WO2018135451A1 - Imaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is an imaging device comprising: a lens frame holding a lens; a holder holding the lens frame; and an adjustment ring that fits together with either the lens frame or the holder and comes in contact with the other out of the lens frame and the holder, in the optical axis direction.

Description

Imaging device

One embodiment of the present invention relates to an imaging device or the like.

In an imaging apparatus such as a camera having an imaging element, a lens frame, and a holder, it is necessary to adjust the focus by adjusting the position of the lens with respect to the imaging element. In order to adjust the focus, the conventional imaging apparatus employs a configuration in which, for example, a biasing member is used and adhesive fixing is performed while removing a backlash of a screw. Such an imaging apparatus is disclosed in Patent Document 1 and the like.

JP 2011-77927 A

However, in the conventional configuration described in Patent Document 1, since the lens frame and the holder are fixed using an adhesive, focus adjustment cannot be performed again after bonding. In addition, the quality may change due to temperature, humidity, or aging, and the focus may be lost.

The present invention adopts the following means in order to solve the above-mentioned problems. In the following description, in order to facilitate understanding of the invention, reference numerals and the like in the drawings are appended in parentheses, but each component of the present invention is not limited to these appendices. It should be construed broadly to the extent that contractors can technically understand.

One means of the present invention is to
A lens frame (3, 31) for holding the lens;
Holders (2, 21) for holding the lens frame;
An adjustment ring (1, 11) that fits with one of the lens frame and the holder and contacts the other of the lens frame and the holder in the optical axis direction;
An imaging device.

In the imaging apparatus having the above-described configuration, it is possible to adjust the position of the lens without using an adhesive or while reducing the amount of adhesive used. In addition, the lens can be more firmly fixed to the holder than in the past. Also, the focus can be adjusted relatively easily.

In the imaging apparatus, preferably,
The adjustment ring is screwed to one of the lens frame and the holder.

According to the imaging apparatus having the above configuration, since the adjustment ring is screw-fitted to the lens frame or the holder, an imaging apparatus capable of adjusting the focus of the lens can be configured with a relatively simple configuration.

In the imaging apparatus, preferably,
The adjustment ring is screw-fitted to one of the lens frame and the holder so as to be movable in the optical axis direction.

According to the imaging apparatus having the above-described configuration, the position of the lens frame and the holder can be stably held by screw fitting and contact with the adjustment ring interposed.

In the imaging apparatus, preferably,
The adjustment ring is positioned in front of the holder in the optical axis direction.

According to the imaging apparatus having the above configuration, it is possible to make it easy to perform focus adjustment by the adjustment ring from the front in the optical axis direction.

In the imaging device, more preferably,
No adhesive is used to fix the lens frame, the holder, and the adjustment ring to each other.

According to the imaging apparatus having the above configuration, it is possible to provide a configuration capable of repeatedly performing focus adjustment while having the above-described features. In addition, it can be assembled in a relatively short time and at a low cost.

1 is an external perspective view of an imaging apparatus according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is an external perspective view of an imaging apparatus according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of an imaging apparatus according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an imaging apparatus according to Embodiment 2.

One feature of the imaging device according to each embodiment of the present invention is that the imaging device includes an adjustment ring and can adjust the position of the lens without using an adhesive.

An embodiment according to the present invention will be specifically described according to the following configuration with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiment described below is merely an example of the present invention and does not limit the technical scope of the present invention. In addition, in each drawing, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same component and the description may be abbreviate | omitted.
1. Embodiment 1
2. Embodiment 2
3. Supplementary matter

<1. Embodiment 1>
First, Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the imaging apparatus. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the imaging apparatus.

In this specification, the center position of the lens and the center position of the light incident on the image sensor is referred to as an “optical axis”. An imaging target located on the opposite side of the imaging element from the lens is referred to as a “subject”. The direction in which the subject is located with respect to the lens may be referred to as “front in the optical axis direction” or “subject side”. The direction in which the image sensor is located with respect to the lens may be referred to as “backward in the optical axis direction” or “image sensor side”.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment includes an adjustment ring 1, a holder 2, a lens frame 3, and a substrate 4. The holder 2 and the substrate 4 are connected by connecting screws 5a and 5b.

<Holder 2>
The holder 2 holds the adjustment ring 1 and the lens frame 3. The holder 2 is connected to the substrate 4 by connecting screws 5a and 5b. The holder 2 has a cylindrical opening centered on the optical axis, and the adjustment ring 1 and the lens frame 3 are inserted into the opening from the front to the rear in the optical axis direction. As shown in FIG. 3, threads are formed at positions B and C inside the opening. At the position B, the screw thread of the holder 2 and the screw thread on the radially outer side of the adjustment ring 1 are fitted. At the position C, the thread of the holder 2 and the thread on the outer side in the radial direction of the lens frame 3 are fitted. The holder 2 further has a screw hole (not shown) into which the connecting screws 5a and 5b are inserted.

The holder 2 has a surface orthogonal to the optical axis on the rear side in the optical axis direction, and contacts the substrate 4 on this surface. The holder 2 and the substrate 4 are screwed together by connecting screws 5a and 5b.

