JP2009180792A - Projection-type display device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a projection-type display device equipped with optical components that attains the functions of separating illumination projection light and of separating and composing colors, using a simple, inexpensive and small-size configuration with few constraints. <P>SOLUTION: The projection-type display device is equipped with a color separating and composing prism 10, having a dichroic film 14 and a polarizing film 15 at different positions on a prism-jointed face 13 of prisms 11, 12. The illumination light incident on a color separating and compositing prism 10, after having passed via a filter member that selectively changes polarization directions in accordance with wavelengths, is separated into a plurality of color beams by the dichroic film 14; the separated color beams are guided to DMD elements 6R, 6GB for the respective color beams; the color beams are modulated by the plurality of DMD elements 6R, 6GB, and are made to exit at angles different from that of the illumination light; and the plurality of color beams are again made incident on the color separating and compositing prism 10 and are guided to the polarizing film 15, where the beams are subjected to color composition on the polarizing film 15 to exit toward a projection lens. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a projection display device using a plurality of reflective spatial light modulators.

  Conventionally, there are various types of projection display devices. As an example, there is a multi-plate projection display device using a plurality of reflective spatial light modulators.

  As one of such projection display devices, there is a projection display device using a reflection type light valve as a reflection type spatial light modulator as disclosed in Patent Document 1. FIG. 17 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an outline of the projection display device disclosed in Patent Document 1. As shown in FIG. In this projection display device, first, illumination light from the light source 101 is transmitted through the polarizing film 102a of the polarization beam splitter 102, and the color separation / combination prism 103, which is a combination of the first to third prisms 103A, 103B, and 103C. To enter. Here, of the illumination light, the blue light B is reflected by the blue reflecting dichroic film 103a of the first prism 103A, is color-separated, is totally reflected by the prism surface 103b, and is guided to the blue reflective liquid crystal light valve 104B. Of the illumination light, the red light R is reflected by the red reflecting dichroic film 103c on the joint surface of the second and third prisms 103B and 103C, and is color-separated to be totally reflected by the prism surface 103d, thereby reflecting for red. Guide to the liquid crystal light valve 104R. Of the illumination light, the green light G is transmitted through the red reflective dichroic film 103c to be color-separated, totally reflected by the prism surface 103e, and guided to the green reflective liquid crystal light valve 104G.

  Each of the reflective liquid crystal light valves 104B, 104R, and 104G has a large number of pixels, and has a modulation function that converts incident light of P-polarized light to a pixel portion selected by a color signal into S-polarized light and reflects and emits the light. Have. The reflected light from these reflective liquid crystal light valves 104B, 104R, and 104G travels in the opposite direction to the incident light (illumination light), and enters the polarization beam splitter 102 again as color-combined light on the prism surface 103b. Here, S-polarized light, which is modulated light among the color synthesized light, is separated from the illumination light by being reflected by the polarizing film 102a, is incident as projection light on the projection lens 105, and is projected onto the screen or the like by the projection lens 105. Is done.

  Further, as shown in Non-Patent Document 1, there is a DLP (Digital Light Processing) type projection display device using a DMD element (Digital Micromirror Device) as a reflective spatial light modulator. FIG. 18 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an outline of a two-chip projection display device disclosed in Non-Patent Document 1. In this projection display device, first, the yellow Y region that transmits the red light R and the green light G in the illumination light (white light) emitted from the light source 111, and the red light R and the blue light B are transmitted. A magenta M region is provided with a color wheel 112 that is alternately switched in a time-division manner with respect to the optical axis. The illumination light that has passed through the color wheel 112, the integrator rod 113, and the relay optical system 114 is incident on the illumination projection separation prism 115 including the prisms 115A and 115B, and is totally reflected by the prism surface 115a having an air gap to be prism 116A. , 116B is incident on the color separation / combination prism 116. Of the illumination light incident on the color separation / combination prism 116, the red light R is color-separated by being reflected by the red reflecting dichroic film 116a, totally reflected by the prism surface 116b, and guided to the red DMD element 117R. On the other hand, among the illumination lights incident on the color separation / combination prism 116, the green light G or the blue light B is time-divisionally transmitted through the red reflecting dichroic film 116a according to the rotation of the color wheel 112, and is separated into green / blue. To the DMD element 117GB.

  Here, the DMD elements 117R and 117GB are semiconductor projection devices in which an infinite number of micrometer-sized miniature reflecting mirrors are arranged, and angle control is performed by a high-speed shake operation of a predetermined shake angle ± 12 °, for example, based on a color signal. By doing this, the color light is modulated so as to project the color light deflected and reflected. The red light R reflected by the DMD element 117R enters the prism surface 116c of the color separation / combination prism 116 substantially perpendicularly, is totally reflected by the prism surface 116b, and is further reflected by the red reflecting dichroic film 116a for illumination projection separation. The light is projected onto the projection lens 118 via the prism 115. On the other hand, the green light G or the blue light B reflected in a time division manner by the DMD element 117GB is incident on the prism surface 116d of the color separation / combination prism 116 substantially perpendicularly, passes through the dichroic film 116a, and is combined with the red light R. Then, the light passes through the illumination projection separation prism 115 and is projected onto the projection lens 118.

