Four-Element Aspheric Lens System for Compact High-Resolution Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional compact optical systems, such as those used in portable electronic devices, face challenges in achieving high image quality and resolution due to limitations in lens structure design, particularly with three-element and four-element lens configurations that are not compact enough and have unfavorable axial distances and surface curvatures.
Innovation Solution
A four-element image capturing system with specific refractive powers and surface curvatures, including a first lens element with positive refractive power, a second lens element with negative refractive power, a third lens element with positive refractive power, and a fourth lens element with negative refractive power, optimized for compactness and image quality through precise axial distances and surface shapes, including aspheric surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a conventional three-element lens structure is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the image quality and resolution cannot satisfy high-end requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system is divided into four distinct lens elements with specific refractive powers and surface curvatures. Each lens element is designed with particular characteristics (positive or negative refractive power, convex or concave surfaces) to collectively achieve high image quality while maintaining compactness, resolving the contradiction between image quality and structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the lens elements have different surface curvatures and refractive properties. The object-side and image-side surfaces of each lens element are designed with specific curvature radii (R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6) to optimize light refraction locally, enabling high-resolution imaging while keeping the overall structure compact.
2Manufacturing precision
If a conventional four-element lens structure with large axial distances is used, then the image quality is improved, but the compactness of the optical system deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes key parameters including axial distances (T12, T23, T34) between lens elements and curvature radii (R1-R6) of lens surfaces. By carefully controlling these parameters within specific ranges, the system achieves high image quality while maintaining a compact total length, resolving the contradiction between image quality and compactness.
3Manufacturing precision
If excessively curved surfaces are used in lens elements, then the optical performance is improved, but the moldability and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The curvature radii of all lens surfaces (R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6) are optimized within specific ranges that balance optical performance and manufacturability. The aspheric coefficients (A4, A6, A8, A10) are carefully controlled to achieve desired optical characteristics while maintaining surfaces that can be practically manufactured through molding processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs aspheric surfaces with controlled deviation from spherical shapes. The aspheric coefficients are optimized to provide the necessary optical correction for high-resolution imaging while keeping the surface curvature within manufacturable limits, resolving the contradiction between optical performance and moldability.
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 improved image quality, reduced aberrations, and a compact design suitable for high-resolution imaging in portable devices, enhancing the performance of compact optical systems.
Implementation Method 1
a first lens element with positive refractive power has a convex object-side surface at a paraxial region
Implementation Method 2
a second lens element with negative refractive power has a concave image-side surface at a paraxial region
Implementation Method 3
a third lens element with positive refractive power has a convex object-side surface at a paraxial region and a convex image-side surface at a paraxial region
Implementation Method 4
a fourth lens element with negative refractive power has a concave image-side surface at a paraxial region, wherein the image-side surface of the fourth lens element has a convex shape at a peripheral region
Data Source
AI summary
An image capturing system includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element and a fourth lens element. The first lens element with positive refractive power has a convex object-side surface at a paraxial region. The second lens element with negative refractive power has a concave image-side surface. The third lens element with positive refractive power has a convex object-side surface at a paraxial region and a convex image-side surface at a paraxial region. The fourth lens element with negative refractive power has a concave image-side surface at a paraxial region, wherein the image-side surface of the fourth lens element has a convex shape at a peripheral region, and both of the surfaces of the fourth lens element are aspheric. The image capturing system has a total of four lens elements with refractive power.