Lenses and lens assemblies comprising lenses

Abstract

The lens comprises an optical portion; and a rib portion extending in a radial direction to an outside of the optical portion and comprising a light-transmitting region and a light-blocking region, wherein the light-blocking region comprises an ester-based compound and a hydrocarbon-based compound, and wherein the hydrocarbon-based compound comprises a saturated hydrocarbon compound.

Description

[0001] Cross Reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0003805, filed on January 11, 2022, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety for all purposes. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The disclosure relates to a lens and a lens assembly including the same. BACKGROUND

[0004] When fluorescent light or strong light of a certain angle in a darkroom is incident to a lens included in a camera module, internal reflection from a rib surface of the lens can occur, or light of a certain angle can cause internal reflection from the rib surface of the lens. The light can be irrelevant to image formation, and can cause a flare or ghosting on a screen. Accordingly, it can be necessary to block unnecessary light incident to the rib surface of the lens.

[0005] The above information is presented as background information only to assist with an understanding of the disclosure. No determination has been made, and no assertion is made, as to whether any of the above might be applicable as prior art with regard to the disclosure. SUMMARY

[0006] The Summary is presented in order to provide a brief overview of some aspects of the disclosure and to introduce some inventive concepts. The Summary is not intended to be an extensive overview of the disclosure nor is it intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0007] In one general aspect, a lens includes an optical portion and a rib portion extending to an outer side of the optical portion in a radial direction and including a light-transmitting region and a light-blocking region, wherein the light-blocking region includes an ester-based compound and a hydrocarbon-based compound, and wherein the hydrocarbon-based compound includes a saturated hydrocarbon compound.

[0008] The saturated hydrocarbon compound can include a C6-C 10 saturated hydrocarbon chain compound.

[0009] The C6-C 10 The saturated hydrocarbon chain compound can include at least one of hexane, heptane, and decane.

[0010] The ester-based compound can include a diol ether acetate compound.

[0011] The glycol ether acetate compound can include at least one of propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether acetate, and diethylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate.

[0012] The light-shielding region can further include a light-shielding dye.

[0013] The light-shielding dye can include at least one non-polar dye of an azo-based dye and an anthraquinone-based dye.

[0014] The lens can include at least one of a polycarbonate-based compound and a polyolefin-based compound.

[0015] The light-shielding region can be disposed in the rib portion.

[0016] The light-shielding region can be disposed on an inner side of at least one surface of the rib portion in an optical axis direction.

[0017] The light-shielding region can be disposed on an inner side of a partial region of at least one surface of the rib portion in the optical axis direction.

[0018] The light-shielding region can be further disposed on an inner side of a surface of the rib portion in a radial direction.

[0019] In another general aspect, a lens assembly includes a lens barrel including an interior space, and one or more lenses stacked along an optical axis in the interior space of the lens barrel, wherein at least one lens of the one or more lenses includes an optical portion and a rib portion extending to an outer side of the optical portion in a radial direction and including a light-transmitting region and a light-shielding region, wherein the light-shielding region includes an ester-based compound and a hydrocarbon-based compound, and wherein the hydrocarbon-based compound includes a saturated hydrocarbon compound.

[0020] The at least one lens can include a polycarbonate-based component or a polyolefin-based compound, and the light-shielding region can include propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate and hexane, heptane, or decane.

[0021] The light-shielding region can further include at least one non-polar dye of an azo-based dye and an anthraquinone-based dye.

[0022] In another general aspect, a lens includes an optical portion and a rib portion extending to an outer side of the optical portion in a radial direction and including a light-transmitting region and a light-shielding region, wherein the light-shielding region includes a dye disposed in the rib portion, and wherein a concentration of the dye decreases in a direction away from a surface of the rib portion.

[0023] The light-shielding region can be disposed on the inner side of one surface of the rib portion in the optical axis direction, and the light-transmitting region and the light-shielding region can be disposed in order in the optical axis direction.

[0024] The light-shielding region can include an ester-based compound and a hydrocarbon-based compound, and the hydrocarbon-based compound can include a saturated hydrocarbon compound.

[0025] Other features and aspects will become apparent from the following claims, drawings and detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0026] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a lens according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I' of Figure 1 .

[0028] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a modified example of Figure 2 .

[0029] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing another modified example of Figure 2 .

[0030] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing another modified example of Figure 2 .

[0031] Figure 6 is a perspective view showing a lens assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] Figure 7 shows images of coloring results in Experimental Examples 1 to 3.

[0033] Figure 8 shows a graph showing transmittance of each wavelength in Experimental Examples 1 to 3.

[0034] Figure 9 shows a graph showing transmittance of each wavelength in Experimental Examples 4 and 5.

[0035] Figure 10 presents a graph showing transmittance of each wavelength in Experimental Examples 6 to 8.

[0036] Figure 11 is a graph showing results of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) component analysis in Experimental Example 9.

[0037] Figure 12 shows images of results of flare evaluation in Experimental Example 9.

[0038] Figure 13 A graph showing the transmittance of each wavelength in Experimental Examples 10 to 12 is presented.

[0039] Figure 14 A graph showing the transmittance of each wavelength in Experimental Examples 13 to 15 is presented.

