Solid-State Imaging Lens Group With Integrated Visible-Light Filtering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solid-state imaging apparatus configurations, particularly those with glass-based infrared cut filters and band pass filters, hinder downsizing and height reduction due to their size and angle-dependent transmission characteristics, limiting optical design freedom and field of view.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a visible light cut lens made of a transparent resin material kneaded with a dye that absorbs visible light into the lens group, eliminating the need for a separate infrared cut filter, thereby allowing the lens group to function similarly to a band pass filter and maintain consistent light transmission across varying angles of incidence.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a glass-based infrared cut filter or band pass filter is used, then the light transmission function is achieved, but the apparatus height and size increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight transmission functionVSAvoidapparatus height

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the infrared cut filter function with the lens group by incorporating a visible light cut lens that integrates both focusing and infrared rejection capabilities into a single optical component, eliminating the need for a separate filter element and thereby reducing apparatus height

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The visible light cut lens serves multiple functions: it acts as both a focusing element in the lens group and an infrared cut filter, enabling one component to perform the work of two separate elements and reducing overall system complexity and height

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a glass-based infrared cut filter is used, then the filtering function is achieved, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiltering functionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the filter function into the lens group, the patent eliminates the need for a separate glass-based infrared cut filter, thereby reducing material costs and simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining effective infrared rejection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a resin-based visible light cut lens with dye incorporation instead of expensive glass-based filters, using a cost-effective material solution that achieves the required filtering function at lower manufacturing cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If a glass-based band pass filter is used, then the wavelength selection is achieved, but the angle of view is limited due to angle-dependent transmission characteristics

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewavelength selectionVSAvoidfield of view

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from glass to resin and incorporates dye to achieve wavelength-selective transmission that is less sensitive to angle of incidence, thereby maintaining effective infrared rejection across a wider field of view

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite material construction by incorporating dye into the resin matrix of the visible light cut lens, creating a material with optimized optical properties that provides consistent wavelength selection across varying angles of incidence

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 approach enables downsizing, reduces manufacturing costs, and enhances the field of view by eliminating the need for a separate infrared cut filter, ensuring consistent light transmission and reducing the overall apparatus height.

Implementation Method 1

at least one of the plurality of lenses constituting the lens group is a visible light cut lens configured to cut a visible light ray from the incident light and transmit the incident light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption (EM radiation): Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

a lens group including a plurality of lenses configured to condense the incident light and form an image on an imaging surface of the solid-state imaging element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLens focusing: Lens

Data Source

PatentUS20250337999A1Solid-state imaging apparatus, imaging apparatus, and electronic apparatus

Publication Date: 2025.10.30 SONY SEMICON SOLUTIONS CORP

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a solid-state imaging apparatus, an imaging apparatus, and an electronic apparatus capable of achieving downsizing and height reduction of an apparatus configuration. There are provided a solid-state imaging element configured to capture an image including a pixel signal corresponding to a light amount of incident light, and a lens group including a plurality of lenses configured to condense the incident light and form an image on an imaging surface of the solid-state imaging element, and at least one of the plurality of lenses constituting the lens group is a visible light cut lens configured to cut a visible light ray from the incident light and transmit the incident light. The present disclosure can be applied to a solid-state imaging apparatus.