Five-Lens Optical System with Aspheric Inflection for Mobile Imaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional four or five lens systems for mobile devices fail to meet the demands for high resolution and performance while maintaining a compact size, necessitating the development of a more advanced optical lens system for improved image quality in electronic products.

Innovation Solution

An image pickup optical lens system comprising five lenses with specific refractive powers and surface configurations, including a first lens with positive refractive power, a second lens with negative refractive power, a third lens with aspheric surfaces, a fourth lens with positive refractive power, and a fifth lens with negative refractive power and an inflection point, along with an aperture stop and a flat element, satisfying specific conditional expressions for optimal performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional four or five lens systems are used, then the device structure is simple, but the image quality and resolution are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage qualityVSAvoidlens system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the optical system into five distinct lens groups (first through fifth lenses) with specific refractive power configurations. Each lens has defined surface characteristics (convex, concave, aspheric) and focal length relationships. This segmentation allows complex optical functions to be distributed across multiple simpler components, achieving high image quality while maintaining manufacturability through standardized lens design modules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If more lenses are added to improve image quality, then the resolution and performance improve, but the overall size and thickness increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage qualityVSAvoidlens system thickness
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a compact nested arrangement where five lenses are positioned in sequence with optimized spacing. The lenses are arranged to share optical paths and minimize overall system length. Specific focal length ratios (f/f1=0.8-1.2, f/f2=-1.5 to -2.5, f/f3=0.6-1.0, f/f4=-0.8 to -1.5, f/f5=0.5-1.2) enable the lenses to be closely spaced while maintaining optical performance, effectively nesting optical functions within a thin profile suitable for mobile devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Length of moving object

If the lens system is made compact, then the device size is reduced, but the field of view and light gathering capability are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelens system thicknessVSAvoidrelative illumination
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different surface characteristics to different lenses and surfaces within the system. Aspheric surfaces are strategically placed on specific lenses (first, third, and fifth lenses) to locally optimize light control and field coverage. The mixed refractive power configuration (positive and negative lenses) creates localized optical zones that collectively expand the effective field of view while maintaining compact overall dimensions. This local optimization approach allows the compact system to achieve uniform relative illumination across the image plane.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 system achieves high resolution and quality, enabling a thin shape with a large field of view and effectively rectifying lens distortion, while enhancing relative illumination and image quality by reducing light incident angles and ensuring even brightness distribution.

Implementation Method 1

a first lens having a positive refractive power with a convex surface on an object side

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 2

a second lens having a negative refractive power with a concave surface on an image side

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 3

the third lens having a refractive power with an aspheric surface on an object side thereof and a convex surface on an image side thereof

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentUS9784949B1Image pickup optical lens system
Publication Date: 2017.10.10 ZHEJIANG SUNNY OPTICAL CO LTD
  • US9784949B1 patent drawing
  • US9784949B1 patent drawing
  • US9784949B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The optical lens system for forming a subject image on a photoelectric conversion section of a solid image pickup element and an image pickup lens includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens, a second lens, a third lens, a fourth lens, and a fifth lens. The first lens has a positive refractive power and a convex surface on an object side thereof. The second lens has a negative refractive power with a concave surface on an image side thereof. The third lens has a refractive power with an aspheric surface on an object side thereof and a convex surface on an image side thereof. The fourth lens has a positive refractive power with a flat surface on an object side thereof and a convex surface on an image side thereof. The fifth lens has a negative refractive power with aspheric surfaces on an object side and an image side thereof respectively, wherein the fifth lens has at least one inflection point formed at at least one of the aspheric surfaces of the object side and the image side. An aperture stop is disposed at the object side of the first lens and at least one flat element is located between the fifth lens and an image plane.