Abstract:
An imaging device comprising an imaging element having a light acceptance plane, a frame surrounding a marginal portion of said imaging element and fixing said imaging element, an image formation lens configured to form an image on said light acceptance plane, a lens-barrel configured to support said image formation lens, and a supporting member on which said lens-barrel is mounted and including legs forming an opening for accommodating said frame and said imaging element, wherein an outside of said frame includes protrusions, the legs of said supporting member include mount portions configured to mount said protrusions, and said protrusions are mounted integrally on said mount portions.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO A RELATED DEVICE  
         [0001]    The present patent application is related to Attorney Docket No. 220019US-2 filed on Mar. 27, 2002, by the Applicant (corresponding to the Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-093815 filed on Mar. 28, 2001).  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates to an imaging device used in electronic devices such as cellular phones, hand-held terminals, personal computers, video cameras, scanners, etc.  
         DISCUSSION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
         [0003]    Imaging devices are now widely used in hand-held terminals, cellular phones and the like. These imaging devices are increasingly required to be smaller in size, and various technological developments have been attempted to reduce the size of the devices.  
           [0004]    For example, Japanese Patent Publication (unexamined) No. 191864/1999 discloses a solid-state imaging device. In this solid-state imaging device, a CCD (charge coupled device) chip is mounted on one side of a circuit board (substrate) provided with conductive printed wiring. Further, an opening is formed on the circuit board at a place facing an effective picture element region of the CCD chip, and an imaging plane of the CCD chip is located in such a manner as to face the opening formed on the circuit board.  
           [0005]    The mentioned Japanese Patent Publication also discloses that the opening on the circuit board is directed toward an imaging lens to shorten the distance between the imaging lens and the CCD chip.  
           [0006]    In the above-mentioned conventional imaging device, it is certainly possible to shorten the distance between the imaging lens and the CCD chip, thereby reducing the size of the imaging device in that direction. However, a problem exists with the conventional imaging device. That is, if the CCD chip is not positioned accurately with respect to the imaging lens, an effective image circle of the imaging lens is away from the effective picture element region of the CCD chip. Consequently, a higher portion of the image (i.e., an outermost portion of the image) is not formed on the effective picture element region of the CCD chip, and it is not possible to obtain a quality image.  
           [0007]    Particularly, when using a sheet circuit board (a film-like circuit board) such as FPC (flexible printed circuit), it is very difficult to secure the desired positioning accuracy described above because the circuit board itself is thin and soft.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to solve the above-noted and other problems.  
           [0009]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel imaging device in which a positioning accuracy of an imaging element with respect to an imaging lens can be secured by forming a frame surrounding the imaging element on a leg portion of the imaging lens, thereby obtaining a quality image and a compact imaging device.  
           [0010]    To achieve these and other objects, the present invention provides a novel imaging device including an imaging element having a light acceptance plane, a frame surrounding a marginal portion of the imaging element and fixing the imaging element, and an image formation lens for forming an image on the light acceptance plane. Also included is a lens-barrel for supporting the image formation lens, and a supporting member on which the lens-barrel is mounted and including legs forming an opening for accommodating the frame and the imaging element. Further, protrusions are provided on an outside of the frame, mount portions for mounting the protrusions are provided on the legs of the supporting member, and the protrusions are mounted integrally on the mount portions.  
           [0011]    As a result, it is possible to accurately mount the imaging element on the opening surrounded with the legs, reduce the size the imaging device, and achieve automatic assembling of the imaging device. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]    A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an imaging device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;  
         [0014]    FIGS.  2 ( a ), ( b ) and ( c ) are perspective views illustrating steps in constructing the imaging device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 3 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1 in which a line I-I is added;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the imaging device taken along the line I-I in FIG. 3;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an imaging device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing the imaging device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 7 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 5 in which a line II-II is added;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the imaging device taken along the line II-II in FIG. 7;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an imaging device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing the imaging device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a supporting member of an imaging device according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a modification of the supporting member of the imaging device according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view showing a state of applying a liquid fixing member in an imaging device according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 14 is a schematic perspective view showing a state of applying a film-like fixing member in the imaging device according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view showing the imaging device according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention in which a line III-III added;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 16 is a sectional view of the imaging device taken along the line III-III in FIG. 15;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 17 is a sectional view showing an opening of the imaging device shown in FIG. 16 sealed with a sealing member;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 18 is a sectional view showing of an imaging device according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 19 is a sectional view showing an opening of the imaging device shown in FIG. 18 sealed with a sealing member;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing an imaging device according to Embodiment 7 of the present invention;  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 21 is an exploded perspective view showing the imaging device according to Embodiment 7 of the present invention;  
         [0034]    FIGS.  22 ( a ) and ( b ) are perspective views illustrating steps in constructing the imaging device shown in FIG. 21.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 23 is an exploded perspective view showing the imaging device according to Embodiment 8 of the present invention in which a line IV-IV is added;  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 24 is a sectional view of the imaging device taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. 23;  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 25 is a sectional view for explaining the imaging device according to Embodiment 8 of the present invention; and  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 26 is a perspective view showing the imaging device according to Embodiment 8 of the present invention. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0039]    Several preferred embodiments of the invention are hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals are designated to the same or like parts.  
