Periscope Optical Lens Layout for Low-Light Imaging in Thin Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing smart electronic devices with periscope lenses face poor imaging quality in dark light conditions due to limited caliber and small light transmission, which is exacerbated by miniaturization efforts.
Innovation Solution
An optical lens design comprising a first lens with positive refractive power, a reflector, a second lens with positive refractive power, a third lens with negative refractive power, a fourth lens with refractive power, and a fifth lens, configured to increase light intake and focal length, allowing effective imaging in dark conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the caliber of the periscope camera is increased to improve light transmission, then the imaging quality in dark light condition is improved, but the thickness of the overall smart electronic device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a periscope optical path design that bends light at 90 degrees using a reflector, changing the light transmission direction from a straight linear path to a folded path. This dimensional change allows the optical lens to achieve a longer effective focal length and larger light intake caliber without increasing the device's overall thickness, as the light path extends in a folded configuration rather than a straight line through the device.
2Volume of moving object
If the optical lens volume is compressed to achieve miniaturization, then the device size is reduced, but the imaging quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The periscope optical path design folds the light path at 90 degrees, allowing the optical lens to maintain a longer effective focal length and larger light intake caliber while reducing the overall lens volume and device footprint. This dimensional change in light transmission direction enables high-definition imaging without requiring a large linear lens volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical lens components are arranged in a compact nested configuration along the folded optical path, with multiple lens elements (first lens, second lens, third lens, fourth lens, and fifth lens) positioned in sequence within the constrained space. This nested arrangement maximizes the use of available space while maintaining the required optical path length for high-quality imaging.
3Area of stationary object
If a five-piece lens group with reflector is used to bend light path 90 degrees, then the footprint is reduced, but the light transmission amount remains small causing poor imaging quality in dark light condition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a reflector to bend the light path at 90 degrees, changing the spatial configuration from a linear arrangement to a folded path. This dimensional change reduces the camera footprint and screen-to-body ratio while allowing the optical lens to maintain a larger effective light intake caliber, thereby increasing light transmission amount without increasing the device footprint.
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 lens design enhances light intake and focal length, improving imaging quality in dark environments while maintaining device miniaturization.
Implementation Method 1
The reflector is configured to reflect incident light transmitted by the first lens, to enable reflected incident light to be transmitted to the second lens
Implementation Method 2
The first lens has positive refractive power
Implementation Method 3
The third lens has negative refractive power
Data Source
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AI summary
An optical lens, an optical module, and an electronic device are provided. The optical lens includes: a first lens (1), a reflector (2), a diaphragm (3), a second lens (4), a third lens (5), a fourth lens (6), and a fifth lens (7) in sequence from an object side to an image side. The first lens (1) has positive refractive power. A surface (S1), facing the object side, of the first lens (1) is a concave surface close to an optical axis (8). A surface (S2), facing the image side, of the first lens (1) is a convex surface close to the optical axis (8). The second lens (4) has positive refractive power. A surface (S3), facing the object side, of the second lens (4) is a convex surface close to the optical axis (8). The third lens (5) has negative refractive power. A surface (S5), facing the object side, of the third lens (5) is a convex surface close to the optical axis (8). A surface (S6), facing the image side, of the third lens (5) is a concave surface close to the optical axis (8). The fourth lens (6) has refractive power. A surface (S7), facing the object side, of the fourth lens (6) is a convex surface close to the optical axis (8). A surface (S8), facing the image side, of the fourth lens (6) is a concave surface close to the optical axis (8). The fifth lens (7) has refractive power.