# US 2017/0257536 A1 · Camera apparatus and camera module

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- Number: US 2017/0257536 A1
- Document ID: US20170257536A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 15/446,834
- Filed: 2017-03-01
- Published: 2017-09-07
- Earliest claimed: 2016-03-03
- Assignees: Denso Corporation
- Applicants: Denso Corporation
- Inventors: Daisuke Takama; Yasuki Furutake; Soji Masui
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170257536A1

## CPC

- H04N 23/55: Optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensors; Mounting thereof
- B60R 11/04: Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
- H04N 23/51: Housings
- H04N 23/54: Mounting of pick-up tubes, electronic image sensors, deviation or focusing coils
- H04N 23/57: Mechanical or electrical details of cameras or camera modules specially adapted for being embedded in other devices
- B60R 2011/0026: {Windows, e.g. windscreen}
- H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

## Abstract

In a camera apparatus, a camera case is fixed to a windshield from within a cabin of a vehicle. A camera module includes an optical unit and a camera substrate. The optical unit includes a lens. The camera substrate includes an image sensor. The optical unit includes a lens barrel portion and a base portion. The lens barrel portion holds the lens therein. The base portion has a reference surface that serves as a reference for positioning when the camera module is fixed to the camera case and to which the lens barrel portion is fixed so as to have a fixed positional relationship. The camera substrate is fixed to the optical unit in a position in which an optical axis of the lens passes through a center of a light receiving surface of the image sensor and is perpendicular to the light receiving surface of the image sensor.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A camera apparatus comprising:
a camera case that is fixed to a windshield of a vehicle from within a cabin of the vehicle; and
a camera module that includes an optical unit and a camera substrate, and is fixed to the camera case, the optical unit including a lens, and the camera substrate including an image sensor and being fixed to an end portion of the optical unit,
the optical unit including a lens barrel portion and a base portion, the lens barrel portion holding the lens therein, and the base portion having a reference surface that serves as a reference for positioning when the camera module is fixed to the camera case and to which the lens barrel portion is fixed so as to have a fixed positional relationship,
the camera substrate being fixed to the optical unit in a position in which an optical axis of the lens passes through a center of a light receiving surface of the image sensor and is perpendicular to the light receiving surface of the image sensor.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The camera apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
the optical unit has a structure in which the lens barrel portion and the base portion are integrally molded.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The camera apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
the optical unit has a symmetrical shape with respect to the optical axis of the lens.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The camera apparatus according to claim 2, wherein:
the optical unit has a symmetrical shape with respect to the optical axis of the lens.

### Claim 5

A camera module that is fixed to a camera case fixed to a windshield of a vehicle from within a cabin of the vehicle, the camera module comprising:
an optical unit that includes a lens; and
a camera substrate that includes an image sensor and is fixed to an end portion of the optical unit,
the optical unit including a lens barrel portion and a base portion, the lens barrel portion holding the lens therein, and the base portion having a reference surface that serves as a reference for positioning when the camera module is fixed to the camera case and to which the lens barrel portion is fixed so as to have a fixed positional relationship, and
the camera substrate being fixed to the optical unit in a position in which an optical axis of the lens passes through a center of a light receiving surface of the image sensor and is perpendicular to the light receiving surface of the image sensor.