of the housing end surface of the second cylindrical portion of the housing.

[0342] This allows the path from the welded portion to the inside of the housing to be longer.

[0343] (B20) The vehicle-mounted camera described in (B11), further comprising: a connector (connector 80) having a first connector end (first connector end 81) located inside the housing and a second connector end (second connector end 82) located opposite the first connector end, and arranged at the second housing end of the second cylindrical part of the housing; and a connector connection portion (connector connection portion 45) electrically connected to the first connector end of the connector and arranged on the second surface of the circuit board.

[0344] This allows power to be supplied to the circuit board from an external source.

[0345] (C1) A lens barrel (lens barrel 31) including a first cylindrical portion (first cylindrical portion 37) having a first cylindrical shape, at least one lens (lens 35) arranged inside the first cylindrical portion on an optical axis (optical axis L), a first end portion (first end portion 31a) of the first cylindrical portion, and a second end portion (second end portion 31b) opposite the first end portion; a metal flange portion (flange portion 120) arranged on the outside of the first cylindrical portion so as to extend outward with the optical axis as the center around the entire circumference; an image sensor (image sensor 50) arranged on the optical axis and closer to the second end portion than the first end portion of the first cylindrical portion of the lens barrel; and a circuit board (circuit board 40) having a first surface (first surface 40a) and a second surface (first surface 40a) opposite the first surface, with the image sensor arranged on the first surface. an in-vehicle camera including a metal housing (housing 60) that houses at least the image pickup element and the circuit board, the housing (60) including a second cylindrical portion (large diameter cylindrical portion 61) that is a second cylindrical shape, a third end portion (third end portion 63) of the second cylindrical portion, and a fourth end portion (third end portion 63) opposite the third end portion, wherein the flange portion has: a first flange surface (first flange surface 120a); a second flange surface (second flange surface 120b) that is opposite the first flange surface and is arranged closer to the first surface of the circuit board than the first flange surface; at least one support portion (support portion 121) that extends from the second flange surface toward the first surface of the circuit board and supports the first surface of the circuit board; and a flange protrusion portion (flange protrusion portion 122) that extends from the second flange surface toward the third end portion of the second cylindrical portion of the housing and is arranged around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis, The vehicle-mounted camera has a welded connection (welded connection W) formed by welding a flange protrusion top (flange protrusion top 123) that is a top of the flange protrusion of the flange portion and the third end of the second cylindrical portion of the housing around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis, and a first cross-sectional area of ​​a flange weld adjacent portion (flange weld adjacent portion 124) adjacent to the welded connection at the flange protrusion of the flange portion is smaller than a second cross-sectional area of ​​a housing weld adjacent portion (housing weld adjacent portion 165) adjacent to the welded connection at the third end of the second cylindrical portion of the housing.In-vehicle camera. This makes it easier for heat generated when welding the flange portion and the third end portion of the housing to diffuse toward the housing and less likely to diffuse toward the flange portion. This reduces the impact that heat diffusing toward the flange portion may have on the lens of the lens barrel, and also reduces the impact that heat diffusing toward the flange portion may have on the circuit board via the support portion of the flange.

[0346] (C2) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (C1), further comprising a fixing resin (fixing resin 70) that fixes the at least one support portion of the flange portion and the circuit board, thereby enabling stable support of the circuit board.

[0347] (C3) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (C2), wherein the fixing resin is a photocurable resin, whereby the fixing resin can be easily cured using light.

[0348] (C4) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (C2), wherein the fixing resin is a thermosetting resin, whereby the fixing resin can be easily hardened by using heat.

[0349] (C5) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (C2), wherein the welded connection portion is located closer to the second flange surface of the flange portion than to the first surface of the circuit board in the direction of the optical axis, thereby ensuring a predetermined distance between the welded connection portion and the circuit board and suppressing the effect of heat generated during welding on the circuit board via the support portion of the flange portion.

[0350] (C6) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (C2), wherein the second cylindrical portion of the housing has an inner housing surface (inner housing surface 166) and an outer housing surface (outer housing surface 167) disposed outside the inner housing surface, and the fixing resin faces the inner housing surface of the second cylindrical portion of the housing. This allows the support portion to support the circuit board at a position facing the inner housing surface, thereby more stably supporting the circuit board.

[0351] (C7) The vehicle-mounted camera described in (C1), wherein the third end of the second cylindrical portion of the housing has: a first region (first region 163a) arranged around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis; a second region (second region 163b) arranged around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and more inward than the first region with the optical axis as a reference; and a housing protrusion (housing protrusion 163c) extending from the second region in a direction away from the fourth end of the second cylindrical portion and arranged around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis, wherein a first portion (first portion W1) of the welded connection portion is arranged in the first region of the third end of the second cylindrical portion of the housing around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis, and a second portion (second portion W2) of the welded connection portion is arranged at a flange protrusion top of the flange protrusion of the flange portion around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis. This allows the flange protrusion of the flange portion and the housing protrusion of the housing to be aligned in a state where they are adjacent in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis, and a welded connection is formed across the first region of the third end of the housing and the flange protrusion top of the flange protrusion, allowing accurate welding.

[0352] (C8) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (C1), wherein the at least one support portion of the flange portion includes three support portions, the three support portions being: a first support portion (first support portion 121a) extending from a first flange portion (first flange portion 125a) of the second flange surface toward a first board portion (first board portion 41) of the first surface of the circuit board and supporting the first board portion of the first surface of the circuit board; and a second support portion (second support portion 121b) extending from a second flange portion (second flange portion 125b) of the second flange surface toward a second board portion (second board portion 42) of the first surface of the circuit board and supporting the second board portion of the first surface of the circuit board. and a third support portion (third support portion 121c) extending from a third flange portion (third flange portion 125c) of the second flange surface toward a third board portion (third board portion 43) of the first surface of the circuit board, and supporting the third board portion of the first surface of the circuit board. As a result, the support portion includes the first support portion, the second support portion, and the third support portion, and therefore the circuit board can be supported more stably.

[0353] (C9) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (C8), wherein the at least one support portion of the flange portion further includes a fourth support portion (fourth support portion 121d) extending from a fourth flange portion (fourth flange portion 125d) of the second flange surface toward a fourth board portion (fourth board portion 44) of the first surface of the circuit board and supporting the fourth board portion of the first surface of the circuit board. This allows the support portion to include the fourth support portion in addition to the first support portion, second support portion, and third support portion, thereby more stably supporting the circuit board.

[0354] (C10) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (C8), wherein the first support portion, the second support portion, and the third support portion of the flange portion are disposed outside the imaging element with respect to the optical axis, thereby enabling light arriving from outside to be smoothly guided to the imaging element.

[0355] (C11) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (C1), wherein the at least one support portion of the flange portion and the flange protruding portion are integral with each other. This makes it possible to easily form the support portion and the flange portion.

[0356] (C12) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (C11), wherein the lens barrel is made of metal, and the lens barrel and the flange portion are integral with each other. This makes it possible to easily form the lens barrel and the flange portion.

[0357] (C13) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (C1), wherein a first thickness (first thickness T1) in the flange weld adjacent portion, which is a thickness in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis, is smaller than a second thickness (second thickness T2) in the casing weld adjacent portion, which is a thickness in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis. Thus, by making the first thickness of the flange weld adjacent portion smaller than the second thickness of the casing weld adjacent portion, it is possible to make the first cross-sectional area of ​​the flange weld adjacent portion smaller than the second cross-sectional area of ​​the casing weld adjacent portion.

