JP2003195254A - Optical device and projector provided with the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical device capable of coping with luminance increase and miniaturization of a projector and improving cooling efficiency of an optical element, and the projector provided with it. <P>SOLUTION: An optical modulator holding body 447 is provided with a coolant filling part 447A formed into an almost rectangular frame shape having an opening part 447P corresponding to an image formation area of a liquid crystal panel 441G and filled with a coolant, a luminous flux incidence side substrate 447B (liquid crystal panel 441) and a luminous flux emission side substrate 447C (polarizing plate 442B) sealing the opening part 447P of the coolant filling part 447A, an elastic member 447D interposed between the substrates 447B and 447C and the opening part 447P of the coolant filling part 447A, and a supporting plate 447E pressurizing and fixing the substrates 447B and 447C to the coolant filling part 447A. The optical modulator holding body 447 is adhered and fixed to the luminous flux incidence end face of a cross dichroic prism 45 through a fixing plate 446. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a plurality of light modulators for modulating a plurality of color lights for each color light according to image information.
The present invention relates to an optical device integrally provided with a color synthesizing optical device for synthesizing color lights modulated by a light modulator, and a projector including the same.

[0002]

BACKGROUND ART A color separation optical system for separating a light beam emitted from a light source lamp into three colored light beams R, G, B by using a dichroic mirror, and a separated light beam for each color light beam according to image information. There is known a three-plate type projector that includes three light modulators that perform modulation by using a cross dichroic prism that synthesizes the light fluxes modulated by the respective light modulators. Here, the light modulator rotates a polarization axis of a light beam emitted from a light source lamp, and has pixel electrodes formed in a matrix and TFTs for applying a voltage to the pixel electrodes.
A drive substrate having electrodes formed thereon, a counter substrate having a counter substrate corresponding to the pixel electrodes formed on the drive substrate, and a liquid crystal layer sealed between the drive substrate and the counter substrate Composed of and. A polarizing plate that transmits a light beam having a predetermined polarization axis is disposed on the light beam incident side and the light beam exit side of this light modulator. In a projector having such an optical element inside, the temperature of the optical element rises due to the transmission or absorption of light. Therefore, the optical element itself that normally generates heat by air cooling by a fan that causes a medium such as air to flow. It is equipped with a cooling device that directly cools. In addition to the air-cooling cooling device, there has been proposed a projector including a cooling device described below. In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-144608, a cooling chamber filled with a cooling liquid is formed inside a radiator in the shape of a rectangular frame, and two cooling chambers corresponding to the image forming area of the liquid crystal panel are closed. By using a polarizing filter on one of the plates, or by mounting and fixing the polarizing filter in the cooling chamber, the heat generated in the polarizing filter by the light flux emitted from the light source lamp is directly cooled by the cooling liquid. A cooling mechanism for the polarizing filter is disclosed. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 4
In JP-A-31847, a liquid crystal panel, a light flux incident side polarization filter and a light flux emission side polarization filter are arranged in the cooling chamber, and heat generated in the liquid crystal panel and each polarization filter is cooled by a light flux emitted from a light source lamp. A cooling mechanism for an optical modulator that directly cools with a liquid is disclosed.

[0003]

In recent years, projectors have been required to have higher brightness and smaller size and lighter weight with an emphasis on portability. As the brightness and size of the projector increase, the heat density of the optical element increases, and it is necessary to ensure the functional reliability of the optical element that can cope with such an increase in heat density. In particular, the light flux emitted from the light source lamp is absorbed by the liquid crystal layer when passing through the light modulation device, and the light from the outer edge portion of the pixel electrodes arranged in a matrix is blocked and the light is blocked by the electrodes such as TFTs. Light absorption by the light-shielding film for preventing leakage easily generates heat in the light modulation device, and the temperature of the light modulation device easily rises. However, in the cooling device using air cooling as described above, the optical components in the projector are close to each other due to the downsizing of the projector, and the cooling air flowing by forced ventilation from the fan cannot enter the gap. However, there is a problem that it is insufficient to cool the optical element. Also,
To improve the cooling efficiency of the optical element, it is conceivable to increase the air volume of the cooling air, but increasing the air volume of the cooling air requires a larger fan, which hinders the projector from becoming smaller and lighter. At the same time, noise increases,
There is a problem. Furthermore, in addition to the cooling device by air cooling as described above, in the cooling mechanism of the polarization filter using the cooling liquid as described above, since the polarization filter and the cooling liquid are in contact, the heat generated in the polarization filter is Although heat is radiated by heat transfer due to convection of the cooling liquid, the heat generated in the optical modulator is not secured in the heat transfer path from the optical modulator, and the temperature rise of the optical modulator cannot be avoided. There is a problem. Further, in the cooling mechanism of the light modulation device, since the light modulation device is arranged in the cooling chamber, the position adjustment is performed when the position of the light modulation device is adjusted to prevent pixel shift of the image projected on the screen. There is a problem that is making it difficult.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an optical device capable of improving the brightness and size of the projector and improving the cooling efficiency of the optical element, and a projector provided with the optical device.

