Lens Module Microstructured Surfaces for Stray Light Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional anti-reflection coatings on lens modules suffer from issues such as scratches, adhesion, and film cracks, leading to reduced yield and ineffective stray light suppression, which degrade imaging quality.
Innovation Solution
A microstructure region with convex and concave portions, shaped like cones, is formed on the surface of lens module components via injection molding, altering the scattering distribution to suppress stray light.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a coating process is performed on component surfaces to reduce light reflectivity, then the light reflectivity is reduced, but the coating process causes scratches, adhesion problems, and film cracks that reduce yield and fail to effectively suppress stray light
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the chemical coating process with a mechanical structure approach. Instead of applying anti-reflection coatings that are prone to defects, the invention forms microstructure regions (convex and concave portions) directly on the component surfaces through molding processes. These microstructures physically alter light reflection paths through multiple reflections and scattering, achieving stray light suppression without the reliability issues of coating applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the surface parameter from a smooth coated surface to a microstructured surface with specific geometric features. By controlling the size, shape, and distribution of convex and concave portions (with pitch values between 1-10 μm), the surface optical properties are fundamentally altered to reduce reflectivity through geometric optics rather than relying on coating material properties.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional coating processes are used to achieve anti-reflection effects, then light reflectivity is reduced, but the process complexity and manufacturing defects increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the anti-reflection function directly into the component manufacturing process itself. The microstructure regions are formed during the molding process (injection molding, compression molding, or transfer molding) of the optical components, integrating the optical function into the base material rather than requiring a separate coating step. This eliminates the complexity of coating application, curing, and quality control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs the anti-reflection structure formation in advance during the component molding process. The microstructure patterns are created before the component is assembled into the lens module, ensuring the anti-reflection properties are built-in from the start. This preliminary action eliminates the need for subsequent coating processes and their associated complexities.
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 microstructure region effectively reduces stray light reflection, enhancing imaging clarity and color saturation by modifying the surface characteristics of lens module components.
Implementation Method 1
a microstructure region generating multiple reflections of light is formed on a component surface of the component
Implementation Method 2
the scattering distribution characteristics of the component surface are changed to achieve the effect of suppressing stray light
Data Source
AI summary
A component for a lens module is selected from a group consisting of a lens barrel, an optical lens, a pressure ring, and a spacer ring. The component includes: a component surface, a flat region located on the component surface, and a microstructure region located on the component surface and adjacent to the flat region. Relative to the flat region, the microstructure region includes a plurality of convex portions and a plurality of concave portions. The convex portions are in a shape of a cone. Any area of 0.1 mm*0.1 mm in the microstructure region has n convex portions, where n≤50.