Five-Lens Imaging System for High Resolution and Compact Length

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing imaging lenses for thin devices like smartphones and tablets struggle to achieve high resolution while maintaining a compact length, often resulting in excessively long lenses when trying to accommodate higher pixel density image sensors.

Innovation Solution

A five-lens configuration with specific refractive powers and shapes, including a first lens with a positive refractive power and meniscus shape towards the object side, a second biconcave lens, a third lens with positive refractive power and a meniscus shape towards the image side, a fourth lens with positive refractive power and a convex surface towards the image side, and a fifth lens with negative refractive power and a concave surface towards the object side, optimized to achieve high resolution and reduced lens length.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a five-lens configuration is used to achieve high resolution for high pixel density image sensors, then imaging performance is improved, but the entire length of the lens becomes excessively long

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging resolutionVSAvoidlens entire length

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the refractive powers, curvatures, and spacing of each lens element. Specifically, it sets the refractive power of the fourth lens within a specific range (0.1f to 0.3f) and controls the curvature radii of surfaces to achieve both high resolution and compact length. The meniscus shape of the first and third lenses with convex surfaces toward specific sides further fine-tunes the optical parameters to resolve the contradiction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite lens design by combining five different lens elements with specific shapes and refractive properties. Each lens (first through fifth) has a defined configuration (meniscus, biconcave, or convex-concave) and refractive power relationship, creating a composite optical system that achieves high resolution while maintaining compact length through synergistic interaction of diverse lens components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Length of moving object

If the lens is shortened for compact imaging devices, then device compactness is improved, but high resolution imaging performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelens entire lengthVSAvoidimaging resolution

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves compact length while maintaining high resolution through precise parameter control. It sets the refractive power of the fourth lens within 0.1f to 0.3f, controls the curvature radii of multiple surfaces, and positions the aperture stop at specific locations. These parameter optimizations allow the lens to be shortened without sacrificing imaging performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs dynamic optimization by adjusting the relative positions and spacing of lens elements. The aperture stop can be positioned at different locations (first lens object-side surface, first lens image-side surface, or between first and second lenses), and the spacing between lenses is optimized to achieve both compactness and high resolution through flexible structural arrangement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 configuration enables high-resolution imaging performance from central to peripheral angles of view while minimizing the overall lens length, allowing for compact imaging devices with improved optical performance.

Implementation Method 1

a first lens having a positive refractive power and having a meniscus shape with a convex surface toward the object side

Methodology Applied