U.S. patent application number 14/448633 was filed with the patent office on 2016-02-04 for optical lens system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Genius Electronic Optical Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Matthew Bone.
Application Number | 20160033740 14/448633 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55086094 |
Filed Date | 2016-02-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160033740 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bone; Matthew |
February 4, 2016 |
OPTICAL LENS SYSTEM
Abstract
An optical lens assembly includes a first lens element having a
planar object-side surface and a first fitting structure disposed
on a peripheral portion of an image-side surface. A second lens
element has a second fitting structure disposed on a peripheral
portion of an object-side surface. The first and second lens
elements are engaged with each other using the first and second
fitting structures. The first lens element is made of a sapphire
glass or other material having a refractive index greater than
1.6.
Inventors: |
Bone; Matthew; (Fremont,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Genius Electronic Optical Co., Ltd. |
Taichung City |
|
TW |
|
|
Family ID: |
55086094 |
Appl. No.: |
14/448633 |
Filed: |
July 31, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
359/793 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02B 7/022 20130101;
G02B 13/0015 20130101; G02B 7/021 20130101; G02B 1/02 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G02B 13/00 20060101
G02B013/00; G02B 1/02 20060101 G02B001/02; G02B 7/02 20060101
G02B007/02 |
Claims
1. An optical lens assembly comprising a plurality of lens elements
aligned along an optical axis, the optical lens assembly
comprising: a first lens element made of a material having a
refractive index greater than 1.6, the first lens element having a
planar object-side surface and a first fitting structure disposed
on an image-side peripheral surface; and a second lens element
having a second fitting structure disposed on an object-side
peripheral surface, the first and second fitting structures being
fittedly engaged with each other wherein the planar object-side
surface of the first lens element has a diameter in a range between
3 mm and 6 mm.
2. The optical lens assembly of claim 1, wherein the image-side
peripheral surface of the first lens element and the object-side
peripheral surface of the second lens element are planar
surfaces.
3. The optical lens assembly of claim 1, wherein the first fitting
structure is an annular V-shaped groove and the second fitting
structure is an annular protrusion having an inverted-V shape.
4. The optical lens assembly of claim 3, wherein the annular
protrusion has a flat top surface.
5. The optical lens assembly of claim 3, wherein the annular
protrusion has a rounded top surface.
6. The optical lens assembly of claim 1, wherein the first fitting
structure is an annular protrusion having an inverted-V shape and
the second fitting structure is an annular V-shaped groove.
7. The optical lens assembly of claim 1, wherein the first lens
element is made of a sapphire glass.
8. (canceled)
9. The optical lens assembly of claim 1, wherein the optical lens
assembly has a field of view in a range between 30 degrees and 40
degrees.
10. The optical lens assembly of claim 1, wherein the first fitting
structure comprises a plurality of first fitting members, each of
the first fitting members being a groove having a conical shape;
and the second fitting structure comprises a plurality of second
fitting members, each of the second fitting members having a
protruding conical shape.
11. The optical lens assembly of claim 1, wherein the first fitting
structure comprises a plurality of first fitting members, each of
the first fitting members having a protruding conical shape; and
the second fitting structure comprises a plurality of second
fitting members, each of the second fitting members being a groove
having a conical shape.
12. The optical lens assembly of claim 1, wherein the first lens
element has a concave image-side surface in a vicinity of the
optical axis.
13. A portable electronic device comprising: a housing; and an
optical lens assembly mounted in the housing, the optical lens
assembly comprising: a first lens element having a planar
object-side surface and a first fitting structure disposed on an
image-side peripheral surface, the first lens element having a
refractive index greater than 1.6; and a second lens element having
a second fitting structure disposed on an object-side peripheral
surface, the first and second fitting structures being fittedly
engaged with each other; wherein the planar object-side surface of
the first lens element has a diameter in a range between 3 mm and 6
mm.
14. The portable electronic device of claim 13, wherein the first
fitting structure is an annular V-shaped groove and the second
fitting member is an annular protrusion having an inverted-V
shape.
