Front Converter Optical Assembly Using Nested Non-Planar Mirrors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Front converter lenses for cameras have fallen out of favor due to the advancement of zoom lenses, but the resurgence of smartphone cameras with fixed focal length lenses has reopened the market for these lenses, necessitating a compact and high-quality magnifying solution.
Innovation Solution
A front converter optical assembly using multiple non-planar reflecting mirrors and refractive elements, arranged to provide a magnification range of 7× to 15×, with a compact form factor and high image quality, suitable for attachment to mobile device cameras, including a connector for secure alignment with the camera's entrance pupil.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional front converter lenses are used to add functionality to fixed focal length lenses, then the field of view can be modified, but the device size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested optical configuration where multiple mirrors are arranged within a compact housing structure. The optical elements are nested within each other in a folded path arrangement, allowing the front converter to achieve variable field of view modification while maintaining a compact form factor that attaches to smartphone cameras without excessive size or complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a folded optical path with multiple mirrors arranged in three-dimensional space to achieve field of view modification. By folding the light path through multiple reflections rather than using a simple linear arrangement, the design achieves the required optical functionality within a compact volume, effectively utilizing spatial dimensions to reduce overall device complexity
2Measurement precision
If high magnification (7× to 15×) is achieved using multiple mirrors, then image quality improves, but the alignment precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs aspherical mirror surfaces instead of simple spherical or flat surfaces. The aspherical curvature of the mirrors helps correct optical aberrations that would otherwise degrade image quality at high magnification. This curved surface design allows the system to achieve 7× to 15× magnification with maintained image quality while managing the complexity of alignment through the inherent aberration-correcting properties of the aspherical surfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The patent varies the optical parameters of the mirror surfaces, including curvature radii, distances between mirrors, and aperture sizes, to optimize the balance between image quality and alignment tolerance. By carefully selecting and adjusting these parameters, the design achieves high magnification with acceptable manufacturing precision requirements
3Ease of operation
If a compact form factor is designed for smartphone attachment, then ease of use improves, but the optical path length is constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent folds the optical path multiple times using mirrors arranged in a compact three-dimensional configuration. Instead of a long linear optical path, the design uses a folded path that fits within a small volume suitable for smartphone attachment. The light reflects between multiple mirrors in a compact arrangement, achieving the required optical path length for high magnification while maintaining a compact external form factor
Solution Approach 2:
The patent nests multiple optical elements within a compact housing structure that can be attached to smartphone cameras. The mirrors and optical components are arranged in a nested configuration where each element is positioned within the volume defined by the previous elements, achieving a space-efficient design that provides sufficient optical path length for 7× to 15× magnification while maintaining ease of attachment to mobile devices
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 provides a compact, high-quality magnifying front converter lens that enhances the field of view and image quality for mobile device cameras, maintaining high light transmission and minimizing aberrations, while matching the camera's entrance and exit pupil diameters for optimal performance.
Implementation Method 1
a first mirror having a first non-planar reflecting surface, the first mirror being arranged along the optical path to receive light entering the apparatus through the entrance aperture; a second mirror having a second non-planar reflecting surface, the second mirror being arranged along the optical path to receive light reflected from the first non-planar reflecting surface of the first mirror
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes multiple optical elements arranged along an optical path between an entrance aperture and an exit aperture, configured to image an object at infinity to an image at infinity and defining an exit pupil for light at the exit aperture, the image have a magnification, M, in a range from 7× to 15×. The optical elements include four non-planar mirrors. The apparatus also includes a connector configured to attach the apparatus to a mobile device having a camera with the exit pupil of the plurality of optical elements aligned with an entrance pupil of the camera of the mobile device.