Under-display Camera Optical Module with Free-form Sixth Lens
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Solution Overview
Problem
Camera modules installed under displays face issues with image quality deterioration and reduced brightness due to light loss, necessitating an optical system that can maintain high resolution and illuminance regardless of its position.
Innovation Solution
An optical module with a specific configuration of lenses, including a sixth lens with free-form surfaces, optimized to ensure improved optical characteristics, aberration control, and increased relative illumination, allowing for miniaturization while maintaining high light transmission and resolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the camera is disposed under the display, then the form factor is improved and the front camera is hidden, but image quality deteriorates and brightness decreases due to light loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the optical parameters by introducing a lens with a free-form surface and specific refractive index distribution. The refractive index is optimized to compensate for light loss, and the free-form surface geometry is designed to control light paths, thereby maintaining brightness and image quality despite the under-display configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite optical system combining multiple lenses with different refractive powers and at least one lens featuring a free-form surface. This composite structure allows for sophisticated light management, where each lens element contributes specific optical functions to overcome the brightness and quality degradation caused by the display panel.
2Measurement precision
If multiple lenses are used to improve resolution, then the optical system becomes more complex, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the free-form surface dimensionality to achieve superior optical performance without proportionally increasing the physical volume. By optimizing the surface geometry in multiple dimensions while maintaining a compact lens arrangement, the system achieves high resolution with controlled device size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes refractive index parameters and lens spacing to achieve high resolution with minimal optical path length. The free-form surface parameters are carefully controlled to provide the necessary aberration correction without requiring additional lens elements that would increase device volume.
3Measurement precision
If the optical system is optimized for high resolution, then aberration control improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the free-form surface with specific mathematical characteristics that, while optically superior, can be manufactured using modern precision molding techniques. The surface parameters are optimized to balance aberration control with manufacturability, avoiding overly complex geometries that would be difficult to produce.
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 optical module achieves enhanced optical performance, including improved resolution and illuminance, without increasing lens size, enabling miniaturization and effective light transmission, thus addressing the challenges of image quality and brightness in under-display camera applications.
Implementation Method 1
an optical system including first to sixth lenses sequentially disposed along an optical axis from an object-side toward a sensor-side
Data Source
AI summary
An optical module according to an embodiment includes: a sensor; and an optical system including first to sixth lenses sequentially disposed along an optical axis from an object-side toward a sensor-side, wherein at least one of an object-side surface and a sensor-side surface of the sixth lens includes a free-form surface.