Light Path Folding Element With Stray Light Blocking Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in camera modules of portable electronic devices is to enhance image quality while maintaining efficient light path stability and blocking stray light effectively.
Innovation Solution
A light path folding element with specific geometric configurations and light blocking structures, including reflecting surfaces and light blocking structures, is designed to manage light paths efficiently, ensuring internal reflections and bidirectional light blocking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If light path folding element uses internal reflection surfaces to fold light path, then light path stability is improved, but stray light blocking becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Light blocking structures are introduced as intermediary elements between the reflecting surfaces and the light path. These structures extend from the first and second surfaces into the light path folding element, strategically positioned to intercept stray light before it can reach the reflecting surfaces or cause unwanted reflections, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining light path stability and blocking stray light.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If light blocking structures extend deep into light path folding element, then stray light blocking is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the geometric parameters of the light blocking structures, including their extending depth (h1, h2) and spacing distance (Ls), to satisfy specific mathematical relationships (0 ≤ tan θ ≤ 0.45 where tan θ = (h1+h2-H)/Ls). This parameter optimization ensures effective stray light blocking while maintaining manufacturability by avoiding excessive depth requirements that would be difficult to precision-manufacture.
3Volume of moving object
If light path folding element minimizes volume, then device compactness is improved, but light path stability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a folded light path configuration where the light travels through the light path folding element by forming internal reflections between reflecting surfaces. This dimensional folding of the light path allows the element to achieve compact volume while maintaining adequate optical path length and stability, as the light effectively traverses a longer distance within a smaller physical footprint through multi-dimensional routing.
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 solution enhances image quality by effectively blocking stray light and maintaining light path stability, minimizing volume, and facilitating mass production.
Implementation Method 1
the light forms an internal reflection via the first reflecting surface. The light forms another internal reflection via the second reflecting surface.
Data Source
AI summary
A light path folding element includes a first surface, a second surface, a first reflecting surface and a second reflecting surface. A light travels from the first surface into the light path folding element. The second surface is disposed relative to the first surface along a first direction and is parallel to the first surface, and the first direction is perpendicular to the first surface. The first reflecting surface connects the first surface and the second surface, an acute angle is formed between the first reflecting surface and the first surface, and the light forms an internal reflection via the first reflecting surface. The light forms another internal reflection via the second reflecting surface. The light path folding element further includes a light blocking structure, which extends from at least one of the first surface and the second surface into the light path folding element.