JP2003084367A - Projector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the lens cap of a projector from being broken or lost or to prevent a misoperation of the projector in a state where the lens cap is still attached. SOLUTION: This projector (1) is provided with a 1st housing (2) having a projection lens (10) and a 2nd housing (4) whose one side is turnably coupled with one side of the 1st housing and it is characterized in that, by turning the 2nd housing with reference to the 1st housing, the projection lens attaching surface (2b) of the 1st housing, to which the projection lens is attached, is covered with the front surface (4b) of the 2nd housing when the projector is housed, and, the projection lens is exposed when the projector is used.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a projector, and more particularly, to damage or loss of a lens cap, or
The present invention relates to a projector capable of preventing an erroneous operation of operating a projector with a lens cap attached.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a projector, the projection lens becomes dirty,
A lens cap is generally included to prevent damage. However, since this lens cap is smaller than the projector body and is generally made of thin plastic, it is often lost or damaged. In order to prevent this, a device has been devised in which the lens cap is tied to the projection lens with a string-shaped one.
Further, the video projector described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-207405 prevents the lens cap from being lost by accommodating the projection lens in the projector housing and attaching an openable lens cover (lens cap) to the housing. ing. Further, in JP-A-11-014958, the handle attached to the projector is also used as the lens cover, so that when the handle is moved to hold the handle and transfer the projector, the projection lens is moved by the handle. A lens protection device for a liquid crystal projector that is automatically covered is described.

If the projector is accidentally operated with the lens cap still attached and an image is projected, the lens cap may be melted by heat, or the projector body may be damaged. In order to prevent this, JP-A-2000-112029 discloses that a sensor for detecting whether or not a lens cap is attached is provided in the projector body, and when the lens cap is attached, a light source of the projector is provided. There is described a liquid crystal projector configured so as not to turn on a lighting lamp.

[0004]

As described above, when the lens cap is tied to the lens with a string-shaped one,
Although the problem of losing the lens cap is solved, it cannot be prevented that it is broken or melted by an erroneous operation. Further, in the projectors described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 5-207405 and 11-014958, the portion acting as the lens cap is easily damaged, and an image is erroneously projected with the lens cap. That problem is not solved. On the other hand, the liquid crystal projector described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-112029 cannot solve the problem of loss or damage of the lens cap.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to prevent damage or loss of the lens cap of the projector, or to prevent erroneous operation of the projector with the lens cap still attached.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention is a projector, wherein a first housing having a projection lens and one side are provided on one side of the first housing. A second housing rotatably connected to the second housing,
By rotating the housing with respect to the first housing, the first lens to which the projection lens is attached in the projector accommodated state.
The projection lens mounting surface of the housing is covered by the front surface of the second housing, and the projection lens is exposed when the projector is in use.

In this structure, the projector has a first housing and a second housing, and one side of the second housing is one side of the first housing.
It is rotatably connected to the side. In the housed state of the projector, the projection lens mounting surface of the first housing to which the projection lens is mounted is covered with one surface of the second housing, so that the second housing functions as a lens cap,
Protect the projection lens. Then, by rotating the first casing with respect to the second casing, the projector is changed from the housed state to the used state. In the use state, the projection lens mounting surface of the first housing is no longer covered by the second housing,
That is, the lens cap is removed. This exposes the projection lens and enables image projection.
According to this configuration, the second housing acts as a lens cap of the projector, and it is possible to prevent the damage or loss thereof.

Further, in the projector of the present invention, when the projection lens is projected from the projection lens mounting surface of the first housing, the projection lens is provided on the front surface of the second housing facing the projection lens mounting surface when the projector is housed. It is preferable that the housing recess is provided so that the projection lens is received in the projection lens housing recess when the projector is housed. According to this configuration, the present invention can be applied to a projector of a type in which the projection lens projects from the first housing.