15. The portable electronic device of claim 13, wherein the first
fitting structure is an annular protrusion having an inverted-V
shape and the second fitting member is an annular V-shaped
groove.
16. The portable electronic device of claim 13, wherein the first
fitting structure comprises a plurality of first fitting members,
each of the first fitting members being a groove having a conical
shape; and the second fitting structure comprises a plurality of
second fitting members, each of the second fitting members having a
protruding conical shape.
17. The portable electronic device of claim 13, wherein the first
fitting structure comprises a plurality of first fitting members,
each of the first fitting members having a protruding conical
shape; and the second fitting structure comprises a plurality of
second fitting members, each of the second fitting members being a
groove having a conical shape.
18. The portable electronic device of claim 13, wherein the first
lens element has a concave image-side surface in a vicinity of the
optical axis.
19. The portable electronic device of claim 13, wherein the first
lens element is made of a sapphire glass.
20. The portable electronic device of claim 13, wherein the
image-side peripheral surface of the first lens element and the
object-side peripheral surface of the second lens element are
planar surfaces.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present disclosure relates to optical lens systems, and
more particularly to an optical lens assembly having a first lens
element made of a sapphire glass and an electronic device including
the optical lens assembly.
[0002] Optical imaging systems are commonly incorporated in
personal electronic devices such as mobile phones, tablet
computers, and the like. The optical imaging systems include an
image sensor responsive to incident light and lens elements to
direct and focus light onto the image sensor so as to form an image
of an object external to the device in which the optical imaging
system is incorporated. Such optical imaging systems can include
multiple lens elements, and a lens barrel can be provided to hold
the lens elements in alignment with each other along an optical
axis. In the construction of electronic optical imaging systems, it
is desirable to be able to focus incoming light received from an
object onto an imaging sensor, such as a charge coupled device
(CCD) or a CMOS image sensor.
[0003] Emphasis on compactness of design is especially important to
resolving issues such as the thickness of the optical imaging
assembly in wearable and portable electronic devices.
SUMMARY
[0004] The present disclosure relates to optical lens assemblies,
and more particularly to an optical lens assembly with the first
lens element on the object side having a high refractive index and
being extremely scratch-resistant.
[0005] Certain embodiments of the present invention relate to an
optical lens system that can be used in a portable electronic
device (e.g., a camera in a cellular phone). Portions of the
optical lens system include an optical lens assembly. According to
certain embodiments of the present invention, the optical lens
assembly may include two or more optical lens elements.
[0006] In some embodiments, an optical lens assembly may include
lens elements aligned along an optical axis. A first lens element
has a planar object-side surface and a first fitting structure
disposed on a periphery of an image-side surface. A second lens
element has a second fitting structure disposed on a
circumferential periphery of an object-side surface. The first and
second fitting structures are fittedly engaged with each other. The
first lens element has a refractive index greater than 1.6 and is
made of a sapphire glass.
[0007] In some embodiments, the first fitting structure may be an
annular-shaped (ring-shaped) groove having a V shape, and the
second fitting structure may be an annular-shaped protrusion having
an inverted-V shape. In another embodiment, the first fitting
structure may be an annular-shaped protrusion having an inverted-V
shape, and the second fitting structure may be an annular-shaped
groove having a V shape.
[0008] In some embodiments, the annular protrusion may have a flat
top surface or a rounded top surface.
[0009] In some embodiments, the first fitting structure may have
multiple first fitting members disposed in a regular or irregular
pattern along the periphery of the image-side surface of the first
lens element, and each of the first fitting member is a groove
having a conical shape. The second fitting structure may have
multiple second fitting members disposed in a matching position in
relation to the location of the first fitting members. Each of the
second fitting members can be a protruding cone that fittedly
engages with a corresponding conical groove.
[0010] In some embodiments, the first fitting structure may have
multiple first fitting members disposed in a regular or irregular
pattern along the periphery of the image-side surface of the first
lens element. Each of the first fitting members can be a protruding
cone having a base at the image-side surface and an apex protruding
toward the object-side surface of the second lens element. The
second fitting structure may have multiple second fitting members
disposed in a matching position in relation to the location of the
first fitting members. Each of the second fitting members can be a
groove having a conical shape for receiving a corresponding
protruding cone.
