Six-Lens Optical System for Compact Wide-Angle Cameras

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge lies in miniaturizing optical systems for smart terminals while maintaining a wide-angle function, as conventional methods face limitations in reducing total length due to refractive powers, lens thicknesses, and air intervals.

Innovation Solution

An optical system comprising six lenses with specific refractive powers and surface shapes, including convex and concave configurations, is designed to achieve miniaturization and wide-angle capabilities by controlling focal lengths and aperture sizes, ensuring relationships such as 1.7<FNO<2.8, 80deg<FOV<105deg, and 1.2<TTL/ImgH<1.4 are met.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of stationary object

If the total length of the optical system is reduced to miniaturize it, then the size of the optical system is reduced, but the wide-angle function and imaging quality deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetotal length of optical systemVSAvoidwide-angle function

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The optical system is divided into six distinct lenses with specific refractive powers and surface shapes. Each lens segment performs a specific function: the first lens collects light from a wide field of view, the second and fourth lenses correct aberrations, the third lens converges light beams, and the fifth and sixth lenses correct spherical aberration and control exit angles. This segmentation allows the system to achieve miniaturization while maintaining wide-angle capability through coordinated design of individual lens segments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs specific parameter relationships to resolve the contradiction. The focal length ratios between lenses (e.g., f1/f, f2/f, f3/f) are precisely controlled within specific ranges. The refractive powers of individual lenses are optimized with specific relationships (e.g., the third lens has positive refractive power to converge light beams, while the second and fourth lenses have negative refractive power to correct aberrations). These parameter changes enable the system to achieve both compact size and wide-angle function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Length of stationary object

If the aperture of the optical system is reduced to miniaturize it, then the size of the optical system is reduced, but the light gathering capability and imaging quality in low-light conditions deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaperture sizeVSAvoidlight gathering capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes convex and concave surface curvatures of the six lenses to optimize light gathering capability while maintaining compact aperture size. The first lens has a convex object side surface to facilitate collection of light beams from a large field of view. The third lens has convex surfaces that converge light beams to reduce incident angles. The sixth lens has a convex object side surface and concave image side surface to control exit angles. These curvature designs enable efficient light gathering within a compact aperture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The numerical aperture (FNO) is precisely controlled within the range of 1.7<FNO<2.8, representing an optimization of the aperture parameter. This parameter change, combined with the specific refractive powers and surface curvatures of the six lenses, enables the system to achieve both miniaturization and adequate light gathering capability for low-light imaging.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Length of stationary object

If the lens thicknesses are reduced to miniaturize the optical system, then the total length is reduced, but the imaging quality and aberration correction capability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelens thicknessVSAvoidimaging quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The optical system uses six separate lenses instead of fewer thicker lenses, distributing the optical functions across multiple thinner elements. Each lens has specific thickness optimizations that allow the system to achieve miniaturization while maintaining imaging quality through the collective aberration correction capability of all six lenses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs specific parameter relationships to maintain imaging quality with reduced lens thicknesses. The focal length ratios (f1/f, f2/f, f3/f) and refractive power relationships are precisely controlled. The surface curvatures (convex/concave configurations) are optimized to provide adequate aberration correction even with thinner lenses, enabling miniaturization without sacrificing imaging quality.

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 system achieves both miniaturization and wide-angle functionality with improved imaging quality, suitable for capturing clear images in low-light conditions and high-definition imaging.

Implementation Method 1

The first lens has positive refractive power, an object side surface of the first lens is convex near the optical axis, and an image side surface of the first lens is concave near the optical axis. Thus, the first lens may facilitate the collection of light beams from a large field of view and reduce the aperture of the optical system.

Methodology Applied