Light guide assembly, lens module and electronic device

Abstract

The application provides a light guide assembly, comprising: a light guide plate for transmitting light, comprising first and second parallel spaced surfaces; a first metasurface lens embedded in the first surface or the second surface for receiving and transmitting the light into the light guide plate, the metasurface of the first metasurface lens being located in the light guide plate; and a second metasurface lens embedded in the first surface or the second surface for receiving and transmitting the light out of the light guide plate, the metasurface of the second metasurface lens being located in the light guide plate. The application also provides a lens module and an electronic device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to a light guide component, a lens module including the light guide component, and an electronic device including the lens module. Background Technology

[0002] In the design of traditional small optical systems, achieving high-quality imaging in lens modules often faces a core contradiction: balancing size and performance. Traditional optical systems, based on geometric optics principles, require the use of multiple lenses to correct monochromatic aberrations such as spherical aberration, coma, and astigmatism, as well as chromatic aberration issues such as axial chromatic aberration and magnification chromatic aberration. To meet high-resolution requirements, designers typically need to increase the number of lenses (e.g., 6-8) and use high-precision aspherical lenses to optimize the optical path, but this directly increases the overall length of the module. Furthermore, field curvature correction requires a symmetrical lens arrangement, further increasing the lateral space occupied. This increased size not only limits the development of thinner and lighter devices but also leads to high manufacturing costs. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Based on this, in order to reduce the size of the lens module, the first aspect of this application provides a light guide assembly, including: A light guide plate, used to transmit light, includes a first surface and a second surface spaced parallel to each other; A first superlens is embedded in the first surface or the second surface to receive and transmit light into the light guide plate, wherein the super surface of the first superlens is located within the light guide plate. A second superlens is embedded in the first surface or the second surface to receive and transmit the light to the outside of the light guide plate. The super surface of the second superlens is located inside the light guide plate.

[0004] In the aforementioned light guide assembly, the first superlens is used to direct light into the light guide plate and adjust the direction of light propagation, ensuring that the light travels in the same direction within the light guide plate, which facilitates light focusing. After being alternately reflected by the surface of the light guide plate to fold the light path, the light is transmitted towards the second superlens and is ultimately received by the photosensitive element in the lens module. In other words, the light is transmitted to the photosensitive element in a folded manner within the light guide plate, which helps to reduce the light path propagation space, thereby reducing the size of the lens module.

[0005] In at least one embodiment, the light guide assembly further includes an infrared light filter for receiving and filtering out the infrared portion of the light before emitting it. The infrared light filter is located on the optical path in which the first superlens receives the light or on the optical path in which the second superlens emits the light.

[0006] In at least one embodiment, the light guide assembly further includes a third superlens, one of the third superlens and the second superlens being embedded in the first surface and the other being embedded in the second surface, wherein the super surface of the third superlens is located within the light guide plate; The third superlens is used to reflect the light and transmit it toward the second superlens, and the second superlens is used to receive and filter out the infrared portion of the light before it exits the light guide plate.

[0007] In at least one embodiment, the optical path of the light received by the second superlens is perpendicular to the incident surface of the second superlens.

[0008] In at least one embodiment, the first superlens, the second superlens, the third superlens, and the light guide plate are all made of glass, and the metasurfaces of the first superlens, the second superlens, and the third superlens are provided with titanium dioxide film layers.

[0009] In at least one embodiment, the first surface and the second surface are coated with a reflective film.

[0010] In at least one embodiment, the light guide plate is made of thorium oxide or lanthanum oxide.

[0011] In at least one embodiment, the refractive index of the light guide plate is greater than 1.6.

[0012] A second aspect of this application provides a lens module, comprising: The light guide assembly as described above; A photosensitive element is located in the optical path of the light emitted from the light guide assembly, and is used to generate an electrical signal based on the light.

[0013] The lens module described above integrates the light guide components described above, and can achieve all the beneficial effects of the light guide components described above.

