Automated Lens Design Using Catalog Components
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Solution Overview
Problem
Custom lens systems are prohibitively expensive and time-consuming to design and manufacture, making them inaccessible to most companies and individuals due to the high costs and long lead times associated with custom multi-element lens systems.
Innovation Solution
An automated computing process that designs custom optical lens systems using existing catalog lenses, optimizing the configuration to meet specific optical quality parameters through iterative selection, replacement, and adjustment of air gaps, allowing for rapid design and production of customized lens systems using 3D printing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If custom lens systems are designed and manufactured, then optical quality and customization are improved, but cost and manufacturing time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the lens system into modular components that can be independently selected from catalog items. Individual lenses, mounting structures, and housing elements are designed as separate modules that can be combined in different configurations, allowing customization without requiring complete custom manufacturing of each component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameterized design where lens specifications (focal length, aperture, curvature) and system configurations (spacing, orientation, material properties) are defined as adjustable parameters. This allows the same base design to generate multiple variations by changing parameters rather than creating entirely new custom components for each application.
2Manufacturing precision
If custom lens systems are designed and manufactured, then optical quality and customization are improved, but manufacturing time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary design work by creating parameterized templates and selecting catalog components in advance. The modular architecture and pre-defined parameter sets allow the design process to be prepared ahead of time, with final customization achieved by selecting from pre-approved options rather than designing from scratch for each application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses catalog lenses and standardized components that can be replicated across multiple applications. Once a successful lens system configuration is developed, it can be copied and adapted for similar applications by modifying parameters rather than repeating the entire design and manufacturing process.
3Productivity
If catalog lenses are used with automated design, then cost and time are reduced, but design flexibility and customization options may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal design framework that can accommodate multiple lens types, mounting configurations, and application requirements through parameterized templates. The same automated design system can be applied across different applications by adjusting parameters, providing both efficiency and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic parameter adjustment where the design system can adapt catalog lens selections and configurations based on specific application requirements. The parameterized approach allows the system to dynamically optimize the balance between using standard catalog components and achieving the desired level of customization for each application.
Data Source
AI summary
A system that comprises a receiver port to receive lens system design specifications; and a processor to: select a lens system type that includes one or more preliminary lenses, the selecting based, at least in part, on the lens system design specifications; from a lens database, select one or more catalog lenses to add to or replace the one or more preliminary lenses of the lens system type to construct a lens system; vary distances between or among the one or more catalog lenses and/or the one or more preliminary lenses of the lens system; and as the distances vary, determine optical behavior of the lens system.