Variable-Focus Lens System

摘要

A variable-focus lens system that includes a lens assembly having an electrowetting liquid lens that can be wrapped onto a curved surface such as a lens without distorting a chamber holding the electrowetting liquid lens is provided. The lens assembly includes a container body having a cup, in which the chamber is defined, and supports that extend in different directions from the cup. A flexible base substrate is arranged under the container body. Both the container body and flexible base substrate may be made from a soft polymer material and made using low-temperature fabrication processes. The flexible base substrate may be thinner than the container body and provide a relatively large surface area that engages the curved surface such that the stresses associated with wrapping a micro lens assembly onto the curved surface may be primarily absorbed by the flexible base substrate.

主权项

1. A method of making a variable-focus lens system, comprising:
forming a lens assembly by, forming a container body having a cup defining a chamber therein; forming a flexible base substrate from a soft polymer material; arranging the container body relative to the flexible base substrate such that the container body extends away from the flexible base substrate, providing an electrowetting liquid lens in the chamber of the cup of the container body, the electrowetting liquid lens including a first liquid and a second liquid abutting and immiscible with respect to the first liquid so as to define a curved interface between the first and second liquids, the curved interface defining a radius of curvature responsive to an electrical stimulus to vary the radius of curvature for tuning a focal length of the electrowetting liquid lens so as to provide a variable-focus characteristic to the variable-focus lens system; and arranging the lens assembly upon a curved mounting surface such that the flexible base substrate of the lens assembly bends to conform to a profile shape of the curved mounting surface.