[0358] (C14) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (C1), further comprising: a connector (connector 80) arranged at the fourth end of the second cylindrical portion of the housing; and a connector connection portion (connector connection portion 47) arranged on the circuit board, wherein the connector has a first connector end (first connector end 81) connected to the connector connection portion of the circuit board, and a second connector end (second connector end 82) opposite to the first connector end, and wherein when the vehicle-mounted camera is arranged on a vehicle, the second connector end of the connector is electrically connected to a wire of the vehicle. This allows power to be supplied from the vehicle to the circuit board.

[0359] (D1) A vehicle-mounted camera (vehicle-mounted camera 100) comprising: a lens barrel (lens barrel 210) including a first cylindrical portion (first cylindrical portion 212) having a first cylindrical shape; and at least one lens (lens 214) arranged inside the first cylindrical portion on an optical axis (optical axis L); an imaging element (imaging element 220) arranged on the optical axis; a circuit board (circuit board 230) having a first surface (first surface 230a) and a second surface (second surface 230b) opposite to the first surface, with the imaging element arranged on the first surface; a first housing portion (first housing portion 240) made of metal and supporting the lens barrel; and a second housing portion (second housing portion 250) made of metal, at least a portion of which is arranged farther away from the lens barrel than the first housing portion, wherein the first housing portion and the second housing portion accommodate at least the imaging element and the circuit board, a lens barrel support portion (lens barrel support portion 241) of the first housing portion is connected to the lens barrel, and comprises: a third surface (third surface 241a) at least a portion of which faces the first surface of the circuit board; a fourth surface (fourth surface 241b) at least a portion of which is opposite the third surface; a hole (hole 242) which connects the third surface and the fourth surface and through which the optical axis passes; and a first protrusion (first protrusion 243) which is located around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and protrudes from the third surface toward the second housing portion; and a bottom portion (bottom portion 251) of the second housing portion comprises: a fifth surface (fifth surface 251a) at least a portion of which faces the second surface of the circuit board; and a sixth surface (sixth surface 251b) at least a portion of which is opposite the fifth surface. a second protrusion (second protrusion 252) located over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and protruding from the fifth surface toward the barrel support portion, wherein the first protrusion of the barrel support portion of the first housing portion has: a first apex (first apex 244) located over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and facing the second protrusion of the bottom of the second housing portion; a first protrusion inner surface (first protrusion inner surface 245) located over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and connecting the third surface and the first apex; and a first protrusion outer surface (first protrusion outer surface 246) located over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and opposite the first protrusion inner surface,a first region (first region 245a) of the first protruding inner surface and a second region (second region 246a) of the first protruding outer surface face each other; the second protruding portion of the bottom of the second housing portion has: a second apex (second apex 253) located over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and facing the first protruding portion of the barrel support portion of the first housing portion; a second protruding inner surface (second protruding inner surface 254) located over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and connecting the fifth surface and the second apex; and a second protruding outer surface (second protruding outer surface 255) located over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and opposite the second protruding inner surface; a third region (third region 254a) of the second protruding inner surface and a fourth region (fourth region 255a) of the second protruding outer surface face each other; a first thickness (first thickness T1) between the first protrusion inner surface and the first protrusion outer surface of the first protrusion is smaller than a second thickness (second thickness T2) between the second protrusion inner surface and the second protrusion outer surface of the second protrusion, the second apex of the second protrusion has an outer portion (outer portion 253a) that is in contact with the second protrusion outer surface between the second protrusion outer surface and the second protrusion inner surface, and an inner portion (inner portion 253b) that is located between the outer portion and the second protrusion inner surface, the vehicle-mounted camera has a fused connection portion (fused connection portion W) formed by melting at least a portion of the first apex of the first protrusion and at least a portion of the second apex of the second protrusion around the optical axis and then solidifying and connecting them, the fused connection portion being located at the first apex of the first protrusion from the first protrusion outer surface to the first protrusion inner surface, The second apex of the second protrusion is located from the second protruding outer surface to the outer portion, and the second apex of the second protrusion is not located in the inner portion.As a result, the fused connection portion is located at the first apex of the first protruding portion, spanning from the first protruding outer surface to the first protruding inner surface, and at the second apex of the second protruding portion, spanning from the second protruding outer surface to the outer portion, thereby suppressing the occurrence of defects such as cracks and ensuring the connection between the first housing portion and the second housing portion. Furthermore, since the fused connection portion is not located at the inner portion of the second apex of the second protruding portion, it is possible to suppress the intrusion of foreign matter into the interior.

[0360] (D2) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (D1), wherein the third thickness (first thickness T3) between the fourth region of the second protrusion outer surface and the inner portion, which is related to the outer portion of the second apex of the second protrusion where the fusion connection is located, is greater than the fourth thickness (fourth thickness T4) between the second region of the first protrusion outer surface and the first region of the first protrusion inner surface, which is related to the first apex of the first protrusion where the fusion connection is located. This allows the first apex of the first protrusion to be completely melted at the fusion connection, and more reliably prevents defects from occurring.

[0361] (D3) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (D1), wherein a third thickness between the fourth region of the second protrusion outer surface and the inner portion, which is related to the outer portion of the second apex of the second protrusion where the fusion connection portion is located, corresponds to a fourth thickness between the second region of the first protrusion outer surface and the first region of the first protrusion inner surface, which is related to the first apex of the first protrusion where the fusion connection portion is located. As a result, although the third thickness and the fourth thickness may vary due to variations between products and the third thickness may not be greater than the fourth thickness, such variations are also acceptable.

[0362] (D4) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (D1), wherein the third thickness between the fourth region of the second protrusion outer surface and the inner portion, which is related to the outer portion of the second apex of the second protrusion where the fusion connection portion is located, is smaller than the fourth thickness between the second region of the first protrusion outer surface and the first region of the first protrusion inner surface, which is related to the first apex of the first protrusion where the fusion connection portion is located. As a result, the third thickness and the fourth thickness may vary due to variations between products, and the third thickness may not be greater than the fourth thickness, but such variations are also acceptable.

[0363] (D5) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (D1), wherein the lens barrel support portion of the first housing further includes a first side wall portion (first side wall portion 247) located between the third surface and the first protrusion portion in the direction of the optical axis, and the first side wall portion is located over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis. This makes it possible to further prevent foreign matter caused by the generation of a fused joint from entering the interior of the vehicle-mounted camera.

[0364] (D6) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (D1), wherein the bottom of the second housing further includes a second side wall (second side wall 256) between the fifth surface and the second protrusion in the direction of the optical axis, and the second side wall is positioned over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis. This makes it possible to easily secure a space for accommodating an imaging element and a circuit board.

[0365] (D7) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (D1), wherein the lens barrel support portion of the first housing portion has at least one board support portion (board support portion 248) extending from the third surface toward the first surface of the circuit board, the at least one board support portion has an end portion (end portion 248a) facing the first surface of the circuit board, the end portion of the at least one board support portion is fixed to the first surface of the circuit board via a photocurable resin (photocurable resin 235), and the fused connection portion is disposed between the at least one lens and the photocurable resin in the direction of the optical axis. This makes it possible, in a manufacturing process for the vehicle-mounted camera, to connect the lens barrel and the circuit board while aligning them, and to connect the first housing portion supporting the lens barrel to the second housing portion with the lens barrel and the circuit board connected.