[0005]

An optical device of the present invention synthesizes a plurality of light modulators for modulating a plurality of color lights according to image information for each color light and the respective color lights modulated by the light modulator. An optical device integrally provided with a color synthesizing optical device, wherein the optical modulator comprises a modulator main body in which an electro-optical material is hermetically sealed between a pair of substrates, A light modulating device holding body made of a heat conductive material for holding the light modulating device is provided, which has a cooling chamber formed in accordance with the transmission region and in which a cooling fluid is hermetically sealed, and light is incident on the cooling chamber. The side or the light emitting side is characterized in that it is sealed by any one of the substrates of the light modulator.

According to the present invention as described above, the optical device is
A light modulating device holder having a cooling chamber in which a cooling fluid is hermetically sealed is provided, and the light incident side or the light emitting side of the cooling chamber is sealed by one of the substrates of the light modulating device. The cooling fluid in the cooling chamber is in contact with the image forming area of the light modulation device, and the heat generated in the light modulation device by the light flux emitted from the light source can be radiated by using heat transfer by convection of the cooling fluid, The temperature distribution in the image forming area of the light modulation device is made uniform, local overheating can be avoided, and the image projected on the screen can be displayed clearly.

Since the optical modulator holder is made of a heat conductive material, the heat generated in the light modulator by the irradiation of light from the light source is made of a heat conductive material having a high thermal conductivity. By releasing the light to the optical modulator holder, the heat dissipation of the optical modulator can be further improved and malfunction due to temperature rise of the optical modulator can be prevented. Therefore, the heat dissipation of the light modulation device is improved, and even when the luminous flux from the light source is increased in response to the higher brightness of the projector, the heat of the light modulation device is efficiently dissipated to provide a clear image. Images can be displayed.

Further, by improving the heat dissipation of the optical modulator, it is possible to suppress an increase in energy consumption and noise due to the enhancement of the cooling device such as a fan, and further it is possible to downsize the cooling device such as a fan. . Further, since the light modulator is sealed on the light incident side or the light exit side of the cooling chamber, the position of one of the substrates constituting the light modulator can be adjusted by a jig or the like. The mutual adjustment of the positions of the modulators can be facilitated, and a good projection image without pixel shift can be displayed.

In the optical device of the present invention, a polarizing plate having a film-shaped polarizing element and a substrate to which the polarizing element is attached is disposed on the light emitting side or the light incident side of the light modulating device, and the substrate of the light modulating device is provided. The surface opposite to the surface sealed with is preferably sealed with the substrate of this polarizing plate. The polarizing film transmits a light beam having a predetermined polarization axis, but the other light beams are absorbed by the polarizing film and converted into heat. In particular, the polarizing film on the emission side of the light modulation device absorbs all the light flux emitted from the light modulation device when the images projected on the screen are all displayed in black, and the temperature of the polarization film rises, It easily deteriorates. Here, since the substrate to which the polarizing film is attached seals the surface opposite to the surface on which the substrate of the optical modulator is sealed, the heat radiated from the polarizing film to the substrate is Due to heat transfer by convection of the cooling fluid in the cooling chamber, heat can be dissipated to the cooling fluid, the polarizing film,
It is possible to improve the cooling efficiency of the polarizing film by securing the heat transfer paths of the substrate and the cooling fluid.

In the optical device of the present invention, the substrate is preferably made of sapphire glass, quartz, or quartz glass. In such a configuration, by sticking the polarizing film to sapphire glass having high thermal conductivity, or quartz, or quartz glass,
The heat generated in the polarizing film can be radiated to the above member, the temperature of the polarizing film can be prevented from rising, and the functional reliability of the polarizing film can be secured. In addition, since the above-mentioned member having high hardness seals one of the cooling chambers of the optical modulator holding member, damage due to expansion due to heat of the cooling liquid or damage during handling during the manufacturing process is prevented. The danger can be avoided.

In the optical device of the present invention, it is preferable that the light entrance side or the light exit side of the cooling chamber is sealed with a heat conductive elastic material. In such a configuration, the light entrance side or the light exit side of the cooling chamber is sealed via the heat conductive elastic material, so that the elastic material can absorb the expansion due to the heat of the cooling fluid. The sealed state of the cooling fluid hermetically sealed in the cooling chamber of the optical modulator holder can be stably maintained, and leakage of the cooling fluid or the like can be avoided.

