Dual Reflective Optical System Compact Design
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical systems with multiple imaging optical systems face challenges in achieving a compact size while maintaining high image quality and wide coverage, particularly when the systems have different image-capturing ranges and are arranged to face opposite directions, leading to increased size and potential image disparities.
Innovation Solution
The optical system incorporates two imaging optical systems with reflective surfaces, where each system includes a reflective optical element and a held part positioned differently, with holding bodies that bring the reflecting surfaces close to each other, maintaining position accuracy to reduce the overall size and enhance image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If two imaging optical systems with different image-capturing ranges are arranged to face opposite directions, then the image-capturing range is widened, but the size of the optical system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by transitioning from a linear arrangement of optical systems along the optical axis to a configuration where reflective surfaces are positioned at different locations and orientations. The first reflective surface is positioned at a first location with a first normal vector, and the second reflective surface is positioned at a second location with a second normal vector, creating a multi-dimensional spatial arrangement that reduces the overall system size while maintaining opposite-direction imaging capability.
2Length of stationary object
If the incident positions of two imaging optical systems are closer to reduce size, then the compactness is improved, but the position accuracy and alignment difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary approach by defining precise geometric relationships between reflective surfaces through normal vectors and position vectors. The first reflective surface has a first normal vector and the second reflective surface has a second normal vector, with their relative positions defined by position vectors. This mathematical framework serves as an intermediary that guides the physical alignment, ensuring accurate positioning without requiring the reflective surfaces to be in direct contact or at fixed distances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by using variable normal vectors and position vectors to define the reflective surfaces. The first normal vector and second normal vector can have different orientations, and the position vectors can have different magnitudes and directions. This allows flexible adjustment of the reflective surfaces' positions and orientations to achieve optimal compactness while maintaining alignment accuracy, rather than being constrained by fixed geometric relationships.
3Length of moving object
If reflective surfaces are positioned close to each other, then the optical path length is reduced, but the alignment and positioning complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by separating the definition and positioning of reflective surfaces into independent geometric parameters. The first reflective surface is characterized by its position vector and first normal vector, while the second reflective surface is characterized by its position vector and second normal vector. This segmentation allows each surface to be independently designed and positioned, reducing the overall optical path length while simplifying the alignment process through modular parameter adjustment rather than requiring complex integrated alignment procedures.
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 configuration results in a compact optical system and imaging apparatus with improved image quality by reducing the size and disparity between images captured by opposing systems, allowing for high-quality combined images with reduced thickness and increased efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a reflective optical element including a reflecting surface and a held part at a different position from the reflecting surface, the reflecting surface configured to reflect light incident from a subject side
Data Source
AI summary
An optical system includes two imaging optical systems, each imaging optical system including a reflective optical element having a reflecting surface and a held part at a different position from the reflecting surface, the reflecting surface configured to reflect light incident from a subject side; a first holding body configured to hold the held part of the reflective optical element of one of the imaging optical systems; and a second holding body configured to hold the held part of the reflective optical element of the other one of the imaging optical systems. When the first holding body is combined with the second holding body, the reflecting surface of the reflective optical element of the one of the imaging optical systems is opposed to the reflecting surface of the reflective optical element of the other one of the imaging optical systems.