Folded Optical Camera Lens Structure for Low-Height Modules

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge is to achieve high imaging quality in mobile phone lenses while reducing their height size, constrained by the limited space available in mobile devices.

Innovation Solution

The optical camera lens design includes a first optical element and a second optical element with specific included angles and surfaces that allow light to be reflected twice, folding the light path and minimizing the lens's physical length, thereby reducing its height and enabling a larger photosensitive area for improved imaging capability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If the optical camera lens uses a conventional straight optical path design, then the imaging quality can be maintained, but the height size of the lens increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheight size of optical camera lensVSAvoidoptical path folding structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies optical path folding by introducing reflective surfaces (prisms or mirrors) that redirect light at angles, transforming the optical path from a straight linear arrangement into a folded configuration. This allows the optical components to be arranged in a compact three-dimensional space, significantly reducing the height of the lens assembly while maintaining the required optical path length for image quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Length of moving object

If the optical camera lens is miniaturized, then the height size is reduced, but the photosensitive area of the imaging element is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheight size of optical camera lensVSAvoidphotosensitive area
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By folding the optical path using reflective surfaces, the patent creates additional spatial dimensions for arranging optical components. This allows a larger photosensitive element to be positioned within the compact height constraint, as the folded optical path provides sufficient optical travel distance without increasing the overall height, thereby enabling a larger imaging area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Length of moving object

If the optical camera lens uses a folded light path design, then the height size is reduced, but the optical alignment precision becomes more difficult to control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheight size of optical camera lensVSAvoidoptical alignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the reflective surfaces (prisms or mirrors) directly into the lens assembly structure, merging the optical path folding function with the mechanical housing. This integration reduces the number of separate components and interfaces, thereby minimizing alignment errors and simplifying manufacturing while maintaining the compact folded optical path design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 design results in a miniaturized optical camera lens with enhanced imaging capability, allowing for a larger photosensitive element and improved imaging quality without increasing the device's overall size.

Implementation Method 1

the second optical element includes a first surface, a second surface, and a third surface that are connected to each other. After passing through the first optical element, external light is incident into the second optical element through the first surface, is reflected by the second surface, then is reflected by the third surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP4730009A1Optical lens, camera module and electronic device
Publication Date: 2026.04.22 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4730009A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4730009A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4A
  • EP4730009A1 patent drawingFigure 4B

AI summary

Provided are an optical camera lens (1), a camera module (30), and an electronic device (100). The optical camera lens (1) includes a first optical element (G1) and a second optical element (G2), the second optical element (G2) is positioned on an image side of the first optical element (G1), the first optical element (G1) includes at least one lens, and the second optical element (G2) includes a first surface (31), a second surface (32), and a third surface (33) that are connected to each other. After passing through the first optical element (G1), an external light beam is incident into the second optical element (G2) through the first surface (31), is reflected by the second surface (32), then is reflected by the third surface (33), and is emitted out of the second optical element (G2) through the second surface (32). A structure of the second optical element (G2) is designed to reduce a height of the second optical element (G2) , allowing for a lower height of the optical camera lens (1). When the optical camera lens (1) is used in the camera module (30), it helps reduce the height of the camera module (30).