Five-Element Plastic Lens System for Mobile Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional four-element lens assemblies in miniature camera units cannot meet the higher resolution and imaging quality requirements of modern mobile electronics, which are trending towards lightweight and high-performance designs.
Innovation Solution
An optical imaging system comprising a first lens element with positive refractive power, followed by a sequence of second, third, fourth, and fifth lens elements, where the fourth and fifth lens elements are made of plastic and feature aspheric surfaces with inflection points, optimizing the axial distances and stop positions to enhance imaging quality and miniaturization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a conventional four-element lens assembly is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the imaging quality and resolution cannot meet the requirements of modern mobile electronics
Solution Approach 1:
The lens assembly is divided into five distinct lens elements with specific refractive power configurations (positive, negative, positive, negative, positive). Each element has optimized curvature radii and thickness ratios that contribute to aberration correction while maintaining a compact overall structure suitable for mobile devices.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the lens elements have different curvatures and optical properties. The patent specifies that certain lens elements have inflection points on their surfaces, creating local variations in curvature that correct aberrations in specific field regions while maintaining overall optical performance.
2Manufacturing precision
If more lens elements are added to improve imaging quality, then the imaging quality improves, but the overall size and weight of the camera lens assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes specific parameter ratios including the thickness ratios of individual lens elements (e.g., fourth lens element thickness to axial distance between fourth and fifth elements), curvature radii relationships, and the position of the stop relative to lens elements. These parameter optimizations enable high imaging quality with a compact, lightweight five-element design.
3Manufacturing precision
If more lens elements are added to improve imaging quality, then the imaging quality improves, but the overall length of the camera lens assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a balanced configuration of positive and negative refractive power elements that dynamically correct aberrations throughout the optical path. The alternating sign pattern of refractive powers allows for compact folding of the optical path, achieving high imaging quality without excessive axial length.
Solution Approach 2:
The lens elements are made from materials with different Abbe numbers (dispersion properties). The patent specifies relationships between the Abbe numbers of adjacent lens elements to correct chromatic aberrations, enabling compact design with high color correction performance.
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 imaging system achieves improved imaging quality, miniaturization, and reduced weight, making it suitable for lightweight, slim, and portable electronics while effectively correcting aberrations and maintaining high sensitivity.
Implementation Method 1
The fourth lens element comprises an object-side surface and an image-side surface, at least one of the object-side surface and the image-side surface of the fourth lens element is aspheric... The fifth lens element comprises an object-side and a concave image-side surface... at least one of the object-side surface and the image-side surface of the fifth lens element is aspheric
Data Source
AI summary
An optical imaging system includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens element with positive refractive power, a second lens element, a third lens element, a fourth lens element, and a fifth lens element. Each of the fourth lens element and the fifth lens element includes at least one aspheric surface. The fourth lens element and the fifth lens element are made of plastic. The fifth lens element includes a concave image-side surface and at least one inflection point. An axial distance is formed between each of the first lens element, the second lens element, the third lens element, the fourth lens element, and the fifth lens element, and the optical imaging system further comprises a stop.