JP2010008948A - Scanning type optical projector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a scanning type optical projector which displays an image by simple configuration having the reduced number of components and is miniaturized. <P>SOLUTION: The scanning type optical projector includes: a holding means 18 which supports an optical fiber 16 in such a manner that the distal end part of the optical fiber from which light is emitted swings; a light source 20 connected to the optical fiber 16; a magnetic force generation means 14 which applies magnetic force on the distal end part of the optical fiber 16 to swingably drive the optical fiber 16, wherein a magnetic body is provided at the distal end part of the optical fiber 16 to move the optical fiber 16 by the action of the magnetic force given by the magnetic force generation means 14, and a control part 25 is provided to moves while scanning the optical fiber 16 by controlling the magnetic force generation means 14 and displays an image by controlling the emission of light from the light source 20. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a scanning light projection apparatus using an optical fiber.

A liquid crystal projector device is widely used as an image display device. In the image display method by the liquid crystal projector device, the light emitted from the light source is demultiplexed into RGB light by a half mirror, the demultiplexed light is synthesized by a cross prism and projected as an image, the RGB light is reflected by a MEMS mirror, There is a method of displaying an image by scanning RGB light on a screen. In addition, as an image display method, there is an apparatus that displays characters and figures by causing a light emitting unit to blink at a predetermined timing while rotating a rotating light emitter including a plurality of light emitting units (see Patent Document 2).
JP 2006-72251 A JP 2000-276083 A

  In recent years, liquid crystal projector devices have been miniaturized, and portable liquid crystal projector devices are also being studied. In order to reduce the size of the image projection apparatus, a method using a MEMS mirror is more advantageous than a method using a half mirror or a cross prism. However, in the method using the MEMS mirror, it is necessary to accurately control the position of the mirror. In the method of scanning light using a large number of MEMS mirrors, the number of parts increases, and the position of each mirror is adjusted. There is a problem that is difficult.

  The present invention has been made to solve these problems, and can display an image with a simpler structure without using a cross prism or a MEMS mirror, and can be downsized. An object is to provide an optical projection device.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention comprises the following arrangement.
That is, the tip part from which the light is emitted can be swung, a holding means for supporting the optical fiber, a light source connected to the optical fiber, and a magnetic force act on the tip part of the optical fiber to swing the optical fiber. A magnetic material that moves the optical fiber under the action of the magnetic force generated by the magnetic force generating means, and controls the magnetic force generating means to scan and move the optical fiber. And a control unit that controls the emission of light from the light source to display an image.
In addition, the front-end | tip part of an optical fiber means the fixed range of the front-end | tip of an optical fiber. The magnetic body is provided in a part on the tip side of the optical fiber.

  Further, the optical fiber can be used as a form in which a core wire is exposed at a tip portion, and a magnetic metal layer is formed on the outer surface of the core wire as the magnetic body. Moreover, the said magnetic body can also be made into the form by which the magnetic body metal holder was attached to the outer surface of the coating | coated part of an optical fiber.

Further, the magnetic force generating means is formed by arranging one magnet on each of two sides sandwiching one corner portion of a square and provided with a magnetic force control unit for controlling the magnetic force of the magnet. be able to.
Further, the optical fiber has an emission surface located at a corner portion that is diagonally opposite to a square corner portion sandwiched by the magnet in a state where the magnetic force generated by the magnetic force generation means is not acting on the optical fiber. It is held by the holding means.

Further, the magnetic force generating means is formed by arranging a plurality of magnets on the circular support ring at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, and provided with a magnetic force control unit for controlling the magnetic force of the magnets. And
The optical fiber is held by the holding means so that the exit surface is positioned at the center position of the support ring in a state where the magnetic force generated by the magnetic force generating means is not acting on the optical fiber. .

  The scanning light projection apparatus according to the present invention provides a magnetic material at the tip of an optical fiber, drives the optical fiber to swing by causing the magnetic force generated by the magnetic force generating means to act on the optical fiber, and scans the projection light from the optical fiber to scan the image. Is displayed. Therefore, the structure of the mechanism for displaying an image is simplified, and the size of the projection apparatus can be reduced by reducing the number of parts.

Embodiments of a scanning light projector according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of a first embodiment of a scanning light projection apparatus. The scanning light projector according to the present embodiment displays an image using light emitted from an optical fiber. The scanning light projector shown in FIG. 1 includes a projection lens 12 attached to the front end of a holder 10 formed in a cylindrical shape, a magnetic force generating means 14 disposed behind the projection lens 12, and a magnetic force generating means 14. And an optical fiber 16 disposed rearward.

