Microscopic Lens System with Compressible Elastic Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microscopic lens systems for portable devices face limitations such as limited resolution, optical aberrations, and inability to adjust focal length, particularly when using single lenses or rigid supports, and are not compatible with diverse materials or image acquisition devices.
Innovation Solution
A lens system with multiple lenses and a compressible elastic separation portion allows for adjustable focus without changing the work distance, using flat surfaces for contact with the camera and sample, enabling null or minimal work distance and compatibility with various devices and materials, while maintaining cost-effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single lens is used to simplify the system, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and resolution deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the lens system into multiple lenses (first lens and second lens) with different focal lengths, arranged in sequence along the optical axis. This segmentation allows each lens to contribute differently to the optical function, achieving higher resolution and reduced aberrations compared to a single lens system.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid support structure is used to maintain stability, then stability is improved, but adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible thin film supports (first thin film and second thin film) instead of rigid structures. These thin films can adapt to different devices and materials while maintaining the relative positioning of the lenses, thus achieving both stability and adaptability with various image acquisition devices and sample types.
3Ease of operation
If the work distance is changed to adjust focus, then focus adjustment is achieved, but the system must move relative to the sample
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a compressible elastic element between the first and second thin films, allowing the distance between the two lenses to be dynamically adjusted by applying compression. This enables focus adjustment while keeping the work distance (distance from sample to second thin film) constant and minimal, eliminating the need to move the entire system relative to the sample.
4Ease of operation
If a curved surface lens is used to achieve focusing, then focusing capability is improved, but optical aberrations increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses lenses with different local qualities: the first lens has a curved surface for focusing capability, while the second lens has a flat surface to correct optical aberrations. This combination allows the system to achieve both focusing capability and reduced optical aberrations, particularly at the edges of the generated image.
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 system achieves high resolution, minimizes optical aberrations, allows for flexible focus adjustment, and is adaptable to different image acquisition devices and sample thicknesses without moving the system, while maintaining low costs and compatibility with various materials.
Implementation Method 1
a separation portion (20) made of compressible elastic material and positioned between said first and second thin films
Implementation Method 2
a first lens (16) having a short focal length... a second lens (18) having a short focal length
Data Source
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AI summary
The system (10) comprises a pair of thin films (12, 14) made of transparent and incompressible material. There is a first thin film (12) having a substantially flat first outer surface (12a) intended to face towards an external image acquisition device (D), and a substantially flat first inner surface (12b) facing towards the opposite side with respect to the first outer surface (12a) and towards the inside of the system (10). There is a second thin film (14) having a substantially flat second outer surface (14a) intended to face towards an external sample to be observed (S), and a substantially flat second inner surface (14b) facing towards the opposite side with respect to the second outer surface (14a) and towards the inside of the system (10). The system (10) comprises a pair of lenses (16, 18) having a short focal length and made of transparent material. There is a first lens (16) having a first flat contact surface (16a) coupled to said first inner surface (12b), and a first curved surface (16b). There is a second lens (18) having a second flat contact surface (18a) coupled to the second inner surface (14b) and a second curved surface (18b) facing towards said first curved surface (16b). The system (10) comprises a separation portion (20) made of compressible elastic material, positioned between the inner surfaces (12b, 14b) and positioned laterally relative to the lenses (16, 18), so as to space out the curved surfaces (16b, 18b).