Optical Assembly for Wide FOV Action Camera
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional point action cameras suffer from significant distortion and astigmatism errors, particularly at wide field of view angles, which limits their ability to capture high-quality images with minimal aberrations.
Innovation Solution
An optical assembly for point action cameras is designed with a low total track length to effective focal length ratio, incorporating multiple lens elements and a single aspheric surface to achieve a wide field of view exceeding 150 degrees while minimizing distortion and astigmatism, using a configuration that includes a first optical group for collecting light and a second group for correcting aberrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional optical designs are used for wide field of view cameras, then the field of view can be expanded, but distortion and astigmatism errors increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system is divided into multiple lens groups (first lens group with positive optical power, second lens group with negative optical power, and third lens group with positive optical power). Each group is optimized to handle specific portions of the light spectrum and field angles, allowing the system to achieve wide field of view while controlling aberrations through distributed optical correction across multiple segments.
Solution Approach 2:
Different lens elements within the system have locally optimized properties - the first lens group uses elements with specific refractive indices for blue and green light correction, the second lens group addresses red light astigmatism, and the third lens group provides final field curvature correction. Each region of the optical system is tailored to correct specific aberrations affecting that portion of the image field.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple lens elements are added to reduce distortion and astigmatism, then image quality improves, but the total track length increases
Solution Approach 1:
The three lens groups are arranged in a compact nested configuration where the second lens group with negative optical power is positioned between the first and third groups with positive power. This nested arrangement allows the negative power group to counteract the positive power groups' aberrations while the groups share common optical paths, reducing the overall track length compared to a linear arrangement of separate correction elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes precise control of optical parameters including refractive indices (nd=1.70-2.00 for first group, nd=1.50-1.70 for second group, nd=1.60-1.80 for third group), dispersion values (vd=20-40 for first group, vd=30-60 for second group, vd=25-45 for third group), and curvature radii to achieve aberration correction with minimized track length. By optimizing these parameters across the lens groups, the system achieves high image quality without proportionally increasing physical length.
3Length of moving object
If a compact design with low TTL/EFL ratio is implemented, then camera size is reduced, but achieving wide field of view with minimal distortion becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system employs dynamic aberration correction where the second lens group with negative optical power acts as an active correction element between the two positive power groups. This dynamic arrangement allows the negative power group to counteract the field curvature and distortion introduced by the positive power groups, enabling the compact design to achieve wide field of view with minimal distortion through balanced optical power distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses composite lens construction with elements of different glass types and optical properties combined within each lens group. The first lens group combines elements with high refractive index (nd=1.70-2.00) and moderate dispersion (vd=20-40), the second group uses elements with lower refractive index (nd=1.50-1.70) and higher dispersion (vd=30-60), and the third group uses intermediate properties (nd=1.60-1.80, vd=25-45). This composite approach allows precise aberration control in a compact form factor.
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 optical assembly provides a wide field of view with reduced distortion and astigmatism, achieving a total track length to effective focal length ratio less than 8, resulting in improved image quality and compact camera design.
Implementation Method 1
An optical assembly for point action cameras is designed with a low total track length to effective focal length ratio, incorporating multiple lens elements and a single aspheric surface
Data Source
AI summary
An optical assembly for a point action camera with a wide field of view includes multiple lens elements configured to provide a field of view in excess of 150 degrees. One or more lens elements has an aspheric surface. The optical assembly exhibits a low inward field curvature of less than 75 microns.