Seven-Element Optical Imaging Lens for Smartphone Aperture and Thickness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional five- or six-element lens structures fail to meet the increasing demands for high-resolution, wide-angle, large-aperture, and ultrathin designs in mobile phone lenses, particularly for flagship smartphones, which require advanced optical imaging capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A seven-element optical imaging lens system is designed with specific refractive powers, surface types, and on-axis distances to achieve a larger image surface, wider angle, and thinner profile, incorporating aspherical surfaces to improve imaging quality and manufacturability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional five- or six-element lens structures are used, then the device complexity is lower and manufacturing is easier, but the imaging capabilities (resolution, field of view, aperture) cannot meet the requirements for high-end smartphones
Solution Approach 1:
The optical imaging lens divides the imaging system into seven distinct lens elements, each with specific refractive powers and surface characteristics. This segmentation allows each element to contribute to correcting specific aberrations and achieving desired optical performance, resolving the contradiction by enabling high imaging quality through divided functional responsibilities rather than requiring a single complex element
Solution Approach 2:
Different lens elements are assigned specific local properties: the first lens has negative refractive power with specific curvature characteristics, while subsequent lenses have positive refractive power. Each lens surface (object-side and image-side) is designed with specific convex or concave characteristics. This local differentiation of optical properties enables precise control over light paths and aberration correction, achieving high imaging quality without uniformly increasing overall system complexity
2Area of stationary object
If the lens structure is simplified to reduce complexity, then manufacturing becomes easier, but the field of view and image surface size are insufficient for modern smartphone requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves a large image surface (ImgH ≥ 3.0mm) by optimizing the spatial arrangement and optical properties of seven lens elements along the optical axis. The conditional expressions (0.3 ≤ f/EPD < 0.5, 0.8 ≤ TTL/ImgH < 1.5) define a specific dimensional relationship between focal length, entrance pupil diameter, and total track length, enabling large image surface coverage without proportionally increasing system complexity
3Manufacturing precision
If the lens is designed with large aperture and wide angle to improve imaging capabilities, then the optical performance is enhanced, but the lens thickness increases and ultrathin design cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs specific parameter ranges to achieve the contradiction resolution: refractive power distribution (first lens negative, others positive), curvature radius ratios (0.3 ≤ R1/|R2| < 1.0, 0.6 ≤ |R4/R3| < 1.3), and conditional expressions (0.8 ≤ TTL/ImgH < 1.5). These parameter optimizations enable large aperture and wide field of view while maintaining compact thickness through precise mathematical relationships between optical parameters
4Measurement precision
If more lens elements are added to improve imaging capabilities, then the field of view and resolution are enhanced, but the manufacturing precision requirements and production difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The seven-element lens structure segments the optical functions across multiple elements, with each element having relatively simple individual characteristics (convex or concave surfaces, positive or negative refractive power). This segmentation enables high resolution (large ImgH) while keeping individual element manufacturing feasible, as no single element requires excessively complex geometry
Solution Approach 2:
The patent defines specific parameter ranges and conditional expressions (0.3 ≤ f/EPD < 0.5, 0.6 ≤ |R4/R3| < 1.3, −1.0 < R6/f < 0.0) that standardize the design process. These parameter constraints guide manufacturing by providing clear targets, reducing the complexity of achieving high resolution across seven elements through systematic design rules rather than arbitrary specifications
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 seven-element lens system effectively enhances imaging capabilities with a larger field of view, higher resolution, and a more compact design, while reducing sensitivity and improving production feasibility, making it suitable for high-end smartphones.
Implementation Method 1
a first lens having a refractive power; a second lens having a positive refractive power; a third lens having a positive refractive power, wherein an image-side surface of the third lens is a convex surface; a fourth lens having a refractive power, wherein an object-side surface of the fourth lens is a concave surface; a fifth lens having a positive refractive power, wherein an object-side surface of the fifth lens is a concave surface; a sixth lens having a refractive power; and a seventh lens having a refractive power
Data Source
AI summary
An optical imaging lens sequentially includes, from an object side to an image side along an optical axis: a first lens (E1) with refractive power; a second lens (E2) with positive refractive power; a third lens (E3) with positive refractive power; a fourth lens (E4) with refractive power; a fifth lens (E5) with positive refractive power; a sixth lens (E6) with refractive power; and a seventh lens (E7) with refractive power. A total effective focal length f of the optical imaging lens and a curvature radius R4 of an image-side surface of the second lens meet 0.6<R4/f<1.5. TTL is a distance from an object-side surface of the first lens to an imaging surface of the optical imaging lens on the optical axis, and ImgH is a half of a diagonal length of an effective pixel region on the imaging surface of the optical imaging lens, TTL and ImgH meet 0.55<TTL/(ImgH×2)<0.75.