  FIG. 19 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an overview of a three-chip projection display device disclosed in Non-Patent Document 1. In this projection display device, first, the illumination light (white light) emitted from the light source 121 passes through the integrator rod 122 and the relay optical system 123 and enters the illumination projection separation prism 124 including the prisms 124A and 124B. Then, the light is totally reflected by the prism surface 124a having an air gap and enters the color separation / combination prism 125 including the prisms 125A, 125B, and 125C. Of the illumination light incident on the color separation / combination prism 125, the blue light B is color-separated by being reflected by the blue reflecting dichroic film 125a, totally reflected by the prism surface 125b, and guided to the blue DMD element 126B. On the other hand, of the illumination light incident on the color separation / combination prism 125, the red light R is transmitted through the blue reflective dichroic film 125a and then reflected by the red reflective dichroic film 125c to be color-separated and a prism surface 125d having an air gap. Are totally reflected and guided to the red DMD element 126R. Further, the green light G passes through the blue reflective dichroic film 125a and the red reflective dichroic film 125c and is guided to the green DMD element 126G.

  The blue light B reflected by the DMD element 126B is substantially perpendicularly incident on the prism surface 125e of the color separation / combination prism 125, totally reflected by the prism surface 125b, and further reflected by the blue reflective dichroic film 125a for illumination projection separation. The light is projected onto the projection lens 127 through the prism 124. The red light R reflected by the DMD element 126R enters the prism surface 125f of the color separation / combination prism 125 substantially perpendicularly, is totally reflected by the prism surface 125d, is further reflected by the red reflecting dichroic film 125c, and is projected by illumination. The light is projected onto the projection lens 127 through the separation prism 124. Further, the green light G reflected by the DMD element 126G is incident on the prism surface 125g of the color separation / combination prism 125 substantially perpendicularly, and is transmitted through the red reflection dichroic film 125c and the blue dichroic film 125a. The light B is color-combined and transmitted through the illumination projection separation prism 124 and projected onto the projection lens 127.

  Furthermore, as disclosed in Patent Document 2, there is a three-plate projection display device using a DMD element as a reflective spatial light modulator. FIG. 20 is a schematic plan view showing an outline of the projection display device disclosed in Patent Document 2, and FIG. 21 is a schematic side view thereof. In this projection display device, the illumination light incident on the total reflection type light separation prism 131 is totally reflected by the total reflection surface 131 a and enters the cross dichroic prism 132. The illumination light incident on the cross dichroic prism 132 is separated into three primary colors of red light R, green light G, and blue light B on the two cross dichroic surfaces 132a and 132b. The separated color lights are directed in three directions orthogonal to each other, and are incident on DMD elements 133R, 133G, and 133B corresponding to the respective color lights. Each DMD element 133R, 133G, 133B forms an image corresponding to each color light by turning on / off the minimal reflector, and deflects and reflects the image.

  Each color light (modulated light) deflected and reflected by each DMD element 133R, 133G, 133B is recombined by the cross dichroic prism 132, travels to the projection lens 134 through the total reflection type separation prism 131, and is projected onto the screen or the like. .

JP 2000-171923 A JP 2007-25287 A Optical technology information magazine "Light Edge" No. 19 / Special Feature Video ... Toward the Digital Age (July 2000) Chapter 3

  However, in the case of the projection display device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the polarization beam splitter 102 for performing illumination projection separation and the prism 103 for performing color separation / combination are configured separately. In addition, the polarization beam splitter 102 includes two prisms 102A and 102B, and the color separation / combination prism 103 includes three different types of prisms 103A to 103C, which requires a total of five prisms. In place of the three-plate reflective liquid crystal light valve, a two-plate reflective light valve may be used, and the color separation / combination prism is composed of two different types of prisms, for a total of four prisms. Is required. Therefore, the number and types of optical components for illumination projection separation and color separation / synthesis are large, which is a factor that increases the size and cost of the optical system.

  Further, since at least two prisms 103A and 103B constituting the color separation / combination prism 103 are arranged through an air gap for total reflection, it is necessary to hold both of them while ensuring the accuracy of the air gap. It is difficult and the manufacturing of the prism 103 is complicated and requires a high manufacturing cost. An air gap is also required between the color separation / combination prism 103 and the polarization beam splitter 102 for total reflection, and it is difficult to hold both while ensuring the accuracy of the air gap. The production of the beam splitter 102 is complicated and requires manufacturing costs. Further, there is light (especially red light R and green light G that reciprocates through the air gap) that passes through the air gap disposed obliquely with respect to the optical axis before reaching the projection lens 105, and the light amount loss is large. It becomes a thing.

