Zoom Lens System With Reflective Optical Path Bending
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional zoom lens systems for digital cameras are not sufficiently compact, do not adequately reduce size, and lack effective blur compensation, leading to image blur issues due to hand movement and vibration.
Innovation Solution
A zoom lens system with a plurality of lens units, where the interval between units is varied for continuous magnification, and a first lens unit includes a reflecting surface for bending light, allowing for perpendicular movement of lens elements to compensate for blur, resulting in a compact, high-resolution system with improved optical performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If conventional zoom lens systems are used, then the camera can achieve basic imaging function, but the camera body becomes thick and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces optical path bending by arranging lens units in a folded configuration rather than a linear sequence. The light path is directed through multiple lens units at angles, allowing the optical system to achieve extended focal length and zoom capability within a compact camera body thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent positions lens units in a nested arrangement where subsequent lens units are located in the image-side direction of the folded optical path. This nesting allows multiple lens elements to occupy overlapping spatial volumes, reducing the overall camera body thickness while maintaining full zoom functionality.
2Length of moving object
If the lens system is made compact, then the camera becomes thin, but the optical performance deteriorates and blur compensation is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces movable lens units that can shift positions along the optical axis to dynamically adjust the optical path length. This dynamic adjustment enables the system to compensate for hand blur and vibration by changing the effective focal plane position, maintaining optical performance while keeping the lens system compact.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the optical system into multiple discrete lens units with independent movement capabilities. Each lens unit can be positioned and focused independently, allowing the system to achieve sharp imaging and blur compensation without requiring a large overall lens length.
3Length of moving object
If the interval between lens units is reduced, then the camera becomes more compact, but the resolution and image quality decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent compensates for reduced interval between lens units by introducing optical path bending at angles. This allows the light to traverse longer effective distances through the lens system while maintaining compact physical spacing, thereby preserving resolution and image quality in a compact design.
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 thin, compact zoom lens system with effective blur compensation, maintaining high optical performance and reducing the overall length of the camera while minimizing image blur caused by hand movement and vibration.
Implementation Method 1
a first lens unit arranged on the most object side among the lens units includes a lens element having a reflecting surface for bending a light beam from the object
Data Source
AI summary
A zoom lens system comprising a plurality of lens units each composed of at least one lens element, wherein an interval between at least any two lens units among the lens units is changed so that an optical image of an object is formed with a continuously variable magnification, a first lens unit arranged on the most object side among the lens units includes a lens element having a reflecting surface for bending a light beam from the object, and any one of the lens units, any one of the lens elements, or alternatively a plurality of adjacent lens elements that constitute one lens unit move in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis; an imaging device including the zoom lens system; and a camera employing the imaging device.