       EMBODIMENT 1  
       [0040]    Embodiment 1 of the invention is hereinafter described with reference to FIGS.  1  to  4 .  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an imaging device according to Embodiment 1 of the invention, and FIGS.  2 ( a ) to ( c ) are perspective views showing steps in constructing the imaging device according to Embodiment 1. Further, FIG. 3 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1 and in which a line I-I is added, and FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the imaging device taken along the line I-I in FIG. 3.  
         [0042]    Shown in FIGS.  1  to  4  is an imaging element  11  such as CCD chip, an imaging plane  2  (it is also referred to as a light acceptance plane) of the imaging element  1 , and a film-like circuit board  3  (hereinafter simply referred to as “the circuit board”) composed of FPC or the like. In addition, a through-hole  4  where the imaging plane  2  is exposed is formed near the end of the circuit board  3 . A wiring pattern (not shown) is also formed on one face or both faces of the circuit board  3 .  
         [0043]    As shown in FIG. 2( b ), the imaging element  1  is fixed to the backside of the circuit board  3  so the imaging plane  2  corresponds to the through hole  4  and is exposed from an upper portion of the circuit board  3 . Further, a frame  5  surrounds the imaging element  1 , and is fixed to the imaging element  1  so as to surround a peripheral side of the imaging element  1  as shown in FIG. 2( c ).  
         [0044]    Also shown are protrusions  6  integrally formed with the frame  5 . The protrusions  6  are formed on the sides in the width direction of the circuit board  3  and protrude respectively in the direction perpendicularly crossing the extending direction of the circuit board  3  indicated by the arrow in FIG. 2( c ). An imaging lens  7  (also referred to as image formation lens) is also shown (see FIG. 4) and forms an image on the imaging plane  2  through the through-hole  4  of the circuit board  3 . A lens-barrel  8  holds the imaging lens  7 , and a supporting portion  10  connects the lens-barrel  8  with a leg portion  9 . The lens-barrel  8 , the leg portion  9  and the supporting portion  10  form a supporting member  11 .  
         [0045]    As shown in FIG. 2( c ), the leg portion  9  includes recesses (cutout parts)  13  where the protrusions  6  are inserted and fitted. FIG. 3 shows the protrusions  6  of the frame  5  fitted in the recesses  13  of the leg portion  9 .  
         [0046]    As shown in FIG. 4, the leg portion  9  and the supporting portion  10  form an opening  12  which is a box-shaped space, and the imaging element  1  and the circuit board  3  combined with the frame  5  are inserted into the opening  12 .  
         [0047]    The frame  5  and the supporting member  11  can be formed with a high dimensional accuracy by injection molding of ABS resin or the like. In such a molding, the protrusions  6  of the frame  5 , the recesses (cutout parts)  13  of the leg  9 , and a later-described focal distance adjusting mechanism including the lens-barrel  8  and the supporting portion  10  can be easily formed.  
         [0048]    Further, the imaging lens  7  held by the lens-barrel  8  and the imaging element  1  can be easily positioned by fitting the protrusions  6  of the frame  5  formed with high dimensional accuracy into the recesses  13  of the leg portion  9 . Consequently, an image is correctly formed on the imaging plane  2  of the imaging element  1  through the imaging lens  7 .  
         [0049]    As shown in FIG. 4, an inner screw groove is formed inside the lens-barrel  8 , and another screw groove that fits with the inner screw groove is formed on the supporting portion  10  (hereinafter referred to as a screw-fitting mechanism  14   a ). Furthermore, the lens-barrel  8  is provided with a guide portion  14 b inside the screw fitting mechanism  14   a  forming a double structure.  
