Plastic Light-Folding Element With Ag Optical Films for Image Restoration
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Solution Overview
Problem
The quality requirements of plastic light-folding elements in imaging lens assembly modules for portable electronic devices are increasing, necessitating improvements in image restoration and reflection efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A plastic light-folding element with a reflective optical layer comprising an Ag layer, a bottom layer optical film, and a top layer optical film, where the refractive indices and thicknesses are optimized to enhance adhesion and reduce unnecessary reflections, while maintaining high reflectivity and image restoration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a simple reflective layer is used on the plastic light-folding element, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the adhesion between the Ag layer and plastic material is insufficient and internal reflections occur
Solution Approach 1:
The reflective optical layer is constructed as a composite structure with multiple functional layers: a bottom layer optical film (first optical film) directly contacted with the Ag layer for adhesion, and a top layer optical film (second optical film) with lower refractive index for reducing internal reflections. This composite structure combines materials with different properties to simultaneously achieve strong adhesion and minimize harmful reflections.
Solution Approach 2:
The bottom layer optical film acts as an intermediary layer between the Ag layer and the plastic light-folding element. This intermediate layer enhances the adhesion between the metallic Ag layer and the plastic substrate, preventing direct contact that would result in poor bonding. The top layer optical film serves as another intermediary that manages optical interactions by reducing internal reflections.
2Manufacturing precision
If the refractive index of the top layer optical film is higher than the bottom layer, then more internal reflections occur, but if the refractive index is lower, then image restoration is improved
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the reflective optical layer are assigned different refractive indices to perform different functions. The bottom layer optical film has a higher refractive index (1.6726) to provide strong adhesion to the Ag layer, while the top layer optical film has a lower refractive index (1.4618) to reduce internal reflections. This local differentiation of material properties optimizes both adhesion and optical performance.
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 solution enhances the adhesion between the Ag layer and the plastic material, reduces internal reflections, and improves image restoration, allowing for a more realistic and detailed image representation with reduced volume in the imaging lens assembly module.
Implementation Method 1
The Ag layer is configured to lead the imaging light, which enters the incident surface, reflect to the exit surface
Implementation Method 2
The bottom layer optical film is directly contacted with the Ag layer, and the bottom layer optical film is closer to the reflective surface of the plastic light-folding element than the Ag layer to the reflective surface of the plastic light-folding element
Implementation Method 3
A refractive index of the top layer optical film is lower than a refractive index of the bottom layer optical film, wherein the top layer optical film is not directly contacted with the Ag layer, and the top layer optical film is farther from the reflective surface of the plastic light-folding element than the Ag layer from the reflective surface of the plastic light-folding element
Data Source
AI summary
A plastic light-folding element includes an incident surface, an exit surface, a reflective surface and a reflective optical layer. The incident surface and the exit surface are configured to lead an imaging light enter and exit the plastic light-folding element, respectively. The reflective surface is configured to fold the imaging light. The reflective optical layer is disposed on the reflective surface, and includes an Ag layer, a bottom layer optical film and a top layer optical film. The bottom layer optical film is contacted with the Ag layer, and the bottom layer optical film is closer to the reflective surface than the Ag layer to the reflective surface. A refractive index of the top layer optical film is lower than a refractive index of the bottom layer optical film, and the top layer optical film is not contacted with the Ag layer.