[0040] Throughout the drawings and specific embodiments, identical reference numerals designate identical elements throughout the several views. The drawings can not be to scale and the relative dimensions, proportions and depiction of elements in the drawings can be exaggerated for purpose of clarity, illustration and convenience. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings as follows, but it should be noted that the examples are not limited thereto.

[0042] The following detailed description is provided to help the reader obtain a thorough understanding of the methods, devices, and / or systems described herein. However, various changes, modifications, and equivalents in the methods, devices, and / or systems described herein will be apparent after an understanding of the present disclosure. For example, the order of the operations described herein is merely an example, and is not limited to the order set forth herein, except for operations that must occur in a specific order, and can be changed, which will be apparent after an understanding of the present disclosure. In addition, descriptions of features that are well known in the art can be omitted for more clarity and conciseness.

[0043] The features described herein can be implemented in different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the examples described herein. Rather, the examples described herein are provided merely to illustrate some of the many possible ways of implementing the methods, devices, and / or systems described herein, which will be apparent after an understanding of the present disclosure.

[0044] Throughout the specification, when an element such as a layer, region, or substrate is referred to as being "on", "connected to", or "coupled to" another element, it can be directly on, directly connected to, or directly coupled to the other element, or one or more other elements can be interposed therebetween. Conversely, when an element is referred to as being "directly on", "directly connected to", or "directly coupled to" another element, no other elements are interposed therebetween.

[0045] As used herein, the term "and / or," includes any one, and any combination, of the associated listed items; similarly "at least one of' includes any one of the associated listed items, and any combination of two or more of the associated listed items.

[0046] Although the terms such as "first," "second," and "third" can be used herein to describe various components, parts, regions, layers, or sections, these components, parts, regions, layers, or sections are not limited by the terms. Rather, the terms are only used to distinguish one component, part, region, layer, or section from another component, part, region, layer, or section. Thus, the first component, the first part, the first region, the first layer, or the first section mentioned in the examples can also be called the second component, the second part, the second region, the second layer, or the second section without departing from the teachings of the examples described herein.

[0047] Spatially relative terms such as "on", "upper", "lower", "below", "above", "top", "bottom", and the like, can be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. The spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientations depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as "on" or "upper" relative to other elements or features would then be oriented "below" or "lower" relative to the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term "below" can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device can be otherwise oriented (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

[0048] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing various examples only and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. Unless otherwise defined, articles "a," "one" and "the" are intended to mean one or more of the items described. The terms "comprising," "including," and "having" are intended to be inclusive and mean that there can be additional items or components that are not specifically described.

[0049] Variations can occur in the shapes of the elements depicted in the figures due to manufacturing processes and / or tolerances. Accordingly, examples described herein are not limited to the precise shapes of the elements as shown in the figures, but rather are inclusive of variations in the shapes of the elements that occur due to manufacturing processes and / or tolerances.

[0050] It should be noted that, in this document, the use of the phrase "may" in relation to examples, for example, with respect to what examples can include or implement, means that at least one example includes or implements the feature, and that all examples are not limited to this.

[0051] Features of the examples described herein can be combined in various ways in accordance with the understanding of the present disclosure. Also, although examples described herein have a variety of configurations, other configurations are possible in accordance with the understanding of the present disclosure.

[0052] One aspect of the present disclosure aims to provide a lens in which at least a part of a rib portion of a polycarbonate-based optical polymer and / or a polyolefin-based optical polymer is blackened, and a lens assembly including the same.

[0053] Another aspect of the present disclosure aims to provide a lens that can prevent flare and ghosting, and a lens assembly including the same.

[0054] One aspect of the present disclosure aims to form a colored region by coloring at least a partial region of a rib portion of a lens using a coloring dye composition including an ester-based compound and a hydrocarbon-based compound.

[0055] In the drawings, the X direction can be defined as a first direction, an L direction, or a length direction, the Y direction can be defined as a second direction, a W direction, or a width direction, and the Z direction can be defined as a third direction, a T direction, a thickness direction, or an optical axis direction.

[0056] Lens

[0057] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a lens according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0058] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I' of Figure 1 .

[0059] Figures 3 to 5 is a cross-sectional view showing one or more modified examples of Figure 2 .

[0060] Referring to the drawings, a lens 100 according to an example can include an optical portion 110 and a rib portion 120 extending to the outside of the optical portion 110 in a radial direction.

[0061] The shape or type of the lens 100 can not be limited to any specific example, and a lens used in an optical device such as a camera module can be used. The lens 100 can be a plastic resin lens including a resin component, and the resin component can include, for example, a polycarbonate-based compound and / or a polyolefin-based compound. The lens 100 can be formed by forming a composition including such a resin component into a predetermined shape using a mold, but exemplary embodiments thereof are not limited thereto.

[0062] The polycarbonate-based compound can be a thermoplastic polymer having a chain structure of bisphenol A and phosgene, and, for example, a product of MITSUBISHI GAS CHEMICAL of Japan can be used. The refractive index of the polycarbonate-based compound is not limited to any specific example, and can be about 1.63 to 1.68.

