Camera Optical Lens Free-Form Surface Aberration Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current camera optical lenses, particularly for handheld devices, face challenges in achieving high optical performance for ultra-thin and wide-angle imaging due to insufficient refractive power distributions, lens spacings, and shape settings, which result in inadequate correction of aberrations and imaging quality.
Innovation Solution
A camera optical lens design incorporating a sequence of lenses with free-form surfaces, including a negative and positive refractive power distribution, specific curvature radius ratios, and on-axis thickness conditions to optimize focal lengths and aberration correction, ensuring effective aberration correction and improved imaging quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If rotationally symmetric aspheric surfaces are used, then the lens structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but off-axis aberrations cannot be corrected effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies free-form surfaces that break rotational symmetry to correct off-axis aberrations. The asymmetric surface profiles enable independent control of sagittal and tangential ray paths, effectively correcting coma and astigmatism that cannot be addressed by rotationally symmetric aspheric surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional rotationally symmetric aspheric surfaces to three-dimensional free-form surfaces with independent curvature variations in different directions. This dimensional enhancement allows separate optimization of meridian and sagittal planes, achieving superior off-axis aberration correction.
2Device complexity
If conventional lens structures are used, then the lens design is simple, but ultra-thin and wide-angle properties are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes multiple parameters including refractive indices (n1=1.544, n2=1.680, n3=1.545), curvature radii, and thickness ratios (0.03≤d1/TTL≤0.19) to achieve ultra-thin design. The free-form surface coefficients (A4, A6, A8, A10, A12) are specifically tuned to maintain optical performance while reducing overall length.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic optimization of the optical path through free-form surfaces that adaptively control ray trajectories. The variable curvature profiles dynamically adjust light paths to achieve wide-angle coverage (FOV≥100°) within a compact form factor.
3Device complexity
If conventional lens structures are used, then the lens design is simple, but refractive power distributions are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality optimization by assigning free-form surfaces to specific lenses (L1, L3, L6, L7) with different refractive powers. Each free-form surface is locally optimized to correct aberrations in its specific region of the optical path, with tailored surface coefficients matching the local refractive power requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the optical system into seven distinct lens elements with alternating positive and negative refractive powers. Free-form surfaces are strategically placed on specific segments (L1, L3, L6, L7) to distribute aberration correction tasks, with each segment contributing to overall refractive power optimization.
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 lens design achieves excellent optical performance, enabling ultra-thin and wide-angle capabilities with improved aberration correction, making it suitable for high-pixel camera optical lenses in mobile devices and web cameras.
Implementation Method 1
a first lens L1 having a negative refractive power; a second lens L2 having a refractive power; a third lens L3 having a positive refractive power; a fourth lens L4 having a negative refractive power; a fifth lens L5 having a refractive power; a sixth lens L6 having a positive refractive power; and a seventh lens L7 having a negative refractive power
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a camera optical lens including, sequentially from an object side to an image side: a first lens having a negative refractive power; a second lens having a refractive power; a third lens having a positive refractive power; a fourth lens having a negative refractive power; a fifth lens having a refractive power; a sixth lens having a positive refractive power; and a seventh lens having a negative refractive power. At least one of the first to seventh lenses comprises a free-form surface. The camera optical lens satisfies following conditions: −3.00≤f4/f3≤−1.00; 2.90≤d9/d10≤8.50; and 2.00≤d11/d12≤15.00. The camera optical lens can achieve high optical performance while satisfying design requirements for ultra-thin, wide-angle lenses.