  Further, in the case of Patent Document 1, a configuration for vertical illumination and vertical reflection is shown in which light reflected by each of the liquid crystal light valves 104R, 104G, and 104B travels in a direction opposite to the incident optical axis. A configuration using a deflection-type image display element such as the DMD element shown in Non-Patent Document 1 or Patent Document 2 if the optical path of the light and the projection light, and the incident angles of the illumination light and the projection light to the dichroic film or polarizing film are made different. Alternatively, a configuration for oblique illumination with respect to the reflective liquid crystal light valve is also possible. However, if the dichroic film or polarizing film is applied to both illumination light and projection light, the incident angle of the illumination light is different from the incident angle of the projection light. The characteristics of the dichroic film and the polarizing film with respect to light are different, and problems such as a decrease in light amount and a decrease in contrast occur.

  For example, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 22, as the incident angle dependency of the dichroic film, when the characteristic with respect to the incident angle of the illumination light is optimized, the optimization characteristic with respect to the incident angle of the projection light is as indicated by a broken line. If it is a characteristic, the area A portion is projected if it is reflected by the dichroic film, but is not actually reflected by the dichroic film, so it is not projected and becomes a portion that causes a loss of projection light. The same applies to the polarizing film.

  These problems also occur in the cases of the illumination projection separation prisms 115 and 124 and the color separation / combination prisms 116 and 125 in Non-Patent Document 1, the total reflection type light separation prism 131 and the cross dichroic prism 132 disclosed in Patent Document 2. It is the same.

  That is, according to these prior arts, illumination projection separation and color separation / combination have different problems, problems associated with the air gap, and illumination with different incident angles with respect to the dichroic film or polarizing film. There are problems associated with sharing light and projection light.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and has solved the problems associated with the air gap and the problems associated with the sharing of illumination light and projection light with different incident angles with respect to the dichroic film or polarizing film. An object of the present invention is to provide a projection display device including optical parts that realizes the functions of illumination projection separation and color separation / synthesis with a simple, inexpensive, and compact configuration with few restrictions.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, a projection display device according to the present invention includes a plurality of reflective spatial light modulators that modulate color light based on color signals, and wavelength selection of the polarization direction of illumination light. A projection type display device comprising a filter member for converting the projection and a projection lens, comprising a first and a second prism element, and a dichroic film at different positions on the joint surface of the first and second prism elements A color separation / combination prism formed with a polarizing film, and the illumination light incident on the color separation / combination prism through the filter member is separated into a plurality of color lights by the dichroic film, and each separated color light is separated. Guided to the reflective spatial light modulator for the corresponding color light, modulated by the plurality of reflective spatial light modulators, and at an angle different from the angle when the illumination light is incident on the reflective spatial light modulator. Anti A plurality of color lights that are emitted from a spatial light modulator and re-enter the color separation / combination prism are guided to the polarization film and are color-combined by the polarization film and emitted toward the projection lens; To do.

  In the projection display apparatus according to the present invention as set forth in the invention described above, the first and second prism elements each have a triangular prism shape, and a triangular shape that is a cross-sectional shape thereof is a left-right asymmetric triangle. It is characterized by.

  In the projection display device according to the present invention as set forth in the invention described above, the first prism element includes illumination light for the first surface portion on which the illumination light is incident and the first reflective spatial light modulator. , And a second surface portion that transmits both the incident light of the modulated light from the first reflective spatial light modulator, and the second prism element has the second reflective type. The third surface portion that transmits both the illumination light emitted to the spatial light modulator and the modulated light incident from the second reflective spatial light modulator is combined with the third surface portion to generate the modulated light directed to the screen. And a fourth surface portion to be passed.

  In the projection display device according to the present invention, in the above invention, the triangle defined by the first surface portion, the second surface portion, and the joining surface, the third surface portion, and the fourth surface portion are defined. At least one of the triangles defined by the surface portion and the joint surface is an asymmetric triangle.

  Further, the projection display device according to the present invention is the reflection surface according to the above-described invention, wherein an optical path from the dichroic film to each reflective spatial light modulator and an optical path from each reflective spatial light modulator to the polarizing film are reflected surfaces. It is characterized by not having.

  In the projection display device according to the present invention, in the above invention, the modulated light emitted from the modulation surface of each of the reflection type spatial light modulators and directed to the screen is directed to the upper surface of the reflection type spatial light modulator. The light is emitted in a vertical direction.

  In the projection display device according to the present invention as set forth in the invention described above, the dichroic film and the polarizing film are disposed on the same plane.

  The projection display device according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, a field lens is provided between the reflective spatial light modulator and the color separation / combination prism.

  In the projection display device according to the present invention, the principal ray of the projection light transmitted through the field lens is converged and the aperture stop position of the photographing lens is formed outside the color separation / combination prism. It is characterized by being.

