Lens Element Inorganic Barrier Coating for Haze-Free Optics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lens elements face issues with undesired reflection and refraction at interfaces, leading to degradation of optical performance due to direct contact between resin materials used for lenses and overcoat layers, which can cause dissolution and changes in refractive index.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a transparent inorganic material, such as silicon nitride, as a lens protective layer between lenses and overcoat layers to prevent direct contact, thereby maintaining lens shape and refractive integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If resin materials are used for both lenses and overcoat layers, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but direct contact between resin materials causes dissolution and changes in refractive index, degrading optical performance
Solution Approach 1:
A lens protective layer made of transparent inorganic material is introduced between the resin lens and the overcoat layer. This intermediary layer prevents direct contact between the resin materials, eliminating dissolution and refractive index changes while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through a straightforward lamination process.
2Reliability
If a lens protective layer of transparent inorganic material is introduced, then lens integrity and optical performance are maintained, but device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The lens protective layer is integrated with the overcoat layer structure, where the transparent inorganic material layer serves as both a protective barrier and part of the overall coating system. This merging approach maintains lens integrity without creating a completely separate complex subsystem.
3Manufacturing precision
If direct contact between resin materials is prevented, then dissolution and haze formation are suppressed, but additional manufacturing steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The lens protective layer of transparent inorganic material is formed on the lens surface before applying the overcoat layer. This preliminary action prevents dissolution and haze formation by establishing a protective barrier in advance, while the overall process remains efficient through sequential layer formation.
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 suppresses lens deformation and haze formation, ensuring desired optical performance by maintaining lens integrity and simplifying the manufacturing process.
Implementation Method 1
In order to prevent direct contact between a resin material for the lens and a resin material for the overcoat layer, a lens protective layer formed of a transparent inorganic material is provided between each of the plurality of lenses and the overcoat layer
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of lenses, a lens protective layer, and an overcoat layer
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a lens element includes an underlying layer, a plurality of lenses disposed on the underlying layer, a lens protection layer covering each of the lenses and formed of a transparent inorganic material, and an overcoat layer covering the lens protection layer and having a refractive index lower than each of the lenses.