Five-Lens Optical Imaging System Aberration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical imaging systems for portable electronic devices face challenges in achieving miniaturization, ultra-wide angle, and high resolution, particularly with the increasing demand for high-pixel CMOS chips and stringent image quality requirements.
Innovation Solution
An optical imaging system comprising five lenses with specific refractive powers, surface shapes, and spacings is designed, including a first lens with negative refractive power and concave surfaces, a second lens with positive or negative refractive power, a third lens with negative refractive power, a fourth lens with positive or negative refractive power and convex surfaces, and a fifth lens with positive or negative refractive power, optimized to achieve a large field-of-view and high resolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the number of lenses is increased to achieve high resolution and wide angle, then imaging quality is improved, but device size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the refractive powers, curvature radii, and thicknesses of each lens element. Specific parameter ranges are defined (e.g., −3.6≤(f1/CT1)≤−1.8, 2.5≤f2/CT2≤3.0) to optimize the optical performance while maintaining system compactness. This allows achieving high imaging quality with a manageable five-element configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical system is segmented into five distinct lens elements with specific refractive power distributions (−+−+− or −+−++ pattern). Each lens element is designed with specific surface curvatures and thicknesses to handle different aspects of aberration correction, dividing the complex task of image quality optimization into manageable segments.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the field-of-view is increased to achieve ultra-wide angle, then imaging coverage is improved, but optical aberrations increase
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the optical system are assigned different functional qualities. The first lens with negative refractive power addresses peripheral ray control for wide-angle performance, while subsequent lenses with alternating refractive powers target specific aberration types in different field regions. Each lens element is optimized for its local function within the overall wide-angle imaging task.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of wide-angle aberrations into a benefit by using the alternating positive and negative refractive power configuration to systematically correct spherical aberration, coma, and distortion. The inherent aberrations introduced by ultra-wide angle design are transformed into opportunities for aberration balancing across the lens elements.
3Volume of moving object
If the lens elements are miniaturized to reduce device size, then portability is improved, but manufacturing precision becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent defines specific parameter ranges for lens thicknesses and curvature radii that balance miniaturization with manufacturability. For example, the ratios f2/CT2 (2.5≤f2/CT2≤3.0) and f4/R8 (−1.8≤f4/R8≤−1.3) are constrained to ensure that miniaturized lens elements can still be manufactured with acceptable precision while achieving the desired compact form factor.
4Manufacturing precision
If the refractive power distribution is optimized to reduce aberrations, then image quality is improved, but design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an inverted approach to aberration correction by starting with negative refractive power lenses and alternating with positive power elements, rather than the conventional all-positive configuration. This −+−+− or −+−++ pattern inverts the traditional design paradigm and enables more effective aberration control through the alternating sign changes in refractive power.
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 effectively compensates for low-order aberrations, achieves a wide-angle characteristic with a miniaturized structure, and provides excellent image quality with improved workability and production processing advantages.
Implementation Method 1
a first lens having a negative refractive power with a concave object-side surface and a concave image-side surface; a stop; a second lens having a refractive power; a third lens having a negative refractive power; a fourth lens having a refractive power with a convex object-side surface and a convex image-side surface; and a fifth lens having a refractive power
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure discloses an optical imaging system including, sequentially from an object side to an image side along an optical axis, a first lens having a negative refractive power with a concave object-side surface and a concave image-side surface; a stop; a second lens having a refractive power; a third lens having a negative refractive power; a fourth lens having a refractive power with a convex object-side surface, and a convex image-side surface; and a fifth lens having a refractive power. Half of a maximal field-of-view Semi-FOV of the optical imaging system satisfies 45.0°≤Semi-FOV<65.0°, and an effective focal length f2 of the second lens and a center thickness CT2 of the second lens along the optical axis satisfy 2.5≤f2/CT2≤3.0.