[0366] (D8) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (D1), wherein the first housing portion and the second housing portion are made of an aluminum alloy, and the magnesium content of the first housing portion is greater than the magnesium content of the second housing portion, or the magnesium content of the first housing portion is less than the magnesium content of the second housing portion, or the silicon content of the first housing portion is greater than the silicon content of the second housing portion, or the silicon content of the first housing portion is less than the silicon content of the second housing portion. This makes it possible to change the magnesium content or silicon content of the aluminum alloy constituting the first housing portion and the second housing portion depending on the type of vehicle-mounted camera to be manufactured.

[0367] (D9) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (D1), wherein the lens barrel is made of metal, and the lens barrel and the first housing are integral with each other. This makes it possible to easily form the lens barrel and the first housing.

[0368] (D10) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (D1), further comprising: a connector (connector 280) arranged on the fifth surface of the second housing portion; and a connector connection portion (connector connection portion 237) arranged on the second surface of the circuit board, wherein the connector comprises: a first connector end (first connector end 81) connected to the connector connection portion of the circuit board; and a second connector end (second connector end 282) opposite to the first connector end, wherein when the vehicle-mounted camera is arranged in a vehicle, the second connector end of the connector is electrically connected to a wire of the vehicle. This makes it possible to secure power from the vehicle.

[0369] (D11) A vehicle-mounted camera (vehicle-mounted camera 100) comprising: a lens barrel (lens barrel 210) having a first cylindrical portion (first cylindrical portion 212) having a first cylindrical shape; and at least one lens (lens 214) arranged inside the first cylindrical portion on an optical axis (optical axis L); an imaging element (imaging element 220) arranged on the optical axis; a circuit board (circuit board 230) having a first surface (first surface 230a) and a second surface (second surface 230b) opposite to the first surface, with the imaging element arranged on the first surface; a third housing portion (third housing portion 340) made of metal and supporting the lens barrel; and a fourth housing portion (fourth housing portion 350) made of metal and at least a portion of which is arranged farther from the lens barrel than the first housing portion, wherein the third housing portion and the fourth housing portion house at least the imaging element and the circuit board, the lens barrel support portion (lens barrel support portion 341) of the third housing portion is connected to the lens barrel, and comprises: a seventh surface (seventh surface 341a) at least a portion of which faces the first surface of the circuit board; an eighth surface (eighth surface 341b) at least a portion of which is opposite the seventh surface; a hole (hole 342) which connects the seventh surface and the eighth surface and through which the optical axis passes; and a third protrusion (third protrusion 343) which is located around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and protrudes from the seventh surface toward the fourth housing portion; and the bottom portion (bottom portion 351) of the fourth housing portion comprises: a ninth surface (ninth surface 351a) at least a portion of which faces the second surface of the circuit board; and a tenth surface (tenth surface 351b) at least a portion of which is opposite the ninth surface and a fourth protrusion (fourth protrusion 352) located over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and protruding from the ninth surface toward the barrel support portion, wherein the third protrusion of the barrel support portion of the third housing portion has: a third apex (third apex 344) located over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and facing the fourth protrusion of the bottom of the fourth housing portion; a third protrusion inner surface (third protrusion inner surface 345) located over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and connecting the seventh surface and the third apex; and a third protrusion outer surface (third protrusion outer surface 346) located over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and opposite the third protrusion inner surface,a fifth region (fifth region 345a) of the third protruding inner side surface and a sixth region (sixth region 346a) of the third protruding outer side surface face each other, the fourth protruding portion of the bottom of the fourth housing portion has: a fourth apex (fourth apex 353) located over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and facing the third protruding portion of the lens barrel support portion of the third housing portion; a fourth protruding inner side surface (fourth protruding inner side surface 354) located over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and connecting the ninth surface and the fourth apex; and a fourth protruding outer side surface (fourth protruding outer side surface 355) located over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and opposite the fourth protruding inner side surface, a seventh region (seventh region 354a) of the fourth protruding inner side surface and an eighth region (eighth region 355a) of the fourth protruding outer side surface face each other, a fifth thickness (fifth thickness T5) between the third protrusion inner surface and the third protrusion outer surface of the third protrusion is greater than a sixth thickness (sixth thickness T6) between the fourth protrusion inner surface and the fourth protrusion outer surface of the fourth protrusion, the third apex of the third protrusion has an outer portion (outer portion 344a) that is in contact with the third protrusion outer surface between the third protrusion outer surface and the third protrusion inner surface, and an inner portion (inner portion 344b) that is located between the outer portion and the third protrusion inner surface, the vehicle-mounted camera has a fused connection portion (fused connection portion W) formed by melting at least a portion of the third apex of the third protrusion and at least a portion of the fourth apex of the fourth protrusion over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and then solidifying and connecting them, the fused connection portion being located at the third apex of the third protrusion from the third protrusion outer surface to the outer portion, the fourth apex of the fourth protrusion is located across from the fourth protrusion outer surface to the fourth protrusion inner surface, and the third apex of the third protrusion is not present in the inner portion.As a result, the fused connection portion is located at the third apex of the third protrusion from the third protrusion outer surface to the outer portion, and at the fourth apex of the fourth protrusion from the fourth protrusion outer surface to the fourth protrusion inner surface, thereby suppressing the occurrence of defects such as cracks and ensuring the connection between the third housing part and the fourth housing part. Furthermore, since the fused connection portion is not located at the inner portion of the third apex of the third protrusion, it is possible to suppress the intrusion of foreign matter into the interior.

[0370] (D12) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (D11), wherein a seventh thickness (seventh thickness T7) between the sixth region and the inner portion of the third protrusion outer surface, which is related to the outer portion of the third apex of the third protrusion where the fusion connection is located, is greater than an eighth thickness (fourth thickness T8) between the eighth region of the fourth protrusion outer surface and the seventh region of the fourth protrusion inner surface, which is related to the fourth apex of the fourth protrusion where the fusion connection is located. This allows the fourth apex of the fourth protrusion to be completely melted at the fusion connection, and more reliably prevents defects from occurring.

[0371] (D13) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (D11), wherein a seventh thickness between the sixth region of the third protrusion outer surface and the inner portion, which is related to the outer portion of the third apex of the third protrusion where the fusion connection portion is located, corresponds to an eighth thickness between the eighth region of the fourth protrusion outer surface and the seventh region of the fourth protrusion inner surface, which is related to the fourth apex of the fourth protrusion where the fusion connection portion is located. This allows the fusion connection portion to be formed between the third apex of the third protrusion and the fourth apex of the fourth protrusion, and facilitates alignment of the third protrusion and the fourth protrusion during connection. This may cause variations in the seventh thickness and the eighth thickness due to product-to-product variations, and the third thickness may not be greater than the fourth thickness, but such variations are also acceptable.

[0372] (D14) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (D11), wherein a seventh thickness between the sixth region of the third protrusion outer surface and the inner portion, which is related to the outer portion of the third apex of the third protrusion where the fusion connection portion is located, is smaller than an eighth thickness between the eighth region of the fourth protrusion outer surface and the seventh region of the fourth protrusion inner surface, which is related to the fourth apex of the fourth protrusion where the fusion connection portion is located. As a result, although the seventh thickness and the eighth thickness may vary due to variations between products and the third thickness may not be greater than the fourth thickness, such variations are also acceptable.

[0373] (D15) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (D11), wherein the lens barrel support portion of the third housing portion further includes a third side wall portion (third side wall portion 347) located between the seventh surface and the third protrusion portion in the direction of the optical axis, and the third side wall portion is located over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis. This makes it possible to further prevent foreign matter caused by the generation of a fused joint from entering the interior of the vehicle-mounted camera.

