Imaging Lens Assembly Coating for Compact Low-Reflection Cameras
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for compact imaging lens assemblies and camera modules that maintain high image quality while being compact in size, as existing technologies struggle to balance these requirements.
Innovation Solution
The imaging lens assembly incorporates a light-blocking coating layer with a nanostructure layer featuring irregular ridge-shaped protrusions, which reduces light reflections by forming a light-passing opening with a roundness tolerance of less than 0.02 mm, and includes a connecting structure for optical alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional light-blocking sheet is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the image quality is poor due to light reflections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite structure combining a light-blocking coating layer with a nanostructure layer. The light-blocking coating layer provides the light-blocking function while the nanostructure layer reduces light reflections through its irregular ridge-shaped protrusions. This composite material approach improves image quality by eliminating reflections while maintaining the light-blocking function, resolving the contradiction between simple structure and high image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The nanostructure layer is applied locally on the light-blocking coating layer, specifically creating irregular ridge-shaped protrusions at the boundary between the optical effective portion and peripheral portion. This local modification targets the specific area where reflections occur most intensely, improving image quality without requiring complete structural redesign of the entire lens assembly.
2Volume of moving object
If the imaging lens assembly is made compact, then the electronic device size is reduced, but the image quality may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the physical and chemical parameters of the light-blocking interface by introducing a nanostructure layer with irregular ridge-shaped protrusions. This changes the surface topology and optical properties at the boundary, reducing light reflections and improving image quality. The parameter change occurs at the nanoscale level, allowing compact dimensions to be maintained while achieving superior optical performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful light reflections at the boundary between optical effective portion and peripheral portion into a beneficial effect. By creating irregular ridge-shaped protrusions, the sharp boundary is transformed into a gradual transition zone that reduces reflections. This converts what would be a source of image degradation into an element that improves image quality while maintaining compact size.
3Manufacturing precision
If a light-blocking coating layer with tapered portion is used, then the light-blocking position accuracy is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light-blocking coating layer is applied preliminarily on the lens element surface before final assembly, creating a tapered portion that extends toward the boundary between the optical effective portion and peripheral portion. This preliminary coating action establishes the light-blocking position with high accuracy, and the subsequent nanostructure layer is applied on top of this established base, maintaining precision while managing manufacturing complexity through staged processing.
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 design enhances image quality by minimizing light reflections and improving optical alignment, thereby achieving high performance in a compact form factor.
Implementation Method 1
the nanostructure layer has a plurality of irregular ridge-shaped protrusions
Implementation Method 2
the nanostructure layer is disposed on the optical effective portion and the tapered portion of the light-blocking coating layer
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging lens assembly includes a plurality of optical elements and a lens barrel. At least one optical element of the optical elements is a lens element. The lens element includes an optical effective portion, a peripheral portion, a light-blocking coating layer and a nanostructure layer. The light-blocking coating layer is disposed on at least one surface of the object-side peripheral surface and the image-side peripheral surface and includes a tapered portion. The tapered portion is tapered adjacent to a boundary between the optical effective portion and the peripheral portion. The nanostructure layer is disposed on the optical effective portion and the tapered portion of the light-blocking coating layer, and the nanostructure layer has a plurality of irregular ridge-shaped protrusions. The tapered portion of the light-blocking coating layer forms a light-passing opening adjacent to the boundary along a direction surrounding the optical axis.