Free-Form Wide-Angle Lens Assembly With Notch Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The assembly of camera modules with free-form optical lens elements is challenging due to difficulty in aligning the effective imaging region with the photosensitive chip, leading to misalignment of motor and circuit board, and high distortion that software correction cannot adequately address, especially for wide-angle lenses exceeding 110° field of view.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a notch or identification element on the lens barrel to mark the effective diameter and imaging plane, allowing for visual alignment and assembly based on the notch, facilitating directional mounting and reducing distortion through free-form optical lens design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a free-form optical lens element is used to reduce distortion, then the distortion effect is reduced and technical parameters are improved, but the assembly difficulty increases due to the non-rotationally symmetrical body requiring precise alignment of the effective imaging region with the photosensitive chip
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-marking the effective imaging region boundary on the free-form optical lens element before assembly. This marking is done in advance during manufacturing, allowing the assembly process to simply follow the marked position rather than requiring complex real-time alignment measurements, thus resolving the contradiction between achieving high precision and maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses visual marking (which can be interpreted as a form of visual indicator change) on the free-form optical lens element to indicate the effective imaging region boundary. This visual indicator allows operators to quickly identify and align the correct positioning during assembly, reducing assembly difficulty while maintaining the precision benefits of the free-form design
2Area of stationary object
If the field of view of the wide-angle camera module is increased, then the field of view is enlarged, but the distortion range increases making software correction insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs free-form optical lens elements with specifically designed curved surfaces to capture a wider field of view. The free-form surfaces are optimized to reduce distortion across the expanded field of view, allowing the module to achieve both large field of view and acceptable distortion control without relying solely on software correction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameters by using free-form lens surfaces instead of traditional rotationally symmetrical surfaces. This parameter change in the lens design allows for better distortion control across a wider field of view, resolving the contradiction between expanding field of view and maintaining distortion control
3Manufacturing precision
If position adjustment of the free-form optical lens element is performed during assembly, then the effective imaging region can be aligned with the photosensitive chip, but the assembly speed is limited and difficult to improve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-marking the effective imaging region boundary on the free-form optical lens element before assembly. This marking is done in advance during manufacturing, allowing the assembly process to simply follow the marked position rather than requiring complex real-time alignment measurements, thus resolving the contradiction between achieving high precision and maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables self-service by designing the free-form optical lens element with built-in visual markings that automatically indicate the correct positioning. The marking system allows the lens element to essentially guide its own alignment during assembly, eliminating the need for complex external measurement and adjustment equipment, thereby improving assembly speed while maintaining precision
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
Simplifies the assembly process, improves production efficiency, reduces distortion, and enhances the resolution capability of wide-angle camera modules by aligning the imaging plane with the photosensitive region, minimizing software correction reliance.
Implementation Method 1
a free-form optical lens element is used to replace at least one common optical lens element in the optical lens, and the design freedom of the free-form surface is used to configure the optical path of the optical system, which reduces the distortion effect caused by the large wide angle
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a camera module and an optical lens thereof, an optical lens element and a manufacturing method therefor, and a method for assembling a large wide-angle camera module, wherein the camera module comprises a lens and a photosensitive assembly. The lens comprises a lens barrel, at least one first lens element unit and at least one second lens element unit, and is further provided with at least one notch, wherein the first lens element unit and the second lens element unit are disposed in the lens barrel, and the first lens element unit is configured as a non-rotating body, and wherein the notch is provided in the lens barrel, or the notch is formed in the first lens element unit, or the notch is formed in the second lens element unit, and the first lens element unit is marked by means of the notch.