[0014] A third aspect of this application provides an electronic device, comprising: case; The lens module described above is disposed within the housing.

[0015] The aforementioned electronic device integrates the aforementioned lens module, enabling it to achieve all the beneficial effects of the lens module described above. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of an electronic device according to an embodiment of this application.

[0017] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the lens module according to an embodiment of this application.

[0018] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of a light guide component according to an embodiment of this application.

[0019] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure along section IV-IV.

[0020] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of a superlens.

[0021] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of a light guide assembly according to another embodiment of this application.

[0022] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of a light guide assembly according to another embodiment of this application.

[0023] Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of a light guide assembly according to another embodiment of this application.

[0024] Figure 9 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of a light guide assembly according to another embodiment of this application.

[0025] Explanation of main component symbols Electronic devices: 1 Lens module: 100 Light guide components: 10, 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d Light guide plate: 11 First surface: 11a Second surface: 11b First superlens: 12 Third surface: 12a Metasurface: 12b Second superlens: 13 Third superlens: 14 Infrared filter: 15 Image sensor: 30 Casing: 200 The following detailed description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, will further illustrate this application. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments.

[0027] It should be noted that when a component is considered to be "connected" to another component, it can be directly connected to the other component or may also have a component that is centrally located. When a component is considered to be "located" on another component, it can be directly located on the other component or may also have a component that is centrally located.

[0028] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application belongs. The terminology used herein in the specification of this application is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the application. The term "and / or" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0029] Please see Figure 1 The electronic device 1 provided in this application embodiment includes a lens module 100 and a housing 200, with the lens module 100 disposed within the housing 200. Optionally, the electronic device 1 includes, but is not limited to, action cameras, mobile phones, etc.

[0030] Please see Figure 2 The lens module 100 provided in this application embodiment includes a light guide assembly 10 and a photosensitive element 30. The light guide assembly 10 is used to transmit light and fold the light path. The photosensitive element 30 is located on the light path of the light emitted from the light guide assembly 10 and is used to generate an electrical signal based on the light. After receiving the electrical signal, the control unit in the electronic device 1 generates a corresponding image based on the electrical signal and displays it on the display screen. Optionally, the photosensitive element 30 is a light sensor.

[0031] Please refer to the following: Figure 3 and Figure 4 The light guide assembly 10a provided in this application embodiment includes a light guide plate 11, a first superlens 12, and a second superlens 13. The light guide plate 11 is used to transmit light and includes a first surface 11a and a second surface 11b spaced parallel to each other. When the light guide assembly 10a is applied to the electronic device 1, the first surface 11a and the second surface 11b are perpendicular to the thickness direction of the housing 200 of the electronic device 1. The first surface 11a and the second surface 11b are coated with a reflective film to improve the reflectivity of the first surface 11a and the second surface 11b to prevent light from passing through the first surface 11a or the second surface 11b and exiting the light guide plate 11. The material of the reflective film includes gold or copper. The refractive index of the light guide plate 11 is greater than 1.6. In at least one embodiment, the light guide plate 11 has a rectangular plate structure, and the distance between the first surface 11a and the second surface 11b is 0.7 mm, making the overall thickness of the light guide assembly 10a relatively thin, thereby helping to reduce the volume of the lens module 100.

[0032] The first superlens 12 is embedded in either the first surface 11a or the second surface 11b, and is used to receive and transmit light into the light guide plate 11, so that the light incident into the light guide plate 11 is transmitted in the same direction. The light is alternately reflected by the first surface 11a and the second surface 11b within the light guide plate 11 and transmitted towards the second superlens 13. The angle of incidence when the light enters the first surface 11a or the second surface 11b is greater than or equal to the angle of total internal reflection. The second superlens 13 is embedded in either the first surface 11a or the second surface 11b, and is used to receive and transmit light to the outside of the light guide plate 11.

