Objective Optical System with Contact Media for Aberration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing objective optical systems, particularly in small-diameter endoscopes, face challenges in minimizing aberrations and maintaining a large angle of view while being easy to manufacture and assemble, due to the limitations of single spherical lenses.
Innovation Solution
The objective optical system comprises a first and second spherical lens arrayed with optically transparent solid or liquid media in close contact with their respective surfaces, reducing refractive angles and compensating for refractive power, thereby minimizing aberrations and maintaining a large angle of view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a single spherical lens is used, then manufacturing and assembly are easy, but aberrations increase and angle of view is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The single spherical lens is divided into multiple spherical lenses (first spherical lens and second spherical lens) with different functions. The first spherical lens focuses on collecting light and forming an intermediate image, while the second spherical lens corrects aberrations and expands the angle of view. This segmentation allows each lens to be optimized for its specific function, improving overall optical performance while maintaining ease of manufacture through standardized spherical lens production.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite optical media (liquid or solid) with different refractive indices in contact with the spherical lenses. This composite material approach enables precise control of light refraction and aberration correction, allowing the system to achieve superior optical performance compared to single-material systems while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
2Ease of operation
If a single spherical lens is used, then assembly is simple, but angle of view is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system is segmented into multiple spherical lenses arranged in sequence, where each lens contributes to expanding the effective angle of view. The first spherical lens captures a wider field, and the second spherical lens further expands this angle while correcting distortions. This segmentation enables the system to achieve a larger angle of view without requiring complex monolithic lens designs that would be difficult to assemble.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces additional optical dimensions by stacking multiple spherical lenses along the optical axis, transforming a two-dimensional single-lens system into a three-dimensional multi-lens configuration. This dimensional expansion allows light rays from wider angles to be properly focused and corrected, thereby increasing the angle of view while maintaining simple spherical lens geometries that are easy to assemble.
3Ease of manufacture
If spherical lenses are used, then manufacturing is simple, but aberrations are not minimized
Solution Approach 1:
The aberration correction function is segmented and distributed across multiple spherical lenses and optical media. The first spherical lens intentionally introduces controlled aberrations that are then corrected by the second spherical lens and the intermediate optical medium. This segmentation of optical functions allows each component to be manufactured simply as a spherical lens while the combined system achieves superior aberration minimization.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediate optical medium (liquid or solid) is introduced between the first and second spherical lenses to act as an intermediary for aberration correction. This intermediary medium with specific refractive index properties enables fine-tuning of light paths and correction of spherical and chromatic aberrations, allowing the system to maintain simple spherical lens manufacturing while achieving reliable aberration minimization.
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 configuration effectively suppresses aberrations and secures an angle of view equal to or greater than that of a single spherical lens system, while being easier to manufacture and assemble, making it suitable for small-diameter endoscopes.
Implementation Method 1
the first optical medium is a solid or liquid disposed at an object side of the first spherical lens and is in close contact with a surface on the object side of the first spherical lens, over an entire optical path; and the second optical medium is a solid or liquid disposed at an opposite side of the second spherical lens from the object and is in close contact with a surface on the opposite side of the second spherical lens from the object, over the entire optical path
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an objective optical system including: a first spherical lens and a second spherical lens that are arrayed in this order from an object; and at least one of a first optical medium and a second optical medium, wherein the first optical medium is a solid or liquid disposed at an object side of the first spherical lens and is in close contact with a surface on the object side of the first spherical lens, over an entire optical path; and the second optical medium is a solid or liquid disposed at an opposite side of the second spherical lens from the object and is in close contact with a surface on the opposite side of the second spherical lens from the object, over the entire optical path.