Removable Cover Lens for Air-Water Focus Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical systems in portable devices face challenges in maintaining image quality when transitioning from air to non-air mediums like water, due to changes in refractive power and back focal length, which result in image defocus issues.
Innovation Solution
An image capturing apparatus with a lens assembly, image sensor, and removable cover lens, where the axial distance and refractive power adjustments ensure optimal image quality in both air and non-air mediums, using a housing with an airtight seal and adjustable lens elements to maintain focus and prevent medium ingress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the optical system is used in non-air medium (e.g., water), then the refractive power becomes smaller and back focal length becomes longer, but this results in image defocus and unfavorable optical properties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a movable cover lens that can be adjusted along the optical axis to change the axial distance between the cover lens and the image sensor. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to compensate for refractive index changes when operating in non-air mediums, thereby maintaining image focus quality while adapting to different environmental conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the axial distance parameter between the cover lens and image sensor to optimize optical performance in non-air mediums. By adjusting this physical parameter, the system compensates for the reduced refractive power and extended back focal length that occur when transitioning from air to water or other non-air environments
2Manufacturing precision
If a focusing apparatus is added to solve image defocus problems in non-air medium, then image quality is improved, but the physical size of mobile devices becomes too large
Solution Approach 1:
The cover lens serves multiple functions: it acts as both a protective element for the lens assembly and as an adjustable optical component for focus control in non-air mediums. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated focusing apparatus, thereby maintaining compact device size while achieving image quality optimization
Solution Approach 2:
The movable cover lens acts as an intermediary element between the external environment and the image sensor. By positioning this intermediate component at variable distances from the sensor, the system achieves focus adjustment without requiring complex internal focusing mechanisms, thus maintaining a compact overall device structure
3Manufacturing precision
If the axial distance between cover lens and image sensor is increased to accommodate non-air medium, then focus is maintained, but the back focal length becomes longer
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the axial distance of the cover lens relative to the image sensor based on the operating medium. In non-air mediums, the cover lens is positioned at a specific axial distance to maintain focus, while the overall back focal length is managed through the combined optical design of the cover lens and lens assembly to prevent excessive length increase
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 apparatus achieves focused images in various environments without replacing lenses, maintaining image quality and compact size, suitable for portable devices with adjustable axial distances and refractive power adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
when the optical system originally applied in air is used in the non-air medium such as water, the refractive power thereof becomes smaller and the back focal length thereof becomes longer
Data Source
AI summary
An image capturing apparatus is applied in air or in a non-air medium and includes a lens assembly, an image sensor and a removable cover lens. The lens assembly includes at least one lens element. The image sensor is disposed on an image surface of the lens assembly. When the image capturing apparatus is applied in the non-air medium, the removable cover lens, the lens assembly and the image sensor are disposed along an optical axis in order from an object side to an image side.