IMAGING DEVICE

• US 20160334619A1
• Filed: 05/11/2016
• Published: 11/17/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2015
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai RIKA Denki Seisakusho
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai RIKA Denki Seisakusho
• Inventors: INAYAMA, Masahide, NAKAI, Toshinari, IWATSUKI, Masakazu
• Application Number:
  US15/151,931
• Publication Number:
  US 20160334619A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/26 to the rear of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/802 for monitoring and displaying vehicle exterior blind spot views
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/023 including defroster or demisting means
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/56 specially adapted for cleaning other parts or devices than front windows or windscreens rear-view mirror arrangements mounted on vehicle exterior including cleaning devices B60R1/0602
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0006 with means to keep optical surfaces clean, e.g. by preventing or removing dirt, stains, contamination, condensation G02B1/18 takes precedence; cleaning in general B08B
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/55 with provision for heating or cooling, e.g. in aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 Housings
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/52 Elements optimising image sensor operation, e.g. for electromagnetic interference [EMI] protection or temperature control by heat transfer or cooling elements
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/55 Optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensors; Mounting thereof

Abstract

In an imaging device, a camera images an image through a lens. Moreover, a heat transfer member transfers heat to the lens, and heats the lens. Here, the lens is exposed to the exterior of the imaging device through an exposing hole of the heat transfer member and an opening of the design cover. Thus, a larger amount of light can be made incident to the imaging element.

Claims

1. An imaging device comprising:

an imaging mechanism that is provided at a vehicle, that is provided with a lens exposed to an exterior of the imaging device, and that is provided with an imaging section which images through the lens an image; and

a heating member that configures an outer periphery of the imaging device and that transfers heat to the lens and heats the lens.

2. The imaging device of claim 1, wherein the lens protrudes toward an exterior side of the imaging device.

3. The imaging device of claim 1, wherein the heating member does not face the imaging section in an axial direction of the lens.

4. The imaging device of claim 2, wherein the heating member does not face the imaging section in an axial direction of the lens.

5. The imaging device of claim 1, further comprising a heat generator that generates heat and transfers heat to the heating member such that the heating member transfers heat to the lens.

6. The imaging device of claim 2, further comprising a heat generator that generates heat and transfers heat to the heating member such that the heating member transfers heat to the lens.

7. The imaging device of claim 3, further comprising a heat generator that generates heat and transfers heat to the heating member such that the heating member transfers heat to the lens.

8. The imaging device of claim 1, wherein an opening portion through which the lens is exposed to the exterior of the imaging device is formed at an end portion, which is at an opposite side from an image section side in the axial direction of the lens, of the heating member.

9. The imaging device of claim 3, wherein an opening portion through which the lens is exposed to the exterior of the imaging device is formed at an end portion, which is at an opposite side from an image section side in the axial direction of the lens, of the heating member.

10. The imaging device of claim 3, wherein a projection, which projects toward an axis of the lens from a circumferential face of the opening portion, is provided at the heating member.

11. The imaging device of claim 8, wherein an end face of the end portion configures a part of the outer periphery of the imaging device.

12. The imaging device of claim 9, wherein an end face of the end portion configures a part of the outer periphery of the imaging device.