Non-Circular Aperture Reduces Periscopic Lens Thickness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional periscopic lens assemblies for mobile phones and other applications face challenges in miniaturization due to their circular symmetry, which hinders the reduction of lens assembly thickness.
Innovation Solution
A non-circular annular body is integrated into the camera device, allowing light to pass through a non-circular region, reducing the thickness of the lens assembly by varying the dimensions of the hole through which the optical axis passes, with specific ratios and shapes for the outer and inner circumferential portions to optimize light transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If a circular aperture is used in a periscopic lens assembly, then the structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but the thickness of the lens assembly cannot be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by changing the aperture shape from a conventional circular symmetric form to a non-circular asymmetric form. The inner circumferential portion is designed with different curvature radii in different regions, creating an asymmetric aperture that allows for reduced lens assembly thickness while maintaining optical performance. This asymmetric design enables better space utilization within the periscopic lens structure.
2Length of moving object
If the inner circumferential portion is made non-circular, then the lens assembly thickness is reduced, but the light transmission characteristics become more complex to optimize
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by dividing the inner circumferential portion into different regions with different curvature radii. Specifically, the first region has a first curvature radius and the second region has a second curvature radius, allowing each region to be optimized independently for light transmission characteristics. This local differentiation enables precise control over light paths while maintaining manufacturability.
3Volume of moving object
If the aperture shape is optimized for miniaturization, then the lens assembly becomes more compact, but the light transmission efficiency may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by systematically varying the curvature radii of different regions of the inner circumferential portion. By adjusting these geometric parameters, the aperture optimizes light transmission efficiency while maintaining the compact lens assembly volume. The different curvature radii in different regions allow for tailored light path optimization that preserves illumination intensity despite the reduced overall size.
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 effectively reduces the thickness of the camera device while maintaining adequate light transmission, as demonstrated by the modulation transfer function diagrams across varying F-numbers, showcasing the camera's performance with different aperture configurations.
Implementation Method 1
the inner circumferential portion is non-circular and surrounds the optical axis to form a hole
Data Source
AI summary
A camera device includes a plurality of lenses and an annular body. The annular body is disposed between the object side and the plurality of lenses, between the plurality of lenses, or between the plurality of lenses and the image side. The annular body includes an annular main body, an outer circumferential portion, and an inner circumferential portion, wherein the annular main body connects to the outer circumferential portion and the inner circumferential portion, the annular main body is disposed between the outer circumferential portion and the inner circumferential portion, and the inner circumferential portion is non-circular and surrounds the optical axis to form a hole. The camera device satisfies: Dx>Dy, 1<Dx/Dy<28, where Dx is a maximum dimension of the hole through which the optical axis passes, and Dy is a minimum dimension of the hole through which the optical axis passes.