  In the projection display device according to the present invention, in the above invention, as the reflective spatial light modulator, a reflective spatial light modulator for one of the three primary colors and the remaining two of the three primary colors. It is a two-plate type provided with a reflective spatial light modulator that shares colors in a time-sharing manner.

  The projection display device according to the present invention includes a first and a second prism element, and a color formed by having a dichroic film and a polarizing film at different positions on the joint surface of the first and second prism elements. A separation / combination prism is provided, and illumination light incident on the color separation / combination prism through the filter member is separated into a plurality of color lights by a dichroic film, and each separated color light is guided to a corresponding reflection type spatial light modulator for color light, Modulated by a plurality of reflective spatial light modulators, the illumination light is emitted from the reflective spatial light modulator at an angle different from the angle at which the illumination light is incident on the reflective spatial light modulator, and reenters the color separation / combination prism. Since a plurality of colored lights are guided to the polarizing film and synthesized with the polarizing film and emitted toward the projection lens, the illumination projection separation is achieved by a simple, inexpensive, and compact single-junction color separation / combination prism. color There is an effect that it is possible to realize the function of releasing synthesis. For this purpose, it is only necessary to provide a single color separation / combination prism having a dichroic film and a polarizing film at different positions on the bonding surface, so that an air gap is interposed on the optical path of illumination light or projection light. Therefore, there is an effect that it is possible to solve problems such as light loss associated with the air gap. Furthermore, since the dichroic film is used only for color separation of illumination light, and the polarizing film is used only for color synthesis of the projection light, variation in incident angle can be suppressed, so there is little deterioration in the characteristics of the dichroic film and polarizing film. In addition, there is an effect that it is possible to solve problems such as a decrease in the amount of light accompanying the sharing of illumination light and projection light having different incident angles with respect to the dichroic film or polarizing film.

  DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A projection display device that is the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a projection display device according to the present embodiment. The projection display device 1 according to the present embodiment is applied to a DLP (Digital Light Processing) type two-plate projection display device using a DMD element (Digital Micromirror Device) as a reflective spatial light modulator. Show.

  The projection display device 1 of the present embodiment generally includes a light source 2, a wavelength selective polarizing element 3, an integrator rod 4, a relay optical system 5, a color separation / combination prism 10, two DMD elements 6R and 6GB, And a projection lens 7.

  The light source 2 emits white light as illumination light for illuminating the DMD elements 6R and 6GB. The wavelength selective polarization element 3 is provided as a filter member for converting the polarization direction of white light (illumination light) emitted from the light source 2 from P polarization to S polarization in a wavelength selective manner. FIG. 2 is a schematic front view illustrating a configuration example of the wavelength selective polarizing element 3. The wavelength-selective polarizing element 3 used in the present embodiment is formed in a wheel shape and is driven to rotate around the central axis. For example, the regions G-CS and B-CS that are equally divided into four radially are divided. Have alternately. The region G-CS is a region in which the polarization direction of the green light G in the three primary colors RGB included in the white light is converted from P-polarized light to S-polarized light (the green light G is made effective as projection light), and the red light R Or blue light B is transmitted without being polarized. Region B-CS is a region in which the polarization direction of blue light B in the three primary colors RGB contained in white light is converted from P-polarized light to S-polarized light (blue light B is made effective as projection light), and red light R Or green light G passes through without being subjected to polarization conversion. Therefore, the polarization states of the green light G and the blue light B are changed in a time-sharing manner by rotating the wavelength selective polarizing element 3 with these regions G-CS and B-CS positioned on the optical axis of white light. Alternatingly, P-polarized light is converted to S-polarized light, and the red light R is not polarized and is always effective as projection light. In addition, the division | segmentation number which comprises area | region G-CS and B-CS may be appropriate, for example, an equally 2 division | segmentation structure may be sufficient. Further, if a polarization conversion element that aligns the polarization state of white light with P-polarized light is provided in front of the wavelength-selective polarizing element 3, the light utilization efficiency is improved.

  The integrator rod 4 is provided as necessary to homogenize the illumination light, and may be a fly-eye lens or the like. The relay optical system 5 is for making the illumination light that has passed through the integrator rod 4 enter a predetermined position of the color separation / combination prism 10.

  Further, as shown in Non-Patent Document 1, Patent Document 2, and the like, the DMD element is a semiconductor projection device in which an infinite number of microscopic reflectors having a size of μm are arranged. The color light is modulated so as to project the color light deflected and reflected by performing angle control (on / off control) by a high-speed shake operation of 12 °. In the present embodiment, a wavelength selective polarizing element is used for two colors of the DMD element 6R for red light R, which is one of the three primary colors RGB, and the remaining two colors, green light G and blue light B. 3 is configured as a two-plate type including a DMD element 6GB shared in a time-sharing manner.

  Further, the projection lens 7 is for projecting projection light emitted from the color separation / combination prism 10 as color light modulated by the DMD elements 6R and 6GB onto a screen (not shown).

