Four-Element Aspheric Lens Assembly for Compact Aberration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical systems struggle to balance high image quality, low sensitivity, desirable aperture size, miniaturization, and field of view requirements due to the challenges in designing optical systems for modern electronic devices with advanced image sensors.
Innovation Solution
An imaging optical lens assembly comprising four lens elements, each with specific aspheric surfaces and inflection points, utilizing low Abbe number materials, and air gaps between elements to correct aberrations and reduce size, while optimizing f-number, chief ray angle, and curvature ratios to enhance image quality and functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional optical system designs are used, then manufacturing and assembly are simpler, but image quality and aberration correction are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system is divided into four distinct lens elements, each with specific refractive index ranges and Abbe number constraints. This segmentation allows each element to be optimized for specific aberration correction functions while maintaining overall system performance. The division into multiple elements with controlled complexity resolves the contradiction by distributing optical functions across modular components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent specifies precise parameter ranges for each lens element including refractive index (1.5 < Nd < 2.0), Abbe number (20 < Vd < 40), and curvature radius relationships. These parameter constraints enable optimization of image quality and aberration correction while providing manufacturing flexibility. The parameter-based design resolves the contradiction by defining performance boundaries rather than requiring complex structural solutions.
2Manufacturing precision
If more lens elements are added to correct aberrations, then image quality improves, but system size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves effective aberration correction with only four lens elements by optimizing specific parameters: refractive index (1.5 < Nd < 2.0), Abbe number (20 < Vd < 40), and curvature radius relationships (|R7| > 2|R6|). This parameter optimization allows each element to contribute maximally to aberration correction, reducing the need for additional elements and thereby controlling system size.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical system uses lens materials with specific composite properties characterized by refractive index and Abbe number ranges. This material selection strategy enables effective aberration correction through material properties rather than relying solely on increased element count, thus resolving the contradiction between correction performance and system compactness.
3Illumination intensity
If aperture size is increased to improve light gathering, then image quality in low-light conditions improves, but sensitivity and depth of field control become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the f-number ratio between object space and image space (0.5 < |fnoobj/fnoimg| < 2.0) and controls chief ray angle (CRA) to balance light gathering with sensitivity control. The aperture stop is positioned and sized to achieve desired illumination while maintaining depth of field characteristics. These parameter optimizations resolve the contradiction by enabling simultaneous control of light gathering and sensitivity.
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 solution achieves improved image quality, reduced size, and enhanced functionality by correcting aberrations, increasing aperture stop, and adjusting field of view, suitable for applications in infrared light and low-light conditions.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the four lens elements has an object-side surface facing toward the object side and an image-side surface facing toward the image side. At least one of all lens surfaces of the four lens elements is aspheric and has at least one inflection point.
Implementation Method 2
Each of at least three of the four lens elements has an Abbe number smaller than 38.0
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging optical lens assembly includes four lens elements which are, in order from an object side to an image side: a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element and a fourth lens element. Each of the four lens elements has an object-side surface facing toward the object side and an image-side surface facing toward the image side. At least one of all lens surfaces of the four lens elements is aspheric and has at least one inflection point.