Seven-Element Optical Imaging Lens for Compact Low-Light Modules
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Optical imaging lenses face challenges in achieving a slim and compact appearance with small f-number, great image height, and good imaging quality, particularly in dim environments.
Innovation Solution
An optical imaging lens design comprising seven lens elements with specific convex and concave surface shapes and refracting powers, including negative refracting powers for certain elements, to enhance resolution and aperture stop while maintaining a compact form factor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the number of lens elements is increased to improve imaging quality and reduce f-number, then the optical performance is improved, but the overall length and complexity of the lens system increase
Solution Approach 1:
The lens system is divided into seven distinct lens elements with specific positive and negative refracting powers, arranged in a predetermined sequence. This segmentation allows each element to contribute differently to the overall optical performance, enabling high imaging quality with controlled total length through optimized distribution of optical functions across multiple elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The seven lens elements are arranged in a compact configuration where elements with negative refracting power are strategically positioned to fold back light paths, creating a nested-like structure that reduces the overall axial length while maintaining the necessary optical path length for high-quality imaging.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the aperture stop is enlarged to increase luminous flux for dim environment photography, then the luminous flux is increased, but the lens complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the lens elements are designed with specific surface shapes (convex or concave object-side and image-side surfaces) to locally control light distribution. This allows the aperture stop to be effectively enlarged for increased luminous flux while maintaining manageable lens complexity through localized surface geometry optimization rather than requiring complex multi-element designs throughout the entire system.
3Area of stationary object
If the image height is increased to adapt to larger image sensors, then the field of view is improved, but the lens length and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The lens design achieves large image height (6.7mm) by optimizing the lateral dimensions and angular distribution of light rays rather than simply increasing axial length. The specific configuration of seven lens elements with controlled surface curvatures enables wide field of view and large image height while maintaining compact overall length through three-dimensional optical path management.
4Use of energy by moving object
If the f-number is reduced to increase luminous flux, then the luminous flux is increased, but the aberration control and imaging quality become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The lens system merges the functions of aberration correction and luminous flux collection into a unified seven-element design. Elements with negative refracting powers are strategically positioned to correct spherical aberration and other optical defects that become more pronounced at low f-numbers, while simultaneously maintaining the enlarged aperture needed for high luminous flux. This integration allows achieving both low f-number (1.7-2.0) and good aberration control.
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 design achieves a slim and compact appearance with a small f-number, increased image height, and improved imaging quality by effectively managing aberrations and distortion.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh lens elements may also have an object-side surface facing toward the object side and allowing imaging rays to pass through. Each of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh lens elements may also have an image-side surface facing toward the image side and allowing the imaging rays to pass through.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical imaging lens may include 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 positioned in an order from an object side to an image side. Through designing concave and/or convex surfaces of the lens elements, the optical imaging lens may provide slim and compact appearance, small fno and great image height along with well image quality.