Reflective Lens Assembly for Slim High-Resolution Optics

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lens assemblies in portable devices struggle to achieve a slim and lightweight design while maintaining high resolution and optical performance due to limitations in space utilization.

Innovation Solution

A lens assembly design incorporating a reflective element that reflects light multiple times within a reflective element, allowing for a longer optical path and increased space efficiency, with a lens unit and reflective element configuration that satisfies specific geometric conditions to reduce total length and volume.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the total length of the lens assembly is shortened to meet slim and lightweight requirements, then the device becomes more compact, but the optical performance and resolution deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelens assembly volumeVSAvoidresolution

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a reflective element that redirects light paths in multiple dimensions, allowing the optical system to achieve longer effective focal length and back focal length within a compact lens assembly by changing the light propagation direction rather than simply extending the optical path linearly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The reflective element is integrated within the lens assembly structure, nesting the light reflection function within the existing lens components to maximize space utilization efficiency while maintaining compact dimensions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Measurement precision

If the effective focal length and back focal length are increased to improve optical performance, then the resolution improves, but the lens assembly length increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveresolutionVSAvoidlens assembly length

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The reflective element redirects light paths in multiple dimensions, allowing the optical system to achieve longer effective focal length and back focal length within a compact lens assembly by changing the light propagation direction rather than simply extending the optical path linearly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The reflective element creates multiple light paths by reflecting light at least three times, effectively copying and extending the optical path multiple times within the same physical space, thereby achieving longer focal lengths without proportionally increasing lens assembly length

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Measurement precision

If the lens assembly is designed with longer optical path to improve resolution, then the image quality improves, but the device becomes less compact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoiddevice volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The reflective element redirects light paths in multiple dimensions, allowing the optical system to achieve longer effective focal length and back focal length within a compact lens assembly by changing the light propagation direction rather than simply extending the optical path linearly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The reflective element creates multiple light paths by reflecting light at least three times, effectively copying and extending the optical path multiple times within the same physical space, thereby achieving longer focal lengths without proportionally increasing lens assembly length

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

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 design achieves a decreased total lens length, increased resolution, and improved optical performance, enabling a slim format with a longer effective focal length and back focal length, effectively utilizing limited space.

Implementation Method 1

setting reflective element to reflect the light at least three times inside the reflective element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

The lens unit includes a plurality of lenses

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentUS12468129B2Lens assembly

Publication Date: 2025.11.11 SINTAI OPTICAL SHENZHEN CO LTD

AI summary

A lens assembly includes a lens unit and a first reflective element. The lens unit includes a plurality of lenses and the back focal length of the lens unit is longer than the total length of the lens unit. The first reflective element includes a first surface, a first prism surface, and a bottom surface, and the first prism surface connects the first surface and the bottom surface, respectively. The lens unit and the first reflective element are arranged in order from an object side along a first axis. A light from the object side enters the first reflective element from the first surface and then is guided to the first prism surface.