Zoom Lens Configuration for Compact Design and High Optical Performance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing zoom lenses with wide-angle capabilities face challenges in achieving a compact and lightweight design while maintaining high optical performance across the entire zoom range, due to the complexity and weight of the moving lens units.
Innovation Solution
A zoom lens configuration comprising multiple lens units with specific refractive powers and fixed positions relative to the image plane during zooming, where the first lens unit has three or more lenses, and the distances between adjacent units change, satisfying specific inequalities to optimize focal lengths and distances for compactness and performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the first lens unit having negative refractive power is moved during zooming from wide-angle end to telephoto end, then the zoom lens achieves wide angle of view and high optical performance, but the moving mechanism becomes complicated and miniaturization and weight reduction are hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the moving function from the first lens unit (which has negative refractive power) and assigns it to the second lens unit (which has positive refractive power). This allows the first lens unit to remain fixed and simplified, while the second lens unit handles the zooming motion. The extraction of the moving function from the heavy negative lens unit resolves the contradiction by reducing mechanical complexity without sacrificing optical performance.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of moving the first lens unit with negative refractive power during zooming, the patent inverts the approach by moving the second lens unit with positive refractive power. This inversion changes which lens unit performs the zooming function, allowing the negative lens unit to be smaller and fixed, thereby simplifying the overall moving mechanism while maintaining the required optical performance across the zoom range.
2Area of stationary object
If the first lens unit having negative refractive power is moved during zooming, then the zoom lens achieves wide angle of view, but weight reduction is hindered due to the large and heavy first lens unit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the zooming function from the heavy first lens unit and assigns it to the second lens unit. This extraction allows the first lens unit to be optimized for its optical function (providing negative refractive power for wide angle) without the added weight and complexity of zooming mechanisms. The second lens unit, being lighter, handles the motion required for zooming, thus resolving the weight contradiction.
3Reliability
If the first lens unit is made large to maintain optical performance, then high optical performance is achieved, but miniaturization is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts which lens unit is moved during zooming, allowing the first lens unit to be smaller and fixed. By making the second lens unit the moving element instead, the design can maintain high optical performance with a more compact overall structure, as the first lens unit no longer needs to accommodate zooming mechanisms and can be optimized for minimal volume while maintaining its optical function.
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
This configuration results in a compact, lightweight zoom lens with high optical performance across the entire zoom range, effectively addressing the challenges of miniaturization and weight reduction while maintaining aberration correction and telecentricity.
Implementation Method 1
a first lens unit L1 having negative refractive power, a second lens unit L2 having positive refractive power, a third lens unit L3 having negative refractive power, and a fourth lens unit L4 having positive refractive power. A distance between adjacent lens units changes during zooming
Data Source
AI summary
A zoom lens comprising a plurality of lens units. The plurality of lens units consists of, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens unit having negative refractive power, a second lens unit having positive refractive power, a third lens unit having negative refractive power, and a fourth lens unit having positive refractive power. A distance between adjacent lens units changes during zooming from a wide-angle end to a telephoto end. The first lens unit includes three or more lenses. The first lens unit is fixed relative to an image plane during zooming. A predetermined inequality is satisfied.