Patent Description:
In an imaging apparatus, techniques for joining a substrate having an image sensor mounted thereon and a housing using an adhesive are known (for example, see PTL <NUM>).

<CIT> discloses an imaging apparatus including an image-forming optical system assembly, an image sensor, a sensor retaining portion that retains the image sensor, a coupling portion that is fixed to the image-forming optical system assembly, and a movement suppressing member that is immovable with respect to the coupling portion. The image-forming optical system assembly includes an optical system-side adhesive surface, the coupling portion includes an opposite surface, and the sensor retaining portion includes a sensor-side adhesive surface. A first adhesive is filled in at least a portion of a gap between the optical system-side adhesive surface and the sensor-side adhesive surface, and comes into contact with both of the optical system-side adhesive surface and the sensor-side adhesive surface. The movement suppressing member contacts the opposite surface, and contacts the sensor retaining portion on a surface facing the rear side out of surfaces of the sensor retaining portion.

<CIT> discloses a solid-state image pickup device including a lens-holding member and a substrate. The lens-holding member holds lenses and has a peripheral-wall shape leg located on opposite side of the lens. An image pickup device is mounted on the substrate. The substrate has a device-mounting portion where the image pickup device is mounted, and has a coupling portion that extends from the device-mounting portion and is to be coupled to an external circuit. The device-mounting portion is housed in a space surrounded by the leg. An exterior circumference of the device-mounting portion is fitted into an inner face of the leg. A cutout through which the coupling portion is extracted from the space is formed in the leg.

<CIT> discloses a sensor module including a lens attached on an opening side of a housing and a circuit board with a sensor device mounted thereon attached on the other opening side. A stepped part is formed on the inside of the housing. An adjustment gap for adjusting the position of the circuit board is formed between a vertical face of this stepped part and an outer peripheral face of the circuit board. An adhesive injection groove that varies the width of the adjustment gap is formed by providing a recess and/or a projection on the vertical face of the stepped part and an opposing face of the outer peripheral face of the circuit board in at least one of at least two fixing portions where the circuit board is fixed to the stepped part with an adhesive. Adhesive is applied into the adhesive injection groove.

The present invention provides an imaging apparatus, a mobile object, and a manufacturing method according to the independent claims.

Further embodiments of the present invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.

With the imaging apparatus, the mobile object, and the manufacturing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, misalignment of a substrate portion which integrates an image sensor and a substrate can be suppressed.

In a manufacturing process for the imaging apparatus as mentioned earlier, the adhesive applied between the substrate and the housing shrinks with curing. Consequently, the position of the substrate relative to the housing after curing of the adhesive differs from the position before curing of the adhesive. This can cause lower positional accuracy in the resultant imaging apparatus as the substrate is displaced from its desired position.

In the present disclosure, it is desired to provide an imaging apparatus, a mobile object, and an imaging method that suppress misalignment of a substrate portion which integrates an image sensor and a substrate.

An imaging apparatus <NUM> according to a first embodiment will be described below, with reference to the drawings.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the imaging apparatus <NUM> according to the first embodiment includes an imaging optical system <NUM>, a substrate portion <NUM>, a holding member <NUM>, and a bonding member <NUM>. The substrate portion <NUM> includes an image sensor <NUM> and a substrate <NUM> as one unit. Hereafter, the direction of the optical axis OX of the imaging optical system <NUM> is referred to as "z-axis direction". In particular, the direction from the substrate portion <NUM> to the imaging optical system <NUM> along the optical axis OX is referred to as "positive z-axis direction", and the direction from the imaging optical system <NUM> to the substrate portion <NUM> along the optical axis OX is referred to as "negative z-axis direction". One of the directions perpendicular to the z-axis direction is referred to as "x-axis direction". The direction perpendicular to the x-axis direction and the z-axis direction is referred to as "y-axis direction".

The imaging optical system <NUM> forms a subject image incident on the imaging apparatus <NUM>, on an imaging surface of the image sensor <NUM>. The imaging optical system <NUM> is fixed to the holding member <NUM>. The imaging optical system <NUM> includes a first lens <NUM> and a second lens <NUM>. The first lens <NUM> and the second lens <NUM> are collectively referred to as "lenses". The number of lenses is not limited to two, and may be one or three or more. At least a part of the lenses may be replaced with another element such as a mirror. Elements such as lenses and mirrors are collectively referred to as "optical elements". In other words, the imaging optical system <NUM> includes at least one optical element. The lenses may be fixed to the holding member <NUM> by resin such as an adhesive material. The lenses may be fixed to the holding member <NUM> by a fitting structure. The lenses may be fixed to the holding member <NUM> by screw fastening or the like.

The image sensor <NUM> captures the subject image formed on the imaging surface by the imaging optical system <NUM>. Examples of the image sensor <NUM> include a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor and a charge coupled device (CCD). The image sensor <NUM> is mounted on the substrate <NUM>. The image sensor <NUM> may be fixed to the holding member <NUM> via an adhesive material that is in contact with the substrate <NUM> having the image sensor <NUM> mounted thereon.

The substrate <NUM> has different planar surfaces that are in contact with the bonding member <NUM>. The different planar surfaces are, for example, a first substrate surface 32a (first surface) and a second substrate surface 32b (second surface) that faces the opposite direction to the facing direction of the first substrate surface 32a.

Specifically, the first substrate surface 32a may be a surface facing the negative z-axis direction in the substrate <NUM>. The second substrate surface 32b may be a surface facing the positive z-axis direction in the substrate <NUM>. The image sensor <NUM> may be mounted on the second substrate surface 32b.

The substrate <NUM> may be fixed to the holding member <NUM> via the bonding member <NUM>. The substrate <NUM> may have mounted thereon not only the image sensor <NUM> but also a circuit for processing data of an image captured by the image sensor <NUM>. The substrate <NUM> may be a printed circuit board or the like.

The holding member <NUM> holds the imaging optical system <NUM> and the substrate portion <NUM>. Specifically, the holding member <NUM> may hold the imaging optical system <NUM> and the substrate <NUM> so that the optical axis OX and the focus of the imaging optical system <NUM> coincide on the imaging surface of the image sensor <NUM>. The holding member <NUM> may contain a material such as resin. The holding member <NUM> is not limited to resin, and may contain any of various materials.

Specifically, the holding member <NUM> has a plurality of planar surfaces that face the first substrate surface 32a and the second substrate surface 32b, i.e. the different planar surfaces of the substrate portion <NUM> in contact with the bonding member <NUM>, and are in contact with the bonding member <NUM>. For example, the holding member <NUM> has a first holding surface 4a (third surface) facing the first substrate surface 32a, and a second holding surface 4b (fourth surface) facing a peripheral part of the second substrate surface 32b. The peripheral part is a region of the second substrate surface 32b where the image sensor <NUM> is not mounted. The holding member <NUM> may have a holding side surface 4c facing a surface (hereafter referred to as "substrate side surface 32c") of the substrate <NUM> orthogonal to the first substrate surface 32a and the second substrate surface 32b.

In the example illustrated in <FIG>, the second holding surface 4b of the holding member <NUM> faces the corners of the substrate <NUM>. However, the position of the second holding surface 4b is not limited to this, and the second holding surface 4b may face the peripheral part of the substrate <NUM>. For example, the second holding surface 4b may face the peripheral part of the substrate <NUM> other than the corners. For example, the second holding surface 4b may face the entire peripheral part of the substrate <NUM>.

The bonding member <NUM> is, for example, an ultraviolet curing adhesive. The bonding member <NUM> may be a thermosetting adhesive. The bonding member <NUM> fixes the substrate portion <NUM> to the holding member <NUM>. The bonding member <NUM> is partly in contact with the surface of the substrate portion <NUM>. At at least two positions in the part of the surface of the substrate portion <NUM> in contact with the bonding member <NUM>, the surface of the substrate portion <NUM> faces different directions.

For example, the surface of the substrate portion <NUM> faces different directions, at at least two positions on the surface of the substrate portion <NUM> in contact with the bonding member <NUM>. The surface of the substrate portion <NUM> at the at least two positions where the bonding member <NUM> is in contact may face substantially opposite directions. The at least two positions may be on the different planar surfaces constituting the surface of the substrate portion <NUM>. The bonding member <NUM> may be in contact with the whole periphery of the substrate portion <NUM>. An example in which the bonding member <NUM> is in contact with the substrate <NUM> in the substrate portion <NUM> will be described below.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the bonding member <NUM> is in contact with two regions of the substrate <NUM> (for example, a region around the right end and a region around the left end in the drawing). The region around the right end and the region around the left end are each on the different planar surfaces constituting the surface of the substrate <NUM>. In each region, the bonding member <NUM> is in contact with at least a part of the peripheral part of the first substrate surface 32a of the substrate <NUM>, at least a part of the second substrate surface 32b, and at least a part of the substrate side surface 32c.

The bonding member <NUM> is further in contact with the holding member <NUM>. Specifically, the bonding member <NUM> may be in contact with the first holding surface 4a and the second holding surface 4b of the holding member <NUM>. The bonding member <NUM> may be in contact with the holding side surface 4c of the holding member <NUM>. Hereafter, a part of the bonding member <NUM> between a planar surface including the first substrate surface 32a and the first holding surface 4a of the holding member <NUM> is referred to as "first bonding part <NUM>", a part of the bonding member <NUM> between a planar surface including the second substrate surface 32b and the second holding surface 4b of the holding member <NUM> is referred to as "second bonding part <NUM>", and a part of the bonding member <NUM> between the substrate side surface 32c and the holding side surface 4c of the holding member <NUM> is referred to as "side surface bonding part <NUM>".