In the optical device of the present invention, at least one of the pair of substrates constituting the optical modulator is provided with dust-proof glass, and the dust-proof glass is made of sapphire glass, crystal, or quartz glass. It is preferable. If scratches are present on the outer surfaces of the pair of substrates forming the light modulator or if dust is attached, the image is disturbed by the scratches and dust, and the image quality of the projected image deteriorates. In order to avoid such scratches and dust adhesion on the substrate,
Dust-proof glass is attached to a pair of substrates that constitute the light modulation device. With this dustproof glass, even if scratches or dust adhere to the dustproof glass, the focus of the light emitted from the light source is set to be located inside the light modulator, so the image quality is affected by the defocus effect. Does not affect In such a configuration, the light modulation device is provided with dustproof glass on at least one of the pair of substrates, and the dustproof glass is made of sapphire glass, crystal, or quartz glass having high thermal conductivity. By improving the thermal conductivity of the dustproof glass, the heat dissipation characteristics of the optical modulator are improved and the temperature distribution in the image forming area of the optical modulator is relaxed, so deterioration of image quality due to overheating or temperature distribution can be reduced. . Also, dustproof glass
By being made of sapphire glass, quartz, or quartz glass having high hardness, it is possible to increase the outer surface strength of the light modulation device and prevent damage such as chipping or cracking of the light modulation device.

In the optical device of the present invention, the pair of substrates forming the light modulator is located on the light beam exit side, is located on the drive substrate on which the pixel electrode is formed, and is located on the light beam entrance side, and is disposed on the pixel electrode. It is preferable that the cooling chamber is composed of a counter substrate corresponding to which a counter electrode is formed, and the cooling chamber is sealed by the drive substrate. When the drive substrate is provided with a light-shielding film for blocking light to the electrodes such as TFTs for applying a voltage to the pixel electrodes and for preventing light leakage from the outer edge of the pixel electrodes, the light flux from the light source The temperature of the drive substrate easily rises due to heat absorption of the light-shielding film due to irradiation. Here, if the cooling chamber is sealed by the drive substrate of the light modulation element, the cooling fluid in the cooling chamber contacts the drive substrate and cools the heat generated in the drive substrate by the light flux emitted from the light source. It is possible to radiate heat by utilizing heat transfer by convection of fluid. Further, since the drive substrate seals one of the cooling chambers, it is possible to prevent the drive substrate from coming into contact with the cooling fluid and causing damage such as chipping or cracking due to an external force on the drive substrate. Further, since the circuit on the driving substrate and the cooling fluid can be prevented from coming into contact with each other, malfunction of the circuit can be prevented.

In the optical device of the present invention, the light modulator is held by a holding frame having an opening corresponding to an image forming area of the light modulator, and the counter substrate is held by the outer shape of the holding frame. It is preferable that the light modulator is positioned with respect to. In such a configuration, since the light modulation device is held by the holding frame, the holding frame reinforces the light modulation device, reduces the influence of external force due to vibration and impact, and contributes to prevention of color unevenness. .

In the optical device of the present invention, the optical modulator holder is made of a metal material such as aluminum or magnesium, and the portion of the optical modulator holder that comes into contact with the cooling fluid is subjected to anticorrosion treatment. Is preferably provided.
Examples of the corrosion resistance treatment of metal materials include anodization, chemical conversion treatment, electroplating, electroless plating, and the like.
If anodization or chemical conversion treatment is adopted, the surface layer can be covered with an oxide film, and the corrosion resistance can be improved. The temperature of the light modulator holding body rises due to the light flux emitted from the light source, and a chemical reaction easily occurs due to long-term contact with the cooling fluid. A reaction product is generated by this chemical reaction, and the optical characteristics are deteriorated due to coloring of the cooling fluid or the like. Here, the contact surface of the optical modulator holder with the cooling fluid is subjected to the above-mentioned anodic oxidation or chemical conversion treatment, so that the pole surface layer of the optical modulator holder is covered with an oxide film to form a cooling fluid. It is possible to prevent a chemical reaction from occurring even in a long-term contact. Therefore, the image projected on the screen can be clearly displayed without deteriorating the optical characteristics of the cooling fluid.

In the optical device of the present invention, it is preferable that an injection hole for injecting the cooling fluid is formed in an end surface of the optical modulator holding member that intersects the optical modulator holding surface. In such a configuration, since the injection hole for injecting the cooling fluid is formed in the end surface of the optical modulator holder that intersects with the optical modulator holder surface, even after the optical device is manufactured, cooling is performed. Cooling fluid can be injected into the chamber, improving manufacturing efficiency. If the injection hole is located at the upper end of the optical modulator holder when the optical device is installed, even if the optical modulator holder is used for a long period of time after the cooling fluid is injected, the cooling fluid will not be discharged. It is possible to avoid leakage due to its own weight.

