Liquid Lens Control Circuit for Wavefront Error Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical devices with multiple lenses face challenges in size increase due to the need for a separate high-power lens driving unit, which also results in wavefront errors at liquid lens parts.
Innovation Solution
An optical device with a liquid lens and a control circuit generating a driving signal with varying waveforms, including a standing wave and a pulse wave, to adjust the interface of the liquid lens, reducing wavefront errors without affecting reaction speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a separate lens driving unit is used to drive the lens assembly, then the AF and OIS functions can be performed, but the device size increases and power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the lens driving function with the image sensor driver by using the same driver circuit to control both the liquid lens and the image sensor. This merging eliminates the need for a separate lens driving unit, thereby reducing device size and power consumption while maintaining AF and OIS functions
Solution Approach 2:
The driver circuit is designed to perform multiple functions: it drives both the liquid lens for AF/OIS operations and the image sensor for image capture. This multi-functional design allows a single circuit to replace what would traditionally require separate dedicated circuits, reducing overall device complexity and size
2Volume of moving object
If a liquid lens is used to perform AF and OIS functions, then the device size can be reduced, but wavefront errors occur at the liquid lens part
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic driving signals to the liquid lens to control the curvature of the liquid-liquid interface. By using periodic action, the system can dynamically adjust the lens curvature to achieve precise wavefront control while maintaining the compact size advantage of liquid lenses
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the driving signal parameters (amplitude, frequency, waveform) to optimize the liquid lens performance. By adjusting these parameters, the system can minimize wavefront errors while maintaining the size benefits of using a liquid lens instead of conventional glass lenses
3Adaptability or versatility
If the number of lenses is increased to achieve various image capturing functions, then the optical functions are improved, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of multiple fixed glass lenses with a liquid lens system that uses electrical field control to adjust optical properties. This substitution allows for variable optical functions (zoom, focus, stabilization) without physically adding more lenses, thereby maintaining compact device size while achieving versatile image capturing functions
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 proposed solution effectively reduces wavefront errors in optical devices while maintaining reaction speed, thereby addressing the size and performance issues associated with conventional multi-lens systems.
Implementation Method 1
The liquid lens may be designed to have characteristics of a capillary wave.
Implementation Method 2
The frequency of the first driving signal may be determined by a wavenumber, a density and a surface tension of a liquid, and a diameter of a lens.
Implementation Method 3
A first driving signal having a form of a standing wave may be generated in the first section
Implementation Method 4
a second driving signal having a form of a pulse wave may be generated in the second section
Data Source
AI summary
An optical apparatus and a driving method therefor according to an embodiment are disclosed. The optical apparatus comprises: a lens assembly including a liquid lens; and a control circuit for generating a driving signal for driving the liquid lens, wherein the driving signal includes a first section and a second section having driving signals with different waveform shapes.