Light-absorbing layer on plastic lens outer surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical systems face challenges in achieving a balance between high image quality, low sensitivity, proper aperture size, miniaturization, and a desirable field of view, particularly due to the scaling down of pixel size in image sensors and increasing functionality requirements in electronic devices.
Innovation Solution
The imaging lens system incorporates a plastic lens element, a lens barrel, and a light-absorbing layer, where the light-absorbing layer is strategically positioned on the outer annular surface of the plastic lens element and in physical contact with the lens barrel, optimizing the length and thickness ratios to reduce non-imaging light reflection and enhance assembly yield, while also extending the light-blocking range to improve image clarity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If pixel size is scaled down to improve image sensor performance, then manufacturing precision and manufacturing controllability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the ratio between the outer diameter of the light-absorbing layer and the outer diameter of the lens element within a specific range (0.85≤D1/D2≤0.95). This parameter optimization enables better control over light absorption while maintaining manufacturing feasibility for scaled-down pixel sizes, thus resolving the contradiction between manufacturing precision and productivity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If light-absorbing layer coverage is increased to reduce non-imaging light reflection, then manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning the light-absorbing layer specifically on the outer peripheral surface of the lens element where non-imaging light reflection occurs most frequently. The light-absorbing layer is not applied uniformly across the entire lens surface but only in the region where it is most needed (the outer annular region), thus reducing manufacturing complexity while effectively suppressing harmful light reflection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a simple annular light-absorbing layer structure that copies the basic circular shape of the lens element's outer surface. This simplified geometric copying approach allows for easy manufacturing using conventional coating or adhesive processes, avoiding complex patterns or irregular shapes that would increase manufacturing complexity while still effectively blocking non-imaging light.
3Volume of moving object
If lens element dimensions are reduced for miniaturization, then image quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing multiple dimensional parameters including the ratio of light-absorbing layer outer diameter to lens element outer diameter (0.85≤D1/D2≤0.95), and the ratio of light-absorbing layer thickness to lens element thickness (0.1≤d1/d2≤0.95). These optimized parameter ranges enable miniaturization of the lens system while maintaining sufficient light absorption performance and image quality, thus resolving the contradiction between size reduction and quality maintenance.
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 enhances image quality by reducing non-imaging light reflection, improves assembly yield, and increases manufacturing controllability, thereby addressing the balance between image quality, sensitivity, and miniaturization requirements in electronic devices.
Implementation Method 1
The light-absorbing layer is fixed on the outer annular surface of the plastic lens element... The light-absorbing layer has an inner surface and an outer surface... the outer surface is in physical contact with the lateral wall portion of the lens barrel
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging lens system includes a plastic lens element, a lens barrel and a light-absorbing layer. The plastic lens element is accommodated in the lens barrel and has an outer annular surface. The lens barrel includes a plate portion and a lateral wall portion. An optical axis of the imaging lens system passes through a light-passable hole of the plate portion. The lateral wall portion is connected to the plate portion and extends along a direction substantially parallel to the optical axis. The light-absorbing layer has an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface faces and is fixed on the outer annular surface of the plastic lens element. The outer surface is located opposite to the inner surface and in physical contact with the lateral portion of the lens barrel.