JP2000180957A - Projector device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent contrast from being lowered due to double refraction and to project a high-luminance video by optically coupling the glass plate of a liquid crystal element and a prism through liquid substance. SOLUTION: The liquid crystal element 12 is constituted by enclosing liquid crystal 12c between an integrated circuit board (IC board) 12a and the glass plate 12b. The liquid substance 34 such as silicone oil is made to intervene between the polarizing prism 9 and the element 12, and the prism 9 and the element 12 are optically coupled without being adhesively fixed. It is desirable to use liquid substance whose refractive index is as near to that of the prism 9 or the plate 12b made of glass as possible or nearly the same as that of the prism 9 or the plate 12b as the liquid substance 34. Thus, stress is hardly applied to the element 12 and influence that the contrast is lowered due to the double refraction is not exerted. Then, dust does not adhere to the surface of the element 12, yield is enhanced and the productivity of the projector device is improved.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a projector device using a liquid crystal element.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Since there is an increasing demand for displaying images on a large screen, projector devices for projecting images on a screen have become widespread. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a general reflection type projector device using a reflection type liquid crystal element.

For example, white light emitted from a lamp 1 which is a xenon arc lamp is condensed by lenses 2 and 3 and is incident on a color separation mirror 4. Of the white light incident on the color separation mirror 4, the blue (B) light is
, And the yellow light is reflected by the color separation mirror 4 and enters the color separation mirror 5. Of the yellow light incident on the color separation mirror 5, red (R) light passes through the color separation mirror 4 and is incident on the polarizing prism 9. Of the yellow light incident on the color separation mirror 5, green (G) light is reflected by the color separation mirror 5 and is incident on the polarizing prism 10.

[0004] The B light transmitted through the color separation mirror 4 is incident on the color separation mirror 7 via the relay lens 6. This B
The light is reflected by the color separation mirror 7 and enters the polarizing prism 11 via the relay lens 8. Relay lens 6,8
Is for adjusting the optical path length of B light to the optical path length of R light and G light. Since the B light has already been separated at the time when it has passed through the color separation mirror 4, a normal reflection mirror may be used instead of the color separation mirror 7.

[0005] In the R light incident on the polarizing prism 9, only the S-wave component is reflected at the joint surface thereof, and is incident on the reflection type liquid crystal element 12. The S-wave component incident on the liquid crystal element 12 is reflected by the liquid crystal element 12 to become a P-wave component, passes through the joint surface of the polarizing prism 9, and is incident on the combining prism 22. Only the S-wave component of the G light incident on the polarizing prism 10 is reflected on the joint surface thereof, and is incident on the reflective liquid crystal element 13. The S-wave component incident on the liquid crystal element 13 is reflected on the liquid crystal element 13 to become a P-wave component, passes through the joint surface of the polarizing prism 10, and is incident on the combining prism 22.

[0006] In the B light incident on the polarizing prism 11, only the S-wave component is reflected at the joint surface thereof, and is incident on the reflection type liquid crystal element 14. The S-wave component incident on the liquid crystal element 14 is reflected by the liquid crystal element 14 to become a P-wave component,
The light is transmitted through the joining surface and is incident on the combining prism 22. As is well known, a voltage corresponding to an image is applied to the liquid crystal elements 12 to 14 to modulate the incident R, G, and B light, respectively.

[0007] R, G, B incident on the combining prism 22
The light is combined by the combining prism 22 and the projection lens 2
3 is projected on a screen (not shown). Thus, an image is displayed on the screen.

Next, the mounting structure of the polarizing prisms 9 to 11 and the liquid crystal elements 12 to 14 in the conventional projector will be described. FIG. 4 shows an enlarged portion of the polarizing prism 9 and the liquid crystal element 12. Figures 3 and 4
As shown in (1), the liquid crystal elements 12 to 14 are fixed to holding plates 15 to 17, respectively. These holding plates 15 to
17 are mounted on the brackets 18 to 20, respectively. That is, holes 15a to 17a are formed at four corners of the rectangular holding plates 15 to 17, respectively. The arms 18a to 20a of the brackets 18 to 20 are inserted into the holes 15a to 17a, and the periphery of the holes 15a to 17a and the arms 18a to 20a are fixed by, for example, solder 21.

