Eighth-Lens Optical System Compact Camera Module
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional camera modules with multiple lenses face challenges in achieving excellent optical properties and compact size due to increased thickness and size, which affects image quality and resolution.
Innovation Solution
An optical system comprising first to eighth lenses with specific refractive powers and surface shapes, including a first lens with positive refractive power and an eighth lens with negative refractive power, optimized to maintain a slim structure while improving optical performance at the center and periphery of the field of view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a plurality of lenses is included in the optical system, then optical performance and resolution are improved, but the overall length and thickness of the camera module increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by placing the optical lens assembly inside the housing structure, and further nesting the image sensor within the housing. The optical lenses are arranged in a compact sequence where each lens builds upon the optical path established by the previous lens, creating a nested configuration that minimizes overall length while maintaining multiple lens elements for high optical performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a conventional linear arrangement to a three-dimensional compact layout by optimizing the spatial positioning of lens elements in multiple dimensions. The optical system uses sophisticated lens curvature and spacing arrangements that exploit dimensional space efficiently, allowing multiple lenses to be packed into a shorter overall length through strategic positioning in the optical path rather than simple linear stacking
2Measurement precision
If the size of the image sensor is increased to realize high-resolution, then the Total Track Length (TTL) of the optical system increases, thereby increasing the thickness of the camera module
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely optimizing the focal lengths, refractive indices, and curvature radii of the optical lenses to match the larger image sensor dimensions. The optical system parameters are carefully tuned so that the increased sensor size does not proportionally increase the TTL, achieving high-resolution capability with controlled thickness through parameter optimization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements autofocus functionality that dynamically adjusts the position of lens elements relative to the image sensor. This dynamic adjustment mechanism allows the optical system to maintain optimal focus and imaging performance across different shooting scenarios, enabling the system to adapt to the larger sensor geometry without requiring a fixed, thick configuration
3Reliability
If a plurality of lenses is included in the optical system, then image quality is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the optical system into distinct lens elements (first optical lens, second optical lens, third optical lens, fourth optical lens) with specific functional assignments. Each lens segment is designed with particular refractive properties and curvature characteristics to address specific optical aberrations, allowing the complex imaging task to be segmented into manageable functional units that can be manufactured and assembled separately
4Measurement precision
If multiple lenses with specific configurations are used, then optical performance at center and periphery of field of view is improved, but the alignment precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric lens designs where the curvature radii and thicknesses of individual lens elements differ between the object-side and image-side surfaces. This asymmetry is strategically designed to correct for field curvature and distortion aberrations that affect different regions of the field of view differently, improving overall image quality while the asymmetric structures provide built-in alignment references that can actually simplify mounting precision requirements
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 optical system achieves improved resolution, distortion, and aberration characteristics, enabling good optical performance in a compact camera module with reduced Total Track Length (TTL), thus suitable for portable devices.
Implementation Method 1
the first lens has positive (+) refractive power on the optical axis, the eighth lens has negative (−) refractive power on the optical axis
Data Source
AI summary
The optical system disclosed in the embodiment includes first to eighth lenses disposed along an optical axis in a direction from an object side to a sensor side, wherein the first lens has positive (+) refractive power on the optical axis, the eighth lens has negative (−) refractive power on the optical axis, an object-side surface of the first lens has a convex shape on the optical axis, a sensor-side surface of the third lens has a smallest effective diameter among the first to eighth lenses, a sensor-side surface of the eighth lens has the maximum effective diameter among the first to eighth lenses, the sensor-side surface of the eighth lens is provided without a critical point from the optical axis to an end of an effective region, a distance from a center of the sensor-side surface of the eighth lens to a first point where a slope of a straight line passing through the sensor-side surface has an inclination angle of less than 1% is 20% or more of an effective radius, and the following equation may satisfy: 0.4<TTL/ImgH<2.5 (TTL (Total track length) is a distance in the optical axis from an apex of the object-side surface of the first lens to an image surface of a sensor, and ImgH is ½ of a maximum diagonal length of the sensor).