Adapter Optical System for Lens Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing focal length variable optical systems face challenges in efficiently combining off-the-shelf imaging lenses with liquid resonant lenses due to compatibility issues, requiring time-consuming and complex relay optical system design, and complicated parts management for various types of lenses.
Innovation Solution
An adapter optical system comprising a first lens unit forming an image-side telecentric optical system and a second lens unit forming a finite or infinity correction optical system, allowing easy combination with imaging lenses by converting principal rays to be collimated along the optical axis, thereby simplifying the design and management of focal length variable optical systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a relay optical system is designed to connect off-the-shelf imaging lenses with liquid resonant lenses, then compatibility between different lens types is achieved, but design time and effort increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a relay optical system comprising a first relay lens and a second relay lens as intermediary components between the imaging lens and the liquid resonant lens. This mediator structure standardizes the connection interface, allowing different types of imaging lenses to be compatible with liquid resonant lenses through a universal relay optical system design, thereby reducing design time while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The relay optical system is designed with universal functionality to work with multiple types of imaging lenses (object-side telecentric, image-side telecentric, and non-telecentric lenses). The first relay lens and second relay lens are configured to handle different light path configurations, making the relay optical system applicable across various lens types without requiring custom design for each combination.
2Adaptability or versatility
If various types of adapter lenses are prepared to connect liquid resonant lenses with different imaging lenses, then all lens combinations can be supported, but parts management becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter optical system is segmented into two distinct units: a first relay lens and a second relay lens. This segmentation allows the system to be configured in different modes (with both lenses, with only the first lens, or with only the second lens) depending on the imaging lens type, providing versatility while maintaining a manageable parts inventory through modular components.
Solution Approach 2:
The relay optical system is designed to be dynamically configurable, where the first relay lens and second relay lens can be selectively used based on the specific imaging lens being connected. This dynamic adaptation allows a single set of relay lens components to serve multiple lens combination requirements, reducing the need for numerous specialized adapter lenses.
3Reliability
If a relay optical system is designed for each specific imaging lens type, then optimal performance is achieved, but the overall system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The relay optical system applies local quality optimization by configuring the first relay lens and second relay lens differently based on the specific imaging lens type being connected. For object-side telecentric lenses, both relay lenses are used; for image-side telecentric lenses, only the first relay lens is used; and for non-telecentric lenses, only the second relay lens is used. This localized adaptation maintains optimal performance while avoiding the complexity of designing entirely separate systems for each lens type.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The adapter optical system reduces design effort and time, facilitates parts management, and enables compact system layouts by allowing the use of off-the-shelf imaging lenses with liquid resonant lenses, while ensuring effective image formation across various lens types.
Implementation Method 1
a refractive index of the liquid resonant lens periodically changes in response to an inputted drive signal, thereby causing a focus position relative to an object to periodically change
Implementation Method 2
a first lens unit removably disposed at a position where the reflection light passing through the imaging lens enters and constituting an image-side telecentric optical system
Implementation Method 3
a second lens unit disposed at a position where the reflection light passing through the imaging lens or the first lens unit enters and constituting a finite correction optical system or an infinity correction optical system in combination with the optical component
Data Source
AI summary
An adapter optical system, which is an optical system configured to guide reflection light reflected by an object and passing through an imaging lens to a liquid resonant lens, includes: a first lens unit removably disposed at a position where the reflection light passing through the imaging lens enters and constituting an image-side telecentric optical system; and a second lens unit disposed at a position where the reflection light passing through the first lens unit enters and constituting a finite correction optical system in combination with the liquid resonant lens.