Sloped Flange Optical Element Reducing Ghost in Compact Cameras
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-pixel-count image pickup devices face challenges in reducing ghost and flare occurrences due to the compact size and thickness of image pickup apparatuses, where existing optical systems struggle to effectively manage harmful light reflections.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an optical element with a flange portion having a slope on its side surface that is not perpendicular to the optical axis, which changes the reflection angle of light beams to prevent harmful light from entering the image pickup device, thereby reducing ghost and flare occurrences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the image pickup apparatus is reduced in size and thickness, then the compactness is improved, but the occurrence of ghost and flare increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing a slope only on the image-side flange surface of the second lens, rather than modifying the entire optical system. This localized structural change specifically targets the harmful light reflection path without affecting other parts of the optical system, thereby suppressing ghost and flare while maintaining compact dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful reflection of light at the flange surface into a beneficial effect by introducing a slope that redirects the reflected light away from the image pickup device. The slope transforms the harmful total internal reflection into a controlled light path that eliminates ghost and flare, turning a detrimental optical phenomenon into a solution.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a non-parallel face is provided on the edge surface to suppress ghost or flare, then the harmful light reflection is reduced, but it does not remove ghost when light is reflected toward the object-side flange surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the approach by instead of modifying the object-side flange surface, it modifies the image-side flange surface with a slope. This inversion of the target location for the slope modification effectively addresses the root cause of the harmful light path by intercepting and redirecting the light before it can cause ghost and flare, thereby achieving complete suppression.
3Manufacturing precision
If the radius of curvature of the image-side effective diameter area is made small, then the optical performance is improved, but harmful light is reflected toward the object-side flange surface causing ghost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary structural element - the slope on the image-side flange surface - that acts as a mediator between the small radius of curvature design and the harmful light reflection. This slope intercepts the light that would otherwise be reflected toward the object-side flange surface and redirects it, allowing the small radius of curvature to be maintained for optimal optical performance while preventing ghost.
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 solution effectively suppresses the occurrence of ghost and flare in high-pixel-count image pickup devices by redirecting harmful light beams away from the image pickup device, improving image quality.
Implementation Method 1
the reflection angle of a light beam incident on the side surface of the flange portion is changed by the slope so as to prevent a harmful light beam from entering an image pickup device
Data Source
AI summary
An optical element includes an effective diameter area that is centered on an optical axis and transmits an effective light beam, and a flange portion having, on a side surface around the effective diameter area, a slope that is not perpendicular to a direction of the optical axis.