         [0050]    With the screw fitting mechanism  14   a,  the lens-barrel  8  is constructed so a focal distance in the direction of height of the imaging lens  7  with respect to the imaging plane  2  is adjustable. Further by combining, fitting and assembling the guide portion  14   b  and the supporting portion  10  together, the relative position between an optical axis of the image formation lens  7  and the imaging plane  2  is established within a predetermined tolerance.  
         [0051]    In addition, the supporting portion  10  includes a hole  15  for passing light to form an image through the imaging lens  7  above the imaging plane  2 . Further, strict dimensional tolerances are required to secure the protrusions  6  of the frame  5  and the recesses  13  of the leg portion  9  by simply snapping the protrusions  6  and the recesses  13  together. Accordingly, it is preferable to expand the allowable range of this tolerance and fix the protrusions  6  of the frame  5  to the recesses  13  of the leg portion  9  by a fixing mechanism  16  such as an adhesive. The device may be fitted using both of these arrangements.  
       EMBODIMENT 2  
       [0052]    Embodiment 2 of the invention will now be described with reference to FIGS.  5  to  8 .  
         [0053]    [0053]FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an imaging device according to Embodiment 2, and FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the imaging device according to Embodiment 2. Further, FIG. 7 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 5 in which a line II-II is added, and FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the imaging device taken along the line II-II in FIG. 7.  
         [0054]    As shown in FIGS.  5  to  8 , a recess  17  (cutout part) is formed on a leg portion  9   a  in the extending direction of the circuit board  3 . A width of the recess  17  corresponds to the width of the circuit board  3  drawn out of the opening  12 .  
         [0055]    As shown in FIG. 7, the circuit board  3  is drawn out of the opening  12  formed by the leg portions  9 ,  9   a  through the recess  17 . Unlike the case shown in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, the circuit board  3  can be removed without bending it.  
         [0056]    As a result, it is possible to prevent the film-like circuit board  3  from being damaged due to bending, and thus improve reliability of the device.  
         [0057]    In the drawings showing Embodiment 2, the same reference numerals as those in FIGS.  1  to  4  showing Embodiment 1 are designated to the same or like parts, and an explanation thereof is accordingly omitted.  
       EMBODIMENT 3  
       [0058]    Embodiment 3 of the invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10.  
         [0059]    [0059]FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an example of an imaging device according to Embodiment 3, and FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing the imaging device according to Embodiment 3. As shown in FIG. 9, a fixing mechanism  18  such as an adhesive is included for fixing the leg portion  9   a  to the circuit board  3  drawn out of the recess  17  (cutout part) of the leg portion  9   a.  The fixing mechanism  18  may be, for example, an ultraviolet curing type resin.  
         [0060]    As shown in FIG. 10, a projection  19  is provided on the leg portion  9   a  and projects downward. A hole  20  is provided through the circuit board  3 , and the projection  19  is inserted into the hole  20  to approximately position the circuit board  3  so the imaging element  1  and the frame  5  are integrally combined with the supporting member  11 .  
         [0061]    In other words, by inserting the projection  19  into the hole  20 , the lens-barrel  8  holding the imaging lens  7  is mounted. At the same time, the supporting member  11  including the leg portion  9  and the circuit board  3  can be easily approximately positioned together.  
         [0062]    Further, a reinforcing member  20  is mounted on the periphery of the hole  20  for the purpose of reinforcing the circuit board  3 . When the circuit board  3  is a soft circuit board such as film-like circuit board, after inserting the projection  19 , the reinforcing member  21  prevents the circuit board from being cut due to a stress such as an external force.  
       EMBODIMENT 4  
       [0063]    Embodiment  4  of the invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12.  
         [0064]    In the imaging device according to Embodiment 2, the leg portion  9  of the supporting member  11  includes the recess  13  (the first cutout part), and the leg portion  9   a  includes the recess  17  (the second cutout part). As a result, the supporting member  11  forming the opening  12  has a reduced structural strength due to the cutout parts formed on the leg portions  9  and  9   a.    
         [0065]    The imaging device according to Embodiment 4 is intended to improve the structural strength of the portion of the supporting member  11  where the cutout parts and the like are formed.  
         [0066]    In more detail, FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an example of the imaging device according to Embodiment 4, and FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a modification of the imaging device according to Embodiment 4. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, a rib  22  continuously extends upward from the supporting portion  10  on the leg portion  9   a,  and a rib  23  continuously extends upward from the supporting portion  10  on the leg  9 . The reinforcing ribs  22  and  23  reinforces the leg portions  9  and  9   a.    
