Six-Element Lens Assembly for Compact Mobile Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional compact optical image capturing lens assemblies for mobile electronic products, such as smartphones, fail to meet the increasing demands for higher image quality and reduced total track length due to their four-element lens structure limitations.
Innovation Solution
A five-element image capturing lens assembly is designed, comprising a first lens element with positive refractive power, a second lens element with positive refractive power, a third lens element with negative refractive power, a fifth lens element with positive refractive power, and a sixth lens element with negative refractive power, featuring aspheric surfaces and inflection points to minimize aberrations and total track length.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a conventional four-element lens structure is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the image quality and total track length cannot meet high specification requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The lens assembly is divided into six distinct lens elements instead of four, with each element having specific refractive power and surface characteristics. This segmentation allows for better correction of optical aberrations and improved image quality while maintaining compact dimensions suitable for mobile electronic products
2Manufacturing precision
If the number of lens elements is increased to improve image quality, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the total track length increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies precise parameter relationships between lens elements, including refractive power ratios (e.g., |f/f3|>0.5 where f is focal length of assembly and f3 is focal length of third element), curvature radii, and thickness ratios. These parameter optimizations enable six elements to achieve high image quality without proportionally increasing total track length
Solution Approach 2:
The sixth lens element with negative refractive power serves multiple functions: it corrects optical aberrations, controls the angle of incident light on the image sensor, and helps maintain a compact total track length. This multi-functionality allows a single element to address multiple optical requirements simultaneously
3Manufacturing precision
If a six-element lens assembly with aspheric surfaces is used, then the image quality and aberration correction are improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs aspheric surfaces on multiple lens elements, including the object-side surface of the first element, image-side surface of the fifth element, and both surfaces of the sixth element. These aspheric profiles enable superior aberration correction compared to spherical surfaces, with the sixth element's inflection point providing enhanced control over marginal ray angles
Solution Approach 2:
Different lens elements are made from materials with varying refractive indices and Abbe numbers to optimize optical performance. The combination of materials with different dispersion characteristics enables better chromatic aberration correction while maintaining manufacturing feasibility
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 five-element lens assembly enhances image quality by correcting aberrations and maintaining a compact size, achieving a balanced telecentric and wide-angle performance while reducing the total track length and manufacturing sensitivity.
Implementation Method 1
The sixth lens element has refractive power with a concave image-side surface... an object-side surface and the image-side surface of the sixth lens element are aspheric
Data Source
AI summary
An image capturing lens assembly includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens element with positive refractive power having a convex object-side surface, a second lens element with positive refractive power, a third lens element with refractive power, a fourth lens element with refractive power, a fifth lens element with refractive power having a convex image-side surface, and a sixth lens element with refractive power having a concave image-side surface. An object-side surface and the image-side surface of the sixth lens element are aspheric, and the sixth lens element has at least one inflection point formed on the image-side surface thereof.