Collapsible Optical Imaging System with Folded Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to miniaturize a collapsible optical imaging system with a long focal length for mounting in a thin portable terminal, as increasing the number of lenses in such systems increases their overall length, making it difficult to achieve compactness.
Innovation Solution
The optical imaging system consists of multiple lens groups with variable optical axis distances, including a first lens group with negative and positive refractive power, a second lens group with multiple lenses, and a third lens group with movable lenses to adjust focusing magnification, along with an optical path folding element, allowing for compact design and adjustable focal lengths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the number of lenses is increased to achieve a long focal length, then the focusing capability is improved, but the overall length of the optical system is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system is divided into three distinct lens groups (first lens group with negative and positive refractive power, second lens group with multiple lenses, and third lens group with negative and positive refractive power). This segmentation allows each group to be optimized independently for specific functions while working together to achieve the desired long focal length without requiring a single monolithic lens structure, thereby managing the overall system length.
Solution Approach 2:
The second and third lens groups are configured to be movable in the optical axis direction, enabling dynamic adjustment of focusing magnification. This dynamic configuration allows the system to achieve various focal lengths and focusing capabilities while maintaining a compact overall structure, as the movable groups can be positioned to optimize the optical path without permanently increasing the system's physical length.
2Measurement precision
If the focal length is increased to improve telephoto capability, then the imaging quality is improved, but the system becomes difficult to miniaturize
Solution Approach 1:
The lens groups are arranged in a nested configuration where the second and third lens groups are positioned within the optical path defined by the first lens group. This nesting allows the optical elements to be packed more efficiently, achieving a long focal length and high imaging quality while minimizing the overall volume occupied by the optical system, thus facilitating miniaturization for portable terminals.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical path is folded using an optical path folding element disposed on the object side of the first lens group, transitioning from a simple linear arrangement to a multi-dimensional optical path. This allows the light to traverse a longer effective optical path length (achieving long focal length) while the physical footprint of the system remains compact, as the folding element redirects light paths in three-dimensional space rather than requiring linear expansion.
3Length of moving object
If the optical path is folded to reduce system length, then the compactness is improved, but the device complexity is increased
Solution Approach 1:
An optical path folding element is introduced as an intermediary component to redirect and fold the optical path. This element serves as a mediator that enables the compact arrangement of lens groups while maintaining the necessary optical functionality. The folding element simplifies the overall system layout by allowing the optical path to loop back on itself, reducing the linear length of the system without requiring complex multi-component assemblies.
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 configuration enables the creation of a compact optical imaging system with adjustable focusing magnification, suitable for thin portable terminals, while maintaining a long focal length and minimizing system length.
Implementation Method 1
The first lens group includes two lenses having negative and positive refractive power, the second lens group includes a plurality of lenses, and the third lens group includes two lenses having negative and positive refractive power
Data Source
AI summary
An optical imaging system includes a first lens group, a second lens group, and a third lens group, sequentially arranged from an object side, wherein the first lens group includes two lenses having negative and positive refractive power, the second lens group includes a plurality of lenses, and the third lens group includes two lenses having negative and positive refractive power.