Radial Reduction Lens Element for Compact Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging lens assemblies for portable electronic devices face challenges in balancing compact size with high image quality, as they struggle to efficiently reduce volume while maintaining optical performance.
Innovation Solution
The proposed imaging lens assembly incorporates a radial reduction lens element with an effective optical portion that includes a reduction part, shrinking towards the optical axis to create a non-circular shape, and a peripheral portion extending away from the axis. This design is combined with a light blocking element featuring a central opening, a receiving structure, and an extending light blocking structure, which are disposed at intervals around the optical axis to prevent non-imaging light from entering the lens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a conventional circular lens element is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the volume cannot be sufficiently reduced for compact portable devices
Solution Approach 1:
The lens element employs an asymmetric radial reduction design where the effective optical portion has a non-circular cross-section that shrinks radially inward toward the optical axis. This asymmetric geometry allows the lens to achieve compact volume reduction while maintaining the necessary optical clear aperture and functional performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The lens element is segmented into distinct functional zones: an effective optical portion with reduced radial dimensions for compactness, and a peripheral portion that extends outward. This segmentation allows each region to serve its specific optical or structural function while contributing to overall volume reduction.
2Volume of moving object
If the lens volume is reduced to achieve compact size, then the device becomes suitable for portable electronics, but the image quality may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The lens design applies local quality optimization by concentrating the effective optical portion in a specific radial zone with controlled refractive properties, while the peripheral portion provides structural support and light blocking. This localized functional distribution maintains image quality by ensuring optimal optical characteristics are concentrated where needed for sharp focusing.
Solution Approach 2:
A light blocking element is introduced as an intermediary component between the radial reduction lens element and the image sensor. This intermediary structure prevents non-imaging light from reaching the sensor while allowing imaging light to pass through, thereby maintaining image quality in the compactened lens assembly.
3Volume of moving object
If a radial reduction lens element with non-circular effective optical portion is used, then the volume is reduced, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric radial reduction geometry is designed to be manufacturable through conventional lens molding techniques by defining the non-circular effective optical portion as a specific zone within the lens element. The asymmetric shape is created through controlled material removal or molding cavities that can be integrated into standard manufacturing workflows.
Solution Approach 2:
The lens element is segmented into an effective optical portion and a peripheral portion, where the segmentation surfaces are designed to be compatible with standard lens fabrication processes. This segmentation allows each portion to be manufactured using established techniques while achieving the desired compact volume.
4Volume of moving object
If the effective optical portion is made non-circular with radial reduction, then the lens volume decreases, but the light blocking requirement becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
A dedicated light blocking element serves as an intermediary component that works in conjunction with the radial reduction lens element. This intermediary structure includes a central opening aligned with the optical axis and peripheral light blocking portions that correspond to the lens geometry, creating a coordinated system that manages light paths effectively in the compact design.
Solution Approach 2:
The light blocking element employs asymmetric geometry with a non-circular central opening that matches the radial reduction pattern of the lens element. This asymmetric design ensures that the light blocking portions are positioned to prevent non-imaging light from reaching the image sensor while maintaining compatibility with the compact lens volume reduction.
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
This configuration allows for a compact imaging lens assembly that maintains high image quality by effectively reducing the volume of the lens while preventing non-imaging light from entering, thus enhancing the overall optical performance.
Implementation Method 1
The radial reduction lens element includes an effective optical portion and a peripheral portion. The optical axis passes through the effective optical portion, and the effective optical portion includes a reduction part.
Implementation Method 2
The light blocking element has a central opening, the optical axis passes through the central opening, and the light blocking element includes a receiving structure and an extending light blocking structure.
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging lens assembly has an optical axis, and includes at least one radial reduction lens element and a light blocking element. The radial reduction lens element includes an effective optical portion and a peripheral portion. The effective optical portion includes a reduction part shrinking from a portion of the effective optical portion towards the optical axis so that the effective optical portion is non-circular. The peripheral portion and the reduction part are disposed at interval. The light blocking element includes a receiving structure and an extending light blocking structure. The extending light blocking structure and the receiving structure are disposed at interval, and the extending light blocking structure is connected to the receiving structure so that the effective optical portion is non-circular.