  The optical fiber 16 is formed as an optical fiber having a collimating function, the core wire 16a is exposed at the tip side, and the covering portion 16b is supported by a holding stage 18 as a holding means. The holding stage 18 supports the optical fiber 16 so that the core wire 16a extends toward the magnetic force generating means 14, and supports the base portion of the covering portion 16b so that the distal end side of the optical fiber 16 can be swung. In order to support the optical fiber 16 on the holding stage 18, an adhesive is provided such that a V-groove is provided in the holding stage 18 according to the arrangement position of the optical fiber 16, the optical fiber 16 is arranged along the V-groove, and the lid is covered from above. Thus, the optical fiber 16 may be fixedly supported.

A light source 20 is connected to the optical fiber 16, and light is projected from the tip of the optical fiber 16 by causing light to enter the core 16 a of the optical fiber 16 from the light source 20.
The projection lens 12 functions to enlarge and project the light projected from the optical fiber 16, and a wide-angle lens or the like is used. In a state where the optical fiber 16 is set in the holder 10, the tip position of the core wire 16 a of the optical fiber 16 is set so as to be positioned at the focal position (distance F) of the projection lens 12.

  In the optical projection apparatus according to the present invention, a magnetic force is applied to the optical fiber 16, and the optical fiber 16 (tip side portion) is driven to swing using a magnetic attraction force. For this reason, an optical fiber 16 is used in which a magnetic metal layer is deposited on the outer surface of the core wire 16a as a magnetic material that receives a magnetic action.

FIG. 2 shows a method of forming a magnetic metal layer on the outer surface of the core wire 16a.
FIG. 2A shows a state in which the core wire 16a extends from the covering portion 16b. The end surface (light emitting surface 16c) of the optical fiber 16 is formed on a surface that is slightly inclined with respect to the surface direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the core wire 16a.
FIG. 2B shows a state where the tip of the core wire 16a is covered with a mask 19 made of resist or the like so that the magnetic metal layer does not adhere to the tip of the core wire 16a.

Next, the magnetic metal layer 17 is formed on the surface of the core wire 16a by sputtering or plating (FIG. 2C: sectional view). The magnetic metal layer 17 is provided so as to adhere to the entire outer surface of the core wire 16a. For the magnetic metal layer 17, a magnetic material made of nickel, iron, cobalt, or an alloy thereof is used.
The optical fiber 16 used in the present embodiment has a core wire 16a diameter of 0.125 mm and a covering portion 16b diameter of 0.25 mm. The thickness of the magnetic metal layer 17 is about 0.01 mm.

  FIG. 2D shows the optical fiber 16 with the mask 19 removed and the magnetic metal layer 17 deposited on the outer surface of the core wire 16a. The magnetic metal layer 17 is not attached to the tip surface of the core wire 16a. By masking the tip of the core wire 16a and forming the magnetic metal layer 17, the light emission and collimating functions of the optical fiber 16 are not hindered.

FIG. 3 shows a method of forming a magnetic metal layer on the outer surface of a core wire for an optical fiber that does not have a collimating function.
Fig.3 (a) shows the optical fiber 16 provided with the core wire 16a and the coating | coated part 16b. FIG. 3B shows a state where the magnetic metal layer 17 is formed on the outer surface of the core wire 16a (cross-sectional view). FIG. 3C shows a state in which the end surface of the core wire 16a on which the magnetic metal layer 17 is deposited on the outer surface is polished and the end surface of the core wire 16a is finished to be an inclined surface.

When it is necessary to adjust the length of the exposed portion of the core wire 16a, the outer surface of the core wire 16a is covered with the magnetic metal layer 17, and then the core wire 16a is cut to a predetermined length, and then the end surface of the core wire 16a The end surface of the core wire 16a may be processed into an inclined surface.
In this way, the optical fiber 16 in which the exit surface of the core wire 16a is exposed and the magnetic metal layer 17 is formed on the outer surface of the core wire 16a is obtained.

  In FIG. 1, the magnetic force generating means 14 is provided for causing the optical fiber 16 to swing by driving a magnetic force to the optical fiber 16. In this embodiment, magnets are arranged one by one in two orthogonal directions (horizontal position and vertical position) as the magnetic force generation means 14. The magnet is connected to the magnetic force control unit 15, and the magnetic force generated from the magnet is controlled by controlling the current supplied to the magnet coil. The position of the tip of the core wire 16a of the optical fiber 16 is set so as to overlap with the position where the magnet is disposed, so that the magnetic force by the magnet acts on the optical fiber 16 effectively.

