Folded Optical Lens Module for Thin Bezel Camera Openings
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge of reducing the aperture diameter of the opening in electronic devices while maintaining high imaging quality, particularly in devices with high screen-to-body ratios, such as smartphones with circular punch holes or notches, has become crucial due to the miniaturization of image sensors and the need for multi-functional optical systems.
Innovation Solution
An optical lens module design featuring a first and second lens barrel with non-circular trimmed portions, a folding element with a reflection surface, and specific optical axis angles to achieve a compact, folded optical path, allowing for reduced size and thickness, while maintaining high imaging quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the aperture diameter of the opening is reduced to meet high screen-to-body ratio requirements, then the display area consistency is improved, but the imaging quality decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an optical folding element (prism) that changes the optical path from a straight line to a folded geometry. This dimensional change in the optical path allows the light to traverse a longer effective distance through the lens assembly, improving imaging quality while maintaining a compact aperture diameter that fits within the display area constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent specifies precise angular parameters (θ between 70°-110°) for the optical axes and geometric parameters (R1, R2, R3, R4 radii values) for the lens barrel and prism dimensions. By optimizing these parameters, the system achieves high imaging quality through precise optical path control while maintaining a compact aperture that preserves display area consistency.
2Length of stationary object
If the optical lens module size is reduced to fit compact devices, then the device thickness is minimized, but the optical path length is insufficient for high-quality imaging
Solution Approach 1:
The optical folding element introduces a folded optical path that extends the light travel distance in a compact three-dimensional arrangement. The light path bends through the prism at specific angles, effectively increasing the optical path length within a reduced module thickness, thus resolving the contradiction between compact size and sufficient optical path.
Solution Approach 2:
The lens assemblies and optical folding element are nested within each other in a compact configuration. The first and second lens assemblies are positioned at specific distances from the optical folding element, creating a nested structure that maximizes the use of available space while maintaining the required optical path length for high-quality imaging.
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 design facilitates a compact installation of the optical lens module, enhancing design flexibility and imaging quality, and supports high screen-to-body ratios by minimizing the aperture diameter and overall device thickness.
Implementation Method 1
The optical folding element has a reflection surface, such that the light ray is reflected into the second lens assembly after passing through the first lens assembly
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure provides an optical lens module (1). By assembling a first lens barrel (11), an optical folding element (13) and a second lens barrel (14), the optical lens module (1) can be miniaturized, image quality of the optical lens module (1) in a compact assembly space can be increased, and the size of a light passage opening (6311) of a display panel module (63) can be reduced so as to increase consistency of a display area (632).