[0011] Embodiments of the present invention can provide a
simplification and improvement in the design and fabrication of the
optical lens system that can further reduce the length or thickness
of the optical lens assembly.
[0012] The following description, together with the accompanying
drawings, will provide a better understanding of the nature and
advantages of the claimed invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a simplified cross-sectional view of a camera
assembly.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a simplified cross-sectional view of an optical
lens system according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary optical lens
assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 4A is a simplified cross-sectional view illustrating a
coupling mechanism between the first and second optical lens
elements of FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0017] FIG. 4B is an image-side top view of the first optical lens
element according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 4C is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of FIG.
4A.
[0019] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the first and second optical
lens elements according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0020] FIG. 6A is a simplified cross-sectional view illustrating a
coupling mechanism between the first and second optical lens
elements according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 6B is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of FIG.
6A.
[0022] FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a coupling
mechanism between the first and second optical lens elements
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] The present invention relates to optical lens assemblies,
and more particularly to optical lens assemblies with the first
lens element on the object side having a high refractive index and
being extremely scratch-resistant. Optical lens assemblies can have
broad applications in portable and wearable electronic devices,
such as mobile phones, head mounted devices, tablet computers, and
the like that use a CCD or a CMOS image sensor. Specific
embodiments are described below. Those skilled in the art with
access to the present disclosure will recognize that other optical
lens assemblies can also be designed within the scope of the
present invention.
[0024] It should be understood that the drawings are not drawn to
scale, and similar reference numbers are used for representing
similar elements. For example, the dimensions of some of the
elements may be exaggerated relative to others for clarity. Various
embodiments are described herein by way of example, and features
described with respect to different embodiments may be combined and
interchanged, without departing from the scope or spirit of the
present invention.
[0025] FIG. 1 is a simplified cross-sectional view of a camera
assembly 100. Camera assembly 100 includes a housing 102 supporting
a cover glass 104, a barrel 106, and an image sensor 108. Barrel
106 includes an optical lens assembly 110 having multiple lens
elements L1, L2, L3, and L4 aligned along an optical axis to direct
light received through cover glass 104 onto image sensor 108.
Camera assembly 100 may include a filter 120 disposed between
optical lens assembly 110 and image sensor 108. Cover glass 104 can
be an optically-transparent cover mounted in front of optical lens
assembly 120 to prevent dust from entering housing 112 and to
protect lens element L1 against scratches or damage.
[0026] FIG. 2 is a simplified cross-sectional view of a camera lens
system 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Camera lens system 200 includes a housing 202 supporting a barrel
206 and an image sensor 208. An optical lens assembly 210 is
mounted within barrel 206 and includes a number of lens elements
aligned along the optical axis. Four lens elements L1, L2, L3, and
L4 are shown aligned along the optical axis in FIG. 2, with L1
being the first lens element, L2 being the second lens element, L3
being the third lens element, and L4 being the fourth element
disposed from the object side to the image side in order. The
number four is arbitrarily chosen for purposes of illustration, and
any number of optical lens elements can be included. Camera lens
system 200 may include a filter 220 for passing a specific light
spectrum to image sensor 208.
[0027] Any simplification of the mechanical design which eliminates
parts or which simplifies the fabrication process of the optical
lens system is advantageous for reducing the fabrication cost, the
thickness, and/or the weight of the optical lens system. In the
structure shown in FIG. 2, for example, the cover glass has been
eliminated to reduce the length (or thickness) of camera lens
system 200. In this structure, the object-side surface of first
lens L1 can be exposed to air or other external elements.
