Imaging Lens Aberration Correction via Merging and Parameter Optimization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional imaging lenses for small cameras, such as smartphones, face challenges in achieving high resolution while maintaining a compact size, as increasing the number of lenses leads to larger size and complexity, making it difficult to correct aberrations effectively.
Innovation Solution
The proposed imaging lens configuration includes a specific arrangement of lenses with positive and negative refractive powers, satisfying certain conditional expressions to optimize focal lengths and curvature radii, which allows for effective aberration correction and downsizing, ensuring the incident angle of light beams is within the chief ray angle range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the number of lenses is increased to achieve high resolution and aberration correction, then the imaging quality is improved, but the size and complexity of the imaging lens increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple lens functions into fewer lens elements. Specifically, the first lens has both object-side convex and image-plane convex surfaces, integrating functions that would traditionally require separate lenses. The second lens through sixth lens are arranged to achieve comprehensive aberration correction while maintaining a reduced total lens count, thus simplifying the overall structure while preserving imaging quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes specific parameter ranges to achieve high resolution with fewer lenses. Key parameters include the focal length ratios (e.g., 0.3 < f1/f3 < 1.5, -2.0 < f2/f3 < -0.5), curvature radius relationships, and spacing between lenses (e.g., 0.1 < D23/D12 < 0.6). By carefully controlling these parameters, the system achieves effective aberration correction without requiring an increased number of lens elements.
2Manufacturing precision
If the number of lenses is increased to correct aberrations, then the imaging resolution is improved, but the total track length increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges lens functions to reduce the total track length. The first lens with dual convex surfaces and the compact arrangement of subsequent lenses (second through sixth) achieve comprehensive aberration correction within a shortened optical path. This merging approach eliminates the need for additional lens elements that would otherwise be required to achieve the same correction level, thereby reducing the overall length.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs optimized parameter ranges to shorten the total track length while maintaining high resolution. Specifically, the spacing between lenses (D12, D23, D34, D45, D56) is carefully controlled within specific ratios, and the focal lengths are balanced (e.g., f1/f3, f2/f3 ratios) to achieve compact configuration. These parameter optimizations enable effective aberration correction in a condensed optical path.
3Volume of moving object
If the imaging lens is downsized for small camera mounting, then the compactness is improved, but the ability to correct aberrations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses optimized parameter ranges to achieve effective aberration correction in a compact lens. Key parameters include the focal length ratios (0.3 < f1/f3 < 1.5, -2.0 < f2/f3 < -0.5), curvature radius relationships, and spacing ratios (0.1 < D23/D12 < 0.6). These parameter optimizations enable the lens to maintain high correction performance despite the reduced overall size, allowing compact mounting in small cameras while preserving imaging quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the optical functions across six specifically designed lens elements with alternating positive and negative refractive powers. This segmentation allows each lens to contribute to specific aberration corrections (spherical, chromatic, coma, astigmatism, field curvature, distortion) while maintaining a compact overall structure. The divided functional approach enables effective correction in a small form factor.
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 the production of small-sized imaging lenses with high resolution and satisfactory aberration correction, suitable for mounting in small cameras, while maintaining a compact form factor.
Implementation Method 1
a first lens having positive refractive power, a second lens having negative refractive power, a third lens having positive refractive power
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging lens includes an aperture stop; a first lens having positive refractive power; a second lens having negative refractive power; a third lens; a fourth lens; a fifth lens having negative refractive power; and a sixth lens, arranged in this order from an object side to an image plane side. A surface of the first lens on the image plane side has a positive curvature radius. A surface of the third lens on the image plane side has a positive curvature radius. A surface of the fifth lens on the object side and a surface of the fifth lens on the image plane side have inflection points and are aspheric. A surface of the sixth lens on the object side has a positive curvature radius. The first to the third lenses have specific thicknesses so that specific conditional expressions are satisfied.