Low-Visibility Lens Assembly for Compact Depth-Sensing Cameras
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical devices in electronic devices, such as cameras, are often exposed, disrupting the device's appearance and hindering design aesthetics, while additional optical devices for depth detection further complicate this issue.
Innovation Solution
A lens assembly with at least four lenses, where the first lens has minimal visible light transmittance and all lenses have inflection points, allowing for a harmonious integration with the device's exterior appearance and enabling a large aperture with a short total length, suitable for miniaturized electronic devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If optical devices are exposed on the electronic device, then image capturing function is improved, but appearance aesthetics deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The first lens is designed with minimal visible light transmittance, making it visually inconspicuous and harmonious with the device exterior, while still allowing near-infrared light to pass through for depth detection functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The lens assembly serves dual purposes: the first lens with low visible light transmittance maintains appearance aesthetics while enabling near-infrared transmission for depth detection, and the subsequent lenses capture visible light for imaging, allowing a single assembly to fulfill both aesthetic and functional requirements
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional optical devices for depth detection are added, then depth detection function is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lens assembly combines multiple lenses in sequence where the first lens handles near-infrared transmission for depth detection and the second through fourth lenses handle visible light imaging, merging depth detection and imaging functions into a single integrated assembly rather than separate components
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-lens assembly performs multiple functions: the first lens enables near-infrared transmission for depth detection while the second through fourth lenses capture visible light for imaging, allowing one assembly to replace what would traditionally require separate optical devices
3Use of energy by moving object
If lens assembly is designed for large aperture, then light gathering ability is improved, but total length increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lenses incorporate inflection points on their surfaces, using curved geometries to optimize light paths and enable large aperture capability while maintaining a compact total length suitable for miniaturized electronic devices
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 lens assembly is visually inconspicuous and facilitates easy mounting in compact electronic devices, maintaining aesthetic harmony while supporting functions like object recognition and depth detection.
Implementation Method 1
the first lens having a transmittance with respect to visible light ranging from 0% to 5%
Implementation Method 2
A lens assembly according to an embodiment includes, in order from an object side toward an image side, a first lens, a second lens, a third lens, and a fourth lens, each adjacent one of the first to fourth lenses being disposed adjacent to a predetermined surface of a preceding one of the first to fourth lenses, wherein at least four of the lens surfaces among the first to fourth lenses include an inflection point
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6(a)~6(c)
AI summary
According to one embodiments, a lens assembly may include: at least four lenses sequentially arranged along an optical axis from a subject to an image sensor. Among the at least four lenses, a first lens disposed closest to the subject may have a visible light transmittance ranging from 0% to 5%, and, among subject-side surfaces and image-sensor-side surfaces of remaining lenses other than the first lens, at least four surfaces may include an inflection point. The lens assembly or an electronic device including the lens assembly may be variously implemented according to embodiments.