Compact Adjustable Liquid Lens With Integrated Coil Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lenses with adjustable focal lengths require a larger installation space, which is not suitable for miniaturized applications such as mobile devices.
Innovation Solution
A compact lens design utilizing a container filled with transparent liquid and an actuator to adjust focal length by moving a lens shaper within the container, using mechanisms like voice coil motors, reluctance actuators, or shape-memory alloys to minimize space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional lens design with adjustable focal length is used, then the focal length can be adjusted, but the installation space becomes larger
Solution Approach 1:
The lens shaper is positioned inside the container filled with transparent liquid, creating a nested configuration where the adjustable component is contained within the fluid medium. This nesting allows the lens shaper to move freely within a compact volume to adjust focal length without requiring additional external space for mechanical adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a container filled with transparent liquid (hydraulic principle) to enable focal length adjustment. The lens shaper moves within this liquid medium, and the liquid provides both support and a refractive environment that contributes to the optical function. This hydraulic approach eliminates the need for complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms that would increase installation space.
2Volume of moving object
If the lens size is reduced for miniaturized applications, then installation space is minimized, but the complexity of achieving adjustable focal length increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the lens shaper with the container structure, where the lens shaper is directly positioned within the container filled with transparent liquid. This integration eliminates the need for separate mechanical adjustment mechanisms, reducing device complexity while maintaining the adjustable focal length capability in a compact form factor.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves focal length adjustment by changing the position parameter of the lens shaper within the container. By moving the lens shaper to different positions along the optical axis, the focal length is adjusted without requiring complex mechanical systems. This parameter-based control simplifies the overall device structure while enabling focal length variability.
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 design achieves a compact lens with adjustable focal length, reducing installation space and enabling applications in miniaturized devices like mobile phones, surgery, endoscopy, and drones.
Implementation Method 1
light passing said area 23 is refracted depending on a curvature of said area 23
Implementation Method 2
the actuator comprises a coil 6 integrated into the lateral wall 20, wherein the actuator is configured to generate an electrical current in the coil 6 so that the coil 6 generates a magnetic field to move the lens shaper 4
Data Source
Figure 1(A)~1(B)
Figure 2(A)~2(B)
Figure 3(A)~3(B)
AI summary
The invention relates to a lens (1) having an adjustable focal length, comprising: a container (2) enclosing an internal space (3) of the container (2), wherein the internal space (3) is filled with a transparent liquid (L), and wherein the container (2) comprises a circumferential lateral wall (20) surrounding said internal space (3), wherein the lateral wall (20) is connected to a transparent cover element (21) and to a transparent and elastically deformable membrane (22) such that the liquid (L) is arranged between the membrane (22) and the cover element (21), an annular lens shaper (4) connected to the membrane (22) so that an inner circumferential edge (40) of the lens shaper (4) defines a central area (23) of the membrane (22) and light passing said area (23) is refracted depending on a curvature of said area (23), and an actuator configured to move the lens shaper (4) towards or away from the cover element (21) to adjust said curvature of said area (23) of the lens (1) and therewith the focal length of the lens (1), wherein for moving the lens shaper (4), the actuator comprises a coil (6) integrated into the lateral wall (20), wherein the actuator is configured to generate an electrical current in the coil (6) so that the coil (6) generates a magnetic field to move the lens shaper (4).