Alternating Power Lens System for Miniaturization and Aberration Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge lies in miniaturizing optical lens systems for digital cameras with high pixel counts while maintaining improved optical characteristics and precise assembly of lenses with high lens power.

Innovation Solution

The optical lens system comprises a sequence of four lenses with alternating positive and negative lens powers, including at least one aspherical surface made of plastic, designed to satisfy specific mathematical relationships for focal distances, Abbe's numbers, and overall system length to minimize aberrations and enable miniaturization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the number of pixels in the image sensor is increased, then the resolution is improved, but the optical lens system cannot be miniaturized

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveresolutionVSAvoidoptical lens system size

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The optical lens system is divided into multiple lens units with alternating positive and negative lens powers. This segmentation allows each lens to contribute to specific optical corrections while maintaining a compact overall structure, resolving the contradiction between miniaturization and high resolution requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies specific mathematical relationships between focal distances, Abbe's numbers, and lens powers to optimize the optical characteristics. By carefully controlling these parameters, the system achieves miniaturization while maintaining the resolution needed for high pixel count sensors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Volume of moving object

If lenses with high lens power are positioned adjacent to one another, then the system is miniaturized, but precise assembly becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem sizeVSAvoidassembly precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Lens units with negative lens power act as intermediaries between positive lens units. These intermediate lenses provide necessary spacing and optical transition, reducing the direct adjacency requirement between high-power lenses and thereby facilitating precise assembly while maintaining miniaturization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This configuration achieves a high-resolution, lightweight optical lens system that is miniaturized, effectively correcting spherical and chromatic aberrations while maintaining a compact form factor.

Implementation Method 1

an optical lens system having an image sensor such as a CMOS, a CCD, or the like, is employed in a digital camera

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 2

it is difficult to miniaturize an optical lens system for a camera and apply it to a product having a high pixel count

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpherical aberration correction:

Data Source

PatentUS7492532B2Optical lens system

Publication Date: 2009.02.17 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

An optical lens system includes a first lens having positive lens power; a second lens having negative lens power; a third lens having positive lens power; and a fourth lens having negative lens power, wherein the first through fourth lenses are sequentially arranged from a subject.