Six-Lens Image Capturing Optics for Compact Wide-Field Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical systems struggle to balance high image quality, low sensitivity, proper aperture size, miniaturization, and desirable field of view due to the rapid advancements in semiconductor manufacturing and increasing functionality requirements.
Innovation Solution
An image capturing system with six lens elements, each with specific refractive powers and surface shapes, including inflection points and critical points, is designed to optimize these parameters, using materials like glass and plastic, and incorporating aspheric surfaces to correct aberrations and reduce size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional optical systems are used, then the structure is simple, but the image quality cannot achieve high performance while maintaining miniaturization and proper aperture size
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system is divided into six distinct lens elements with specific refractive power distributions and surface shape configurations. Each lens element has defined object-side and image-side surfaces with particular curvature characteristics, allowing complex optical functions to be achieved through modular segmentation of the optical path.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs aspheric surfaces on multiple lens elements, where at least one surface of each lens element has an aspheric profile defined by specific curvature radius relationships. This allows correction of optical aberrations and improvement of image quality without requiring additional lens elements, thus managing system complexity.
2Volume of moving object
If the optical system is miniaturized, then the size is reduced, but the field of view and aperture size become difficult to optimize
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the optical system by establishing specific parameter relationships between lens elements, including curvature radius ratios, thickness ratios, and refractive power distributions. These parameter optimizations enable the system to achieve a wide field of view and proper aperture characteristics while maintaining a compact form factor suitable for mobile devices.
Solution Approach 2:
Each lens element is designed to perform multiple optical functions simultaneously. For example, the second lens element has a convex object-side surface that contributes to both focusing and field of view expansion, while the fourth lens element's concave object-side surface and convex image-side surface work together for aberration correction and image plane formation, enabling multi-functionality within a compact design.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the aperture size is increased, then the light gathering ability is improved, but the sensitivity control becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different surface quality characteristics to different regions of the lens elements. The paraxial regions of the lens surfaces are designed with specific curvature properties to control on-axis light gathering, while the off-axis regions have different curvature characteristics to manage off-axis light rays and sensitivity. This local differentiation allows independent optimization of light gathering and sensitivity control.
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 achieves a wide field of view, reduces size, and improves image quality while maintaining a balance between aperture size and sensitivity, utilizing flexible material choices and aspheric designs to enhance performance.
Implementation Method 1
The image-side surface of the second lens element is convex in a paraxial region thereof. The fourth lens element has positive refractive power, the object-side surface of the fourth lens element is concave in a paraxial region thereof, and the image-side surface of the fourth lens element is convex in a paraxial region thereof.
Data Source
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AI summary
An image capturing system includes six lens elements (E1-E6) which are, in order from an object side to an image side along an optical path: a first lens element (E1), a second lens element (E2), a third lens element (E3), a fourth lens element (E4), a fifth lens element (E5) and a sixth lens element (E6). Each of the six lens elements (E1-E6) has an object-side surface facing toward the object side and an image-side surface facing toward the image side. The fourth lens element (E4) has positive refractive power, the object-side surface of the fourth lens element (E4) is concave in a paraxial region thereof, and the image-side surface of the fourth lens element (E4) is convex in a paraxial region thereof. At least one of the object-side surface and the image-side surface of at least one lens element of the image capturing system has at least one inflection point (P) in an off-axis region thereof.