Lens Assembly with Folded Optical Path for Smartphone Zoom
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical zoom lenses are too long and bulky to be integrated into thin and light smartphones, necessitating a miniaturized lens assembly with high resolution and optical zoom capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A lens assembly comprising multiple lens groups with varying refractive powers and a reflective element, arranged to minimize total length and thickness while maintaining optical performance, including a first lens group with negative refractive power, a second lens group with positive refractive power, and additional groups with specific refractive powers, along with a reflective element between the first and sixth lens groups, allowing for optical zoom and image stabilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional optical zoom lens structure is used, then optical zoom function is achieved, but total lens length becomes significantly longer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a reflective element (mirror or prism) to fold the optical path, changing the light propagation from a straight line to a reflected path. This dimensional change allows the optical system to achieve zoom functionality without extending the linear length of the lens assembly, effectively packing a longer optical path into a shorter physical space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs multiple lens groups (first through sixth lens groups) with different refractive powers arranged in sequence, where each lens group contributes to the overall zoom functionality. This nested arrangement of optical elements with varying powers allows compact integration of multiple optical functions within a limited space, achieving optical zoom without proportional increase in length.
2Adaptability or versatility
If magnification becomes larger, then optical zoom capability is improved, but total length of lens assembly becomes longer
Solution Approach 1:
The reflective element folds the optical path at strategic points, allowing higher magnification to be achieved through increased optical path complexity rather than increased linear length. The reflected light path enables the system to accommodate larger magnification requirements without proportionally extending the lens assembly length.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs movable lens groups that can shift positions relative to each other to achieve different magnification levels. This dynamic arrangement allows the optical system to vary magnification by changing the spacing and positioning of lens groups rather than requiring a fixed long structure, enabling high magnification in a compact form.
3Length of moving object
If lens assembly is miniaturized, then smartphone integration is improved, but resolution may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple lens groups with different refractive powers (positive and negative) in a compact arrangement. This composite optical structure allows each lens group to contribute specific optical functions that collectively maintain high resolution while keeping the overall assembly size reduced for smartphone integration.
Solution Approach 2:
Each lens group in the patent serves multiple functions: correcting optical aberrations, contributing to zoom capability, and maintaining image quality. This multi-functionality of each optical element maximizes the resolution and optical performance within the miniaturized form factor required for smartphone integration.
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 achieves a compact lens assembly with increased resolution, corrected aberrations, and true optical zoom function, while maintaining good optical performance and enabling optical image stabilization.
Implementation Method 1
The first reflective element includes a first reflective surface. A light from the first side sequentially passes through the first lens group, the second lens group, the third lens group, the fourth lens group, the fifth lens group, and the sixth lens group to the second side. The first reflective element is disposed between the first lens group and the sixth lens group.
Implementation Method 2
The first lens group is with negative refractive power. The second lens group is with positive refractive power. The third lens group is with negative refractive power. The fourth lens group is with positive refractive power. The fifth lens group is with refractive power. The sixth lens group is with refractive power.
Data Source
AI summary
A lens assembly includes a first lens group, a second lens group, a third lens group, a fourth lens group, a fifth lens group, a sixth lens group, and a first reflective element. The first and third lens groups are with negative refractive power. The second and fourth lens groups are with positive refractive power. The fifth and sixth lens groups are with refractive power. The first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth lens groups are arranged in order from a first side to a second side along an axis. The first reflective element includes a first reflective surface. A light from the first side sequentially passes through the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth lens groups to the second side. The first reflective element is disposed between the first lens group and the sixth lens group.