[0063] The polyolefin-based compound can include at least one of a cyclic olefin polymer and a cyclic olefin copolymer, and, for example, a product of MITSUI CHEMICALS and ZEON can be used. The polyolefin-based compound can be formed by polymerization of a cyclic monomer such as norbornene, but exemplary embodiments thereof are not limited thereto. The refractive index of the polyolefin-based compound is not limited to any specific example, and can be about 1.52 to 1.56.

[0064] The optical portion 110 can be a region in which optical performance of the lens 100 is exhibited. For example, the optical portion 110 can be a region in which light reflected from an object (or a subject) is refracted. The rib portion 120 can be a region for fixing the lens 100 to another component such as, for example, a lens barrel, another lens, and / or a spacer. The rib portion 120 can be a region extending to the outside of the optical portion 110 in a radial direction. In an exemplary embodiment, the "radial direction" can refer to a direction from the center of the optical portion 110 toward the outer peripheral surface of the lens 100, and can refer to a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction. The rib portion 120 and the optical portion 110 can be distinguished from each other by their positions or functions, and can be separated within the same lens. Accordingly, the optical portion 110 and the rib portion 120 can form an integrated lens.

[0065] The rib portion 120 can include a light-transmitting region 122 and a light-shielding region 121. The light-transmitting region 122 can refer to a region through which light can pass, and can refer to a region that does not form the light-shielding region 121. The light-transmitting region 122 can refer to a region in which, for example, the average transmittance of light in the range of 400 nm to 650 nm can be greater than 80%, and the light-shielding region 121 can refer to a region in which the average transmittance of light in the range of 400 nm to 650 nm can be 20% or less, but exemplary embodiments thereof are not limited thereto. The terms "light-transmitting region 122" and "light-shielding region 121" can be used to distinguish a region dyed with a non-polar dye and a region not dyed from each other in the same lens, and there can be no clear boundary between the light-transmitting region 122 and the light-shielding region 121.

[0066] The light-shielding region 121 can be disposed in the rib portion 120. In an exemplary embodiment, a configuration in which a certain "region" is disposed in a rib portion means that the maximum dimension of the region in the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction can be smaller than the maximum dimension of the rib portion in the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction, and the entire outer boundary of the region can exist in the rib portion. The lens 100 according to the example can form the light-shielding region 121 by coloring the rib portion 120 as described below, and thus the light-shielding region 121 can be disposed in the rib portion 120.

[0067] The light-shielding region 121 can be disposed on the inner side of at least one surface of the rib portion 120 in the optical axis direction. In an exemplary embodiment, the term "optical axis" can refer to a conceptual line that represents a light path through which light passes, and can refer to an axis of symmetry when a curved surface of a lens has rotational symmetry. For example, with reference to Figure 2 , assuming that a conceptual Z-axis passes through the center of the lens, the Z-axis can be the optical axis, and the Z-axis direction can refer to the optical axis direction. When the light-shielding region 121 is disposed on the inner side of one surface of the rib portion 120 in the optical axis direction, the light-shielding region 121 can be disposed on the inner side of at least one surface among the two surfaces of the rib portion 120 in the Z-axis direction. In this case, the lens can be dyed in only one direction, so that production efficiency can be improved. When the light-shielding region 121 is disposed on the inner side of both surfaces of the rib portion 120 in the optical axis direction, the rib portion 120 can have a region in which the light-shielding region 121, the light-transmitting region 122, and the light-shielding region 121 are sequentially disposed in the Z-axis direction. In this case, since the light-shielding region 121 is disposed on the inner side of both surfaces of the rib portion 120 in the optical axis direction, the light transmittance of the light-shielding region 121 of the rib portion 120 can be further reduced.

[0068] The light-shielding area 121 can also be disposed on the inner side of the surface of the rib portion 120 in the radial direction. The light-shielding area 121 can also be disposed on the surface of the rib portion 120 in the radial direction, that is, on the outermost area of the rib portion 120 of the lens 100 in the direction perpendicular to the Z-axis direction. In this case, the light-shielding area 121 can be disposed on the surface of the rib portion 120 perpendicular to the optical axis, and thus, can block light entering in a direction different from the optical axis direction, thereby effectively preventing flare or ghosting.

[0069] The light-shielding area 121 can be disposed in contact with at least one surface of the rib portion 120. The configuration in which the light-shielding area 121 is disposed in contact with the surface of the rib portion 120 can indicate that the light-shielding area 121 is disposed on the end of the rib portion 120 in the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and / or the Z-axis direction, the spatial boundary of the rib portion 120 in the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and / or the Z-axis direction can coincide with the spatial boundary of the light-shielding area 121 in the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and / or the Z-axis direction, and the light-shielding area 121 can be exposed to the surface of the rib portion 120. In the lens 100 according to the example, the rib portion 120 can be colored using a non-polar dye, and thus, an additional structure such as a coating is not disposed on the outer area, so that an excellent balance can be obtained.

[0070] The average thickness t of the light-shielding area 121 in the optical axis direction can be 15 micrometers (μm) or less. The average thickness t of the light-shielding area 121 in the optical axis direction can be an average of the thickness measured in the direction perpendicular to the surface of the rib portion 120, and for example, an arithmetic average of the thickness measured at 10 points of the concept loop, which connects the maximum length of the rib portion 120 by equal distances in the radial direction, at positions of 1 / 2.