Further, preferably, in the projector of the present invention, a power cable or a power cable is connected to the projection lens mounting surface of the first housing or the front surface of the second housing facing the projection lens mounting surface. It is preferable to install the connector so that the power cable can be connected to the outlet only when the projector is in use.
In this configuration, the power cable or the connector for connecting the power cable is the projection lens mounting surface of the first housing, or
Since the second housing is attached to the surface facing the projection lens mounting surface in the housed state, the power cable cannot be connected to the outlet in the housed state. As a result, it is possible to prevent an erroneous operation of erroneously projecting an image in the stored state corresponding to the state where the lens cap is attached.

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1 is a perspective view showing a housed state of a projector 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a usage state of the projector 1.

A projector 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention
Is a first housing 2 having an illumination optical system (not shown), a projection lens 10, a power source (not shown), and a second housing containing an electronic circuit (not shown) such as an image processing circuit. 4 and the first and second housings are rotatably connected by a hinge component 6. This hinge part 6 is
From the stored state shown in FIG. 1 in which the front surface 2b, which is the lens mounting surface of the first housing, and the front surface 4b of the second housing face each other, the projector 1 is moved from the upper surface 2a of the first housing to the upper surface 4a of the second housing. Are arranged so that they can face each other and the first housing is supported on the second housing so that the first housing can be transformed into the usage state shown in FIG. A plurality of operation switches 8 are provided on the outer side surface of the first housing.

Further, a power cable connecting connector 11 is provided on the front surface 2b of the first housing 2, and when a projector is used, a power cable (not shown) is connected to the connector 11 to obtain a required power. Receive supply. As a modification, the power cable connecting connector 11 may be provided on the front surface 4 b of the second housing 4. Alternatively, the power cable (not shown) may be connected to the front surface 2b of the first housing 2 or the front surface 4 of the second housing 4 without providing the connector 11.
It may be directly output from b. In this case, the front surface 2b or 4b is preferably provided with a recess for accommodating a power cable (not shown). Alternatively, the projector 1 may be configured such that a power cable (not shown) is wound in the first housing 2 or the second housing 4. Further, ventilation holes 12a and 12b for cooling the projection lens 10 and the illumination optical system are provided on the front surface 2b of the first housing. Further, the projection lens housing recess 13 is provided at a position corresponding to the projection lens 10 on the front surface 4 b of the second housing 4.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the inside of the first and second casings. As shown in the figure, the first housing 2 includes an illumination optical system 14, an illumination optical system power source 16, a projection lens 10,
And a connector 11 for connecting a power cable. In addition, the second housing 4 has an electronic circuit board 56 on which an image processing circuit and the like are mounted, and a DC power supply 58 for operating the circuit of the electronic circuit board 56, and the projection lens in the housed state of the projector 1 A projection lens housing recess 13 for housing 10 is provided. The illumination optical system 14 includes a light source 18, a light pipe 20, a first condenser lens 22, a second condenser lens 23, a first dichroic mirror 24, a second dichroic mirror 26, and a mirror 28 which form a color separation optical system. , 30, 32, transmission type liquid crystal plates 34, 36, 38 which are modulation optical systems, and a dichroic prism 40 which is a synthesis optical system. Each of these optical elements includes the first to sixth light tunnels 4
2, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, respectively. Preferably, these light tunnels have a sectional shape corresponding to the shape of the light to be emitted from the projection lens 10. That is, in the case of emitting light having a cross-sectional shape with an aspect ratio of 4: 3, it is preferable that the cross-sectional shape of the light tunnel be a substantially rectangular shape and the aspect ratio of the rectangle be 4: 3.

The first light tunnel 42 is constructed so as to communicate with the light pipe 20, receives the light beam emitted from the light source 18 and passing through the light pipe 20. At the entrance of the first light tunnel 42, the condenser lens 22
Is installed. The second light tunnel 44 communicates with the first light tunnel 42, and extends at a right angle to the first light tunnel 42 from the side of the tip of the first light tunnel 42 beyond the condenser lens 22. The first dichroic mirror 24 has a first light tunnel 42 at a branch point between the first light tunnel 42 and the second light tunnel 42.
It is mounted at an angle of 45 ° with respect to. The dichroic mirror 24 is configured to reflect red light, direct it to the second light tunnel 44, and transmit light of other colors.

