View Finder Optical Path Bending for Camera Thickness Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional view finders struggle to reduce camera thickness while maintaining image quality, as they typically require a straight-line arrangement of elements between the display and observer, leading to degraded image quality when size reduction is attempted.
Innovation Solution
A view finder with an optical path bending member and a positive lens group for diopter correction, where the angle between the principal ray of the maximum angle of view and the display section is between 90±5 degrees, allowing for thickness reduction without degrading image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If elements between the display section and the observer are arranged along a straight line in conventional view finders, then the structure is simple, but the camera thickness cannot be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an optical path bending member that changes the linear arrangement of optical elements into a bent configuration, effectively utilizing the thickness direction (third dimension) to fold the optical path. This allows the optical elements to be arranged in a compact bent layout rather than a straight line, reducing the overall camera thickness while maintaining the necessary optical path length for image quality
2Length of moving object
If the number of lenses in the view finder is reduced to achieve size reduction, then the camera becomes more compact, but the image quality is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
By bending the optical path using the optical path bending member, the patent creates space to accommodate multiple lenses (including the positive lens group for diopter correction and other optical elements) in a compact bent arrangement. This allows maintaining a sufficient number of lenses for good image quality while reducing the overall camera size through efficient spatial utilization in the bent configuration
3Reliability
If the angle between the principal ray and the display section is not optimized, then the view finder can be simpler, but image quality on angle-dependent displays degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the angle between the principal ray of the maximum angle of view and the display section to be within 90±5 degrees. This parameter optimization ensures that light rays from the display section enter the optical system at appropriate angles, maintaining good image quality on angle-dependent displays such as liquid crystal displays while working effectively with the bent optical path configuration
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
Enables thickness reduction of cameras while maintaining good image quality by bending the optical path and using a positive lens group for diopter correction, allowing for increased lens count without increasing thickness, and providing stable imaging even with angle-dependent displays.
Implementation Method 1
an optical path bending member for bending an optical path
Implementation Method 2
a positive lens group for diopter correction disposed between the display section and the optical path bending member
Data Source
AI summary
The view finder includes an observation optical system for enlarged observation of information displayed on a display section. The observation optical system includes an optical path bending member for bending the optical path. The view finder is configured such that an angle formed between a principal ray of a maximum angle of view and the display section is in the range of 90±5 degrees.