Four-Lens Optical Layout for Compact Aberration-Corrected Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical lens assemblies struggle to balance image quality, sensitivity, aperture size, volume, and field of view, making it difficult to achieve compactness and high performance in modern electronics.
Innovation Solution
An image capturing optical lens system with four lens elements, each with specific refractive powers and surface configurations, including convex and concave surfaces, along with aspheric designs and reflective elements, to optimize compactness, aberration correction, and chromatic aberration control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the number of lens elements is increased to improve image quality and correct aberrations, then the optical performance is enhanced, but the system volume and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the refractive indices, Abbe numbers, and curvature radii of each lens element. Specific mathematical relationships are established between these parameters (e.g., 1.5 < N2 < 1.7, 20 < V2 < 40, and various curvature radius ratios) to optimize the optical performance while maintaining compact dimensions. This allows achieving high image quality with a limited number of elements through optimized parameter selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite material principles by combining lens elements with different refractive indices and Abbe numbers (N2<V2<N3, V2>V3) to create a multi-element system where each element contributes differently to aberration correction. This composite approach allows effective correction of chromatic and spherical aberrations while keeping the total system compact, as each material is selected for its specific optical properties rather than using uniform materials.
2Illumination intensity
If the aperture size is increased to improve sensitivity and light gathering, then the image brightness is enhanced, but the aberrations and system volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by designing each lens element with specific surface configurations (convex or concave object-side and image-side surfaces) tailored to its position in the optical path. The first lens element has a convex object-side surface for light gathering, while subsequent elements have varying configurations to correct local aberrations introduced by the large aperture. This localized optimization allows maintaining high image brightness while controlling aberrations through position-specific design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of large aperture-induced aberrations into a benefit by using the increased light gathering capability to enable the use of smaller pixel sizes on the image sensor. The aberrations are corrected through the carefully designed multi-element structure, allowing the system to leverage the high light gathering of large aperture while maintaining image quality, thus turning the potential harm into improved sensitivity and compact sensor design.
3Area of stationary object
If the field of view is expanded to capture more scene, then the coverage area is increased, but the aberrations and optical complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the optical system into four distinct lens elements, each with specific refractive power and surface configurations. This segmentation allows the wide field of view to be achieved through distributed aberration correction across multiple elements rather than requiring a single complex element. Each element handles specific portions of the optical correction task, enabling expanded field of view while managing overall system complexity.
4Ease of manufacture
If the lens element thickness is increased to improve manufacturing feasibility, then the ease of manufacture is enhanced, but the system volume and sensitivity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by establishing specific thickness constraints for each lens element (0.3mm < d2 < 0.8mm, 0.5mm < d3 < 1.2mm, etc.) that balance manufacturability with compactness. These parameter ranges ensure that each element is thick enough to be manufactured with adequate tolerance but thin enough to maintain a compact overall system. The cumulative effect of these optimized thickness parameters achieves both manufacturing feasibility and reduced system volume.
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 a compact design with improved image quality, reduced manufacturing difficulties, and enhanced flexibility in space arrangement, while effectively correcting aberrations and chromatic aberrations.
Implementation Method 1
The first lens element has an object-side surface being convex in a paraxial region thereof. The third lens element with positive refractive power has an object-side surface being convex in a paraxial region thereof and an image-side surface being concave in a paraxial region thereof.
Implementation Method 2
An image capturing optical lens system with four lens elements, each with specific refractive powers and surface configurations, including convex and concave surfaces, along with aspheric designs and reflective elements
Data Source
AI summary
An image capturing optical lens system includes four lens elements, which are, in order from an object side to an image side along an optical path, a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element and a fourth lens element. The first lens element has an object-side surface being convex in a paraxial region thereof. The third lens element with positive refractive power has an object-side surface being convex in a paraxial region thereof and an image-side surface being concave in a paraxial region thereof. The fourth lens element has negative refractive power.