Folded Camera Lens Systems for Compact High-Resolution Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional small cameras in mobile devices suffer from lower resolution and image quality due to limitations in camera technology, necessitating a compact high-resolution lens system that is challenging to achieve with existing designs.
Innovation Solution
A compact folded lens system with a photosensor and refractive lens elements, utilizing a prism or mirror to fold the optical path, allowing for a small form factor while maintaining high resolution, and including adjustable aperture and zooming capabilities to accommodate various imaging scenarios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a conventional lens system is used in small cameras, then the package size is reduced, but the image resolution and quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a folded optical path design where light reflects off a mirror to travel perpendicular to the main optical axis, then returns parallel to the axis to reach the sensor. This dimensional change allows the optical path length to exceed the physical camera depth, achieving high resolution imaging in a compact package by utilizing three-dimensional space more efficiently.
2Volume of moving object
If the optical path is folded using a mirror or prism, then the form factor is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the mirror directly into the lens assembly structure, combining the optical folding function with the mechanical support structure. This merging reduces the number of separate components and simplifies assembly, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining the compact folded form factor.
3Measurement precision
If more lens elements are added to improve image quality, then the resolution is improved, but the package size increases
Solution Approach 1:
By folding the optical path at a 90-degree angle using a mirror, the patent allows multiple lens elements to be arranged in a compact configuration where the optical path length is extended in the lateral dimension rather than increasing the axial depth. This enables high-resolution imaging with multiple lens elements while maintaining a small package size.
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
Enables high-resolution image capture in a small package size, suitable for mobile devices, with improved image quality and flexibility in focusing and aperture settings, making it suitable for diverse imaging applications.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a prism or mirror to fold the optical path
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A~2B
AI summary
A folded lens system may include multiple lenses with refractive power and a light path folding element. Light entering the camera through lens(es) on a first optical path or axis is refracted to the folding element, which changes direction of the light onto a second optical path or axis with lens(es) that refract the light to form an image plane at a photosensor. At least one of the object side and image side surfaces of at least one of the lens elements may be aspheric. Total track length (TTL) of the lens system may be 16.0 mm or less. The lens system may be configured so that the telephoto ration | TTL/f | is greater than 1.0. Materials, radii of curvature, shapes, sizes, spacing, and aspheric coefficients of the optical elements may be selected to achieve quality optical performance and high image resolution in a small form factor camera.