Optical Imaging System with Movable Lens Groups for Zoom
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camera modules in mobile devices require multiple lenses for optical zoom, leading to image quality deterioration due to differences in field of view, necessitating software processing for intermediate magnifications.
Innovation Solution
An optical imaging system comprising a first lens group with a reflective member and movable lens groups along the optical axis, allowing for adjustable focal lengths and field of view without the need for multiple lenses, using specific refractive power configurations and movements to maintain image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple camera modules with different focal lengths are mounted to achieve optical zoom, then zoom functionality is improved, but device complexity increases and image quality deteriorates due to field of view differences requiring software processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs movable lens groups that can dynamically adjust their positions along the optical axis to change the focal length of the imaging system. Specifically, the second lens group is movable away from the object side toward the imaging plane to narrow the field of view (telephoto end), and movable away from the imaging plane toward the object side to widen the field of view (wide-angle end). This dynamic adjustment enables a single camera module to achieve multiple focal lengths without requiring multiple fixed camera modules, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining zoom functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple camera modules are used for optical zoom, then zoom capability is improved, but image quality deteriorates due to field of view differences between modules
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a single camera module with dynamically adjustable focal length achieved through movable lens groups. The second lens group can be positioned to provide different field of views (wide-angle or telephoto) without switching between different camera modules, ensuring consistent optical characteristics and image quality across all zoom levels. This eliminates the image quality deterioration that occurs when using multiple fixed modules with different inherent field of views.
3Adaptability or versatility
If software processing is used for intermediate magnifications, then zoom functionality is achieved, but processing time increases and image quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements optical zoom through physical movement of lens groups rather than relying on software processing. The movable second lens group can be positioned to achieve intermediate magnifications optically, eliminating the need for software-based image processing. This approach reduces processing time significantly while maintaining image quality, as optical zoom provides real-time imaging without the computational delays inherent in software-based methods.
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
Enables optical zoom functionality with improved image quality by adjusting focal lengths and field of view through movable lens groups, reducing the need for multiple lenses and software processing, thus enhancing the camera module's performance.
Implementation Method 1
at least one lens disposed between the object side of the optical imaging system and the reflective member, and the at least one lens is configured to refract light passing through the at least one lens to converge the light to be incident on the reflective member
Implementation Method 2
a reflective member configured to change a path of light incident on the reflective member
Data Source
AI summary
An optical imaging system includes a first lens group, a second lens group, a third lens group, and a fourth lens group sequentially disposed in ascending numerical order along an optical axis of the optical imaging system from an object side of the optical imaging system toward an imaging plane of the optical imaging system, wherein at least one lens group among the first lens group to the fourth lens group is configured to be movable along the optical axis, the first lens group has a positive refractive power and comprises a reflective member and at least one lens disposed between the object side of the optical imaging system and the reflective member, and the at least one lens is configured to refract light passing through the at least one lens to converge the light to be incident on the reflective member.