# US 5,274,456 A · Semiconductor device and video camera unit using it and their manufacturing method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,274,456 A - Document ID: US5274456A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 07/823,617 - Filed: 1992-01-21 - Granted: 1993-12-28 - Earliest claimed: 1987-12-28 - Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd.; Echo Incorporated - Inventors: Akiya Izumi; Iwao Takemoto; Hiroichi Sokei; Masahiko Kadowaki; Atsumu Iguchi; Junichiro Nakajima; Masayuki Takahashi; Kunio Niwa - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5274456A ## CPC - H04N 23/55: Optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensors; Mounting thereof - H04N 25/532: by controlling global shutters in CMOS SSIS - H04N 25/70: SSIS architectures; Circuits associated therewith - H04N 25/76: Addressed sensors, e.g. MOS or CMOS sensors - H04N 25/7795: {Circuitry for generating timing or clock signals} - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION ## Abstract An imaging assembly, which is particularly useful for a video camera unit, comprising a set of lenses, some of which have a non-refractive surface, and an image sensor. A holder is provided for holding both the set of lenses and the image sensor to be aligned with one another. Circuitry is also provided so that the sensitivity of the image sensor can be electrically varied. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An imaging assembly comprising a plurality of piled plastic lenses, a solid-state image sensor and a holder for incorporating said lenses and said image sensor therein so that said lenses and said image sensor are aligned with one another, wherein said holder is provided, on an inner wall corresponding to a portion incorporating said lenses, with a projection having a flat portion extending inwardly at a substantially right angle from the inner wall, wherein said lenses are adapted to be attached to the flat portion, and wherein said projection is provided with a groove between said flat portion and said inner wall to serve as a drain opening for air extruded when the lenses are successively piled on one another in the holder. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The imaging assembly according to claim 1, wherein each of said lenses has a rib, an outer surface of each said rib fitting the inner wall of said holder. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The imaging assembly according to claim 2, further comprising light-shielding rings inserted between said ribs of two of said lenses. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The imaging assembly according to claim 1, wherein said holder has a downward projected portion at the bottom surface of the lower end thereof. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The imaging assembly according to claim 1, wherein said holder is comprised of a plastic containing conductor particles or powder. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) An imaging assembly according to claim 5, wherein said conductor particles or powder includes carbon. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The imaging assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a cylindrical metallic case covering the outer side surface of said holder, wherein the lower, outer surface of said case is spread outward compared with the upper, outer surface thereof, and wherein said case has a recessed portion at the outer surface of the spread area. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) An imaging assembly according to claim 1, wherein said solid-state image sensor comprises an unsealed chip. ### Claim 9 An imaging assembly comprising a plurality of lenses, a solid-state image sensor chip, an insulating substrate attached to said chip and to lead pins, and a holder for incorporating said lenses, said image sensor chip, said insulating substrate and said lead pins so that said lenses, said image sensor chip and said insulating substrate are aligned with one another, wherein said insulating substrate has a side surface formed in a predetermined stepped manner, and wherein said holder has an inner wall formed in a predetermined stepped manner in accordance with the shape of the side surface of said insulating substrate to permit aligning said insulating substrate with said holder in a manner to align said image sensor chip attached to the insulating substrate with said lenses. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) An imaging assembly according to claim 9, wherein said holder is comprised of a plastic containing conductor particles or powder. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The imaging assembly according to claim 9, wherein said holder has a downward projected portion at the bottom surface of the lower end thereof. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) An imaging assembly according to claim 9, wherein said solid-state image sensor chip comprises an unsealed chip. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The imaging assembly according to claim 9, wherein each of said lenses has a rib, an outer surface of each said rib fitting the inner wall of said holder. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The imaging assembly according to claim 13, further comprising light-shielding rings inserted between said ribs of two of said lenses. ### Claim 15 An imaging assembly comprising: a solid-state imaging sensor chip; a plurality of plastic lenses, predetermined ones of which have a non-spherical surface; a cylindrical plastic holder containing therein said chip at a lower position and said lenses at an upper position such that said lenses and said chip are aligned with one another; a cylindrical metallic case covering an outer side surface of said holder, an upper end of said case being bent inward to form an edge portion a glass plate formed on the edge portion of the cylindrical metallic case; and a cap having a doughnut shape assembled between the upper end portion of said holder and said edge portion of said case for fixing said lenses in said holder, wherein said upper end portion of said holder has recessed and projected portions, wherein a lower end portion of said cap also has recessed and projected portions corresponding to match the recessed and projected portions of said holder, and wherein a gap is provided between the lower end portion of the outer periphery of said cap and the upper end portion of the outer periphery of said holder. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) An imaging assembly according to claim 15, wherein said solid-state imaging sensor chip comprises an unsealed chip. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The imaging assembly according to claim 15, wherein each of said lenses has a rib, an outer surface of each said rib fitting an inner wall of said holder. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The imaging assembly according to claim 17, further comprising light-shielding rings inserted between said ribs of two of said lenses. ### Claim 19 An imaging assembly comprising: a solid-state imaging sensor chip; a plurality of plastic lenses, predetermined ones of which have a non-spherical surface; a cylindrical plastic holder containing therein said chip at a lower position and said lenses at an upper position such that said lenses and said chip are aligned with one another, wherein the lower, outer surface of said holder is spread outward compared with the upper, outer surface thereof, further comprising a cylindrical metallic case covering the outer side surface of said holder, wherein the lower, outer surface of said case is spread outward compared with the upper, outer surface thereof. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) An imaging assembly according to claim 19, wherein said solid-state imaging sensor chip comprises an unsealed chip. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The imaging assembly according to claim 19, wherein each of said lenses has a rib, an outer surface of each of said rib fitting an inner wall of said holder. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The imaging assembly according to claim 21, further comprising light-shielding rings inserted between said ribs of two of said lenses. ### Claim 23 (depends on 19) The imaging assembly according to claim 19, wherein an upper end of said case is bent inward to form an edge portion on which said glass plate is secured. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The imaging assembly according to claim 23, further comprising a cap having a doughnut shape assembled between the upper end portion of said holder and said edge portion of said case for fixing said lenses in said holder. ### Claim 25 (depends on 23) The imaging assembly according to claim 23, wherein the lower end of said case is bent outward to form a plurality of foot portions, each of said foot portions including an opening. ### Claim 26 (depends on 19) The imaging assembly according to claim 19, wherein said case has a recessed portion at the outer surface of the spread area.