Immersion Unit Optical System for Compact Camera Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical systems for cameras, particularly in portable devices, face challenges in achieving a low F-number and high numerical aperture to attain a small resolution limit and improved optical resolution, respectively, while maintaining a compact design and low manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
The optical system incorporates an immersion unit with a refractive index greater than 1, positioned between the lens unit and the sensor unit, which increases the numerical aperture and reduces the F-number, thereby enhancing the camera's resolution capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the F-number is reduced to achieve a small resolution limit, then the resolution capability is improved, but the numerical aperture must be increased which complicates the optical system design
Solution Approach 1:
An immersion unit with refractive index n>1 is introduced as an intermediary medium between the lens unit and sensor unit. This immersion unit acts as a mediator that increases the numerical aperture without requiring complex lens designs, thereby improving resolution capability while maintaining relatively simple optical system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The refractive index parameter of the medium between lens and sensor is changed from n=1 (air) to n>1 (immersion medium). This parameter change directly increases the numerical aperture NA = n*sin(θ), enabling smaller resolution limits without complicating the lens design itself.
2Measurement precision
If the numerical aperture is increased to improve optical resolution, then the resolution limit is reduced, but the F-number increases which may reduce light gathering capability
Solution Approach 1:
The refractive index parameter n is increased by introducing an immersion medium, which simultaneously increases the numerical aperture (improving optical resolution) while the optical system design maintains appropriate F-number characteristics to preserve light gathering capability.
3Volume of moving object
If a compact camera module design is pursued, then the installation space is reduced, but achieving low F-number and high numerical aperture becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The immersion unit serves as a compact intermediary element that fits between the lens unit and sensor unit, enabling high numerical aperture and low F-number in a compact configuration. This mediator allows the camera module to maintain small volume while achieving superior resolution capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The immersion unit is nested within the compact camera module structure between the lens unit and sensor unit, allowing the system to achieve high performance in a space-efficient configuration where components are tightly integrated.
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 higher resolution and smaller resolution limit compared to prior art, while also enabling a more compact device design and lower production costs due to the increased numerical aperture and reduced sensor size.
Implementation Method 1
at least one immersion unit (102) having a refractive index n>1
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to an optical system and to a camera having an optical system and being configured to image an object. The optical system includes a sensor unit, lens units and an immersion unit. When viewed in the light incidence direction, first the first lens unit, then the second lens unit, then the immersion unit, and then the sensor unit are arranged along an optical axis. Further, the immersion unit is arranged both at the second lens unit and at the sensor unit. The second lens unit and the immersion unit together have positive refractive power.