  Next, the color separation / combination prism 10 that characterizes the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a front view illustrating a configuration example of the color separation / combination prism. The color separation / combination prism 10 used in the present embodiment is formed into a cubic shape as a whole by integrally joining two prismatic prisms 11 and 12 having a triangular asymmetric cross-sectional shape at a prism joint surface 13. It is a prism, and has a dichroic film 14 and a polarizing film 15 on the prism joint surface 13. The dichroic film 14 and the polarizing film 15 are arranged so as to be shifted from each other in the height direction within the prism joint surface 13 so as not to overlap each other. However, it can also arrange | position so that it may overlap. The prism bonding surface 13 is formed as a flat surface, and the dichroic film 14 and the polarizing film 15 are disposed on the same plane. The color separation / combination prism 10 may have a cubic shape as a function, and may have a shape in which a part of the top portion is cut away. In that case, a triangular top portion or the like which is a cross section of the triangular prisms 11 and 12 is partially cut out. It is not impossible to make this triangle symmetrical, but an asymmetric shape is advantageous for downsizing the overall shape. The prism 11, which is the first prism element, has a shape in which a triangle can be defined by the prism surfaces 10a and 10b and the prism joint surface 13, and is three-dimensionally triangular. The prism 12, which is the second prism element, has a shape in which a triangle can be defined by the prism surfaces 10c and 10d and the prism joint surface 13, and has a triangular prism shape in three dimensions.

  Here, the dichroic film 14 is used for color separation of illumination light, and is set to have characteristics of reflecting red light R and transmitting green light G and blue light B. For this reason, the optical path of the illumination light incident on the prism surface 10 a of the color separation / combination prism 10 through the wavelength selective polarizing element 3 is set so as to be directed toward the dichroic film 14. Further, the red light R reflected by the dichroic film 14 is transmitted through the prism surface 10b as it is without being reflected or totally reflected in the color separation / combination prism 10, and is emitted from the color separation / combination prism 10 to thereby generate a DMD element. The optical path is set so that it is guided directly to 6R and illuminates obliquely with respect to the upper surface of this DMD element 6R. Further, the green light G and the blue light B transmitted through the dichroic film 14 also pass through the prism surface 10 c as they are and are emitted from the color separation / combination prism 10 without being reflected or totally reflected in the color separation / combination prism 10. Thus, the optical path is set so as to be guided directly to the DMD element 6GB and to illuminate the upper surface of the DMD element 6GB obliquely.

  The polarizing film 15 is used for color synthesis of projection light that is color light modulated by the DMD elements 6R and 6GB, and is set to have a characteristic of transmitting P-polarized light and reflecting S-polarized light. For this reason, the projection light that re-enters the prism surface 10b substantially perpendicularly to the prism surface 10b at an angle different from the illumination light by the DMD element 6R in accordance with the deflection reflection due to the shake operation of the micromirror accompanying the on / off control of the DMD element 6R is the color separation / combination prism. The optical path is set so as to go directly to the polarizing film 15 as it is without being reflected or totally reflected within 10. Further, in accordance with the deflection reflection due to the swing operation of the micro mirror accompanying the on / off control of the DMD element 6GB, the projection light that is re-incident by the DMD element 6GB with respect to the prism surface 10c at an angle different from the illumination light substantially perpendicularly is emitted. The optical path is set so as to go directly to the polarizing film 15 without being reflected or totally reflected. That is, illumination light is incident on the upper surface of the DMD element from an oblique direction, and so-called ON light directed to the screen out of the modulated light emitted from the DMD element is emitted perpendicularly to the upper surface of the DMD element. It is what is done. Here, in the present embodiment, the traveling direction of the red projection light deflected and reflected by the DMD element 6R is set as the projection direction, and the prism surface 10d becomes the projection light exit surface, and is projected onto the prism surface 10d. The lens 7 is positioned at a predetermined position.

  In such a configuration, the operation of the color separation / combination prism 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the P-polarized light of the green light G and the blue light B in the illumination light emitted from the light source 2 is alternately converted into S-polarized light by the wavelength selective polarizing element 3. Illumination light incident on the prism surface 10a via the wavelength-selective polarizing element 3 is color-separated by entering the dichroic film 14 as shown in FIG. That is, the red light R in the illumination light is reflected by the dichroic film 14 and directly illuminates the DMD element 6R for red via the prism surface 10b. On the other hand, the green light G and the blue light B in the illumination light are transmitted through the wavelength selective polarizing element 3, and one P-polarized component is converted into an S-polarized component. Here, since there is no polarizing beam splitter on the illumination optical path, the shared DMD element 6GB is always illuminated by the green light G and the blue light B that pass through the dichroic film 14 and directly pass through the prism surface 10c. That is, the DMD element 6GB is illuminated by the green light G (S-polarized light) and the blue light B (P-polarized light) or the green light G (P-polarized light) and the blue light B (S-polarized light).