The volume of the first bonding part <NUM> and the volume of the second bonding part <NUM> are determined as appropriate depending on the distance to the holding member <NUM> in contact with the bonding member <NUM>, the area of the holding member <NUM> in contact with the bonding member <NUM>, and the like. For example, the substrate <NUM> may be in contact with the bonding member <NUM> in a plurality of separated regions, and the volume of the first bonding part <NUM> and the volume of the second bonding part <NUM> may be substantially equal in each of the plurality of regions.

Specifically, the case where a distance L1 and a distance L2 are substantially equal as illustrated in <FIG> will be described below. The distance L1 is the distance from the first substrate surface 32a to the first holding surface 4a. The distance L2 is the distance from the second substrate surface 32b to the second holding surface 4b. In this case, as a result of the area of the first bonding part <NUM> and the area of the second bonding part <NUM> as seen in the z-axis direction being set to be equal, the volume of the first bonding part <NUM> and the volume of the second bonding part <NUM> are substantially equal. Consequently, the pulling force in the negative z-axis direction exerted on the substrate <NUM> as a result of the first bonding part <NUM> trying to shrink with curing and the pulling force in the positive z-axis direction exerted on the substrate <NUM> as a result of the second bonding part <NUM> trying to shrink with curing are substantially equal. This can further suppress misalignment of the substrate <NUM> and the image sensor <NUM> mounted on the substrate <NUM>.

The case where the distance L1 is longer than the distance L2 as illustrated in <FIG> will be described below. In this case, the volume of the first bonding part <NUM> per unit area is larger than the volume of the second bonding part <NUM> per unit area. Consequently, the pulling force in the negative z-axis direction exerted on the substrate <NUM> due to the shrinkage of the first bonding part <NUM> is greater than the pulling force in the positive z-axis direction exerted on the substrate <NUM> due to the shrinkage of the second bonding part <NUM>, per unit area. Accordingly, in the case where the distance L1 is longer than the distance L2, the area of the first bonding part <NUM> is set to be smaller than the area of the second bonding part <NUM> as seen in the z-axis direction, as illustrated in <FIG>. The second bonding part <NUM> thus pulls the substrate <NUM> in the positive z-axis direction over a wider range than the first bonding part <NUM>. Therefore, the respective pulling forces in the positive z-axis direction and the negative z-axis direction exerted on the substrate <NUM> are substantially equal as a whole. This can further suppress misalignment of the substrate <NUM> and the image sensor <NUM> mounted on the substrate <NUM>.

The side surface bonding part <NUM> is in contact with each of the substrate side surface 32c and the holding side surface 4c at at least two positions. In the manufacturing process, the side surface bonding part <NUM> applied to the substrate side surface 32c of the substrate <NUM> and the holding side surface 4c of the holding member <NUM> tries to shrink with curing. Hence, a pulling force in a direction to the holding side surface 4c, i.e. a direction orthogonal to the optical axis OX direction, is exerted on the substrate <NUM>. The side surface bonding part <NUM> is in contact with two or more substrate side surfaces 32c facing different directions. Therefore, pulling forces in two different directions are exerted on the substrate <NUM>. Since the two different directions in which the substrate <NUM> is pulled have components in directions opposite to each other (for example, the positive x-axis direction and the negative x-axis direction), pulling forces in directions opposite to each other are exerted on the substrate <NUM>. This can suppress misalignment of the substrate <NUM> and the image sensor <NUM> mounted on the substrate <NUM>.

The imaging apparatus <NUM> according to the first embodiment can be assembled by a manufacturing method in accordance with a procedure of the flowchart illustrated in <FIG>.

First, the bonding member <NUM> is applied to the first holding surface 4a (step S11). For example, the bonding member <NUM> may be discretely applied to a plurality of (for example, four) regions in the first holding surface 4a corresponding to the peripheral part of the first substrate surface 32a, as illustrated in <FIG>. The bonding member <NUM> may be applied so as to continuously surround the region in the first holding surface 4a corresponding to the peripheral part of the first substrate surface 32a. As a result of the bonding member <NUM> being applied continuously to the region corresponding to the peripheral part of the first substrate surface 32a, the substrate <NUM> can be firmly fixed to the holding member <NUM> as compared with the case where the bonding member <NUM> is discretely applied.

Next, the substrate <NUM> is placed on the first holding surface 4a via the bonding member <NUM> applied in step S11 (step S12). The position of the substrate <NUM> may be determined so that the center position of the image sensor <NUM> coincides with the optical axis OX of the imaging optical system <NUM>. The position of the substrate <NUM> may be determined using a robotic arm or the like. Here, the bonding member <NUM> may be in contact with at least a part of the substrate side surface 32c of the substrate <NUM>.

Next, the bonding member <NUM> is charged between the substrate side surface 32c and the holding side surface 4c and between the peripheral part of the second substrate surface 32b and the second holding surface 4b (step S13).

The bonding member <NUM> applied and charged in steps S11 and <NUM> is cured (step S14). In the case where the bonding member <NUM> is an ultraviolet curing adhesive, the bonding member <NUM> is irradiated with ultraviolet light. This cures the bonding member <NUM>. In the case where the bonding member <NUM> is made of another material, a process for curing the material may be performed.

As described above, the bonding member <NUM> is partly in contact with the surface of the substrate <NUM>. The surface of the substrate <NUM> in the part in contact with the bonding member <NUM> faces different directions at at least two positions. Accordingly, when the bonding member <NUM> shrinks, the substrate <NUM> is pulled in at least two different directions. Two different directions in which the substrate <NUM> is pulled have components in directions opposite to each other. Pulling forces in the directions opposite to each other are therefore exerted on the substrate <NUM>. This can suppress misalignment of the substrate <NUM> and the image sensor <NUM> mounted on the substrate <NUM>.

In the first embodiment, at least two positions where the bonding member <NUM> is in contact are on the different planar surfaces constituting the surface of the substrate <NUM>. For example, the bonding member <NUM> is in contact with each of the first substrate surface 32a and the second substrate surface 32b of the substrate <NUM>. Hence, when the bonding member <NUM> tries to shrink with curing in the manufacturing process on the first substrate surface 32a and the second substrate surface 32b of the substrate <NUM>, pulling forces in different directions are exerted on the substrate <NUM>. This can suppress misalignment of the substrate <NUM> and the image sensor <NUM> mounted on the substrate <NUM>.

In the first embodiment, the holding member <NUM> faces the different planar surfaces of the substrate <NUM> in contact with the bonding member <NUM>, and has a plurality of planar surfaces in contact with the bonding member <NUM>. For example, the holding member <NUM> has the first holding surface 4a facing the first substrate surface 32a of the substrate <NUM>, and the second holding surface 4b facing the second substrate surface 32b of the substrate <NUM>. The bonding member <NUM> in contact with the first substrate surface 32a is in contact with the first holding surface 4a of the holding member <NUM>. The bonding member <NUM> in contact with the second substrate surface 32b is in contact with the second holding surface 4b of the holding member <NUM>. Accordingly, when the bonding member <NUM> tries to shrink with curing in the manufacturing process, a pulling force in the direction to the first holding surface 4a, i.e. the negative z-axis direction, is exerted on the substrate <NUM>, and a pulling force in the direction to the second holding surface 4b, i.e. the positive z-axis direction, is exerted on the substrate <NUM>. This can suppress misalignment of the substrate <NUM> and the image sensor <NUM> mounted on the substrate <NUM>, as compared with a conventional imaging apparatus <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> in which the bonding member <NUM> is in contact with only one planar surface of the substrate <NUM>.

In the first embodiment, the volume of the first bonding part <NUM> and the volume of the second bonding part <NUM> may be determined as appropriate depending on the distance to the holding member <NUM> in contact with the first bonding part <NUM> and the second bonding part <NUM> and the area of the holding member <NUM> in contact with the first bonding part <NUM> and the second bonding part <NUM>. For example, the volume of the first bonding part <NUM> may be substantially equal to the volume of the second bonding part <NUM>. Thus, the substrate <NUM> and the image sensor <NUM> mounted on the substrate <NUM> can be arranged as designed, and their misalignment can be suppressed.

After the manufacture of the imaging apparatus <NUM> according to the first embodiment is completed, a temperature change in the ambient environment of the imaging apparatus <NUM> can cause the bonding member <NUM> to try to shrink or expand due to rigidity. In the case where the bonding member <NUM> tries to shrink after manufacture, pulling forces in the direction to the first holding surface 4a and the direction to the second holding surface 4b, which are the opposite directions from the substrate <NUM>, are exerted on the substrate <NUM>, as described above. In the case where the bonding member <NUM> tries to expand, pressing forces from the first holding surface 4a side and the second holding surface 4b side, which are the opposite sides of the substrate <NUM>, are exerted on the substrate <NUM>, as described above. This can suppress misalignment of the substrate <NUM> and the image sensor <NUM> mounted on the substrate <NUM>.

In the imaging apparatus <NUM> according to the first embodiment, the bonding member <NUM> may be in contact with the image sensor <NUM>, instead of the substrate <NUM>.

For example, the second bonding part <NUM> may be in contact with a part of the surface of the image sensor <NUM> facing the imaging optical system <NUM> and the second holding surface 4b. In this case, the first bonding part <NUM> is in contact with the first substrate surface 32a and the first holding surface 4a. Thus, when the first bonding part <NUM> and the second bonding part <NUM> try to shrink, pulling forces in the negative z-axis direction and the positive z-axis direction are exerted on the substrate <NUM> and the image sensor <NUM>, as described above. This can suppress misalignment of the substrate <NUM> and the image sensor <NUM>, as compared with the case where the bonding member <NUM> is in contact with only the first substrate surface 32a. The second bonding part <NUM> may be in contact with both the substrate <NUM> and the image sensor <NUM>.

