Folded Optical Zoom Lens Layout for High Magnification Miniaturization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lens devices face challenges in miniaturization due to large effective focal lengths required for high magnification, leading to increased device length and inability to provide multi-magnification capabilities, as well as issues with impacts and frictional forces from slider-based voice coil motors.
Innovation Solution
A lens device with a new layout that includes a first lens module, an image sensor, and a light path turning module with three or four reflecting surfaces, allowing for optical zoom in high magnification and stabilization, while minimizing device length and eliminating the need for slider-based voice coil motors by using a voice coil motor with a reflecting module that moves in the same or opposite directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the effective focal length is increased to achieve high magnification, then the magnification capability is improved, but the length of the lens device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a light path turning module with reflecting surfaces that redirects the optical path from a linear arrangement to a folded configuration. This allows the optical axis to extend in a direction different from the mechanical length direction, enabling high magnification without proportionally increasing the device length. The light path is turned by 90 degrees or other angles using reflection, effectively utilizing three-dimensional space rather than just linear extension.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent integrates the light path turning module within the lens device structure by positioning reflecting surfaces between the lens module and image sensor. The reflecting surfaces are incorporated into existing structural components, allowing the optical path to fold back on itself within the available space, similar to nested configurations where one element is contained within another.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the image sensor is disposed farther from the lens module to increase effective focal length, then the high magnification is achieved, but the device length increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses reflecting surfaces to change the direction of light propagation, allowing the optical path to extend in a direction perpendicular to the mechanical length. This enables the image sensor to be positioned at a greater optical distance from the lens module while maintaining a compact mechanical footprint, as the light path folds back rather than extending linearly.
3Ease of operation
If a slider-based voice coil motor is used for lens module actuation, then the lens device can achieve focusing and zooming, but impacts and frictional forces increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional slider-based mechanical coupling with a magnetic coupling system where the voice coil motor directly actuates the lens module through magnetic fields. This eliminates physical contact between the actuator and the lens module, removing sliding friction and impact forces associated with mechanical sliders and guides.
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 solution enables miniaturization of lens devices with multi-magnification capabilities, reduced length, and improved stability by using a voice coil motor with a reflecting module that moves in the same or opposite directions, addressing the issues of impacts and frictional forces.
Implementation Method 1
The first light path turning module is configured to transmit a light beam passing through the first lens module to the image sensor by exactly three or four reflections. The first light path turning module includes three or four reflecting surfaces on which the reflections occur.
Implementation Method 2
A voice coil motor (VCM) is a device for converting electrical energy into mechanical energy and for outputting a linear motion and a limited oscillation.
Data Source
AI summary
A lens device includes a first lens module, an image sensor and a first light path turning module. The first lens module includes plurality of lenses. The first light path turning module is configured to transmit a light beam passing through the first lens module to the image sensor by exactly three or four reflections. The first light path turning module includes three or four reflecting surfaces on which the reflections occur. All the reflecting surfaces are plane surfaces. The first light path turning module includes no free form surface. All the surfaces on which the light beam is reflected are plane surfaces, wherein the plane surfaces are flat and are different from freeform surfaces.