Five-Lens Imaging System for Low Profile and Aberration Correction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional imaging lenses face difficulties in achieving a balance between low profile and low F-number while effectively correcting aberrations, particularly in the peripheral area, leading to suboptimal optical performance.

Innovation Solution

The imaging lens configuration consists of a series of lenses with specific refractive powers and surface curvatures, including a biconvex first lens, meniscus-shaped second and third lenses, biconcave fourth lens, and biconvex fifth lens, with carefully defined conditional expressions to optimize refractive power and surface shapes for aberration correction, allowing for a reduced profile and improved optical performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If a low profile and low F-number are realized, then the imaging lens achieves compact size and high light gathering capability, but aberration correction at peripheral area becomes difficult and optical performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprofile heightVSAvoidaberration correction

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The imaging lens is divided into five separate lens elements with different refractive powers and shapes. Each lens element is optimized to correct specific aberrations: the first lens (positive power) controls spherical aberration, the second lens (negative power) corrects chromatic aberration, the third lens (negative power) addresses coma aberration, the fourth lens (negative power with aspheric surface) corrects astigmatism and distortion, and the fifth lens (positive power) handles field curvature. This segmentation allows comprehensive aberration correction while maintaining a compact profile.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the lens system are assigned different optical properties. The aspheric surface of the fourth lens provides localized correction for peripheral aberrations, while the convex object-side surface of the first lens provides localized control over spherical aberration. Each lens element has specific curvature characteristics tailored to correct aberrations in particular field regions, enabling high-resolution performance across the entire image circle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Volume of moving object

If a low profile is achieved, then the imaging lens becomes compact, but the curvature of lens surfaces must be large which increases sensitivity to manufacturing error

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprofile heightVSAvoidsensitivity to manufacturing error

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the curvature parameters of each lens surface to balance profile reduction with manufacturing tolerance. The aspheric coefficient k of the fourth lens is specifically designed to provide the needed optical correction without requiring excessive curvature. The convex object-side surface of the first lens uses optimized curvature to control spherical aberration while maintaining manufacturability. This parameter optimization allows the lens to achieve compact size without becoming overly sensitive to manufacturing variations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 achieves high-resolution imaging with excellent aberration correction, including chromatic, spherical, coma, astigmatism, and distortion, while maintaining a low profile and low F-number, enhancing the optical performance of imaging devices.