Fluidic Lens Double Elastomer Membrane Fluid Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image pickup devices in mobile electronic devices face challenges in achieving high-quality auto-focusing, zooming, and close-up functions due to limitations in focal length adjustment, and there is a need for a more durable and efficient varifocal lens solution that prevents optical fluid absorption or penetration into the membrane.
Innovation Solution
A fluidic lens is developed using a transparent optical fluid and a membrane composed of a transparent elastomer and Poly DiMethyl Siloxane (PDMS) elastomer, with a double film structure and an anti-wrinkle layer to prevent fluid penetration, allowing for precise control of focal length through actuation and maintaining optical stability across varying temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single-layer membrane is used in the fluidic lens, then the device complexity is reduced, but the optical fluid penetrates or is absorbed by the membrane, reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite membrane structure consisting of an inner membrane and an outer membrane made of different elastomeric materials. The inner membrane has low affinity with optical fluid to prevent absorption, while the outer membrane provides mechanical strength and wrinkle prevention. This composite approach resolves the contradiction by combining materials with complementary properties to simultaneously achieve simplicity and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different material properties to different layers of the membrane structure. The inner membrane is specifically designed with low optical fluid affinity for fluid containment, while the outer membrane is designed with appropriate mechanical properties for structural support. This local differentiation of material qualities allows each layer to perform its specific function optimally.
2Reliability
If the membrane affinity with optical fluid is high, then the optical fluid is easily contained, but the optical fluid is absorbed or penetrated by the membrane, reducing durability
Solution Approach 1:
The composite membrane structure uses an inner membrane material specifically selected for its low affinity with optical fluid, preventing absorption and penetration. The outer membrane provides additional mechanical durability. This material selection and combination strategy resolves the contradiction by decoupling the fluid containment function from the structural durability function.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a fluidic lens is used to achieve auto-focusing and zoom functions, then the device becomes more versatile, but the optical fluid may penetrate or be absorbed by the membrane, reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite membrane structure where the inner membrane's low affinity with optical fluid prevents absorption and penetration, ensuring reliability. This allows the fluidic lens to achieve versatile focal length adjustment through actuation while maintaining dependable optical fluid containment throughout the device's operational life.
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 fluidic lens enables auto-focusing, zooming, and close-up functions while ensuring durability and preventing optical fluid absorption, maintaining optical performance and chemical stability, and supporting rapid response times without overshooting.
Implementation Method 1
A affinity of the inner membrane with respect to the optical fluid is lower than a affinity of the outer membrane with respect to the optical fluid
Implementation Method 2
the fluidic lens changes a thickness of a lens portion of a membrane, that is, a curvature of a lens by applying a predetermined force to optical fluid filled in a membrane
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A fluidic lens and method for manufacturing the same are provided. The fluidic lens includes a transparent optical fluid and a double elastomer membrane. An outer membrane of the double elastomer membrane that is externally exposed includes a Poly DiMethyl Siloxane (PDMS) elastomer, and an inner membrane of the double elastmoer membrane that makes contact with the optical fluid is transparent and includes an elastomer which has a low coherence with respect to the optical fluid.