Four-Group Zoom Lens Layout for Aberration-Stable High Zoom

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing zoom lenses face challenges in achieving a high variable magnification ratio, smaller size, and higher image quality while effectively suppressing aberration variation during zooming.

Innovation Solution

A zoom lens configuration with specific refractive power arrangements for lens groups, including a second lens group immovable during zooming, and satisfying conditional expressions for refractive power ratios, allows for a positive lead type configuration that suppresses aberration variation and enables a smaller size and higher image quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If a positive lead type configuration is used to achieve high variable magnification ratio and small size, then the zoom lens can be compact and lightweight, but aberration variation during zooming is not sufficiently suppressed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetotal length of lensVSAvoidaberration suppression
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by establishing specific conditional expressions for the refractive powers of lens groups (0.3 < -f2/fw < 0.7 and 0.5 < f3/fw < 1.5). These parameter constraints optimize the balance between achieving high variable magnification ratio with compact size while suppressing aberration variation during zooming operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The zoom lens is segmented into four distinct lens groups with alternating refractive powers (positive, negative, positive, negative from object side to image plane). This segmentation allows each group to be optimized for specific functions: the first group for overall focusing, the second for aberration correction, the third for magnification control, and the fourth for fine-tuning image quality, thereby resolving the contradiction between compact size and aberration suppression.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If lens groups are arranged in positive lead type configuration, then high variable magnification ratio is achieved, but image quality deteriorates due to aberration variation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevariable magnification ratioVSAvoidimage quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses parameter changes by defining precise ranges for refractive power ratios (0.3 < -f2/fw < 0.7 and 0.5 < f3/fw < 1.5). These parameter optimizations enable the lens to achieve high variable magnification ratio while maintaining consistent image quality across the zoom range by minimizing aberration variation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs asymmetric arrangement of lens groups with alternating refractive powers rather than symmetric configuration. The specific asymmetric positioning and power distribution (positive-negative-positive-negative sequence with constrained power ratios) allows the system to achieve high adaptability for variable magnification while maintaining manufacturing precision and image quality through optimized aberration correction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

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 achieves a high variable magnification ratio with reduced aberration variation, enabling a smaller size and improved image quality across the zoom range.

Implementation Method 1

a first lens group G1 having positive refractive power, a second lens group G2 having negative refractive power, a third lens group G3 having positive refractive power, and a fourth lens group G4 having negative refractive power

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentEP4711832A1Zoom lens and image capture device
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP4711832A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4711832A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4711832A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A zoom lens according to the present disclosure includes a plurality of lens groups, and an aperture stop. The plurality of lens groups includes, in order from a side of an object toward a side of an image plane, a first lens group having positive refractive power, a second lens group having negative refractive power, a third lens group having positive refractive power, and a fourth lens group having negative refractive power. The second lens group is immovable with respect to the image plane upon zooming, and predetermined conditional expressions are satisfied.