Compact Telephoto Lens System for High-Resolution Mobile Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional small cameras in mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets, face challenges in achieving high-resolution images with lower pixel sizes and compact imaging lens systems, resulting in lower image quality compared to larger cameras.
Innovation Solution
A compact telephoto lens system with five or four refractive lens elements, including aspheric surfaces, is designed to provide a longer effective focal length and higher image quality within a small form factor, using plastic materials and adjustable aperture stops to optimize image resolution and correct aberrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional small camera lens systems are used, then the device maintains a small form factor, but the image quality and resolution are lower compared to larger cameras
Solution Approach 1:
The camera system is divided into multiple discrete lens elements (at least three lens elements with different focal lengths) that can be independently positioned and focused. This segmentation allows each element to contribute to overall image quality while maintaining a compact total structure, resolving the contradiction between small size and high image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple lens elements with different focal lengths are nested within a single camera housing, with each lens element capable of independent focusing. This nesting approach enables a small form factor camera to achieve image quality comparable to larger cameras by incorporating multiple optical functions in a compact arrangement.
2Manufacturing precision
If photosensor pixel size is reduced to achieve higher resolution in small cameras, then the camera maintains small size, but image quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system is segmented into multiple lens elements with different focal lengths, allowing each element to optimize light gathering and focusing for the small pixel photosensor. This segmentation compensates for the smaller pixel size by providing better optical control, thereby maintaining high image resolution in a compact camera.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses lens elements with different focal lengths (first focal length, second focal length, third focal length) to change optical parameters and achieve high-resolution imaging. By varying the focal length parameters of different lens elements, the system optimizes image quality for the small pixel photosensor while maintaining compact dimensions.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple lens elements with different focal lengths are added to improve image quality, then image quality improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple lens elements with different focal lengths are merged into a single integrated camera module with unified housing and control. This merging approach maintains improved image quality while reducing overall device complexity by consolidating multiple optical functions into one cohesive unit rather than separate devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera system achieves multi-functionality by incorporating lens elements with different focal lengths (telephoto, standard, wide-angle) within a single device. This universal design allows the camera to perform multiple imaging functions without requiring separate specialized cameras, thereby improving image quality across different shooting scenarios while managing device complexity.
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 compact telephoto lens system enables high-resolution image capture in small devices, matching the quality of larger cameras while maintaining a small package size, suitable for various mobile devices and applications.
Implementation Method 1
a first lens element L1 with positive refractive power, a second lens element L2 with negative refractive power, a third lens element L3 with negative refractive power, a fourth lens element L4 with negative refractive power, and a fifth lens element L5 with positive refractive power
Data Source
AI summary
A compact telephoto lens system that may be used in a small form factor cameras. The lens system may include five lens elements with refractive power. Alternatively, the lens system may include four lens elements with refractive power. At least one of the object side and image side surfaces of at least one of the lens elements is aspheric. Total track length (TTL) of the lens system may be 6.0 mm or less. Focal length f of the lens system may be at or about 7.0 mm (for example, within a range of 6.5-7.5 mm). Lens elements are selected and configured so that the telephoto ratio (TTL/f) satisfies the relation 0.74<TTL/f<1.0. Materials, radii of curvature, shapes, sizes, spacing, and aspheric coefficients of the lens elements may be selected to achieve quality optical performance and high image resolution in a small form factor telephoto camera.