KR20220028666A - Composite Variable lens with deformable focal plane - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a composite variable lens with a deformable focal plane. The composite variable lens of the present invention comprises: a first variable lens with a transparent film that is flexible, elastic, and physically deformable; and a second variable lens with a transparent film that is flexible, elastic, and physically deformable. By compositing physical deformation of the first variable lens and the second variable lens, a curvature of a focal plane can be adjusted for light passing the first variable lens and the second variable lens.

Description

Composite Variable lens with deformable focal plane

The present invention relates to a variable lens, and more particularly, to a complex variable lens causing deformation of a field of curvature through physical deformation of the variable lenses using a plurality of variable lenses.

In general, the focal length can be changed by moving the lens, but the variable (focal) lens can exhibit the effect of moving the lens by changing the shape through the deformation of the flexible film constituting the lens. Such a variable lens is mounted in a small volume to a small machine or instrument having a space constraint, and is utilized to focus when necessary.

However, in an optical system using a conventional lens, a subject is not equally focused at all points on a planar imaging plane due to a field of curvature phenomenon. That is, as shown in the left figure of FIG. 1 , even if the lens is adjusted to focus on the peripheral part of the subject, the central part may not be in focus, and as shown in the right figure of FIG. Even if , the peripheral portion may not be in focus, and as shown in the middle figure of FIG. 1 , if the focus is on the average imaging plane, there is a problem in that the overall resolution is lowered. In response to the curvature or curvature of the focal plane, the value of the petzval sum may be adjusted using a meniscus lens.

Therefore, we propose a new technique for focusing at all points on a planar imaging plane even in the field of curvature of a general lens or a variable lens.

As related documents, Patent Publication No. KR10-2001-0023127 (2001.03.26.), Patent Publication No. KR10-2009-0058498 (2009.06.09.), etc. may be referred to.

Accordingly, the present invention has been devised to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to change the focal length and focus by using the attachment of the variable lenses, the space between them, or the insertion of the lenses, etc. An object of the present invention is to provide a complex variable lens that does not require the combination of an additional lens in order to cause a deformation of a field of curvature and change a focal length and an imaging plane.

First, to summarize the features of the present invention, a composite variable lens according to an aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object includes a first variable lens capable of physical deformation of a flexible and elastic transparent film; and a second variable lens capable of physically deforming the flexible and elastic transparent film, wherein the physical deformation of the first variable lens and the second variable lens is combined to form the first variable lens and the second variable lens It is characterized in that it is possible to control the curvature of the focal plane for the light passing through it.

Each of the first variable lens and the second variable lens may, by the physical transformation, be any one of a biconvex, both concave, plano-convex, plano-concave, positive meniscus, or negative meniscus type. The lens may be variable in one form.

Each of the first variable lens and the second variable lens includes a ring, and the flexible and elastic transparent film formed on one or both of the front and rear surfaces inside the ring, the front and the rear flexible and elastic By controlling the injection and discharge of gas, liquid or gel type through a through hole formed in the ring in the space inside the ring between the transparent films with the By pre-injecting a gas, liquid, or gel type into the inner space of the ring, and applying a force to the elastic ring in a closed state or applying an external force to the flexible and elastic transparent film, the physical deformation can be caused.

The composite variable lens may further include a space formed to be spaced apart by a predetermined distance between the first variable lens and the second variable lens. The space may be air or may be filled with a gas, liquid or gel type. The space may form a meniscus lens.

By combining the physical deformations of the first variable lens and the second variable lens, the petzval sum in the meniscus lens may be changed to 0, a positive value, or a negative value.

At least one of the first variable lens surface and the second variable lens surface facing each other with a space between the first variable lens and the second variable lens spaced apart from each other is the flexible and elastic transparent film and a combination of the physical deformation of the first variable lens and the second variable lens may cause deformation of the cross-sectional shape of the space.

The first variable lens and the second variable lens have a flexible and elastic transparent film on one side and a transparent rigid body on the other side, respectively, on front and rear surfaces, and the transparent rigid body portion of the first variable lens and the second variable lens may be formed by closely coupling to face each other, or by being spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. In this case, a rigid lens may be included in a space between the first variable lens and the second variable lens.

