Moiré Imaging Film Structure for Thin Lens-Free Magnification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical lens modules in electronic devices are thick, hindering the thinning of devices like smartphones and digital cameras, as they are composed of multiple lenses that cannot be further miniaturized.
Innovation Solution
A moiré pattern imaging device is designed using a light-transmissive film with an imaging unit array and a light-shielding film with a light-transmissive array, generating a moiré pattern effect to achieve image magnification, allowing for a significantly thinner design compared to traditional optical lens modules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If traditional optical lens modules are used, then imaging function is achieved, but device thickness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical optical lens system with a moiré pattern-based imaging system. Instead of using multiple physical lenses to achieve imaging, the invention uses a light-transmissive film with an imaging unit array that generates moiré patterns when overlaid with a light-shielding film containing a light-transmissive array. This substitution eliminates the need for thick mechanical lens assemblies while maintaining imaging capability through the moiré effect, directly resolving the contradiction between device thickness and imaging function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a light-transmissive film as the core imaging component, which is inherently thin and flexible. The imaging unit array is formed on this thin film substrate, and when overlaid with a light-shielding film to create the moiré pattern effect, the entire imaging device achieves significant thinning compared to traditional lens modules. This approach directly addresses the thickness issue while preserving imaging functionality through the moiré pattern generation mechanism.
2Device complexity
If multiple optical lenses are used, then imaging quality is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple imaging functions into a single integrated film structure. The light-transmissive film contains an imaging unit array that combines the functions of multiple optical lenses into one planar array. When overlaid with the light-shielding film to generate moiré patterns, this single integrated structure achieves imaging quality comparable to traditional multi-lens systems while dramatically reducing device complexity and the number of discrete optical components required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a three-dimensional stacked lens configuration to a two-dimensional planar array structure. The imaging unit array on the light-transmissive film operates in a planar geometry, and the moiré pattern effect utilizes the interaction between two-dimensional arrays rather than stacking lenses along the optical axis. This dimensional change simplifies the overall device structure while maintaining imaging capability, directly reducing device complexity.
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 moiré pattern imaging device achieves image magnification while being much thinner than existing optical lens modules, enabling thinner electronic devices without compromising imaging performance.
Implementation Method 1
The imaging unit array and the light-transmissive array together form a moiré pattern effect to generate an image magnification effect
Data Source
AI summary
A moiré pattern imaging device includes a light-transmissive film and a light-shielding film. The light-transmissive film includes a plurality of imaging units and a light-incident surface and a light-emergent surface opposite to each other. The plurality of imaging units are disposed on the light-incident surface, the light-emergent surface, or a combination thereof and are arranged in two dimensions to form an imaging unit array. The light-shielding film includes a plurality of light-transmissive regions. The light-transmissive regions are arranged in two dimensions to form a light-transmissive array, and the light-shielding film is overlaid on the light-incident surface or the light-emergent surface. The light-transmissive array corresponds to the imaging unit array. The imaging unit array and the light-transmissive array together form a moiré pattern effect to generate an image magnification effect.