Optical Imaging System With Folded Light Path And Movable Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to design an optical imaging system for portable electronic devices that minimizes thickness while maintaining telephoto capabilities and reducing power consumption, as traditional telephoto cameras with multiple lenses increase device thickness and power consumption due to weight and focal length requirements.
Innovation Solution
The optical imaging system incorporates a lens unit with at least three lenses, including a first, second, and third lens, where the image sensor moves along the optical axis and perpendicular to it for focus adjustment and image stabilization, with specific refractive power configurations and aspherical surfaces, and a reflective member to change light paths, optimizing focal lengths and moving distances to satisfy conditional expressions for reduced size and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If a telephoto camera with multiple lenses is used to achieve telephoto capabilities, then the focal length is sufficient for narrow field of view imaging, but the thickness of the portable electronic device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a reflective member (mirror) to change the optical path from a straight linear path to a folded path. Light reflects off the mirror at an angle, allowing the optical system to achieve a longer effective focal length while maintaining a compact physical footprint. This dimensional transformation of the light path enables telephoto capabilities without proportionally increasing device thickness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent arranges multiple lenses and the reflective member in a nested or compact stacked configuration within the limited thickness space. The lenses are positioned close to each other with optimized spacing, and the reflective member is integrated into the existing optical path, allowing the system to pack maximum optical power into minimum physical depth
2Ease of operation
If a lens module with multiple lenses is moved for focus adjustment and optical image stabilization, then focus and stabilization functions are achieved, but power consumption increases due to the weight of the lens module
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of moving the heavy lens module to achieve focus adjustment and image stabilization, the patent inverts the approach by moving the lighter image sensor in the opposite direction. The image sensor is positioned on a movable platform that can shift along the optical axis and perpendicular to it, compensating for focus changes and stabilization requirements without the energy cost of moving the entire lens assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of moving lenses with a combination of optical design (fixed lens positions with optimized refractive powers) and sensor positioning. The movable platform uses precision mechanical or electromagnetic actuation to position the image sensor, which requires significantly less force and power than moving the heavy lens module
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 allows for a compact optical imaging system that performs focus adjustment and image stabilization with reduced power consumption, enabling the integration of telephoto capabilities in thin portable devices without increasing thickness or power usage.
Implementation Method 1
a reflective member disposed on an object side of the lens unit and having a reflective surface for changing a path of light
Implementation Method 2
a lens unit including at least three lenses; an image sensor configured to move along an optical axis direction and to receive light that has passed through the lens unit
Data Source
AI summary
An optical imaging system includes a lens unit including at least three lenses; an image sensor that moves along an optical axis direction and receives light that has passed through the lens unit; and a reflective member disposed on an object side of the lens unit and having a reflective surface to change a path of light. The optical imaging system satisfies 0<(SAS/f)/OD<0.15, where SAS is a moving distance of the image sensor along the optical axis direction, f is a total focal length of the lens unit, and OD is an object distance.