Seven-Lens Optical System with Nested Sixth and Seventh Lenses

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional optical systems in portable electronic devices face challenges in capturing high-quality images in low-light environments due to limited light intake and aberrations, particularly in compact designs with a high pixel count.

Innovation Solution

A compact optical image capturing system utilizing a seven-piece optical lens configuration with specific refractive powers, convex and concave surfaces, and aspheric surfaces to enhance light intake and correct aberrations, allowing for improved imaging quality across various wavelengths, including visible and infrared light.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If the aperture is increased to capture more light in dark environments, then the light intake is improved, but the device size and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight intakeVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a nested lens structure where the sixth lens is positioned within the seventh lens, creating a compact nested doll configuration. This nesting allows multiple optical elements to occupy overlapping spatial volumes, effectively increasing the optical system's light-gathering capability without proportionally increasing the overall device footprint or complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from conventional planar lens arrangements to a three-dimensional nested configuration. By utilizing the radial and axial dimensions simultaneously, the optical system achieves enhanced aperture effectiveness while maintaining compact form factor, resolving the contradiction between light intake and device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Manufacturing precision

If the number of lenses is increased to improve imaging quality and correct aberrations, then the imaging quality is improved, but the device size and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimaging qualityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a nested lens configuration where the sixth lens is housed within the seventh lens structure. This nesting allows seven optical lenses to be arranged in a compact manner, achieving high imaging quality and aberration correction without linearly increasing device complexity or size

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the spatial occupancy of multiple lenses by allowing the sixth lens to occupy the same radial space as the seventh lens. This combining approach enables multiple optical elements to work together for superior imaging quality while sharing structural support, thereby reducing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Volume of moving object

If the optical system is designed to be compact, then the device size is reduced, but the light intake and imaging quality deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidlight intake
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The nested configuration of the sixth lens within the seventh lens allows the optical system to achieve compact volume while maintaining effective aperture area. The nesting enables light paths to pass through multiple lenses in a space-efficient manner, preserving light intake capability in a reduced device size

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement where lenses are positioned in both radial and axial dimensions. This dimensional optimization allows the compact optical system to maintain adequate light-gathering aperture while achieving reduced overall device volume through efficient space utilization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 effectively increases light intake and reduces aberrations, resulting in enhanced imaging quality and compactness, suitable for high-pixel cameras in portable devices.

Implementation Method 1

a first lens, a second lens, a third lens, a fourth lens, a fifth lens, a sixth lens, and a seventh lens from an object side to an image side along an optical axis

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentUS10247915B2Optical image capturing system
Publication Date: 2019.04.02 ABILITY OPTO ELECTRONICS TECH
  • US10247915B2 patent drawing
  • US10247915B2 patent drawing
  • US10247915B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An optical image capturing system includes, along the optical axis in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens, a second lens, a third lens, a fourth lens, a fifth lens, a sixth lens, and a seventh lens. At least one lens among the first to the sixth lenses has positive refractive power. The seventh lens can have negative refractive power, wherein both surfaces thereof are aspheric, and at least one surface thereof has an inflection point. The lenses in the optical image capturing system which have refractive power include the first to the seventh lenses. The optical image capturing system can increase aperture value and improve the imaging quality for use in compact cameras.