Wafer-Level Optical Unit for High Pixel Count Imaging

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wafer level optics techniques are not sufficient for high pixel count imaging systems, as they fail to adequately reduce axial chromatic aberration and other optical aberrations, making them impractical for more than three megapixels.

Innovation Solution

The design of an optical unit comprising a first and second lens group, each comprising specific lens elements and transparent bodies with buffer layers, optimized with refractive indices, Abbe numbers, and curvature radii to minimize aberrations, forming a compact imaging lens suitable for high pixel count applications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If wafer level optics technique is used for mass production, then manufacturing cost is reduced and productivity is improved, but optical performance deteriorates due to insufficient reduction of axial chromatic aberration and other aberrations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemass production capabilityVSAvoidoptical performance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The optical unit is divided into two lens groups, each with specific lens elements and transparent bodies, allowing independent optimization of each group for aberration correction while maintaining wafer-level manufacturing benefits

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Specific parameter ranges are defined for refractive indices (nd1: 1.4-1.7, nd2: 1.5-1.8, nd3: 1.6-1.9), Abbe numbers (vd1: 30-60, vd2: 20-50, vd3: 25-55), and curvature radii to optimize the balance between manufacturing feasibility and optical performance for high pixel count imaging

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If lens design is optimized for high pixel count imaging, then optical performance is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical performanceVSAvoidlens structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lens groups are designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: the first lens group with positive power provides primary focusing while the second lens group with negative power corrects chromatic aberration and other optical aberrations, achieving high-performance imaging with a relatively simple structure suitable for wafer-level manufacturing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Manufacturing precision

If axial chromatic aberration is reduced through optical design, then imaging quality is improved, but manufacturing difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging qualityVSAvoidmanufacturing difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Specific parameter ranges are defined for refractive indices (nd1: 1.4-1.7, nd2: 1.5-1.8, nd3: 1.6-1.9), Abbe numbers (vd1: 30-60, vd2: 20-50, vd3: 25-55), and curvature radii to optimize the balance between manufacturing feasibility and optical performance for high pixel count imaging

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The optical unit is divided into two lens groups, each with specific lens elements and transparent bodies, allowing independent optimization of each group for aberration correction while maintaining wafer-level manufacturing benefits

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 solution effectively reduces optical aberrations, achieving superior imaging performance and compactness, enabling mass production at lower costs while maintaining high optical quality, suitable for applications in digital cameras and small electronic devices.

Implementation Method 1

the first lens group includes a first lens element, a first transparent body and a second lens element, which are arranged in order from an object side toward an image surface side, and in which the second lens group includes a third lens element, a second transparent body and a fourth lens element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentUS8427571B2Optical unit and imaging apparatus

Publication Date: 2013.04.23 ANTERYON INT

AI summary

An optical unit includes: a first lens group; and a second lens group, which are arranged in order from an object side toward an image surface side, wherein the first lens group includes a first lens element, a first transparent body, and a second lens element, which are arranged in order from the object side toward the image surface side, and the second lens group includes a third lens element, a second transparent body and a fourth lens element, which are arranged in order from the object side toward the image surface side.