Dual Imaging Optical System With Composite Lens Barrel Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing imaging systems with multiple optical systems face challenges in manufacturing complexity, increased component variety, and assembly accuracy issues due to the need for multiple lens barrels with different structures, leading to higher costs and difficulty in setting proper orientations and maintaining strength.

Innovation Solution

An optical system with two symmetrical wide-angle lens systems and image sensors, integrated into a composite lens barrel with a symmetrical design, using prisms to bend optical paths and reduce size, allowing for easy positioning and assembly, and a strong adhesive structure to maintain alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If multiple optical systems are incorporated into a single lens barrel, then the imaging system can be compact, but the lens barrel structure becomes complicated and difficult to manufacture

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelens barrel sizeVSAvoidlens barrel structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the complex multi-optical-system lens barrel into multiple simple cylindrical lens barrels, each housing one optical system. These standardized barrels can be manufactured independently and then assembled together, reducing manufacturing complexity while achieving compact integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent nests multiple cylindrical lens barrels within a single composite lens barrel structure. The simple cylindrical barrels are positioned adjacent to each other and integrated into one unified structure, allowing compact arrangement while maintaining simple individual components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of operation

If multiple optical systems are incorporated into lens barrels with different structures, then proper orientations can be achieved, but the number of component kinds increases and manufacturing costs rise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveorientation settingVSAvoidcomponent variety
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses asymmetrical positioning of identical cylindrical lens barrels within the composite structure. By arranging the barrels in specific asymmetric positions and orientations within the composite lens barrel, the proper spatial orientations for imaging are achieved while keeping the barrel components themselves standardized and simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

3Ease of manufacture

If multiple optical systems are incorporated into lens barrels with the same structure, then manufacturing costs are reduced, but additional components are needed between lens barrels affecting assembly accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidassembly accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple cylindrical lens barrels into a single composite lens barrel structure. By integrating the barrels directly into one unified composite structure without requiring additional intermediate components, assembly accuracy is improved while maintaining the simplicity and standardization of the individual barrel components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution enables high-quality imaging with reduced size and complexity, improving manufacturing efficiency and assembly accuracy while reducing parallax and enhancing image quality.

Implementation Method 1

an adhesive structure extending from the first lens barrel to the second lens barrel in the fourth direction, the adhesive structure holding the first and second lens barrels in a relative position to each other

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP3769154B1Optical system and imaging apparatus
Publication Date: 2025.08.06 RICOH CO LTD
  • EP3769154B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3769154B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3769154B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An optical system including two imaging optical systems and two holders including one holder to hold one imaging optical system and other holder to hold the other one imaging optical system. Each holder includes a lens positioner to determine a position of a lens constituting each imaging optical system, and two contacts disposed apart from the lens positioner. When the one holder is combined with the other holder, the two contacts of the one holder contact the two contacts of the other holder with the lens maintained at the position determined by the lens positioner of each holder.