Compact Wide Angle Lens with Aspheric Elements and Thermal Stability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for thermally stable wide-angle lenses that maintain high image quality across a wide field of view in a compact form factor, especially in applications where lenses are exposed to varying temperatures and must be cost-effectively produced in large quantities for use in portable devices.
Innovation Solution
The design consists of two lens groups, where the first group, nearest the object, is made of thermally stable materials like optical glasses to provide most of the focusing power, and the second group includes four aspheric lens elements with a complex surface profile to correct aberrations, ensuring low distortion and thermal stability across a wide temperature range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If plastic optical materials are used for lens elements, then manufacturing cost and ease of production are improved, but thermal stability deteriorates due to high dn/dT coefficients
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different material properties to different lens elements based on their functional requirements. Specifically, the first lens element (which provides most of the focusing power) is made from thermally stable glass material, while subsequent lens elements can be made from plastic materials that are easier to manufacture. This localized material selection allows the system to achieve both thermal stability where needed and manufacturing ease where possible.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by combining different optical materials (glass and plastic) within the same lens assembly. The first lens element uses glass material with low dn/dT coefficient for thermal stability, while other elements may use plastic materials for cost-effective mass production. This composite approach allows the lens system to balance thermal performance with manufacturing considerations.
2Stability of the object's composition
If lens elements made from thermally stable materials like optical glasses are used, then thermal stability is improved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different material properties to different lens elements based on their functional requirements. Specifically, the first lens element (which provides most of the focusing power) is made from thermally stable glass material, while subsequent lens elements can be made from plastic materials that are easier to manufacture. This localized material selection allows the system to achieve both thermal stability where needed and manufacturing ease where possible.
3Volume of moving object
If a compact lens design is implemented, then device size is reduced, but achieving wide field of view with high image quality and low distortion becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs aspheric surfaces on lens elements to achieve compact design while maintaining wide field of view and low distortion. The aspheric profiles allow for better control of light rays across the entire field, enabling the lens to achieve 80 degrees or more field of view with high image quality and low distortion in a compact form factor.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the lens into multiple elements with specific optical powers and arrangements. The first lens element has positive power and provides most of the focusing power, while subsequent elements have negative power to correct aberrations. This segmentation allows the compact lens to achieve wide field of view with high image quality by distributing optical functions across multiple elements.
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 high thermal stability and compactness, maintaining image quality across a wide field of view while being resistant to temperature changes, thus suitable for diverse applications including consumer electronics and automotive uses.
Implementation Method 1
Group 1: This is the first lens group, nearest the object. It has positive power. This group comprises 1 or 2 lens elements made from materials insensitive to environmental temperature changes. In the preferred embodiment group one elements are made from optical glasses.
Implementation Method 2
Group 2: This group also has positive power comprising 4 aspherical lens elements. This group provides corrections of aberrations of the Group 1. An aspheric element is defined as lens element having at least one aspheric surface
Data Source
AI summary
A thermally stable, compact, wide angle lens design has been described. The lens is comprised of two lens groups. The first group, nearest the object, has positive power and provides most of the focusing power of the entire lens assembly. The first group is made of either a single lens element or a doublet. The positively powered lens element in group 1 is made of thermally stable materials such as optical glasses. The second lens group is comprised of four aspheric lens elements. The image surface of the last element, nearest the image plane, is a complex aspherical surface. The lens design satisfies a list of 8 parametric equations.