Movable Collimating Lens for Compact Zoom Folded Camera
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing miniature or compact folded cameras with zoom capabilities face high costs and low manufacturing yield due to the requirement for high accuracy in relative lens shift, which is challenging to achieve effectively.
Innovation Solution
A zoom camera design featuring a movable collimating lens that changes its position between two states, allowing for a significant difference in effective focal lengths without the need for precise alignment, utilizing an optical path folding element and a telescopic lens to maintain camera functionality across operational states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If high accuracy in relative lens shift is required for zoom folded camera, then optical performance is improved, but manufacturing cost increases and manufacturing yield decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The collimating lens is made movable between two distinct states (inside and outside the first optical path) rather than requiring precise static positioning. This dynamic configuration allows the system to achieve different effective focal lengths while being tolerant of positioning inaccuracies, thereby reducing manufacturing precision requirements and associated costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the optical configuration by moving the collimating lens between two states, fundamentally altering the effective focal length parameter. This parameter change enables zoom functionality without requiring high-precision lens alignment, as the system transitions between discrete optical states rather than relying on continuous precise positioning.
2Measurement precision
If collimating lens is positioned precisely in the optical path for accurate focus, then optical performance is improved, but device complexity and alignment difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The collimating lens transitions between two discrete positions (inside and outside the optical path) rather than requiring continuous precise alignment. This dynamic switching between states simplifies the alignment process while maintaining focus accuracy in each state, reducing the overall complexity of the optical system.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical system is segmented into two distinct operational modes: one where the collimating lens is inside the optical path and one where it is outside. Each segment operates with its own optimized optical path, allowing for simpler alignment requirements in each state while achieving overall system performance through the combination of both modes.
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
This design reduces the need for high accuracy in lens positioning, lowering manufacturing costs and increasing yield while maintaining camera performance by allowing for less precise alignment of the collimating lens relative to the first lens, thus enabling more robust and cost-effective miniature zoom cameras.
Implementation Method 1
OPFE for folding light from a first optical path to a second optical path
Implementation Method 2
a collimating lens (108) movable between at least two (first and second) states
Data Source
AI summary
A zoom camera comprising an optical path folding element (OPFE) for folding the light from a first optical path to a second optical path, a first lens having a first optical axis and a first effective focal length EFLL1, the first optical axis being along the second optical path, a collimating lens having a second optical axis, and an image sensor located on the second optical path, wherein the collimating lens is movable between at least a first state and a second state, wherein in the first state the collimating lens is positioned in the second optical path between the OPFE and the first lens such that light entering the first lens arrives only from the image side of the collimating lens, and wherein in the second state the collimating lens is positioned outside the first optical path such that light entering the first lens does not arrive from the image side of the collimating lens.