For example, the side surface bonding part <NUM> may be in contact with the edge of the image sensor <NUM>. In this case, the side surface bonding part <NUM> is in contact with the holding side surface 4c facing the edge of the image sensor <NUM>. In the case where the surface of the image sensor <NUM> in the part in contact with the side surface bonding part <NUM> faces different directions at at least two positions having components in directions opposite to each other, pulling forces in different directions having components in directions opposite to each other are exerted on the image sensor <NUM>. This can suppress misalignment of the image sensor <NUM> and the substrate <NUM>. The side surface bonding part <NUM> may be in contact with both the substrate <NUM> and the edge of the image sensor <NUM>.

Although the above describes the case where the surface of the substrate <NUM> is made up of planar surfaces in the imaging apparatus <NUM> according to the first embodiment, the surface of the substrate <NUM> may have curvature. In this case, too, the surface of the substrate <NUM> in the part in contact with the bonding member <NUM> faces different directions at at least two positions, as in the case where the surface of the substrate <NUM> is made up of planar surfaces. Since pulling forces in different directions are exerted on the substrate <NUM>, misalignment of the substrate <NUM> and the image sensor <NUM> can be suppressed.

An imaging apparatus <NUM> according to a second embodiment will be described in detail below.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the imaging apparatus <NUM> according to the second embodiment includes an imaging optical system <NUM>, a substrate portion <NUM>, a holding member <NUM>, and a bonding member <NUM>. The substrate portion <NUM> includes an image sensor <NUM> and a substrate <NUM>. Only the differences of the second embodiment from the first embodiment will be described below. In the second embodiment, description of the same structures as those in the first embodiment is omitted.

In the second embodiment, the holding member <NUM> has a first holding surface 4a facing at least a part of the first substrate surface 32a of the substrate <NUM>, on the side of the substrate <NUM> opposite to the imaging optical system <NUM>. The holding member <NUM> also has a third holding surface 4d (fifth surface) facing the facing direction of the second substrate surface 32b, on the imaging optical system <NUM> side of the substrate <NUM>.

A first bonding part <NUM> is in contact with the first substrate surface 32a and the first holding surface 4a. A second bonding part <NUM> is in contact with the peripheral part of the second substrate surface 32b and the third holding surface 4d.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the second bonding part <NUM> is in contact with the third holding surface 4d in a region displaced in the x-axis direction from the region where the second bonding part <NUM> is in contact with the second substrate surface 32b of the substrate <NUM>. Accordingly, when the second bonding part <NUM> tries to shrink with curing, a pulling force F2 in a direction between the x-axis direction and the positive z-axis direction is exerted on the substrate <NUM>. Consequently, a component F2' in the positive z-axis direction of the force F2 is exerted on the substrate <NUM>. The magnitude of the force F2' is determined depending on the shrinkage ratio and shape of the bonding member <NUM>, the position and direction of the third holding surface 4d, and the like. Meanwhile, the first bonding part <NUM> is in contact with the first holding surface 4a facing the first substrate surface 32a of the substrate <NUM>. Accordingly, when the first bonding part <NUM> tries to shrink with curing, a pulling force F1 in the negative z-axis direction determined depending on the shrinkage ratio of the bonding member <NUM> is exerted on the substrate <NUM>.

The first bonding part <NUM> and the second bonding part <NUM> may therefore be applied so that the force F1 and the force F2' approach equilibrium. This can further suppress misalignment of the substrate <NUM> and the image sensor <NUM> mounted on the substrate <NUM>.

The imaging apparatus <NUM> according to the second embodiment can be assembled by a manufacturing method in accordance with a procedure of the flowchart illustrated in <FIG>.

First, the bonding member <NUM> is applied to the first holding surface 4a (step S21).

Next, the substrate <NUM> is placed on the first holding surface 4a via the bonding member <NUM> applied in step S21 (step S22).

Next, the bonding member <NUM> is charged between the substrate side surface 32c and the holding side surface 4c, and applied to the peripheral part of the second substrate surface 32b and the third holding surface 4d and therebetween (step S23).

Next, the bonding member <NUM> applied and charged in steps S21 and <NUM> is cured (step S24).

As described above, in the second embodiment, the bonding member <NUM> is partly in contact with the surface of the substrate <NUM>. The surface of the substrate <NUM> in the part in contact with the bonding member <NUM> faces different directions at at least two positions. Hence, when the bonding member <NUM> tries to shrink, pulling forces in different directions are exerted on the substrate <NUM>, so that misalignment of the substrate <NUM> and the image sensor <NUM> mounted on the substrate <NUM> during manufacture can be suppressed.

In the second embodiment, the holding member <NUM> has the first holding surface 4a facing at least a part of the first substrate surface 32a of the substrate <NUM>, on the side of the substrate <NUM> opposite to the imaging optical system <NUM>. The holding member <NUM> also has the third holding surface 4d facing the facing direction of the second substrate surface 32b, on the imaging optical system <NUM> side of the substrate <NUM>. Accordingly, when the bonding member <NUM> applied to the first substrate surface 32a of the substrate <NUM> and the first holding surface 4a of the holding member <NUM> tries to shrink with curing in the manufacturing process, a pulling force in the negative z-axis direction is exerted on the substrate <NUM>. When the bonding member <NUM> applied to the second substrate surface 32b of the substrate <NUM> and the third holding surface 4d of the holding member <NUM> tries to shrink with curing in the manufacturing process, a pulling force having a component in the positive z-axis direction is exerted on the substrate <NUM>. This can suppress misalignment of the substrate <NUM> and the image sensor <NUM> mounted on the substrate <NUM>.

In the case where, after the manufacture of the imaging apparatus <NUM> according to the second embodiment is completed, a temperature change in the ambient environment of the imaging apparatus <NUM> causes the bonding member <NUM> to try to shrink or expand due to rigidity, misalignment of the substrate <NUM> and the image sensor <NUM> mounted on the substrate <NUM> can be suppressed as in the first embodiment.

In the imaging apparatus <NUM> according to the second embodiment, the bonding member <NUM> may be in contact with the image sensor <NUM>. In this case, the substrate <NUM> mounted on the image sensor <NUM> is fixed to the holding member <NUM> via the bonding member <NUM>. This can suppress misalignment of the substrate <NUM> and the image sensor <NUM>, as in the first embodiment.

An imaging apparatus <NUM> according to a third embodiment will be described in detail below.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the imaging apparatus <NUM> according to the third embodiment includes an imaging optical system <NUM>, a substrate portion <NUM>, a holding member <NUM>, and a bonding member <NUM>. The substrate portion <NUM> includes an image sensor <NUM> and a substrate <NUM>. The holding member <NUM> has a first holding surface 4a, a third holding surface 4d, and a holding side surface 4c, as in the second embodiment. Only the differences of the third embodiment from the second embodiment will be described below. In the third embodiment, description of the same structures as those in the second embodiment is omitted.

The holding member <NUM> may further have a groove wall portion <NUM>. The groove wall portion <NUM> may be fixed to the first holding surface 4a. The groove wall portion <NUM> may be integral with the first holding surface 4a. The groove wall portion <NUM> defines a groove <NUM> together with the holding side surface 4c. The groove <NUM> is located to prevent the bonding member <NUM> applied to the substrate side surface 32c, the first holding surface 4a, and the holding side surface 4c from adhering to the first substrate surface 32a of the substrate <NUM>. For example, the groove <NUM> is at the edge of the substrate <NUM> or outside the substrate <NUM> in the x-axis direction with respect to the optical axis OX.

The bonding member <NUM> is in contact with at least a part of the substrate side surface 32c. The bonding member <NUM> is not in contact with the first substrate surface 32a and the second substrate surface 32b of the substrate <NUM>. The bonding member <NUM>, as a result of being charged into the groove <NUM>, is in contact with a region of the first holding surface 4a of the holding member <NUM> not facing the substrate <NUM>. The bonding member <NUM> is in contact with the third holding surface 4d of the holding member <NUM>, the groove <NUM>, and the holding side surface 4c.

The bonding member <NUM> is in contact with the substrate side surface 32c of the substrate <NUM> in each of at least two regions (for example, a region around the right end and a region around the left end in <FIG>). The bonding member <NUM> in contact with the substrate side surface 32c may be in contact with different regions of the holding side surface 4c of the holding member <NUM>.

The imaging apparatus <NUM> according to the third embodiment can be assembled by a manufacturing method in accordance with a procedure of the flowchart illustrated in <FIG>.

First, the bonding member <NUM> is charged into the groove <NUM>, and applied to a part of the holding side surface 4c (step S31).

Next, the substrate <NUM> is placed so that the substrate side surface 32c is in contact with the bonding member <NUM> applied to the part of the holding side surface 4c in step S31 (step S32).

Next, the bonding member <NUM> is applied to a part of the substrate side surface 32c of the substrate <NUM> and the third holding surface 4d and therebetween (step S33).

Next, the bonding member <NUM> applied and charged in steps S31 and <NUM> is cured (step S34).

As described above, in the third embodiment, the first bonding part <NUM> is in contact with the substrate side surface 32c and the region of the first holding surface 4a not facing the first substrate surface 32a. In the manufacturing process, the bonding member <NUM> applied to the first holding surface 4a and the substrate side surface 32c tries to shrink with curing. Hence, a pulling force F3 in a direction from the substrate side surface 32c toward the first holding surface 4a is exerted on the substrate <NUM>. The bonding member <NUM> is also in contact with the third holding surface 4d. In the manufacturing process, the bonding member <NUM> applied to the third holding surface 4d and the substrate side surface 32c tries to shrink with curing. Hence, a pulling force F4 in a direction from the substrate side surface 32c toward the third holding surface 4d of the holding member <NUM> is exerted on the substrate <NUM>.

