Mixed Glass-Plastic Optical Imaging for Aberration Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Camera modules in mobile communications terminals and vehicles require small size and high image quality to avoid obstructing the visual field and capture clear images, especially in low illumination conditions, with a lens system capable of capturing both visible and near-infrared regions.
Innovation Solution
An optical imaging system comprising seven lenses, including glass and plastic lenses with specific optical characteristics, aspherical surfaces, and a cemented lens configuration to enhance aberration correction and maintain resolution across varying temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the lens system uses more lenses to improve image quality and aberration correction, then the imaging performance improves, but the overall size of the camera module increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a compact lens arrangement where seven lenses are closely spaced and integrated into a small optical path. The lenses are nested within a confined space with optimized spacing between elements, allowing high-resolution imaging without increasing the overall camera module volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs mixed material construction with specific refractive indices and Abbe numbers for glass and plastic lenses. By carefully selecting and varying optical parameters (refractive power, focal length, material composition) across the seven lens elements, the system achieves superior aberration correction and image quality while maintaining a compact form factor.
2Manufacturing precision
If the lens system uses aspherical surfaces and mixed materials to correct aberrations, then the image quality improves, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies aspherical surfaces selectively to specific lens elements (third and seventh lenses) rather than all elements. This localized application of complex geometry targets the most critical aberration correction needs while keeping other lenses simpler and easier to manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines glass and plastic materials with different optical characteristics in a single lens system. This composite approach allows exploitation of complementary properties: glass for precision and stability, plastic for cost-effective molding of aspherical surfaces and flexibility in manufacturing.
3Volume of moving object
If the camera module is made smaller to avoid obstructing visual field, then the vehicle integration improves, but the image quality and low-light performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes aspherical surfaces on the third and seventh lenses to maximize light gathering efficiency and image quality within a compact form factor. The curved aspherical profiles enable better control of light paths, improving low-light performance without requiring a larger aperture or longer focal length.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs a multi-material lens system where each of the seven elements contributes to multiple functions: aberration correction, focal length control, and chromatic aberration management. This multi-functional design allows a single compact module to achieve high-resolution imaging across varying conditions without requiring multiple separate systems.
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 high resolution and improved aberration correction, enabling clear image capture in low illumination and maintaining focus across a wide temperature range.
Implementation Method 1
a first lens having negative refractive power, a second lens having negative refractive power... The first to seventh lenses are sequentially disposed from an object side toward an image side
Data Source
AI summary
An optical imaging system includes a first lens having negative refractive power, a second lens having negative refractive power, a third lens, a fourth lens, a fifth lens, a sixth lens, and a seventh lens. The first to seventh lenses are sequentially disposed from an object side toward an image side. The third lens and the seventh lens are formed of plastic, and the first lens, the second lens, the fourth lens, the fifth lens, and the sixth lens are formed of glass.