Imaging Lens Retaining Element Spacer Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for attaching lens elements in lens modules using adhesives result in low production efficiency, mechanical strength issues, and misalignment of optical axes over time, leading to a shortened service life.
Innovation Solution
An imaging lens system comprising a spacer element and a retaining element, where the spacer element maintains the distance between lens elements and the retaining element securely fixes the first lens element to the spacer, with an air gap between them, ensuring proper alignment and increased mechanical strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If adhesives are used to attach lens elements, then the lens elements can be fixed in the lens barrel, but the production time increases and production efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the adhesive layer from the attachment process between the lens element and lens barrel. Instead of using adhesives, the invention employs a mechanical retention structure where the lens element is held in place by the combination of the spacer element positioning and the lens barrel geometry, eliminating the need for adhesive application and curing time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the chemical bonding mechanism (adhesive) with a mechanical retention system. The lens element is mechanically retained through the interaction between the lens barrel inner wall and the lens element outer surface, combined with the spacer element maintaining proper positioning, substituting chemical attachment with physical constraints
2Strength
If adhesives are used to attach lens elements, then the lens elements can be fixed, but the mechanical strength of the lens module is not satisfactory
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the adhesive layer, the invention eliminates the weak mechanical connection that adhesives provide. The mechanical strength is improved through direct mechanical retention where the lens element is firmly held by the lens barrel geometry and spacer element positioning, creating a stronger structural connection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite structural approach combining the spacer element (providing positioning and spacing function) with the lens barrel retention structure. This composite mechanical system provides superior holding strength compared to adhesive bonding alone, integrating multiple structural elements to achieve enhanced mechanical reliability
3Ease of manufacture
If adhesives are used to attach lens elements, then the lens elements can be attached, but the optical axis alignment deteriorates over time
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer element performs preliminary positioning action during assembly, pre-establishing the correct optical axis alignment between the lens element and lens barrel before the lens element is fully secured. This preliminary positioning ensures that the lens element is correctly aligned from the start, preventing subsequent misalignment
Solution Approach 2:
By replacing adhesive bonding with mechanical retention through the lens barrel and spacer element combination, the invention maintains stable optical axis alignment over time. The mechanical structure provides rigid, permanent positioning that does not deteriorate like adhesives, ensuring long-term alignment stability
4Strength
If adhesives are used to attach lens elements, then the lens elements can be fixed, but the service life of the lens module is shortened
Solution Approach 1:
By eliminating the adhesive layer, the invention removes the component that deteriorates over time. Adhesives age, dry out, and lose bonding strength, but the mechanical retention system using the lens barrel and spacer element has no such degradation mechanism, providing indefinite service life limited only by other component failures
Solution Approach 2:
The invention avoids using short-living materials like adhesives that have limited service lives. Instead, it employs durable mechanical components (lens barrel and spacer element) that are designed for long-term use, effectively replacing short-living adhesive bonds with long-living mechanical structures
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging lens system includes an imaging lens assembly, a spacer element and a retaining element. The spacer element is configured to maintain a distance between a first lens element and a second lens element of the imaging lens assembly. The spacer element includes a connecting part connected to the second lens element and a supporting part connected to the connecting part and extending from the connecting part towards an optical axis of the imaging lens assembly. The first lens element is disposed on the supporting part. The retaining element is configured to fix the first lens element to the supporting part. The retaining element includes a retaining surface, and the retaining surface and the first lens element are abutted against each other. There is an air gap between the retaining element and the first lens element, and the air gap is adjacent to the retaining surface.