Variable Power Relay Optical System Compact Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional variable power relay optical systems extend the optical path length significantly, posing installation restrictions and limiting the magnification range in microscope applications, as they are typically positioned behind the image and require a substantial distance to relay the image.
Innovation Solution
A variable power relay optical system is arranged closer to the image side, comprising a front group that forms a reduced intermediate image and a rear group with moving lens groups along the optical axis, allowing continuous magnification change without extending the optical path length, by positioning the front group between the imaging optical system and the sample image, and using a rear group with multiple lens groups to adjust magnification without altering the distance to the intermediate image.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If a conventional variable power relay optical system is positioned behind the image to relay the image, then the magnification function is achieved, but the optical path length is extended significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional arrangement by positioning the relay optical system before the image plane rather than after it. The front group forms a reduced intermediate image between the imaging optical system and the image plane, and the rear group forms the final relay image. This inversion allows the system to achieve variable magnification without extending the optical path length, as the intermediate image is formed at a position closer to the imaging optical system.
Solution Approach 2:
The relay optical system is divided into a front group and a rear group, with the front group forming an intermediate image and the rear group forming the final relay image. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each group's function: the front group handles image reduction and positioning, while the rear group handles magnification adjustment, achieving variable power without excessive path length extension.
2Length of moving object
If the relay optical system is positioned closer to the image side, then the optical path length is reduced, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into a front group with a first lens and a rear group with multiple lens elements. This segmentation allows the complex function of variable power relay to be distributed across two functional units, making the overall structure more manageable while achieving the compact design goal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs movable lens groups in the rear group that can adjust their positions along the optical axis to change magnification. This dynamic adjustment mechanism allows continuous variable power from low to high, achieving adaptability within a compact structure without requiring excessive path length.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple lens groups are used to achieve continuous variable magnification, then the magnification range is widened, but the aberration correction becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system is divided into a front group and a rear group, each responsible for specific functions. The front group handles image reduction and intermediate image formation, while the rear group handles magnification adjustment. This segmentation allows aberration correction to be optimized in each group independently, making the overall system more manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
Different lens groups are designed with specific optical characteristics suited to their functions. The front group uses lenses optimized for image reduction and intermediate image formation, while the rear group uses lenses optimized for magnification adjustment. This local optimization of optical quality in each segment facilitates better overall aberration correction.
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 significantly reduces the optical path length extension, allowing for continuous variable magnification from low to high power, facilitating installation and enabling high-resolution imaging beyond the conventional limits, while maintaining a wide magnification range and correcting aberrations effectively.
Implementation Method 1
a front group that is arranged between the imaging optical system and a position of an image of a sample that is formed by the imaging optical system, the front group forming an intermediate image formed by reducing the image
Implementation Method 2
a rear group that forms a relay image formed by magnifying the intermediate image, the rear group including a plurality of lens groups that each move along an optical axis so as to change magnification of the rear group
Data Source
AI summary
A variable power relay optical system is arranged closer to an image side than an imaging optical system. The variable power relay optical system includes, in order from a side of the imaging optical system, a front group that is arranged between the imaging optical system and a position of an image of a sample that is formed by the imaging optical system, the front group forming an intermediate image formed by reducing the image, and a rear group that forms a relay image formed by magnifying the intermediate image, the rear group including a plurality of lens groups that each move along an optical axis so as to change magnification of the rear group without changing a distance from the front group to the relay image.