The first variable lens and the second variable lens have a flexible and elastic transparent film on one side and a transparent rigid body on the other side, respectively, on front and rear surfaces, and the transparent rigid body portion of the first variable lens and the second variable lens are coupled to face each other, and the composite variable lens may further include a rigid lens between the transparent rigid bodies of the first variable lens and the second variable lens.

And, the method of operating a variable lens according to another aspect of the present invention comprises the steps of: disposing a first variable lens and a second variable lens capable of physically deforming a flexible and elastic transparent film; and combining the physical deformation of the first variable lens and the second variable lens to adjust the curvature of a focal plane for light passing through the first variable lens and the second variable lens.

According to the variable lens capable of changing the focal plane according to the present invention, by using the attachment of the variable lenses, the space between them, or the insertion of the lens, the focal length is changed and the focal plane is curved (Field of curvature) ), and thus the focal length and imaging plane can be changed without additional lens coupling. In particular, through the physical deformation of both sides of the space placed between the two variable lenses or the solid/fluid, the space is deformed, and thus the focal length and the field of curvature may be deformed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings, which are included as a part of the detailed description to help the understanding of the present invention, provide embodiments of the present invention and, together with the detailed description, explain the technical spirit of the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a view for explaining a phenomenon of a field of curvature in a general lens.
2A is a view for explaining a first embodiment of the composite variable lens of the present invention.
2B is a view for explaining a second embodiment of the composite variable lens of the present invention.
2C is a view for explaining a third embodiment of the composite variable lens of the present invention.
3A is a cross-sectional view of embodiments of a variable lens applied to the composite variable lens of the present invention.
FIG. 3B shows examples of lens shapes implemented with the variable lens of FIG. 3A .
4 is a view for explaining the petzval sum of a general meniscus lens.
FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating a light transmission process without the influence of the variable lens in the composite variable lens of FIG. 2A of the present invention.
FIG. 5B is a view for explaining a field of curvature with respect to FIG. 5A .
FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating a light transmission process when the composite variable lens of FIG. 2A of the present invention is deformed to protrude to the right of the space.
FIG. 6B is a view for explaining a field of curvature with respect to FIG. 6A .
7A is a view illustrating a light transmission process when the composite variable lens of FIG. 2A of the present invention is deformed to the left side of the space.
FIG. 7B is a view for explaining a field of curvature with respect to FIG. 6A .

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this case, the same components in each drawing are denoted by the same reference numerals as much as possible. In addition, detailed descriptions of already known functions and/or configurations will be omitted. The content disclosed below will focus on parts necessary to understand operations according to various embodiments, and descriptions of elements that may obscure the gist of the description will be omitted. Also, some components in the drawings may be exaggerated, omitted, or schematically illustrated. The size of each component does not fully reflect the actual size, so the contents described herein are not limited by the relative size or spacing of the components drawn in each drawing.

In describing the embodiments of the present invention, if it is determined that the detailed description of the known technology related to the present invention may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. And, the terms to be described later are terms defined in consideration of functions in the present invention, which may vary according to intentions or customs of users and operators. Therefore, the definition should be made based on the content throughout this specification. The terminology used in the detailed description is for the purpose of describing the embodiments of the present invention only, and should not be limiting in any way. Unless explicitly used otherwise, expressions in the singular include the meaning of the plural. In this description, expressions such as “comprising” or “comprising” are intended to indicate certain features, numbers, steps, acts, elements, some or a combination thereof, one or more other than those described. It should not be construed to exclude the presence or possibility of other features, numbers, steps, acts, elements, or any part or combination thereof.