The substrate <NUM> is thus pulled by each of the component in the negative z-axis direction of the force F3 and the component in the positive z-axis direction of the force F4, in the optical axis OX direction. This can suppress misalignment of the substrate <NUM> and the image sensor <NUM> mounted on the substrate <NUM>, as compared with the imaging apparatus <NUM> according to the comparative example in <FIG> in which the bonding member <NUM> is in contact with only the first holding surface 4a of the holding member <NUM>.

In the third embodiment, the first holding surface 4a of the holding member <NUM> has the groove <NUM>. Hence, when the bonding member <NUM> is applied to the first holding surface 4a in the manufacturing process, the bonding member <NUM> is kept from flowing between the first substrate surface 32a and the first holding surface 4a. Since the bonding member <NUM> is not applied to the first substrate surface 32a, misalignment of the substrate <NUM> in the negative z-axis direction due to the shrinkage of the bonding member <NUM> can be suppressed.

In the third embodiment, the first bonding part <NUM> and the second bonding part <NUM> may be applied depending on the shrinkage ratio or rigidity coefficient of the bonding member <NUM>, as in the second embodiment. The first bonding part <NUM> and the second bonding part <NUM> may be applied depending on the position and direction of the holding member <NUM> in contact with the first bonding part <NUM> and the second bonding part <NUM>, the area of the holding member <NUM> in contact with the first bonding part <NUM> and the second bonding part <NUM>, and the like.

After the manufacture of the imaging apparatus <NUM> according to the third embodiment is completed, a temperature change in the ambient environment of the imaging apparatus <NUM> can cause the bonding member <NUM> to try to shrink or expand due to rigidity. In this case, misalignment of the substrate <NUM> and the image sensor <NUM> mounted on the substrate <NUM> can be suppressed, as in the first embodiment.

In the imaging apparatus <NUM> according to the third embodiment, the bonding member <NUM> may be in contact with the image sensor <NUM>. In this case, the substrate <NUM> mounted on the image sensor <NUM> is fixed to the holding member <NUM> via the bonding member <NUM>. This can suppress misalignment of the substrate <NUM> and the image sensor <NUM>, as in the first embodiment.

An imaging apparatus <NUM> according to a fourth embodiment will be described in detail below.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the imaging apparatus <NUM> according to the fourth embodiment includes an imaging optical system <NUM>, a substrate portion <NUM>, a holding member <NUM>, and a bonding member <NUM>. The substrate portion <NUM> includes an image sensor <NUM> and a substrate <NUM>. Only the differences of the fourth embodiment from the second embodiment will be described below. In the fourth embodiment, description of the same structures as those in the second embodiment is omitted.

In the fourth embodiment, the substrate <NUM> has a hole wall <NUM> defining at least one through hole <NUM>. The length of the through hole <NUM> in a direction perpendicular to the through direction of the through hole <NUM> is determined based on the relationships among the substrate <NUM>, the image sensor <NUM>, and the below-described projection <NUM> of the holding member <NUM>. The through hole <NUM> may be circular as seen in the z-axis direction. The through hole <NUM> may have any shape such as elliptical, quadrangular, or triangular as seen in the z-axis direction.

The holding member <NUM> has the projection <NUM> that at least partly extends into the through hole <NUM>, in a part corresponding to the through hole <NUM>. The length of the projection <NUM> in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis OX is at least shorter than the corresponding length of the through hole <NUM>. The projection <NUM> may be circular as seen in the z-axis direction. The projection <NUM> may have any shape such as elliptical, quadrangular, or triangular as seen in the z-axis direction.

The holding member <NUM> has a first holding surface 4a facing the first substrate surface 32a. The projection <NUM> has a third holding surface 4d facing the facing direction of the second substrate surface 32b of the substrate <NUM>, on the imaging optical system <NUM> side of the substrate <NUM>. The projection <NUM> has a projection side surface 4e facing the hole wall <NUM>.

The bonding member <NUM> is in contact with the substrate <NUM> at the inner periphery of the through hole <NUM> and in the regions of both surfaces, between which the through hole <NUM> is interposed, around the through hole <NUM>, and is in contact with the holding member <NUM> at and around the projection <NUM>. Specifically, the first bonding part <NUM> may be in contact with the first substrate surface 32a, the first holding surface 4a, and the projection side surface 4e. The second bonding part <NUM> may be in contact with the peripheral part of the second substrate surface 32b and the third holding surface 4d. The side surface bonding part <NUM> may be in contact with the hole wall <NUM> and the projection side surface 4e.

The imaging apparatus <NUM> according to the fourth embodiment can be assembled by the same manufacturing method as the manufacturing method according to the second embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, except the following: In the manufacturing method according to the fourth embodiment, in step S23, the bonding member <NUM> is charged not between the substrate side surface 32c and the holding side surface 4c but between the hole wall <NUM> and the projection side surface 4e. In step S24, the bonding member <NUM> is applied not to the peripheral part of the second substrate surface 32b and the third holding surface 4d and therebetween, but to the second substrate surface 32b around the hole wall <NUM> and the third holding surface 4d and therebetween.

As described above, misalignment of the substrate <NUM> and the image sensor <NUM> mounted on the substrate <NUM> can be suppressed in the imaging apparatus <NUM> according to the fourth embodiment, for the same reasons as in the imaging apparatus <NUM> according to the second embodiment.

In the fourth embodiment, the bonding member <NUM> may be applied depending on the shrinkage ratio or rigidity coefficient of the bonding member <NUM>, as in the second embodiment. The bonding member <NUM> may be applied depending on the position and direction of the holding member <NUM> in contact with the bonding member <NUM>, the area of the holding member <NUM> in contact with the bonding member <NUM>, and the like.

After the manufacture of the imaging apparatus <NUM> according to the fourth embodiment is completed, a temperature change in the ambient environment of the imaging apparatus <NUM> can cause the bonding member <NUM> to try to shrink or expand due to rigidity. In this case, misalignment of the substrate <NUM> and the image sensor <NUM> mounted on the substrate <NUM> can be suppressed, as in the first embodiment.

In the imaging apparatus <NUM> according to the fourth embodiment, the bonding member <NUM> may be in contact with the image sensor <NUM>. In this case, the substrate <NUM> mounted on the image sensor <NUM> is fixed to the holding member <NUM> via the bonding member <NUM>. This can suppress misalignment of the substrate <NUM> and the image sensor <NUM>, as in the first embodiment.

An imaging apparatus <NUM> according to a fifth embodiment will be described in detail below.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the imaging apparatus <NUM> according to the fifth embodiment includes an imaging optical system <NUM>, a substrate portion <NUM>, a holding member <NUM>, and a bonding member <NUM>. The substrate portion <NUM> includes an image sensor <NUM> and a substrate <NUM>. The substrate <NUM> has a hole wall <NUM> defining at least one through hole <NUM>. Only the differences of the fifth embodiment from the fourth embodiment will be described below. In the fifth embodiment, description of the same structures as those in the fourth embodiment is omitted.

The holding member <NUM> has a projection <NUM> passing through the through hole <NUM>. The holding member <NUM> has an overhang <NUM> that overhangs from the tip of the projection <NUM> in a direction along the substrate <NUM>. The overhang <NUM> may be integral with the projection <NUM>. The overhang <NUM> may be fixed to the projection <NUM>.

The bonding member <NUM> is in contact with the substrate <NUM> at the inner periphery of the through hole <NUM> and in the regions of both surfaces, between which the through hole <NUM> is interposed, around the through hole <NUM>, and is in contact with the holding member <NUM> at and around the projection <NUM>, as in the fourth embodiment. Specifically, the first bonding part <NUM> may be in contact with the first substrate surface 32a, the first holding surface 4a, and the projection side surface 4e. The second bonding part <NUM> may be in contact with the peripheral part of the through hole <NUM> in the second substrate surface 32b, the second holding surface 4b, and the projection side surface 4e. The side surface bonding part <NUM> may be in contact with the hole wall <NUM> and the projection side surface 4e.

The imaging apparatus <NUM> according to the fifth embodiment can be assembled by the same manufacturing method as the manufacturing method according to the first embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, except the following: In the manufacturing method according to the fifth embodiment, in step S13, the second bonding part <NUM> is charged not between the substrate side surface 32c and the holding side surface 4c but between the hole wall <NUM> and the projection side surface 4e of the projection <NUM>.

As described above, misalignment of the substrate <NUM> and the image sensor <NUM> mounted on the substrate <NUM> can be suppressed in the imaging apparatus <NUM> according to the fifth embodiment, for the same reasons as in the imaging apparatus <NUM> according to the first embodiment.

In the fifth embodiment, the volume of the first bonding part <NUM> and the volume of the second bonding part <NUM> may be determined depending on the distance to the holding member <NUM> in contact with the first bonding part <NUM> and the second bonding part <NUM>, the area of the holding member <NUM> in contact with the first bonding part <NUM> and the second bonding part <NUM>, and the like, as in the first embodiment. For example, the volume of the first bonding part <NUM> and the volume of the second bonding part <NUM> may be equal.

After the manufacture of the imaging apparatus <NUM> according to the fifth embodiment is completed, a temperature change in the ambient environment of the imaging apparatus <NUM> can cause the bonding member <NUM> to try to shrink or expand due to rigidity. In this case, misalignment of the substrate <NUM> and the image sensor <NUM> mounted on the substrate <NUM> can be suppressed, as in the first embodiment.