[0374] (D16) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (D11), wherein the bottom of the second housing further includes a fourth side wall (fourth side wall 356) between the ninth surface and the fourth protrusion in the direction of the optical axis, and the second side wall is positioned over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis, thereby making it possible to easily secure a space for accommodating an imaging element and a circuit board.

[0375] (D17) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (D11), wherein the lens barrel support portion of the third housing portion has at least one board support portion (board support portion 348) extending from the seventh surface toward the first surface of the circuit board, the at least one board support portion has an end portion (end portion 348a) facing the first surface of the circuit board, the end portion of the at least one board support portion is fixed to the first surface of the circuit board via a photocurable resin (photocurable resin 235), and the fused connection portion is disposed between the at least one lens and the photocurable resin in the direction of the optical axis. This makes it possible, in a manufacturing process for the vehicle-mounted camera, to connect the lens barrel and the circuit board while aligning them, and to connect the third housing portion supporting the lens barrel to the fourth housing portion with the lens barrel and the circuit board connected.

[0376] (D18) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (D11), wherein the third housing portion and the fourth housing portion are made of an aluminum alloy, and the magnesium content of the third housing portion is greater than the magnesium content of the fourth housing portion, or the magnesium content of the third housing portion is less than the magnesium content of the fourth housing portion, or the silicon content of the third housing portion is greater than the silicon content of the fourth housing portion, or the silicon content of the third housing portion is less than the silicon content of the fourth housing portion. This makes it possible to change the magnesium content or silicon content of the aluminum alloy constituting the third housing portion and the fourth housing portion depending on the type of vehicle-mounted camera to be manufactured.

[0377] (D19) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (D11), wherein the lens barrel is made of metal, and the lens barrel and the third housing part are integral with each other. This makes it possible to easily form the lens barrel and the third housing part.

[0378] (D20) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (D11), further comprising: a connector (connector 280) arranged on the ninth surface of the fourth housing portion; and a connector connection portion (connector connection portion 237) arranged on the second surface of the circuit board, wherein the connector comprises: a first connector end (first connector end 281) connected to the connector connection portion of the circuit board; and a second connector end (second connector end 282) opposite to the first connector end, wherein when the vehicle-mounted camera is arranged in a vehicle, the second connector end of the connector is electrically connected to a wire of the vehicle. This makes it possible to secure power from the vehicle.

[0379] (E1) An in-vehicle camera (in-vehicle camera 100) comprising: a lens barrel (lens barrel 410) having a first cylindrical portion (first cylindrical portion 412) having a first cylindrical shape and at least one lens (lens 414) arranged inside the first cylindrical portion on an optical axis; an imaging element (imaging element 420) arranged on the optical axis; a circuit board (circuit board 430) having a first surface (first surface 430a) and a second surface (second surface 430b) opposite to the first surface, with the imaging element arranged on the first surface; a first housing portion (first housing portion 440) made of metal and supporting the lens barrel; and a second housing portion (second housing portion 450) made of metal and at least a portion of which is arranged farther away from the lens barrel than the first housing portion, wherein the first housing portion and the second housing portion house at least the imaging element and the circuit board, the lens barrel support portion (lens barrel support portion 441) of the first housing portion comprises: a third surface (third surface 441a) connected to the lens barrel; a fourth surface (fourth surface 441b) at least a portion of which faces the first surface of the circuit board and is opposite the third surface; a hole (hole 442) which connects the third surface and the fourth surface and through which the optical axis passes; and a side wall portion (side wall portion 443) which is located around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and extends from the fourth surface toward the second housing portion; and the second housing portion comprises: a fifth surface (fifth surface 451) at least a portion of which faces the second surface of the circuit board; a sixth surface (sixth surface 452) at least a portion of which is opposite the fifth surface; and a housing end surface (housing end surface 453) which is located around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and connects the fifth surface and the sixth surface, The side wall portion of the barrel support portion of the first housing portion has: a side wall end portion (side wall end portion 444) located over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and facing the fifth surface of the second housing portion; a side wall inner surface (side wall inner surface 445) located over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and connecting the fourth surface and the side wall end portion; and a side wall outer surface (side wall outer surface 446) located over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and opposite the side wall inner surface,an in-vehicle camera, wherein the first housing and the second housing have a fused connection portion (fused connection portion W) formed by melting at least a portion of the sidewall end portion of the sidewall portion of the barrel support portion of the first housing and a portion of the fifth surface of the second housing around the optical axis and then solidifying and connecting the two, and the fused connection portion of the sidewall end portion is located at the sidewall end portion of the sidewall portion of the first housing, from the sidewall outer surface to the sidewall inner surface. This prevents defects such as cracks from occurring and ensures a connection between the first housing and the second housing.

[0380] (E2) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (E1), wherein the side wall end of the side wall portion of the lens barrel support portion of the first housing portion has a side wall end surface (side wall end surface 447) located farther from the fourth surface with respect to the lens barrel support portion, connected to the side wall inner surface and the side wall outer surface, and facing the fifth surface of the second housing portion, and a housing protrusion (housing protrusion 448) protruding from the side wall end surface toward the fifth surface of the second housing portion, wherein the housing protrusion has a housing protrusion inner surface (housing protrusion inner surface 448a), a housing protrusion outer surface (housing protrusion outer surface 448b) opposite to the housing protrusion inner surface, and a housing protrusion top surface (housing protrusion top surface 448c) located farther from the side wall end surface with respect to the lens barrel support portion, connected to the housing protrusion inner surface and the housing protrusion outer surface, and facing the fifth surface of the second housing portion, An in-vehicle camera, wherein the housing protrusion top surface of the housing protrusion and the portion of the fifth surface of the second housing part are melted around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and then solidified to form a fused connection part, and the fused connection part on the housing protrusion top surface of the housing protrusion is located on the housing protrusion top surface of the housing protrusion from the housing protrusion outer surface to the housing protrusion inner surface. As a result, a side wall end of the first housing part has a side wall end surface and a housing protrusion that protrudes from the side wall end surface toward the fifth surface of the second housing part. And, because the fused connection part is located between the housing protrusion top surface of the housing protrusion and the portion of the fifth surface of the second housing part and is located on the housing protrusion top surface from the housing protrusion outer surface to the housing protrusion inner surface, the occurrence of defects such as cracks can be suppressed and the connection between the first housing part and the second housing part can be ensured.

[0381] (E3) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (E2), wherein the side wall end surface of the side wall end portion of the side wall portion of the lens barrel support portion of the first housing portion has an outer region (outer region 447a) located around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis, and an inner region (inner region 447b) located around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and located more inward than the outer region, and the housing protrusion protrudes from the outer region of the side wall end surface toward the fifth surface of the second housing portion. As a result, the housing protrusion protrudes from the outer region of the side wall end surface toward the fifth surface of the second housing portion, and a fused connection portion exists between the housing protrusion top surface of the side wall end portion and a part of the fifth surface of the second housing portion, thereby suppressing the occurrence of defects such as cracks and ensuring the connection between the first housing portion and the second housing portion.

[0382] (E4) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (E3), wherein the side wall outer surface of the side wall portion of the barrel support portion of the first housing portion and the housing protrusion outer surface of the housing protrusion portion of the side wall end portion of the side wall portion are continuous with each other, thereby making it possible to form the side wall outer surface of the side wall portion of the barrel support portion and the housing protrusion outer surface of the housing protrusion continuously.

