Optical Imaging Module Air Slit Stray Light Blocking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional optical systems face challenges in achieving high optical quality due to non-imaging stray light, which affects image quality and fails to meet progressive market requirements for high-end specification electronic devices.

Innovation Solution

An optical imaging module comprising an imaging lens assembly, an optical path folding element with reflective surfaces, and a light-blocking element with an air slit, where the light-blocking element is positioned opposite to the reflective surfaces to prevent stray light, using a combination of total internal reflection and high-reflective coatings to maintain optical quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional optical system configuration is used, then device complexity is low, but non-imaging stray light is generated affecting image quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenon-imaging stray lightVSAvoidoptical system configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A light-blocking element is introduced as an intermediary component between the optical path folding element and other optical components. This element includes a light-blocking surface positioned to block stray light and an interval area that maintains a distance from the optical path folding element to form an air slit, effectively preventing non-imaging stray light without significantly complicating the overall optical system configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If light-blocking element is placed close to optical reflective surface, then stray light blocking is effective, but air slit formation is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestray light blockingVSAvoidair slit distance
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The light-blocking element features different functional areas with distinct properties: a light-blocking surface positioned close to the optical path folding element for effective stray light blocking, and an interval area that maintains a specific distance to form an air slit. This local differentiation allows the same component to simultaneously achieve both stray light blocking and air slit formation by assigning different spatial characteristics to different parts of the element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 solution effectively blocks stray light, improving overall optical quality, reducing non-imaging light issues, and enabling the production of high-quality images in electronic devices.

Implementation Method 1

The at least one optical reflective surface is an optical total reflection surface that is configured to totally internally reflect imaging light of the optical imaging module in the optical path folding element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Implementation Method 2

The light-blocking element is disposed opposite to the at least one optical reflective surface of the optical path folding element, and the light-blocking element includes an interval area that maintains a distance from the optical path folding element. The interval area of the light-blocking element and the optical total reflection surface form an air slit therebetween

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight blocking: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP4428611A1Optical imaging module, camera module and electronic device
Publication Date: 2024.09.11 LARGAN PRECISION
  • EP4428611A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4428611A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4428611A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An optical imaging module (11) includes an imaging lens assembly (111), an optical path folding element (112), and a light-blocking element (113). The imaging lens assembly (111) includes at least one optical lens element (1111). The optical path folding element (112) is disposed at an image side of the imaging lens assembly (111), and the optical path folding element (112) has a light incident surface (1121), a light exiting surface (1122), and at least one optical reflective surface (1123a). The light-blocking element (113) is disposed opposite to the at least one optical reflective surface (1123a), and the light-blocking element (113) includes an interval area (1131) that maintains a distance from the optical path folding element (112). The at least one optical reflective surface (1123a) is an optical total reflection surface configured to totally internally reflect imaging light of the optical imaging module (11) in the optical path folding element (112). The interval area (1131) of the light-blocking element (113) and the optical total reflection surface form an air slit (AL) therebetween.