In the imaging apparatus <NUM> according to the fifth embodiment, the bonding member <NUM> may be in contact with the image sensor <NUM>. In this case, the substrate <NUM> mounted on the image sensor <NUM> is fixed to the holding member <NUM> via the bonding member <NUM>. This can suppress misalignment of the substrate <NUM> and the image sensor <NUM>, as in the first embodiment.

An imaging apparatus <NUM> according to a sixth embodiment will be described in detail below.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the imaging apparatus <NUM> according to the sixth embodiment includes an imaging optical system <NUM>, a substrate portion <NUM>, a holding member <NUM>, and a bonding member <NUM>. Only the differences of the sixth embodiment from the first embodiment will be described below. In the sixth embodiment, description of the same structures as those in the first embodiment is omitted.

The bonding member <NUM> includes a first bonding member <NUM> and a second bonding member <NUM> different from the first bonding member <NUM>. The bonding member <NUM> is integrally formed by the first bonding member <NUM> and the second bonding member <NUM> layered in the z-axis direction. For example, the first bonding member <NUM> may be an ultraviolet curing adhesive, and the second bonding member <NUM> may be a thermosetting adhesive. The first bonding member <NUM> and the second bonding member <NUM> are, however, not limited to such, and the first bonding member <NUM> may be a thermosetting adhesive and the second bonding member <NUM> may be an ultraviolet curing adhesive. The first bonding member <NUM> and the second bonding member <NUM> may both be an ultraviolet curing adhesive. The first bonding member <NUM> and the second bonding member <NUM> may both be a thermosetting adhesive.

The shrinkage ratio of the second bonding member <NUM> is different from the shrinkage ratio of the first bonding member <NUM>. The elastic modulus of the second bonding member <NUM> after curing may be different from the elastic modulus of the first bonding member <NUM> after curing.

An example in which the first bonding member <NUM> is in contact with the substrate <NUM> in the substrate portion <NUM> will be described below. For example, the first bonding member <NUM> may be in contact with the first substrate surface 32a as a first substrate contact portion of the surface of the substrate portion <NUM>. The second bonding member <NUM> may be in contact with the second substrate surface 32b as a second substrate contact portion of the surface of the substrate portion <NUM>.

The first bonding member <NUM> may be in contact with a first holding contact portion of the holding member <NUM>. Specifically, the first bonding member <NUM> may be in contact with the first holding surface 4a as the first holding contact portion. The second bonding member <NUM> may be in contact with a second holding contact portion of the holding member <NUM>. Specifically, the second bonding member <NUM> may be in contact with the second holding surface 4b as the second holding contact portion. The direction from the first substrate contact portion to the first holding contact portion (direction along the negative z-axis direction in the example in <FIG>) and the direction from the second substrate contact portion to the second holding contact portion (direction along the positive z-axis direction in the example in <FIG>) are different directions. The first bonding member <NUM> and the second bonding member <NUM> may be in contact with the holding side surface 4c of the holding member <NUM>.

The volume of the first bonding member <NUM> between the first substrate contact portion (first substrate surface 32a) and the first holding contact portion (first holding surface 4a) and the volume of the second bonding member <NUM> between the second substrate contact portion (second substrate surface 32b) and the second holding contact portion (second holding surface 4b) are determined as appropriate by design. Hereafter, the volume of the first bonding member <NUM> between the first substrate contact portion and the first holding contact portion is referred to as the "volume of the first bonding part", and the volume of the second bonding member <NUM> between the second substrate contact portion and the second holding contact portion is referred to as the "volume of the second bonding part".

Specifically, the volume of the first bonding part and the volume of the second bonding part may be determined depending on the distance to the holding member <NUM> in contact with each of the first bonding member <NUM> and the second bonding member <NUM>, the area of the holding member <NUM> in contact with each of the first bonding member <NUM> and the second bonding member <NUM>, and the like. The volume of the first bonding part and the volume of the second bonding part may be determined as appropriate depending on the positions and directions of the first holding surface 4a and the second holding surface 4b of the holding member <NUM> and the like. For example, the volume of the first bonding part is larger than the volume of the second bonding part in the case where the shrinkage ratio of the first bonding member <NUM> is lower than the shrinkage ratio of the second bonding member <NUM>.

Specifically, the case where the area of the first bonding member <NUM> and the area of the second bonding member <NUM> as seen in the z-axis direction are substantially equal will be described below. In the case where the shrinkage ratio of the first bonding member <NUM> is lower than the shrinkage ratio of the second bonding member <NUM>, the pulling force in the negative z-axis direction exerted on the substrate <NUM> due to the curing of the first bonding member <NUM> per unit volume is less than the pulling force in the positive z-axis direction exerted on the substrate <NUM> due to the curing of the second bonding member <NUM> per unit volume. Accordingly, in the case where the area of the first bonding member <NUM> and the area of the second bonding member <NUM> as seen in the z-axis direction are equal, setting the distance L1 to be longer than the distance L2 results in the volume of the first bonding part being larger than the volume of the second bonding part, as illustrated in <FIG>. The distance L1 is the distance from the first substrate surface 32a of the substrate <NUM> to the first holding surface 4a of the holding member <NUM>. The distance L2 is the distance from the second substrate surface 32b of the substrate <NUM> to the second holding surface 4b of the holding member <NUM>. Thus, the pulling force in the positive z-axis direction and the pulling force in the negative z-axis direction exerted on the substrate <NUM> approach equilibrium. Each volume can be determined so that the pulling force in the positive z-axis direction and the pulling force in the negative z-axis direction exerted on the substrate <NUM> approach equilibrium. This can suppress misalignment of the substrate <NUM> and the image sensor <NUM> mounted on the substrate <NUM>.

The case where the distance L1 and the distance L2 are substantially equal as illustrated in <FIG> will be described below. In the case where the shrinkage ratio of the first bonding member <NUM> is lower than the shrinkage ratio of the second bonding member <NUM>, the pulling force in the negative z-axis direction exerted on the substrate <NUM> due to the curing of the first bonding member <NUM> per unit volume is less than the pulling force in the positive z-axis direction exerted on the substrate <NUM> due to the curing of the second bonding member <NUM> per unit volume. Accordingly, in the case where the distance L1 and the distance L2 are equal, the area of the first bonding member <NUM> is set to be larger than the area of the second bonding member <NUM> as seen in the z-axis direction, as illustrated in <FIG>. Thus, the volume of the first bonding part is larger than the volume of the second bonding part, and the pulling force in the positive z-axis direction and the pulling force in the negative z-axis direction exerted on the substrate <NUM> approach equilibrium. Each volume can be determined so that the pulling force in the positive z-axis direction and the pulling force in the negative z-axis direction approach equilibrium. This can suppress misalignment of the substrate <NUM> and the image sensor <NUM> mounted on the substrate <NUM>.

The first bonding member <NUM> and the second bonding member <NUM> may be in contact with the substrate side surface 32c of the substrate <NUM> in each of at least two regions (a region around the right end and a region around the left end in <FIG>). In the manufacturing process, the first bonding member <NUM> and the second bonding member <NUM> applied to the substrate side surface 32c of the substrate <NUM> and the holding side surface 4c of the holding member <NUM> try to shrink with curing. Hence, a pulling force in a direction to the holding side surface 4c, i.e. a direction orthogonal to the optical axis OX direction, is exerted on the substrate <NUM>. The first bonding member <NUM> and the second bonding member <NUM> are in contact with two or more substrate side surfaces 32c of the substrate <NUM>. Therefore, pulling forces in two different directions are exerted on the substrate <NUM>. Since the two different directions in which the substrate <NUM> is pulled have components in directions opposite to each other (for example, the positive x-axis direction and the negative x-axis direction), pulling forces in directions opposite to each other are exerted on the substrate <NUM>. This can suppress misalignment of the substrate <NUM> and the image sensor <NUM> mounted on the substrate <NUM>.

The imaging apparatus <NUM> according to the sixth embodiment can be assembled by a manufacturing method in accordance with a procedure of the flowchart illustrated in <FIG>.

First, the first bonding member <NUM> is applied to the first holding surface 4a (step S41). For example, the first bonding member <NUM> may be discretely applied to a plurality of (for example, four) regions in the first holding surface 4a corresponding to the peripheral part of the first substrate surface 32a, as illustrated in <FIG>. The first bonding member <NUM> may be applied so as to continuously surround the region in the first holding surface 4a corresponding to the peripheral part of the first substrate surface 32a. As a result of the first bonding member <NUM> being applied continuously to the region corresponding to the peripheral part of the first substrate surface 32a, the substrate <NUM> can be firmly fixed to the holding member <NUM> as compared with the case where the first bonding member <NUM> is discretely applied.

Next, the substrate <NUM> is placed on the first holding surface 4a via the first bonding member <NUM> applied in step S41 (step S42). The position of the substrate <NUM> may be determined so that the center position of the image sensor <NUM> coincides with the optical axis OX of the imaging optical system <NUM>. The position of the substrate <NUM> may be determined using a robotic arm or the like. Here, the first bonding member <NUM> may be in contact with at least a part of the substrate side surface 32c of the substrate <NUM>.

Next, the first bonding member <NUM> applied in step S41 is cured (step S43). In the case where the first bonding member <NUM> is an ultraviolet curing adhesive, the first bonding member <NUM> is irradiated with ultraviolet light. This cures the first bonding member <NUM>. In the case where the first bonding member <NUM> is made of another material, a process for curing the material may be performed.

