Variable Aperture Lens Integration for Compact Imaging Light Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional imaging systems face challenges in adjusting light amounts while maintaining a compact size, leading to issues like image saturation in bright scenes and darkness in dark scenes, and finding a suitable location for a variable aperture in smaller structures is difficult.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a variable aperture member that changes the size of its opening at the image sensor side, with at least a part of it overlapping with the first lens along the optical axis direction, to effectively adjust light amounts in a compact imaging optical system and device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a variable aperture member is added to adjust light amount, then light amount adjustment capability is improved, but device structure becomes more complex and larger

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight amount adjustment capabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The variable aperture member is integrated with the first lens to form a unified optical component. The aperture adjustment function is merged into the lens structure, eliminating the need for a separate variable aperture mechanism and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining light amount adjustment capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The first lens serves multiple functions: it acts as both the primary optical element for image formation and as the variable aperture stop for light amount control. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, achieving compact design while providing effective light adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Volume of moving object

If the imaging system is made compact in size, then device size is reduced, but finding a suitable location for the variable aperture becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidvariable aperture placement difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By combining the variable aperture function with the first lens, the patent eliminates the need for additional space to accommodate a separate variable aperture member. The integrated design allows the aperture adjustment mechanism to be built into the lens structure itself, solving the space constraint problem in compact imaging systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If light amount is adjusted for dark scenes, then dark scene imaging quality is improved, but bright scene images become saturated with white areas

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedark scene imaging qualityVSAvoidlight saturation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The variable aperture member enables dynamic adjustment of the aperture size according to lighting conditions. The system can automatically or manually change the aperture diameter to match the scene brightness, preventing both dark scene underexposure and bright scene saturation by optimizing light amount in real-time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameter of aperture size to control light amount. By varying the aperture diameter parameter, the system can adapt to different lighting conditions, allowing optimal exposure in both dark and bright scenes without saturation or excessive darkness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This configuration allows for effective light amount adjustment, preventing unnatural images with white or dark areas, enabling the creation of high-quality full-view spherical images without increasing the device's size.

Implementation Method 1

a first reflection member, disposed for each one of the optical systems, configured to reflect light when the light passing through the plurality of optical members

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

a variable aperture member having an opening disposed at an image sensor side when viewed from the first reflection member, the variable aperture member configured to change a size of the opening through which the light reflected from the first reflection member passes through

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAperture control:

Data Source

PatentUS12130415B2Imaging optical system and imaging device

Publication Date: 2024.10.29 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

An imaging optical system includes a plurality of optical systems each including a plurality of optical members, a first reflection member, disposed for each one of the optical systems, configured to reflect light when the light passing through the plurality of optical members, and a variable aperture member having an opening disposed at an image sensor side when viewed from the first reflection member, the variable aperture member configured to change a size of the opening through which the light reflected from the first reflection member passes through, and at least a part of the variable aperture member is disposed at a position overlapping with an area corresponding to a first lens, disposed at the most object side in the plurality of optical members, along an optical axis direction.