Imaging Optical System With Transmissive Reflective Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging optical systems struggle to achieve a wide-angle configuration while maintaining excellent optical performance and compact size, particularly in applications such as smartphone cameras and drone-mounted cameras.
Innovation Solution
The proposed imaging optical system includes a configuration with at least one concave lens, an aperture stop, a first transmissive reflective surface, a quarter waveplate, and a second transmissive reflective surface, arranged in a specific order to optimize light path and satisfy specific focal length and distance ratios, thereby achieving a wide-angle configuration with improved optical performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of stationary object
If a conventional imaging optical system is used, then the system can be compact, but the angle of view is limited and optical performance is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a transmissive reflective surface that operates in a different optical dimension, allowing light to be reflected while maintaining transmission through the surface. This enables the system to achieve wide-angle coverage without proportionally increasing the physical volume, as the reflective surface is integrated within the existing optical path rather than adding external optical trains
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes specific parameter ratios including zm1/f (distance from first transmissive reflective surface to image plane divided by focal length) and zm2/f (distance from second transmissive reflective surface to image plane divided by focal length). By carefully controlling these dimensionless parameters, the system achieves wide-angle performance with improved optical quality while maintaining compact dimensions
2Adaptability or versatility
If the angle of view is increased for wide-angle configuration, then the field of view expands, but optical performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a quarter waveplate as an intermediary element between the transmissive reflective surfaces. This waveplate compensates for polarization effects and optical path differences introduced by the wide-angle configuration, thereby maintaining image quality and reducing aberrations that would otherwise deteriorate with increased angle of view
Solution Approach 2:
The use of transmissive reflective surfaces allows the system to achieve wide-angle performance by utilizing a different optical configuration dimension, where light passes through the reflective surface rather than being reflected by a traditional opaque mirror. This approach reduces the number of optical interfaces and maintains better optical performance across the wide field of view
3Volume of stationary object
If transmissive reflective surfaces are used to reduce system size, then the system becomes more compact, but optical performance is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the optical system into multiple functional segments including at least one concave lens, an aperture stop, and two transmissive reflective surfaces with a quarter waveplate positioned between them. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while collectively achieving both compact size and excellent optical performance through coordinated design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite optical configuration combining refractive elements (concave lens), reflective elements (transmissive reflective surfaces), and birefringent elements (quarter waveplate). This composite approach leverages the strengths of each material type to achieve compact dimensions while maintaining superior optical performance that would be difficult to attain with a single material or mechanism
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 allows for a compact imaging optical system with a wide angle and a bright F-number, effectively addressing the limitations of existing systems by enhancing optical performance and maintaining a compact size.
Implementation Method 1
light from the object side transmits through the first transmissive reflective surface and the quarter waveplate in this order, is reflected by the second transmissive reflective surface toward the object side
Implementation Method 2
a first transmissive reflective surface, a quarter waveplate, and a second transmissive reflective surface, arranged such that light from the object side transmits through the first transmissive reflective surface and the quarter waveplate in this order
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging optical system includes, in order from an object side to an image side, at least one concave lens, an aperture stop, a first transmissive reflective surface, a quarter waveplate, and a second transmissive reflective surface, arranged such that light from the object side transmits through the first transmissive reflective surface and the quarter waveplate in this order, is reflected by the second transmissive reflective surface toward the object side, transmits through the quarter waveplate, is reflected by the first transmissive reflective surface toward the image side, transmits through the quarter waveplate and the second transmissive reflective surface in this order, and travels toward the image side. A predetermined inequality is satisfied.