[0071] In the lens 100' according to the modified example, as shown in Figure 3 The light-shielding area 121' can be disposed on only one surface or both surfaces of the rib portion 120' in the optical axis direction. For example, the light-shielding area 121' can not be further disposed on the inner side of the surface of the rib portion 120' in the radial direction. In the lens 100" according to another modified example and the lens 100'" according to another modified example, as shown in Figure 4 and Figure 5As illustrated, the light-shielding regions 121" and 121'" can be provided on a partial region of one surface of the rib portions 120" and 120'" in the direction of the optical axis, or on partial regions of both surfaces of the rib portions 120" and 120"'. Each of these partial regions can have a nearly annular shape when viewed in a plan view. The light-transmitting regions 122', 122", and 122'" can also be modified according to modifications of the light-shielding regions 121', 121", and 121"'. However, these modifications are merely examples, and the light-transmitting regions and the light-shielding regions can be modified in different forms.

[0072] The light-shielding region 121 can include a dye. For example, the light-shielding region 121 of the lens 100 can be colored using a light-shielding dye. In an exemplary embodiment, a "dye" can refer to a coloring agent having solubility in a solvent, and can refer to a component different from a pigment that is insoluble in a solvent and exists in a dispersed state. In general, a method of forming a light-shielding portion by forming a coating layer including a pigment on a surface of a rib portion of a lens can be used. However, in a method of forming another layer, the surface of the lens can be damaged in the process of curing the coating film, and when the thickness of the coating film is not uniformly formed, the weight balance of the lens can be disturbed. Unlike the above-described example, in the lens 100 according to the example, by forming the light-shielding region 121 using a method of coloring the rib portion 120 with a light-shielding dye, damage to the lens 100 can be reduced, and a coating film attached to an outer region of the lens 100 can not be used, so that a lens having excellent balance can be provided.

[0073] The concentration of the light-shielding dye included in the light-shielding region 121 of the lens 100 can decrease in a direction away from the surface of the rib portion 120. A configuration in which the concentration of the light-shielding dye decreases in a direction away from the surface of the rib portion 120 can indicate that the concentration of the light-shielding dye at a position spaced apart from the surface of the rib portion 120 by a predetermined distance can be lower than the concentration at the surface of the rib portion 120. The spaced distance can refer to a depth corresponding to half the average thickness of the light-shielding region 121 in a vertical distance from the surface of the rib portion 120. The concentration of the light-shielding dye can be a value measured at a position at which the thickness of the above-described light-shielding region 121 is measured, and can be detected by Raman analysis. By coloring the lens 100 according to the example by dissolving a predetermined dye in a predetermined solvent, and by forming the light-shielding region 121 without using an external structure, the lens 100 can have excellent physical balance.

[0074] The type of shading dye included in the shading area 121 of the lens 100 is not limited to any specific example, and for example, a colored dye or a dark dye can be used. For example, although not limited thereto, at least one of an anthraquinone-based dye, a benzoquinone-based dye, a perylene-based dye, a phthalocyanine-based dye, a quinacridone-based dye, an azo-based dye, and a diphenylmethane-based dye can be used, but exemplary embodiments thereof are not limited thereto. In addition, a single type of dye can be used as the dye, or a combination of two or more types of dyes can be used. A mixed dye of an azo-based dye and an anthraquinone-based dye can be used as the shading dye applied to the lens 100, but exemplary embodiments thereof are not limited thereto.

[0075] The shading dye applied to the lens 100 can be a nonpolar dye. In an exemplary embodiment, "nonpolar" can indicate that no relative positive charge (+) and / or negative charge (-) occurs because no charge separation occurs, and can indicate a characteristic other than polarity. In addition, in an exemplary embodiment, "polar" can indicate a characteristic of having a dipole or multiple multipoles due to the bias of the intramolecular charge, and can indicate a characteristic of having a relative positive charge (+) and / or negative charge (-). The lens 100 according to the example can have a high solubility in a solvent by applying a nonpolar dye as a shading dye, thereby effectively forming the shading area 121 of the lens 100.

[0076] The nonpolar dye can include a nonpolar functional group such as an alkyl group or a phenyl group as a functional group. In this case, the nonpolar dye can include only the nonpolar functional group, and can not include a polar functional group. However, the nonpolar dye can include a part of the polar functional group such as an amine group, a hydroxyl group, a carboxyl group, a ketone group, and an aldehyde group. In this case, the number of the polar functional groups included in the nonpolar dye can be three or less in terms of having a nonpolar characteristic. For example, the nonpolar dye can include a nonpolar functional group, and can also include 3 or less amine groups.

[0077] The type of non-polar dye is not limited to any particular example, and for example, a colored or dark non-polar dye can be used. As an example of a non-polar dye, although not limited thereto, at least one non-polar dye selected from a non-polar anthraquinone-based dye, a non-polar benzoquinone-based dye, a non-polar perylene-based dye, a non-polar phthalocyanine-based dye, a non-polar quinacridone-based dye, a non-polar azo-based dye, and a non-polar diphenylmethane-based dye can be used. However, exemplary embodiments thereof are not limited thereto. In addition, as a non-polar dye, a single type of non-polar dye can be used, or a combination of two or more types of non-polar dyes can be used. A mixed dye of a non-polar azo-based dye and a non-polar anthraquinone-based dye can be used as a shading dye applied to the lens 100, but exemplary embodiments thereof are not limited thereto.

