Imaging Lens Assembly With Roughened Lens Edges for Compact Cameras

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional optical systems face challenges in achieving high image quality and compactness due to complex structures and manufacturing errors, leading to increased device size and degraded optical performance.

Innovation Solution

The imaging lens assembly comprises plastic lens elements with roughened surfaces and specific thickness ratios, along with a glass lens element, to enhance manufacturability, precision, and optical performance, while maintaining compact size.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional optical systems use complex structures to achieve high image quality, then image quality is improved, but device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage qualityVSAvoiddevice size
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by specifying precise thickness ratios (0.3 ≤ CT1/ET1 ≤ 1.0 and 0.3 ≤ CT2/ET2 ≤ 1.0) for lens elements. These parameter constraints optimize the optical performance while maintaining compact dimensions, resolving the contradiction between image quality and device size through quantitative control of geometric parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite material design by combining plastic lens elements (first and second plastic lens elements) with a glass lens element in the same optical system. This composite approach allows leveraging the manufacturing advantages of plastic lenses while using glass for specific optical performance requirements, achieving high image quality in a compact configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional optical systems add functionalities like auto focus and optical image stabilization, then functionality is improved, but structure complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements multi-functionality through the versatile thickness ratio design that simultaneously addresses multiple optical requirements. The same geometric parameter constraints (CT1/ET1 and CT2/ET2 ratios) contribute to both image quality optimization and compact form factor, eliminating the need for separate complex functional modules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of manufacture

If manufacturing errors occur in lens elements, then manufacturing ease is improved, but optical performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing easeVSAvoidoptical performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses parameter changes to compensate for manufacturing errors by establishing tolerance ranges for thickness ratios (0.3 ≤ CT1/ET1 ≤ 1.0 and 0.3 ≤ CT2/ET2 ≤ 1.0). These parameter specifications provide a design margin that accommodates manufacturing variations while maintaining optical performance, allowing easier manufacturing without sacrificing quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by focusing precision requirements specifically on the thickness ratios of critical lens elements rather than demanding uniform high precision across all dimensions. This localized approach to quality control maintains optical performance while facilitating easier manufacturing of individual components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Ease of manufacture

If plastic lens elements are used to reduce cost, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but manufacturing precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidsize precision of optically effective region
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs parameter changes by controlling the thickness ratios (CT1/ET1 and CT2/ET2) of plastic lens elements within specific ranges. This parameter control compensates for the inherently lower precision of plastic lens manufacturing, allowing cost-effective plastic lenses to achieve the required optical performance through optimized geometric parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite materials by combining plastic lens elements with a glass lens element. The plastic elements provide cost advantages and design flexibility, while the glass element contributes to overall optical precision. This composite approach balances manufacturing cost and precision requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP4293405B1Imaging lens assembly, camera module and electronic device
Publication Date: 2026.04.08 LARGAN PRECISION
  • EP4293405B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4293405B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4293405B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An imaging lens assembly (1) includes a first plastic lens element (E1) and a second plastic lens element (E2) arranged along an optical axis (OA). The first plastic lens element (E1) includes, in order from a paraxial region to a peripheral region, a first optically effective portion (E11), a first size reduction portion (E12) and a first peripheral portion (E13). An object-side surface (R1F) and an image-side surface (R1R) of the first size reduction portion (E12) each has a roughened surface (RS). The first peripheral portion (E13) is to be in physical contact and assembled with adjacent components. The second plastic lens element (E2) includes, in order from a paraxial region to a peripheral region, a second optically effective portion (E21), a second size reduction portion (E22) and a second peripheral portion (E23). An object-side surface (R2F) and an image-side surface (R2R) of the second size reduction portion (E22) each has a roughened surface (RS). The second peripheral portion (E23) is to be in physical contact and assembled with adjacent components.