Next, the operation of swinging and driving the optical fiber in the scanning light projector of the present embodiment will be described.
FIG. 4 shows a state in which the arrangement of the optical fiber 16 and the magnetic force generation means 14 is viewed from the end face side (the side where the projection lens 12 is arranged) of the optical fiber 16 in FIG. In the present embodiment, the magnetic force generation means 14 has magnets 14a and 14b arranged one by one in the horizontal position and the vertical position when viewed from the front. The magnets 14a and 14b are arranged on two sides sandwiching the corner portion of the square area (L-shaped arrangement).

  FIG. 4A shows the position of the optical fiber 16 in a state where the optical fiber 16 is at the reference position, that is, in a state where no magnetic field is applied to the optical fiber 16 from the magnets 14a and 14b (black circles). In this reference state, the optical fiber 16 (end face position) is located at a corner portion of the square region having the two sides of the positions where the magnets 14a and 14b are arranged and at a diagonal position with respect to the corner portion formed by the magnets 14a and 14b. To position. This reference position is a restoring position where the optical fiber 16 returns when the magnetic force applied to the optical fiber 16 from the magnets 14a and 14b is turned off.

FIG. 4B shows a state where the magnetic force of the horizontally placed magnet 14a is 100% and the magnetic force of the vertically placed magnet 14b is 0%. In this case, the optical fiber 16 is not attracted in the lateral direction (x direction), but is attracted only in the longitudinal direction (y direction), and moves to the position b closest to the horizontally placed magnet 14a. That is, the optical fiber 16 moves on the right side of the square area defined by the magnets 14a and 14b, and moves to a position closest to the horizontally placed magnet 14a.
FIG. 4C shows a case where the magnetic force of the horizontally placed magnet 14a is 0% and the magnetic force of the vertically placed magnet 14b is 100%. In this case, the optical fiber 16 moves to the position c closest to the vertically placed magnet 14b by moving on the lower side of the square area.

FIG. 4D shows a case where the magnetic forces of the horizontally placed magnet 14a and the vertically placed magnet 14b are both 100%. In this case, the optical fiber 16 moves to a position d closest to the upper left corner of the square area.
FIG. 4E shows a case in which the magnetic forces of the horizontally placed magnet 14a and the vertically placed magnet 14b are both 50%. In this case, the optical fiber 16 moves to the center position e of the square area.
FIG. 4F shows a case where the magnetic force of the horizontally placed magnet 14a is 70% and the magnetic force of the vertically placed magnet 14b is 80%. In this case, the optical fiber 16 moves from the reference position a to a position of 80% in the horizontal direction and 70% in the vertical direction.

  The action of the magnets 14a and 14b shown in FIG. 4 is to define the position of the tip of the optical fiber 16 by the magnets 14a and 14b by controlling the magnetic force by the magnets 14a and 14b, for example, by controlling the current applied to the coil. It can be moved to an arbitrary position in the square area. That is, the optical fiber 16 is formed by depositing the magnetic metal layer 17 on the outer surface of the core wire 16a and receiving the magnetic force of the magnets 14a and 14b. ) Can be moved to any position within the swing region of the optical fiber 16.

  FIG. 5A shows an example in which the position of the end face of the optical fiber 16 is scanned by controlling the magnetic force applied to the optical fiber 16 by the magnets 14a and 14b in the oscillation region of the optical fiber 16 in the square region. By moving the optical fiber 16 from the left position to the right position for each stage, the end surface of the optical fiber 16 can be scanned so as to cover the entire swing region.

  FIG. 6 shows a state in which the optical fiber 16 is driven to swing by controlling the magnetic force generation means 14 by the magnetic force control unit 15 in the scanning light projection apparatus shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, the optical fiber 16 is driven to swing so as to bend the distal end side of the optical fiber 16 by controlling the magnetic force generated by the horizontally placed magnet 14a and the vertically placed magnet 14b. It is also effective to provide a position restricting portion for restricting the swinging position so that the optical fiber 16 does not come into contact with the magnetic force generating means 14 when the optical fiber 16 is swung so as to bend.