The holding plates 15 to 17 holding the liquid crystal elements 12 to 14 are bonded and fixed to the polarizing prisms 9 to 11 after the focus position of the projection lens 23 and the relative position between the liquid crystal elements 12 to 14 are adjusted. Brackets 18-2
Fixed to 0. Although not shown here, a dustproof structure is provided between the polarizing prisms 9 to 11 and the liquid crystal elements 12 to 14 by, for example, a square-shaped elastic body so that dust does not adhere to the liquid crystal elements 12 to 14. I do. The brackets 18 to 20 holding the liquid crystal elements 12 to 14 in this way are bonded and fixed to the polarizing prisms 9 to 11, respectively.

[0010]

In the conventional projector described above, the liquid crystal elements 12 to 14 are bonded and fixed to the holding plates 15 to 17, so that the liquid crystal elements 12 to 14 are fixed.
Stress is applied to the liquid crystal elements 12 to 14 due to the hardening and condensation of the adhesive when bonding the liquid crystal elements 14 to the holding plates 15 to 17 and the difference in linear expansion coefficient between the liquid crystal elements 12 to 14 and the holding plates 15 to 17. Then, adverse effects such as a decrease in contrast due to birefringence may occur.

The polarizing prisms 9 to 11 and the liquid crystal element 1
Since there is a space between 2 and 14, dust may enter there. If dust adheres to the surfaces of the liquid crystal elements 12 to 14, it becomes defective, so that the yield is deteriorated and the productivity of the projector device is deteriorated. As a result, the cost of the projector device increases. Furthermore, since light is input and output on the surfaces of the polarizing prisms 9 to 11 and the liquid crystal elements 12 to 14, there is a problem that the luminance is reduced by several percent due to light loss due to surface reflection.

The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and can prevent a decrease in contrast due to birefringence of a liquid crystal element. It is an object of the present invention to provide a projector device capable of projecting an image.

[0013]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an integrated circuit board (12a) for solving the above-mentioned problems of the prior art.
A liquid crystal element (12c) in which liquid crystal (12c) is sealed between the liquid crystal element and a glass plate (12b) and modulates and outputs incident light;
And a prism on which light output from the liquid crystal element is incident, wherein the liquid material (34) is formed without fixing the glass plate and the prism of the liquid crystal element with an adhesive. And a projector device that is optically coupled to the projector device through the optical device.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a projector device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of the projector device of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial sectional view showing an embodiment of the projector device of the present invention. Note that in FIGS. 1 and 2, FIGS.
The same reference numerals are given to the same parts.

For example, white light emitted from a lamp 1 which is a xenon arc lamp is condensed by lenses 2 and 3 and is incident on a color separation mirror 4. Of the white light incident on the color separation mirror 4, the blue (B) light is
, And the yellow light is reflected by the color separation mirror 4 and enters the color separation mirror 5. Of the yellow light incident on the color separation mirror 5, red (R) light passes through the color separation mirror 4 and is incident on the polarizing prism 9. Of the yellow light incident on the color separation mirror 5, green (G) light is reflected by the color separation mirror 5 and is incident on the polarizing prism 10.

The B light transmitted through the color separation mirror 4 is incident on the color separation mirror 7 via the relay lens 6. This B
The light is reflected by the color separation mirror 7 and enters the polarizing prism 11 via the relay lens 8. Relay lens 6,8
Is for adjusting the optical path length of B light to the optical path length of R light and G light. Since the B light has already been separated at the time when it has passed through the color separation mirror 4, a normal reflection mirror may be used instead of the color separation mirror 7.