[0078] The shading area 121 can include an ester-based compound and a hydrocarbon-based compound. The ester-based compound and the hydrocarbon-based compound can be distributed in the shading area 121 of the lens 100, and for example, can be included in a crosslinked structure formed of a polycarbonate-based compound and / or a polyolefin-based compound. In an exemplary embodiment, the term "crosslinked structure" can refer to a structure formed by crosslinking between molecules, and the term "crosslinked" can refer to forming a network structure by chemical / physical bonds such as covalent bonds, ionic bonds, van der Waals bonds, or hydrogen bonds between molecules.

[0079] The ester-based compound can include a glycol ether acetate compound. In an exemplary embodiment, the "glycol ether acetate compound" can refer to a compound including a glycol ether group and an acetate group. For example, the glycol ether acetate compound can include at least one of propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate (PGMEA), ethylene glycol monobutyl ether acetate, and diethylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate, for example, can include propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, but exemplary embodiments thereof are not limited thereto.

[0080] The hydrocarbon-based compound can include a saturated hydrocarbon compound. In an exemplary embodiment, the "saturated hydrocarbon compound" can refer to a hydrocarbon compound that does not include an unsaturated bond. For example, the saturated hydrocarbon compound can include CH4 (methane), C2H6 (ethane), C3H8 (propane), C4H 10 (Butane), C5H 12 (Pentane), C6H 14 (Hexane), C7H 16 (Heptane), C8H 18 (Octane), C9H 20 (Nonane), C 10 H 22 (Decane), C 11 H 24 (undecane), C12 H 26 (dodecane), etc. The hydrocarbon-based compound can be a saturated hydrocarbon compound, and can include a saturated hydrocarbon chain compound, for example, can include C6-C 10 saturated hydrocarbon chain compound, but exemplary embodiments thereof are not limited thereto. The C6-C 10 The saturated hydrocarbon chain compound can include, for example, at least one of hexane, heptane, and decane, but exemplary embodiments thereof are not limited thereto.

[0081] The ester-based compound and the hydrocarbon-based compound can be an organic solvent used to color the light-shielding area 121. As described above, the lens 100 according to the example can include a polycarbonate-based compound and / or a polyolefin-based compound. When the lens 100 including such a compound is in contact with an organic solvent including an ester-based compound and a hydrocarbon-based compound, the organic solvent can swell the surface of the lens 100. In this case, the non-polar dye can penetrate through the surface of the lens 100 swelled by the organic solvent, and can form the light-shielding area 121. In particular, when the ester-based compound and the hydrocarbon-based compound are mixed and used as an organic solvent, two materials having different polarities (for example, a polycarbonate-based compound and a polyolefin-based compound) can be swelled. For example, an ester-based organic solvent can easily swell a polycarbonate-based material, and a hydrocarbon-based organic solvent can easily swell a polyolefin-based material.

[0082] In general, when a lens is colored to block light or control the path of light, a dyeing method by dispersing a dye in a dispersion medium such as water can be used. However, when a lens is dyed using a dispersed dye, depending on the properties of the lens and the properties of the solvent, it can be difficult to dye, and the degree of dyeing can be low, and light can not be effectively blocked, so that a flare or a ghosting phenomenon can occur. For example, when a hydrophobic lens is dyed using a dispersed dye in which a dye is dispersed in a dispersion medium, it can be necessary to perform dyeing at a high temperature for a long time, or it can be necessary to add a carrier such as trichlorobenzene or dichlorobenzene to a dyeing solution. In this case, the lens can be deformed and the optical properties can be deteriorated. Unlike the above example, in the exemplary embodiments, by dissolving a non-polar dye in the above-mentioned mixed organic solvent and dyeing the light-shielding area 121 of the lens 100 using the solvent, the dyeing of the dye can be improved even when dyeing is performed at a low temperature for a short time. In addition, the light transmittance of the lens 100 can be greatly reduced in the dyed area, so that a flare or a ghosting phenomenon can be prevented, and deformation of the lens 100 can be prevented.

[0083] The light-shielding region 121 can be formed using a dyeing solution in which the aforementioned non-polar dye is dissolved in the aforementioned mixed organic solvent, and can be dyed, for example, by immersing the lens 100 in such a dyeing solution or by applying such a dyeing solution to the lens 100, but exemplary embodiments thereof are not limited thereto. For example, the lens 100 can be colored by forming a coating layer on the surface of the lens 100 and immersing the lens 100 in a dyeing solution. Coloring can be selectively blackened only in a region in which no coating layer is formed. For example, blackening can be performed only on at least a partial region of the rib portion 120 other than the optical portion 110 of the lens 100. The coloring solvent can swell the polycarbonate-based optical polymer and / or the polyolefin-based optical polymer, and the coloring dye can penetrate into the swelled polymer, thereby forming a colored layer. In the dyeing solution, the concentration of the non-polar dye in the solvent is not limited to any particular example, and can be 0.01 wt% or more and / or 20 wt% or less, but exemplary embodiments thereof are not limited thereto. For the dyeing solution, the coloring rate can be controlled by adjusting the mixing ratio of the mixed organic solvent described above (i.e., the mixing ratio of the ester-based compound and the hydrocarbon-based compound, for example).

