Wide-Angle Optical Imaging Lens for Short-Range Low-Distortion Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical imaging lenses face challenges in achieving a large field of view, short working distance, low optical distortion, and compatibility with different wavelength bands without additional components, while maintaining cost-effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
An optical imaging lens design comprising five lens elements, including a wide-angle first lens element and a combination of aspherical, molded glass, and free-form surface elements, with specific surface configurations and coatings for wide field of view and long depth of field, suitable for short-distance applications and multiple wavelength bands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If the field of view is increased beyond 70 degrees, then the imaging coverage is improved, but the optical distortion increases beyond 20%
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs aspherical lens surfaces with precisely controlled curvature variations to expand the field of view while maintaining low distortion. The aspherical designs allow light rays from wide angles to focus accurately on the image sensor, achieving FOV≥100° with distortion controlled at ≤15%, which would be impossible with traditional spherical lenses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent systematically optimizes multiple optical parameters including refractive indices, curvature radii, thicknesses, and spacing between lens elements. By carefully adjusting these parameters and satisfying specific conditional expressions (e.g., 0.25<f1/f<0.50, -1.50<d2/f<-0.80), the design achieves both wide field of view and low distortion simultaneously.
2Length of moving object
If the working distance is reduced to less than 20 cm for short-distance imaging, then the proximity capability is improved, but the depth of field becomes too shallow for practical use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the optical system into five distinct lens elements with different functions: the first element (negative power) handles wide-angle light gathering, while elements 2-5 (positive power) provide focusing and depth of field control. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both ultra-short working distance (≥20mm) and sufficient depth of field for commercial applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical lens is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: wide-angle imaging, ultra-short distance focusing, and adequate depth of field provision. The lens group can operate effectively across different wavelength bands (visible and infrared) without additional components, achieving universal applicability for various commercial scenarios.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple lens element groups are used to满足不同应用场景, then the application versatility is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a single optical lens that can handle multiple application scenarios including ultra-short distance imaging (≥20mm), short-distance imaging (20-200mm), and long-distance imaging (>200mm). The lens achieves this versatility through its five-element design with specific power distributions and conditional expressions, eliminating the need for multiple interchangeable lens modules and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the optical lens to dynamically adapt to different imaging distances and wavelength bands through its optimized element configuration. The lens group can focus on objects from 20mm to infinity and switch between visible and infrared wavelengths without mechanical adjustments or additional components, providing dynamic versatility.
4Ease of manufacture
If the same optical lens is used for different wavelength bands with different coatings, then the cost is reduced, but the optical performance across bands may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the optical lens with materials and structures that can effectively transmit and focus both visible light and infrared wavelengths (850nm, 940nm). By selecting appropriate glass types and designing the five-element configuration to handle different wavelength characteristics, the lens achieves multi-band functionality with a single structure, avoiding the need for separate optical paths or components for different wavelength bands.
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 field of view greater than 100 degrees, effective working distance of 20-200 mm, low optical distortion, and compatibility with visible and infrared light, enhancing imaging quality and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
an optical imaging lens adapted for limited working distance, which includes a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element, a fourth lens element, a fifth lens element, and an image sensing element sequentially arranged along an optical axis from an object side to an image side
Data Source
AI summary
An optical imaging lens adapted for limited working distance includes a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element, a fourth lens element, a fifth lens element, and an image sensing element sequentially arranged along an optical axis from an object side to an image side. Each of the first lens element to the fifth lens element includes an object-side surface facing toward the object side and an image-side surface facing toward the image side. The first lens element is a wide-angle lens element. The second lens element to the fifth lens element are a combination of aspherical lens elements, molded glass lens elements, and free-form surface lens elements. The field of view of the optical imaging lens is greater than or equal to 100 degrees, and the optical imaging lens is a wide-angle lens.