Whole System Zoom Lens with Intermediate Image Aberration Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical lens systems are overly complex and costly due to their design, which separates the optical system into two groups, leading to constraints on correcting optical aberrations and not fully realizing vignetting and stop position advantages.
Innovation Solution
Treating all lens elements on each side of the intermediate image as part of a single system, allowing large field curvature, focus, astigmatism, distortion, and color separation at the intermediate image, and correcting these aberrations at the final image, while also performing thermal correction and optimizing the system stop for improved vignetting and performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the optical system is separated into two groups (front group between object and intermediate image, rear group between intermediate image and final image), then the aberrations can be corrected in each group separately, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the optical system into a single integrated group rather than separating it into front and rear groups. This unified approach allows the system to correct aberrations collectively at the final image plane, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining correction effectiveness. The intermediate image is formed within this single group, eliminating the need for separate group corrections.
2Manufacturing precision
If the optical system is separated into two groups, then focus and color aberrations can be corrected separately, but the vignetting and stop position advantages are not fully realized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the optical system into a single group where the stop is positioned to optimize vignetting across the entire system. This unified structure allows the stop to be placed at the optimal location for controlling stray light and achieving proper vignetting, rather than having separate stop positions for different groups. The intermediate image formation within the single group enables better integration of stop positioning with the overall optical path.
3Device complexity
If all lens elements are treated as part of one whole system, then the design is simplified and cost is reduced, but the aberrations at the intermediate image must be corrected at the final image
Solution Approach 1:
The patent allows large field curvature, focus, astigmatism, distortion, and color separation to develop at the intermediate image stage, then corrects these aberrations in the final group of lens elements. This preliminary acceptance of aberrations at the intermediate stage simplifies the overall design by avoiding the need for complex correction mechanisms throughout the entire system, while still achieving the required precision at the final image plane.
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 approach simplifies the lens design, reducing costs and improving performance by allowing greater flexibility in aberration correction and thermal management, leading to enhanced vignetting and overall optical performance.
Implementation Method 1
a lens system having a first lens group and a second lens group with an intermediate real image between the object and the final image
Data Source
AI summary
A lens system for forming a final image of an object, said system having an object side and an image side and forming a first intermediate real image between the object and final image, said system comprising a moving lens group containing the intermediate real image as the magnification of the final image is changed. The lens system is configured as a whole system so that optical aberrations at the intermediate real image, including field curvature, focus, astigmatism, distortion and color separation, are allowed to be of substantially greater magnitude than the corresponding optical aberrations of the final image.