[0383] (E5) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (E2), wherein the side wall end surface of the side wall end portion of the side wall portion of the barrel support portion of the first housing portion has an outer region (outer region 447a) located around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis, and an inner region (inner region 447b) located around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and located more inward than the outer region, and the housing protrusion protrudes from the inner region of the side wall end surface toward the fifth surface of the second housing portion. As a result, the housing protrusion protrudes from the inner region of the side wall end surface toward the fifth surface of the second housing portion, and a fused connection portion exists between the housing protrusion top surface of the side wall end portion and a part of the fifth surface of the second housing portion, thereby suppressing the occurrence of defects such as cracks and ensuring the connection between the first housing portion and the second housing portion.

[0384] (E6) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (E5), wherein the side wall inner surface of the side wall portion of the barrel support portion of the first housing portion and the housing protrusion inner surface of the housing protrusion portion of the side wall end portion of the side wall portion are continuous with each other, thereby making it possible to form the side wall inner surface of the side wall portion of the barrel support portion and the housing protrusion outer surface of the housing protrusion portion continuously.

[0385] (E7) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (E1), wherein the part of the fifth surface of the second housing is a third region (third region 451a), the third region is located around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis, the fifth surface of the second housing has a fourth region (fourth region 451b) located around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and located more inward than the third region, and the second housing has a convex portion (convex portion 454) in the fourth region that protrudes from the fifth surface in a direction away from the sixth surface. This ensures the thickness of the bottom surface of the second housing and ensures the rigidity of the vehicle-mounted camera.

[0386] (E8) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (E1), wherein the first housing portion and the second housing portion are made of an aluminum alloy, and the magnesium content of the first housing portion is greater than the magnesium content of the second housing portion, or the magnesium content of the first housing portion is less than the magnesium content of the second housing portion, or the silicon content of the first housing portion is greater than the silicon content of the second housing portion, or the silicon content of the first housing portion is less than the silicon content of the second housing portion. This makes it possible to change the magnesium content or the silicon content of the aluminum alloy constituting the first housing portion and the second housing portion depending on the type of vehicle-mounted camera to be manufactured.

[0387] (E9) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (E1), further comprising: a connector (connector 280) arranged on the fifth surface of the second housing portion; and a connector connection portion (connector connection portion 237) arranged on the second surface of the circuit board, wherein the connector comprises: a first connector end (first connector end 281) connected to the connector connection portion of the circuit board; and a second connector end (second connector end 282) opposite to the first connector end, wherein when the vehicle-mounted camera is arranged in a vehicle, the second connector end of the connector is electrically connected to a wire of the vehicle. This makes it possible to secure power from the vehicle.

[0388] (E10) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (E9), wherein a part of the inner surface of the side wall of the side wall portion of the lens barrel support portion of the first housing portion faces the connector connection portion arranged on the second surface of the circuit board, thereby positioning the connector connection portion on the side of the first housing portion.

[0389] (E11) An in-vehicle camera (in-vehicle camera 100) comprising: a lens barrel (lens barrel 410) having a first cylindrical portion (first cylindrical portion 412) having a first cylindrical shape and at least one lens (lens 414) arranged inside the first cylindrical portion on an optical axis; an imaging element (imaging element 420) arranged on the optical axis; a circuit board (circuit board 430) having a first surface (first surface 430a) and a second surface (second surface 430b) opposite to the first surface, with the imaging element arranged on the first surface; a first housing portion (first housing portion 440) made of metal and supporting the lens barrel; and a second housing portion (second housing portion 450) made of metal and at least a portion of which is arranged farther away from the lens barrel than the first housing portion, wherein the first housing portion and the second housing portion accommodate at least the imaging element and the circuit board, the lens barrel support portion (lens barrel support portion 441) of the first housing portion comprises: a third surface (third surface 441a) connected to the lens barrel; a fourth surface (fourth surface 441b) at least a portion of which is opposite the third surface and faces the first surface of the circuit board; a hole (hole 442) which connects the third surface and the fourth surface and through which the optical axis passes; and a housing end surface (housing end surface 461) which is located around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and connects the third surface and the fourth surface; the second housing portion comprises: a fifth surface (fifth surface 451) which at least a portion of which faces the second surface of the circuit board; a sixth surface (sixth surface 452) which at least a portion of which is opposite the fifth surface; and a side wall portion (side wall portion 471) which is located around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and extends from the fifth surface toward the first housing portion; a sidewall end portion (sidewall end portion 472) positioned over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and facing the fourth surface of the first housing portion; a sidewall inner surface (sidewall inner surface 473) positioned over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and connecting the fifth surface and the sidewall end portion; and a sidewall outer surface (sidewall outer surface 474) positioned over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and opposite the sidewall inner surface,the first housing portion and the second housing portion have a fused connection portion (fused connection portion W) formed by melting a portion of the fourth surface of the first housing portion and at least a portion of the sidewall end portion of the sidewall portion of the second housing portion around the optical axis over the entire circumference and then solidifying and connecting them, and the fused connection portion of the sidewall end portion is located at the sidewall end portion of the sidewall portion of the second housing portion from the sidewall outer surface to the sidewall inner surface. As a result, since the fused connection portion exists between the portion of the fourth surface of the first housing portion and at least a portion of the sidewall end portion of the sidewall portion of the second housing portion and is located at the sidewall end portion of the sidewall portion of the second housing portion from the sidewall outer surface to the sidewall inner surface, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of defects such as cracks and ensure the connection between the first housing portion and the second housing portion.

[0390] (E12) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (E11), wherein the side wall end of the side wall portion of the second housing portion has: a side wall end surface (side wall end surface 475) located farther from the fifth surface with respect to the sixth surface, connected to the side wall inner surface and the side wall outer surface, and facing the fourth surface of the first housing portion; and a housing protrusion (housing protrusion 476) protruding from the side wall end surface toward the fourth surface of the first housing portion, wherein the housing protrusion has: a housing protrusion inner surface (housing protrusion inner surface 476a), a housing protrusion outer surface (housing protrusion outer surface 476b) opposite to the housing protrusion inner surface, and a housing protrusion top surface (housing protrusion top surface 476c) located farther from the side wall end surface with respect to the sixth surface, connected to the housing protrusion inner surface and the housing protrusion outer surface, and facing the fourth surface of the first housing portion; An in-vehicle camera, comprising: a housing protrusion top surface of the housing protrusion and the portion of the fourth surface of the first housing part, the housing protrusion top surface being melted around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and then solidified to form a fused connection portion, and the fused connection portion on the housing protrusion top surface of the housing protrusion is located on the housing protrusion top surface of the housing protrusion from the housing protrusion outer surface to the housing protrusion inner surface. As a result, a side wall end of the second housing part has a side wall end surface and a housing protrusion that protrudes from the side wall end surface toward the fourth surface of the first housing part. Furthermore, because the fused connection portion is located between the housing protrusion top surface of the housing protrusion and the portion of the fourth surface of the first housing part and is located on the housing protrusion top surface from the housing protrusion outer surface to the housing protrusion inner surface, the occurrence of defects such as cracks can be suppressed, and the connection between the first housing part and the second housing part can be secured.