<Lens frame 3>
The lens frame 3 is a cylindrical member that extends in the optical axis direction. The lens frame 3 holds an optical member including one or more lenses.

The optical member held by the lens frame 3 includes a lens, a spacer, a caliber plate, an optical filter (all not shown), and the like. The lens is made of a transparent material such as glass or plastic, and transmits light from the front in the optical axis direction while refracting light from the front in the optical axis direction. The spacer is a disk-shaped member having an appropriate thickness in the optical axis direction, and adjusts the position of each lens in the optical axis direction. The spacer has an opening at the center including the optical axis. The aperture plate determines the outermost position of the light passing therethrough. The optical filter suppresses or blocks light having a predetermined wavelength. The optical filter includes, for example, an infrared cut filter that suppresses passing infrared rays. The number of these optical members can be arbitrarily changed.

The lens frame 3 has a thread at a radially outer position (position C in FIG. 3) and is fitted to the thread of the holder 2. That is, the lens frame 3 and the holder 2 are screwed together. By rotating the lens frame 3 with respect to the holder 2, the screwing amount changes, and the position of the lens frame 3 with respect to the holder 2 in the optical axis direction changes.

The lens frame 3 has a surface orthogonal to the optical axis at the position D in FIG. 3 on the front side in the optical axis direction, and is in contact with the adjustment ring 1 on this surface.

<Adjustment ring 1>
The adjustment ring 1 is disposed on the radially outer side of the lens frame 3 and on the radially inner side of the holder 2. The adjustment ring 1 is disposed so as to be separated from the radially outer side of the lens frame 3. The adjustment ring 1 has a screw thread at a position B in FIG. 3, which is a radially outer position. The adjustment ring 1 is engaged with the thread on the radially inner side of the holder 2 at the position B.

The adjustment ring 1 has a surface orthogonal to the optical axis at the position D in FIG. 3 on the rear side in the optical axis direction, and this surface is in contact with the surface of the lens frame 3.

<Substrate 4>
The substrate 4 is mounted with the image sensor 4a and other electronic components. The image pickup device 4a is a photoelectric conversion device that receives light transmitted through an optical member including a lens held by the lens frame 3, converts the light into an electric signal, and outputs the electric signal, and is, for example, a C-MOS sensor or a CCD. The substrate 4 is connected to the holder 2 in a fixed state. Note that the imaging element 4a may be replaced with another imaging unit.

Since the holder 2 and the substrate 4 are fixed in position in the image pickup device of this embodiment, the focus can be adjusted by adjusting the position of the lens frame 3 relative to the holder 2 in the optical axis direction. At the time of focus adjustment, by adjusting the screwing amount of the lens frame 3 with respect to the holder 2, the position of the lens frame 3 in the optical axis direction with respect to the imaging element 4a is adjusted. When the focus adjustment is completed, the adjustment ring 1 is screwed into the holder 2 so that the adjustment ring 1 and the lens frame 3 are in contact with each other, thereby fixing the position of the lens frame 3 in the optical axis direction.

When adjusting the focus again, the adjustment ring 1 and the lens frame 3 are separated from each other in the optical axis direction by rotating the adjustment ring 1 in the direction opposite to the screwing direction from the front in the optical axis direction. By rotating the lens frame 3 in this state, the lens frame 3 can be moved forward in the optical axis direction with respect to the holder 2. Note that the lens frame 3 can be moved rearward in the optical axis direction without moving the adjustment ring 1.

Since the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment employs the above-described configuration, focus adjustment is performed by adjusting the position of the lens without using an adhesive for the connecting portion of the adjustment ring 1, the holder 2, and the lens frame 3. Can do. In addition, since no adhesive is used, focus adjustment can be performed relatively easily even when it is desired to adjust focus again after completing focus adjustment.

<2. Second Embodiment>
First, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, since the imaging device of this embodiment includes what has the same or similar configuration and function as the imaging device of Embodiment 1, the description of the same or similar configuration as in Embodiment 1 may be omitted. .

FIG. 4 is an external perspective view of the imaging apparatus of the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the imaging apparatus. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the imaging apparatus. 4 to 6 correspond to FIGS. 1 to 3 of the first embodiment, respectively.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment includes an adjustment ring 11, a holder 21, a lens frame 31, and a substrate 4. The holder 21 and the substrate 4 are connected by connecting screws 5a and 5b.

<Holder 21>
The holder 21 holds the adjustment ring 11 and the lens frame 31. The holder 21 is connected to the substrate 4 by connecting screws 5a and 5b. The holder 21 has a cylindrical opening centered on the optical axis, and the adjustment ring 11 and the lens frame 31 are inserted into the opening from the front to the rear in the optical axis direction. As shown in FIG. 6, a screw thread is formed at a position G inside the opening. At the position G, the thread of the holder 21 and the thread on the outer side in the radial direction of the lens frame 31 are fitted. The holder 21 further has a screw hole (not shown) into which the connecting screws 5a and 5b are inserted.