The third light tunnel 46 communicates with the first light tunnel 42, and is perpendicular to the first light tunnel 42 from the tip side of the second light tunnel 44.
It extends parallel to the second light tunnel 44. The second dichroic mirror 26 is attached at a branch point between the first light tunnel 42 and the third light tunnel 46 at an angle of 45 ° with respect to the first light tunnel 42. The second dichroic mirror 26 is configured to reflect green light, direct the green light to the third light tunnel 46, and transmit light of another color (blue light).

The fourth light tunnel 48 communicates with the first light tunnel 42, and extends from the tip of the first light tunnel 42 at a right angle to the first light tunnel 42 and parallel to the third light tunnel 46. . Mirror 28
It is attached to the tip of the first light tunnel 42 at an angle of 45 ° with respect to the first light tunnel 42.
The mirror 28 is configured to direct incident light to the fourth light tunnel 48.

The fifth light tunnel 50 communicates with the second light tunnel 44 and extends from the tip of the second light tunnel 44 toward the tip of the third light tunnel 46 in parallel with the first light tunnel 42. The mirror 30 is attached to the tip of the second light tunnel 44 and the second light tunnel 4
It is attached at an angle of 45 ° with respect to 4, and guides the red light reflected by the dichroic mirror 24 toward the fifth light tunnel 50.

Similarly, the sixth light tunnel 52 is
Communicating with the light tunnel 48, the fourth light tunnel 48
From the tip of the first light tunnel 42 toward the tip of the third light tunnel 46. Mirror 3
2 is attached to the tip of the fourth light tunnel 48 at an angle of 45 ° with respect to the fourth light tunnel 48,
The blue light reflected by the mirror 28 is guided toward the sixth light tunnel 52.

The liquid crystal plate 34 for modulating the red light is the fifth
A liquid crystal plate 36 for modulating green light is provided at the tip of the light tunnel 50, and a liquid crystal plate 38 for modulating blue light is provided at the tip of the third light tunnel 46 and a sixth light tunnel 52.
It is attached to the tip of each. A substantially cubic dichroic prism 40 is attached at the confluence of the third, fifth, and sixth light tunnels, and the dichroic prism 40 has a reflecting surface provided in the direction of the diagonal line thereof for reflecting only red light. 40r and a reflecting surface 4 provided in a direction orthogonal to the reflecting surface 40r and reflecting only blue light.
0b are provided. As a result, the dichroic prism 40 enters the fifth light tunnel 50 and receives the red light that is modulated by the liquid crystal plate 34, the third light tunnel 46 that receives the green light that is modulated by the liquid crystal plate 36, and the sixth light. It is configured to combine the incident blue light that is incident from the light tunnel 52 and is modulated by the liquid crystal plate 38, respectively. The light combined by the dichroic prism 40 is configured to be projected from the projection lens 10.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view showing the attachment of the first dichroic mirror 24 to the first light tunnel 42. In this embodiment, each light pipe is provided with a groove 54 which is a component holding portion formed with a predetermined dimensional accuracy. As shown in FIG. 4, each dichroic mirror or mirror is fitted into the groove 54 to be fixed to each light pipe.

