Seven-Lens Wide-Angle Camera Optics for Thin Large-Aperture Imaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is an urgent need for a wide-angle camera optical lens with excellent optical characteristics and ultra-thinness, particularly for handheld devices like smartphones and digital cameras, to meet the demands for compact and lightweight designs with enhanced imaging quality.

Innovation Solution

A camera optical lens comprising seven lenses with specific refractive indices, focal lengths, and curvature radii, including materials like glass and plastic, to achieve a large aperture and wide-angle performance, with relationships between these parameters ensuring optimal imaging quality and ultra-thinness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a three-lens or four-lens structure is used in conventional smartphone cameras, then the device achieves compact size, but the imaging quality and optical performance are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging qualityVSAvoidlens structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the optical system into seven distinct lens elements with alternating positive and negative refractive powers. Each lens is specifically designed with particular curvature radii, thickness, and material properties to address specific optical aberrations. This segmentation allows complex optical functions to be distributed across multiple specialized components, achieving superior imaging quality that cannot be obtained with simpler three or four-lens structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Volume of moving object

If the pixel size of imaging devices is reduced to achieve compact design, then the device size decreases, but the imaging quality and light sensitivity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidimaging quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs precise parameter optimization across all seven lens elements, including refractive indices (e.g., n1=1.88, n2=1.64), curvature radii (e.g., R1=1.78mm, R2=-1.43mm), and thickness values (e.g., d1=0.42mm). These parameter changes are carefully controlled to maintain excellent optical performance despite the reduced overall system size. The alternating positive and negative refractive power configuration further optimizes light path control to compensate for smaller pixel dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If a seven-lens structure is adopted to improve imaging quality, then the optical performance increases, but the total track length and device thickness increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical performanceVSAvoidtotal track length

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic optical design where the seven lens elements are arranged with alternating positive and negative refractive powers to create a balanced optical system. This dynamic configuration allows light rays to be efficiently focused and corrected through multiple refractions, achieving excellent optical performance within a compact total track length. The specific arrangement enables the system to maintain superior imaging quality without requiring excessive axial length.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Illumination intensity

If the aperture is enlarged to improve light sensitivity, then the imaging quality in low light conditions improves, but the lens complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight sensitivityVSAvoidmanufacturing difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes composite material selection for the seven lens elements, with each lens made from materials having specific refractive indices and Abbe numbers optimized for their functional role. For example, the first lens uses material with n1=1.88 and v1=40.1, while the second lens uses n2=1.64 and v2=26.6. This composite approach allows the system to achieve high light sensitivity through a large aperture while managing manufacturing complexity through material property optimization and standardized material selection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 lens achieves a large aperture with excellent optical performance and wide-angle capabilities, suitable for smartphone and vehicle camera lenses, while maintaining a compact size and high imaging quality.