[0391] (E13) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (E12), wherein the side wall end surface of the side wall end portion of the side wall portion of the second housing portion has an outer region (outer region 475a) located around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis, and an inner region (inner region 475b) located around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and located more inward than the outer region, and the housing protrusion protrudes from the outer region of the side wall end surface toward the fourth surface of the first housing portion. As a result, the housing protrusion protrudes from the outer region of the side wall end surface toward the fourth surface of the first housing portion, and a fused connection portion exists between the housing protrusion top surface of the side wall end portion and a part of the fourth surface of the first housing portion, thereby suppressing the occurrence of defects such as cracks and ensuring the connection between the first housing portion and the second housing portion.

[0392] (E14) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (E13), wherein the side wall outer surface of the side wall portion of the second housing portion and the housing protrusion outer surface of the housing protrusion portion at the side wall end of the side wall portion are continuous with each other, thereby making it possible to form the side wall outer surface of the side wall portion of the second housing portion and the housing protrusion outer surface of the housing protrusion continuously.

[0393] (E15) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (E12), wherein the side wall end surface of the side wall end portion of the side wall portion of the second housing portion has an outer region (outer region 475a) located around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis, and an inner region (inner region 475b) located around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and located more inward than the outer region, and the housing protrusion protrudes from the inner region of the side wall end surface toward the fourth surface of the first housing portion. As a result, the housing protrusion protrudes from the inner region of the side wall end surface toward the fourth surface of the first housing portion, and a fused connection portion exists between the housing protrusion top surface of the side wall end portion and a part of the fourth surface of the first housing portion, thereby suppressing the occurrence of defects such as cracks and ensuring the connection between the first housing portion and the second housing portion.

[0394] (E16) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (E15), wherein the side wall inner surface of the side wall portion of the second housing portion and the housing protrusion inner surface of the housing protrusion portion at the side wall end of the side wall portion are continuous with each other, thereby making it possible to form the side wall inner surface of the side wall portion of the second housing portion and the housing protrusion inner surface of the housing protrusion continuously.

[0395] (E17) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (E11), wherein the part of the fourth surface of the first housing unit is a third region (third region 462), the third region is located around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis, the fourth surface of the first housing unit has a fourth region (fourth region 463) that is located around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and is located more inward than the third region, and the first housing unit has a convex portion (convex portion 464) in the fourth region that protrudes from the fourth surface in a direction away from the third surface. This ensures the thickness of the bottom surface of the second housing unit and ensures the rigidity of the vehicle-mounted camera.

[0396] (E18) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (E11), wherein the first housing portion and the second housing portion are made of an aluminum alloy, and the magnesium content of the first housing portion is greater than the magnesium content of the second housing portion, or the magnesium content of the first housing portion is less than the magnesium content of the second housing portion, or the silicon content of the first housing portion is greater than the silicon content of the second housing portion, or the silicon content of the first housing portion is less than the silicon content of the second housing portion. This makes it possible to change the magnesium content or the silicon content of the aluminum alloy constituting the first housing portion and the second housing portion depending on the type of vehicle-mounted camera to be manufactured.

[0397] (E19) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (E11), further comprising: a connector (connector 280) arranged on the fifth surface of the second housing portion; and a connector connection portion (connector connection portion 237) arranged on the second surface of the circuit board, wherein the connector comprises: a first connector end (first connector end 281) connected to the connector connection portion of the circuit board; and a second connector end (second connector end 282) opposite to the first connector end, wherein when the vehicle-mounted camera is arranged in a vehicle, the second connector end of the connector is electrically connected to a wire of the vehicle. This makes it possible to secure power from the vehicle.

[0398] (E20) The vehicle-mounted camera according to (E11), wherein the circuit board has a circuit board end surface (circuit board end surface 430c) connecting the first surface and the second surface, and a part of the inner side surface of the side wall portion of the second housing portion faces the circuit board end surface of the circuit board, thereby arranging a connector connection portion on the second housing portion side.

[0399] In addition, this application is based on Japanese patent applications filed on April 24, 2024 (Patent Application Nos. 2024-070889 and 2024-070890), Japanese patent applications filed on January 20, 2025 (Patent Application No. 2025-007757), Japanese patent applications filed on March 7, 2025 (Patent Application No. 2025-036677), and Japanese patent applications filed on April 17, 2025 (Patent Application No. 2025-68259), the contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application.

[0400] The present disclosure is useful for an in-vehicle camera that can suppress the occurrence of defects such as cracks and the intrusion of foreign matter into the interior.

[0401] 20 fused connection portion 30 lens unit 31 lens barrel 31a first end portion 31b second end portion 32 flange portion 32a first flange surface 32b second flange surface 32c third flange surface 32c1 first flange region 32c2 second flange region 32c5 third flange region 32c6 fourth flange region 32c7 fifth flange region 32c8 sixth flange region 32d flange corner portion 32e fourth flange surface 32f fifth flange surface 32g sixth flange surface 33a flange side surface 33c flange outer surface 33d flange outer surface 33e seventh flange side surface 33f eighth flange side surface 33g ninth flange side surface 34 flange protrusion portion 34a flange protrusion top portion 34b flange protrusion inner surface 34c flange protrusion outer surface 34d flange protrusion inner surface 34e Flange protrusion outer surface 34f Flange protrusion corner portion 35 Lens 37 First cylindrical portion 40 Circuit board 40a First surface 40b Second surface 45 Connector connection portion 50 Imaging element 60 Housing 61 Large diameter cylindrical portion (second cylindrical portion) 61a Housing inner surface 61a1 Housing inner surface 61b Housing outer surface 62 Small diameter cylindrical portion 63 First housing end portion 64 Second housing end portion 65 Housing end surface 65a3 First housing region 65a4 Second housing region 65a5 Third housing region 65a8 Fourth housing region 65a9 Fifth housing region 65a11 Eleventh region 65a12 Twelfth region 66 Housing protrusion portion 66a Housing protrusion top portion 66b Housing protrusion outer surface 66c Housing protrusion inner surface 66d Housing protrusion corner portion 66e First housing side surface 66f Second housing side surface 66g Third housing side surface 66h Fourth housing side surface 67 Housing protrusion 67a Housing protrusion top 67b Housing protrusion inner surface 67c Housing protrusion outer surface 68 Second housing protrusion 68a Second housing protrusion top 68b Second housing protrusion outer surface 68c Second housing protrusion inner surface 70 Fixing resin 80 Connector 81 First connector end82 Second connector end 90 Adhesive 100 In-vehicle camera 120 Flange portion 120a First flange surface 120b Second flange surface 120c Third flange surface 121 Support portion 121a First support portion 121b Second support portion 121c Third support portion 121d Fourth support portion 122 Flange protruding portion 123 Flange protruding top portion 124 Flange welding adjacent portion 125a First flange portion 125b Second flange portion 125c Third flange portion 125d Fourth flange portion 163a First region 163b Second region 163c Housing protruding portion 165 Housing welding adjacent portion 166 Housing inner surface 167 Housing outer surface 210 Lens barrel 212 First cylindrical portion 214 Lens 220 Imaging element 230 Circuit board 230a First surface 230b Second surface 235 Photocurable resin 237 Connector connection portion 240 First housing portion 241 Lens barrel support portion 241a Third surface 241b Fourth surface 242 Hole 243 First protruding portion 244 First top portion 245 First protruding inner surface 245a First region 246 First protruding outer surface 246a Second region 247 First side wall portion 248 Board support portion 248a End portion 250 Second housing portion 251 Bottom portion 251a Fifth surface 251b Sixth surface 252 Second protruding portion 253 Second top portion 253a Outer portion 253b Inner portion 254 Second protruding inner surface 254a Third region 255 Second protruding outer surface 255a Fourth region 256 Second side wall part 280 Connector 281 First connector end part 282 Second connector end part 340 Third housing part 341 Lens barrel support part 341a Seventh surface 341b Eighth surface 342 Hole 343 Third protrusion part 344 Third top part 344a Outer part 344b Inner part 345 Third protruding inner surface 345a Fifth region 346 Third protruding outer surface 346a Sixth region 347 Third side wall portion 348 Board support portion 348a End portion 350 Fourth housing portion 351 Bottom portion 351a Ninth surface 351b Tenth surface352 Fourth protrusion 353 Fourth apex 354 Fourth protrusion inner surface 354a Seventh region 355 Fourth protrusion outer surface 355a Eighth region 356 Fourth side wall 410 Lens barrel 412 First cylindrical portion 414 Lens 420 Imaging element 430 Circuit board 430a First surface 430b Second surface 430c Circuit board end surface 440 First housing portion 441 Lens barrel support portion 441a Third surface 441b Fourth surface 442 Hole 443 Side wall 444 Side wall end portion 445 Side wall inner surface 446 Side wall outer surface 447 Side wall end surface 447a Outer region 447b Inner region 448 Housing protrusion 448a Housing protrusion inner surface 448b Housing protrusion outer surface 448c Housing protrusion top surface 449 Second cylindrical portion 450 Second housing portion 451 Fifth surface 451a Third region 451b Fourth region 452 Sixth surface 453 Housing end surface 454 Convex portion 455 Seventh surface 455a Fifth region 456 Concave portion 461 Housing end surface 462 Third region 463 Fourth region 464 Convex portion 465 Seventh surface 465a Fifth region 466 Second convex portion 471 Side wall portion 472 Side wall end portion 473 Side wall inner surface 474 Side wall outer surface 475 Side wall end surface 475a Outer region 475b Inner region 476 Housing protrusion portion 476a Housing protrusion inner surface 476b Housing protrusion outer surface 476c Housing protrusion top surface C Crack G3 Gap (third gap) G8 Gap (eighth gap) L Optical axis T1 First thickness T2 Second thickness T3 Third thickness T4 Fourth thickness T5 Fifth thickness T6 Sixth thickness T7 Seventh thickness T8 Eighth thickness W Melted connection (welded connection) W1 First part W2 Second part