FIG. 5 shows the light tunnels 46, 50 and 5 respectively.
2 is a cut perspective view showing how the liquid crystal plates 34, 36, 38 and the dichroic prism 40 are attached. As shown in FIG. 5, a holding component 60 receives and holds the dichroic prism 40 therein. The liquid crystal plate 34 is the fifth
It is sandwiched between the light tunnel 50 and the holding component 60. Similarly, the liquid crystal plate 36 is sandwiched between the third light tunnel 46 and the holding component 60, and the liquid crystal plate 38 is sandwiched between the sixth light tunnel 52 and the holding component 60.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the holding component 60. The holding component 60 has a substantially hexahedral frame structure, and has a prism receiving hole 62 for receiving the dichroic prism 40 inside and three liquid crystal plate holding recesses 64 for holding the liquid crystal plates respectively. There is. The prism receiving hole 62 is formed with a predetermined dimensional accuracy so that the dichroic prism 40 can be received and held without backlash. The liquid crystal plate holding recesses 64 are formed on three of the four side surfaces of the holding component 60, respectively. Each liquid crystal plate holding recess 64 has a liquid crystal plate contact surface 66,
And an outer peripheral surface 68. The liquid crystal plate received in the liquid crystal plate holding recess 64 has a liquid crystal plate contact surface 66 at the outer edge of the plate surface.
And the side surface of the liquid crystal plate is held in contact with the outer peripheral surface 68. The liquid crystal plate abutting surface 66 is formed with a required dimensional accuracy so that the liquid crystal plate can be held parallel to the incident surface of the dichroic prism 40 with a predetermined distance therebetween. .

The dichroic prism 40 holds the holding component 6
0, and each liquid crystal plate is pressed against the liquid crystal plate contact surface 66 in the liquid crystal holding concave portion 64 by each light tunnel, so that each liquid crystal plate is moved to the dichroic prism 40 by a predetermined distance. Positioned with precision.

FIG. 7 is a side sectional view of the first housing 2. As shown in FIG. 7, the light source 18 includes a lamp 70, a lamp reflector 72 that reflects the light of the lamp and directs the light to the first light tunnel, and an explosion-proof cover that covers the opening of the lamp reflector 72. And glass 74.

Axial fan 7 for cooling the illumination optical system
6 is provided on the back surface of the lamp reflector 72. The air introduced into the housing 2 by the axial fan 76 is
A duct 82 for directing to the light tunnel 42 is provided on the front surface of the lamp reflector 72. Further, an annular fin 84 is provided on the inner surface of the duct 82 so as to direct a part of the air flowing into the duct 82 from the rear surface to the front surface of the lamp reflector 72 toward the explosion-proof glass 74. Further, a fan 78 for discharging the air sucked into the housing 2 by the axial fan 76.
Is provided below the dichroic prism 40.
In order to dissipate heat from each light tunnel to the housing 2, heat conductive sheets 80 of various thickness are attached to the light tunnel. The heat conductive sheet 80 is made of a material having a high heat conductivity, and is provided so as to be in direct contact with both the light tunnel and the first housing 2.

Next, the operation of the projector 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. When the projector 1 is used, the projector 1 is deformed from the housed state shown in FIG. 1 to the used state shown in FIG. 2 by rotating the first housing 2. In the use state, the second housing 4 functions as a leg of the projector 1. In addition, the second housing 4 also functions as a protective cover that protects the ventilation port 12 in the stored state and prevents dust and the like from entering through the ventilation port 12.

When the projector 1 is deformed into a use state, the projection lens 10 is exposed to the outside so that projection is possible and the power cable connecting connector 11 is also exposed to the outside. Therefore, a power cable (not shown) is connected to the connector. 11
It will be possible to connect to. In other words, in the housed state of the projector 1, the projection lens 10 is housed in the projection lens housing recess 13 of the second housing 4 and protected by the second housing 4. Functions as a cap. Further, in this stored state, the power cable connecting connector 11 is also covered by the second housing 4, so that the power cable (not shown) is not connected to the connector 11.
Cannot operate the projector 1 by connecting to. Therefore, when the projection lens 10 is covered with the lens cap (the projection lens 10 is covered), the projector 1
Cannot be activated. On the other hand, in the use state, it becomes possible to operate the projector 1 while the lens cap is removed (nothing covers the projection lens 10).

After the projector 1 is transformed into a use state, a power cable (not shown) is connected to the connector 11 and a power outlet (not shown), and the operation switch 8 is operated to turn on the power of the projector 1. To do. Then, the lamp 70 of the light source 18 is turned on by the operation switch 8. Alternatively, an interlock switch (not shown) for detecting the closed state (stored state) of the first housing 2 and the second housing 4 is provided, and the operation of the power supply unit is performed in the closed state. It is also possible to provide an erroneous operation prevention mechanism such as stopping the lamp 70 so that the lamp 70 does not light.

