Seven-Lens Imaging System for Wide Field Aberration Correction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing imaging lens configurations struggle to achieve a wide field of view, low profile, and low F-number while maintaining excellent optical performance, particularly in correcting aberrations at the peripheral area.

Innovation Solution

The proposed imaging lens configuration consists of seven lenses with specific refractive powers and surface shapes, including a first lens with a concave object-side surface and a convex image-side surface, a second lens with a convex object-side surface and a concave image-side surface, and a seventh lens with a convex object-side surface and a concave image-side surface, all optimized to correct various aberrations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

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

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaberration correctionVSAvoidlens configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The imaging lens is divided into seven distinct lens elements (L1-L7) with specific refractive power assignments and surface shape configurations. Each lens element is optimized to correct specific types of aberrations, with the first through seventh lenses working together to achieve comprehensive aberration correction across the entire field of view, particularly at peripheral areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different lens elements are assigned specific functions to correct different types of aberrations in different regions of the optical field. For example, the first lens with positive refractive power and convex object-side surface addresses specific aberrations, while the fourth lens with negative refractive power addresses others, allowing each component to optimize local correction quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Manufacturing precision

If the number of lenses is increased to correct peripheral aberrations, then aberration correction improves, but the total track length and profile increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaberration correctionVSAvoidtotal track length

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The seven lens elements are arranged in a compact nested configuration where each subsequent lens is positioned closely to the previous one. The specific arrangement allows the lenses to be nested efficiently along the optical axis, minimizing the total track length while maintaining the necessary separation for aberration correction functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs aspheric surfaces on multiple lens elements (including the first, third, fifth, and seventh lenses) to change the geometric parameters of the lens surfaces. This allows for more compact lens spacing and reduced total track length while maintaining effective aberration correction, as aspheric surfaces provide greater control over light ray paths with reduced element spacing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Illumination intensity

If the F-number is reduced to improve light gathering, then imaging performance improves, but aberrations become more difficult to control

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight gatheringVSAvoidaberration control

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a combination of positive and negative refractive power lenses arranged dynamically to balance light gathering with aberration control. The alternating sequence of positive (L1, L3, L5, L6) and negative (L2, L4, L7) refractive power elements creates a dynamic optical path that captures more light at low F-number while continuously correcting aberrations through the interaction of diverging and converging light rays.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The imaging lens uses a composite design combining multiple lens materials with different refractive indices and dispersion properties. This allows the system to maintain low F-number for improved light gathering while the varied material properties help control chromatic and spherical aberrations that become more pronounced at lower F-numbers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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

This configuration effectively balances the demands of a wide field of view, low profile, and low F-number, while providing excellent correction of aberrations, resulting in high-resolution imaging performance.