Periscope Optical System for Compact Zoom and Image Stabilization

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optical systems face challenges in achieving miniaturization while maintaining high optical quality and functionality, particularly in capturing images and videos with varying focal lengths and stabilizing against camera shake.

Innovation Solution

A periscope optical system comprising multiple optical modules with movable parts driven by piezoelectric elements and transmission elements, allowing for functions such as yawing, pitching, zooming, auto focus, and optical image stabilization, while ensuring stable and accurate movement of optical elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple lenses with different focal lengths are used to satisfy different image quality demands, then the image capture capability is improved, but the device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage capture capabilityVSAvoiddevice size
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

A single lens assembly is designed to perform multiple functions (capturing images and videos with different focal lengths) through coordinated movement of multiple lens groups, eliminating the need for separate lenses for each function and thereby reducing device size

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If optical image stabilizer with prism and actuators is used to compensate camera shake, then the image stabilization is improved, but the device complexity and size increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage stabilizationVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The optical image stabilization function is merged with the existing lens assembly structure. The lens groups are designed to move not only for focusing and zooming but also for image stabilization, combining multiple functions into a single integrated system that reduces overall complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Length of moving object

If folded optics system with triangular prism is used to compact the optical path, then the device length is reduced, but the manufacturing precision and alignment difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptical path lengthVSAvoidalignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using a triangular prism that folds the optical path in a single dimension, the patent uses multiple lens groups that move in multiple dimensions (including lateral and longitudinal directions) to achieve compact optical path arrangement, distributing the folding across multiple spatial dimensions and reducing alignment complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 system achieves high stability and accuracy in optical performance, enabling improved image capture quality and stabilization, while being compact in design.

Implementation Method 1

movable parts driven by piezoelectric elements and transmission elements

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3816691B1Optical system
Publication Date: 2025.07.09 TDK TAIWAN
  • EP3816691B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3816691B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3816691B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An optical system is provided. The optical system includes a first optical module (100) and a second optical module (200). The first optical module (100) is used for connected to a first optical element. The second optical module (200) is used for connected to a second optical element. A light enters the first optical module (100) along an incident direction (50), and the light is adjusted by the first optical module (100) to enter the second optical module (200) along a first direction (51). The incident direction (50) is not parallel with the first direction (51).