Plastic Aspherical Zoom Lens for Compact Camera Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
The miniaturization of camera modules has led to a need for a lightweight and cost-effective zoom optical system that can be integrated into small cameras, as traditional glass lens systems are expensive and difficult to manufacture for compact devices.
Innovation Solution
A zoom optical system comprising a first lens group with negative refractive power, a second lens group with positive refractive power, and a third lens group with positive refractive power, where the lenses are made of plastic and have aspherical surfaces, allowing for adjustable positions and reduced manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If lenses made of glass are used in the zoom optical system, then chromatic aberrations are decreased, but manufacturing costs increase and the system becomes heavier
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from glass to plastic and modifies the surface geometry to aspherical shapes. This allows achieving acceptable chromatic aberration correction through precise aspherical surface design rather than relying on glass material properties, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining optical performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite optical design by combining multiple plastic lenses with different refractive indices and aspherical surface configurations. This composite approach allows correction of chromatic aberrations through the combined optical effect of multiple elements rather than requiring single high-cost glass elements
2Object-affected harmful factors
If lenses made of glass are used in the zoom optical system, then chromatic aberrations are decreased, but the system weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from glass to plastic, which has inherently lower density and weight. The aspherical surface design compensates for the lower material performance, allowing lightweight plastic lenses to achieve the required optical correction without chromatic aberration issues
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adopts plastic lenses that are cheaper and lighter than glass alternatives. While plastic may have different durability characteristics, the weight and cost advantages make it suitable for applications where miniaturization and cost-effectiveness are priorities
3Volume of moving object
If the zoom optical system is miniaturized, then it can be integrated into small camera modules, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs aspherical surfaces on the plastic lenses, which can be more efficiently manufactured using modern molding techniques compared to achieving similar precision with glass. The aspherical design allows for compact lens configurations that reduce overall system size while maintaining optical quality
Solution Approach 2:
By changing from glass to plastic material and incorporating aspherical surfaces, the patent enables miniaturization through more compact lens element designs. The plastic material allows for tighter tolerances and more aggressive curvature designs that reduce the physical dimensions of each lens element and the overall system
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 proposed zoom optical system achieves a lightweight and compact design while maintaining effective optical performance, including reduced aberrations and improved chromatic aberration correction, making it suitable for small camera modules.
Implementation Method 1
a first lens group having a negative refractive power, a second lens group having a positive refractive power, and a third lens group having a positive refractive power, which are sequentially disposed from an object side toward an image side
Data Source
AI summary
A zoom optical system includes a first lens group, a position of which with respect to an imaging plane is adjustable, and including first and second lenses. The zoom optical system also includes a second lens group of which a position with respect to the imaging plane is adjustable and includes third to fifth lenses. The zoom optical system further includes a third lens group including a sixth lens. An object-side surface of the first lens is convex.