In the optical device of the present invention, it is preferable that an air vent hole for discharging the air in the cooling chamber at the time of injection is formed in the light modulator holding member adjacent to the injection hole. Normally, when a cooling fluid is injected into the cooling chamber of the optical modulator holder to seal it, air bubbles tend to remain inside the cooling chamber.
Due to the bubbles remaining in the cooling chamber, the light flux emitted from the light source lamp is scattered, and the image projected on the screen is decolored corresponding to the position of the remaining bubbles. In such a structure, since the air modulator hole is formed adjacent to the injection hole in the optical modulator holder, the hole for discharging the air in the cooling chamber is independently present. At the same time as injecting cooling fluid from
Residual air can be discharged from the air vent hole. Therefore, by eliminating the residual air in the cooling fluid,
The light flux that passes through the light modulator holder is not scattered by the residual air in the cooling fluid, and the projected image can be displayed clearly.

Here, it is preferable that a recess for storing bubbles is formed in the cooling chamber corresponding to the position where the air vent hole penetrates. In such a configuration, when the air is mixed in the cooling fluid, the air is mixed in the cooling chamber inside the cooling chamber corresponding to the penetration position of the air vent hole. It does not face the image forming area of the light modulation device by accumulating in the bubble accumulating recess. Therefore, the residual air in the cooling fluid does not interfere with the light flux optically processed by the optical element, and the characteristics of the optical element can be sufficiently exhibited.

The injection hole and the air vent hole are
It is preferable that they are arranged asymmetrically with respect to an axis that symmetrically divides the intersecting end faces. In such a configuration,
The injection hole and the air vent hole are arranged asymmetrically with respect to the axis that symmetrically divides the intersecting end faces, so that when the cooling fluid is injected into the cooling chamber of the optical modulator holder, the air vent hole becomes upward. By injecting the cooling fluid from the inlet in such a tilted state, the air mixed in the cooling fluid rises to the air vent hole side, and when the cooling fluid injection is completed, the air mixed in the cooling fluid is passed through the air vent hole. Can be eliminated.

In the optical device of the present invention, it is preferable that cooling fins are formed on the outer peripheral portion of the optical modulator holder. In such a configuration, since the cooling fins are formed on the outer peripheral portion of the optical modulator holder, the cooling fins can dissipate and cool the optical modulator holder, and a normal air cooling fan can be used together. In this case, the cooling efficiency of the optical modulator holder can be improved.

In the optical device of the present invention, it is preferable that the light modulator holding member is attached to the color synthesizing optical device via a fixing member attached to a light incident end face of the color synthesizing optical device. In such a configuration, the light modulation device holder is attached to the color synthesis optical device via the fixing member that is attached to the light incident end surface of the color synthesis optical device. It is possible to secure a cooling flow path between the holder and the cooling fan of the optical modulator. Therefore, it is possible to prevent heat from staying in the optical modulator holder.

In the optical device of the present invention, it is preferable that the light modulator holder and the fixing member are joined by a transparent member that transmits ultraviolet rays. In such a configuration, since the optical modulator holder and the fixing member are joined by the transparent member that transmits ultraviolet rays, the optical modulator holder, the transparent member, and the transparent member are manufactured when the optical device is manufactured. If a photo-curable adhesive is used in the joint between the fixing member and the fixing member, light can be transmitted through the transparent member, and the transparent member and other members can be easily joined, improving the manufacturing efficiency of the optical device. .

In the cooling structure for an optical device of the present invention, the transparent member is composed of a pin-shaped spacer, and has a stepped shape in which the diameter on one end side and the diameter on the other end side of the transparent member are different. Is preferred. In such a configuration, since the transparent member is composed of the pin-shaped spacer,
At least one of the holding member or the optical modulator holder,
If the holes are provided so as to correspond to the shape of the transparent member, the optical modulator holder and the holding member can be easily joined using the transparent member. In addition, since the diameter of one end of the transparent member is different from the diameter of the other end, the diameter of one end of the transparent member can be increased to form a member joined to the end. The joint area of
Even if the load on the members becomes large, a stable joined state between the members can be secured.

On the other hand, the projector of the present invention is characterized by including any one of the above-mentioned optical devices in order to achieve the above object. According to the present invention, it is possible to enjoy a projector that exhibits substantially the same actions and effects as those of the optical device described above. Further, by using the above-described optical device, it is possible to reliably cool the optical element inside the projector and prolong the life of the projector.

[0025]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. [1. Main Configuration of Projector] FIG. 1 is a plan view schematically showing an internal structure of a projector 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The projector 1 includes an outer case 2 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole, an optical unit 4 which optically processes a light beam emitted from a light source to form an optical image corresponding to image information, and heat accumulated in the projector 1. A cooling unit 5 for cooling and a power supply unit 3 for supplying the power supplied through a power cable to the optical unit 4 and a driver board for controlling the optical unit 4 are provided. The outer case 2 is made of metal or resin, and forms an upper surface, a front surface, and a side surface of the projector 1, and a bottom surface of the projector 1.
It is composed of a lower case and a side case, respectively.

