Compact Zoom Lens System with Nested Movable Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in miniaturizing zoom systems for mobile electronic devices is the large space occupied by driving mechanisms for refractive power units, making it difficult to balance zoom effect and compact design while achieving a wide range of zoom.
Innovation Solution
An optical system comprising a first lens unit with positive refractive power, a second lens unit with negative refractive power, a third lens unit with positive refractive power, and a fourth lens unit with positive refractive power, where the first and fourth lens units are fixed, and the second and third lens units are movable, allowing for compact design and efficient zooming by reducing the number of driving mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If driving mechanisms are added for each refractive power unit to enable independent movement, then zooming capability is improved, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the driving mechanisms for the second and third lens units into a single integrated structure. This merging allows both lens units to move independently for zooming while using shared driving components, thereby achieving full zooming capability without proportionally increasing the number of driving mechanisms. The integrated design reduces overall system complexity while maintaining the ability to adjust focal length across the zoom range.
2Adaptability or versatility
If more refractive power units are made movable to improve zooming, then zoom ratio is improved, but system size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested arrangement where the third lens unit is positioned within the space defined by the second lens unit's movement range. The lens units are arranged concentrically along the optical axis, with the movable third lens unit nested within the structural envelope created by the second lens unit's trajectory. This nesting allows multiple lens units to move independently for enhanced zoom ratio while containing the overall system within a compact volume.
3Volume of moving object
If driving mechanisms are reduced for miniaturization, then device size is reduced, but zooming performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic movement patterns where the second and third lens units move in coordinated fashion along predetermined trajectories. The system transitions from static lens positions to dynamic, continuously adjustable positions during zooming. This dynamic approach allows a reduced number of driving mechanisms to achieve effective zooming performance by optimizing the movement paths and timing of the remaining actuators, extracting maximum zoom capability from the minimized mechanical subsystem.
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 enables a compact and cost-effective zoom system that maintains high image quality and corrects aberrations, while preventing unnecessary wear on driving mechanisms due to reduced temperature sensitivity, thus ensuring reliable zoom performance across varying environments.
Implementation Method 1
a first lens unit having positive refractive power; a second lens unit having negative refractive power; a third lens unit having positive refractive power; and a fourth lens unit having positive refractive power
Data Source
AI summary
An optical system (10) includes, successively from an object side to an image side, a first lens unit (110) having a positive refractive power, a second lens unit (120) having a negative refractive power, a third lens unit (130) and a fourth lens unit (140) having a positive refractive power; the positions of the first lens unit (110) and the fourth lens unit (140) are fixed with respect to the imaging surface (S17) of the optical system (10), and the second lens unit (120) and the third lens unit (130) are movable with respect to the first lens unit (110) in the optical axis direction of the optical system (10); when the optical system is zoomed from the short focal end to the long focal end, a distance between the first lens unit (110) and the second lens unit (120) and the distance between the third lens unit (130) and the fourth lens unit (140) increase.