         [0067]    The imaging element  1 , the circuit board  3 , the frame and so on are constructed in the same manner as those in the imaging devices according to the foregoing embodiments. In addition, the frame  5 , the circuit board  3  and so on are not illustrated in the description of the imaging device according to this embodiment.  
       EMBODIMENT 5  
       [0068]    Embodiment 5 of the invention will now be described with reference to FIGS.  13  to  16 . In the imaging device according to the Embodiment 3, the circuit board  3  is fixed to the leg portion  9   a  with the fixing mechanism  18  (e.g., an adhesive). However, because the device is small in size, this type of fixing is not always sufficient to maintain a fixed state when a strong impact is applied to the device. This embodiment is intended to firmly fix the circuit board  3  to the supporting member  11 .  
         [0069]    In more detail, FIGS. 13 and 14 are schematic perspective views each showing an imaging device before mounting the supporting member  11  on the circuit board  3 , FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing the imaging device according to Embodiment 5 in which a line III-III is added, and FIG. 16 is a sectional view of the imaging device taken along the line III-III in FIG. 15.  
         [0070]    As shown in FIGS.  13  to  16 , fixing members  24  and  25  (adhesive) are applied to the through-hole  4  of the circuit board  3  and to a periphery of the imaging plane  2 . Further, an adhesive liquid is the fixing member  24  and the fixing member  25  is a film-like adhesive fixing member. The fixing member  24  is also shown in the sectional view of the imaging device shown in FIG. 16. In the drawings, the same numerals are designated to the same or like parts, and accordingly a detailed explanation thereof is omitted.  
         [0071]    In the imaging device according to Embodiment 5, as shown in FIGS.  13  or  14 , the fixing members  24  or  25  are applied to the periphery of the through-hole  4  of the circuit board  3 . Thus, the circuit board  3  is fixed to the supporting member  11  through the fixing members  24  or  25 . Consequently, a wide fixed area is secured between the circuit board  3  and the supporting member  11 , and the circuit board  3  is firmly fixed to the supporting member  11 . As shown in FIG. 16, the circuit board  3  accommodated in the opening  12  of the supporting member  11  is fixed to the supporting member  11  with the fixing (sealing) member  24 .  
         [0072]    In this manner, it is possible to prevent the circuit board  3  from peeling off the supporting member  11  even if the imaging device is dropped or receives an external impact. Further, the imaging element  1  is securely maintained at the focal position of the imaging lens  7  where the imaging element  1  is positioned, and an imaging device of high quality with a desired reading accuracy is assured.  
         [0073]    Next, FIG. 17 is a sectional view showing the opening  12  of the imaging device according to this embodiment sealed with a sealing member. As shown in FIG. 17, the opening  12 , in which the imaging element  1 , the frame  5 , and the circuit board  3  are inserted, is sealed with a sealing member  26 . As a result, preventing moisture from absorbing into the device is improved, and the backside of the imaging element  1  is not directly exposed. Consequently, it is possible to prevent the imaging element from being damaged by an external force or the like.  
       EMBODIMENT 6  
       [0074]    Embodiment 6 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 18 and 19. In the imaging device according to this embodiment, the circuit board  3  including the imaging element  1  and a peripheral circuit element  27  is bent in such a manner that the imaging element  1  and the peripheral circuit element may lie upon one another. Thus, the imaging element  1  and the peripheral circuit element are accommodated in the opening  12  of the supporting member  11 .  
         [0075]    The peripheral circuit element  27  is, for example, an image signal processing IC for optimizing imaging conditions based on the signal output from the imaging element  1 .  
         [0076]    [0076]FIG. 18 is a sectional view showing an imaging device according to Embodiment 6, and FIG. 19 is a sectional view showing an opening of the imaging device shown in FIG. 18 sealed with a sealing member.  
         [0077]    As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the peripheral circuit element  27  and the imaging element  1  lie upon one another. Further, a film-like circuit board  3  is bent in the opening  12  of the supporting member  11  so the imaging element  1  and the peripheral circuit element  27  lie one upon another. In addition, the sealing member  26  seals the opening  12  of the supporting member  11  in which the imaging element  1 , the peripheral circuit element  27 , and the circuit board  3  are accommodated.  
         [0078]    As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, in the imaging device according to this embodiment, the circuit board  3  is bent, and the imaging element  1  and the peripheral circuit element  27  are accommodated in the opening  12  of the supporting member  11 .  
