Annular Optical Element Stray Light Attenuation via Wedge Structures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional annular optical elements in compact imaging lens modules fail to effectively attenuate stray light, leading to suboptimal image quality, especially in high-end optical systems with camera functionalities.
Innovation Solution
An annular optical element with an outer and inner surface, featuring shrunk portions and strip-shaped wedge structures on the inner surface, designed to absorb stray light by directing it towards an acute end and a tapered portion, enhancing image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a conventional annular optical element with a smooth and bright surface is used, then the manufacturing is simple and cost-effective, but the stray light reflected from the surface cannot be effectively attenuated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different surface characteristics in different regions of the annular optical element. The inner annular surface has wedge-shaped structures with specific geometric parameters (height, top width, bottom width) to control light reflection locally, while the outer annular surface remains smooth for structural support. This localized structural modification enables effective stray light attenuation without complicating the overall manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the inner annular surface into multiple wedge-shaped structures arranged circumferentially. Each wedge structure acts as an independent light-controlling element with a reflective surface oriented at a specific angle. This segmentation allows the surface to handle stray light from different directions effectively while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through injection molding techniques.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the annular optical element is atomized with a surface treatment to reduce reflectivity, then the stray light attenuation is improved, but the effect is still limited and cannot satisfy high-end optical system requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs curved surfaces in the wedge-shaped structures, specifically the inclined reflective surfaces of each wedge that are oriented at optimized angles relative to the optical axis. This curvature design enables more effective light redirection compared to flat surfaces, achieving superior stray light attenuation. The curved geometry can be integrated into injection molding processes, maintaining manufacturing precision requirements.
3Reliability
If more aggressive surface treatments are applied to attenuate stray light, then the image quality is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes specific geometric parameters of the wedge-shaped structures to achieve effective stray light attenuation. Key parameters include the height of wedges (0.02-0.08mm), top width (0.01-0.04mm), bottom width (0.03-0.09mm), and the angle of reflective surfaces (30-60 degrees). These parameter optimizations enable effective image quality improvement while maintaining compatibility with standard injection molding manufacturing processes, avoiding excessive complexity.
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 described annular optical element effectively attenuates stray light, improving image quality in compact imaging lens modules and meeting the requirements of high-end optical systems.
Implementation Method 1
The strip-shaped wedge structures are disposed on the inner annular surface, wherein each of the strip-shaped wedge structures is disposed along a direction from the first side surface towards the second side surface and includes an acute end and a tapered portion connecting the inner annular surface and the acute end
Data Source
AI summary
An annular optical element includes an outer annular surface, an inner annular surface, a first side surface, a second side surface and a plurality of strip-shaped wedge structures. The outer annular surface surrounds a central axis of the annular optical element and includes at least two shrunk portions. The first side surface connects the outer annular surface and the inner annular surface. The second side surface connects the outer annular surface and the inner annular surface, wherein the second side surface is disposed correspondingly to the first side surface. The strip-shaped wedge structures are disposed on the inner annular surface, wherein each of the strip-shaped wedge structures is disposed along a direction from the first side surface towards the second side surface and includes an acute end and a tapered portion connecting the inner annular surface and the acute end.