Prism-Folded Optical Imaging System for Thin Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical imaging systems with multiple lenses are too long to be easily mounted in thin electronic devices like mobile phones, limiting their integration.
Innovation Solution
An optical imaging system is designed with a prism adjacent to the first and second lenses to refract light, and a reflecting member adjacent to the fifth lens and imaging plane to reflect light, along with specific lens configurations and a filter, allowing for a compact design that can be mounted in thin devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple lenses are used to improve resolution, then imaging quality is improved, but system length increases making it difficult to mount in thin devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a prism that redirects light at approximately 90 degrees, changing the optical path from a linear arrangement to a folded configuration. This dimensional change allows the optical system to achieve the required optical path length for high-resolution imaging while keeping the physical footprint compact, enabling integration into thin electronic devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a reflecting member positioned near the fifth lens to fold the optical path back toward the imaging plane, creating a nested-like configuration where the optical components are arranged in a compact, space-efficient manner. This allows multiple lens elements to be incorporated without proportionally increasing the overall system length.
2Length of moving object
If the optical system is shortened for thin device integration, then ease of mounting is improved, but imaging resolution deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By using the prism to redirect light at approximately 90 degrees, the patent decouples the optical path length from the physical system length. This allows the optical system to maintain sufficient optical path length for high-resolution imaging while achieving a compact physical form factor suitable for thin devices.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional lens arrangements are used, then optical freedom is maintained, but wide angle distortion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric lens designs with different refractive powers and surface curvatures optimized for specific regions of the optical path. The first lens has negative refractive power while subsequent lenses have positive refractive power, with each lens surface carefully designed to correct distortion in its local field of view while maintaining overall optical freedom.
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 system achieves high resolution imaging while being compact enough to fit within thin electronic devices, reducing wide angle distortion and maintaining optical freedom.
Implementation Method 1
a prism disposed adjacent to the first lens and the second lens, and configured to refract light from the first lens to the second lens
Implementation Method 2
a reflecting member disposed adjacent to the fifth lens and the imaging plane, and configured to reflect light from the fifth lens to the imaging plane
Data Source
AI summary
An optical imaging system includes lenses. A prism is disposed adjacent to a first lens of the lenses and a second lens of the lenses, and is configured to refract light from the first lens to the second lens. A reflecting member is disposed adjacent to a fifth lens of the lenses and an imaging plane, and is configured to reflect light from the fifth lens to the imaging plane.