  The DMD element 6R illuminated with the red light R performs a modulation operation based on the color signal for red, deflects the red light R as shown in FIG. 5, and emits light to the prism surface 10b. Differently, the light is incident again so as to be substantially vertical. The red light R is directly guided to the polarizing film 15 as it is, but remains as P-polarized light, so that it passes through the polarizing film 15 and is emitted from the prism surface 10d toward the projection lens 7 as projection light.

  On the other hand, the DMD element 6GB illuminated with the green light G and the blue light B performs a modulation operation based on the color signal for green when the illumination light strikes the G-CS region of the wavelength selective polarizing element 3. Then, as shown in FIG. 6A, the green light G and the blue light B are deflected and incident on the prism surface 10c so as to be substantially perpendicular to the case of the illumination light. The green light G is directly guided to the polarizing film 15 as it is, but is transmitted through the G-CS region and converted into S-polarized light. Therefore, the green light G is reflected by the polarizing film 15 and is projected as projection light from the prism surface 10d. 7 is emitted. Further, since the blue light B remains P-polarized light, it passes through the polarizing film 15 and is discarded.

  Further, the DMD element 6GB illuminated with the green light G and the blue light B performs a modulation operation based on the color signal for blue when the illumination light hits the B-CS region of the wavelength selective polarizing element 3. Then, as shown in FIG. 6B, the green light G and the blue light B are deflected and incident on the prism surface 10c so as to be substantially perpendicular to the case of the illumination light. The blue light B is directly guided to the polarizing film 15 as it is, but is transmitted through the B-CS region and converted to S-polarized light. Therefore, the blue light B is reflected by the polarizing film 15 and is projected as projection light from the prism surface 10d. 7 is emitted. Further, since the green light G remains P-polarized light, it passes through the polarizing film 15 and is discarded.

  That is, the red light R shown in FIG. 5 is always projected, and the green light G and the blue light B shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B are alternately projected in a time division manner. Therefore, as the projection light for the projection lens 7, the color composition of the red light R and the green light G or the red light R and the blue light B is alternately performed in a time division manner as shown in FIG. The color image obtained by synthesizing these colors is displayed on the screen.

  As described above, according to the projection display device 1 of the present embodiment, two simple prisms 11 and 12 are joined to form a simple, inexpensive, and small color separation unit that is formed into a cubic shape as a whole. Only the combining prism 10 can perform illumination projection separation and color separation combining, and the number of components constituting an optical system for illumination projection separation and color separation combining can be reduced. In particular, since each separated color light is directly guided to the DMD elements 6R and 6GB and the polarizing film 15 without being reflected or totally reflected, the prism surfaces 10a to 10d are not restricted by the total reflection condition or the like. In addition, the prisms 11 and 12 constituting the color separation / combination prism 10 may be asymmetrical, and the degree of design freedom can be improved. That is, the inclination of each prism surface 10a to 10d can be optimized and designed according to the incident angle of illumination light or projection light for each color light. Further, by forming the entire color separation / combination prism 10 in a cubic shape, the size can be further reduced as compared with the case where the color separation / combination prism 10 is formed in a kester shape. In addition, since there is no air gap in the color separation / combination prism 10 constituting the optical system for illumination projection separation and color separation / combination, problems such as a decrease in the amount of light associated with the air gap can be avoided. Further, since the dichroic film 14 and the polarizing film 15 are formed on the prism joint surface 13 forming the same plane, it is easy to handle the prism when manufacturing these films, and the color separation / combination prism 10 itself is manufactured. Is also easier. Further, by utilizing the difference in angle between the illumination light and the projection light, the dichroic film 14 is used only for color separation of the illumination light, and the polarizing film 15 is used only for color synthesis of the projection light, thereby providing illumination. Since the functions of projection separation and color separation / combination are exhibited, the dichroic film 14 only needs to be designed in consideration of illumination light, and the polarizing film 15 only needs to be designed in consideration of projection light, and avoids deterioration of characteristics with respect to incident light. be able to.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Hereinafter, various modifications will be exemplified.

(Modification 1)
FIG. 8 is a front view showing a configuration example of a main part of the projection display apparatus according to the first modification, and FIG. 9 is a front view showing only the principal ray of the optical path of the projection light. In the first modification, the field lens 8 is disposed between the prism surfaces 10b and 10c of the color separation / combination prism 10 and the DMD elements 6R and 6GB. Since the field lens 8 is a part of the illumination system and a part of the projection system, it contributes to aberration correction of both the illumination system and the projection system. If the projection optical system is composed of the field lens 8 and the projection lens 7, this photographing optical system constitutes a telecentric optical system for the DMD elements 6R and 6GB. Here, the principal ray of the projection light transmitted through the field lens 8 is set to be converged and the aperture stop position of the projection lens is formed outside the color separation / combination prism 10. Thereby, the entrance pupil position of the projection lens 7 is in the vicinity of the polarizing film 15 or on the side of the projection lens 7 from the polarizing film 15 (including the inside of the projection lens 7). The projection lens 7 can be reduced in size by setting the entrance pupil of the projection lens 7 to a position immediately after the exit of the prism.

