Optical Path Folding Element with Engaging Structures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional telephoto lens assemblies are limited by their surface shapes and materials, making it difficult to reduce volume while maintaining high image quality, which is essential for compact, portable, and cost-effective imaging lens modules for electronic devices.
Innovation Solution
The use of an optical path folding element with specific surface configurations, including annular and inclined surface portions, and a metallic layer for light folding, which allows for efficient light path folding and improved engagement with other module elements, reducing volume and cost while maintaining high image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional telephoto lens assembly is used, then image quality can be maintained, but volume cannot be reduced and price is too high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies optical path folding using a prism to change the spatial arrangement of optical components. By folding the light path at 90 degrees, the effective optical path length is extended without increasing the linear dimensions of the lens assembly, thereby reducing volume while maintaining imaging performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical path folding element (prism) as an intermediary component between the lens elements and the image sensor. This mediator folds the light path and enables compact arrangement of optical components, achieving volume reduction without sacrificing image quality
2Volume of moving object
If optical path folding element is used to reduce volume, then volume is reduced, but engagement stability with other elements becomes difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the optical path folding element into distinct functional regions: an optical effective portion for light transmission and engaging structures for mechanical connection. The engaging structures include annular surface portions and inclined surface portions that provide stable engagement with lens holders or mounting elements, ensuring positional stability despite the compact folded design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the engaging structures with predetermined geometric features (annular surfaces, inclined surfaces with specific angles) that pre-establish stable mechanical connections before assembly. The inclined surface portions with angles between 5-15 degrees facilitate self-alignment and secure engagement, preventing displacement during operation
3Volume of moving object
If optical path folding element is used to reduce volume, then volume is reduced, but alignment precision for high image quality becomes difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric design in the engaging structures, with inclined surface portions having specific angle ranges (5-15 degrees) that differ from the annular surface portions. This asymmetric geometry provides directional guidance for alignment during assembly, ensuring that the optical path folding element maintains precise angular and positional relationships with other optical components, thereby preserving alignment precision in the compact configuration
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 solution enables the creation of compact, high-resolution imaging lens modules with improved stability and alignment, suitable for portable devices, by effectively folding light rays and enhancing engagement between optical path folding elements and other module components, thus addressing the limitations of conventional telephoto lens assemblies.
Implementation Method 1
The path folding surface folds the light ray from the incident surface
Implementation Method 2
The path folding surface folds the light ray from the incident surface
Data Source
AI summary
An optical path folding element includes an incident surface, a path folding surface and an exiting surface. The incident surface allows a light ray to pass into the optical path folding element. The path folding surface folds the light ray from the incident surface. The exiting surface allows the light ray to pass through and depart from the optical path folding element. At least one of the incident surface and the exiting surface includes an optical effective portion and at least one engaging structure symmetrically disposed around the optical effective portion. The engaging structure includes an annular surface portion and an inclined surface portion. The annular surface portion surrounds the optical effective portion, and the inclined surface portion is located between the annular surface portion and the optical effective portion. An angle between the annular surface portion and the inclined surface portion satisfies a specific condition.