Six-Element Lens Assembly for Wide-Angle Compact Cameras

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional lens assemblies with wide view angles often protrude out of compact electronic devices due to the design of the first lens element, which is unfavorable for miniaturization and compact size requirements.

Innovation Solution

A photographing lens assembly with six lens elements, each with specific refractive powers and surface configurations, including concave and convex surfaces with critical points, to achieve a compact and wide view angle configuration, using conditions such as |R1/R2|<5.0 and 1.60<CT6/T56<100 to optimize the design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If the first lens element is designed with negative refractive power and convex object-side surface for wide view angle, then the view angle is improved, but the lens assembly protrudes and compact size is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveview angleVSAvoidlens assembly protrusion

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional lens design by making the object-side surface of the first lens element concave instead of convex, while maintaining negative refractive power. This inversion allows the lens to achieve wide view angle (120 degrees or more) without the center protruding out of the photographing module, thus resolving the contradiction between view angle and compact size

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the curvature radius parameter relationship by imposing the condition |R1/R2| ≤ 3.0, where R1 is the curvature radius of the object-side surface and R2 is the curvature radius of the image-side surface. This parameter constraint enables the concave object-side surface design to achieve both wide view angle and compact form factor

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If the first lens element has convex object-side surface for light gathering, then light gathering capability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight gathering capabilityVSAvoidlens surface fabrication

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional convex object-side surface design to a concave surface. This inversion simplifies the manufacturing process as concave surfaces are easier to fabricate with precise curvature control, while still maintaining effective light gathering capability through the negative refractive power and aspheric surface design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Reliability

If multiple lens elements are added to improve image quality, then image quality is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoidlens assembly structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the sixth lens element with dual aspheric surfaces that serve multiple functions: correcting spherical aberration, correcting coma aberration, and controlling the overall optical path. This multi-functional design allows a single lens element to perform what would traditionally require multiple elements, thus improving image quality while limiting the increase in device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent imposes specific parameter constraints on the sixth lens element, including the condition that both object-side and image-side surfaces are aspheric, and the condition 1.60 < CT6/T56 < 100. These parameter optimizations enable the sixth lens element to efficiently correct multiple aberration types, improving image quality without proportionally increasing system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 allows for a compact lens assembly that supports a wide view angle, enhances image quality, and is suitable for low-light and dynamic photography, while being applicable to compact electronic devices.

Implementation Method 1

The first lens element with negative refractive power has an object-side surface being concave in a paraxial region thereof... The third lens element has an image-side surface being convex in a paraxial region thereof... The fourth lens element has positive refractive power

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentUS12541081B2Photographing lens assembly, image capturing unit and electronic device

Publication Date: 2026.02.03 LARGAN PRECISION

AI summary

A photographing lens assembly includes, in order from an object side to an image side: a first, a second, a third, a fourth, a fifth and a sixth lens elements. The first lens element with negative refractive power has an object-side surface being concave in a paraxial region thereof, wherein the object-side surface has at least one convex critical point in an off-axis region thereof. The third lens element has an image-side surface being convex in a paraxial region thereof. The fourth lens element has positive refractive power. The fifth lens element with negative refractive power has an object-side surface being concave in a paraxial region thereof, and an image-side surface being convex in a paraxial region thereof. The sixth lens element has an image-side surface being concave in a paraxial region thereof, wherein the image-side surface has at least one convex critical point in an off-axis region thereof.