Folded-Path Stereoscopic Optical System for Compact Wide-Angle Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stereoscopic optical systems face challenges in reducing the size of lens units while maintaining high optical performance and capturing ultra-wide angle images with parallax close to human vision, particularly when using smaller image sensors.
Innovation Solution
A stereoscopic optical system with two optical systems arranged in parallel, each comprising a first lens unit with negative refractive power, a second lens unit with positive and negative subunits, and a third lens unit with positive refractive power, including reflective members to bend optical paths and reduce the size of the third lens unit by placing the aperture stop closer to the image plane, allowing for smaller reflective members and improved aberration correction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the lens units are arranged closer to the image sensor to reduce size, then the overall system size is reduced, but the optical performance deteriorates due to increased aberrations and difficulty in correcting image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The second lens unit is divided into two subunits (second A subunit with positive refractive power and second B subunit with negative refractive power) separated by the widest air gap. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each subunit's function: the positive subunit converges light while the negative subunit corrects aberrations, maintaining optical performance in the compact configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The aperture stop is positioned in the second B subunit (the subunit closest to the image plane) rather than in the center of the second lens unit. This local repositioning optimizes the stop's function for aberration control in the compact configuration, improving image quality despite the reduced overall size
2Volume of moving object
If reflective members are used to bend optical paths, then the system can achieve ultra-wide angle of view with smaller components, but the size of reflective members must be reduced which may compromise optical performance
Solution Approach 1:
Reflective members are introduced to bend the optical path in a third dimension (optical path folding), allowing the ultra-wide angle of view to be achieved without proportionally increasing the physical size of the reflective members. The light path is redirected through the compact lens arrangement, maintaining performance while minimizing component size
3Volume of moving object
If the aperture stop is positioned closer to the image plane, then the third lens unit can be made smaller, but the complexity of precise positioning increases
Solution Approach 1:
The aperture stop is merged with the second B subunit (the subunit having negative refractive power) rather than being a separate component requiring independent positioning. This integration simplifies the overall structure and reduces positioning complexity while achieving the goal of making the third lens unit smaller
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 system achieves high optical performance and captures stereoscopic images with a wide angle of view compatible with smaller image sensors, maintaining realistic three-dimensional effects without excessive parallax or fatigue.
Implementation Method 1
two reflective members disposed in each optical system to bend an optical path to form images on a single image sensor
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of lens units that consist of, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens unit having negative refractive power, a second lens unit, and a third lens unit having positive refractive power
Data Source
AI summary
A stereoscopic optical system includes two optical systems arranged in parallel. Each of the two optical systems includes a plurality of lens units that consist of, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens unit having negative refractive power, a second lens unit, and a third lens unit having positive refractive power. The first lens unit includes a first reflective member disposed closest to an image plane. The third lens unit includes a second reflective member disposed closest to an object. The second lens unit includes a plurality of lens units that consist of, in order from the object side to the image side, a first subunit having positive refractive power and a second subunit having negative refractive power that are spaced by a widest air gap. The second subunit includes an aperture stop disposed closest to the image plane.