Further, the notch 2 is provided on the front surface of the outer case 2.
A is formed, and a part of the optical unit 4 arranged inside the exterior case 2 is exposed to the outside from the cutout 2A. The optical image formed by the optical unit 4 is emitted through the cutout portion 2A, and the image is displayed on the screen. Further, exhaust ports 2B and 2C for exhausting the air warmed inside the projector 1 are provided on both sides of the position of the cutout 2A. An intake port (not shown) is provided on the bottom surface of the outer case 2 below the optical unit 4 for sucking cooling air from the outside by the cooling unit 5.

The optical unit 4 has a substantially L-shape in plan view and, as shown in FIG. 2, optically processes the light flux emitted from the light source lamp 411 to form an optical image corresponding to image information. The unit includes an integrator illumination optical system 41, a color separation optical system 42, a relay optical system 43, an optical device 44, and a projection lens 46 as a projection optical system. These optical components are placed and fixed in the light guide 4A as the optical component casing. Power supply unit 3
Is disposed near the integrator illumination optical system 41 of the optical unit 4 and is supplied with power through a power cable (not shown). The supplied power is supplied to a driver board (not shown) or a lamp drive circuit (ballast) incorporated inside. Is supplied to the light source lamp 411 of the optical unit 4. Here, the driver board is arranged above the optical unit 4 and is for controlling each liquid crystal panel 441R, 441G, 441B which becomes a light modulation device described later, and projects an optical image according to image information. In order to do so, the image information is fetched, and control and arithmetic processing are performed. The power supply unit 3 is covered with a shield plate made of a metal plate. This prevents leakage of electromagnetic noise from the power supply unit 3 to the outside. The power supply unit 3 and the optical unit 4 are covered by shield plates arranged above and below the units 3 and 4, respectively. As a result, the power supply unit 3
Prevents electromagnetic noise from leaking out from the driver board or the like.

The cooling unit 5 sends cooling air to the cooling flow path formed inside the projector 1 to cool the heat generated inside the projector 1, and is disposed below the optical device 44 of the optical unit 4. And an axial-flow intake fan 51 for sucking cooling air from an intake port formed on the bottom surface of the outer case 2, and a light source device 4 of the optical unit 4.
13, which is located below the optical unit 4, attracts the cooling air inside the optical unit 4, cools the light source device 413 in the process of attracting, and heats the air heated from the exhaust port 2B through the duct 52A located below the optical unit 4. Blower 5 to discharge
2 and an exhaust port 2C formed in the front surface of the outer case 2 which is arranged in the vicinity of the power supply unit 3 from the projector 1
It is composed of an axial exhaust fan 53 for exhausting the air warmed inside and by the power supply unit 3.

[2. Detailed Configuration of Optical System] In FIG. 2, the integrator illumination optical system 41 is shown as three liquid crystal panels 441 (liquid crystal panels 441R, 441G, and 441B for each color light of red, green, and blue, respectively) that configure the optical device 44. ) Is an optical system for illuminating the image forming area of FIG.
, The second lens array 414, and the polarization conversion element 415.
And a superimposing lens 416.

Of these, the light source device 413 includes a light source lamp 411 for emitting a radial ray and an ellipsoidal mirror 412 for reflecting the emitted light emitted from the light source lamp 411.
And a collimating concave lens 413A for collimating the light emitted from the light source lamp 411 and reflected by the ellipsoidal mirror 412.
With. A UV filter (not shown) is provided on the plane portion of the parallelizing concave lens 413A. As the light source lamp 411, a halogen lamp, a metal halide lamp, or a high pressure mercury lamp is often used. Further, a parabolic mirror may be used instead of the ellipsoidal mirror 412 and the parallelizing concave lens 413A.

The first lens array 418, the second lens array 414, and the polarization conversion element 415 are integrally combined and installed and fixed in the housing. The first lens array 418 has a configuration in which small lenses having a substantially rectangular contour when viewed in the optical axis direction are arranged in a matrix. Each small lens splits the light flux emitted from the light source lamp 411 into a plurality of partial light fluxes. The contour shape of each small lens is set to be substantially similar to the shape of the image forming area of the liquid crystal panel 441. For example,
If the aspect ratio (ratio of horizontal and vertical dimensions) of the image forming area of the liquid crystal panel 441 is 4: 3, the aspect ratio of each small lens is also set to 4: 3.

The second lens array 414 has substantially the same structure as the first lens array 418, and has a structure in which small lenses are arranged in a matrix. This second lens array 414, together with the superposing lens 416,
The image of each small lens of the lens array 418 is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 44.
1 has an image forming function.

