Six-Element Plastic Optical Lens for Compact Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical imaging lenses face challenges in achieving both miniaturization and high imaging quality, particularly in consumer electronics, where the lens length needs to be shortened while maintaining favorable optical performance.
Innovation Solution
The design of an optical imaging lens comprising six lens elements, each with specific refracting power and surface features, including concave and convex portions, optimized to satisfy conditions such as GmaxF/GmaxT≤2.5, ensuring effective air gaps and refracting power distribution for improved imaging quality and telephoto effect.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the lens length is shortened to achieve miniaturization, then the volume and length of the optical lens are reduced, but the imaging quality deteriorates due to insufficient air gaps and poor refracting power distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the air gap distances between lens elements and distributing refracting power across six lens elements with specific focal lengths and curvature radii. The conditional expressions (1) through (6) define specific parameter ranges for air gaps (G12, G23, G34, G45, G56) and focal lengths (f1-f6) that enable miniaturization while maintaining imaging quality. This systematic parameter optimization allows the lens to achieve compact size without sacrificing optical performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the optical system into six distinct lens elements (L1-L6) with different materials and refracting powers. Each lens element is designed with specific curvature radii and thicknesses, and the air gaps between them are independently optimized. This segmentation allows for fine-tuned control of light propagation and refracting power distribution, enabling the compact design to maintain high imaging quality through coordinated optimization of multiple discrete components.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional six piece lens structure is used, then the lens can be manufactured with standard processes, but the distance from object-side surface to image plane is relatively large which is not conducive to thin product design
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains manufacturability by using conventional plastic lens elements that can be produced with standard molding processes, while simultaneously changing the critical parameter of lens length through optimized air gap distances and refracting power distribution. The conditional expressions define specific parameter ranges that achieve compact lens length without requiring advanced or complex manufacturing techniques, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and reduced length.
3Length of moving object
If the air gaps between lens elements are reduced to shorten lens length, then the lens becomes more compact, but the imaging quality deteriorates due to insufficient space for proper optical path management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by precisely optimizing the air gap parameters (G12, G23, G34, G45, G56) within specific ranges defined by conditional expressions (1) through (5). These parameter ranges are carefully calculated to provide sufficient space for proper optical path management and aberration control while minimizing the overall lens length. The refracting power distribution across the six elements further compensates for the reduced air gaps, maintaining imaging quality in the compact configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
By segmenting the optical system into six lens elements with independently optimized air gaps, the patent enables precise control of light propagation through each interface. This segmentation allows the design to manage optical paths effectively even with reduced overall air gap distances, as each individual air gap can be optimized for its specific function while contributing to the compact overall structure.
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 allows for a shortened lens length while maintaining excellent imaging quality, reducing spherical and chromatic aberrations, and enhancing manufacturing feasibility, thus addressing the need for thinner, high-performance optical lenses in consumer devices.
Implementation Method 1
The first lens element has positive refracting power, the second lens element has negative refracting power, the third lens element has positive refracting power, the fourth lens element has negative refracting power, the fifth lens element has positive refracting power, and the sixth lens element has negative refracting power
Data Source
AI summary
An optical imaging lens includes a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element, a fourth lens element, a fifth lens element, and a sixth lens element from an object side to an image side in order along an optical axis. The first lens element to the sixth lens element each include an object-side surface and an image-side surface. The first and second lens elements are made of plastic material. The image-side surface of the third lens element has a concave portion in a vicinity of the optical axis. The fourth lens element has negative refracting power. The object-side surface of the fourth lens element has a concave portion in a vicinity of the optical axis. The object-side surface of the fifth lens element has a concave portion in a vicinity of the optical axis. The sixth lens element is made of plastic material.