[0084] When the lens 100 is dyed by immersion in a dyeing solution, the dyeing can be performed at a temperature of 50°C or lower. For example, the dyeing can be performed at 50°C or lower, 45°C or lower, 44°C or lower, 43°C or lower, 42°C or lower, 41°C or lower, or 40°C or lower, but exemplary embodiments thereof are not limited thereto. When the lens 100 is immersed in the solvent under such temperature conditions, the time required to color the lens 100 can be reduced without damaging the lens 100, thereby having an advantageous effect on productivity. The lower limit of the temperature is not limited to any particular example, and can be, for example, 15°C or higher, but exemplary embodiments thereof are not limited thereto.

[0085] The aforementioned dye component and the organic solvent component contained in the colored region 121 of the lens 100 can be detected by GC-MS analysis or the like.

[0086] Lens assembly

[0087] Figure 6 is a perspective view showing a lens assembly according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0088] Referring to the drawings, a lens assembly 300 according to an example can include a lens barrel 200 including an internal space, and one or more lenses 100 stacked in the internal space of the lens barrel 200 along an optical axis. The lens 100 can include an optical portion 110 and a rib portion 120 extending to the outside of the optical portion 110 in a radial direction, and the rib portion 120 can include a light-transmitting region 122 and a light-shielding region 121.

[0089] One or more lenses 100 can be stacked along an optical axis and can be disposed in an inner space of a lens barrel 200. A plurality of lenses 100 can be provided, and a rib portion 120 of each of the plurality of lenses 100 can be in contact with the rib portion 120 of an adjacent lens 100. In addition, each of the plurality of lenses 100 can be in contact with an inner circumferential surface of the lens barrel 200. The number of the plurality of lenses 100 is not limited to any particular example, and optical properties such as a refractive index of each of the plurality of lenses 100 can be the same or different.

[0090] A detailed description of the lens 100 is the same as in the aforementioned exemplary embodiments, and a description that overlaps will not be provided. The lenses 100', 100'', and 100''' according to the modified examples can also be applied to the lens assembly 300.

[0091] The lens barrel 200 can have a hollow cylindrical shape, and a lens hole 200a for transmitting light can be formed through one surface of the lens barrel 200.

[0092] Experimental Examples

[0093] (Experimental Example 1)

[0094] A cyclic olefin copolymer resin lens was used as the lens, a mixture of a non-polar anthraquinone-based dye and a non-polar azo-based dye was used as the shading dye, and a mixed solvent in which propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate and heptane were mixed at a ratio of 3:1 was used as the organic solvent. A dyeing solution was prepared by dissolving the dye in the solvent at a concentration of 1 wt% or more and 20 wt% or less (i.e., for example, 10 wt%), the lens was immersed in the dyeing solution, and a shading region was formed. The dyeing temperature of the dyeing solution was about 35°C, the shading region was formed by immersing the lens for about 2 minutes, the lens was washed with water and dried at about 80°C for about 30 minutes, thereby obtaining a lens having a shading region.

[0095] (Experimental Example 2)

[0096] A lens having a shading region was formed in the same manner as in Experimental Example 1, except for a configuration in which the lens was immersed for about 4 minutes.

[0097] (Experimental Example 3)

[0098] A lens having a shading region was formed in the same manner as in Experimental Example 1, except for a configuration in which the lens was immersed for about 6 minutes.

[0099] Figure 7 An image showing the coloring results in Experimental Examples 1 to 3 is shown. Figure 8 A graph showing the transmittance of each wavelength in Experimental Examples 1 to 3 is shown.

[0100] Referring to the drawings, it is shown that in Experimental Examples 1 to 3, light-shielding regions having excellent light-shielding rates were formed in the cycloolefin copolymer resin lenses. In addition, in Experimental Examples 1 to 3, the maximum transmittance of light in the range of 400 nm to 650 nm was about 24.0%, about 13.2%, and about 6.7%, respectively, and it is shown that the longer the immersion time, the better the light-shielding rate.

[0101] (Experimental Example 4)

[0102] A lens having a light-shielding region was formed in the same manner as in Experimental Example 1, using a mixed solvent in which propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate and heptane were mixed at a ratio of 1:1, and except for a configuration in which the lens was immersed for about 10 minutes.

[0103] (Experimental Example 5)

[0104] A lens having a light-shielding region was formed in the same manner as in Experimental Example 4, except for a configuration in which the lens was immersed for about 20 minutes.

[0105] Figure 9 A graph showing the transmittance of each wavelength in Experimental Examples 4 and 5 is shown.

[0106] Referring to the drawings, it is shown that when the mixing ratio of the mixed solvent is adjusted, the coloring rate can be controlled, compared to Experimental Examples 1 to 3. In addition, in Experimental Examples 4 and 5, the maximum transmittance of light in the range of 400 nm to 650 nm was about 54.0% and about 38.8%, respectively, and it is shown that the longer the immersion time, the better the light-shielding rate can be.

