RC Reflective Camera Optical System Compact Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
The design of camera apparatuses in portable electronic products faces challenges in achieving high image quality across various scenes, such as distant, close, and macro shots, while maintaining a compact size and long focal length, due to the limited internal space.
Innovation Solution
A camera apparatus is designed with a first optical system and a second optical system, incorporating a seven-piece lens and an RC reflective optical system with aspheric lenses, which includes a secondary reflecting mirror and a main reflecting mirror, allowing for an optical zoom factor of more than 10 times, achieving long focal length, high image quality, and compact structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If a conventional optical system is used to achieve long focal length, then the focal length is extended, but the system size increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a reflective optical system where light undergoes multiple reflections (first reflection, second reflection) to extend the optical path length without proportionally increasing the physical length of the system. By utilizing the third dimension (depth) through folded optical paths and positioning components at specific heights above the optical axis, the system achieves long focal length while maintaining compact overall dimensions
Solution Approach 2:
The optical system integrates multiple functional components within a compact structure. The reflective mirrors, lens groups, and diaphragms are nested and arranged such that the optical path is folded back on itself, with components positioned to utilize space efficiently. The system embeds the long focal length functionality within a small form factor by nesting optical elements and using reflected paths that return through previously occupied spaces
2Volume of moving object
If the internal space is reduced for compact design, then the device size is minimized, but the image quality and shooting versatility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies aspheric surfaces to specific lens surfaces (object-side surface of first lens, image-side surface of second lens, object-side surface of third lens) to locally correct optical aberrations. This targeted application of aspheric geometry at critical surfaces maintains high image quality while avoiding the need for additional corrective elements that would increase system size. The diaphragm is also positioned at a specific location to locally control light paths and reduce aberrations
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple lens elements are added to improve image quality, then the optical performance is enhanced, but the system complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces a portion of the refractive optical system with a reflective system. Instead of using additional lens elements to achieve the required optical path length and focal ratio, the design uses reflective mirrors to fold the optical path. This substitution reduces the number of refractive surfaces needed while maintaining the long focal length and compact form factor, thereby reducing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The optical system combines different types of optical elements (refractive lens groups and reflective mirrors) with specific refractive indices and optical properties. The lens group includes elements with different refractive indices (e.g., N1, N2, N3) to optimize performance. This composite approach allows the system to achieve high image quality with fewer total elements by leveraging the complementary strengths of reflective and refractive components
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 enables the camera apparatus to achieve high image quality and long focal length with minimal size, effectively addressing the challenge of compact design while providing versatile shooting capabilities across different scenes.
Implementation Method 1
the second optical system includes a secondary reflecting mirror, a main reflecting mirror (with an opening in the center area), and a lens group, which are sequentially arranged from an object side to an image side. Light from the object side is sequentially reflected by the main reflecting mirror and the secondary reflecting mirror
Implementation Method 2
at least one lens of the lens group has an aspheric surface
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure discloses a camera apparatus including a first optical system and a second optical system. The second optical system includes a secondary reflecting mirror, a main reflecting mirror with an opening in a center area thereof, and a lens group, which are sequentially arranged from an object side to an image side. Light from the object side is sequentially reflected by the main reflecting mirror and the secondary reflecting mirror, and then enters the lens group through the opening. A total effective focal length F1 of the first optical system and a total effective focal length F2 of the second optical system satisfy: F2/F1>10.