Integrated Optical Filter Lens Aperture for Compact Camera Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing camera optical components are costly and difficult to manufacture in a compact design, requiring precise alignment and spacing of individual components, which is challenging for applications like eye-tracking glasses where compactness and ease of production are essential.

Innovation Solution

A compact camera design where the optical filter, diaphragm, and lens form a single, monolithic layer, eliminating gaps between components and simplifying alignment, allowing for easier production and maintaining functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If individual optical components (lens, aperture, filter) are housed separately in a compact camera design, then the camera can be made compact, but the manufacturing complexity and alignment precision requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecamera sizeVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the lens, aperture, and optical filter into a single integrated optical component. The lens and aperture are formed as one piece, and the optical filter is applied directly to the lens surface, eliminating the need for separate housings and reducing the number of alignment operations required during manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated optical component serves multiple functions simultaneously: the lens focuses light, the aperture controls light intensity and depth of field, and the optical filter selects specific wavelength ranges. This multi-functionality in a single component reduces overall device complexity while maintaining compact dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Manufacturing precision

If individual optical components are housed separately with precise spacing, then optical performance can be optimized, but production cost and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent alignment precisionVSAvoidproduction ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the lens and aperture into a single component and applying the optical filter directly to the lens surface, the patent eliminates multiple alignment operations. The integrated design ensures correct spacing and positioning are built-in during component fabrication rather than requiring precise assembly operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If gaps are maintained between optical components, then component adjustment and adaptability are improved, but the camera size increases and compactness is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefocal length and aperture adjustabilityVSAvoidcamera compactness
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the lens, aperture, and filter into a compact unified structure that eliminates gaps between components. While this reduces physical spacing, the design maintains optical performance by optimizing the integrated component geometry and material properties rather than relying on adjustable gaps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 results in a mechanically robust, compact camera that is easier to manufacture, with minimal impact on focal length and adaptability, suitable for eye-tracking applications, and reduces production complexity.

Implementation Method 1

The optical component essentially forms the lens of the camera (13), wherein the optical component (1) projects an image captured by the camera (13) onto the image sensor (14)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical filtering: Filter (optical)

Implementation Method 2

The optical component (1) essentially forms the lens of the camera (13), wherein the optical component (1) projects an image captured by the camera (13) onto the image sensor (14)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight refraction and focusing: Lens

Implementation Method 3

The aperture (3) can, in particular, be an aperture diaphragm that influences the exposure intensity and the depth of field

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight intensity control: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP3682288B1Optical component
Publication Date: 2023.06.07 VIEWPOINT SICHERHEITSFORSCHUNG BLICKFORSCHUNG GMBH
  • EP3682288B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3682288B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3682288B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

The invention relates to an optical component (1) comprising an optical filter (2), an aperture (3) and a lens (4), wherein said optical filter (2), aperture (3) and lens (4) optically interact. According to the invention, the optical filter (2), aperture (3) and lens (4) are at least indirectly surface-connected to one another, at the surfaces thereof that face each other. The invention also relates to a method for producing an optical component (1) comprising an optical filter (2), an aperture (3) and a lens (4), wherein said optical filter (2), aperture (3) and lens (4) optically interact. According to the invention, the optical filter (2), aperture (3) and lens (4) are at least indirectly surface-connected to one another, at the surfaces thereof that face each other.