Lens Assembly With Repositioned Aperture Stop for Smaller Openings
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge lies in achieving high-quality image capture while minimizing the opening area of a lens assembly in electronic devices, which affects both the device's appearance and design flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A lens assembly is designed with a smaller opening area, where the aperture stop is positioned closer to the object, and lenses are disposed between the aperture stop and the image sensor, reducing the exposed area and allowing for a more aesthetically pleasing design while maintaining image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the opening area of the lens assembly is increased to improve image quality, then the image quality is improved, but the appearance of the electronic device deteriorates and design flexibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the aperture stop from a planar opening in the display to a three-dimensional structure located between the object and the first lens. This spatial relocation allows the opening area to be minimized on the display surface while maintaining sufficient light intake through the aperture stop's optimized positioning and size in the optical path.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the critical parameter of aperture stop positioning from being in the display plane to being located at a specific distance from the first lens. By adjusting this positional parameter and optimizing the aperture stop diameter relative to the focal length, the system achieves high image quality with a minimized opening area on the display.
2Shape
If the opening area is reduced to improve device appearance, then the appearance is improved, but the light intake is compromised affecting image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The aperture stop is relocated from the display plane to a three-dimensional position between the object and the lens assembly. This allows the opening area visible on the display to be minimized while the aperture stop maintains an optimized size and position in the optical path to ensure sufficient light intake.
Solution Approach 2:
The aperture stop acts as an intermediary element that decouples the visible opening area from the functional light intake aperture. By positioning the aperture stop at a specific location relative to the first lens, it serves as a mediator that allows minimal display opening while maintaining adequate light transmission for image quality.
3Area of stationary object
If the aperture stop is positioned closer to the object to reduce opening area, then the opening area is reduced, but the lens configuration becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the optical system into distinct segments with specific functions: the aperture stop positioned between the object and the first lens, followed by multiple lenses (first lens with positive power, second lens with negative power, third lens with positive power) arranged in sequence. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific function while working together to achieve the overall goal of reduced opening area with maintained image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the positional parameter of the aperture stop by placing it at a specific distance from the first lens, and adjusts the focal length and power parameters of each lens to compensate for the changed configuration. These parameter optimizations enable the complex multi-lens system to achieve high image quality despite the repositioned aperture stop and increased system complexity.
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 enables better image quality with a reduced opening area, allowing for increased active display area and improved design freedom without compromising on light intake, thus enhancing the electronic device's appearance and functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a first lens disposed on the side of the object among the at least three lenses is disposed closer to the image sensor than the aperture stop, the first lens including a convex surface on the side of the object and a concave surface on the side of the image sensor, and the first lens having positive refractive power
Implementation Method 2
a second lens among the at least three lenses is disposed closer to the image sensor than the first lens, the second lens includes a convex surface on the side of the object and a concave surface on the side of the image sensor, and the second lens having negative refractive power
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a lens assembly that includes an aperture stop and at least three lenses. The first lens is disposed closer to the image sensor than the aperture stop, the first lens including two convex surfaces. The second lens is disposed closer to the image sensor than the first lens, and includes convex and concave surfaces. And the third lens is disposed closer to the image sensor than the second lens. The lens assembly meets Equation 1: [Equation 1] 0.1 =< CT15 / StopL =< 0.4 wherein "CT15" denotes a distance between the object-side surface of the first lens and the object-side surface of the third lens measured along the optical axis, and "StopL" denotes a distance between an image forming surface of the image sensor and the aperture stop measured along the optical axis. Other various embodiments are also disclosed.