Free-Form Camera Lens Assembly for Optical Axis Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

The integration of free-form surface lenses into compact camera modules is hindered by assembly challenges due to their non-rotationally symmetric nature, leading to issues with optical axis alignment and increased sensitivity to rotation errors, which can result in substandard imaging quality or product failure.

Innovation Solution

An active calibration method is employed to adjust and fix the relative position of free-form surface lenses within the camera module, using a glue material to maintain precise alignment and correct for rotation errors, thereby ensuring accurate mounting and reducing distortion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If free-form surface lenses are used to reduce distortion and optical length, then imaging quality is improved, but assembly difficulty increases due to non-rotationally symmetric nature

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedistortion reductionVSAvoidassembly difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-adjusting the relative position and attitude of lens components during assembly. The method includes pre-adjusting the position of the first lens component relative to the second lens component, and pre-adjusting the attitude of each lens component before final bonding, thereby resolving the assembly difficulty of free-form surface lenses before they are permanently fixed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing adjustable positioning structures and adjustment mechanisms that allow for fine-tuning of lens positions and attitudes. These intermediaries enable precise alignment of non-rotationally symmetric free-form surface lenses during the assembly process, bridging the gap between rough positioning and final precise alignment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Length of stationary object

If free-form surface lenses are used to minimize optical length, then camera module size is reduced, but optical axis alignment becomes more sensitive to rotation errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptical lengthVSAvoidoptical axis alignment
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by using detection mechanisms to measure the actual relative position and attitude of lens components, then using this information to guide further adjustment. The method includes detecting the relative position and attitude of lens components, and based on detection results, adjusting the position and attitude to correct rotation errors and ensure accurate optical axis alignment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies dynamics by making the positioning system adjustable and dynamic rather than fixed. The adjustment mechanisms allow for real-time modification of lens positions and attitudes during assembly, enabling correction of rotation errors and optimization of optical axis alignment even in the compact configuration of reduced optical length.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If traditional assembly methods are used for free-form surface lenses, then assembly process is simple, but imaging quality becomes substandard due to rotation errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly speedVSAvoidimaging quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the assembly process into distinct stages: preliminary positioning, preliminary adjustment of position, preliminary adjustment of attitude, detection, and final bonding. This segmented approach allows for systematic correction of rotation errors at each stage while maintaining overall assembly efficiency, preventing substandard imaging quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional purely mechanical assembly methods with a hybrid system that combines mechanical positioning with optical detection and controlled adjustment mechanisms. This substitution enables precise control of lens orientations to eliminate rotation errors while maintaining productivity through automated or semi-automated adjustment processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3761098B1Optical camera lens, camera module and assembly method thereof
Publication Date: 2024.02.21 NINGBO SUNNY OPOTECH CO LTD
  • EP3761098B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3761098B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3761098B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present application provides an optical camera lens, comprising: a first camera lens component including at least one first camera lens; a second camera lens component including a second lens barrel and at least one second lens mounted in the second lens barrel, the at least one first lens and the at least one second lens together constitute an imageable optical system, and the at least one first lens and the at least one second lens have at least one free-form surface lens; and a connecting medium adapted to fix the first camera lens component and the second camera lens component together. This application also provides a corresponding camera module, an assembly method of the optical camera lens and the camera module.