[0107] (Experimental Example 6)

[0108] A lens in which a light-shielding region was formed was obtained in the same manner as in Experimental Example 1, except for a configuration in which a polycarbonate resin lens was used as the lens, a single solvent of propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate was used, and the lens was immersed for about 5 minutes.

[0109] (Experimental Example 7)

[0110] A lens having a light-shielding region was formed in the same manner as in Experimental Example 1, using a polycarbonate resin lens as the lens, except for a configuration in which the lens was immersed for a time of about 5 minutes.

[0111] (Experimental Example 8)

[0112] A lens having a light-shielding region was formed in the same manner as in Experimental Example 7, except for a configuration in which the dyeing temperature was about 40°C.

[0113] Figure 10A graph showing the transmittance of each wavelength in Experimental Example 6 to 8 is presented.

[0114] Referring to the drawings, even when using a mixed solvent as in Experimental Examples 7 and 8, an excellent light shielding region can be formed similar to Experimental Example 6 using only propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, which can easily swell the polycarbonate resin lens. In addition, in Experimental Examples 7 and 8, the maximum transmittance of light in the range of 400 nm to 650 nm was about 10.2% and about 6.4%, respectively, and it was shown that the higher the impregnation temperature, the better the light shielding rate can be.

[0115] (Experimental Example 9)

[0116] A lens having a light shielding region was formed in the same manner as in Experimental Example 1, except for the configuration in which decane was used instead of heptane.

[0117] Figure 11 is a graph showing the results of GC-MS component analysis in Experimental Example 9. Figure 12 An image showing the results of flare evaluation in Experimental Example 9 is presented.

[0118] Referring to the drawings, it was shown that it was difficult to dry the lens at a high temperature due to deformation, so that the solvent component can be detected during analysis of the colored region, that is, the light shielding region. In addition, it was shown that the effect of improving the flare after coloring the lens was excellent.

[0119] (Experimental Example 10)

[0120] A lens having a light shielding region was formed in the same manner as in Experimental Example 2, except for the configuration in which decane was used instead of heptane.

[0121] (Experimental Example 11)

[0122] A lens having a light shielding region was formed in the same manner as in Experimental Example 10, except for the configuration in which the lens was immersed for about 6 minutes.

[0123] (Experimental Example 12)

[0124] A lens having a light shielding region was formed in the same manner as in Experimental Example 10, except for the configuration in which the lens was immersed for about 8 minutes.

[0125] Figure 13 A graph showing the transmittance of each wavelength in Experimental Examples 10 to 12 is presented.

[0126] Referring to the drawings, in Experimental Examples 10 to 12, it is shown that light-shielding regions having excellent light-shielding rates are formed in the cycloolefin copolymer resin lenses. In addition, the maximum transmittances of light in the range of 400 nm to 650 nm of Experimental Examples 10 to 12 are about 25.6%, about 18.6%, and about 14.0%, respectively, and the longer the immersion time, the better the light-shielding rate can be.

[0127] (Experimental Example 13)

[0128] A lens having a light-shielding region was formed in the same manner as in Experimental Example 10, except that a polycarbonate resin lens was used as the lens, a single solvent of propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate was used, and the lens was immersed for about 5 minutes.

[0129] (Experimental Example 14)

[0130] A lens having a light-shielding region was formed in the same manner as in Experimental Example 10, except that a polycarbonate resin lens was used as the lens and the lens was immersed for about 5 minutes.

[0131] (Experimental Example 15)

[0132] A lens having a light-shielding region was formed in the same manner as in Experimental Example 14, except that the configuration in which the dyeing temperature was about 40°C.

[0133] Figure 14 A graph showing the transmittance of each wavelength in Experimental Examples 13 to 15 is shown.

[0134] Referring to the drawings, even when a mixed solvent is used as in Experimental Examples 14 and 15, an excellent light-shielding region can be formed similarly to Experimental Example 13 in which propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, which can easily swell a polycarbonate resin lens, is used alone. In addition, the maximum transmittances of light in the range of 400 nm to 650 nm of Experimental Examples 14 and 15 are about 10.2% and about 6.4%, respectively, and it is shown that the higher the immersion temperature, the better the light-shielding rate can be.

[0135] According to the foregoing exemplary embodiments, a lens in which at least a portion of a rib portion of a polycarbonate-based optical polymer and / or a polyolefin-based optical polymer is blackened, and a lens assembly including the same, can be provided.

[0136] In addition, a lens that can prevent flare or ghosting, and a lens assembly including the same, can be provided.

[0137] In exemplary embodiments, the cross-section can refer to a cross-sectional shape when the object is cut vertically, or a cross-sectional shape when the object is viewed from the side. Also, "in a plane" can be a shape when the object is cut horizontally, or a planar shape when the object is viewed from the top or bottom.

[0138] In exemplary embodiments, the terms "side portion," "side surface," and the like can be used to refer to a surface formed in a right / left direction with reference to a cross-section in the drawings for ease of description, the terms "upper side," "upper portion," "upper surface," and the like can be used to refer to a surface formed in an upward direction with reference to a cross-section in the drawings for ease of description, and the terms "lower side," "lower portion," "lower surface," and the like can be used to refer to a surface formed in a downward direction. The concept that an element is disposed on a side region, an upper side, an upper region, or a lower side can include a configuration in which the element is in direct contact with the element configured to be referred to in each direction, and a configuration in which the element is not in direct contact with the element to be referred to. However, for ease of description, the terms can be defined as above, and the scope of the rights of exemplary embodiments is not limited to any particular example of the above terms.

