Variable Focus Lens Optical Imaging System Miniaturization

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional camera modules with adjustable focal lengths are bulky and heavy, making it difficult to miniaturize and reduce the weight of camera systems while maintaining effective image capturing capabilities.

Innovation Solution

An optical imaging system comprising a series of lenses with specific refractive powers and surface configurations, including a variable focus lens, that allows for adjustable focal lengths within a compact design, enabling miniaturization and weight reduction while maintaining high-resolution image capture.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the optical imaging system is moved in the optical axis direction to adjust focal length, then the focal length can be adjusted for clear image capturing, but the camera module size and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefocal length adjustment capabilityVSAvoidcamera module weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical movement system with an optical system. Instead of physically moving the entire optical imaging system along the optical axis to change focal length, the invention uses a movable lens element (fourth lens) that can shift position to adjust focal length. This substitution of mechanical system movement with internal optical element movement achieves focal length adjustment while reducing the overall camera module size and weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the optical imaging system into multiple discrete lens elements (first through sixth lenses) with specific configurations. By segmenting the system and making only the fourth lens movable while keeping other lenses fixed, the invention achieves focal length adjustment without requiring movement of the entire optical system, thereby reducing the camera module's size and weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the optical imaging system is moved in the optical axis direction to adjust focal length, then the focal length can be adjusted for clear image capturing, but the camera module size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefocal length adjustment capabilityVSAvoidcamera module length

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical movement system with an optical system. Instead of physically moving the entire optical imaging system along the optical axis to change focal length, the invention uses a movable lens element (fourth lens) that can shift position to adjust focal length. This substitution of mechanical system movement with internal optical element movement achieves focal length adjustment while reducing the overall camera module size and weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the optical imaging system into multiple discrete lens elements (first through sixth lenses) with specific configurations. By segmenting the system and making only the fourth lens movable while keeping other lenses fixed, the invention achieves focal length adjustment without requiring movement of the entire optical system, thereby reducing the camera module's size and weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 imaging system achieves miniaturization and weight reduction of camera modules while maintaining the ability to capture high-resolution images across various distances through the use of a variable focus lens with adjustable focal lengths, enhancing the camera's compactness and performance.

Implementation Method 1

A camera module may adjust (autofocus (AF)) the focal length of the optical imaging system for clear image capturing. For example, the camera module may adjust the focal length of the camera module by moving the optical imaging system in an optical axis direction.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentUS20230176262A1Optical imaging system

Publication Date: 2023.06.08 SAMSUNG ELECTRO MECHANICS CO LTD

AI summary

An optical imaging system including a first lens, a second lens, a third lens, a fourth lens, a fifth lens, and a sixth lens sequentially arranged from an object side toward an imaging plane, wherein an object-side surface of the sixth lens is convex, and wherein one of the first lens to the sixth lens is a variable focus lens configured to have a variable focal length.