Three-Lens Optical System with Folded Paths for Compact Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical systems for smart headsets, particularly in virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality applications, face challenges in achieving miniaturization and lightweight design while maintaining excellent imaging performance.
Innovation Solution
An optical system comprising three lenses with specific focal lengths, curvature radii, and coatings, including a reflective polarizing coating and quarter-wave plate, arranged to create an optical path folding structure, reducing the total track length and volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If traditional optical systems are used for smart headsets, then imaging performance can be maintained, but the system size and weight become excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an optical path folding structure that redirects light through multiple reflections between mirrors and beam splitters, transforming the linear optical path into a multi-dimensional configuration. This allows the optical system to achieve a compact form factor while maintaining the required optical path length and imaging performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent integrates multiple optical functions into a unified compact structure by combining lenses, mirrors, beam splitters, and polarizing filters into a single integrated optical module. This merging of components reduces the overall volume while preserving imaging quality
2Volume of moving object
If optical components are reduced for miniaturization, then system volume decreases, but imaging quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different surface treatments and coatings to specific regions of optical components. For example, anti-reflective coatings are applied selectively to lens surfaces, and aspherical surfaces are used in critical regions to correct aberrations, ensuring high imaging quality in a compact design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes aspherical lens surfaces and optimized curvature radii to improve imaging quality without increasing system volume. By carefully controlling surface parameters and focal lengths, the system achieves high precision imaging in a miniaturized configuration
3Reliability
If optical path is extended for better imaging, then imaging performance improves, but total track length increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses multiple mirrors and beam splitters to fold the optical path, redirecting light through a compact multi-dimensional route rather than a long linear path. This achieves the required optical path length for high-quality imaging while keeping the physical total track length short and the device compact
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 miniaturization and lightweight design while providing high imaging performance and a large field of view, with improved display quality and reduced distortion and lateral color.
Implementation Method 1
a front side surface of the first lens or a rear side surface of the second lens is provided with a composite film including a reflective polarizing coating and a quarter-wave plate
Implementation Method 2
the reflective polarizing coating is applied on a rear side of the quarter-wave plate
Implementation Method 3
The rear side surface and the front side surface of the first lens, the rear side surface and a front side surface of the second lens, and the rear side surface and the front side surface of the third lens are aspherical
Implementation Method 4
a front side surface of the second lens is coated with a semi-transparent and semi-reflective film
Data Source
AI summary
An optical system is provided, which includes in sequence from a rear side to a front side: an aperture, a first lens, a second lens, a third lens, a circular polarizer, and an image surface. The optical system further satisfies: 5.00≤f2/f≤9.00, 1.30≤(R1+R2)/(R1−R2)≤4.80, 0.90≤R5/R6≤2.80, and SDmax≤23.00 mm. f represents a focal length of the optical system, f2 represents a focal length of the second lens, R1 represents a central curvature radius of a rear side surface of the first lens, R2 represents a central curvature radius of the front side surface of the first lens, R5 represents a central curvature radius of a rear side surface of the third lens, R6 represents a central curvature radius of a front side surface of the third lens; and SDmax represents a maximum effective radius of lenses of the optical system.