Six-Lens Optical Image Assembly for Compact Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lens assemblies face challenges in achieving a balance between compact size, environmental adaptability, and high image quality due to limitations in lens element shape and material variation, making it difficult to maintain optimal performance across different conditions.
Innovation Solution
An optical image assembly comprising six lens elements with specific refractive powers and surface curvatures, including a first lens with negative power, a second lens with negative power and concave-convex surfaces, a third lens with positive power, a fourth lens with positive power, a fifth lens with positive power, and a sixth lens with negative power, optimized to satisfy conditions such as 1.20<ΣCT/ΣAT<5.50, −0.38<f2/f1<15.0, and −1.30<f/R9<5.0, which enhances light entry, corrects aberrations, and maintains image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional lens assemblies are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the size cannot be reduced and image quality is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The optical image assembly is divided into six distinct lens elements with alternating positive and negative refractive powers. Each lens element has specifically designed surface curvatures (convex or concave in paraxial regions) to correct different types of optical aberrations. This segmentation allows precise control over light propagation and aberration correction, achieving high image quality that cannot be obtained with conventional simpler lens configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies specific parameter constraints to optimize performance: the ratio of sum of central thicknesses to sum of axial distances (ΣCT/ΣAT) is controlled between 1.20 and 5.50, the focal length ratio (f2/f1) is constrained to −0.38 to 15.0, and curvature radius ratios are limited to specific ranges. These parameter changes enable compact sizing while maintaining high image quality and correcting aberrations effectively.
2Manufacturing precision
If lens elements are optimized for high image quality, then aberration correction improves, but the assembly size increases and environmental adaptability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The lens elements are designed with dynamic surface characteristics - each lens has at least one surface that is convex or concave in its paraxial region, allowing the optical path to be dynamically optimized. The alternating positive and negative refractive powers create a balanced system that corrects aberrations while maintaining a compact form factor suitable for mobile devices with limited space.
Solution Approach 2:
The six lens elements are arranged in a nested sequence along the optical axis with alternating refractive powers. This nested configuration allows the optical assembly to achieve high aberration correction capability within a compact axial length, effectively packing complex optical functionality into a small volume suitable for modern electronic devices.
3Length of stationary object
If lens assembly is compacted, then device size reduces, but field of view and image quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes surface curvature in multiple dimensions - each lens element has specifically designed convex or concave surfaces in paraxial regions with controlled curvature radii. This multi-dimensional surface design allows the compact assembly to capture and focus light from wider fields of view, achieving both compact size and adequate field of view coverage for mobile imaging applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical system employs a composite configuration of six lens elements with alternating positive and negative refractive powers, creating a composite optical structure. This composite design integrates multiple optical functions (aberration correction, field of view expansion, focusing) within a compact assembly, achieving versatility that exceeds what single-material or single-configuration systems can provide.
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 achieves a compact and adaptable optical image assembly that maintains high image quality and corrects aberrations, improving the balance between lens thickness and distance, and enhancing manufacturing yield, while ensuring good performance across various environmental conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The second lens element with negative refractive power has an object-side surface being concave in a paraxial region thereof and an image-side surface being convex in a paraxial region thereof. The third lens element has positive refractive power. The fourth lens element has positive refractive power. The fifth lens element has positive refractive power. The sixth lens element has negative refractive power.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical image assembly includes six lens elements, which are, 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 second lens element with negative refractive power has an object-side surface being concave in a paraxial region thereof and an image-side surface being convex in a paraxial region thereof. The third lens element has positive refractive power. The fourth lens element has positive refractive power. The fifth lens element has positive refractive power. The sixth lens element has negative refractive power.