In addition, terms such as first and second may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by the terms, and the terms are for the purpose of distinguishing one component from other components. is used only as

2A is a view for explaining a first embodiment of the composite variable lens of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2A , the composite variable lens 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention enables physical deformation of a flexible and elastic transparent film (eg, 112/122) on one or both of the front and rear surfaces. It includes a first variable lens 110 and a second variable lens 120, and further includes a space 130 formed by separating the first variable lens 110 and the second variable lens 120 by a predetermined distance. . The space 130 may be air, or a predetermined gas (eg, helium, argon, etc.), a liquid (eg, glycerin, other transparent liquid with high light transmittance, etc.), a gel type (eg, gelatin, etc.) ) may be filled in. A rigid lens (refer to 330 of FIG. 2C ) may be inserted into the space 130 between the first variable lens 110 and the second variable lens 120 spaced apart from each other. Here, the front side is a portion on which light is incident, and the rear side is a portion on which light is emitted, and the same is the case hereafter.

In FIG. 2A , the front surface 111 of the first variable lens 110 and the rear surface 121 of the second variable lens 120 are illustrated as having a planar rigid body, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The front surface 111 and the rear surface 121 of the second variable lens 120 may also be formed of a flexible and elastic transparent film as described above, if necessary.

In the present invention, by disposing the first variable lens 110 and the second variable lens 120 capable of physically deforming the flexible and elastic transparent film as described above, the first variable lens 110 and the second variable lens 120 are provided. By combining the physical deformation of the first variable lens 110 and the second variable lens 120, it was possible to control the curvature of the focal plane (Field of curvature) for the light passing through.

In particular, in the first embodiment of the present invention, with the space 130 between the first variable lens 110 and the second variable lens 120 spaced apart from each other, the first variable lens 110 facing each other At least one of the surface 112 of the surface 112 and the surface 122 of the second variable lens 120 is made of a flexible and elastic transparent film, so that the first variable lens 110 and the second variable lens 120 are flexible and flexible. By the combination of the physical deformation of the elastic transparent film portion, the cross-sectional shape of the space 130 is deformed, so that it is possible to adjust the field of curvature of the focal plane.

2B is a view for explaining a second embodiment of the composite variable lens of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2B , the composite variable lens 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a first variable lens 110 capable of physically deforming a flexible and elastic transparent film (eg, 201/203) and The second variable lens 120 is disposed, but the first variable lens 110 and the second variable lens 120 have a flexible and elastic transparent film and the other one (eg, 201/203) on the front and rear sides, respectively. The side has a transparent rigid body (eg 202/204). Here, the transparent rigid body (eg, 202/204) portions of the first variable lens 110 and the second variable lens 120 may be closely coupled to face each other or formed to be spaced apart by a predetermined distance. Here again, the space 130 between the first variable lens 110 and the second variable lens 120 spaced apart from each other may be air, or a predetermined gas (eg, helium, argon, etc.), a liquid (eg , glycerin, other transparent liquids with high light transmittance, etc.) or gel-type (eg, gelatin, etc.). A rigid lens (refer to 330 of FIG. 2C ) may be inserted into the space 130 between the first variable lens 110 and the second variable lens 120 spaced apart from each other.

Here again, by combining the physical deformation of the first variable lens 110 and the second variable lens 120 , the bending of the focal plane with respect to the light passing through the first variable lens 110 and the second variable lens 120 . (Field of curvature) can be adjusted.

2C is a view for explaining a third embodiment of the composite variable lens of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2C , the composite variable lens 300 according to the third embodiment of the present invention includes a first variable lens 110 capable of physically deforming a flexible and elastic transparent film (eg, 301/303) and The second variable lens 120 is disposed, but the first variable lens 110 and the second variable lens 120 have one (eg, 301/303) on the front and rear sides, respectively, with a flexible and elastic transparent film and the other. The side has a transparent rigid body (eg 302/304). Here, the transparent rigid body (eg, 302/304) portions of the first variable lens 110 and the second variable lens 120 are coupled to face each other, and the first variable lens 110 and the second variable lens 120 are coupled to each other. ) further includes a rigid lens 330 between the transparent rigid bodies (eg, 302/304). The rigid lens 330 may be made of an appropriate material such as a general optical system lens such as glass or polycarbonate. Although the rigid lens 330 is illustrated as an example of a convex lens, it is not limited thereto, and all types of lenses as shown in FIG. 3B are possible, and in some cases, it may include arranging two or more lenses in a line.

