Optical unit, imaging apparatus, and movable object

• US 10,104,272 B2
• Filed: 09/25/2013
• Issued: 10/16/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
• Original Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
• Inventors: Morishima, Riyou, Suzuki, Makoto
• Primary Examiner(s): Hernandez Hernandez, Nelson D.
• Application Number:
  US14/430,781
• Publication Number:
  US 20150244905A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,847 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 7/021 for more than one lens
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 7/022 lens and mount having complementary engagement means, e.g. screw/thread
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 7/026 using retaining rings or springs G02B7/027 takes precedence

Abstract

An optical unit (13) includes an optical system (16), a lens barrel (15), and a securing portion (21). The optical system (16) includes a plurality of optical elements (22 to 26). The lens barrel (15) has an object side opening smaller than an outermost periphery of the optical element (22) closest to an object side in the optical system (16). The lens barrel (15) has an imaging side opening equal to or larger than an outermost periphery of the optical element (26) closest to an imaging side in the optical system (16). The lens barrel (15) accommodates the optical system (16). The securing portion (21), at the imaging side opening, secures the optical system (16) inserted from the imaging side opening and accommodated in the lens barrel (15).

Claims

1. An optical unit comprising:

an optical system including a plurality of optical elements;

a lens barrel having an object side opening smaller than an outermost periphery of an optical element closest to an object side in the optical system and an imaging side opening equal to or larger than an outermost periphery of an optical element closest to an imaging side in the optical system, the lens barrel for accommodating the optical system; and

a securing portion for securing, at the imaging side opening, the optical system inserted from the imaging side opening and accommodated in the lens barrel,

wherein the lens barrel is formed such that, in a state accommodating the optical system, an end of the lens barrel on the object side does not protrude from any portion of an optical curved surface of the optical element closest to the object side in the optical system, and the optical curved surface is free from overlap with the lens barrel in an object side direction extending from the imaging side to the object side, and

the optical element closest to the object side comprises a flange portion extending outward in a radial direction from a body of the optical element closest to the object side to contact a locking portion of the lens barrel, the flange portion is formed on a first side of the optical element closest to the object side, the first side is opposite a second side of the optical element closest to the object side, and the second side includes the optical curved surface.

2. The optical unit according to claim 1, further comprising a spacer interposed between the optical element closest to the imaging side in the optical system and the securing portion.

3. The optical unit according to claim 1, wherein

the securing portion is caulking obtained by deforming the imaging side opening of the lens barrel.

4. The optical unit according to claim 1, wherein

the lens barrel includes a screw groove at the imaging side opening, and the securing portion is a retaining member for securing the optical system by being screwed together with the lens barrel.

5. The optical unit according to claim 1, wherein

the optical element on the imaging side in the optical system has an outermost periphery equal to or larger than an outermost periphery of the optical element on the object side, and each of the optical elements is fitted in the lens barrel.

6. The optical unit according to claim 1, further comprising a support portion for supporting the optical elements from peripheral sides thereof and fitting the optical elements in the lens barrel.

7. The optical unit according to claim 1, further comprising an O-ring provided to make contact with the outermost periphery of the optical element closest to the object side.

8. The optical unit according to claim 7, wherein

the O-ring makes contact with the outermost periphery of the optical element closest to the object side and with two surfaces of the lens barrel.

9. An imaging apparatus comprising:

an optical unit according to claim 1; and

an image sensor for capturing an object image formed by the optical system.

10. A movable object having the imaging apparatus according to claim 9 mounted thereon.

11. An optical unit comprising:

an optical system including a plurality of optical elements;

a lens barrel having an object side opening smaller than an outermost periphery of an optical element closest to an object side in the optical system and an imaging side opening equal to or larger than an outermost periphery of an optical element closest to an imaging side in the optical system, the lens barrel for accommodating the optical system;

a securing portion for securing, at the imaging side opening, the optical system inserted from the imaging side opening and accommodated in the lens barrel; and

an O-ring provided to make contact with the outermost periphery of the optical element closest to the object side,

wherein the lens barrel is formed such that, in a state accommodating the optical system, an end of the lens barrel on the object side does not protrude from any portion of an optical curved surface of the optical element closest to the object side in the optical system, and the optical curved surface is free from overlap with the lens barrel in an object side direction extending from the imaging side to the object side, and

the O-ring makes contact with the outermost periphery of the optical element closest to the object side and with two surfaces of the lens barrel.