Folded Optical Member Layout for Stray Light Suppression

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional camera modules face challenges in miniaturization while maintaining high optical performance, particularly with the generation of stray light or flare in folded optical lens systems, which affects image quality and is difficult to mount in limited spaces, especially for tele cameras with longer focal lengths.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an optical member with a prism and/or mirror between the lens and image sensor, featuring a triangular column shape with inclined surfaces and cutting planes, to refract and reflect light effectively, reducing stray light and enabling a more compact camera module design by bending the light path at least twice.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If a folded optical lens system is used to achieve miniaturization, then the device size is reduced, but stray light and flare are generated affecting image quality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecamera module sizeVSAvoidstray light and flare

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies anti-reflective coatings and black coating layers to convert harmful stray light reflections into beneficial light absorption. The inclined surfaces and cutting planes are designed to redirect stray light onto black coating layers that absorb it, transforming the harmful reflection effect into a beneficial light-trapping mechanism that improves image quality while maintaining the compact folded optical design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces black coating layers and anti-reflective coatings as intermediary elements between optical surfaces. These intermediary layers mediate the interaction between light and optical surfaces by absorbing or redirecting stray light, preventing direct harmful reflections while maintaining the compact folded optical path structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the number of lenses and imaging plane size are increased to improve image quality, then optical performance is enhanced, but device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoidcamera module size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a folded optical path design that bends light at least twice using inclined surfaces, effectively packing a longer optical path into a smaller physical space. This dimensional reconfiguration allows high-quality imaging with multiple lenses to be achieved without proportionally increasing the camera module size, as the light travels through a folded rather than linear path

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Volume of moving object

If a compact camera module design is implemented to reduce device size, then miniaturization is achieved, but mounting in limited spaces becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecamera module sizeVSAvoidmounting difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the optical member into multiple discrete components including inclined surfaces, cutting planes, and separate coating layers. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and coated independently using standard processes, then assembled into a compact configuration that is easier to mount in limited spaces while maintaining precise optical alignment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 configuration effectively reduces stray light and flare, allowing for a more compact camera module with improved image quality and easier integration into smaller devices without compromising optical performance.

Implementation Method 1

an optical member comprising a prism and/or a mirror disposed between the at least one lens and the image sensor on the optical axis

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 2

an optical member comprising a prism and/or a mirror disposed between the at least one lens and the image sensor on the optical axis

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 3

a second surface inclined with respect to the first surface, and a third surface inclined with respect to the first surface and the second surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS20250015112A1Optical member and electronic device including the same

Publication Date: 2025.01.09 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

According to an embodiment, an electronic device may comprise: at least one lens, an image sensor aligned along an optical axis from the at least one lens, and an optical member comprising a prism and/or mirror disposed between the at least one lens and the image sensor on the optical axis. The optical member may include a first optical member including a first surface on which light passing through the at least one lens is configured to be incident, a second surface inclined with respect to the first surface, and a third surface inclined with respect to the first surface and the second surface, and a second optical member including a fourth surface though which light is configured to exit, a fifth surface inclined with respect to the fourth surface, and a sixth surface inclined with respect to the fourth surface and the fifth surface and configured to face the third surface.