         [0079]    Accordingly, it is not necessary to arrange the elements in any region on the circuit board  3  drawn out of the opening  12  of the supporting member  11 . It is also not necessary to arrange the elements separately from the imaging device on the circuit board on a body side of electronic equipment where the imaging device is mounted. As a result, it is possible to reduce the size and simplify the construction of the imaging device.  
         [0080]    Furthermore, the opening  12  of the supporting member  11  in which the imaging element  1 , the peripheral circuit element  27  and the circuit board  3  are accommodated, is sealed with the sealing member  26 . As a result, it is possible to further prevent the absorption of moisture, and prevent the imaging element and the peripheral circuit element from being damaged by an external force or the like.  
       EMBODIMENT 7  
       [0081]    Embodiment 7 of the invention will now be described with reference to FIGS.  20  to  22 ( a ) and ( b ).  
         [0082]    In the imaging devices according to the foregoing embodiments, one protrusion  6  integrally formed with the frame  5  and one recess  13  of the leg portion  9  in which the protrusion is inserted and fitted are respectively provided on the opposite side of the frame  5  or the leg portion  9 . On the other hand, in the imaging device according to this embodiment, plural protrusions of the frame  5  for positioning the imaging element  1  and the imaging lens  7  and plural recesses of the leg portion  9  are provided on the opposite side of the frame  5  or the leg portion  9 . Furthermore, each of the plural protrusions and recesses is small in size.  
         [0083]    [0083]FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing the imaging device according to this embodiment, and FIG. 21 is an exploded perspective view showing the imaging device. As shown, in this embodiment, each of the opposite sides includes two protrusions and two recesses.  
         [0084]    In more detail, as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, protrusions  30  and  31  are integrally formed on the frame  5 , and recesses  32  and  33  are formed in the leg portion  9 . The protrusions  30  and  31  are inserted and fitted in the recesses  32 ,  33 , whereby the imaging element  1  surrounded with the frame  5  and the circuit board  3  are accommodated in the opening  12  of the supporting member  11 . Accordingly, it is possible to securely position the imaging plane  2  and the imaging lens  7  supported by the lens-barrel  8 .  
         [0085]    In the imaging device shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, the leg portion  9   a  on the side from which the circuit board  3  is drawn out includes a recess (cutout part)  17  having the same width as the circuit board  3 . Note that this embodiment is also applicable to an imaging device without the recess  17  as shown in FIG. 1.  
         [0086]    In the imaging device according to this embodiment, the frame  5  is connected with the supporting member  11  including the lens-barrel  8 , the leg portion  9  and the supporting portion  10 . This connection is achieved by inserting and fitting the small-sized plural protrusions  30  and  31  into the recesses  32  and  33 . Consequently, it is possible to moderate and disperse the reduction in structural strength of the connected portions due to the formation of the cutout parts in the supporting member  11 .  
         [0087]    Now, a method for manufacturing the imaging device according to this embodiment will be described.  
         [0088]    FIGS.  22 ( a ) and ( b ) are perspective views illustrating steps in constructing the imaging device according to this embodiment.  
         [0089]    As shown in FIGS.  22 ( a ) and ( b ), a lead frame  34  is integrally formed with plural frames  5  through portions of the protrusions  30  and  31  of the frames  5 . As described above, the frames  5  and the supporting member  11  may be produced by molding with a metallic mold and so on. The lead frame  34  having the plural frames  5  as shown in FIG. 22( a ) may also be formed by molding in the same manner. In this embodiment, such a lead frame  34  is conveyed to manufacture an imaging device.  
         [0090]    As shown in FIG. 22( b ), in this embodiment, the circuit board  3  to which the imaging element  1  is fixed is placed on each frame  5  of the conveyed lead frame  34 . Then, each imaging element  1  is surrounded with a respective frame  5 .  
         [0091]    In addition, the frames  5  are spaced apart from each other to prevent the circuit board  3  mounted on the frame  5  from coming into contact with a subsequent circuit board  3  and frame  5 .  
         [0092]    Then, each supporting member  11  having the imaging lens  7  is placed on the circuit board  3 , and the protrusions  30  and  31  of the frame  5  are inserted and fitted in the recesses  32  and  33 .  
