Four-Element Optical Lens Assembly for Compact Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional compact imaging lens assemblies are insufficient for high-end imaging applications in modern electronic products, such as smartphones, as they fail to provide optimal image quality while maintaining a moderate total track length and sensitivity.
Innovation Solution
An optical lens assembly comprising four lens elements with specific refractive powers and surface curvatures, including a first lens with positive refractive power, a second lens with positive refractive power and a convex image-side surface, a third lens with negative refractive power and aspheric surfaces, and a fourth lens with positive refractive power and aspheric surfaces, along with an aperture stop, optimized to reduce total track length and sensitivity, and correct aberrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a conventional triplet lens assembly is used, then the device complexity is low, but the image quality is insufficient for high-end applications
Solution Approach 1:
The optical lens assembly is divided into four distinct lens elements with specific refractive powers and surface configurations. Each lens element (first with positive power, second with positive power and convex image-side surface, third with negative power and aspheric surfaces, fourth with positive power and aspheric surfaces) performs specific optical functions to collectively achieve high-end image quality that cannot be obtained with simpler triplet configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite lens system combining elements with different refractive powers (positive and negative) and different surface geometries (spherical and aspheric). This composite arrangement of optical elements with complementary properties enables superior aberration correction and image quality while maintaining reasonable system complexity
2Length of stationary object
If the second lens element has positive refractive power with convex image-side surface, then the total track length is reduced, but the sensitivity of the optical system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The second lens element is specifically configured with a convex image-side surface and positive refractive power, creating localized optical properties that contribute to reducing the total track length. This local geometric optimization allows compactness while the overall four-element design balances the sensitivity through distributed refractive power across multiple elements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes specific geometric parameters including the convex curvature of the second lens element's image-side surface and the aspheric coefficients of the third and fourth elements. These parameter adjustments enable the system to achieve reduced total track length while the combined effect of all four elements maintains appropriate sensitivity levels
3Measurement precision
If more lens elements are added to improve image quality, then the resolution increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a four-element configuration that provides sufficient optical correction for high-end applications without over-engineering the system. Each element contributes partially to the overall image quality, with the third and fourth elements featuring aspheric surfaces that provide enhanced aberration correction. This partial optimization approach achieves high resolution while avoiding the excessive complexity that would result from adding more elements
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 effectively reduces the size of the optical lens assembly, attenuates sensitivity, and increases resolution, while allowing for better image quality and integration into infrared optical systems, making it suitable for a wider range of applications.
Implementation Method 1
a first lens element with positive refractive power; a second lens element with positive refractive power; a third lens element with negative refractive power; and a fourth lens element with positive refractive power
Data Source
AI summary
This invention provides an optical lens assembly comprising, in order from an object side to an image side: a first lens element with positive refractive power; a second lens element with positive refractive power; a third lens element with negative refractive power having a concave object-side surface and a convex image-side surface, at least one of the object-side and image-side surfaces thereof being aspheric; and a fourth lens element with positive refractive power having an aspheric object-side surface and an aspheric image-side surface; wherein the number of lens elements with refractive power is four.