Abstract: A camera module consists of an image sensor, an objective lens system, and a lens drive mechanism. The objective lens system includes a taking lens and a prism having a reflection surface inclined at an angle of 45° to an optical axis of the taking lens, to reflect incident light toward the image sensor on a circuit board, which is positioned in parallel to the optical axis of the taking lens. The lens drive mechanism includes a motor and a rotary shaft driven by the motor. The motor is positioned behind the prism, and a drive shaft of the motor is coupled to the rotary shaft through a power transmission mechanism. The rotary shaft is positioned on one radial side of the taking lens and is coupled to a movable lens element of the taking lens such that the movable lens element is moved in the axial direction by rotary motion of the rotary shaft.

Abstract: The invention provides an electronic endoscope device, an imaging module, and an image pick-up lens molding method that can prevented dew formation of an objective lens optical system and facilitate manufacture. An objective lens optical system of an imaging module includes a tip lens 50a in which a tip surface and a back surface are formed in a plane, and a recess S is formed; a plane plate 50b that block the recess S; and a lens barrel 51a that integrally molds and forms the entire outer peripheral surfaces of the tip lens 50a and the plane plate 50b with resin, while a state is maintained where the plane plate 50b is pressed against the tip lens 50a, and the plane plate 50b and the back surface of the tip lens 50a are directly brought into close contact with each other at an entire joining surface therebetween.

Abstract: In an endoscope apparatus in which an imaging element and a circuit board to which the imaging element is connected are provided inside a distal end of an insertion part, disconnection between the circuit board and a signal wiring line is prevented. In an endoscope apparatus including an insertion part to be inserted into the body, an imaging element, a circuit board electrically connected to the imaging element and arranged parallel to the longitudinal direction of the insertion part, and a signal wiring line electrically connected to the circuit board and extending in the longitudinal direction are provided within the insertion part, and a connecting portion between the circuit board and the signal wiring line is provided with a easing member that eases a force applied to the connecting portion.

Abstract: An electronic endoscope has an insert section to be introduced into a human body cavity. A distal portion of the insert section contains a CCD and a printed circuit board to which the CCD is bonded. In the insert section, a cable bundle being a bundle of coaxial cables extends. Each coaxial cable consists of a signal line, insulation surrounding the signal line, a braided wire surrounding the insulation, and an insulating jacket. The cylindrical braided wire is stranded into a single line, and is soldered as a ground line to a ground terminal of the printed circuit board. The signal line is pulled out of the coaxial cable with a length longer than the ground line. The signal line is soldered to an input/output terminal of the printed circuit board with a larger sag than the ground line.

Abstract: A camera module consists of an image sensor, an objective lens system, and a lens drive mechanism. The objective lens system includes a taking lens and a prism having a reflection surface inclined at an angle of 45° to an optical axis of the taking lens, to reflect incident light toward the image sensor on a circuit board, which is positioned in parallel to the optical axis of the taking lens. The lens drive mechanism includes a motor and a rotary shaft driven by the motor. The motor is positioned behind the prism, and a drive shaft of the motor is coupled to the rotary shaft through a power transmission mechanism. The rotary shaft is positioned on one radial side of the taking lens and is coupled to a movable lens element of the taking lens such that the movable lens element is moved in the axial direction by rotary motion of the rotary shaft.

Abstract: In an endoscope apparatus in which an imaging element and a circuit board to which the imaging element is connected are provided inside a distal end of an insertion part, disconnection between the circuit board and a signal wiring line is prevented. In an endoscope apparatus including an insertion part to be inserted into the body, an imaging element, a circuit board electrically connected to the imaging element and arranged parallel to the longitudinal direction of the insertion part, and a signal wiring line electrically connected to the circuit board and extending in the longitudinal direction are provided within the insertion part, and a connecting portion between the circuit board and the signal wiring line is provided with a easing member that eases a force applied to the connecting portion.

Abstract: An imaging unit includes an objective optical system, an image sensor, a cover glass, a prism, and a heat conduction portion. The objective optical system imports light of an image of a subject. The image sensor forms an image of the light and outputs an imaging signal. The cover glass is provided on an imaging surface of the image sensor and seals the image sensor air-tightly. The prism is disposed between the objective optical system and the cover glass so as to guide the light from the objective optical system to the imaging surface. The heat conduction portion touches the prism and extends from the prism towards the image sensor so as to transmit heat of the image sensor to the prism.

Abstract: Out of optical elements that are provided to the top end side of an inserting portion of an endoscope, a first optical element arranged closest to an observation object side and a second optical element joined hermetically to the first optical element via an air layer are joined at joined surfaces by a first adhesive. Also, peripheries of end portions of the joined surfaces are covered with a second adhesive whose moisture permeability is lower than the first adhesive.

Abstract: An electronic endoscope has an insert section to be introduced into a human body cavity. A distal portion of the insert section contains a CCD and a printed circuit board to which the CCD is bonded. In the insert section, a cable bundle being a bundle of coaxial cables extends. Each coaxial cable consists of a signal line, insulation surrounding the signal line, a braided wire surrounding the insulation, and an insulating jacket. The cylindrical braided wire is stranded into a single line, and is soldered as a ground line to a ground terminal of the printed circuit board. The signal line is pulled out of the coaxial cable with a length longer than the ground line. The signal line is soldered to an input/output terminal of the printed circuit board with a larger sag than the ground line.

Abstract: A connector includes a cable attachment ring that fits onto a signal cable, a circuit board attachment part that catches a circuit board, and a connecting pillar that connects the cable attachment ring and the circuit board attachment part. The cable attachment ring is detachable from the signal cable, and the circuit board attachment part is detachable from the circuit board.

Abstract: A strip cooling apparatus for a continuous annealing furnace for continuously treating longitudinally fed steel strip has a pair of cooling gas chambers attached to the furnace walls on both sides of the strip so that the front of each chamber faces the strip. Each cooling gas chamber has nozzles having round outlets opening toward the strip surface on its front side to shoot forth a cooling gas jet against the strip furnace. The nozzle is separated from the strip by a distance z not larger than 70 mm and projected from the front of the cooling gas chamber by a length of not less than (100--z) z) mm. The cooling apparatus also has a pair of rotatably holding rolls reciprocatably attached to the furnace walls to press the strip at a right angle thereto. The holding rolls holds the strip and prevents the occurrence of fluttering.