Next, the second bonding member <NUM> is charged between the substrate side surface 32c and at least a part of the holding side surface 4c and between at least a part of the peripheral part of the second substrate surface 32b and the second holding surface 4b (step S44).

The second bonding member <NUM> applied or charged in step S44 is cured (step S45).

As described above, the first bonding member <NUM> and the second bonding member <NUM> are respectively in contact with the first substrate surface 32a and the second substrate surface 32b of the surface of the substrate <NUM>. The first bonding member <NUM> and the second bonding member <NUM> are respectively in contact with the first holding surface 4a and the second holding surface 4b. The direction from the first substrate surface 32a to the first holding surface 4a and the direction from the second substrate surface 32b to the second holding surface 4b are different. Hence, pulling forces having components in directions opposite to each other are exerted on the substrate <NUM>. This can suppress misalignment of the substrate <NUM> and the image sensor <NUM> mounted on the substrate <NUM>, as compared with the conventional imaging apparatus <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> in which the bonding member <NUM> is in contact with only one planar surface of the substrate <NUM>.

In the sixth embodiment, the volume of the first bonding part and the volume of the second bonding part may be determined depending on, for example, the shrinkage ratios or rigidity coefficients of the first bonding member <NUM> and the second bonding member <NUM>. For example, the volume of the first bonding part is larger than the volume of the second bonding part in the case where the shrinkage ratio of the first bonding member <NUM> is lower than the shrinkage ratio of the second bonding member <NUM>. Thus, the substrate <NUM> and the image sensor <NUM> mounted on the substrate <NUM> can be arranged as designed, and their misalignment can be suppressed.

After the manufacture of the imaging apparatus <NUM> according to the sixth embodiment is completed, a temperature change in the ambient environment of the imaging apparatus <NUM> can cause the first bonding member <NUM> and the second bonding member <NUM> to try to shrink or expand due to rigidity. In this case, pulling forces in the direction to the first holding surface 4a and the direction to the second holding surface 4b, which are the opposite directions from the substrate <NUM>, are exerted on the substrate <NUM>, as described above. In the case where the first bonding member <NUM> and the second bonding member <NUM> try to expand, pressing forces from the first holding surface 4a side and the second holding surface 4b side, which are the opposite sides of the substrate <NUM>, are exerted on the substrate <NUM>, as described above. This can suppress misalignment of the substrate <NUM> and the image sensor <NUM> mounted on the substrate <NUM>.

In the imaging apparatus <NUM> according to the sixth embodiment, the second bonding member <NUM> may be in contact with the image sensor <NUM>, instead of the substrate <NUM>.

For example, the second bonding member <NUM> may be in contact with a part of the surface of the image sensor <NUM> facing the imaging optical system <NUM> and the second holding surface 4b. In this case, the first bonding member <NUM> is in contact with the first substrate surface 32a and the first holding surface 4a. Thus, when the first bonding member <NUM> and the second bonding member <NUM> try to shrink, pulling forces in the negative z-axis direction and the positive z-axis direction are exerted on the substrate <NUM> and the image sensor <NUM>. This can suppress misalignment of the substrate <NUM> and the image sensor <NUM> as compared with the case where the bonding member <NUM> is in contact with only the first substrate surface 32a, as described above. The second bonding member <NUM> may be in contact with both the substrate <NUM> and the image sensor <NUM>.

For example, the second bonding member <NUM> may be in contact with the edge of the image sensor <NUM>. In this case, the second bonding member <NUM> is in contact with the holding side surface 4c facing the edge of the image sensor <NUM>. In the case where the surface of the image sensor <NUM> in the part in contact with the second bonding member <NUM> faces different directions at at least two positions having components in directions opposite to each other, pulling forces in different directions having components in directions opposite to each other are exerted on the image sensor <NUM>. This can suppress misalignment of the image sensor <NUM> and the substrate <NUM>. The second bonding member <NUM> may be in contact with both the substrate <NUM> and the edge of the image sensor <NUM>.

Although the above describes the case where the surface of the substrate <NUM> is made up of planar surfaces in the imaging apparatus <NUM> according to the sixth embodiment, the surface of the substrate <NUM> may have curvature. In this case, pulling forces having components in directions opposite to each other are exerted on the substrate portion <NUM> which integrates the image sensor <NUM> and the substrate <NUM>. This can suppress misalignment of the substrate <NUM> and the image sensor <NUM>.

Although the first bonding member <NUM> is cured before the second bonding member <NUM> is charged and applied in the manufacturing method for the imaging apparatus <NUM> according to the sixth embodiment, the manufacturing method is not limited to such. One example is that, after the substrate <NUM> is placed in step S42, the second bonding member <NUM> is charged, and then the first bonding member <NUM> and the second bonding member <NUM> are cured.

An imaging apparatus <NUM> according to a seventh embodiment will be described in detail below.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the imaging apparatus <NUM> according to the seventh embodiment includes an imaging optical system <NUM>, a substrate portion <NUM>, a holding member <NUM>, and a bonding member <NUM>. The substrate portion <NUM> includes an image sensor <NUM> and a substrate <NUM>. Only the differences of the seventh embodiment from the sixth embodiment will be described below. In the seventh embodiment, description of the same structures as those in the sixth embodiment is omitted.

In the seventh embodiment, the holding member <NUM> has, as a first holding contact portion, a first holding surface 4a facing at least a part of the first substrate surface 32a of the substrate <NUM>, on the side of the substrate <NUM> opposite to the imaging optical system <NUM>. The holding member <NUM> also has, as a second holding contact portion, a third holding surface 4d (fifth surface) facing the facing direction of the second substrate surface 32b, on the imaging optical system <NUM> side of the substrate <NUM>.

The first bonding member <NUM> may be in contact with a first substrate contact portion of the substrate <NUM> and the first holding contact portion of the holding member <NUM>. Specifically, the first bonding member <NUM> may be in contact with the first substrate surface 32a as the first substrate contact portion and the first holding surface 4a as the first holding contact portion. The second bonding member <NUM> may be in contact with a second substrate contact portion of the substrate <NUM> and the second holding contact portion of the holding member <NUM>. Specifically, the second bonding member <NUM> may be in contact with the second substrate surface 32b as the second substrate contact portion and the third holding surface 4d as the second holding contact portion. The first bonding member <NUM> or the second bonding member <NUM> may be in contact with the substrate side surface 32c of the substrate <NUM>, as in the sixth embodiment.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the second bonding member <NUM> is in contact with the third holding surface 4d in a region displaced in the x-axis direction from the region where the second bonding part <NUM> is in contact with the second substrate surface 32b of the substrate <NUM>. Accordingly, when the second bonding member <NUM> tries to shrink with curing, a pulling force F2 in a direction between the x-axis direction and the positive z-axis direction is exerted on the substrate <NUM>. Consequently, a component F2' in the positive z-axis direction of the force F2 is exerted on the substrate <NUM>. The magnitude of the force F2' is determined depending on the shrinkage ratio and shape of the second bonding member <NUM>, the position and direction of the third holding surface 4d, and the like. Meanwhile, the first bonding member <NUM> is in contact with the first holding surface 4a facing the first substrate surface 32a of the substrate <NUM>. Accordingly, when the first bonding member <NUM> tries to shrink with curing, a pulling force F1 in the negative z-axis direction depending on the shrinkage ratio of the first bonding member <NUM> is exerted on the substrate <NUM>.

The first bonding member <NUM> and the second bonding member <NUM> may therefore be applied so that the force F1 and the force F2' approach equilibrium. This can further suppress misalignment of the substrate <NUM> and the image sensor <NUM> mounted on the substrate <NUM>.

The imaging apparatus <NUM> according to the seventh embodiment can be assembled by a manufacturing method in accordance with a procedure of the flowchart illustrated in <FIG>.

First, the first bonding member <NUM> is applied to the first holding surface 4a of the holding member <NUM> (step S51).

Next, the substrate <NUM> is placed on the first holding surface 4a of the holding member <NUM> via the first bonding member <NUM> applied in step S51 (step S52). The first bonding member <NUM> may be in contact with at least a part of the substrate side surface 32c of the substrate <NUM>.

Next, the first bonding member <NUM> applied in step S51 is cured (step S53).

Next, the second bonding member <NUM> is charged between the substrate side surface 32c and at least a part of the holding side surface 4c, and applied to at least a part of the peripheral part of the second substrate surface 32b and the third holding surface 4d and therebetween (step S54).

Next, the second bonding member <NUM> applied in step S54 is cured (step S55).

As described above, in the seventh embodiment, the holding member <NUM> has the first holding surface 4a facing at least a part of the first substrate surface 32a of the substrate <NUM>, on the side of the substrate <NUM> opposite to the imaging optical system <NUM>. The holding member <NUM> also has the third holding surface 4d facing the facing direction of the second substrate surface 32b, on the imaging optical system <NUM> side of the substrate <NUM>. Accordingly, when the first bonding member <NUM> applied to the first substrate surface 32a of the substrate <NUM> and the first holding surface 4a of the holding member <NUM> tries to shrink with curing in the manufacturing process, a pulling force in the negative z-axis direction is exerted on the substrate <NUM>. When the second bonding member <NUM> applied to the second substrate surface 32b of the substrate <NUM> and the third holding surface 4d of the holding member <NUM> tries to shrink with curing in the manufacturing process, a pulling force having a component in the positive z-axis direction is exerted on the substrate <NUM>. This can suppress misalignment of the substrate <NUM> and the image sensor <NUM> mounted on the substrate <NUM>.

