Compact Lens Module with Asymmetric Five-Lens Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to develop a lens module with a reduced optical system length for mobile communications terminals, as existing high-resolution optical systems using multiple lenses are difficult to install in slim devices due to increased length.
Innovation Solution
The lens module is designed with a specific configuration of five lenses, including a first lens with a meniscus shape, a second lens with positive refractive power, a third lens with the same refractive power as the second, a fourth lens with refractive power symmetrical to the first, and a fifth lens with an inflection point, along with a stop between the second and third lenses, to optimize refractive power distribution and minimize length.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a high-resolution optical system is configured using a plurality of lenses, then imaging resolution is improved, but the length of the optical system increases making it difficult to install in slim mobile communications terminals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the refractive powers, curvatures, and spacing of five lenses in the optical system. Specific conditional expressions are defined for the refractive powers (e.g., -1.0 < f1/f < -0.5, 0.5 < f2/f < 1.0) and surface curvatures to achieve compact dimensions while maintaining high-resolution imaging capabilities. This allows the optical system to be miniaturized without sacrificing image quality.
2Measurement precision
If the number of lenses is increased to achieve high-resolution imaging, then imaging quality is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric lens design where each of the five lenses has specific asymmetric curvature relationships. For example, the first lens has a convex object-side surface and concave image-side surface with specific curvature ratios, and subsequent lenses follow similar asymmetric patterns. This asymmetric configuration allows for compact optical path folding and reduced overall length while maintaining imaging quality, avoiding the need for more lenses.
3Ease of operation
If the optical system length is reduced for slim device installation, then ease of installation is improved, but aberration control and imaging performance become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the optical system into five distinct lenses with specific functional assignments. The first lens handles initial light convergence, the second and third lenses (with positive refractive power) provide intermediate imaging and aberration correction, the fourth lens further refines the optical path, and the fifth lens completes the imaging. This segmentation allows each lens to be optimized for specific functions, achieving compact size while controlling aberrations through distributed correction across multiple elements.
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 allows for a compact lens module with improved aberration compensation and a wide field of view, achieving a short total track length of 4.80 mm or less, enabling miniaturization while maintaining high-resolution imaging capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
lenses sequentially arranged from an object side toward an image plane sensor and including refractive power, respectively
Data Source
AI summary
A lens module includes lenses sequentially arranged from an object side toward an image plane sensor and having respective refractive powers. A second lens of the lenses has a convex object-side surface and a convex image-side surface. A first lens and a third lens of the lenses are symmetrical to each other in relation to the second lens.