Optical Imaging System With Folded Path For Slim Portable Terminals
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a demand for optical imaging systems in portable terminals that are both slim and capable of high-resolution image capture, while also being compact in size.
Innovation Solution
The optical imaging system consists of a first lens group with a reflective member and one or two lenses, and a second lens group with multiple lenses. The reflective member has specific surfaces and is rotatable, allowing for compact design and high-resolution imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional optical imaging system with multiple lenses is used to achieve high-resolution image capture, then image resolution is improved, but the overall size and thickness of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a reflective member (prism or mirror) to fold the optical path, transforming the linear arrangement of lenses into a multi-dimensional configuration. Light travels through lenses, reflects off the reflective member, and continues through additional lenses, effectively packing a longer optical path into a shorter axial distance. This dimensional change allows high-resolution imaging with multiple lenses while reducing the overall system thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The reflective member is positioned within the lens assembly structure, with lenses arranged before and after the reflection point. The optical path is nested within the compact housing, with the reflected light path traveling through the same physical space as the incident path, effectively doubling the optical path length without proportionally increasing the external dimensions of the system.
2Measurement precision
If more lenses are added to the optical system to improve image quality and resolution, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By introducing the reflective member to create a folded optical path, the patent enables the use of multiple lenses (typically 5-7 lenses in two groups) without linearly increasing system complexity. The reflected path allows lenses to be arranged in a compact configuration where light travels forward through the first lens group, reflects, and then travels backward through the second lens group, effectively utilizing the same physical space for multiple optical elements.
3Measurement precision
If the optical path length is increased to improve imaging performance, then image resolution is improved, but the physical space required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reflective member folds the optical path into a multi-dimensional arrangement, allowing the light to travel a longer distance through multiple lenses while occupying a compact three-dimensional space. The optical path is arranged to travel forward, reflect, and return backward through a different set of lenses, effectively doubling the optical path length within the same physical envelope.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical components are nested within each other in a compact arrangement, with the reflective member positioned to reflect light back through the lens assembly. The optical path is embedded within the housing volume, with lenses and the reflective member arranged to maximize the optical path length while minimizing the external dimensions of the camera module.
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 enables the optical imaging system to be miniaturized while maintaining high-resolution image capture capabilities, suitable for use in portable terminals.
Implementation Method 1
the reflective member includes an incident surface, a reflection surface, and an exit surface
Implementation Method 2
a first lens group including a reflective member and one or two lenses disposed in front of the reflective member; and a second lens group disposed behind the reflective member and including a plurality of lenses
Data Source
AI summary
An optical imaging system includes a first lens group including a reflective member and one or two lenses disposed in front of the reflective member; and a second lens group disposed behind the reflective member and including a plurality of lenses. The one or two lenses included in the first lens group have a positive refractive power overall, an image-side surface of a lens disposed closest to the reflective member among the one or two lenses included in the first lens group is concave, the reflective member includes an incident surface, a reflection surface, and an exit surface, and 0.25≤D12P/DR≤1.0 is satisfied, where D12P is a distance on an optical axis from the image-side surface of the lens disposed closest to the reflective member to the incident surface, and DR is a distance on the optical axis from the incident surface to the reflection surface.