Compact Lens Assembly with Segmented Optical Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional imaging lens assemblies in electronic devices, such as cameras and depth sensors, face challenges in providing a wide enough field of view and acceptable image quality while maintaining a compact design.
Innovation Solution
The development of improved lens assemblies with specific configurations, including sequences of lens elements with varying optical powers and aperture stops, which provide wide fields of view (up to 95 degrees) and minimize aberrations, while maintaining a compact form factor with total track lengths between 40-50 millimeters and diameters between 8-13 millimeters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional lens assemblies are designed to be compact, then the device size is reduced, but the field of view becomes insufficient and image quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The lens assembly is divided into multiple lens elements (at least five lens elements including positive and negative power elements) arranged in sequence. Each lens element contributes to the overall optical function, allowing the system to achieve a wide field of view (90 degrees or more) while maintaining a compact total track length of 50 millimeters or less.
Solution Approach 2:
Different lens elements are assigned specific optical powers (positive or negative) and positioned at specific locations within the lens assembly. The first lens element has negative optical power, followed by alternating positive and negative power elements, with an aperture stop positioned between specific elements. This localized optimization of optical properties enables wide-angle performance in a compact form factor.
2Volume of moving object
If conventional lens assemblies are designed to be compact, then the device size is reduced, but image quality and aberration control become insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The lens assembly comprises at least five distinct lens elements with alternating positive and negative optical powers, arranged in a specific sequence. This segmentation allows each element to be optimized for specific aberration corrections while maintaining overall compact dimensions of 50 millimeters or less in total track length.
Solution Approach 2:
Specific lens elements are positioned at precise locations with designated optical powers. The aperture stop is positioned between the third and fourth lens elements. This localized arrangement of optical components with specific properties enables effective aberration control and high image quality within the compact form factor constraint.
3Adaptability or versatility
If lens assemblies use more lens elements to achieve wide field of view, then the field of view increases, but the total track length increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lens assembly uses lens elements with varying optical powers (positive and negative) and specific curvature radii to achieve a wide field of view of 90 degrees or more while maintaining a compact total track length of 50 millimeters or less. The aperture stop diameter is optimized to balance light transmission and aberration control within the constrained length.
Solution Approach 2:
By dividing the optical system into at least five lens elements with alternating signs of optical power, the system achieves wide-angle performance without proportionally increasing the total track length. The segmented design allows for more efficient use of optical space compared to conventional single-element or fewer-element designs.
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 improved lens assemblies achieve wide fields of view and high image quality while maintaining a compact design, reducing aberrations and maximizing light transmission to the sensor.
Implementation Method 1
a first lens element located at the first side of the lens assembly, the first lens element having negative optical power; a second lens element located at an second side of the lens assembly, the second lens element having positive optical power
Data Source
AI summary
A lens assembly for systems such as imaging devices. The lens assembly may include at least five lens elements, where one or more of the lens elements includes positive optical power and one or more of the lenses includes negative optical power. The lens assembly may further include an aperture stop located between the lens elements. In some instances, the lens assembly provides a horizontal field of view that is at least 80 degrees while still including a total track length that is less than or equal to 50 millimeters and a diameter that is less than or equal to 13 millimeters. Additionally, in some instances, the lens assembly may cause all rays which impinge the sensor to be less than or equal to approximately 10 degrees.