Imaging Lens Assembly With Carbon Black Layer for Stray-Light Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging lens assemblies in portable electronic devices struggle with stray light reflection, which degrades image quality and requires complex, high-cost multi-layer coatings for effective anti-reflection.
Innovation Solution
An imaging lens assembly with a low-reflection layer comprising a carbon black layer, nano-microstructure, and coating layer, where the reflectivity at specific wavelengths is maintained below 0.40%, enhancing image quality by reducing stray light reflection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional multi-layer anti-reflection coatings are used, then reflectivity can be reduced, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a porous low-reflection layer with controlled pore structures (porosity ratio between 0.05-0.5) to achieve anti-reflection properties. The porous structure creates gradual refractive index transitions that reduce stray light reflection without requiring complex multi-layer coatings, thereby simplifying the overall coating structure while maintaining effective reflectivity reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite material structures combining the low-reflection layer with the optical element and optional adhesive layers. This composite approach integrates multiple functional properties (anti-reflection, adhesion, structural support) into a unified structure, reducing the need for separate complex coating layers while achieving the desired optical performance.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional multi-layer anti-reflection coatings are used, then reflectivity can be reduced, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The porous low-reflection layer can be formed through relatively simple processes such as sol-gel methods, anodization, or controlled deposition techniques, avoiding the need for complex multi-layer coating equipment and procedures. This reduces manufacturing cost while achieving effective anti-reflection performance with reflectivity below 0.40% at specific wavelengths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and focuses on the essential anti-reflection function into a single low-reflection layer with specific optical properties (refractive index between 0.5-2.0, controlled thickness and porosity), rather than using multiple layers. This simplification reduces manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining the core anti-reflection capability.
3Ease of manufacture
If a single-layer low-reflection coating is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but reflectivity reduction effectiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The single-layer low-reflection coating achieves superior reflectivity reduction (R40≤0.40%, R80≤0.40%, R100≤0.40%) through its porous structure with controlled porosity ratios. The porous architecture creates multiple internal reflections and gradual refractive index transitions that enhance light absorption, allowing a single layer to perform as effectively as or better than traditional multi-layer coatings.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes specific parameters of the low-reflection layer including refractive index (0.5-2.0), thickness (controlled relative to optical element), and porosity ratio (0.05-0.5) to maximize reflectivity reduction. By carefully controlling these parameters, a single-layer structure achieves the same or better anti-reflection performance as complex multi-layer systems, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining effectiveness.
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 low-reflection layer effectively minimizes stray light reflection, improving image quality and reducing background noise, while simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing costs compared to traditional multi-layer coatings.
Implementation Method 1
The low-reflection layer is located on at least one of the first surface and the second surface, and includes a carbon black layer, a nano-microstructure and a coating layer. When a reflectivity of the low-reflection layer at a wavelength of 400 nm is R40, a reflectivity of the low-reflection layer at a wavelength of 800 nm is R80, and a reflectivity of the low-reflection layer at a wavelength of 1000 nm is R100, the following conditions are satisfied: R40≤0.40%; R80≤0.40%; and R100≤0.40%.
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging lens assembly includes a first optical element and a low-reflection layer. The first optical element has a central opening, and includes a first surface, a second surface and a first outer diameter surface. The first outer diameter surface is connected to the first surface and the second surface. The low-reflection layer is located on at least one of the first surface and the second surface, and includes a carbon black layer, a nano-microstructure and a coating layer. The nano-microstructure is directly contacted with and connected to the carbon black layer, and the nano-microstructure is farther from the first optical element than the carbon black layer from the first optical element. The coating layer is directly contacted with and connected to the nano-microstructure, and the coating layer is farther from the first optical element than the nano-microstructure from the first optical element.