Claims

1. A lens unit comprising: a first cylindrical portion having a first cylindrical shape along the optical axis; at least one lens arranged inside the first cylindrical portion on the optical axis; and a metal flange portion arranged on the outside of the first cylindrical portion so as to extend outward around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis with the optical axis as a reference; an image sensor arranged on the optical axis; a circuit board having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, with the image sensor arranged on the first surface; and a metal housing that houses at least the image sensor and the circuit board and comprises a second cylindrical portion having a second cylindrical shape along the optical axis, wherein the flange portion of the lens unit comprises: a first flange surface connected to the first cylindrical portion and arranged around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis; and a second flange surface opposite to the first flange surface, which is arranged closer to the first surface of the circuit board than the first flange surface in the optical axis direction, with the first surface of the circuit board as a reference. the flange portion has: a third flange surface that is the surface opposite to the first flange surface, is between the first flange surface and the second flange surface in the optical axis direction, and is disposed around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and outward from the second flange surface with respect to the optical axis; and a flange side surface that is connected to the second flange surface and is disposed around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis, the third flange surface having: a first flange region that is disposed around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis; a second flange region that is disposed around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and outward from the first flange region with respect to the optical axis; and a flange protrusion that protrudes from the second flange region in a direction away from the first flange surface and is disposed around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis, the flange protrusion having: a flange protrusion apex that is an apex; a flange protrusion inner side surface that is connected to the flange protrusion apex and the third flange surface and is disposed around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis; and a flange protrusion outer side surface that is disposed opposite the flange protrusion inner side surface with respect to the entire circumference centered on the optical axis, the flange portion has a flange outer surface connected to the first flange surface and the flange protruding outer surface around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis,the second cylindrical portion of the housing has: a first housing end; a second housing end opposite the first housing end and positioned farther than the first housing end in the optical axis direction with the lens unit as the reference; and a housing end face positioned at the first housing end over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis, the housing end face having: a first housing region positioned over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis; a second housing region positioned over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and outward from the first housing region with the optical axis as the reference; a third housing region positioned over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and outward from the second housing region with the optical axis as the reference; and a housing protrusion that protrudes from the first housing region in a direction away from the second housing end and is positioned over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis, the housing protrusion having: a housing protrusion top that is a top; and a housing protrusion inner surface connected to at least the housing protrusion top and positioned over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis. the housing has a housing protrusion outer side surface that is connected to the housing protrusion top and the housing end surface, is arranged over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis, and is arranged opposite to the housing protrusion inner side surface, at least a part of the housing protrusion on the housing end surface of the second cylindrical portion of the housing is arranged over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis between the flange side surface of the flange portion and the flange protrusion inner side surface of the flange protrusion on the third flange surface of the flange portion of the lens unit, the lens unit and the housing have a fused connection portion formed by melting at least a part of the flange protrusion top of the flange protrusion on the third flange surface of the flange portion of the lens unit and at least a part of the third housing region of the housing end surface of the second cylindrical portion of the housing over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and then solidifying and connecting them, the fused connection portion of the flange protrusion top of the flange protrusion is located from the flange protrusion outer side surface to the flange protrusion inner side surface at the flange protrusion top of the flange protrusion a gap is formed between the flange protruding inner surface and the housing protruding outer surface, and reaches the second housing region of the housing end surface of the second cylindrical portion of the housing.

2. An in-vehicle camera as described in claim 1, wherein the gap exists from the housing protrusion top of the housing protrusion of the housing end face of the second cylindrical part of the housing to the second housing region of the housing end face, and between the flange protrusion inner surface of the flange protrusion of the third flange face of the flange part and the housing protrusion outer surface of the housing protrusion of the housing protrusion.

3. An in-vehicle camera as claimed in claim 2, wherein the second cylindrical portion of the housing further has an inner housing surface arranged along the optical axis direction and disposed over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis, and an outer housing surface arranged along the optical axis direction and opposite to the inner housing surface over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis, wherein at least a part of the flange protrusion apex of the flange protrusion of the third flange surface of the flange portion of the lens unit which has been melted over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and then solidified and connected is adjacent to the flange protrusion outer surface of the flange protrusion, and wherein at least a part of the third housing region of the housing end surface of the second cylindrical portion of the housing which has been melted over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and then solidified and connected is adjacent to the housing outer surface of the second cylindrical portion.

4. An in-vehicle camera as described in claim 1, wherein, in the optical axis direction, a first distance between the flange protrusion top of the flange protrusion of the third flange surface of the flange portion of the lens unit and the second housing end of the second cylindrical portion of the housing is longer than a second distance between the second flange surface of the flange portion of the lens unit and the second housing end of the second cylindrical portion of the housing.

5. An in-vehicle camera according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the second flange surface of the flange portion of the lens unit faces at least a portion of the first surface of the circuit board.

6. An in-vehicle camera as described in claim 1, wherein the lens unit and the housing have a fused connection portion formed by melting, by a laser, at least a portion of the flange protrusion apex of the flange protrusion portion of the third flange surface of the flange portion of the lens unit and at least a portion of the third housing region of the housing end face of the second cylindrical portion of the housing over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis, and then solidifying and connecting them.