[0028] In some embodiments, first lens element L1 can be made of a
sapphire glass, which can be an optically transparent material made
predominantly or entirely of sapphire crystals. The use of sapphire
glass offers a number of advantages. For example, the mechanical
strength of sapphire glass provides a substantially higher
resistance against scratch and breakage as compared to other
optical materials commonly used in compact optical lens assemblies
(e.g., plastics). Additionally, sapphire glass has a relatively
high index of refraction (greater than 1.6). The planar-concave
shaped lens element L1 is easy to fabricate from sapphire glass and
can be used as both a lens having a refractive power and a
protective cover for the optical lens assembly. In some
embodiments, the planar object-side surface of lens element L1 can
have a diameter in the range between 3 mm and 6 mm, which is
suitable for telephoto lens systems having a field of view in the
range between 30 degrees and 40 degrees. Other lens elements (e.g.,
lens elements L2, L3, L4) can be made of plastic or any other
optically-transparent material with a refractive index not equal to
1.
[0029] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an optical lens assembly 300
according to an embodiment of the present invention, which can be
similar or identical to optical lens assembly 210 of FIG. 2. As
seen in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 2 and the perspective view
of FIG. 3, the optical lens assembly provides a structure without
cover glass 104 of FIG. 1. First lens element L1 has a planar
object-side surface 211, a concave image-side surface 212 in the
vicinity of the optical axis, and a planar surface 214 at the
image-side periphery (which can be outside the clear-aperture
diameter of the image side of lens element L1). An annular
(ring-shaped) groove 216 can be formed in the image-side periphery
of first lens element L1. Second lens element L2 has an object-side
planar surface 224 at the object-side periphery (which can be
outside the clear-aperture diameter of the object side of lens
element L2), and an annular (ring-shaped) protrusion 226 is formed
on the object-side periphery. First lens element L1 and second lens
element L2 are fittedly engaged with each other by means of annular
groove 216 and annular protrusion 226 as shown in FIGS. 2 and
3.
[0030] FIG. 4A is a simplified cross-sectional view illustrating a
coupling mechanism between a first lens element L1 and a second
lens element L2 according to an embodiment of the present
invention. First lens element L1 is shown as having a planar
object-side surface 411 and a concave image-side surface 412 in the
vicinity of the optical axis and a planar surface 414 at its
image-side periphery. An annular groove 416 is formed in image-side
peripheral surface 414. Groove 416 can be V-shaped, extending
inward into the image-side periphery of first lens element L1.
Planar object-side surface 411 of first lens element L1 can have a
diameter "D" in the range between 3 mm and 6 mm, or other diameter
as desired. Second lens element L2 has a planar surface 424 at its
object-side periphery. An annular protrusion 426 is formed on
object-side peripheral surface 424. Protrusion 426 can have an
inverted V shape having a dimension matching the dimension of
groove 416 so that first and second lens elements L1 and L2 can be
interlocked by inserting protrusion 426 into groove 416, as shown
in FIG. 4A.
[0031] FIG. 4B is a top view of the image-side of first lens
element L1 illustrating annular groove 416 of FIG. 4A.
[0032] While the inverted V shaped protrusion of second lens
element L2 provides a satisfactory coupling mechanism to the
V-shaped groove of first element L1, there is a possibility, within
dimension tolerances in fabrication, that the height of the
protrusion may exceed the depth of the groove, and this may be
undesirable. In some embodiments, the protrusion may have a rounded
top surface 428 or a flat top surface 430, as shown in FIG. 4C.
[0033] FIG. 5 is a simplified cross-sectional view of first lens
element L1 and second lens element L2 according to another
embodiment of the present invention. As shown, planar surface 514
at the image-side periphery of first lens element L1 has multiple
first fitting members. For example, fitting members 516a and 516b
are disposed at diagonally opposite sides of the image-side
periphery of first lens element L1. Although two first fitting
members are shown, it is understood that any number of first
fitting members can be provided. In some embodiments, each first
fitting member has a conical shape having the upper surface
coplanar with the planar circumferential image-side surface of
first lens element L1 and the apex pointing toward the planar
object-side surface of first lens element L1.