After the manufacture of the imaging apparatus <NUM> according to the seventh embodiment is completed, a temperature change in the ambient environment of the imaging apparatus <NUM> can cause the first bonding member <NUM> and the second bonding member <NUM> to try to shrink or expand due to rigidity. In this case, misalignment of the substrate <NUM> and the image sensor <NUM> mounted on the substrate <NUM> can be suppressed, as in the sixth embodiment.

In the imaging apparatus <NUM> according to the seventh embodiment, the second bonding member <NUM> may be in contact with the image sensor <NUM>. In this case, the image sensor <NUM> is fixed to the holding member <NUM> via the second bonding member <NUM>. Hence, the substrate <NUM> having the image sensor <NUM> mounted thereon is fixed to the holding member <NUM>. This can suppress misalignment of the substrate <NUM> and the image sensor <NUM>, as described above.

Although the first bonding member <NUM> is cured before the second bonding member <NUM> is charged and applied in the manufacturing method for the imaging apparatus <NUM> according to the seventh embodiment, the manufacturing method is not limited to such. One example is that, after the substrate <NUM> is placed in step S52, the second bonding member <NUM> is charged and applied, and then the first bonding member <NUM> and the second bonding member <NUM> are cured.

An imaging apparatus <NUM> according to an eighth embodiment will be described in detail below.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the imaging apparatus <NUM> according to the eighth embodiment includes an imaging optical system <NUM>, a substrate portion <NUM>, a holding member <NUM>, and a bonding member <NUM>. The substrate portion <NUM> includes an image sensor <NUM> and a substrate <NUM>. The holding member <NUM> has a first holding surface 4a, a third holding surface 4d, and a holding side surface 4c. Only the differences of the eighth embodiment from the seventh embodiment will be described below. In the eighth embodiment, description of the same structures as those in the seventh embodiment is omitted.

The holding member <NUM> may have a groove wall portion <NUM>. The groove wall portion <NUM> may be fixed to the first holding surface 4a. The groove wall portion <NUM> may be integral with the first holding surface 4a. The groove wall portion <NUM> defines a groove <NUM> together with the holding side surface 4c of the holding member <NUM>. The groove <NUM> is located to prevent the first bonding member <NUM> applied to the substrate side surface 32c, the first holding surface 4a, and a part of the holding side surface 4c from adhering to the first substrate surface 32a of the substrate <NUM>. For example, the groove <NUM> is at the edge of the substrate <NUM> or outside the substrate <NUM> in the x-axis direction.

The first bonding member <NUM> and the second bonding member <NUM> are each in contact with at least a part of the substrate side surface 32c. The first bonding member <NUM> and the second bonding member <NUM> are each not in contact with the first substrate surface 32a and the second substrate surface 32b. The first bonding member <NUM>, as a result of being charged into the groove <NUM>, is in contact with a region of the first holding surface 4a of the holding member <NUM> not facing the substrate <NUM>. The second bonding member <NUM> is in contact with the third holding surface 4d of the holding member <NUM>, the groove <NUM>, and the holding side surface 4c.

The first bonding member <NUM> and the second bonding member <NUM> are in contact with the substrate side surface 32c of the substrate <NUM> in each of at least two regions (for example, a region around the right end and a region around the left end in <FIG>). The first bonding member <NUM> and the second bonding member <NUM> in contact with the substrate side surface 32c may be in contact with different regions of the holding side surface 4c of the holding member <NUM>.

The imaging apparatus <NUM> according to the eighth embodiment can be assembled by a manufacturing method in accordance with a procedure of the flowchart illustrated in <FIG>.

First, the first bonding member <NUM> is charged into the groove <NUM>, and applied to a part of the holding side surface 4c (step S61).

Next, the substrate <NUM> is placed so that the substrate side surface 32c is in contact with the first bonding member <NUM> applied to the part of the holding side surface 4c in step S61 (step S62).

Next, the first bonding member <NUM> applied or charged in step S61 is cured (step S63).

Next, the second bonding member <NUM> is applied to a part of the substrate side surface 32c of the substrate <NUM> and the third holding surface 4d and therebetween (step S64).

Next, the second bonding member <NUM> applied in step S64 is cured (step S65).

As described above, in the eighth embodiment, the first bonding member <NUM> is in contact with the substrate side surface 32c and the region of the first holding surface 4a not facing the first substrate surface 32a. In the manufacturing process, the first bonding member <NUM> applied to the first holding surface 4a and the substrate side surface 32c tries to shrink with curing. Hence, a pulling force F3 in a direction from the substrate side surface 32c toward the first holding surface 4a is exerted on the substrate <NUM>. Further, the second bonding member <NUM> is in contact with the third holding surface 4d. In the manufacturing process, the second bonding member <NUM> applied to the third holding surface 4d and the substrate side surface 32c tries to shrink with curing. Hence, a pulling force F4 in a direction from the substrate side surface 32c toward the third holding surface 4d of the holding member <NUM> is exerted on the substrate <NUM>.

In the eighth embodiment, the first holding surface 4a of the holding member <NUM> has the groove <NUM>. Hence, when the first bonding member <NUM> is applied to the first holding surface 4a in the manufacturing process, the first bonding member <NUM> is kept from flowing between the first substrate surface 32a of the substrate <NUM> and the first holding surface 4a of the holding member <NUM>. Since the first bonding member <NUM> is not applied to the first substrate surface 32a, misalignment of the substrate <NUM> in the negative z-axis direction due to the shrinkage of the first bonding member <NUM> can be suppressed.

In the eighth embodiment, the first bonding member <NUM> and the second bonding member <NUM> may be applied depending on the shrinkage ratios or rigidity coefficients of the first bonding member <NUM> and the second bonding member <NUM>, as in the seventh embodiment. The first bonding member <NUM> and the second bonding member <NUM> may be applied depending on the position and direction of the holding member <NUM> in contact with the first bonding member <NUM> and the second bonding member <NUM>, the area of the holding member <NUM> in contact with the first bonding member <NUM> and the second bonding member <NUM>, and the like.

In the eighth embodiment, in the manufacturing process, the first bonding member <NUM> and the second bonding member <NUM> applied to the substrate side surface 32c of the substrate <NUM> and the holding side surface 4c of the holding member <NUM> try to shrink with curing. Hence, a pulling force in a direction to the holding side surface 4c, i.e. a direction orthogonal to the optical axis OX direction, is exerted on the substrate <NUM>. The first bonding member <NUM> and the second bonding member <NUM> are in contact with two or more substrate side surfaces 32c of the substrate <NUM>. Therefore, pulling forces in two different directions are exerted on the substrate <NUM>. Since the two different directions in which the substrate <NUM> is pulled have components in directions opposite to each other (for example, the positive x-axis direction and the negative x-axis direction), pulling forces in directions opposite to each other are exerted on the substrate <NUM>. This can suppress misalignment of the substrate <NUM> and the image sensor <NUM> mounted on the substrate <NUM> in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis OX direction.

After the manufacture of the imaging apparatus <NUM> according to the eighth embodiment is completed, a temperature change in the ambient environment of the imaging apparatus <NUM> can cause the first bonding member <NUM> and the second bonding member <NUM> to try to shrink or expand due to rigidity. In this case, misalignment of the substrate <NUM> and the image sensor <NUM> mounted on the substrate <NUM> can be suppressed, as in the sixth embodiment.

In the eighth embodiment, the second bonding member <NUM> may be in contact with the image sensor <NUM>. In this case, the image sensor <NUM> is fixed to the holding member <NUM> via the second bonding member <NUM>. Hence, the substrate <NUM> having the image sensor <NUM> mounted thereon is fixed to the holding member <NUM>. This can suppress misalignment of the substrate <NUM> and the image sensor <NUM>, as in the sixth embodiment.

Although the first bonding member <NUM> and the second bonding member <NUM> are in contact with the substrate side surface 32c of the substrate <NUM> in each of at least two regions (a region around the right end and a region around the left end in <FIG>), this is not a limitation. One example is that the first bonding member <NUM> is in contact with the substrate side surface 32c of the substrate <NUM> in one region and the second bonding member <NUM> is in contact with the substrate side surface 32c of the substrate <NUM> in another region. In this case, the first bonding member <NUM> and the second bonding member <NUM> may be determined as appropriate depending on the position and direction of the holding member <NUM>, the shrinkage ratios or rigidities of the first bonding member <NUM> and the second bonding member <NUM>, and the like.

An imaging apparatus <NUM> according to a ninth embodiment will be described in detail below.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the imaging apparatus <NUM> according to the ninth embodiment includes an imaging optical system <NUM>, a substrate portion <NUM>, a holding member <NUM>, and a bonding member <NUM>. The substrate portion <NUM> includes an image sensor <NUM> and a substrate <NUM>. Only the differences of the ninth embodiment from the seventh embodiment will be described below. In the ninth embodiment, description of the same structures as those in the seventh embodiment is omitted.

In the ninth embodiment, the substrate <NUM> has a hole wall <NUM> defining at least one through hole <NUM>. The length of the through hole <NUM> in a direction perpendicular to the through direction of the through hole <NUM> is determined based on the relationships among the substrate <NUM>, the image sensor <NUM>, and the below-described projection <NUM> of the holding member <NUM>. The through hole <NUM> may be circular as seen in the z-axis direction. The through hole <NUM> may have any shape such as elliptical, quadrangular, or triangular as seen in the z-axis direction.

The first bonding member <NUM> and the second bonding member <NUM> are in contact with the substrate <NUM> at the inner periphery of the through hole <NUM> and in the regions of both surfaces, between which the through hole <NUM> is interposed, around the through hole <NUM>, and are in contact with the holding member <NUM> at and around the projection <NUM>. Specifically, the first bonding member <NUM> is in contact with the first substrate surface 32a and the first holding surface 4a. The second bonding member <NUM> is in contact with the peripheral part of the second substrate surface 32b and the third holding surface 4d. The first bonding member <NUM> and the second bonding member <NUM> may be in contact with at least a part of each of the hole wall <NUM> and the projection side surface 4e.

