Asymmetric Light Blocking Member for Lens Assembly Orientation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenges in improving the structure and precision of light blocking members in imaging lenses, particularly in small-sized devices, include increased difficulty in assembling and manufacturing due to the miniaturization of lens elements and light blocking members, which affects imaging quality and manufacturing precision.

Innovation Solution

A light blocking member with asymmetric openings and a cutting portion connected by an arch portion, allowing for correct assembly direction identification and improved flare blocking, is designed to address these challenges, featuring a virtual curved surface and specific angle conditions for enhanced manufacturing and assembly precision.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the size of lens elements and light blocking member is reduced to enable miniaturization of imaging lens, then the imaging lens can be applied to portable devices with space constraints, but the difficulty of assembling process and manufacturing process increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesize of imaging lensVSAvoiddifficulty of assembling process

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The light blocking member incorporates asymmetric openings on its first and second surfaces that are not symmetric with respect to a virtual line perpendicular to the central axis. This asymmetric design creates unique positional relationships between the openings and the virtual line, enabling automatic orientation and correct assembly positioning without requiring complex alignment procedures during manufacturing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The asymmetric opening structure enables the light blocking member to self-align and self-position during the assembly process. The unique geometric relationship between the asymmetric openings and the virtual line allows the component to automatically orient itself correctly when assembled with lens elements, eliminating the need for complex external alignment tools or procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Volume of moving object

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesize of imaging lensVSAvoidprecision of light blocking member

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The asymmetric openings create a unique geometric fingerprint that defines precise positional relationships. The virtual line perpendicular to the central axis serves as a reference that, combined with the asymmetric opening positions, establishes unambiguous orientation and positioning criteria that can be manufactured with consistent precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The asymmetric opening structure is pre-designed with specific geometric relationships to the virtual line and central axis, establishing predetermined positioning criteria before the actual assembly process. This preliminary geometric configuration ensures that when components are manufactured and assembled, the correct positioning is achieved through the inherent geometric constraints rather than requiring post-assembly adjustments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

If a conventional ring structure light blocking member is used, then the structure is easy to manufacture, but it cannot meet high quality imaging demands due to lack of precise positioning and flare blocking capability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manufacturing light blocking memberVSAvoidpositioning precision and imaging quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The asymmetric openings maintain the simplicity of the ring structure while adding precise positioning capability. The asymmetric geometric features provide unique orientation references that enable accurate positioning relative to lens elements, transforming a simple easy-to-manufacture ring into a precision positioning component without significantly complicating the manufacturing process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The light blocking member features segmented asymmetric openings rather than a continuous ring structure. This segmentation creates distinct geometric features at specific positions and orientations, enabling precise positioning and flare blocking at critical angles while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through the modular nature of the segmented design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS10416359B2Lens assembly with light blocking member and imaging lens including the same

Publication Date: 2019.09.17 LARGAN PRECISION

AI summary

A light blocking member includes a first surface, a second surface, an outside surface and an inside surface. The first surface includes a first asymmetric opening. The second surface includes a second asymmetric opening corresponding to the first asymmetric opening. The outside surface disposed between the first surface and the second surface includes a cutting portion and an arch portion. The cutting portion connects the first asymmetric opening and the second asymmetric opening. The inside surface is disposed between the first surface and the second surface. A virtual curved surface is formed between two ends of the cutting portion, and a virtual line is formed between a central point of the virtual curved surface and a central axis of the light blocking member. Two shapes of both of the first asymmetric opening and the second asymmetric opening with respect to two sides of the virtual line are asymmetric.