7. An in-vehicle camera as described in claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the flange side surface of the flange portion of the lens unit faces the housing protrusion inner surface of the housing protrusion portion of the housing end surface of the second cylindrical portion of the housing, the third flange surface of the lens unit faces at least a portion of the housing protrusion top of the housing protrusion portion of the housing end surface of the second cylindrical portion of the housing, and the flange protrusion inner surface of the flange protrusion portion of the third flange surface of the flange portion of the lens unit faces at least a portion of the housing protrusion outer surface of the housing protrusion portion of the second cylindrical portion of the housing.

8. An in-vehicle camera as described in claim 1, wherein the housing protrusion on the housing end surface of the second cylindrical section of the housing further has at least one housing protrusion corner portion that is tapered and widens away from the optical axis as it moves from the housing protrusion inner surface toward the housing protrusion top of the housing protrusion.

9. An in-vehicle camera according to claim 1, wherein the flange portion of the lens unit further has a flange corner portion that is tapered and widens away from the optical axis as it moves from the second flange surface toward the flange side surface.

10. An in-vehicle camera as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a connector having a first connector end located inside the housing and a second connector end located opposite the first connector end, the connector being arranged at the second housing end of the second cylindrical part of the housing; and a connector connection part electrically connected to the first connector end of the connector and arranged on the second surface of the circuit board.

11. A lens unit comprising: a first cylindrical portion having a first cylindrical shape along the optical axis; at least one lens arranged inside the first cylindrical portion on the optical axis; and a metallic flange portion arranged on the outside of the first cylindrical portion so as to extend outward around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis with the optical axis as a reference; an image sensor arranged on the optical axis; a circuit board having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, with the image sensor arranged on the first surface; and a metallic housing that houses at least the image sensor and the circuit board and has a second cylindrical portion having a second cylindrical shape along the optical axis, wherein the flange portion of the lens unit comprises: a first flange surface connected to the first cylindrical portion and arranged around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis; and a second flange surface opposite to the first flange surface, which is arranged closer to the first surface of the circuit board than the first flange surface in the optical axis direction with the first surface of the circuit board as a reference. a third flange surface that is the surface opposite to the first flange surface, is between the first flange surface and the second flange surface in the optical axis direction, and is disposed around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and outward from the second flange surface with respect to the optical axis; and a flange side surface that is connected to the second flange surface and is disposed around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis, wherein the third flange surface has: a third flange region that is disposed around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis; a fourth flange region that is disposed around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and outward from the third flange region with respect to the optical axis; a fifth flange region that is disposed around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and outward from the fourth flange region with respect to the optical axis; and a flange protrusion that protrudes from the third flange region in a direction away from the first flange surface and is disposed around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis, wherein the flange protrusion has: a flange protrusion apex that is an apex; and a flange protrusion inner side surface that is connected to the flange protrusion apex and the third flange surface and is disposed around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis.the housing end face has: a flange protruding top portion and a flange protruding outer side surface that is connected to the third flange surface, is arranged around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis, and is arranged opposite to the flange protruding inner side surface; the second cylindrical portion of the housing has: a first housing end portion; a second housing end portion that is opposite to the first housing end portion and is arranged farther than the first housing end portion in the optical axis direction with the lens unit as the reference; and a housing end face that is arranged at the first housing end portion around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis; the housing end face has: a fourth housing region that is arranged around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis; a fifth housing region that is arranged around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and is arranged outward from the fourth housing region with the optical axis as the reference; and a housing protruding portion that protrudes from the fifth housing region in a direction away from the second housing end portion and is arranged around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis; and the housing protruding portion has: a housing protruding top portion that is a top portion; the housing has a housing protrusion inner side surface connected to the housing protrusion top and the housing end face and arranged around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis; and a housing protrusion outer side surface arranged opposite the housing protrusion inner side surface around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis; the second cylindrical portion of the housing has a housing outer side surface connected to the housing protrusion outer side surface and the second housing end face around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis; at least a part of the flange protrusion of the flange portion of the lens unit is arranged between the flange side surface of the flange portion and the housing protrusion inner side surface of the housing protrusion on the housing end face of the second cylindrical portion of the housing around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis; the lens unit and the housing have a fused connection portion formed by melting at least a part of the fifth flange region of the third flange face of the flange portion of the lens unit and at least a part of the housing protrusion top of the housing protrusion on the housing end face of the second cylindrical portion of the housing around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and then solidifying and connecting them; the fused connection portion of the housing protrusion top of the housing protrusion is located across from the housing protrusion outer surface to the housing protrusion inner surface at the housing protrusion top of the housing protrusion,a gap is formed between the housing protruding inner surface and the flange protruding outer surface, and reaches the fourth flange region of the third flange surface of the flange portion.

12. An in-vehicle camera as described in claim 11, wherein the gap exists from the fourth flange region of the third flange surface of the flange portion to the flange protrusion top of the flange protrusion portion, between the housing protrusion inner surface of the housing protrusion portion on the housing end surface of the second cylindrical portion of the housing and the flange protrusion outer surface of the flange protrusion portion.

13. An in-vehicle camera as described in claim 11, wherein the flange portion of the lens unit further has a flange outer surface connected to the first flange surface and the third flange surface of the flange portion over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis.

14. An in-vehicle camera as claimed in claim 13, wherein the second cylindrical portion of the housing further has an inner housing surface arranged along the optical axis direction and arranged around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis, and an outer housing surface arranged along the optical axis direction and opposite to the inner housing surface along the optical axis direction and around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis, at least a part of the fifth flange region of the third flange surface of the flange portion of the lens unit which has been melted around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and then solidified and connected is adjacent to the outer flange surface of the flange portion, and at least a part of the outer housing protrusion surface of the fifth housing region of the housing end surface of the second cylindrical portion of the housing which has been melted around the entire circumference centered on the optical axis and then solidified and connected is adjacent to the outer housing surface of the second cylindrical portion.

15. An in-vehicle camera as described in claim 11, wherein, in the optical axis direction, a first distance between the flange protrusion top of the flange protrusion of the third flange surface of the flange portion of the lens unit and the second housing end of the second cylindrical portion of the housing is longer than a second distance between the second flange surface of the flange portion of the lens unit and the second housing end of the second cylindrical portion of the housing.

16. An in-vehicle camera according to claim 11, wherein at least a portion of the second flange surface of the flange portion of the lens unit faces at least a portion of the first surface of the circuit board.

17. An in-vehicle camera as described in claim 11, wherein the lens unit and the housing have a fused connection portion formed by melting at least a portion of the fifth flange region of the third flange surface of the flange portion of the lens unit and at least a portion of the housing protrusion top of the housing protrusion portion on the housing end surface of the second cylindrical portion of the housing over the entire circumference centered on the optical axis by a laser, and then solidifying and connecting them.

18. An in-vehicle camera as described in claim 11, wherein the flange protrusion of the third flange surface of the flange portion of the lens unit further has at least one flange protrusion corner portion that is tapered and widens away from the optical axis as it moves from the flange protrusion inner surface toward the flange protrusion top.

19. An in-vehicle camera according to claim 11, wherein the flange portion of the lens unit further has a flange corner portion that is tapered and widens away from the optical axis as it moves from the second flange surface toward the flange side surface.

20. An in-vehicle camera as described in claim 11, further comprising: a connector having a first connector end located inside the housing and a second connector end located opposite the first connector end, the connector being disposed at the second housing end of the second cylindrical portion of the housing; and a connector connection portion electrically connected to the first connector end of the connector and disposed on the second surface of the circuit board.

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