The imaging apparatus <NUM> according to the ninth embodiment can be assembled by the same manufacturing method as the manufacturing method according to the seventh embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, except the following: In the manufacturing method according to the ninth embodiment, in step S54, the second bonding member <NUM> is charged not between the substrate side surface 32c and the holding side surface 4c but between the hole wall <NUM> and the projection side surface 4e. In step S54, the second bonding member <NUM> is applied not to the peripheral part of the second substrate surface 32b and the third holding surface 4d and therebetween, but to the second substrate surface 32b around the hole wall <NUM> and the third holding surface 4d and therebetween.

As described above, misalignment of the substrate <NUM> and the image sensor <NUM> mounted on the substrate <NUM> can be suppressed in the imaging apparatus <NUM> according to the ninth embodiment, for the same reasons as in the imaging apparatus <NUM> according to the seventh embodiment.

In the ninth embodiment, the first bonding member <NUM> and the second bonding member <NUM> may be applied depending on the shrinkage ratios or rigidity coefficients of the first bonding member <NUM> and the second bonding member <NUM>, as in the seventh embodiment. The first bonding member <NUM> and the second bonding member <NUM> may be applied depending on the position and direction of the holding member <NUM> in contact with the first bonding member <NUM> and the second bonding member <NUM>, the area of the holding member <NUM> in contact with the first bonding member <NUM> and the second bonding member <NUM>, and the like.

After the manufacture of the imaging apparatus <NUM> according to the ninth embodiment is completed, a temperature change in the ambient environment of the imaging apparatus <NUM> can cause the bonding member <NUM> to try to shrink or expand due to rigidity. In this case, misalignment of the substrate <NUM> and the image sensor <NUM> mounted on the substrate <NUM> can be suppressed, as in the sixth embodiment.

In the imaging apparatus <NUM> according to the ninth embodiment, the second bonding member <NUM> may be in contact with the image sensor <NUM>. In this case, the image sensor <NUM> is fixed to the holding member <NUM> via the second bonding member <NUM>. Hence, the substrate <NUM> having the image sensor <NUM> mounted thereon is fixed to the holding member <NUM>. This can suppress misalignment of the substrate <NUM> and the image sensor <NUM>, as in the sixth embodiment.

An imaging apparatus <NUM> according to a tenth embodiment will be described in detail below.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the imaging apparatus <NUM> according to the tenth embodiment includes an imaging optical system <NUM>, a substrate portion <NUM>, a holding member <NUM>, and a bonding member <NUM>. The substrate portion <NUM> includes an image sensor <NUM> and a substrate <NUM>. The substrate <NUM> has a hole wall <NUM> defining at least one through hole <NUM>. Only the differences of the tenth embodiment from the ninth embodiment will be described below. In the tenth embodiment, description of the same structures as those in the ninth embodiment is omitted.

The first bonding member <NUM> and the second bonding member <NUM> are in contact with the substrate <NUM> at the inner periphery of the through hole <NUM> and in the regions of both surfaces, between which the through hole <NUM> is interposed, around the through hole <NUM>, and are in contact with the holding member <NUM> at and around the projection <NUM>, as in the ninth embodiment. Specifically, the first bonding member <NUM> may be in contact with the first substrate surface 32a and the first holding surface 4a. The second bonding member <NUM> may be in contact with the peripheral part of the through hole <NUM> in the second substrate surface 32b and the second holding surface 4b. The first bonding member <NUM> and the second bonding member <NUM> may be in contact with at least a part of each of the hole wall <NUM> and the projection side surface 4e.

The imaging apparatus <NUM> according to the tenth embodiment can be assembled by the same manufacturing method as the manufacturing method according to the sixth embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, except the following: In the manufacturing method according to the tenth embodiment, in step S44, the second bonding member <NUM> is charged not between the substrate side surface 32c and the holding side surface 4c but between the hole wall <NUM> and the projection side surface 4e.

As described above, misalignment of the substrate <NUM> and the image sensor <NUM> mounted on the substrate <NUM> can be suppressed in the imaging apparatus <NUM> according to the tenth embodiment, for the same reasons as in the imaging apparatus <NUM> according to the sixth embodiment.

In the tenth embodiment, the volume of the first bonding member <NUM> and the volume of the second bonding member <NUM> may be determined depending on, for example, the shrinkage ratios or rigidity coefficients of the first bonding member <NUM> and the second bonding member <NUM>, as in the sixth embodiment. For example, the volume of the first bonding member <NUM> is larger than the volume of the second bonding member <NUM> in the case where the shrinkage ratio of the first bonding member <NUM> is lower than the shrinkage ratio of the second bonding member <NUM>.

After the manufacture of the imaging apparatus <NUM> according to the tenth embodiment is completed, a temperature change in the ambient environment of the imaging apparatus <NUM> can cause the bonding member <NUM> to try to shrink or expand due to rigidity. In this case, misalignment of the substrate <NUM> and the image sensor <NUM> mounted on the substrate <NUM> can be suppressed, as in the sixth embodiment.

In the imaging apparatus <NUM> according to the tenth embodiment, the second bonding member <NUM> may be in contact with the image sensor <NUM>. In this case, the image sensor <NUM> is fixed to the holding member <NUM> via the second bonding member <NUM>. Hence, the substrate <NUM> having the image sensor <NUM> mounted thereon is fixed to the holding member <NUM>. This can suppress misalignment of the substrate <NUM> and the image sensor <NUM>, as in the sixth embodiment.

The imaging apparatuses <NUM>, <NUM> to <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> to <NUM> according to the present disclosure may each be mounted on a mobile object. Examples of the "mobile object" in the present disclosure include vehicles, ships, and aircraft. The "vehicles" in the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, motor vehicles, industrial vehicles, railed vehicles, domestic vehicles, and fixed-wing airplanes running on runways. Motor vehicles include, but are not limited to, cars, trucks, buses, two-wheeled vehicles, trolleybuses, and other vehicles running on roads. Industrial vehicles include industrial vehicles for agriculture and construction. Industrial vehicles include, but are not limited to, forklifts and golf carts. Industrial vehicles for agriculture include, but are not limited to, tractors, cultivators, transplanters, binders, combines, and lawn mowers. Industrial vehicles for construction include, but are not limited to, bulldozers, scrapers, power shovels, crane trucks, dump trucks, and road rollers. Vehicles include human-powered vehicles. The classifications of vehicles are not limited to the above-mentioned examples. For example, motor vehicles may include industrial vehicles that can run on roads. The same type of vehicle may belong to a plurality of classifications. The "ships" in the present disclosure include personal watercraft, boats, and tankers. The "aircraft" in the present disclosure includes fixed-wing airplanes and rotary-wing airplanes.

The drawings referred to in the embodiments of the present disclosure are schematic, and the dimensional ratios and the like in the drawings do not necessarily correspond to the actual dimensional ratios and the like.

Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described by way of the drawings and examples, various changes or modifications may be easily made by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the present disclosure. Such various changes or modifications are therefore included in the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the functions included in the components, steps, etc. may be rearranged without logical inconsistency, and a plurality of components, steps, etc. may be combined into one component, step, etc. and a component, step, etc. may be divided into a plurality of components, steps, etc..

Terms such as "first", "second", "third", and "fourth" in the present disclosure are identifiers for distinguishing components. Description of identifiers such as "first" and "second" in the present disclosure alone should not be used for interpretation of order of components or reasoning based on one identifier being smaller than another identifier.

Claim 1:
An imaging apparatus (<NUM>) comprising:
an imaging optical system (<NUM>) including at least one optical element (<NUM>, <NUM>);
a holding member (<NUM>) holding the imaging optical system (<NUM>);
an image sensor (<NUM>) configured to capture a subject image formed by the imaging optical system (<NUM>);
a substrate (<NUM>) having the image sensor (<NUM>) mounted thereon;
a substrate portion (<NUM>) including the image sensor (<NUM>) and the substrate (<NUM>) as one unit; and
a bonding member (<NUM>) fixing the substrate portion (<NUM>) to the holding member (<NUM>),
the bonding member (<NUM>) being partly in contact with a surface of the substrate portion (<NUM>), and
at at least two positions in a part of the surface of the substrate portion (<NUM>) in contact with the bonding member (<NUM>), the surface of the substrate portion (<NUM>) faces different directions,
wherein the bonding member (<NUM>) includes a first bonding member (<NUM>) and a second bonding member (<NUM>) different from the first bonding member (<NUM>),
the first bonding member (<NUM>) and the second bonding member (<NUM>) are respectively in contact with a first contact portion and a second contact portion of the surface of the substrate portion (<NUM>), the second contact portion being different from the first contact portion,
the first bonding member (<NUM>) and the second bonding member (<NUM>) are respectively in contact with a third contact portion and a fourth contact portion of the holding member (<NUM>), the fourth contact portion being different from the third contact portion, and
a direction from the first contact portion to the third contact portion and a direction from the second contact portion to the fourth contact portion are different, characterized in that
the first bonding member (<NUM>) and the second bonding member (<NUM>) differ from each other in a shrinkage ratio in curing or an elastic modulus after curing,
the first bonding member (<NUM>) has a lower shrinkage ratio or elastic modulus than the second bonding member (<NUM>), and
a volume of the first bonding member (<NUM>) between the first contact portion and the third contact portion is larger than a volume of the second bonding member (<NUM>) between the second contact portion and the fourth contact portion.