Micro Imaging System with Three-Lens Refractive Power Balance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lens assemblies with wide view angles face challenges in miniaturization, resulting in insufficient image capture capabilities for modern technological applications, as they struggle to balance wide-angle views with high image quality and compact size.
Innovation Solution
A micro imaging system comprising three lens elements with specific refractive powers and geometrical configurations, including a first lens element with negative power, a second lens element with positive power, and a third lens element with negative power, optimized to achieve a wide angle of view while maintaining miniaturization, using conditions such as curvature radii and axial distances to balance refractive power and aberrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional lens assemblies use spherical glass lenses to achieve wide view angles, then the view angle is improved, but the size of the lens assembly increases and miniaturization becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The lens assembly is divided into multiple lens elements (first lens element with negative refractive power, second lens element with positive refractive power, and third lens element with negative refractive power) instead of using a single spherical glass lens. This segmentation allows each element to contribute differently to the overall optical function, enabling wide view angle while reducing total assembly size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the refractive power parameters of individual lens elements, specifically using negative refractive power for the first and third elements and positive refractive power for the second element. This parameter configuration enables the system to achieve wide view angle with compact dimensions by controlling light propagation through diverging-converging-diverging pattern.
2Volume of moving object
If lens assemblies are miniaturized to reduce size, then the volume is improved, but the image quality and view angle become insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
Each lens element is designed with specific local optical properties: the first lens element has negative refractive power to diverge light, the second lens element has positive refractive power to converge light and correct aberrations, and the third lens element has negative refractive power to further shape the light path. This localized optimization of optical properties ensures high image quality within the miniaturized structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs aspheric surfaces on the lens elements rather than simple spherical shapes. The curvature radii (R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6) are specifically designed to control aberrations and maintain image quality. The aspheric design allows for better correction of optical distortions in the compact multi-element configuration.
3Manufacturing precision
If conventional optical lenses are designed for high image quality, then the image quality is improved, but the view angle becomes limited and cannot capture wider range images
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses alternating positive and negative refractive powers among the lens elements to counterbalance optical aberrations. The negative refractive power elements (first and third) diverge light to expand view angle, while the positive refractive power element (second) converges light to correct aberrations and maintain image quality, creating a counterbalancing effect that achieves both wide angle and high quality.
4Manufacturing precision
If lens assemblies use more lens elements to improve image quality and view angle, then the optical performance is improved, but the device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
Each lens element in the three-element system performs multiple functions: the first lens element diverges light and begins aberration correction, the second lens element converges light and provides additional aberration correction, and the third lens element further shapes the light path and refines image quality. This multi-functionality within a minimal three-element configuration avoids the need for more complex multi-element systems.
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 micro imaging system achieves a wide angle of view with improved image quality and compact size, effectively addressing the limitations of conventional lens assemblies by balancing refractive power and aberrations, enhancing adaptability to various applications.
Implementation Method 1
a first lens element with negative refractive power
Implementation Method 2
a second lens element with positive refractive power
Implementation Method 3
a third lens element with negative refractive power having an object-side surface being concave in a paraxial region
Data Source
AI summary
A micro imaging system includes, in order from an object side to an image side: a first lens element having negative refractive power; a second lens element having positive refractive power; and a third lens element with negative refractive power having an object-side surface being concave in a paraxial region thereof. There are a total of three lens elements in the micro imaging system.