[0033] Please see Figure 5 The first superlens 12 includes a third surface 12a and a metasurface 12b spaced apart from each other. The third surface 12a is planar and lies on the same plane as the surface of the light guide plate 11, making the light guide assembly 10a appear flat and aesthetically pleasing. The metasurface 12b is periodically or non-periodically provided with multiple subwavelength structural units, and the metasurface 12b of the first superlens 12 is located within the light guide plate 11. Each subwavelength structural unit is used for phase modulation of light to achieve functions such as focusing, imaging, polarization conversion, and multi-mode light field manipulation. Each subwavelength structural unit is a nanopillar or nanosheet structure, and its geometry or geometric parameters are determined according to the phase distribution required for the light. Geometric parameters include the height of the subwavelength structural unit, the area of ​​its cross-section, or the angle between the side of the subwavelength structural unit and the surface of the superlens. Multiple subwavelength structural units on the metasurface 12b of the first superlens 12 are formed using nano-imprint lithography (NIL), and then a titanium dioxide film is formed on the metasurface 12b using atomic layer deposition (ALD) of titanium dioxide (TiO2). Titanium dioxide has a high refractive index and low light absorption in the visible light band, and the titanium dioxide film can enhance the phase modulation capability of the metasurface 12b. In at least one embodiment, each subwavelength structural unit is a nanopillar structure with a circular cross-section and a diameter of 10 μm.

[0034] The structures of other superlenses in the light guide assembly 10 are similar to those of the first superlens 12. However, unlike the first superlens 12, the geometric parameters of the subwavelength structural units on the supersurfaces of the other superlenses also need to be determined according to the phase distribution required by the light rays. This results in a difference between the pattern formed by multiple subwavelength structural units on the supersurfaces of the other superlenses and the pattern formed by multiple subwavelength structural units on the supersurface 12b of the first superlens 12. In other words, in the light guide assembly 10, the patterns formed by subwavelength structural units on the supersurfaces of different superlenses are designed according to the phase distribution required by the light rays.

[0035] Each superlens and light guide plate 11 is made of glass, and the light guide plate 11 is also made of thorium oxide or lanthanum oxide, resulting in a refractive index difference between the superlens and the light guide plate 11. Furthermore, the addition of thorium oxide or lanthanum oxide to the light guide plate 11 helps to increase the Abbe number of the light guide plate 11, thereby reducing the dispersion of light during transmission within the light guide plate 11 and improving the light transmission efficiency of the light guide plate 11.

[0036] Please refer to the following: Figure 6 and Figure 7 In at least one embodiment, unlike the light guide assembly 10a, the light guide assembly 10b further includes an infrared filter 15 for receiving and filtering out the infrared portion of the light before it is emitted. The infrared filter 15 is spaced apart from the light guide plate 11. The infrared filter 15 is located in the optical path of the first superlens 12 receiving light or in the optical path of the second superlens 13 emitting light, so that the infrared portion of the light received by the first superlens 12 is filtered out before it enters the light guide plate 11, or the infrared portion of the light emitted from the light guide plate 11 through the second superlens 13 is filtered out. In this case, the image formed by the electrical signal generated by the photosensitive element 30 in the lens module 100 after receiving the light is clearer.

[0037] Please see Figure 8 In at least one embodiment, unlike light guide assembly 10b, light guide assembly 10c further includes a third superlens 14. One of the third superlens 14 and the second superlens 13 is embedded in the first surface 11a, and the other is embedded in the second surface 11b. The superfacet of the third superlens 14 is located within the light guide plate 11. The third superlens 14 reflects light and transmits it towards the second superlens 13, ensuring that the angle of incidence of the light received by the second superlens 13 is less than the angle of total internal reflection. The second superlens 13 receives and filters out the infrared portion of the light before exiting the light guide plate 11; that is, the function of the second superlens 13 is the same as that of the infrared filter 15.