The polarization conversion element 415 is arranged between the second lens array 414 and the superposing lens 416 and is unitized with the second lens array 414. The polarization conversion element 415 as described above converts the light from the second lens array 414 into one type of polarized light, which improves the light utilization efficiency of the optical device 44.

Specifically, the polarization conversion element 415 sets 1
Each of the partial lights converted into the polarized light of the type has a superposition lens 41.
Finally, by 6 the liquid crystal panel 441 of the optical device 44
Substantially superimposed on R, 441G, 441B. In the projector 1 (optical device 44) of the present embodiment using the liquid crystal panel 441 that modulates polarized light, since only one type of polarized light can be used, the light source lamp 411 that emits another type of randomly polarized light is used. Almost half of the light is unused. Therefore, by using the polarization conversion element 415, all the light emitted from the light source lamp 411 is converted into one type of polarized light, and the light utilization efficiency in the optical device 44 is improved. Such a polarization conversion element 415 is introduced, for example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-304739.

The color separation optical system 42 includes two dichroic mirrors 421 and 422 and a reflection mirror 423. The dichroic mirrors 421 and 422 divide the plurality of partial light beams emitted from the integrator illumination optical system 41 into red and green. , And has a function of separating into three color lights of blue.

The relay optical system 43 includes an incident side lens 43.
1, relay lens 433, and reflection mirrors 432, 4
34, and has a function of guiding the color light and the red light separated by the color separation optical system 42 to the liquid crystal panel 441R.

At this time, the dichroic mirror 421 of the color separation optical system 42 transmits the blue light component of the light beam emitted from the integrator illumination optical system 41 and reflects the red light component and the green light component. The blue light transmitted by the dichroic mirror 421 is reflected by the reflection mirror 42.
The light then reflects at 3, and reaches the blue liquid crystal panel 441B through the field lens 417. This field lens 4
Reference numeral 17 converts each partial light flux emitted from the second lens array 414 into a light flux parallel to the central axis (chief ray) thereof. The same applies to the field lens 417 provided on the light incident side of the other liquid crystal panels 441G and 441R.

Of the red light and the green light transmitted through the dichroic mirror 421, the green light is reflected by the dichroic mirror 422, passes through the field lens 417, and reaches the liquid crystal panel 441G for green. On the other hand, the red light passes through the dichroic mirror 422, passes through the relay optical system 43, further passes through the field lens 417, and reaches the liquid crystal panel 441R for red light. The relay optical system 43 is used for red light because the optical path length of the red light is longer than the optical path lengths of the other color lights, so that the reduction of the light use efficiency due to the diffusion of the light or the like is prevented. This is because. That is, the partial light flux that has entered the incident side lens 431 is directly transmitted to the field lens 417.

Although the optical device 44 will be described in detail later,
Liquid crystal panels 441R, 441G, which serve as light modulators for one sheet,
A cross dichroic prism 45 as a color combining optical system is provided. Liquid crystal panel 441R,
441G and 441B are, for example, those using a polysilicon TFT as a switching element, and the respective color lights separated by the color separation optical system 42 are the liquid crystal incident side of these three liquid crystal panels 441R, 441G and 441B. Polarizing plate 442A on the side and polarizing plate 442B on the exit side
Is modulated according to the image information to form an optical image. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the liquid crystal panel 441R,
441G and 441B are drive substrates 4 made of glass or the like.
41C and the counter substrate 441D are sealing materials (not shown)
The liquid crystal is injected between the two substrates with a predetermined gap therebetween and the liquid crystal is injected between the substrates. LCD panel 441
At the inner surface of the driving substrate 441C, a switching element such as a TFT element, ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) is formed.
A pixel electrode, a wiring, an alignment film, and the like, which are made of a transparent conductor such as, are formed, and a counter electrode, an alignment film, and the like corresponding to the pixel electrode are formed on the inner surface of the counter substrate 441D.
These constitute an active matrix type liquid crystal panel structure. Here, each liquid crystal panel 441R,
Dust-proof glass 441A made of sapphire, crystal, or quartz glass is attached to the counter substrates 441D of 441G and 441B.

The cross dichroic prism 45 has three
The image modulated for each color light emitted from the liquid crystal panels 441R, 441G, and 441B is combined to form a color image. In the cross dichroic prism 45, a dielectric multilayer film that reflects red light and a dielectric multilayer film that reflects blue light are formed in a substantially X shape along the interfaces of the four rectangular prisms. Three color lights are combined by the dielectric multilayer film. Then, the color image combined by the prism 45 is emitted from the projection lens 46 and enlarged and projected on the screen.

Each of the optical systems 41 to 45 described above is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, the light guide 4 </ b> A is a housing made of synthetic resin. The light guide 4A includes the above-mentioned optical components 416, 417, 422-424, 43.
Each of the lower light guides is provided with a groove portion into which the 1 to 434 are slidably fitted from above, and a lid-shaped upper light guide that closes the upper opening side of the lower light guide. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the light source device 413 is housed at one end of the light guide 4A having a substantially L-shaped plane, and the projection lens 46 is provided at the other end through the head portion 49.
Is fixed.

