Dimming Lens Elements for Full-Screen Smartphone Camera Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camera technologies face challenges in full-screen designs due to the large size of the lens module and the distance from the entrance pupil to the frame, which occupies valuable display area in smartphones and electronic devices.
Innovation Solution
A lens module design featuring a lens tube with dimming and trimming lens elements, where the dimming sections are parallel to the optical axis and positioned close to the imaging plane, reducing the vertical distance to the frame, allowing the entrance pupil to be partially or fully located in the non-display region, thereby minimizing the display area occupation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the lens module uses a large size lens element to ensure imaging quality, then the imaging performance is improved, but the distance from the entrance pupil to the frame increases, occupying more display area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dimming section that extends in the vertical dimension (perpendicular to the optical axis) to control stray light. This additional dimensional feature allows the lens to achieve better imaging quality without increasing the horizontal footprint, thereby resolving the contradiction between imaging quality and display area occupation.
Solution Approach 2:
The dimming section is positioned locally at the bottom of the lens element where stray light originates. By adding this localized structure only where needed, the patent improves imaging quality at the critical location without requiring a larger overall lens size, thus maintaining compact dimensions and minimizing display area occupation.
2Area of stationary object
If the lens module is designed with a compact size to reduce display area occupation, then the display area is improved, but the distance from the entrance pupil to the frame decreases, making it harder to position the lens properly
Solution Approach 1:
The lens element is segmented into distinct functional sections: the imaging section for light transmission, the dimming section for stray light control, and the mounting section for positioning. This segmentation allows each section to be optimized independently, enabling proper lens positioning even in compact designs where the overall distance from the entrance pupil to the frame is reduced.
3Area of stationary object
If the lens element is positioned closer to the frame to reduce the distance from entrance pupil to frame, then the display area occupation is reduced, but the lens module projection area along the optical axis decreases, making it harder to accommodate the lens
Solution Approach 1:
The dimming section extends in the vertical dimension (perpendicular to the optical axis) rather than increasing the horizontal projection area. This dimensional approach allows the lens to be positioned closer to the frame, reducing display area occupation, while the vertical extension of the dimming section accommodates the necessary optical components without increasing the horizontal footprint.
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 design reduces the projection area of the lens module along the optical axis, enabling a smaller lens module size, allowing it to be closer to the frame, and reduces the occupied area in the display region, facilitating full-screen designs by positioning the lens opening in the non-display region.
Implementation Method 1
a respective dimming lens element includes at least one dimming section parallel to an optical axis, wherein a vertical distance between a respective one of the at least one dimming section and the optical axis is smaller than a radius of the imaging section
Data Source
AI summary
A lens is provided. The lens includes a lens tube and a plurality of lens elements received in the lens tube. A respective lens element includes an imaging section for imaging and a mounting section for assembling and arranged outside the imaging section. The plurality of lens elements includes at least one dimming lens element disposed close to an imaging plane, and a respective dimming lens element includes at least one dimming section parallel to an optical axis, wherein a vertical distance between a respective one of the at least one dimming section and the optical axis is smaller than a radius of the imaging section. In addition, a lens module and an electronic device installed with the lens are provided, which can reduce the distance between a screen opening and a frame of the electronic device.