Plastic Imaging Lens Microstructure for Stray Light Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical systems in mobile devices are insufficient in reducing the impact of strong non-imaging stray light, which degrades image quality due to reflection and deformation of surface structures under environmental factors.
Innovation Solution
An imaging lens with a plastic lens element featuring a peripheral portion containing a two-dimensional array of columnar protrusions, arranged to optimize density and angular parameters, which reduces stray light reflection and enhances structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional methods such as inking, sandblasting, or coating are used to reduce reflectivity, then optical image quality is improved, but they are insufficient for eliminating high-intensity stray light
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies porous materials by forming porous microstructures on the surface of the optical element coating. These porous structures increase the surface area and create multiple interfaces for light scattering, thereby enhancing the anti-reflective effectiveness and ability to eliminate high-intensity stray light while maintaining optical image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from conventional two-dimensional surface coatings to three-dimensional porous microstructures. This dimensional change creates a more complex light interaction pathway, allowing for superior stray light elimination by scattering light in multiple directions rather than providing a simple flat reflective surface.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If porous microstructures are formed on the surface of coatings to reduce reflectivity, then anti-reflective effectiveness is improved, but the structures lack sufficient support and are prone to deformation due to environmental factors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by integrating porous microstructures into a coating layer that is applied to the optical element. This composite structure combines the light-scattering properties of porous materials with the structural support and environmental resistance of the coating material, thereby maintaining both anti-reflective effectiveness and structural stability under environmental factors.
3Measurement precision
If pixel size is scaled down to improve image sensor performance, then image quality is improved, but the optical system becomes more sensitive to stray light impact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies porous materials on the optical element surfaces to create enhanced light scattering effects. This is particularly important for scaled-down pixel systems that are more sensitive to stray light, as the porous structures effectively reduce the intensity of non-imaging light before it reaches the image sensor, thereby maintaining image quality despite the smaller pixel size.
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 imaging lens effectively attenuates stray light and prevents deformation, improving image quality and meeting high-end optical system requirements in electronic devices.
Implementation Method 1
the columnar protrusions are disposed in the structural region and arranged in a two-dimensional array... effectively attenuates stray light and prevents deformation
Implementation Method 2
Conventional techniques for optical systems involve methods such as inking, sandblasting, and coating the surfaces of optical elements to reduce reflectivity and eliminate stray light
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging lens includes a plastic lens element having a central axis and including an optically effective portion and a peripheral portion adjacently disposed around the optically effective portion. The peripheral portion includes a first side surface and a second side surface disposed opposite each other in a direction of the central axis, and includes a connection surface farther away from the central axis than the first side surface and the second side surface. The first side surface and/or the second side surface has a structural region. The plastic lens element further includes multiple columnar protrusions arranged in a two-dimensional array in the structural region, connected to the structural region and extending protrusively away from the structural region. Each columnar protrusion has a bottom part connected to the structural region and a top part having an arcuate surface. A contour of the bottom part is circular-shaped.