[3. Structure of Optical Device] The structure of the optical device 44 will be described below. In FIG. 3, the optical device 44
Is shown in an exploded perspective view. Of the three liquid crystal panels 441 (441R, 441G, 441B), only the liquid crystal panel 441G is shown as a representative, and the other liquid crystal panels 441R, 441B are omitted. Optical device 44
Is a liquid crystal panel 441R, 441G, 441B, a light beam exit side polarization plate 442B, and a cross dichroic prism 45 that are integrally formed. The light beam emitted from the light source lamp 411 is a liquid crystal panel 441R, 4B.
Of the light beams modulated by the liquid crystal panels 441R, 441G, and 441B that are modulated by 41G and 441B according to image information, only the light beam having a predetermined polarization axis is polarized plate 44.
The cross dichroic prism 45 transmits the color lights that pass through 2B, and the color lights that pass through the polarizing plate 442B are combined to be projected as an optical image. The optical device 44 includes a pedestal 445 for mounting and fixing the cross dichroic prism 45 for cooling the liquid crystal panels 441R, 441G, 441B and the polarizing plate 442B, and the liquid crystal panels 441R, 4B.
Optical modulator holder 4 for holding 41G and 441B in the frame
47 and a fixing plate 446 that is attached to the light flux incident end surface of the cross dichroic prism 45 and holds the light modulator holding member 447. Here, the pedestal 445, the optical modulator holder 447, and the fixing plate 44
6 is made of aluminum having a high thermal conductivity.
The member is not limited to aluminum and may be made of a material having high thermal conductivity such as magnesium alloy or copper.

The pedestal 445 is fixed to the lower surface of the cross dichroic prism 45, and its outer peripheral shape is substantially the same as that of the cross dichroic prism 45. In addition, holes 445C for fixing the integrated optical device 44 to the light guide 4A are provided at the corner portions of the edge of the pedestal 445 on the light exit side and the center of the edge on the light entrance side, respectively. It is fixed by.

The light modulator holder 447 is used for the liquid crystal panel 4.
Refrigerant charging unit 4 which is formed in a substantially rectangular frame shape having an opening 447P corresponding to the image forming area 41 and is filled with a refrigerant.
47A, an elastic member 447D arranged on the periphery of the opening 447P of the refrigerant charging portion 447A, and a refrigerant charging portion 447A.
And a support plate 447E fixed by screws from the light incident side and the light emitting side, the opening 447P of the refrigerant filling portion 447A is configured to come into contact with the elastic member 447D arranged on the peripheral edge of the opening 447P. The incident side substrate 447B and the light flux emitting side substrate 447C are arranged, and the support plate 447E is provided.
The substrates 447B and 447C by means of the refrigerant filling section 447.
It is sealed by being pressed and fixed to A. Here, ethylene glycol, which is a transparent non-volatile liquid, is adopted as the refrigerant. The refrigerant charging unit 447A is
An injection hole 447F for injecting a refrigerant into the upper end portion and an air vent hole 447 for eliminating residual air mixed in the refrigerant.
G and G are formed asymmetrically with respect to the illumination optical axis. As shown in FIG. 4, the injection hole 447F formed in the upper end portion and the air vent hole 447G formed in the corner portion of the upper end portion are
A bubble pool saray 447H connected to the air vent hole 447G is formed at the upper end of the opening 447P of the refrigerant charging portion 447A. Further, holes 447L for fixing the support plate 447E are formed in the upper and lower ends. Further, in order to fix to the fixing plate 446, the holes 4 protruding from the upper and lower ends are provided.
47I is formed. Further, the left and right end faces are formed with fins 447J having the lengths of the left and right edges and projecting from the ends, so that the heat transmitted from the refrigerant is transferred to the fins 447J.
The heat can be dissipated by J. Further, the elastic member 4 is provided at the corners of the peripheral edge of the opening 447P.
A convex portion 447R for positioning 47D is formed.
Here, the refrigerant filling portion 447A is subjected to chromate treatment (alodine) in order to prevent a chemical reaction with the refrigerant, and the surface layer of about 0.1 to 0.3 μm is covered with an oxide film. It is being appreciated.

The light beam incident side substrate 447B is the liquid crystal panel 4
41G is adopted. At this time, a drive substrate 441 that constitutes the liquid crystal panel 441G is provided on the refrigerant filling portion 447A side.
C corresponds. The light beam emission side substrate 447C is the polarizing plate 44.
2B is adopted.