  The field lens 8 moves the entrance pupil position of the projection lens 7 closer to the DMD elements 6R and 6GB, thereby reducing the beam diameter of the projection optical system after the field lens 8 and further reducing the size of the color separation / combination prism 10. The size of the projection lens 7 may be reduced.

(Modification 2)
FIG. 10 is a front view illustrating a configuration example of a part of the projection display apparatus according to the second modification. In the second modification, a reflective liquid crystal light valve 31 is used instead of the DMD element as the reflective spatial light modulator. When the illumination light is incident obliquely with respect to the normal line of the reflective liquid crystal light valve 31, as shown in FIG. 10, the projection light modulated by the reflective liquid crystal light valve 31 is regularly reflected obliquely. The optical path can be separated. Therefore, the illumination light is obliquely incident on the reflective liquid crystal light valve 31 through the dichroic film 14, and the projection light modulated by the reflective liquid crystal light valve 31 is passed through the polarizing film 15 (or 21). The present invention can also be applied to a two-plate type reflective liquid crystal light valve.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 11, by decentering the center of the field lens 8 with respect to the center of the reflective liquid crystal light valve 31, the optical axis of the projection light is oriented substantially perpendicular to the reflective liquid crystal light valve 31. It may be made close to the case of a DMD element.

(Modification 3)
FIG. 12 is a front view showing a configuration example of a wavelength selective polarizing element 3A of Modification Example 3, and FIG. 13 is a front view showing a state of projection light based on illumination light transmitted through the region C-CS. In the third modification, the wavelength-selective polarizing element 3A is basically divided into two regions G-CS and B-CS, and cyan light C (green light G + blue light B) is partially formed in the boundary portion. A region C-CS for converting the polarization direction from P-polarized light to S-polarized light is added.

  When the illumination light passes through the region C-CS of the wavelength selective polarizing element 3A, the red light R remains P-polarized light and is deflected and reflected by the DMD element 6R as shown in FIG. The light passes through the polarizing film 15 and travels toward the projection lens 7 as projection light. On the other hand, the green light G is converted from P-polarized light to S-polarized light by the region C-CS, deflected and reflected by the DMD element 6GB as shown in FIG. 13B, and then reflected by the polarizing film 15 as projection light. Head toward the projection lens 7. The blue light B is also converted from P-polarized light to S-polarized light by the region C-CS, deflected and reflected by the DMD element 6GB, as shown in FIG. 13B, and then reflected by the polarizing film 15 and projected as projection light. Head to 7. Therefore, when the illumination light is transmitted through the region C-CS of the wavelength selective polarizing element 3A, RGB white light is projected as the projection light, so that the brightness can be improved.

(Modification 4)
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an XY plan view, a YZ plan view, and a cross-sectional view thereof as a configuration example of the wavelength-selective polarizing element 3B of Modification 4. In the modification 4, instead of the wheel-shaped wavelength selective polarizing element 3, a drum-shaped wavelength selective polarizing element 3B is used. The wavelength-selective polarizing element 3B is such that the regions G-CS and B-CS are alternately and equally divided on the outer peripheral surface thereof and are rotationally driven, and the region G is applied to illumination light incident on a specific position on the outer peripheral surface. -CS and B-CS exhibit a polarization direction conversion function in a time-sharing manner, and are reflected in a desired direction by a truncated cone-shaped mirror 41 integrally formed therein.

  Instead of the mirror 41 integrated with the wavelength selective polarizing element 3B, as shown in FIG. 15, the light transmitted through the wavelength selective polarizing element 3B is reflected in a desired direction by a fixed mirror 42 fixedly arranged. It may be.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 16, the incident direction with respect to the wavelength selective polarizing element 3B and the mirror 41 may be set in reverse. At this time, if the illumination light from the light source 2 is condensed in the vicinity between the wavelength-selective polarizing element 3B and the integrator rod 4, the beam diameters in the drum-shaped wavelength-selective polarizing element 3B and the integrator rod 4 are reduced. Can be small.

(Modification 5)
In addition, a color switch (registered trademark) manufactured by Color Link may be used as the filter member. Moreover, not only the rotary wavelength selective polarizing elements 3, 3A and 3B but also a type that reciprocates linearly may be used.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the two-plate configuration relating to the reflective spatial light modulator is shared in time division for the green light G and the blue light B, but for the green light G and the red light. The red light R and the blue light B may be shared in a time-sharing manner for the R light. The configuration of the wavelength selective polarization elements 3, 3A, 3B (filter members) may be changed in accordance with the color light that changes the polarization direction in accordance with such a configuration.