[0139] In exemplary embodiments, the term "connection" can refer not only to "direct connection," but also include "indirect connection" through an adhesive layer or the like. Also, the term "electrical connection" can include a case in which elements are "physically connected" and a case in which elements are "not physically connected." Also, the terms "first," "second," and the like can be used to distinguish one element from another, and can not limit the order and / or importance of, or other to, the elements. In some cases, a first element can be referred to as a second element, and similarly, a second element can be referred to as a first element, without departing from the scope of the rights of exemplary embodiments.

[0140] In exemplary embodiments, the term "exemplary embodiment" can not refer to one identical exemplary embodiment, and can be provided to describe and emphasize different unique features of each exemplary embodiment. The above suggested exemplary embodiments can be implemented, but the possibility of combination with features of other exemplary embodiments is not excluded. For example, even if a feature described in one exemplary embodiment is not described in another exemplary embodiment, the description can be understood to be related to another exemplary embodiment unless otherwise specified.

[0141] Unless clearly different in meaning in the context, an expression used in the singular encompasses an expression used in the plural.

[0142] While specific example embodiments have been shown and described above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art, upon understanding the present disclosure, that various changes in form and details can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims and their equivalents. The examples described herein are to be understood as being descriptive in nature and not for purposes of limitation. Descriptions of features or aspects within each example are to be considered as applicable to similar features or aspects within other examples. Proper results can be achieved if the described techniques are performed in a different order, and / or if components in the described systems, architectures, devices, or circuits are combined or substituted, or are replaced or supplemented by other components or their equivalents. Therefore, the scope of the disclosure is not defined by the specific embodiments discussed above, but instead by the claims and their equivalents, and all variations within the scope of the claims and their equivalents are to be construed as being included in the disclosure.

Claims

1. A lens comprising: an optical portion; and a rib portion extending to an outer side of the optical portion in a radial direction and including a light-transmitting region and a light-blocking region, wherein the light-blocking region includes an ester-based compound and a hydrocarbon-based compound, and wherein the hydrocarbon-based compound includes a saturated hydrocarbon compound. 4.The lens according to claim 1, wherein the ester-based compound includes a glycol ether acetate compound.

2. The lens of claim 1, wherein the saturated hydrocarbon compound comprises C6-C 10 saturated hydrocarbon chain compounds.

3. The lens of claim 2, wherein the C6-C 10 The saturated hydrocarbon chain compound includes at least one of hexane, heptane, and decane. 5.The lens according to claim 4, wherein the glycol ether acetate compound includes at least one of propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether acetate, and diethylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate. 6.The lens according to claim 1, wherein the light-blocking region further includes a light-blocking dye. 7.The lens according to claim 6, wherein the light-blocking dye includes at least one non-polar dye of an azo-based dye and an anthraquinone-based dye. 8.The lens according to claim 1, wherein the lens includes at least one of a polycarbonate-based compound and a polyolefin-based compound. 9.The lens according to claim 1, wherein the light-blocking region is provided in the rib portion. 10.The lens according to claim 9, wherein the light-blocking region is provided on an inner side of at least one surface of the rib portion in an optical axis direction. 11.The lens according to claim 10, wherein the light-blocking region is provided on an inner side of a partial region of at least one surface of the rib portion in the optical axis direction. 12.The lens according to claim 10, wherein the light-blocking region is further provided on an inner side of a surface of the rib portion in the radial direction. 13.A lens assembly comprising: a lens barrel including an internal space; and one or more lenses stacked along an optical axis in the internal space of the lens barrel, wherein at least one lens of the one or more lenses includes an optical portion and a rib portion extending to an outer side of the optical portion in a radial direction and including a light-transmitting region and a light-blocking region, wherein the light-blocking region includes an ester-based compound and a hydrocarbon-based compound, and wherein the hydrocarbon-based compound includes a saturated hydrocarbon compound. 14.The lens assembly according to claim 13, wherein the at least one lens includes a polycarbonate-based component or a polyolefin-based compound, and wherein the light-blocking region includes propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate and hexane, heptane, or decane. 15.The lens assembly according to claim 14, wherein the light-blocking region further includes at least one non-polar dye of an azo-based dye and an anthraquinone-based dye. 16.The lens assembly according to claim 13, wherein the light-blocking region is provided in the rib portion. 17.A lens comprising: an optical portion; and a rib portion extending to an outer side of the optical portion in a radial direction and including a light-transmitting region and a light-blocking region, wherein the light-blocking region includes a dye provided in the rib portion, and wherein a concentration of the dye decreases in a direction away from a surface of the rib portion. ​ ​ ​ wherein the light-shielding region includes an ester-based compound and a hydrocarbon-based compound.

18. The lens according to claim 17, wherein the light-shielding region is disposed on an inner side of one surface of the rib portion in the optical axis direction, and wherein the light-transmitting region and the light-shielding region are disposed in this order in the optical axis direction.

19. The lens according to claim 17, wherein the hydrocarbon-based compound includes a saturated hydrocarbon compound.

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