Refractive Diffractive Prism for Thin Camera Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a challenge in mounting high-performance camera modules in apparatuses with relatively thin thicknesses, as existing solutions do not efficiently utilize space to achieve both performance and thinness.
Innovation Solution
The use of a refractive prism functioning as a diffractive optical element, combined with multiple lenses and an image sensor, allows for a compact optical device that changes the light path and reduces the number of lenses needed, enabling a high-performance camera module to be integrated into thin apparatuses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional optical systems are used, then image quality can be maintained, but the device thickness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a refractive prism and a diffractive optical element into a single integrated optical component. The refractive prism portion handles light path deviation while the diffractive optical element portion provides wavelength-dependent diffraction, merging multiple optical functions into one element to reduce overall device thickness while maintaining image quality
Solution Approach 2:
The optical device is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: the refractive prism portion deviates light paths, the diffractive optical element portion disperses wavelengths, and together they enable both compact form factor and high-quality imaging in a single component
2Device complexity
If the number of lenses is reduced, then device complexity decreases, but optical performance may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple lenses into a single optical device by integrating a refractive prism with a diffractive optical element. This consolidation reduces the number of separate lens components while maintaining optical performance through the complementary refractive and diffractive mechanisms working together
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in optical parameters by combining refractive index variations in the prism with diffraction grating parameters in the optical element. This allows the single integrated device to achieve the optical performance previously requiring multiple lenses with different parameters
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 high-performance camera module to be mounted in thin apparatuses by reducing the height and length of the optical device, maintaining or improving image quality while fitting within the constraints of thin form factors.
Implementation Method 1
a third surface configured to reflect incident light to change a path of the incident light
Implementation Method 2
one of the first surface, the second surface, or both the first and the second surface includes a pattern such that the refractive prism is a diffractive optical element
Data Source
AI summary
An optical device includes a refractive prism including a first surface facing an object, a second surface facing a first lens, and a third surface configured to reflect incident light to change a path of the incident light, one of the first surface, the second surface, or both the first and the second surface includes a pattern such that the refractive prism is a diffractive optical element; and a plurality of lenses including the first lens.