3A is a cross-sectional view of embodiments of the variable lens 110/120 applied to the compound variable lens of the present invention. 3A is a cross-sectional view illustrating a case in which the circular lens is cut through the center. FIG. 3B shows examples of lens shapes implemented by the variable lenses 110 and 120 of FIG. 3A .

As shown in Figure 3a, each variable lens (110/120) applied to the composite variable lens of the present invention, the ring 10, and flexible and elastic formed on one or both of the front and the rear inside the ring 10, and a transparent film 21/22 with The ring 10 is formed of a rigid body (eg, metal or plastic) that does not bend. The flexible and elastic transparent film 21/22 may be made of a polymer material such as polyvinyl chloride or polyvinyl acetal. A portion without the flexible and elastic transparent film 21/22 is made of a transparent rigid body 50 on the front or rear surface (FIG. 3A (b), (c)). The transparent rigid body 50 may be made of an appropriate material such as a general optical system lens such as glass or polycarbonate.

A through hole 11 is formed in the ring 10, through which a predetermined gas (eg, helium, argon, etc.), a liquid (eg, glycerin, other transparent liquid with high light transmittance, etc.), a gel type (eg, , gelatin, etc.) can be controlled to cause physical deformation of the flexible and elastic transparent film 21/22 part by controlling the injection and discharge. The injection and discharge of a medium such as gas, liquid, or gel type through the through hole 11 may be controlled manually or may be automatically controlled through an electronic code.

When using the flexible and elastic transparent film 21/22 formed on both the front and rear sides of the ring 10 (FIG. 3a (a)), as shown in FIG. 3b, the transparent film 21/22 Through physical transformation, the shape may be changed into a biconvex shape, a biconcave shape, a positive meniscus shape, or a negative meniscus shape. In addition, when the front or rear surface of the transparent rigid body 50 is formed (FIG. 3A (b), (c)), due to physical deformation of the portion where the transparent film 21/22 is located, plano-convex type (Plano-Convex) ), plano-concave, and the like.

On the other hand, as in FIG. 3a, through the through hole 11 formed in the ring 10, gas, liquid, gel type, etc. are injected and discharged to cause physical deformation of the transparent film 21/22 part. Various other methods for causing physical deformation of the transparent film 21/22 portion may be applied.

For example, between the front and rear flexible and elastic transparent films 21/22 inside the ring 10, or between the flexible and elastic transparent film 21/22 on one side and the transparent rigid body 50 on the other side In the inner space of the ring 10, through the through hole 11 or through another injection port even if there is no through hole 11, the gas, liquid or gel type as above is injected in advance, and the injected gas or liquid The gel type can be maintained in a sealed state in the inner space of the ring 10 . In such a closed state, since the ring 10 may be made of a rigid body or a material having a certain amount of elasticity, a force is applied to the ring 10 (increasing or decreasing the force) or the flexible and elastic transparent film 21 /22), a physical deformation of the transparent film 21/22 portion may be caused. When an external force is applied to the flexible and elastic transparent film 21/22, the degree to which the force is applied or the area to which the force is applied is adjusted by using a predetermined means on the edge of the transparent film 21/22. How to do it, etc. may be included.

4 is a view for explaining the petzval sum of a general meniscus lens 400 .

As shown in FIG. 4 , one side of the meniscus lens 400 forms a convex surface and the other surface forms a concave surface. As shown in the drawing, let d be the radius r1 of the curvature of the concave surface at one center on the center line, the radius r2 of the curvature of the convex surface at the other center on the center line, and the thickness of the lens 400 at the center line.

The petzval sum 1/R _ptz in the meniscus lens 400 becomes 0 when r1 = r2, and at this time, there is no effect on the field of curvature of the focal plane, and as the refractive power increases Only the focal length is changed.

The petzval sum 1/R _ptz in the meniscus lens 400 has a negative value as in [Equation 1] when r2 = r1-d, and deepens the field of curvature in the case It can also be accompanied by a change in focal length. Here, n is the refractive index of the meniscus lens 400 .