The R light incident on the polarizing prism 9 reflects only the S-wave component on the joint surface thereof, and is incident on the reflection type liquid crystal element 12. The S-wave component incident on the liquid crystal element 12 is reflected by the liquid crystal element 12 to become a P-wave component, passes through the joint surface of the polarizing prism 9, and is incident on the combining prism 22 via the spacer glass 41. G incident on the polarizing prism 10
In the light, only the S-wave component is reflected at the joint surface, and is incident on the reflective liquid crystal element 13. The S-wave component incident on the liquid crystal element 13 is reflected by the liquid crystal element 13 to become a P-wave component, passes through the joint surface of the polarizing prism 10, and is incident on the combining prism 22 via the spacer glass 42.

The B light incident on the polarizing prism 11 reflects only the S-wave component on the joint surface thereof, and is incident on the reflection type liquid crystal element 14. The S-wave component incident on the liquid crystal element 14 is reflected by the liquid crystal element 14 to become a P-wave component,
And enters the synthetic prism 22 via the spacer glass 43. As is well known, a voltage corresponding to an image is applied to the liquid crystal elements 12 to 14 to modulate the incident R, G, and B light, respectively.

R, G, B incident on the combining prism 22
The light is combined by the combining prism 22 and the projection lens 2
3 is projected on a screen (not shown). Thus, an image is displayed on the screen.

Next, the mounting structure of the polarizing prisms 9 to 11 and the liquid crystal elements 12 to 14 in the projector of the present invention will be described. FIG. 2 shows an enlarged portion of the polarizing prism 9 and the liquid crystal element 12. Since the mounting structures of the polarizing prisms 9 to 11 and the liquid crystal elements 12 to 14 are all common, the mounting structure of the polarizing prism 9 and the liquid crystal element 12 will be representatively described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the liquid crystal element 12 comprises a liquid crystal 12 between an integrated circuit board (hereinafter, IC board) 12a and a glass plate 12b called a counter glass.
c is enclosed. The end of the glass plate 12b and the IC substrate 12a are adhered by a seal portion 12d so that the liquid crystal 12c does not flow out.

A bracket 31 having an opening for allowing light from the liquid crystal element 12 to pass through the polarizing prism 9 is adhered and fixed to the polarizing prism 9. Bracket 31
A spring 32 as an example of an elastic body is hooked and held on the hook portion 31a. The spring 32 has a projection 32a protruding in the direction of the liquid crystal element 12.
The spring 32 is connected to the liquid crystal element 12 via the plate 33.
Is pressed. In a preferred embodiment, the projection 32a of the spring 32 presses a position facing the seal 12d. The liquid crystal element 12 and the plate 33 do not need to be bonded.

A liquid material 34 such as silicone oil is interposed between the polarizing prism 9 and the liquid crystal element 12, and the polarizing prism 9 and the liquid crystal element 12 are not bonded and fixed, but are optically coupled. Have been. The liquid substance 34 is
It is preferable to use a polarizing prism 9 made of glass or a glass plate having a refractive index that is almost the same as the refractive index of the glass plate 12b. Refractive index of polarizing prism 9 and glass plate 12b
Is different from the refractive index of either one of the glasses, or a refractive index between the refractive index of the polarizing prism 9 and the refractive index of the glass plate 12b.

As described above, the polarizing prisms 9 to 11 and the liquid crystal elements 12 to 14 are only optically coupled via the liquid material 34, and are not bonded and fixed using an adhesive. Is hardly applied to the liquid crystal elements 12 to 14 due to the hardening and condensation as in the case of using the liquid crystal elements and the difference in linear expansion coefficient between the liquid crystal elements 12 to 14 and the fixing portion for fixing the same. Therefore, adverse effects such as a decrease in contrast due to birefringence do not occur. Polarizing prism 9 ~
Since the liquid crystal elements 12 and 14 are not bonded and fixed, the liquid crystal elements 12 to 14 can be easily replaced.

