# US 9,872,611 B2 · Image pickup unit and endoscope

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 9,872,611 B2
- Document ID: US9872611B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/633,970
- Filed: 2017-06-27
- Published: 2017-10-19
- Granted: 2018-01-23
- Earliest claimed: 2015-08-05
- Assignees: Olympus Corporation
- Applicants: Olympus Corporation
- Inventors: Yuichi Wataya; Akira Muramatsu; Yukiharu Makino
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9872611B2

## CPC

- A61B 1/05: characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion
- A61B 1/00096: {Optical elements}
- A61B 1/00163: {Optical arrangements (A61B1/002, A61B1/06 take precedence)}
- A61B 1/00188: {with focusing or zooming features}
- A61B 1/04: combined with photographic or television appliances
- G02B 23/24: Instruments {or systems} for viewing the inside of hollow bodies, e.g. fibrescopes
- H04N 23/55: Optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensors; Mounting thereof
- A61B 1/0011: {Manufacturing of endoscope parts}
- H04N 23/56: provided with illuminating means
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION

## Abstract

An image pickup unit, includes: a front group lens frame holding a front group lens; a rear group lens frame fitted to the front group lens frame and holding a rear group lens; a movable frame disposed to be movable forward and backward in a direction along a photographing optical axis within the rear group lens frame, and holding a movable lens; an adhesive bonding the front group lens frame to the rear group lens frame; and an adhesive outflow preventing portion preventing the adhesive from flowing out toward the movable frame side when the front group lens frame is bonded and fitted to the rear group lens frame.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An image pickup unit, comprising:
a front group lens frame holding a front group lens;
a rear group lens frame fitted to the front group lens frame and holding a rear group lens;
a correction frame fixed within the rear group lens frame;
a movable frame disposed to be movable forward and backward in a direction along a photographing optical axis within the correction frame, and holding a movable lens;
a stopper provided in the correction frame, the stopper restricting movement of the movable frame in one direction of the photographing optical axis by coming into contact with the movable frame, to achieve one of focal lengths of an observation optical system;
an adhesive bonding the front group lens frame to the rear group lens frame; and
an adhesive outflow preventing portion preventing the adhesive from flowing out toward the movable frame side.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The image pickup unit according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive outflow preventing portion is a peripheral groove formed on an outer peripheral part of the front group lens frame and/or an inner peripheral surface of the rear group lens frame.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The image pickup unit according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive outflow preventing portion is a ring-shaped plate member disposed to come into contact with a step part from behind, the step part being provided on an outer peripheral part of the front group lens frame.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The image pickup unit according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive outflow preventing portion is an O-shaped ring provided in contact with an inner peripheral surface of the rear group lens frame to close an outflow path of the adhesive toward the movable frame side.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The image pickup unit according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive outflow preventing portion is a rough surface portion formed on an outer peripheral part of the front group lens frame and/or an inner peripheral surface of the rear group lens frame.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The image pickup unit according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive outflow preventing portion is an adhesive curing acceleration region provided on an outflow path of the adhesive toward the movable frame side.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The image pickup unit according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive outflow preventing portion is a cutout portion formed on a distal end surface of the rear group lens frame.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The image pickup unit according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive outflow preventing portion is a cutout portion formed on an outward flange portion of the front group lens frame.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

An endoscope comprising the image pickup unit according to claim 1, at a distal end portion of an insertion section inserted in a subject.