Imaging Lens Aberration Control via Segmented Refractive Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current imaging lenses face challenges in achieving a compact, high-resolution, and wide-angle configuration while effectively managing aberrations such as coma and spherical aberration.
Innovation Solution
The proposed imaging lens configuration includes a first lens with positive refractive power and convex surfaces, a second lens with positive refractive power and concave surfaces, and a third lens with negative refractive power, made of plastic material with a high refractive index, arranged to meet specific conditional expressions for focal lengths, refractive indices, and Abbe's numbers to optimize image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a conventional imaging lens configuration is used, then the lens structure is simple, but the lens cannot achieve both compact size and wide-angle high resolution
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging lens is divided into three distinct lens units with specific positive-negative-positive refractive power configurations. Each lens unit has specific shape characteristics (first lens convex at object side, second lens concave at object side, third lens with negative power) that work together to achieve wide-angle imaging while maintaining compact overall size and high resolution through distributed optical functions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies specific conditional expressions for focal lengths (f1, f2, f3, f), refractive indices (Nd1, Nd2, Nd3), and Abbe numbers (vd1, vd2, vd3) to optimize the optical parameters. The third lens uses plastic material with high refractive index (Nd3 ≥ 1.6) to achieve compact design while the aspheric surfaces and specific power ratios (0.7 ≤ f2/f1 ≤ 1.5, 0.8 ≤ f3/f ≤ 1.2) ensure high resolution wide-angle imaging
2Volume of moving object
If the lens is made compact, then the volume is reduced, but aberration correction becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite lens design combining different materials with specific refractive indices and Abbe numbers. The third lens uses plastic material with high refractive index (Nd3 ≥ 1.6) while the first and second lenses have complementary optical properties. This material composition enables effective aberration correction in a compact configuration by distributing dispersion and refraction functions across different material properties
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs aspheric surfaces on one or more lens surfaces to correct spherical aberration and other geometric aberrations. The specific curvature profiles and aspheric coefficients enable compact lens design while maintaining high image quality by reducing off-axis aberrations that typically plague wide-angle compact lenses
3Adaptability or versatility
If wide-angle capability is increased, then the field of view is improved, but coma aberration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different optical properties to different parts of the lens system. The first lens has convex surfaces at the object side to control marginal rays, the second lens has concave surfaces to correct field curvature, and the third lens with negative power specifically addresses coma aberration. Each lens unit's local optical characteristics are optimized to handle specific aberration components while contributing to the overall wide-angle field of view
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 enables a compact, wide-angled, high-resolution imaging lens with improved aberration correction, as demonstrated by the exemplary embodiments showing reduced coma and spherical aberration, resulting in excellent lens characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
a first lens having positive (+) refractive power and convexly formed at an object side surface
Implementation Method 2
a second lens having positive (+) refractive power and concavely formed at an object side surface
Implementation Method 3
a third lens having negative (-) refractive power
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The present invention relates to an imaging lens comprising a first lens having positive (+) refractive power; a second lens having positive (+) refractive power; and a third lens having negative (-) refractive power, wherein the first to third lenses are disposed in an ordered way from an object side to an image side, wherein the imaging lens meets a conditional expression of 1.6 ≤ND3<1.7, where ND3 is a refractive index of the third lens.