[0034] Still referring to FIG. 5, second lens element L2 is shown
to have multiple second fitting members disposed on the planar
object-side periphery. For example, second fitting members 526a and
526b are disposed at diagonally opposite sides of the object-side
periphery 524 of second lens element L2 and have a conical-shaped
protrusion configured to couple with first fitting members 516a and
516b. As seen in FIG. 5, the conical shaped grooves of first
fitting members 516a and 516b are configured to receive the
corresponding conical-shaped protrusions of second fitting members
526a and 526b as indicated by respective arrows 530 and 532. In
some embodiments, second fitting members 526a and 526b can have
rounded or flat tops, similarly to embodiments shown in FIG.
4C.
[0035] FIG. 6A is a simplified cross-sectional view of first lens
element L1 and second lens element L2 according to another
embodiment of the present invention. First lens element L1 is shown
as having a planar object-side surface 611, a concave image-side
surface 612 in the vicinity of the optical axis and a planar
peripheral surface 614 at the image-side periphery. A
circumferential or annular protrusion 616 is formed on the
image-side peripheral surface 614. Protrusion 616 has an inverted
V-shape with the base disposed on the planar peripheral surface and
the top pointing toward the object-side surface of second lens
element L2. Planar object-side surface 611 of first lens element L1
can have a diameter D in the range between 3 mm and 6 mm or other
diameter as desired. Second lens element L2 has a planar peripheral
surface 624 at the object-side periphery. A circumferential or
annular groove 626 is formed in the planar peripheral surface 624.
Groove 626 has a V shape having a dimension matching the dimension
of protrusion 616 to receive protrusion 616 so that first and
second lens elements L1 and L2 can be interlocked by coupling
protrusion 616 with groove 626, as shown in FIG. 6A.
[0036] While the inverted V shaped protrusion of first lens element
L2 provides a satisfactory coupling to the V-shaped groove of
second lens element L1, there is a possibility, within dimension
tolerances in fabrication, that the height of the protrusion may
exceed the depth of the groove, and this may not be desirable. In
some embodiments, the protrusion may have a rounded top surface 618
or a flat top surface 619, as shown in FIG. 6B.
[0037] FIG. 7 is a simplified cross-sectional view of first lens
element L1 and second lens element L2 according to yet another
embodiment of the present invention. As shown, planar surface 714
at the image-side periphery of first lens element L1 has multiple
first fitting members. For example, fitting members 716a and 716b
are disposed at diagonally opposite sides of the image-side
periphery of first lens element L1. Although two first fitting
members are shown, it is understood that any number of first
fitting members can be provided. In some embodiments, each first
fitting member has a conical shape having the base formed on
image-side peripheral surface 714 of first lens element L1 and the
apex pointing toward the object-side surface of second lens element
L2.
[0038] Still referring to FIG. 7, second lens element L2 is shown
to have multiple second fitting members disposed on the planar
object-side circumferential periphery 724. For example, second
fitting members 726a and 726b are disposed at diagonally opposite
sides of the object-side periphery 724 of second lens element L2
and have a conical-shaped groove configured to receive first
fitting members 716a and 716b. As seen in FIG. 7, the conical
shaped grooves of second fitting members 726a and 726b receive the
conical-shaped protrusions of first members 726a and 726b as
indicated by respective arrows 730 and 732. Note that although two
first and second fitting members are shown, it is understood that
any number of first fitting members can be provided.
[0039] Embodiments of the present invention can simplify
fabrication of an optical lens assembly, for example by eliminating
the need for a cover glass. This can reduce the length (thickness)
of the optical lens system as well as the overall cost of the
assembly. The use of a sapphire glass for the first lens element
provides a scratch resistant optical lens assembly.
[0040] While the invention has been described with respect to
specific embodiments, one skilled in the art will recognize that
numerous modifications are possible. For example, the specific
shapes of lens surfaces and number of lenses can be modified as
desired. The number, location, and shape of fitting members can
also be varied, and fitting members having a combination of
different shapes can be used. For example, the image-side periphery
of first lens element L1 can have one or more fitting members
formed as conical indentations and one or more fitting members
formed as conical protrusions, while the object-side periphery of
second lens element L2 can have a complementary set of fitting
members.
[0041] Thus, although the invention has been described with respect
to specific embodiments, it will be appreciated that the invention
is intended to cover all modifications and equivalents within the
scope of the following claims.
* * * * *