Three-Unit Wafer-Level Optical System for Aberration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical systems for image pickup apparatuses struggle to achieve both miniaturization and high optical performance, as exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 9,798,115, which does not provide a concrete configuration for achieving both miniaturization and high optical performance.
Innovation Solution
The optical system consists of a first unit with a first substrate and a first lens, a second unit with a second lens, and a third unit with a third lens, all manufactured using wafer level processing, ensuring compactness and high optical performance by satisfying specific inequalities related to radii of curvature and focal lengths, and using materials like curable resin and glass for lenses and substrates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional optical system designs are used, then optical performance can be maintained, but the system size cannot be sufficiently reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system is divided into three distinct lens units, each with specific refractive power characteristics. The first unit has negative refractive power, while the second and third units have positive refractive power. This segmentation allows each unit to be optimized independently for miniaturization while collectively maintaining high optical performance through coordinated design.
Solution Approach 2:
Each lens unit is designed with specific local optical properties - the first unit uses negative power for compactness, while the second and third units use positive power for focusing. The radii of curvature at different positions (70% and 90% of effective radius) are locally optimized to control aberrations while maintaining small overall dimensions.
2Volume of moving object
If miniaturization is prioritized, then system size is reduced, but optical performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes specific parameter ranges for the radii of curvature at different positions of the lenses. The inequalities constrain the difference between radii at 70% and 90% of the effective radius relative to the focal length, ensuring that aberrations are controlled within acceptable limits while allowing compact design. This parameter optimization enables miniaturization without sacrificing optical quality.
3Reliability
If complex lens configurations are used, then optical performance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system is segmented into three lens units with clear functional differentiation. This segmentation provides a systematic framework that simplifies the design and manufacturing process compared to a single complex lens, while achieving high optical performance through the coordinated arrangement of simpler individual units.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a single complex lens with high refractive power that would be difficult to manufacture, the patent inverts the approach by using multiple lenses with lower individual powers arranged in sequence. The first lens has negative power, followed by two positive power lenses, creating a compound system that is easier to manufacture with standard processes while achieving the desired optical performance.
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 results in a compact, low-cost optical system with high optical performance, suitable for built-in cameras in electronic devices and endoscopes, effectively correcting aberrations and maintaining manufacturing precision.
Implementation Method 1
an optical system includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first unit, a second unit, and a third unit. The first unit includes a first substrate, a first lens disposed on the object side of the first substrate, and a second lens having negative power and disposed on the image side of the first substrate
Data Source
AI summary
An optical system consists of, in order from an object side to an image side, a first unit, a second unit, and a third unit. The first unit includes a first substrate, a first lens disposed on the object side of the first substrate, and a second lens having negative power and disposed on the image side of the first substrate. The second unit includes a second substrate and a third lens having positive power and disposed on the object side or the image side of the second substrate. The third unit includes a third substrate and a fourth lens having positive power and disposed on the object side or the image side of the third substrate. A predetermined condition is satisfied.