Imaging Lens Assembly Conical Aligning Surface Stray Light Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

The manufacturing and assembly of imaging lens assemblies in portable electronic devices face challenges in achieving both assembling stability and image quality due to stray light issues caused by the relative disposition of lens elements and the barrel, which affects the optical coaxiality and image quality.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a plastic barrel with a lens element set that includes an object-side lens element with a conical-aligning surface and an image-side lens element, where the minimum radial distance between the conical-aligning surface and the outer diameter surface is within a specific range (0.03 mm < L1 < 0.28 mm), ensuring coaxial alignment and minimizing stray light reflection, while additional features like recess structures and parting lines enhance assembling stability and image quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a connecting structure is disposed on the lens element for cooperating with other lens element or the barrel, then the assembling stability is improved, but stray light is generated during imaging which affects the image quality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembling stabilityVSAvoidstray light

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful stray light reflection into a beneficial alignment feature by designing the conical-aligning surface with a specific radial distance range (0.03mm < L1 < 0.28mm). This converts the potential harm of light reflection into the benefit of precise coaxial alignment between lens elements, improving both assembling stability and image quality simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the radial distance L1 of the conical-aligning surface within a specific range (0.03mm < L1 < 0.28mm). This parameter optimization ensures that the aligning surface provides sufficient mechanical stability while maintaining optical performance by preventing excessive stray light reflection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If the relative disposition between the barrel and the lens elements is not precisely controlled, then the manufacturing process is simpler, but the optical coaxiality and image quality are affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidoptical coaxiality

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-designing the conical-aligning surface with optimized parameters (radial distance L1 in range 0.03mm < L1 < 0.28mm) on the lens element before assembly. This preliminary structural design automatically guides the lens elements into correct coaxial positions during assembly, achieving high manufacturing precision without complex manufacturing processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The conical-aligning surface acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the barrel and other lens elements. It provides a geometric reference that automatically ensures optical coaxiality during assembly, simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining high precision alignment without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If the radial distance L1 of the conical-aligning surface is not optimized, then the structure is simpler to design, but excessive stray light reflection occurs affecting image quality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedesign complexityVSAvoidstray light reflection

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the radial distance parameter L1 of the conical-aligning surface within a specific range (0.03mm < L1 < 0.28mm) to control stray light reflection. This parameter optimization reduces excessive stray light reflection while maintaining a relatively simple conical surface design, balancing design complexity with optical performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potential harmful stray light reflection into a beneficial effect by optimizing the radial distance L1. The conical-aligning surface at this optimized distance not only provides mechanical alignment but also controls light reflection paths, turning a potential harm into a benefit for image quality while keeping the design relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentUS11714251B2Imaging lens assembly, camera module and electronic device

Publication Date: 2023.08.01 LARGAN PRECISION

AI summary

An imaging lens assembly includes a plastic barrel and a lens element set. The lens element set is disposed in the plastic barrel and has an optical axis. The lens element set includes an object-side lens element and an image-side lens element. The object-side lens element has an outer diameter surface and an optical effective portion, and includes a conical-aligning surface located on an image-side surface of the object-side lens element and for coaxially aligning and connecting the image-side lens element.