The polarizing prisms 9 to 11 and the liquid crystal element 1
Since there is no space between 2 and 14, dust does not enter there. Therefore, dust does not adhere to the surfaces of the liquid crystal elements 12 to 14, the yield is improved, and the productivity of the projector device is improved. As a result, it is possible to reduce the cost of the projector device. Since the polarizing prisms 9 to 11 and the liquid crystal elements 12 to 14 are optically coupled, surface reflection hardly occurs on the surfaces of the polarizing prisms 9 to 11 and the liquid crystal elements 12 to 14. Therefore, it is possible to display a high-luminance video without lowering the luminance.

In this embodiment, the projections 3
Although 2a is provided, a projection may be provided on the plate 33. The plate 33 is made of aluminum having an excellent cooling effect, or the liquid crystal elements 12 to 1 are formed by a Peltier element.
4 may be configured to cool. In order to temporarily hold the plate 33 with respect to the liquid crystal elements 12 to 14, silicon grease for heat dissipation or the like is used, and the surface tension of the liquid crystal element 1
The plates 2 to 14 and the plate 33 may be adhered.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, but can be variously modified without departing from the gist of the present invention. In this embodiment, the reflection type projector is shown. However, in the case of a transmission type projector using a transmission type liquid crystal device, the liquid crystal element and the synthetic prism are not bonded and fixed using an adhesive, and the liquid material is used. May be optically coupled through the optical fiber. In this embodiment,
Although a so-called three-panel projector using three liquid crystal elements has been described, a so-called single-panel projector using one liquid crystal element may be used.

[0028]

As described above in detail, the projector device of the present invention comprises a liquid crystal element in which liquid crystal is sealed between an integrated circuit substrate and a glass plate, and which modulates and outputs incident light; A prism into which light output from the element is incident, and the glass plate of the liquid crystal element and the prism are optically coupled via a liquid material without being fixed by an adhesive, so that the contrast due to birefringence of the liquid crystal element is obtained. This makes it possible to prevent a decrease in image quality and to display a high-luminance image without dust adhering to the surface of the liquid crystal element.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing a conventional example.

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view showing a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Lamp (light source) 4,5,7 Color separation mirror 9-11 Polarizing prism 12-14 Reflective liquid crystal element 12a Integrated circuit board 12b Glass plate 12c Liquid crystal 12d Seal part 22 Synthetic prism 23 Projection lens 31 Bracket 31a Hook part 32 Spring (Elastic body) 32a Projection part 33 Plate 34 Liquid substance

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission Date] February 1, 1999 (1999.2.1)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0017

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

The R light incident on the polarizing prism 9 reflects only the S-wave component on the joint surface thereof, and is incident on the reflection type liquid crystal element 12. S-wave component which is incident on the liquid crystal element 12 becomes a P-wave component reflected by the liquid crystal element 12, passes through the joint surface of the polarizing prism 9, is incident on the synthesis prism 22. Only the S-wave component of the G light incident on the polarizing prism 10 is reflected on the joint surface thereof, and is incident on the reflective liquid crystal element 13. The S-wave component incident on the liquid crystal element 13 is reflected by the liquid crystal element 13 to become a P-wave component, which transmits through the joint surface of the polarizing prism 10 , and
It enters the synthesis prism 22.

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0018

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

The B light incident on the polarizing prism 11 reflects only the S-wave component on the joint surface thereof, and is incident on the reflection type liquid crystal element 14. The S-wave component incident on the liquid crystal element 14 is reflected by the liquid crystal element 14 to become a P-wave component,
It passes through the joint surface of, and is incident on synthesis prism 22. As is well known, a voltage corresponding to an image is applied to the liquid crystal elements 12 to 14 to modulate the incident R, G, and B light, respectively.

Claims (1)

[Claims] A liquid crystal is sealed between an integrated circuit substrate and a glass plate, and includes a liquid crystal element for modulating and outputting incident light, and a prism for receiving light output from the liquid crystal element. The projector device, wherein the glass plate of the liquid crystal element and the prism are optically coupled via a liquid material without being fixed by an adhesive.