         [0093]    A fixing mechanism such as an adhesive is applied to the portions where the protrusions  30  and  31  are inserted and fitted in the recesses  32  and  33  when required to firmly fix the supporting members  11  to the frames  5 . Thereafter, the frames  5  and the lead frame  34  are separated by disconnecting the lead frame  34  and the protrusions  30 ,  31 , thereby obtaining the imaging devices.  
         [0094]    As described above, in the manufacturing method according to this embodiment, the plural frames  5  and the lead frame  34  are connected and integrally formed by molding as shown in FIG. 22( a ). It is therefore possible to establish dimensions of the frames  5  and a distance between one frame  5  and another with highly dimensional accuracy.  
         [0095]    As a result, it is possible to position each of the frames  5  with ease, and plural imaging devices can be assembled easily and promptly.  
         [0096]    Furthermore, each circuit board  3  including the imaging element  1  is correctly placed on the frame  5  without difficulty, and it is therefore possible to easily achieve automated mechanical assembling.  
         [0097]    In the imaging device shown in FIGS.  22 ( a ) and ( b ), one side of the frame  5  and the leg portion  9  includes two protrusions  30 ,  31  and two recesses  32 ,  33 . The invention is not limited to such a construction as far as the frames are easily and stably disconnected from the lead frame.  
       EMBODIMENT 8  
       [0098]    Now, Embodiment 8 of the invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 23 and 24. FIG. 23 is an exploded perspective view of the imaging device according to this embodiment in which a line IV-IV is added, and FIG. 24 is a sectional view of the imaging device taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. 23.  
         [0099]    In FIG. 23, a holder  35  is mounted on the body of the imaging device from above the supporting member  11  supporting the lens-barrel  8 . A hole  36  is provided through the holder  35  and in which the lens-barrel  8  is inserted when the holder  35  is mounted. A mounting member  27  is used when the holder  35  is mounted on the body of the imaging device. A key part  38  is also formed at the end of the mounting member  37 , and a contact portion  39  formed at each corner of the support portion  10  comes in contact with the holder  35 .  
         [0100]    As shown in FIG. 23, the holder  35  includes the hole  36  through which the lens-barrel  8  is inserted, and therefore each of the contact portions  39  provided at the four corners of the support portion  10  comes in contact with the holder  35 . As shown in FIG. 24, the mounting load in the direction of the arrow generated at the time of mounting the holder  35  is applied through the contact portions  39  in the extending direction of the legs portions  9  and  9   a  continuous from the supporting portion  10 .  
         [0101]    When the holder  35  is mounted on the body of the imaging device body after assembling the imaging device including the imaging element  1 , the circuit board  3 , the supporting members  11 , and so on, the mounting load is uniformly applied from the lens-barrel  8 . Further, as shown in FIG. 25, the structure of the supporting member  11  is deformed and a stress is generated at the portion where the imaging element  1  is in contact with the circuit board  3  in the direction of peeling the imaging element  1  off the circuit board  3 . Generation of such stress causes the imaging element  1  to peel off the circuit board  3  and causes problems.  
         [0102]    In the imaging device according to this embodiment, however, the load when mounting the holder  35  is not uniformly applied from the lens-barrel  8 , but is applied through the contact portions  39  to the corners of the supporting portion  10  and the legs portions  9  and  9   a.  Therefore, in spite of mounting the holder  35 , the connecting portion between the imaging element  1  and the circuit board  3  is prevented from generated stress caused by the mounting load. As a result, it is possible to obtain an imaging device of high quality without problems occurring in the device after assembling the imaging element  1 , the circuit board  3 , the supporting member  11 , and so on into the device.  
         [0103]    It is also preferable to provide a reinforcement member such as rib between one contact portion  39  and another formed at the comers of the supporting portion  10  for connection between one contact portion  39  and another with the reinforcement member. FIG. 26 is a perspective view showing the imaging device according to this embodiment provided with such reinforcement members.  
         [0104]    In FIG. 26, a rib  40  is formed continuous from the supporting portion  10  and extends upward from the legs  9  or  9   a.  The rib  40  is a reinforcement member for connecting the contact portions  39  formed at the comers of the supporting portion  10  with each other.  
         [0105]    In the drawings, the same reference numerals indicate the same or like parts, and a further detailed explanation of them is omitted herein. As shown in FIG. 26, the structure of the supporting member  11  is reinforced as a result of providing the reinforcement members  40  for connecting between one contact portions  39  and another. Consequently, it is possible to prevent generation of stress caused by the mounting load of the holder  35  as described above, and it is possible to obtain an imaging device of high quality.  
         [0106]    Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.