Stereoscopic Optical System with Variable Image Height for Compact Zooming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stereoscopic optical systems are large and cumbersome due to restrictions on image height at the telephoto end, which limits their zooming capabilities and overall size, especially when trying to achieve a high magnification variation ratio.
Innovation Solution
A stereoscopic optical system with two optical systems disposed in parallel, where the distance between adjacent lens units changes during zooming, and the image height is set lower at the telephoto end than at the wide-angle end, allowing for a shorter overall lens length and smaller size while maintaining high magnification variation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a uniform image height is set from wide-angle end to telephoto end with a power arrangement suitable for uniform image height, then the zoom lens can provide magnification variation, but the overall lens length at the telephoto end becomes long, making the stereoscopic optical system large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by setting different image heights for different zoom states: a first image height at the wide-angle end and a second image height at the telephoto end, where the ratio between them is within a specific range. This allows the optical system to have optimized local characteristics for each zoom state rather than uniform characteristics throughout, enabling compact overall lens length while maintaining high magnification variation ratio.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the image height parameter between wide-angle and telephoto states. By setting the ratio of the second image height (telephoto) to the first image height (wide-angle) within a specific range, the system achieves both compact size and high magnification variation. This parameter optimization allows the optical system to transition between different operational states with different performance characteristics.
2Area of stationary object
If the distance between optical axes on the image side is made narrower than on the object side, then the base length is secured and image circles are formed on a single image sensor, but the optical system requires specific reflective surface arrangements that increase complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses reflective surfaces to bend the optical path, effectively changing the spatial dimension of light propagation. By introducing reflections, the optical path folds back, allowing the image-side distance between optical axes to be narrower than the object-side distance while still forming complete image circles on a single image sensor. This dimensional manipulation through reflection resolves the contradiction between compact image-side arrangement and adequate base length.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a high magnification variation ratio is achieved, then the zooming capability is enhanced, but the overall system size and weight increase, making it less suitable for compact applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves high magnification variation ratio with reduced weight by optimizing the image height ratio between telephoto and wide-angle states. By setting this ratio within a specific range, the system achieves superior zooming capability without requiring excessive lens length or additional heavy components, thus maintaining compactness and light weight while enhancing adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the magnification variation ratio by controlling the relationship between image heights at different zoom states. By setting the ratio of second image height (telephoto) to first image height (wide-angle) within a specific range, the system achieves high magnification variation with compact dimensions, reducing overall weight while maintaining enhanced zooming capability.
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 enables a compact, zoomable stereoscopic optical system that can capture images suitable for virtual reality displays with a high magnification variation ratio, reducing the overall size and weight while ensuring optimal image quality.
Implementation Method 1
two reflective surfaces provided in each optical system to bend its optical path
Data Source
AI summary
A stereoscopic optical system includes two optical systems disposed in parallel. Each of the two optical systems includes a plurality of lens units and two reflective surfaces disposed on an image side of the plurality of lens units. A distance between adjacent lens units in each of the two optical systems changes during zooming. A distance between optical axes of the two optical systems is narrower on the image side of the two reflective surfaces than on an object side of the two reflective surfaces. A predetermined condition is satisfied.