Optical Camera Lens Aberration Correction via Refractive Index Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional five-lens camera lens structures fail to balance low total track length (TTL) and imaging performance, particularly in miniaturized camera devices with high pixel density, leading to suboptimal imaging quality.

Innovation Solution

A five-lens optical camera lens design with specific refractive power configurations and materials, including a first lens with positive refraction, a second lens with negative refraction, a third lens made of glass, and fourth and fifth lenses with negative refraction, optimized to reduce total track length and correct aberrations, using glass and plastic materials to achieve miniaturization and improved imaging quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a five-lens structure is adopted to improve imaging quality, then imaging performance is improved, but total track length increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging qualityVSAvoidtotal track length

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the refractive indices and Abbe numbers of the lens materials. Specifically, the second lens uses material with refractive index 1.65-1.70 and Abbe number 20-30, while the third lens uses glass material with refractive index 1.50-1.70 and Abbe number 20-40. This material parameter optimization enables better aberration correction with reduced optical path length, resolving the contradiction between imaging quality and total track length.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite material strategy by combining different types of optical materials (plastic and glass) with specific optical properties in the lens system. The third lens is specifically made of glass material while others use plastic, creating a composite optical system that leverages the advantages of both material types to achieve high imaging quality in a compact form factor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Area of moving object

If pixel size is reduced to increase pixel density, then device miniaturization is achieved, but imaging quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepixel sizeVSAvoidimaging quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent addresses this contradiction by optimizing optical parameters including focal length ratios (f2/f1 between -0.60 to -0.40, f3/f2 between 0.80 to 1.20) and material properties (refractive indices and Abbe numbers). These parameter optimizations enable the system to maintain high imaging quality even with reduced pixel dimensions by improving light control and aberration correction at the smaller scale.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the optical system into five distinct lens elements with specific functional assignments. The second lens (negative refraction, high refractive index material) and third lens (glass material) are specifically designed to correct chromatic and spherical aberrations, while the first, fourth, and fifth lenses handle other optical functions. This segmentation allows each element to be optimized for its specific role, maintaining imaging quality despite miniaturization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Measurement precision

If more lens elements are added to improve imaging quality, then imaging performance is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging qualityVSAvoidlens structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the complexity-performance balance by carefully selecting refractive indices (1.50-1.70 range) and Abbe numbers (20-40 range) for the lens materials, along with specific focal length ratios. This parameter optimization allows the five-lens system to achieve superior imaging quality while keeping the total track length controlled (TTL ≤ 3.13mm), effectively managing the complexity-performance trade-off.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 design effectively shortens the total track length while maintaining high imaging performance, suitable for portable devices with high pixel density, and reduces chromatic aberration, achieving better imaging quality and miniaturization.