Stereoscopic Optical System With Folded Paths for Compact Zoom
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stereoscopic optical systems face challenges in achieving high magnification varying ratios and optical performance while maintaining a compact size and minimizing interference between parallel optical systems during magnification variation.
Innovation Solution
A stereoscopic optical system with two parallel optical systems, each comprising a first lens unit with positive refractive power, a second lens unit with negative refractive power, a third lens unit with reflective surfaces, and a fourth lens unit with positive refractive power, where the optical path is bent by reflective surfaces to reduce the distance between rear groups and allow for magnification variation, adhering to specific inequalities to optimize performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the distance between optical axes of the first lens units is increased to achieve a high magnification varying ratio, then the magnification variation capability is improved, but the distance between optical axes of the rear groups increases leading to larger lens diameters and increased interference between parallel optical systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces reflective surfaces (prisms) to bend the optical path in a third dimension, allowing the optical axis to change direction. This enables the first lens units to be positioned farther apart (larger baseline for stereoscopic imaging) while the rear groups remain closer together, effectively decoupling the baseline distance from the lens diameter requirement.
Solution Approach 2:
The reflective surfaces act as intermediaries that redirect light from the first lens units to the rear groups. By positioning the reflective surfaces between the first and second lens units, the patent enables optical path folding that reduces the direct distance between rear groups while maintaining the effective baseline between first lens units.
2Ease of operation
If the distance between optical axes of the rear groups is increased to accommodate the parallel optical systems, then the optical systems can be arranged in parallel, but the lens diameters increase and interference between systems occurs during magnification variation
Solution Approach 1:
The reflective surfaces fold the optical path in the vertical dimension, allowing the optical systems to be arranged in parallel horizontally while the bent optical paths converge to smaller separations at the rear group level, reducing interference during magnification variation.
3Area of stationary object
If the lens diameters are reduced to minimize interference between parallel optical systems, then the system size is reduced, but the magnification varying ratio and optical performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
By bending the optical path through reflective surfaces, the patent allows the first lens units to maintain larger separation (improving stereoscopic baseline) while the rear groups are positioned closer together (reducing lens diameter requirements), thereby maintaining both compact size and high magnification varying ratio.
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 a high magnification varying ratio and maintains high optical performance with reduced lens diameters and interference, enabling compact and efficient stereoscopic imaging.
Implementation Method 1
a first reflective surface, a second reflective surface, and an aperture stop, and a distance between optical axes between rear groups in the two optical systems is narrower than a distance between optical axes of the first lens units in the two optical systems due to bending of an optical path by the first reflective surface and the second reflective surface
Data Source
AI summary
A stereoscopic optical system includes two optical systems configured to perform magnification variation and arranged in parallel. Each optical system includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens unit having positive refractive power, a second lens unit having negative refractive power, a third lens unit, and a rear group including a fourth lens unit and having positive refractive power as a whole. A distance between adjacent lens units changes during magnification variation. The third lens unit includes a first reflective surface, a second reflective surface, and an aperture stop, and a distance between optical axes between rear groups in the two optical systems is narrower than a distance between optical axes of the first lens units in the two optical systems due to bending of an optical path by the first reflective surface and the second reflective surface. A predetermined inequality is satisfied.