Auto Focus Lens Layout for Smaller Front Camera Openings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical lenses with a focal power adjustable element at the front-most end require a large hole on the electronic device surface, reducing the screen-to-body ratio due to their large size.
Innovation Solution
The optical lens design includes a first lens group, a focal power adjustable element, and a second lens group, with the focal power adjustable element positioned between the first and second lens groups, reducing the lateral size of the front end and minimizing the hole size on the device surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the focal power adjustable element is placed at the front-most end of the optical lens, then the auto focus function is implemented, but the lateral size of the front end increases requiring a large hole on the device surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the focal power adjustable element from the front-most end (lateral dimension) to an intermediate position between lens groups (axial dimension), effectively moving the problem from the lateral to the axial dimension. This allows the front end lateral size to be reduced while maintaining auto focus capability through the new spatial arrangement
Solution Approach 2:
The optical lens is divided into multiple segments: a first lens group, the focal power adjustable element, and a second lens group. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, with the first lens group having a reduced lateral size for smaller hole requirement while the focal power adjustable element handles the auto focus function in the intermediate position
2Ease of operation
If the focal power adjustable element is placed at the front-most end of the optical lens, then the auto focus function is implemented, but the screen-to-body ratio of the electronic device is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By relocating the focal power adjustable element from the front lateral position to an intermediate axial position between lens groups, the patent reduces the front end lateral footprint. This dimensional repositioning allows more screen area to be allocated to the device front surface, thereby increasing the screen-to-body ratio while preserving auto focus functionality
Solution Approach 2:
Dividing the optical system into separate lens groups with the focal power adjustable element positioned between them allows the front lens group to have a minimized lateral footprint. This segmentation enables the front end to occupy less surface area, leaving more room for screen expansion and thus improving the screen-to-body ratio
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 design increases the screen-to-body ratio by reducing the size of the hole on the electronic device while maintaining effective auto focus functionality and imaging capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
The first lens group includes at least a first lens and a second lens in sequence from the object side to the image side
Implementation Method 2
By adjusting a focal power of the focal power adjustable element, a focal length of the optical lens can be changed
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C
Figure 2
AI summary
This application relates to the field of terminal technologies, and provides an optical lens and an electronic device. The optical lens includes: a first lens group, a focal power adjustable element, and a second lens group in sequence from an object side to an image side in an optical axis direction. The focal power adjustable element is configured to change a focal length of the optical lens. The first lens group includes at least two lenses. The second lens group includes at least one lens. The optical lens is specifically an auto focus lens. A focal power of the focal power adjustable element is adjusted, so that the focal length of the optical lens can be changed. This enables the optical lens to form an image of an object at different object distances and implement auto focus. In solutions provided in this application, the focal power adjustable element with a large size is placed between the first lens group and the second lens group. This enables a lateral size of a front end of the optical lens to be small, reducing a size of a hole to be provided on a surface of the electronic device and increasing a screen-to-body ratio of the electronic device.