[Equation 1]

The petzval sum 1/R _ptz in the meniscus lens 400 has a positive value as in [Equation 2] when r2 = r1-d((n-1)/n), and the focal plane curvature (Field of curvature) can be relaxed toward the plane.

[Equation 2]

As a result, when the petzval sum 1/R _ptz is 0 and when it has a negative value, the focal length can be changed, and when the petzval sum 1/R _ptz has a negative or positive value, the focal plane is curved. (Field of curvature) can be changed. Accordingly, by combining these cases, it is possible to adjust the field of curvature and to adjust the focal length.

According to this principle, by using the structure of FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C, the physical deformation of the first variable lens 110 and the second variable lens 120 is combined, and the first variable lens 110 is ) and the second variable lens 120, it can be seen that it is possible to control the curvature of the focal plane (Field of curvature), and to control the focal length.

For example, in FIG. 2A , through the deformation of the transparent films 112 and 122 of the variable lenses 110 and 120, the space 130 between the first variable lens 110 and the second variable lens 120 spaced apart from each other. ) is deformed, and in particular, the space 130 may form a meniscus lens. Accordingly, it is possible to adjust the curvature of the focal plane for light passing through the first variable lens 110 and the second variable lens 120 , and it is possible to adjust the focal length. Similarly, in the structures of FIGS. 2B and 2C, through the deformation of the transparent films 201, 203/301, 303 of the variable lenses 110 and 120, the overall structure can be operated similarly to that of a meniscus lens, Accordingly, with respect to the light passing through the first variable lens 110 and the second variable lens 120, it is possible to adjust the curvature of the focal plane (Field of curvature), it is possible to adjust the focal length.

5A is a diagram illustrating a light transmission process without the influence of the variable lenses 110 and 120 in the composite variable lens 100 of FIG. 2A of the present invention. FIG. 5A shows a case in which the composite variable lens 100 of FIG. 2A is applied to an optical system such as a camera and transmits light collected through the condensing lens 150 to the composite variable lens 100 . FIG. 5B is a view for explaining a field of curvature with respect to FIG. 5A .

As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, when the deformation of the space 130 between the first variable lens 110 and the second variable lens 120 spaced apart from each other in FIG. 2A is maintained like both planes, the meniscus lens It operates similarly to the case where the petzval sum 1/R _ptz in (400) becomes 0, and at this time, there is no effect on the field of curvature (191) relative to the plane 190, and the increase in refractive power Accordingly, only the focal length is changed (see FIG. 5B ).

FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating a light transmission process when the composite variable lens 100 of FIG. 2A of the present invention is deformed to protrude to the right of the space 130 . FIG. 6A shows a case in which the composite variable lens 100 of FIG. 2A is applied to an optical system such as a camera and transmits light collected through the condensing lens 150 to the composite variable lens 100 . FIG. 6B is a view for explaining a field of curvature with respect to FIG. 6A .

6A and 6B, when the deformation of the space 130 between the first variable lens 110 and the second variable lens 120 spaced apart from each other in FIG. 2A is maintained in a right protruding form, the meniscus lens It operates similarly to the case where the petzval sum 1/R _ptz in (400) has a negative value as in [Equation 1], and in this case, the field of curvature of the focal plane is deepened with respect to the plane 190 side. , may be accompanied by a change in focal length in some cases (refer to FIG. 6B ).

7A is a diagram illustrating a light transmission process when the composite variable lens 100 of FIG. 2A of the present invention is deformed to protrude to the left of the space 130 . FIG. 7A shows a case in which the composite variable lens 100 of FIG. 2A is applied to an optical system such as a camera and transmits light collected through the condensing lens 150 to the composite variable lens 100 . FIG. 7B is a view for explaining a field of curvature with respect to FIG. 6A .

