Zoom Lens Intermediate Image Positioning for Aberration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing zoom lenses struggle to maintain favorable optical performance while achieving a wide angle and high zoom magnification, leading to issues with aberrations and lens surface contamination during zooming.
Innovation Solution
A zoom lens design comprising a first optical system with a reduction side movable lens group and a stationary second optical system, where the intermediate image is positioned inside a moving lens group, and optical path deflecting members are used to ensure space for optical path deflection, satisfying specific conditional expressions to maintain optical performance across the zoom range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a zoom lens is designed with wide angle and high zoom magnification, then the field of view and magnification capability are improved, but optical performance deteriorates due to aberrations and intermediate image formation on lens surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system is divided into multiple lens groups (first through fifth lens groups) with different movement characteristics during zooming. The first lens group remains stationary while the second through fifth lens groups move to different positions, allowing independent optimization of each group's function to maintain optical performance across the zoom range.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new spatial dimension by positioning the intermediate image within the third lens group rather than in traditional locations. This dimensional repositioning allows the intermediate image to be formed in a space that does not interfere with lens surfaces, preventing contamination while maintaining wide angle and high zoom magnification capabilities.
2Device complexity
If the intermediate image is formed in a fixed position, then the optical path is simplified, but lens surfaces become contaminated and aberrations increase during zooming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the lens groups dynamic by allowing them to move to different positions during zooming. Specifically, the second, third, fourth, and fifth lens groups change their positions along the optical axis, which dynamically repositions the intermediate image within the third lens group to avoid fixed positions that would cause contamination on lens surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The third lens group acts as an intermediary that contains the intermediate image formation space. By positioning the intermediate image within this lens group rather than in the spaces between lens groups, the patent creates a protected intermediate space that prevents direct contact between the intermediate image and lens surfaces, thereby preventing contamination.
3Adaptability or versatility
If lens groups are moved during zooming to achieve high magnification, then zoom capability is improved, but the structure becomes more complex and alignment precision becomes harder to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The zoom mechanism is segmented into distinct lens groups (first through fifth) with specific movement assignments. The first lens group remains stationary while the second through fifth lens groups move, creating a modular zoom mechanism that simplifies the overall structure compared to moving all lens groups, while still achieving high zoom capability.
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 design achieves a wide-angle projection with high zoom magnification while preventing intermediate image formation on lens surfaces, reducing aberrations and preventing contamination, thus enhancing optical performance and installability.
Implementation Method 1
a zoom lens consisting of, in order from a magnification side to a reduction side along an optical path: a first optical system including at least one lens; and a second optical system including a plurality of lenses
Data Source
AI summary
The zoom lens consists of, in order from a magnification side to a reduction side along an optical path, a first optical system that includes at least one lens and a second optical system that includes a plurality of lenses. The first optical system includes an intermediate image, which is formed at a position conjugate to a magnification side image formation plane, inside the first optical system, and includes a reduction side movable lens group, which moves during zooming, at a position closest to the reduction side. The second optical system remains stationary with respect to the magnification side image formation plane during zooming. A lens adjacent to the magnification side of the intermediate image moves, a lens adjacent to the reduction side of the intermediate image moves, and the intermediate image moves, during zooming.