[0038] In at least one embodiment, the light path of the light reflected by the third superlens 14 is perpendicular to the light-incident surface of the second superlens 13, so that when the light exits the light guide plate 11 after being transmitted through the second superlens 13, the light path of the light is perpendicular to the light-outceasing surface of the second superlens 13. When the light guide assembly 10c is applied to the lens module 100, the photosensitive surface of the photosensitive element 30 is parallel to the light-outceasing surface of the second superlens 13. Since the light path is perpendicular to the light-outceasing surface of the second superlens 13, the light can be incident perpendicularly on the photosensitive surface of the photosensitive element 30, resulting in a uniform distribution of light intensity received by the photosensitive surface of the photosensitive element 30, thereby ensuring a uniform brightness distribution of the image formed by the electrical signal generated by the photosensitive element 30.

[0039] Please see Figure 9In at least one embodiment, unlike the light guide assembly 10c, the light guide assembly 10d includes a plurality of third superlenses 14, some of which are embedded in the first surface 11a and others in the second surface 11b. The orthographic projections of all the superlenses on the first surface 11a are periodically arranged along the direction of light transmission, such that after the light enters the light guide plate 11 through the first superlens 12, the angle of incidence when the light enters the light-incident surface of each third superlens 14 or the surface of the light guide plate 11 remains constant, which is beneficial for the stable transmission of light in the same direction within the light guide plate 11.

[0040] In the aforementioned light guide assemblies 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d, the first superlens 12 is used to direct light into the light guide plate 11 and adjust the direction of light propagation, ensuring that the light travels in the same direction within the light guide plate 11, which facilitates light focusing. After the light is alternately reflected by the surface of the light guide plate 11 and the metasurface of the third superlens 14 to fold the light path, it is transmitted towards the second superlens 13 and finally received by the photosensitive element 30. That is, the light is transmitted to the photosensitive element 30 in a folded manner within the light guide plate 11, which helps to reduce the light path propagation space, thereby reducing the volume of the lens module 100.

[0041] Those skilled in the art should recognize that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate this application and are not intended to limit this application. Any appropriate changes and variations made to the above embodiments within the essential spirit and scope of this application fall within the scope of protection claimed in this application.

Claims

1. A light guide component, characterized in that, include: A light guide plate, used to transmit light, includes a first surface and a second surface spaced parallel to each other; A first superlens is embedded in the first surface or the second surface to receive and transmit light into the light guide plate, wherein the super surface of the first superlens is located within the light guide plate; A second superlens is embedded in the first surface or the second surface to receive and transmit the light to the outside of the light guide plate. The super surface of the second superlens is located inside the light guide plate.

2. The light guide assembly as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The light guide assembly further includes an infrared light filter for receiving and filtering out the infrared portion of the light before emitting it. The infrared light filter is located on the optical path of the first superlens receiving the light or on the optical path of the second superlens emitting the light.

3. The light guide assembly as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The light guide assembly further includes a third superlens, one of which, along with the second superlens, is embedded in the first surface and the other in the second surface. The super surface of the third superlens is located within the light guide plate. The third superlens is used to reflect the light and transmit it toward the second superlens, and the second superlens is used to receive and filter out the infrared portion of the light before it exits the light guide plate.

4. The light guide assembly as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The light path of the light received by the second superlens is perpendicular to the incident surface of the second superlens.

5. The light guide assembly as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The first superlens, the second superlens, the third superlens, and the light guide plate are all made of glass, and the metasurfaces of the first superlens, the second superlens, and the third superlens are provided with titanium dioxide film layers.

6. The light guide assembly as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first surface and the second surface are coated with a reflective film.

7. The light guide assembly as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The light guide plate is made of thorium oxide or lanthanum oxide.

8. The light guide assembly as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The refractive index of the light guide plate is greater than 1.

6.

9. A lens module, characterized in that, include: The light guide assembly as described in any one of claims 1-8; A photosensitive element is located in the optical path of the light emitted from the light guide assembly, and is used to generate an electrical signal based on the light.

10. An electronic device, characterized in that, include: case; The lens module as described in claim 9 is disposed within the housing.

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