The light emitted from the lamp 70 enters the light pipe 20 either directly or after being reflected by the lamp reflector 72. The light passing through the light pipe 20 passes through the first condenser lens 22 mounted in the first light tunnel 42, and then the first dichroic mirror 24.
Incident on. The wavelength component of the red light of the light that has entered the first dichroic mirror 24 is reflected by the first dichroic mirror 24 and is directed into the second light tunnel 44. The red light that has passed through the second light tunnel 44 is reflected by the mirror 30 attached to the tip of the second light tunnel 44. The light reflected by the mirror 30 enters the fifth light tunnel 50 extending from the tip of the second light tunnel 44 at a right angle to the second light tunnel 44, and the liquid crystal plate 34 attached to the tip of the fifth light tunnel 50. Incident on.

On the other hand, the wavelength components other than the red light in the light incident on the first dichroic mirror 24 are transmitted through the first dichroic mirror 24 and are incident on the second dichroic mirror 26. The wavelength component of the green light in the light incident on the second dichroic mirror 26 is reflected by the second dichroic mirror 26, is directed into the third light tunnel 46, and is attached to the tip of the third light tunnel 46. It is incident on the liquid crystal plate 36.

Of the light incident on the second dichroic mirror 26, blue light having a wavelength component other than green light passes through the second dichroic mirror 26 and enters the mirror 28. This blue light is reflected by the mirror 28 and directed into the fourth light tunnel 48,
The light passes through the second condenser lens 23 mounted in the fourth light tunnel 48. The blue light transmitted through the second condenser lens 23 is reflected by the mirror 32 attached to the tip of the fourth light tunnel 48. Mirror 32
The light reflected by the light enters the sixth light tunnel 52 extending from the tip of the fourth light tunnel 48 at a right angle to the fourth light tunnel 48, and the sixth light tunnel 52.
Enters the liquid crystal plate 38 attached to the tip of the.

The red light incident on the liquid crystal plate 34 is reflected by the liquid crystal plate 3.
It is modulated by 4 and enters the dichroic prism 40. The reflecting surface 40r provided in the dichroic prism 40 reflects red light and reflects it on the projection lens 10
Send to. Similarly, the green light that has entered the liquid crystal plate 36 is modulated by the liquid crystal plate 36 and enters the dichroic prism 40. The green light passes through the reflecting surfaces 40r and 40b provided in the dichroic prism 40 and enters the projection lens 10. The blue light that has entered the liquid crystal plate 38 is modulated by the liquid crystal plate 38 and enters the dichroic prism 40. The reflecting surface 40 b provided in the dichroic prism 40 reflects blue light and directs it to the projection lens 10. This allows
The lights modulated by the liquid crystal plates 34, 36, 38 are combined by the dichroic prism 40, enter the projection lens 10, and form an image on the screen.

Next, the cooling action on the illumination optical system will be described. The axial fan 76 sucks air from the outside of the first housing 2 through the ventilation port 12a and causes the air to flow from the rear side to the front side of the lamp reflector 72. Since the axial fan 76 is mounted directly behind the lamp reflector 72, a uniform air flow is generated around the lamp reflector 72 by the axial fan 76. The air flowing along the back surface of the lamp reflector 72 enters a duct 82 provided in front of the lamp reflector 72. A part of the air that has entered the duct 82 is deflected by the fins 84 provided in the duct 82 to form a vortex. The air flow caused by the vortex cools the peripheral portion of the lamp reflector 72.

On the other hand, a part of the air flowing into the duct 82 flows into the passage 90 between the inner wall 86 and the outer wall 88 of the first light tunnel 42. The air flowing into the passage 90 of the first light tunnel 42 passes through the passage 9 between the inner wall 86 and the outer wall 88 of the second to sixth light tunnels, which are in communication with each other.
0, and jets from the tips of the third, fifth, and sixth light tunnels. The air ejected from the tip of each light tunnel is the liquid crystal plate 3 attached to the tip of each light tunnel.
Cool 4, 36, 38. The air that has cooled each liquid crystal plate is discharged to the outside of the first housing by the fan 78 provided below the dichroic prism 40 through the ventilation port 12b.

