Seven-Lens Imaging System Aberration Correction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional imaging lenses face difficulties in achieving a balance between wide field of view, low profileness, and low F-number while effectively correcting aberrations, particularly in the peripheral area.

Innovation Solution

The imaging lens configuration includes a specific arrangement of lenses with positive and negative refractive powers, aspheric surfaces, and carefully defined conditional expressions to correct spherical aberration, chromatic aberration, astigmatism, field curvature, and distortion, ensuring optimal optical performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional lens configurations are used, then the lens structure is relatively simple, but it is very difficult to correct aberrations at a peripheral area when wide field of view, low-profileness and low F-number are to be realized

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaberration correction precisionVSAvoidlens configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lens system is divided into seven distinct lens elements with specific refractive power arrangements (+−+0+−−, +−+0−+−, or +−+0++−). Each lens element has a defined function: the first lens corrects spherical aberration and distortion, the second lens corrects spherical aberration and chromatic aberration, the third lens corrects astigmatism, the fourth lens corrects peripheral aberrations, the fifth lens corrects field curvature, the sixth lens corrects coma aberration, and the seventh lens corrects chromatic aberration and distortion. This segmentation allows each element to address specific aberrations independently, achieving comprehensive correction across the entire field of view.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different lens elements are positioned at specific locations within the optical system to address local aberration problems. For example, the fourth lens with aspheric surfaces on both sides is specifically positioned to correct aberrations at the peripheral area, while the first lens corrects spherical aberration in the paraxial region. The seventh lens with a concave image-side surface is strategically placed to control light ray incident angles to the image sensor. This local quality approach ensures that each part of the lens system is optimized for its specific function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Manufacturing precision

If the lens configuration is optimized for wide field of view and low F-number, then the optical performance is improved, but the profileness increases and manufacturing becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical performanceVSAvoidprofileness

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The lens system employs aspheric surfaces on the fourth lens (both sides) and the seventh lens (image-side surface) to dynamically adjust the light path. These aspheric surfaces allow the lens to maintain a compact profile while achieving wide field of view and low F-number performance. The aspheric shapes enable more flexible control of light rays compared to traditional spherical surfaces, allowing the lens to achieve superior optical performance without proportionally increasing the overall length.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent specifies precise parameter ranges for each lens element, including refractive powers, focal lengths, and surface curvatures. For example, the first lens has a positive refractive power with a convex object-side surface, the second lens has a negative refractive power, and the seventh lens has a negative refractive power with a concave image-side surface. These parameter optimizations allow the lens system to achieve wide field of view and low F-number while maintaining compact dimensions. The conditional expressions and parameter ranges ensure that the lens maintains low profileness while achieving the desired optical performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If more lenses are added to correct aberrations, then the aberration correction precision is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaberration correction precisionVSAvoidmanufacturing ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Each lens element in the seven-lens system is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously. For example, the first lens with positive refractive power and convex object-side surface corrects both spherical aberration and distortion. The second lens with negative refractive power corrects both spherical aberration and chromatic aberration. The seventh lens with negative refractive power and concave image-side surface corrects both chromatic aberration and distortion while also controlling light ray incident angles. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized elements, simplifying the overall manufacturing process while maintaining comprehensive aberration correction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 proposed lens configuration achieves high-resolution imaging with a wide field of view and low profileness while effectively correcting aberrations, resulting in improved optical performance and reduced manufacturing complexity.

Implementation Method 1

a first lens with positive refractive power having an object-side surface being convex in a paraxial region

Methodology Applied