7A and 7B, when the deformation of the space 130 between the first variable lens 110 and the second variable lens 120 spaced apart from each other in FIG. 2A is maintained in the left protruding form, the meniscus lens It operates similarly to the case where the petzval sum 1/R _ptz in (400) has a positive value as in [Equation 2], and in this case, the field of curvature of the focal plane can be relaxed toward the plane 190. There is (see Figure 7b).

As described above, according to the variable focal plane variable lens 100/200/300 according to the present invention, the variable lenses 110 and 120 are attached or the space between them or the lens is inserted. Deformation of the lenses 110 and 120 may cause deformation of focal length and deformation of the focal plane (Field of curvature). Accordingly, the focal length and imaging plane may be changed without additional lens coupling. there is. In particular, through the physical deformation of both sides of the space 130 or the solid/fluid 130 placed between the variable lenses 110 and 120 on both sides, the space 130 is deformed, and thus the focal length and focal plane are deformed. It may cause deformation of the field of curvature.

As described above, in the present invention, specific matters such as specific components, etc., and limited embodiments and drawings have been described, but these are only provided to help a more general understanding of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. , various modifications and variations will be possible without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains. Therefore, the spirit of the present invention should not be limited to the described embodiments, and all technical ideas with equivalent or equivalent modifications to the claims as well as the claims to be described later are included in the scope of the present invention. should be interpreted as

Variable lens (110, 120)
space (130)
rigid lens (330)

Claims (12)

A first variable lens capable of physical deformation of the flexible and elastic transparent film; and
Including a second variable lens capable of physical deformation of the flexible and elastic transparent film,
Combining the physical deformations of the first variable lens and the second variable lens, a complex variable lens capable of adjusting the curvature of a focal plane for light passing through the first variable lens and the second variable lens. The method of claim 1,
Each of the first variable lens and the second variable lens,
A compound variable lens, which is a lens variable in any one of a biconvex, biconcave, plano-convex, plano-concave, positive meniscus, and negative meniscus type by the physical transformation. The method of claim 1,
Each of the first variable lens and the second variable lens,
a ring, and the flexible and elastic transparent film formed on one or both of the front and rear surfaces to the inside of the ring,
In the inner space of the ring between the front and rear flexible and elastic transparent films or between one flexible and elastic transparent film and the other transparent rigid body, gas, liquid, or gel type By controlling injection and discharge, or by pre-injecting gas, liquid, or gel type into the inner space of the ring and applying a force to the elastic ring in a closed state or applying an external force to the flexible and elastic transparent film, A compound variable lens that causes the physical deformation. The method of claim 1,
The composite variable lens,
The composite variable lens further comprising a space formed to be spaced apart by a predetermined distance between the first variable lens and the second variable lens. 5. The method of claim 4,
The space is air, or a complex variable lens in a state filled with gas, liquid or gel type. 5. The method of claim 4,
The space is a composite variable lens forming a meniscus lens. The method of claim 1,
By combining the physical deformation of the first variable lens and the second variable lens,
A compound variable lens that changes the petzval sum in a meniscus lens to 0, positive or negative values. 5. The method of claim 4,
A composite variable lens comprising a rigid lens in the space. 4. The method of claim 3,
At least one of the first variable lens surface and the second variable lens surface facing each other with a space between the first variable lens and the second variable lens spaced apart from each other is the flexible and elastic transparent film is made of,
Combination of the physical deformation of the first variable lens and the second variable lens, the composite variable lens causing a deformation of the cross-sectional shape of the space. 4. The method of claim 3,
The first variable lens and the second variable lens,
It has a flexible and elastic transparent film on one side and a transparent rigid body on the other side, respectively, on the front and back sides,
A complex variable lens formed by closely coupling the transparent rigid body parts of the first variable lens and the second variable lens to face each other or by being spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. 11. The method of claim 10,
A composite variable lens including a rigid lens in a space between the first variable lens and the second variable lens. disposing a first variable lens and a second variable lens capable of physically deforming a flexible and elastic transparent film; and
adjusting the curvature of a focal plane with respect to light passing through the first variable lens and the second variable lens by combining the physical deformation of the first variable lens and the second variable lens;
A method of operating a variable lens comprising a.

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