Wide-Angle Fovea Lens Single Aspheric Element Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wide-angle lenses require multiple complex aspherical elements to achieve high optical performance with higher magnification near the optical axis, which increases manufacturing complexity and cost, while also failing to provide adequate low color aberration and compactness for applications like self-driving vehicles and surveillance, where varying resolution across the field of view is necessary.
Innovation Solution
A wide-angle fovea lens system comprising three lens groups, with a single aspheric element in the first group and spherical elements in the second and third groups, designed to provide higher magnification near the optical axis using a specific configuration of aspheric and spherical lens elements, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining high optical performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple complex aspherical lens elements are used to achieve higher on-axis magnification, then optical performance is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the aspherical design from multiple lens elements and concentrates it into a single lens element. This single aspherical element performs the function that previously required multiple complex aspherical elements, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining optical performance. The aspherical surface is defined by specific mathematical equations with controlled coefficients to achieve the desired magnification profile.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the lens element by introducing aspherical surfaces with specific mathematical definitions. The aspherical coefficients (A4, A6, A8, A10) are carefully selected to control the magnification variation across the field of view. This parameter change allows a single element to replace multiple elements while achieving the same optical effect.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple complex aspherical lens elements are used to achieve higher on-axis magnification, then optical performance is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces the number of aspherical lens elements from multiple to just one, directly reducing manufacturing cost. The single aspherical element is designed with specific parameters (focal length, aspherical coefficients) to achieve the required optical performance, eliminating the need for multiple expensive aspherical elements while maintaining image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a simpler, more cost-effective lens design that can be manufactured more easily and at lower cost. The single aspherical element design is more economical than multiple complex aspherical elements, making the lens system more suitable for mass production in consumer applications.
3Device complexity
If a single aspheric element is used instead of multiple aspherical elements, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but achieving adequate optical performance becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent compensates for the reduced number of elements by optimizing the parameters of the single aspherical element. The aspherical coefficients (A4, A6, A8, A10) are carefully selected to control aberrations and achieve the desired magnification profile. The element is positioned at a specific distance from the image sensor, and its focal length is optimized to ensure adequate optical performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies aspherical surfaces only where needed - specifically on the first lens element closest to the image sensor. This localized application of aspherical design provides the necessary optical correction and magnification control without requiring multiple aspherical elements throughout the lens system, thereby maintaining performance while reducing complexity.
4Measurement precision
If higher magnification is provided near the optical axis, then pixel density is improved in central areas, but lens design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves varying magnification across the field of view by changing the geometric parameters of the lens element. The aspherical surface definition includes coefficients (A4, A6, A8, A10) that control how magnification varies with field angle. This allows higher magnification on-axis (improving pixel density for central objects) while progressively decreasing magnification toward the edges, all within a single lens element design.
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 lens system achieves higher magnification on-axis with progressive decrease in magnification towards the edge of the field, meeting performance requirements for wide-angle applications with reduced manufacturing risks and costs, and maintaining low color aberration across a wide field of view.
Implementation Method 1
An aspheric element with negative power is used. The object surface of the aspheric element is convex and has positive surface power on-axis. The surface power is progressively decreased from center to the edge of the surface aperture.
Data Source
AI summary
Wide angle fovea lens and a camera design using the lens are described. The lens has three lens groups and includes a single aspherical lens element. The lenses have higher magnification on the optical axis than at angles off the optical axis.