The holder 21 has a surface orthogonal to the optical axis on the rear side in the optical axis direction, and contacts the substrate 4 on this surface. The holder 21 and the substrate 4 are screwed together by connecting screws 5a and 5b. Further, the holder 21 has a surface orthogonal to the optical axis at a position H in FIG. 6 on the front side in the optical axis direction, and contacts the adjustment ring 11 on this surface.

<Lens frame 31>
The lens frame 31 is a cylindrical member that extends in the optical axis direction. The lens frame 31 holds an optical member including one or more lenses.

The lens frame 31 has a screw thread at a radially outer position (position G in FIG. 6) and is fitted to the screw thread of the holder 21. That is, the lens frame 31 and the holder 21 are screwed together. By rotating the lens frame 31 with respect to the holder 21, the screwing amount changes, and the position of the lens frame 31 with respect to the holder 21 in the optical axis direction changes.

The lens frame 31 further has a screw thread at a position radially outward (position F in FIG. 6) in front of the G position in the optical axis direction, and is fitted to the screw thread of the adjustment ring 11. That is, the lens frame 31 and the adjustment ring 11 are screwed together. By screwing the adjustment ring 11 into the lens frame 3, the adjustment ring 11 moves backward in the optical axis direction.

<Adjustment ring 11>
The adjustment ring 11 is disposed outside the lens frame 31 in the radial direction and in front of the holder 21 in the optical axis direction. The adjustment ring 11 is disposed without contacting the lens frame 31 in the optical axis direction. The adjustment ring 11 has a screw thread at a position F in FIG. The adjustment ring 11 is fitted with a thread on the radially outer side of the lens frame 31 at the position F.

The adjustment ring 11 has a surface orthogonal to the optical axis at the position H in FIG. 3 on the rear side in the optical axis direction, and this surface is in contact with the front surface in the optical axis direction of the holder 2.

In the imaging device of the present embodiment, since the position of the holder 21 and the substrate 4 is fixed as in the first embodiment, the focus is adjusted by adjusting the position of the lens frame 31 relative to the holder 21 in the optical axis direction. be able to. When adjusting the focus, the position of the lens frame 31 in the optical axis direction with respect to the imaging element 4a is adjusted by adjusting the screwing amount of the lens frame 31 with respect to the holder 21. When the focus adjustment is completed, the adjustment ring 11 is screwed into the lens frame 31 so that the adjustment ring 11 and the holder 21 are in contact with each other, thereby fixing the position of the lens frame 31 in the optical axis direction.

When adjusting the focus again, the adjustment ring 11 and the holder 2 are separated from each other in the optical axis direction by rotating the adjustment ring 11 in the direction opposite to the screwing direction from the front in the optical axis direction. By rotating the lens frame 31 in this state, the lens frame 31 can be moved in the optical axis direction with respect to the holder 21. Note that the lens frame 3 can be moved rearward in the optical axis direction without moving the adjustment ring 11.

Since the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment employs the above-described configuration, the position of the lens can be obtained without using an adhesive at the connecting portion of the adjustment ring 11, the holder 21, and the lens frame 31, as in the first embodiment. Focus adjustment by adjustment can be performed. In addition, since no adhesive is used, focus adjustment can be performed relatively easily even when it is desired to adjust focus again after completing focus adjustment.

<3. Supplementary items>
The specific description of the embodiment of the present invention has been given above. In the above description, the description is merely an embodiment, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, but is broadly interpreted to the extent that a person skilled in the art can grasp.

In the first and second embodiments, the holder 2 (or 21), the lens frame 3 (or 31), and the adjustment ring 1 (or 11) are connected without using an adhesive, but even if an adhesive is used. Good. Even in the case of using an adhesive, even if the amount of the adhesive used is reduced, the respective components can be connected with the same or higher strength as conventional.

In the first and second embodiments, the configuration in which the adjustment ring 1 (or 11) and the holder 2 (or 21) or the lens frame 3 (or 31) are screw-fitted is described as an example. Instead of screw fitting, fitting means such as cam fitting can be employed. That is, the adjustment ring 1 (or 11) and the holder 2 (or 21) or the lens frame 3 (or 31) may be fitted by a fitting method that is movable in the optical axis direction.

It is particularly preferable to employ the configuration of the present invention because an in-vehicle imaging device mounted in an automobile or the like needs to adjust the focus particularly accurately.

The present invention is suitably used as an imaging apparatus capable of repeatedly performing focus adjustment for moving the lens frame in the optical axis direction with respect to the holder.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 11 ... Adjustment ring 2, 21 ... Holder 3, 31 ... Lens frame 4 ... Board | substrate 4a ... Imaging element 5a, 5b ... Connection screw

Claims (5)

A lens frame for holding the lens;
A holder for holding the lens frame;
An adjustment ring that fits with one of the lens frame and the holder and is in contact with the other of the lens frame and the holder in the optical axis direction;
Imaging device. The adjustment ring is screw-fitted to one of the lens frame and the holder,
The imaging device according to claim 1. The adjustment ring is screw-fitted to one of the lens frame and the holder so as to be movable in the optical axis direction.
The imaging device according to claim 2. The adjustment ring is positioned in front of the holder in the optical axis direction;
The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. No adhesive is used to fix the lens frame, the holder, and the adjustment ring to each other,
The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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