Compact Zoom Lens Using Segmented Apertures and Internal Reflections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hands-free optical zoom systems are bulky, heavy, and costly due to the need for large apertures and complex lens stacks to maintain brightness and resolution across varying fields of view, particularly at 10× zoom, and struggle with distortion and manufacturing expenses.
Innovation Solution
The use of gradient index lenses, high index meta materials, and a combination of small powered apertures with internal reflections to achieve a compact and lightweight optical zoom system, allowing for multiple magnification levels through electronic shuttering and tunable lens elements, reducing the number of lenses required for different zoom steps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional optics designs are used to provide adequate aperture for 120 degree FOV and 35 mm diameter entrance pupil at 12 degree FOV, then brightness requirement is met, but the lens elements must be doubled in diameter and thickness making the system extraordinarily large and heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the optical system into multiple discrete lens elements with specific focal lengths and diameters arranged in a telescopic configuration. Instead of using a single large aperture lens, the system segments the light path through multiple smaller elements (e.g., 50.8 mm diameter elements at different focal lengths) that work together to achieve the required brightness and field of view, significantly reducing overall system size and weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-plane aperture approach to a multi-dimensional telescopic arrangement where lens elements are positioned at different distances from the eye and from each other. This spatial distribution across multiple dimensions allows the system to maintain adequate aperture for brightness while keeping individual elements smaller and the overall package more compact.
2Illumination intensity
If conventional optics designs are used to provide adequate aperture for 120 degree FOV and 35 mm diameter entrance pupil at 12 degree FOV, then brightness requirement is met, but the lens elements must be doubled in diameter and thickness making the system extraordinarily large and heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the optical path into multiple lens elements of moderate thickness (e.g., 50.8 mm diameter with varying focal lengths) rather than requiring a single extremely thick lens. This segmentation allows light to be focused and redirected through a series of thinner elements, achieving the required aperture and brightness while keeping individual element thickness manageable and overall system length reduced.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent distributes the optical function across multiple dimensions by positioning lens elements at different distances from the eye and from each other along the optical axis. This multi-dimensional arrangement allows the system to achieve adequate aperture and brightness requirements without requiring any single element to be excessively thick, thereby reducing overall system length.
3Length of stationary object
If a flat-optic design is used to achieve 10× magnification, then compactness is improved, but it requires powered surfaces in internal reflections and cannot be adapted to multiple levels of zoom
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic telescopic design where lens elements can be moved relative to each other along the optical axis to change magnification levels. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to transition between different zoom levels (e.g., 1× to 10×) by changing the spacing between lens elements, providing adaptability that static flat-optic designs cannot achieve.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal optical system that can perform multiple functions across different magnification levels using the same set of lens elements. By adjusting the relative positions of the telescopic lens elements, the single system can provide everything from wide-angle 1× viewing to 10× magnification, eliminating the need for separate optical designs for different zoom levels.
4Illumination intensity
If aperture is increased to maintain brightness at 10× zoom, then light collection is improved, but distortion produces severe limits forcing operation at stopped down f# requiring even larger aperture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the aperture function across multiple lens elements rather than relying on a single large aperture. Each lens element contributes to light collection while maintaining manageable dimensions that reduce distortion. The segmented approach allows the system to achieve adequate light collection at 10× zoom without the severe distortion problems that would result from using a single excessively large aperture element.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameters by using multiple lens elements with specific focal lengths and diameters (e.g., 50.8 mm diameter elements with varying focal lengths) rather than a single large aperture. This parameter optimization allows the system to maintain adequate f# for light collection while keeping distortion within acceptable limits, avoiding the need for even larger apertures.
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 approach results in a significantly smaller and lighter optical zoom system that maintains high light collection and imaging resolution across multiple zoom levels, including 120 degree and 12 degree fields of view, with reduced manufacturing costs and ease of adaptation for various applications.
Implementation Method 1
The optical system may include gradient index lenses and high index meta materials
Implementation Method 2
a first inward-facing surface that is at least partly reflective and a second inward-facing surface that is at least partly reflective. These reflective surfaces are known to reflect received light toward an aperture
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments pertain to an optical zoom system. The optical zoom system includes a first inward-facing surface that is at least partly reflective and a second inward-facing surface that is at least partly reflective. The optical zoom system further includes a first aperture that includes a plurality of sub-apertures which are positioned around at least a portion of an outer periphery of one of the first and second inward facing surfaces. Each sub-aperture includes an optically powered element. The optical zoom system further includes a second aperture that exists proximate a central region of the optical zoom system. Light is reflected on the first and second inward facing surfaces as the light travels between the first aperture and the second aperture such that the light is optically combined into a single image before exiting the second aperture.