Three-Lens Optical System Aberration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical systems in portable electronic devices face challenges such as large aberration, poor image quality at the periphery, and distortion, especially in low-light environments, due to their large aperture and wide-angle designs, which are difficult to manufacture and maintain high optical performance.
Innovation Solution
A compact optical image capturing system using a combination of three-piece optical lenses with refractive powers, convex and concave surfaces, and inflection points to adjust the incident angle and modify aberrations, improving imaging quality and light intake while maintaining a small size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the aperture is increased to take pictures in dark environments, then the quantity of light entering the lens is improved, but large aberration and poor image quality at periphery occur
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system is divided into multiple lenses (first lens, second lens, third lens) with different functions. The first lens captures light, the second lens corrects aberrations, and the third lens further refines image quality. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, enabling large aperture while maintaining image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the optical system are given different properties. The first lens has positive refractive power for light gathering, the second lens has negative refractive power for aberration correction, and the third lens has positive refractive power for final image refinement. Each lens surface (object-side and image-side) is designed with specific curvature characteristics to address local optical quality requirements.
2Illumination intensity
If the aperture is increased to take pictures in dark environments, then the quantity of light entering the lens is improved, but the system becomes hard to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The complex optical system is segmented into three manageable lens components. Each lens can be manufactured separately using standard optical manufacturing techniques, and then assembled together. This segmentation makes the overall system easier to manufacture compared to a single complex lens with large aperture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent specifies particular parameter ranges for each lens (refractive power, focal length, surface curvatures) to optimize both performance and manufacturability. By defining specific parameter ranges, the design balances optical performance with manufacturing feasibility, avoiding overly complex geometries that would be difficult to produce.
3Area of stationary object
If wide-angle design is used to increase field of view, then the angle of field is improved, but high incidence of distortion occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The wide-angle field of view is achieved through a segmented lens system rather than a single wide-angle lens. The first lens provides the wide-angle capability, while the second and third lenses correct the distortion inherent in wide-angle designs. This segmentation allows the system to achieve wide field of view while maintaining geometric accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The lens surfaces are designed with asymmetric curvature characteristics. The object-side and image-side surfaces of each lens have different curvature radii, allowing the system to correct distortion while maintaining wide-angle performance. The asymmetric design enables flexible control of light paths to reduce geometric distortion.
4Manufacturing precision
If three-piece optical lenses with inflection points are used to reduce aberration and improve image quality, then imaging quality is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system is segmented into three lenses, each with relatively simple individual structures. While the overall system has three components, each lens can be manufactured using standard techniques. The segmentation distributes the complexity across multiple simpler components rather than requiring a single complex lens.
Solution Approach 2:
Inflection points are strategically placed on specific lens surfaces (object-side or image-side of second and third lenses) to correct specific aberrations. This localized application of complex surface geometry only where needed reduces overall manufacturing complexity compared to making all surfaces equally complex.
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 enhances imaging quality, reduces aberrations, and increases light intake, achieving high pixel density and optical performance in a compact form factor suitable for miniature electronic devices.
Implementation Method 1
The first lens has positive refractive power
Implementation Method 2
The second lens has negative refractive power
Implementation Method 3
The third lens has positive refractive power
Data Source
AI summary
A three-piece optical lens for capturing image and a three-piece optical module for capturing image, along the optical axis in order from an object side to an image side, include a first lens with positive refractive power; a second lens with refractive power; and a third lens with refractive power; and at least one of the image-side surface and object-side surface of each of the three lens elements are aspheric. The optical lens can increase aperture value and improve the imaging quality for use in compact cameras.