Zoom Lens System with Intermediate Image Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional zoom lens systems face limitations in achieving high performance and large zoom ratios, particularly in maintaining focus over a wide range of focal lengths, managing aberrations, and stabilizing images, which increases weight and cost, and often require separate lenses for indoor and outdoor use.
Innovation Solution
A compound zoom lens system comprising a front zoom lens portion that forms an intermediate image and a rear relay lens portion to achieve an extremely large zoom ratio of up to 300:1, with optical image stabilization and precise focusing capabilities, using a combination of movable lens groups and pupil imaging units to control aberrations and maintain image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the focal length range of a zoom lens system is increased to achieve larger zoom ratio, then the zoom ratio capability is improved, but the length and weight of the lens system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The zoom lens system is divided into multiple lens groups (first through fourth lens groups) with distinct functions: the first group provides focusing capability, the second group is the variator for magnification change, the third group is the compensator for image plane stabilization, and the fourth group provides additional positive power. This segmentation allows each group to be optimized for its specific function, achieving high zoom ratio without proportionally increasing overall weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a compact nested arrangement where lens groups are positioned within a shared optical path and housing structure. The variator and compensator groups move in coordinated fashion within the lens barrel, allowing maximum focal length range while minimizing external dimensions and weight through efficient spatial utilization.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the focal length range of a zoom lens system is increased to achieve larger zoom ratio, then the zoom ratio capability is improved, but the length of the lens system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The zoom lens system employs dynamic movement of the variator and compensator lens groups during zooming operations. The variator group moves to change magnification while the compensator group simultaneously moves to maintain the image plane position, enabling a compact design that achieves extreme zoom ratios (e.g., 100:1 or higher) without requiring the lens to extend to proportional lengths.
3Reliability
If conventional zoom lens systems use separate objective lenses for indoor and outdoor use, then the optical performance for specific conditions is improved, but the device complexity and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The zoom lens system is designed as a universal optical system that can operate effectively across diverse shooting conditions (indoor and outdoor) by adjusting its focal length through the variator and compensator groups. The coordinated movement of these groups maintains image quality and focus across the entire zoom range, eliminating the need for separate dedicated lenses for different environments.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the zoom ratio of a lens system is increased, then the telephoto capability is improved, but the difficulty in maintaining the lens and camera steady increases
Solution Approach 1:
The compensator lens group acts as an intermediary mechanism that stabilizes the image plane during zooming operations. As the variator group moves to achieve high magnification and telephoto capability, the compensator group simultaneously adjusts to counteract image plane shifts, thereby maintaining image stability and reducing the perceived impact of hand-held vibrations at extreme zoom ratios.
5Adaptability or versatility
If the focal length range of a zoom lens system is increased, then the focusing capability over various distances is improved, but the focusing problems and difficulty in achieving continuous focusing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first lens group is designated as the focusing group and is positioned to perform focusing adjustments independently of the zooming operation. This preliminary separation of functions allows the focusing group to pre-adjust the optical path for objects at various distances before the variator and compensator groups perform zooming, enabling continuous focusing across the entire focal length range without interfering with the zoom mechanism.
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 system enables continuous zooming between focal lengths, precise focusing over the entire zoom range, and optical image stabilization, significantly exceeding the zoom ratio capabilities of conventional systems while minimizing size and weight, and maintaining high optical performance.
Implementation Method 1
a zoom lens system for forming a final image of an object... a first intermediate real image between the object and the final image... first optical unit located between the object and the first intermediate real image... second optical unit located between the first intermediate real image and the final image
Data Source
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AI summary
A zoom lens system is disclosed. The zoom lens system forms a final image of an object and a first intermediate real image between the object and the final image. The zoom lens system includes a first optical unit located between the object and the first intermediate real image. The first optical unit comprises at least one optical subunit which is moved to change the size (magnification) of the first intermediate real image. The zoom lens system also includes a second optical unit located between the first intermediate real image and the final image, at least a portion of which is moved to change the size (magnification) of the final image. The zoom lens system provides a wide zoom range of focal lengths with continuous zooming between the focal lengths.