The heat of each light tunnel is transmitted to the heat conducting sheet 80 attached to the light tunnel, and further to the first casing 2 which is in contact with the heat conducting sheet 80, and is then transmitted to the first casing 2. Emitted from the outside.

According to the present embodiment, when the projector 1 is in the housed state, the second housing 4 acts as a lens cap to protect the projection lens 10, and in the used state, the projection lens 10 is exposed. , Images can be projected. In addition, the second acting as a lens cap
Since the housing 4 is the main body of the projector 1 and is formed as a robust housing, there is no concern that the lens cap (corresponding portion) will be lost or damaged. Also,
The power cable of the projector 1 according to the present embodiment can be connected only when the projector 1 is in use, and thus the lens cap remains attached (the projection lens is covered with the second housing as in the conventional projector). Leave)
There is no fear of erroneous operation of projecting an image.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, various modifications may be made to the disclosed embodiments within the scope of the technical matters described in the claims without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention. Can be changed. In particular, the number of housings may be two or more, and
The first housing and the second housing may be connected by a component other than the hinge component. Further, although the embodiment of the present invention has been described by taking the liquid crystal projector as an example, the DLP (Digital
Light Processing) data projector and LC
It can also be applied to an OS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon) type data projector or the like.

According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent damage or loss of the lens cap of the projector, or to prevent erroneous operation of the projector with the lens cap still attached.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a projector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a stored state.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a projector according to an embodiment of the present invention in use.

FIG. 3 is a top sectional view of a projector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing how a dichroic mirror is attached to a light tunnel.

FIG. 5 is a cut perspective view showing a mounting state of each liquid crystal plate to a dichroic prism.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a holding component for holding each liquid crystal plate.

FIG. 7 is a side sectional view showing a structure of a light source and a duct.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 projector 2 First case 2a Upper surface of first housing 2b Front of first housing 4 second housing 4a Upper surface of second housing 4b Front of second housing 6 Hinge parts 8 operation switch 10 Projection lens 11 Power cable connector 12 vents 13 Projection lens housing recess 14 Illumination optical system 16 Illumination optical system power supply 18 light source 20 light pipes 22 First Condenser Lens 23 Second condenser lens 24 First Dichroic Mirror 26 Second Dichroic Mirror 28 mirror 30 mirror 32 mirror 34 LCD plate 36 LCD plate 38 LCD plate 40 dichroic prism 42 First Light Tunnel 44 Second Light Tunnel 46 Third Light Tunnel 48 Fourth Light Tunnel 50th Light Tunnel 52 6th Light Tunnel 54 groove 56 electronic circuit board 58 DC power supply 60 holding parts 62 Prism receiving hole 64 LCD plate holding recess 66 Liquid crystal plate contact surface 68 outer peripheral surface 70 lamp 72 lamp reflector 74 Explosion-proof glass 76 axial fan 78 fans 80 Thermal conductive sheet 82 duct 84 fins

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) H04N 5/64 501 H04N 5/64 501D

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A projector comprising: a first housing having a projection lens; and a second housing having one side rotatably connected to one side of the first housing. By rotating the second housing with respect to the first housing, the projection lens mounting surface of the first housing on which the projection lens is mounted is the second housing in the projector housing state.
A projector which is covered by a front surface of a housing and exposes the projection lens when the projector is in use. 2. The projection lens projects from the projection lens mounting surface of the first housing, and a projection lens housing recess is provided on the front surface of the second housing facing the projection lens mounting surface when the projector is housed. The projector according to claim 1, wherein the projector is provided, and the projection lens is received in the projection lens housing recess when the projector is housed. 3. The projection lens mounting surface of the first housing,
Alternatively, a power cable or a connector for connecting the power cable is mounted on the front surface of the second housing facing the projection lens mounting surface, and the power cable can be connected to an outlet only when the projector is in use. The projector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein