Plastic Optical Folding Element With Multilayer Reflection Film
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in modern imaging lens assemblies for portable electronic devices is to enhance image quality while addressing issues related to light reflection control and optical quality inspection, particularly in curved surfaces where light reflection direction is difficult to manage and internal light quality inspection is challenging.
Innovation Solution
A plastic optical folding element with a reflection film structure comprising alternating layers of low and high reflectance layers, a connecting layer of Aluminium oxide, and a blocking layer of metals like Nickel, Titanium, or their oxides, along with Ag layers, to control light direction and protect the Ag layers from oxidation, combined with a symmetric arrangement for efficient optical quality inspection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a simple reflection film structure is used, then manufacturing is easier, but light reflection control and optical quality are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The reflection film is segmented into multiple functional layers: a first multilayer film with alternating low and high reflectance layers for spectral control, a first connecting layer, a first Ag layer for high reflectance, and a blocking layer. This segmentation allows each layer to perform a specific function, achieving precise light reflection control while maintaining manufacturability through standardized layer deposition processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The reflection film uses composite material structures combining different materials with complementary optical properties: low reflectance layers (e.g., TiO2, SiO2), high reflectance layers (e.g., Ta2O5, Nb2O5), Ag layer for metal reflectance, and blocking layer materials. This composite structure enables sophisticated light reflection control across different wavelengths and angles.
2Illumination intensity
If Ag layers are used for high reflectance, then light reflection performance is improved, but oxidation and degradation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking layer is placed directly on the first Ag layer to provide beforehand protection against oxidation and environmental degradation. This protective layer acts as a barrier that prevents oxygen and moisture from reaching the Ag layer, ensuring long-term stability while maintaining the Ag layer's high light reflection performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking layer serves as an intermediary between the Ag layer and the external environment, mediating the interaction by blocking harmful substances. This intermediary layer allows the Ag layer to maintain its optical function without direct exposure to degrading factors.
3Manufacturing precision
If complex multilayer structures are used for light control, then optical quality is improved, but inspection difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system is segmented into distinct functional zones: the first multilayer film for spectral control, the Ag layer for high reflectance, and the blocking layer for protection. This segmentation allows inspectors to evaluate each layer's contribution separately and systematically, simplifying the inspection of the overall optical quality.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of inspecting the complex multilayer structure from the incident light side, the patent enables inspection from the exiting surface side. The light path is arranged so that the exiting surface provides access to evaluate the optical quality of the reflection film layers, making inspection easier by approaching the problem from the opposite direction.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the reflection film is placed on curved surfaces, then optical functionality is achieved, but light reflection direction control becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The reflection film structure is designed with local quality optimization where each layer's thickness and material properties can be adjusted to compensate for the curved surface geometry. The alternating low and high reflectance layers are configured to maintain consistent optical performance across different incident angles, enabling effective light reflection control on curved surfaces.
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
Enhances image quality by improving light transmittance and adjusting reflected light spectrum, while protecting the Ag layers from oxidation and facilitating efficient optical quality inspection, even in curved surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
The first multilayer film includes at least one first low reflectance layer and at least one first high reflectance layer. A reflectance of the first high reflectance layer is higher than a reflectance of the first low reflectance layer, and the first high reflectance layer and the first low reflectance layer are stacked alternatively.
Implementation Method 2
The reflection surface is for changing a traveling direction of the light.
Implementation Method 3
The blocking layer includes at least one of Nickel, Titanium, Vanadium, Chromium, Nickel oxide, Titanium oxide, Vanadium oxide and Chromium oxide
Data Source
AI summary
A plastic optical folding element includes an incident surface, at least one reflection surface, an exiting surface and a reflection film. A light enters the plastic optical folding element through the incident surface. The reflection surface is for changing a traveling direction of the light. The light leaves the plastic optical folding element from the exiting surface. A reflection film is disposed on the reflection surface, a bottom of the reflection film is physically contacted with the reflection surface, a top of the reflection film is disposed relative to the bottom. The reflection film includes, in order from the bottom to the top which is away from the reflection surface, a first multilayer film, a first connecting layer, a first Ag layer and a blocking layer.