Planar-Aspherical Lens Assembly for Thin Mobile Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge in mobile device markets is to reduce the thickness of electronic devices with integrated optical lens assemblies while maintaining high performance, which is difficult due to the conflict between increasing the number of lenses and sensor sizes, and the complexity of manufacturing smaller lenses with proper optical and aberration characteristics.

Innovation Solution

The optical lens assembly design includes at least two lenses with planar central regions and aspherical peripheral regions, arranged from object to image side, where the ratio of the planar central region diameter to the effective lens diameter satisfies 0.01 < φflat-object / φfull < 0.5, allowing for compact size and high resolution performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the number of lenses and sensor sizes are increased to improve optical performance, then image quality and resolution are improved, but device thickness increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage qualityVSAvoiddevice thickness
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by dividing each lens into a planar central region and a curved peripheral region. The planar central region (with diameter ratio 0.05 < φflat-object/φfull < 0.4) provides optimized optical performance for the main light path, while the curved peripheral region handles edge rays, allowing high-quality imaging with fewer lenses and reduced overall device thickness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments each lens surface into distinct functional zones: a planar central region and a curved peripheral region. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized for its specific function, enabling the system to achieve high-resolution imaging with a compact number of lenses, thereby reducing device thickness while maintaining image quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Length of stationary object

If lens size is reduced to achieve compact device, then device thickness is reduced, but manufacturing difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice thicknessVSAvoidmanufacturing difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by dividing each lens into a planar central region and a curved peripheral region. The planar central region (with diameter ratio 0.05 < φflat-object/φfull < 0.4) provides optimized optical performance for the main light path, while the curved peripheral region handles edge rays, allowing high-quality imaging with fewer lenses and reduced overall device thickness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments each lens surface into distinct functional zones: a planar central region and a curved peripheral region. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized for its specific function, enabling the system to achieve high-resolution imaging with a compact number of lenses, thereby reducing device thickness while maintaining image quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If the number of lenses is increased to achieve proper optical characteristics, then aberration correction is improved, but device complexity and thickness increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaberration characteristicsVSAvoidlens assembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by dividing each lens into a planar central region and a curved peripheral region. The planar central region (with diameter ratio 0.05 < φflat-object/φfull < 0.4) provides optimized optical performance for the main light path, while the curved peripheral region handles edge rays, allowing high-quality imaging with fewer lenses and reduced overall device thickness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments each lens surface into distinct functional zones: a planar central region and a curved peripheral region. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized for its specific function, enabling the system to achieve high-resolution imaging with a compact number of lenses, thereby reducing device thickness while maintaining image quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 design enables the creation of compact optical lens assemblies with improved manufacturing ease and reduced aberration, effectively addressing the challenge of thinning electronic devices while maintaining high image quality.

Implementation Method 1

at least one of the at least two lenses includes an object side surface having a planar central region, an image side surface having a planar central region and a peripheral region having an aspherical surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentEP3391117B1Optical lens assembly and apparatus having the same
Publication Date: 2025.01.15 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3391117B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3391117B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3391117B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An optical lens assembly utilized as part of an electronic device may be configured to provide a compact structure and/or a thin profile for the electronic device while maintaining high resolution, via the use of at least one lens having planar surfaces in partial portions thereof. An optical lens assembly may include at least two lenses arranged from an object side to an image side, where at least one of the at least two lenses includes an object side surface with a planar central region, an image side surface that also has a planar central region and a peripheral region having an aspherical surface. Various embodiments with differing lens arrangements are disclosed.