  The control unit 25 controls the magnetic force control unit 15 to drive the optical fiber 16 to be scanned by the magnetic force generation unit 14, and the timing of the light incident on the optical fiber 16 from the light source 20 is the scanning timing of the optical fiber 16. By controlling them together, it is controlled to display images such as characters and figures on the screen. Since the light emitted from the optical fiber 16 reaches the screen as spot light via the projection lens 12, an image is displayed using the spot light as a pixel. FIG. 5B shows an example in which characters are displayed with a spot by the optical fiber 16 as one pixel.

By controlling the magnetic force applied to the optical fiber 16 from the magnets 14a and 14b by the magnetic force control unit 15 at high speed, the emitted light from the optical fiber 16 scans on the screen at high speed, and an image is displayed on the screen.
If the incident light incident on the optical fiber 16 from the light source 20 is monochromatic, a monochromatic image is displayed on the screen, and a color image can be displayed on the screen by making color light incident. As a method for making color light incident on the optical fiber 16, RGB light may be combined using a fiber coupler or waveguide coupler, and the combined light may be incident on the optical fiber 16.

  Further, the optical fiber 16 may be a RGB three-core optical fiber instead of a single core, and an RGB light source may be connected to each optical fiber for color display. In this case, RGB light may be connected to each optical fiber and the light source of each RGB light may be controlled separately.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 7 shows the configuration of the second embodiment of the scanning light projector. The scanning light projection apparatus according to the present embodiment includes an optical fiber 16, a fiber holder 18 a that horizontally supports the optical fiber 16 in a reference state, a light source 20 a connected to the optical fiber 16, and a magnetic force acting on the optical fiber 16. And magnetic force generating means 30 for swinging and driving.

  In order to drive the optical fiber 16 by swinging it by applying a magnetic force to the optical fiber 16, a magnetic metal holder 17a formed in a cylindrical shape is bonded and fixed to the tip of the optical fiber 16 as a magnetic material. In the present embodiment, a magnetic metal holder 17a is attached so as to cover the covering portion 16b of the optical fiber 16. Instead of using the magnetic metal holder 17a, the core wire 16a may be extended from the covering portion 16b, and the magnetic metal layer may be attached to the outer surface of the core wire 16a.

In the present embodiment, the magnetic force generating means 30 for applying a magnetic force to the optical fiber 16 is configured such that eight magnets 31 a to 31 h are arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction along the circular support ring 32. The optical fiber 16 is arranged so that the tip of the optical fiber 16 is positioned at the center position of the optical fiber 16 in the reference state.
The magnetic force of each of the magnets 31a to 31h is controlled by the magnetic force control unit 15a by controlling energization of the coils of the magnets 31a to 31h.

FIG. 8 shows an example in which the optical fiber 16 is driven (moved) by the magnetic force generating means 30 in the present embodiment.
FIG. 8E shows a state in which no magnetic force is generated from any of the magnets 31a to 31h provided in the magnetic force generating means 30, that is, a reference state in which no magnetic force acts on the optical fiber 16, and in this state the optical fiber 16 is located at the center of the support ring 32.
FIG. 8A shows a state in which a magnetic force is applied to the optical fiber 16 only from the magnet 31h, and the optical fiber 16 has moved to the vicinity of the magnet 31h.

  FIG. 8B shows a state in which a magnetic force is applied from the magnet 31a. At this time, the optical fiber 16 is attracted by the magnet 31a and moves to the vicinity of the magnet 31a. 8C shows a magnet 31b, FIG. 8D shows a magnet 31g, FIG. 8F shows a magnet 31c, FIG. 8G shows a magnet 31f, FIG. 8H shows a magnet 31e, and FIG. ) Is a case where a magnetic force is applied from the magnet 31d, and the optical fiber 16 is moved by the magnetic force of each magnet.

  As shown in FIG. 8, also in this embodiment, the tip of the optical fiber 16 can be driven to swing by controlling the magnetic force of the magnets 31 a to 31 h provided in the magnetic force generation means 30 by the magnetic force control unit 15 a. The light emitted from the optical fiber 16 can be periodically scanned in the screen plane.

FIG. 9 shows a state in which the optical fiber 16 is driven to swing in the present embodiment. The magnetic force of the magnet provided in the magnetic force generating means 30 is controlled by the magnetic force control unit 15a, the force (attraction force) acting on the magnetic metal holder 17a provided at the tip of the optical fiber 16 is controlled, and the optical fiber 16 is driven to swing. Is done.
The control unit 25 a controls the magnetic force control unit 15 a to scan the tip of the optical fiber 16, and controls the light incident on the optical fiber 16 from the light source 20 a in accordance with the scanning timing of the optical fiber 16, thereby passing through the projection lens 12. To display an image on the screen.

