Head-Mounted Optical Lens Assembly for Lightweight Zoom Correction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current head-mounted displays are heavy, have poor image quality, and require users with myopia or hyperopia to wear additional glasses, affecting comfort and performance.

Innovation Solution

An optical lens assembly with a three-group configuration, including a first lens group with convex surfaces, a second lens group with positive refractive power, and a partial-reflective-partial-transmissive element, optimized by specific focal length and distance conditions to reduce weight, provide zooming, and eliminate the need for additional glasses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a fixed-focus design is used, then the device structure is simple, but users with myopia or hyperopia need to wear additional glasses, affecting comfort and performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewearing comfortVSAvoidoptical system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a zoom lens mechanism that enables the optical system to dynamically adjust its focal length between near and far points. The lens groups (first, second, and third lens groups) can move relative to each other along the optical axis, transforming the fixed-focus system into a dynamic variable-focus system. This allows the device to adapt to different viewing distances and user requirements without needing additional corrective glasses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Weight of moving object

If the optical path is folded to reduce device size, then the device weight is reduced, but the image quality may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice weightVSAvoidimage quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a folded optical path design where the light path is bent at approximately right angles using reflective elements (such as total reflection prisms or mirrors). This allows the optical system to achieve a compact form factor by utilizing the depth dimension rather than extending horizontally. The folded path includes multiple segments (first, second, third, and fourth optical paths) that redirect light through the lens groups and image sensor in a compact arrangement, reducing overall device weight while maintaining imaging performance through careful optical design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Volume of moving object

If the optical lens assembly is miniaturized, then the device size is reduced, but the light-emitting area and zoom range are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptical lens assembly volumeVSAvoidlight-emitting area
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the optical system into multiple functional lens groups (first lens group, second lens group, third lens group) that can move independently relative to each other. This segmentation allows each group to be optimized for specific functions: the first lens group handles wide-angle near-point imaging, the second lens group handles telephoto far-point imaging, and the third lens group provides additional optical power. This modular segmentation enables the compact optical assembly to achieve both miniaturization and maintained light-emitting area through coordinated movement of the lens groups during zoom operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 optical lens assembly achieves reduced weight, improved image quality, and allows users to use the device without additional glasses, while maintaining a balance between miniaturization and performance.

Implementation Method 1

a first lens group including one, two, or three lenses, and a visual-side surface of the lens of the first lens group which is closest to the visual side, being convex in a paraxial region

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 2

a second lens group with positive refractive power, including one, two, or three lenses, and an image source-side surface of the lens of the second lens group which is closest to the image source side, being convex in a paraxial region

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 3

a partial-reflective-partial-transmissive element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS12474548B2Optical lens assembly and a head-mounted electronic device
Publication Date: 2025.11.18 NEWMAX TECH CO LTD
  • US12474548B2 patent drawing
  • US12474548B2 patent drawing
  • US12474548B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An optical lens assembly includes, in order from a visual side to an image source side: a first group including a first lens group and an optical element, and the optical element including, in order from the visual side to the image source side: an absorptive polarizer, a reflective polarizer and a first phase retarder; a second group including, in order from the visual side to the image source side: a second lens group with positive refractive power and a partial-reflective-partial-transmissive element; and a third group including, in order from the visual side to the image source side: a second phase retarder and an image source plane. When the optical lens assembly satisfies certain conditions, the weight of the device can be reduced, the zooming function can be provided, and the image quality can be ensured.