Variable Aperture Module Undulating Contour Diffraction Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional variable aperture stops in optical systems of electronic devices can cause unexpected imaging effects due to diffraction, making it challenging to achieve high image quality and meet the requirements of high-end specification devices.
Innovation Solution
A variable aperture module comprising a blade assembly with movable blades, a positioning element, and a driving part, where the movable blades form a light passable hole with adjustable size, and matte structures on the inner surfaces of the blades define an undulating contour, allowing for precise adjustment of the aperture to minimize diffraction effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional variable aperture stop is used to adjust the depth of field and control light incidence, then the functionality requirements are met, but diffraction effects cause unexpected imaging effects and reduced image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature principle by designing the movable blades with curved inner surfaces instead of flat surfaces. The curved surfaces create an undulating contour of the light passable hole that reduces diffraction effects while maintaining adjustable depth of field functionality. This is achieved through the specific curvature design of the blade inner surfaces that guide light rays more smoothly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by adding matte structures at specific locations on the inner surfaces of the movable blades. These matte structures are strategically positioned to control light reflection and reduce diffraction at critical areas where light passes through the aperture, thereby improving image quality locally without affecting the overall aperture adjustment mechanism.
2Shape
If the aperture size is reduced to increase depth of field, then background blur control is improved, but diffraction effects become more prominent and degrade image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The curved inner surfaces of the movable blades create an undulating contour that becomes increasingly effective at reducing diffraction as the aperture size decreases. The curvature design ensures that even when the aperture is small for deep depth of field, the light rays are guided smoothly, minimizing diffraction effects that would normally degrade image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the aperture contour by introducing undulating shapes through curved blade surfaces and matte structures. This parameter change in the contour geometry allows the system to maintain better image quality across different aperture sizes, particularly when the aperture is reduced for increased depth of field.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a variable aperture stop is added to the optical system to meet functionality requirements, then depth of field control is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the aperture adjustment mechanism with the existing optical system by integrating the movable blades into the lens module structure. The blade assembly is positioned within the optical path and works in conjunction with the existing lens elements, rather than adding a completely separate variable aperture stop mechanism, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable blades serve multiple functions: they control aperture size for depth of field adjustment, shape the light passable hole contour to reduce diffraction, and the matte structures on their surfaces control light reflection. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby managing device complexity while achieving functionality requirements.
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 variable aperture module effectively reduces diffraction-induced imaging issues, enabling high image quality and flexibility in adjusting the depth of field and light incidence, thus meeting the demands of high-end electronic devices.
Implementation Method 1
conventional variable aperture stops in optical systems of electronic devices can cause unexpected imaging effects due to diffraction
Implementation Method 2
There are a plurality of matte structures disposed on each of the inner surfaces. Each of the plurality of matte structures is single structure extending towards the optical axis, such that at least part of the contour of the light passable hole has an undulating shape
Data Source
AI summary
A variable aperture module includes a blade assembly including movable blades, a positioning element including positioning structures and a driving part including a rotation element. The movable blades are disposed around an optical axis to form a light passable hole with adjustable size for different hole size states and each have an inner surface to define the contour of the light passable hole in each hole size state. The positioning structures correspond to the movable blades. The rotation element is rotatable with respect to the positioning element and is configured to rotate the movable blades to adjust a size of the light passable hole. There are matte structures disposed on each inner surface. Each matte structure is single structure extending towards the optical axis, such that at least part of the contour of the light passable hole has an undulating shape at least in several hole size states.