In the above embodiment, the magnetic force generating means 30 is formed by arranging magnets on the circular support ring 32. However, the magnetic force generating means is formed by arranging magnets on a support body formed in the shape of a square frame. In the reference state, the exit surface of the optical fiber may be positioned at the center of the magnetic force generating means. In the first embodiment, other magnets may be arranged in an L shape so as to face the L-shaped magnets 14a and 14b, and the magnetic force generating means may be arranged in a square side as a whole.
Further, when positioning the emission position of the optical fiber, by arranging a plurality of magnetic force generation means, for example, in the axial direction of the optical fiber without using one magnetic force generation means, by utilizing the action of the multiple magnetic force generation means, It is possible to stabilize the oscillation drive of the optical fiber.

The scanning light projection apparatus according to the present invention has a structure in which projection light from an optical fiber is scanned on a screen by a method of swinging and driving an optical fiber using magnetic force, so that an image is displayed. The number of parts can be reduced as compared with the case of displaying, and the optical fiber actually used is a minute part, and the apparatus can be easily downsized. Further, in the apparatus of the present invention, since the optical fiber is only driven to swing during operation, vibration and noise during operation can be suppressed.
Further, when it is not necessary to enlarge the image to be projected, it is possible to display the image sufficiently by the light projection apparatus using the optical fiber according to the present invention.

It is explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure of 1st Embodiment of a scanning light projector. It is explanatory drawing which shows the method of depositing and forming a magnetic body metal layer on the outer surface of a core wire. It is explanatory drawing which shows the other method of depositing and forming a magnetic body metal layer on the outer surface of a core wire. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state which an optical fiber moves in 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the scanning method (a) by an optical fiber, and the example (b) displayed by an optical fiber. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state by which the optical fiber is rock-driven in 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure of 2nd Embodiment of a scanning light projector. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state which an optical fiber moves in 2nd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state by which the optical fiber is rock-driven in 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Holder 12 Projection lens 14 Magnetic force generation means 14a, 14b Magnet 15, 15a Magnetic force control part 16 Optical fiber 16a Core wire 16b Cover part 16c Light emission surface 17 Magnetic metal layer 17a Magnetic metal holder 18 Holding stage 18a Fiber holder 20, 20a Light source 25, 25a Control part 30 Magnetic force generation means 31a-31h Magnet 32 Support ring

Claims (8)

A holding means for supporting an optical fiber, the tip portion from which light is emitted can be swung;
A light source connected to the optical fiber;
A magnetic force generating means for causing a magnetic force to act on the tip of the optical fiber and driving the optical fiber to swing,
The tip of the optical fiber is provided with a magnetic body that moves the optical fiber under the action of magnetic force by the magnetic force generating means,
A scanning light projection apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls the magnetic force generating means to scan and move the optical fiber and controls the emission of light from the light source to display an image. The optical fiber is provided with a core wire exposed at the tip,
2. The scanning light projector according to claim 1, wherein a magnetic metal layer is deposited on the outer surface of the core wire as the magnetic body.   2. The scanning light projection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic body is formed by attaching a magnetic metal holder to an outer surface of a covering portion of an optical fiber. The magnetic force generating means is formed by disposing one magnet on each of two sides sandwiching one corner of a square,
The scanning light projector according to claim 1, further comprising a magnetic force control unit that controls the magnetic force of the magnet. In the state where the magnetic force by the magnetic force generating means is not acting on the optical fiber,
5. The scanning light projection apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the holding means holds the exit surface so that the exit surface is located at a corner portion diagonal to the square corner portion sandwiched between the magnets. . The magnetic force generating means is formed by arranging a plurality of magnets on a circular support ring at equal intervals in the circumferential direction,
The scanning light projector according to claim 1, further comprising a magnetic force control unit that controls the magnetic force of the magnet. In the state where the magnetic force by the magnetic force generating means is not acting on the optical fiber,
The scanning light projection apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the light projection apparatus is held by the holding means so that an emission surface is positioned at a center position of the support ring. The optical fiber is formed as a single-core optical fiber,
The scanning light projection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit performs control so that combined light of RGB light is incident on the optical fiber from the light source.

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