Stereo Lens Layout With Extended Baseline in a Compact Mount
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional stereoscopic imaging systems face limitations in adjusting baseline length without increasing lens mount diameter, leading to large apparatus size and suboptimal stereoscopic effects.
Innovation Solution
A compact lens apparatus with parallel optical systems and adjustable baseline length, utilizing prisms and a focus ring to maintain optical axis alignment and reduce lens mount diameter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the baseline length is increased to obtain a natural stereoscopic effect, then the stereoscopic effect is improved, but the lens mount diameter must be increased which makes the apparatus large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a planar arrangement of optical systems to a three-dimensional configuration where optical systems are positioned at different depths. By arranging optical systems in the third dimension (depth direction) rather than only in the plane of the lens mount, the baseline length can be extended without proportionally increasing the lens mount diameter, thus achieving a compact apparatus with effective stereoscopic capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent embeds multiple optical systems within the constraints of a compact lens mount structure. By nesting optical elements and using the depth dimension, the system accommodates multiple optical paths within a smaller overall footprint, allowing extended baseline length without proportionally increasing the apparent lens mount size from the front view
2Area of stationary object
If two optical systems are arranged close to each other to reduce apparatus size, then the lens mount diameter is reduced, but the baseline length becomes too short resulting in weak stereoscopic effect
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by utilizing the depth dimension to separate optical systems. Instead of being constrained to close spacing in the plane of the lens mount, optical systems can be positioned at different depths while maintaining appropriate baseline length for stereoscopic effect, thus achieving compact apparatus size with sufficient baseline length
3Reliability
If the baseline length is changed by moving optical systems closer or farther apart, then the stereoscopic effect is adjusted, but the images cannot be separated beyond the light receiving range of the image sensor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs three-dimensional arrangement of optical systems to achieve image separation in the depth dimension rather than relying solely on lateral separation in the image plane. This allows the baseline length to be extended for natural stereoscopic effect while the image sensor can still capture both images within its light receiving range through appropriate optical path design
Data Source
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AI summary
A lens apparatus (200) includes a first optical system (201R), a second optical system (201L), disposed in parallel with the first optical system, and a lens mount (202) attachable to a camera body. Each of the first optical system and the second optical system has a first optical axis (OA1R, OA1L), a second optical axis (OA2R, OA2L), and a third optical axis (OA3R, OA3L) in order from an object side to an image side. A distance between the first optical axis of the first optical system and the first optical axis of the second optical system is longer than a diameter of the lens mount, and a distance between the third optical axis of the first optical system and the third optical axis of the second optical system is shorter than the diameter of the lens mount.