Imaging Device with Intersecting Optical Paths in Hexagonal Glass
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current imaging devices with omnidirectional capabilities face challenges in size reduction while maintaining excellent imaging performance, as existing designs do not efficiently optimize the arrangement of optical systems and sensors to achieve both compactness and high-resolution imaging.
Innovation Solution
The proposed imaging device incorporates multiple optical systems and sensors with a common transmissive hexagonal glass element, allowing optical paths to intersect within the glass, which secures a long total optical length and improves space efficiency, enabling size reduction while maintaining excellent imaging performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple optical systems are arranged in conventional imaging devices, then omnidirectional imaging capability is achieved, but device size becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple optical systems by having their optical paths intersect and share a common imaging sensor. Multiple lens systems (at least three) are arranged to converge their optical paths at intersection points, allowing them to share common components including a single imaging sensor, thereby reducing device volume while maintaining omnidirectional imaging capability
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging sensor serves multiple functions by receiving images from multiple different optical systems simultaneously. A single sensor performs the imaging function for all optical systems, eliminating the need for separate sensors for each system and thus reducing overall device size
2Volume of moving object
If optical paths are arranged to intersect inside transmissive optical element, then space efficiency is improved, but optical path design becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric arrangement of optical paths within the transmissive optical element. Optical paths are designed to intersect at specific asymmetric points rather than following symmetric patterns, allowing efficient space utilization while managing complexity through deliberate asymmetric design
3Volume of moving object
If peripheral lenses are arranged along peripheral surface, then compact arrangement is achieved, but optical path intersection precision becomes difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by ensuring that while peripheral lenses are arranged compactly along the peripheral surface, the specific regions where optical paths intersect maintain high precision through dedicated design. The intersection points within the transmissive optical element are locally optimized for precision while the overall arrangement remains compact
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
This configuration allows for a compact imaging device with enhanced resolution and improved space efficiency, achieving the goal of size reduction while maintaining superior imaging performance by utilizing a hexagonal glass as a common transmissive optical element that intersects optical paths of multiple systems.
Implementation Method 1
a common transmissive optical element through which optical paths of the respective plurality of optical systems pass
Data Source
AI summary
A imaging device includes: a plurality of optical systems each forming an image of a subject; a plurality of imaging sensors corresponding to the respective plurality of optical systems; a common transmissive optical element through which optical paths of the respective plurality of optical systems pass; and a housing part that houses the optical systems, the imaging sensors and the transmissive optical element, the housing part having a peripheral surface along a circumferential direction about a reference axis, wherein at least two of the plurality of optical systems each have: a peripheral lens arranged along the peripheral surface and located closest to an object; and a first optical path, the first optical paths of the at least two optical systems intersecting each other inside the transmissive optical element.