Six-Lens Imaging Optical System Compactness and Durability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional imaging optical lens systems in compact electronic devices face limitations due to short total track lengths, restricting axial distances between lens elements, which hinders optical adjustments and results in digital focusing inaccuracies and vulnerability to physical abuses.

Innovation Solution

An imaging optical lens system comprising six lens elements with specific refractive powers and surface shapes, including aspheric surfaces, that satisfy certain conditions to optimize axial distances and reduce total track length, allowing for aperture adjustments and improved durability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the total track length is shortened to achieve compact design, then the device size is reduced, but the axial distances between lens elements become too small to insert additional elements like shutters, MEMS, filters, and spacers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetotal track lengthVSAvoidaxial distance for inserting elements

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The optical system is divided into multiple lens groups with specific functions. The sixth lens element is designed with a concave image-side surface that includes at least one convex critical point in the off-axial region, creating distinct functional zones within the lens structure itself, thereby eliminating the need for separate additional elements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent integrates multiple optical functions into the lens elements themselves. The aspheric surfaces and specific curvature designs of the lens elements incorporate what would traditionally require separate components (shutters, MEMS, filters, spacers), merging these functions into the lens structure to maintain compact dimensions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Volume of moving object

If the imaging optical lens system uses a front stop configuration due to total track length and chief ray angle limitations, then the system maintains compact size, but the shutter becomes located at the front end closest to the imaged object and vulnerable to physical abuses

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetotal track lengthVSAvoidshutter vulnerability to physical abuses

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of placing the shutter at the front end of the optical system where it is vulnerable to physical damage, the patent inverts the approach by integrating shutter-like functionality into the rear portion of the optical system through the specially designed sixth lens element with convex critical points, protecting the mechanism from external physical abuses

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent nests the shutter mechanism within the lens element structure itself, specifically within the sixth lens element's complex surface geometry. This nesting protects the shutter from external physical damage while maintaining its optical control function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Volume of moving object

If the axial distances between lens elements are reduced for compact design, then the device size is minimized, but digital focusing accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice sizeVSAvoiddigital focusing accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs aspheric surface parameters and specific curvature radius relationships to maintain focusing accuracy in a compact configuration. The conditions (R3+R4)/(R3−R4)≥−10 and T23/(CT2+CT3)≤1.5 optimize the axial distances and surface curvatures to preserve digital focusing precision despite reduced overall dimensions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution enhances the compactness and image quality of the lens system, enabling effective aperture adjustments, reducing digital focusing inaccuracies, and increasing the durability of the lens system.

Implementation Method 1

The first lens element has positive refractive power. The third lens element has an image-side surface being concave in a paraxial region thereof. The fifth lens element has an object-side surface and an image-side surface being both aspheric. The sixth lens element has an image-side surface being concave in a paraxial region thereof, wherein an object-side surface and the image-side surface of the sixth lens element are both aspheric

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentUS10247924B2Imaging optical lens system, image capturing apparatus and electronic device

Publication Date: 2019.04.02 LARGAN PRECISION

AI summary

An imaging optical lens system includes six lens elements, the six lens elements being, in order from an object side to an image side, 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. The first lens element has positive refractive power. The third lens element has an image-side surface being concave in a paraxial region thereof. The fifth lens element has an object-side surface and an image-side surface being both aspheric. The sixth lens element has an image-side surface being concave in a paraxial region thereof, wherein an object-side surface and the image-side surface of the sixth lens element are both aspheric, and the image-side surface of the sixth lens element includes at least one convex critical point in an off-axial region thereof.