Plano-Convex Lens Positioning in Miniature Camera Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Miniature camera lens systems using glass lenses are expensive due to high manufacturing costs and complexity, particularly because of the need for precise positioning of aspheric glass lenses, which is challenging and costly in small sizes.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a lens system configuration that positions a glass plano-convex lens between plastic lenses, allowing for looser de-centration tolerances and reduced manufacturing costs, using a 3P1G (three plastic lenses, one glass lens) configuration with the glass lens positioned after the initial plastic lenses, optimizing the optical path and reducing complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an aspheric glass lens is used in the first position, then optical performance is improved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase due to precise positioning requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical performanceVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional lens arrangement by placing the glass lens in the third position rather than the first position. This inversion allows the use of a simpler plano-convex glass lens instead of a complex aspheric glass lens, significantly reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining optical performance through the optimized 3P1G configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the positional parameter of the glass lens from the first position to the third position in the optical path. This parameter change enables the system to achieve optimal performance with a plano-convex glass lens rather than requiring an aspheric glass lens, thereby reducing manufacturing precision requirements and costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If an aspheric glass lens is positioned with high precision, then optical performance is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical performanceVSAvoidpositioning complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By inverting the conventional arrangement and placing the glass lens in the third position, the patent eliminates the need for high-precision positioning of aspheric glass lenses. The plano-convex glass lens in the third position requires significantly lower positioning precision, thereby reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

Changing the glass lens position to the third position fundamentally alters the positioning requirements. This parameter change reduces the de-centration tolerance requirements from tight to loose, significantly simplifying the positioning process and reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If a glass lens is positioned in the first position, then optical performance is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical performanceVSAvoidde-centration tolerance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional lens ordering to place the glass lens in the third position. This allows the use of a plano-convex glass lens with loose de-centration tolerances rather than requiring an aspheric glass lens with tight de-centration tolerances, significantly reducing manufacturing precision requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

By changing the glass lens position to the third position, the patent fundamentally alters the tolerance requirements. The plano-convex glass lens in the third position can accommodate larger de-centration errors, reducing manufacturing precision requirements from high to low.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 results in high-performance, cost-effective miniature camera systems with improved tolerance and reduced manufacturing complexity, enabling efficient production of high-resolution camera systems for mobile and fixed devices.

Implementation Method 1

a glass plano-convex lens along an optical path through an interior of the lens holder

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentUS7663817B1Optical system with plano convex lens

Publication Date: 2010.02.16 DIGITALPTICS MEMS

AI summary

An optical system for a miniature camera is disclosed. The optical system can have a lens holder including mounting features to position a plurality of lenses. The mounting features can include mounting features that are configured to position a first plastic lens proximate an aperture end portion of the lens holder and/or mounting features that are configured to position a glass plano-convex lens along an optical path through an interior of the lens holder with a substantially planar surface of the glass plano-convex lens positioned toward the aperture end portion of the lens holder.