Imaging Lens Miniaturization via Segmented Refractive Power
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
There is a demand for miniaturization of imaging lenses and apparatuses, particularly in portable devices like smartphones and tablets, to achieve shorter lens lengths while maintaining high resolution and standard angle of view, which existing imaging lenses have not adequately addressed.
Innovation Solution
The development of an imaging lens system comprising four or more lenses, including a first positive lens and a second negative lens, with specific refractive power configurations and conditional formulae to ensure a shortened total length and high imaging performance compatible with increased pixel counts, maintaining a standard angle of view for portable terminals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the total length of the imaging lens is shortened to achieve miniaturization in portable devices, then the lens can be integrated into thinner devices, but the imaging performance and resolution may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging lens is divided into multiple lens units (first lens unit with positive refractive power, second lens unit with negative refractive power, and additional lens units) arranged in sequence. This segmentation allows each unit to contribute differently to the overall optical performance, enabling resolution of the contradiction by distributing the imaging function across multiple specialized components rather than requiring a single long lens element.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies specific conditional formulas that define precise parameter ranges for the lens system, including constraints on the ratio of total length to focal length (0.8 ≤ TL/f < 3.0), individual lens focal lengths, and spacing between lens units. By optimizing these parameters within defined ranges, the system achieves both shortened total length and maintained imaging performance through mathematical optimization of the optical configuration.
2Measurement precision
If the number of pixels in the imaging element is increased to achieve higher resolution, then the image quality improves, but the demand for higher imaging performance from the lens increases, complicating the lens design
Solution Approach 1:
The lens system is segmented into multiple lens units with specific refractive power assignments (positive, negative, and additional units). This segmentation allows each unit to address specific optical aberrations and imaging requirements, enabling the system to support high-resolution imaging elements without requiring an excessive number of lens elements, thus managing complexity while achieving high resolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent defines specific parameter ranges and conditional formulas that constrain the lens design space, including focal length ratios, spacing parameters, and refractive power distributions. These parameter constraints guide the design process to achieve high-resolution performance with a controlled number of lens units, preventing unnecessary complexity while meeting the demands of high-pixel-count imaging elements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the angle of view is maintained at standard values for portable terminals, then the lens meets industry standards, but further miniaturization becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies conditional formulas that define the relationship between total length TL and focal length f (0.8 ≤ TL/f < 3.0), along with constraints on individual lens parameters. By optimizing these parameters, the system achieves a standard angle of view compatible with portable terminal requirements while simultaneously reducing the total lens length, resolving the contradiction between maintaining industry standards and achieving miniaturization.
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 solution enables the realization of a compact imaging lens system that achieves high resolution and shortens the total length of the lens system, effectively addressing the need for miniaturization while maintaining a standard angle of view, thereby enhancing the performance and portability of imaging devices.
Implementation Method 1
a first lens having a positive refractive power
Implementation Method 2
a second lens having a negative refractive power
Implementation Method 3
forming optical images of subjects onto an imaging element
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging lens is constituted essentially by four or more lenses, including, in order from the object side to the image side: a first lens having a positive refractive power; a second lens having a negative refractive power; and a plurality of other lenses. The conditional formulae below are satisfied.0.8<TL/f<1.0 (1)1.0<f/fl<3.0 (2)2.03 mm<f<5.16 mm (3)1.0 mm<fl<3.0 mm (4)wherein f is the focal length of the entire lens system, fl is the focal length of the first lens, TL is the distance along the optical axis from the surface of the first lens toward the object side to the paraxial focal point position at the image side in the case that the portion corresponding to back focus is an air converted length.