Wafer-Level Image Capture Lens with Composite Refractive Indices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image capture lenses face challenges in miniaturization due to increased size and low throughput caused by the need for higher optical performance and the discrete fabrication process of multiple lenses, which counteracts the miniaturization trend and limits the compactness of image capture devices.
Innovation Solution
The image capture lens structure incorporates a glass substrate with multiple lens materials of different refractive indices, featuring curved surfaces and integrated optical components like aperture stops and optical block layers, allowing for a wafer level process that reduces overall length and enhances optical performance without increasing size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a two-piece or multi-piece structured image capture lens is used to enhance optical performance, then optical performance is improved, but the total track length increases and miniaturization is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple lens elements with different refractive powers into a single integrated lens structure. The lens includes a first lens portion and a second lens portion formed as one piece, where the first lens portion has positive refractive power and the second lens portion has negative refractive power. This merging approach maintains the optical performance benefits of multi-element designs while eliminating the need for discrete assembly, thereby reducing the total track length and enabling miniaturization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material construction by forming the lens from a single piece of material that exhibits different refractive properties in different regions. The lens includes regions with different refractive indices integrated within one continuous structure, allowing the lens to function as both a positive and negative refractive power element simultaneously, thus achieving enhanced optical performance without increasing length.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional discrete fabrication process is used for multiple lenses, then manufacturing flexibility is maintained, but throughput is low and production efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fabrication of multiple lens elements into a single monolithic structure that can be manufactured using additive manufacturing processes. This allows the entire multi-element lens to be produced in one continuous manufacturing operation rather than requiring discrete fabrication and assembly of separate lenses, thereby dramatically increasing throughput while maintaining design flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical assembly process (discrete fabrication and physical assembly of multiple lenses) with an additive manufacturing process. This substitution eliminates the need for separate fabrication steps and assembly operations, enabling single-step production of complex multi-element lens structures and significantly improving production efficiency.
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 enables a shorter lens length, improved optical performance, and increased throughput by integrating multiple lenses on a single substrate, supporting the miniaturization of image capture devices while maintaining high optical quality.
Implementation Method 1
a first lens material with a first refractive index, and a second lens material with a second refractive index higher than the first refractive index. The first lens material is formed on the first side of the first glass substrate and has a curved top surface. The second lens material covers the first lens material and the first glass substrate and has a curved top surface.
Data Source
AI summary
An image capture lens is disclosed. The image capture lens includes a glass substrate having a first side and an opposing second side, a first lens material with a first refractive index, and a second lens material with a second refractive index higher than the first refractive index. The first lens material is formed on the first side of the first glass substrate and has a curved top surface. The second lens material covers the first lens material and the first glass substrate and has a curved top surface.