Seven-Element Imaging Lens Surfaces for Wide-Angle Aberration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical systems struggle to balance high image quality, low sensitivity, proper aperture size, miniaturization, and desirable field of view due to the scaling down of pixel size in image sensors and increasing functionality requirements in electronic devices.
Innovation Solution
An imaging lens system comprising seven lens elements with specific refractive powers, surface shapes, and inflection/critical points, along with conditions on central thicknesses and axial distances, to optimize image quality and size while incorporating inflection and critical points for aberration correction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the pixel size in image sensors is scaled down to improve resolution, then image quality is improved, but sensitivity deteriorates and the system becomes more difficult to optimize for other parameters
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system is divided into seven distinct lens elements with specific refractive powers and surface shapes. Each lens element is optimized for specific aberration correction, allowing the system to maintain high image quality with scaled-down pixels while compensating for reduced sensitivity through distributed optical power management.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the lens elements have different surface shapes and refractive properties. The object-side and image-side surfaces of each lens element are designed with specific convex/concave configurations and inflection points to correct aberrations locally, enabling the system to achieve high image quality while maintaining sensitivity despite pixel scaling.
2Measurement precision
If the optical system is designed for high image quality with multiple lens elements, then image quality is improved, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seven lens elements are arranged in a compact sequence with optimized axial distances between them. The lens elements are nested closely together with minimal spacing, allowing the system to achieve high image quality through multiple elements while minimizing the overall optical path length and device size.
Solution Approach 2:
The lens elements use specific refractive indices and surface curvature parameters to achieve high image quality in a compact form. By optimizing the refractive powers, central thicknesses, and axial distances as specific parameters, the system maintains high imaging performance while reducing the overall volume compared to conventional designs.
3Reliability
If the aperture size is increased to improve light gathering, then sensitivity is improved, but aberrations increase and image quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Each lens element has specifically designed object-side and image-side surfaces with convex/concave configurations and inflection points. These local surface quality variations correct spherical aberration, coma, and other off-axis aberrations that increase with larger aperture, allowing the system to maintain both high sensitivity and image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The lens design converts the harmful effect of increased aperture-induced aberrations into beneficial aberration correction. The inflection points and critical points on lens surfaces are strategically positioned to counterbalance the aberrations generated by larger aperture, transforming what would be detrimental effects into opportunities for optimization.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the field of view is widened to improve functionality, then adaptability is improved, but aberration correction becomes more difficult and image quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The seven lens elements are divided into specific groups with different refractive powers and surface configurations. This segmentation allows different portions of the optical system to handle different aspects of wide-field imaging, with specific elements optimized for off-axis ray control and aberration correction across the expanded field of view.
Solution Approach 2:
The lens surfaces incorporate inflection points and critical points at specific locations to address aberrations in different field regions. The object-side and image-side surfaces of individual lens elements have localized shape variations that correct coma, astigmatism, and distortion specific to wide-field configurations, enabling high image quality across the entire expanded field of view.
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 system achieves a balance between high image quality, low sensitivity, and miniaturization while correcting aberrations, enabling a wide field of view and efficient image capture.
Implementation Method 1
an imaging lens system includes seven lens elements. The seven lens elements are, in order from an object side to an image side along an optical path, a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element, a fourth lens element, a fifth lens element, a sixth lens element and a seventh lens element
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging lens system includes seven lens elements which are, in order from an object side to an image side along an optical path, a first lens element through a seventh lens element. Each of the seven lens elements has an object-side surface facing toward the object side and an image-side surface facing toward the image side. The image-side surface of the sixth lens element is concave in a paraxial region thereof. The object-side surface of the seventh lens element is concave in a paraxial region thereof. At least one of the object-side surface and the image-side surface of at least one of the seven lens elements has at least one inflection point in an off-axis region thereof.