It is a schematic block diagram which shows the projection type display apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic front view which shows the structural example of a wavelength selective polarizing element. It is a front view which shows the structural example of a color separation synthetic | combination prism. It is a front view which shows the effect | action with respect to the illumination light of a color separation synthetic | combination prism. It is a front view which shows the effect | action with respect to the red projection light of a color separation synthetic | combination prism. It is a front view which shows the effect | action with respect to the green projection light and the blue projection light of a color separation synthetic | combination prism. It is a front view which shows the effect | action with respect to the projection light of a color separation synthetic | combination prism. It is a front view which shows the principal part structural example of the projection type display apparatus of the modification 1. FIG. It is a front view which shows only the chief ray of the optical path of the projection light of FIG. It is a front view which shows the example of a structure of a part of projection type display apparatus of the modification 2. It is a front view which shows another structural example of a part of projection type display apparatus of the modification 2. It is a front view which shows the structural example of the wavelength-selective polarizing element of the modification 3. It is a front view which shows the mode of the projection light based on the illumination light which permeate | transmitted the transparent area | region C-CS. It is a figure which shows XY top view, YZ top view, and its sectional drawing as a structural example of the wavelength selective polarizing element of the modification 4 together. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating another configuration example of a wavelength selective polarizing element of Modification Example 4. FIG. It is a figure which shows collectively XY top view, YZ top view, and its sectional drawing as another example of a structure of the wavelength-selective polarizing element of the modification 4. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the outline | summary of the projection type display apparatus shown by patent document 1. FIG. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the outline | summary of the projection display apparatus of the 2 chip | tip system shown by the nonpatent literature 1. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the outline | summary of the projection display apparatus of the 3 chip | tip system shown by the nonpatent literature 1. It is a schematic plan view which shows the outline | summary of the projection type display apparatus shown by patent document 2. FIG. It is a schematic side view of FIG. It is a characteristic view which shows the incident angle dependence of a dichroic film | membrane.

Explanation of symbols

3, 3A, 3B Wavelength selective polarization element 6R, 6GB DMD element 7 Projection lens 10 Color separation / combination prism 11, 12 Prism 13 Prism joint surface 14 Dichroic film 15, 21 Polarization film 31 Reflective liquid crystal light valve

Claims (10)

A projection display device comprising: a plurality of reflective spatial light modulators that modulate color light based on a color signal; a filter member that selectively converts the polarization direction of illumination light; and a projection lens.
A color separation / synthesis prism comprising first and second prism elements and having a dichroic film and a polarizing film at different positions on the joint surface of the first and second prism elements; Then, the illumination light incident on the color separation / combination prism is separated into a plurality of color lights by the dichroic film, and the separated color lights are guided to the reflection type spatial light modulators for the corresponding color light, and the plurality of reflection type spaces A plurality of light beams emitted from the reflective spatial light modulator and re-incident on the color separation / combination prism at an angle different from the angle at which the illumination light is incident on the reflective spatial light modulator. A projection display apparatus characterized in that colored light is guided to the polarizing film, and is color-combined by the polarizing film and emitted toward the projection lens.   2. The projection display device according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second prism elements has a triangular prism shape, and is a triangle that is asymmetrical in a triangular shape that is a cross-sectional shape thereof. The first prism element includes a first surface portion on which the illumination light is incident, emission of illumination light to the first reflective spatial light modulator, and modulation from the first reflective spatial light modulator. A second surface portion that allows both incident light to pass through,
The second prism element allows a third light to pass through both the emission of illumination light to the second reflective spatial light modulator and the incidence of modulated light from the second reflective spatial light modulator. The projection display device according to claim 1, further comprising: a fourth surface portion that transmits the modulated light that is color-combined and travels toward the screen.   The triangle defined by the first surface portion, the second surface portion, and the joint surface and the triangle defined by the third surface portion, the fourth surface portion, and the joint surface are at least: 4. The projection display device according to claim 3, wherein one of the two is a left-right asymmetric triangle.   5. The optical path from the dichroic film to each reflective spatial light modulator and the optical path from each reflective spatial light modulator to the polarizing film do not have a reflective surface. The projection display device according to one.   6. The modulated light emitted from the modulation surface of each reflective spatial light modulator and directed to the screen is emitted in a direction perpendicular to the top surface of the reflective spatial light modulator. The projection display device according to any one of the above.   The projection display device according to claim 1, wherein the dichroic film and the polarizing film are disposed on the same plane.   The projection display device according to claim 1, further comprising a field lens between the reflective spatial light modulator and the color separation / combination prism.   9. The projection type display according to claim 8, wherein the principal ray of the projection light transmitted through the field lens is formed in a converged state and an aperture stop position of the photographing lens is formed outside the color separation / synthesis prism. apparatus.   The reflective spatial light modulator includes a reflective spatial light modulator for one of the three primary colors and a reflective spatial light modulator that shares the remaining two of the three primary colors in a time-sharing manner. The projection display device according to claim 1, wherein the projection display device is a two-plate type.

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