The elastic member 447D is the refrigerant filling portion 447A.
And a substrate 447B, 447C, which prevents leakage of the refrigerant filled therein and is formed of elastic silicon rubber, and has a surface treatment for increasing the cross-link density of the surface layer on both sides or one side. It is possible to use those that have been subjected to. For example, Sarcon GR-d series (trademark of Fuji Polymer Co., Ltd.) can be adopted. Here, since the end surface is subjected to the above-mentioned surface treatment, it is possible to easily install the elastic member 447D in the refrigerant charging portion 447A when assembling the optical modulator holding body 447.

The support plate 447E is composed of the substrates 447B and 447.
C is pressed and fixed, and the refrigerant charging portion 447A is provided.
Of the support plate 447E so as to be fitted to the outer peripheral edge of the refrigerant charging section 447A so as to be fitted to the outer peripheral edge of the refrigerant charging section 447A. Is formed. In addition, the support plate 447
Holes 447N are formed in the upper and lower ends of E, corresponding to the holes 447L of the refrigerant charging portion 447A. Support plate 447
When fixing E to the refrigerant charging portion 447A, the peripheral edge portion of the support plate 447E is fitted and temporarily assembled to the outer peripheral edge of the refrigerant charging portion 447A, and fixed by screwing screws into the holes 447N and 447L. To do. The fixing plate 446 holds and fixes the light modulator holding member 447, is a rectangular plate-shaped member having a large corner area, and is fixed to the light-incident end surface of the cross dichroic prism 45 by adhesion. . Here, the optical modulator holder 447 is attached to the fixing plate 44.
When fixed to 6, the stepped pin spacer 446A, which is made of a transparent member that transmits ultraviolet rays, is used.
Here, the large-diameter end portion of the pin spacer 446A is joined to the fixing plate 446 so that the load of the optical modulator holding member 447 can be secured. In consideration of the direction of the polarized light flux incident on the cross dichroic prism 45, a phase difference plate is attached to the light flux incident end surface of the cross dichroic prism 45 on the light flux incident end surface of the G color light.

[4. Method for Manufacturing Optical Device] Hereinafter, a method for manufacturing an optical device will be described in detail with reference to FIG. First, the prism unit is assembled by the steps shown in (1) to (3) below. (1) The pedestal 445 is bonded and fixed to the lower surface of the cross dichroic prism 45 by using a thermosetting adhesive having good thermal conductivity. (2) A retardation plate is attached to the end surface of the cross dichroic prism 45 on the G color light incident side. (3) The fixing plate 446 is bonded and fixed to the light-incident end surface of the cross dichroic prism 45 by using a thermosetting adhesive having good thermal conductivity.

Next, the optical modulator holder 447 is assembled by the steps shown in (4) to (8) below. (4) The elastic member 447D is provided on the refrigerant charging portion 447A and the convex portion 4
Position and install at 47R. (5) Further, the elastic member 447D is connected to the refrigerant charging section 44.
7A, a liquid crystal panel 441 is provided on the light beam incident side.
R, 441G and 441B are incorporated, and a polarizing plate 442B is incorporated on the light beam emission side. (6) Built-in liquid crystal panels 441R, 441G, 4
In order to press and fix 41B and the polarizing plate 442B, the peripheral edge of the support plate 447E is fitted to the outer peripheral edge of the refrigerant charging section 447A to perform temporary assembly, and then the hole 447 of the support plate 447E.
A screw is inserted through N, and the support plate 447E is fixed in the hole 447L of the refrigerant charging portion 447A.

(7) After the opening 447P of the refrigerant filling portion 447A is sealed as described above, the refrigerant is injected into the refrigerant filling portion 447A. Specifically, the corner portion where the air vent hole 447G is formed is inclined so that the corner portion faces upward, and the injection hole 447 is formed.
Refrigerant is injected from F. The air mixed with the refrigerant is collected in the bubble collecting saray 447H formed in the opening corresponding to the air vent hole 447G and is removed from the air vent hole 447G at the same time when the injection of the refrigerant is completed. (8) After the completion of the injection of the refrigerant into the refrigerant charging portion 447A, the injection hole 447F and the air vent hole 44 are fixed by the screw with the O-ring.
7G is sealed.

Next, the positions of the liquid crystal panels 441R, 441G, 441B are adjusted and the optical modulator holder 447 is fixed to the prism unit by the steps shown in (9) and (10) below. (9) The prism unit to which the fixing plate 446 is fixed is fixed to the position adjusting jig. Further, an ultraviolet curable adhesive having good thermal conductivity is applied to the large-diameter ends of the pin spacers 446A at the four corners of the fixing plate 446, and the tip portions of the pin spacers 446A coated with the ultraviolet curable adhesive are also lighted. The modulator holder 447 is inserted into the hole 447I. (10) Each liquid crystal panel 441R, 44 in order to prevent the pixel shift of the projected image with the adhesive being uncured.
Adjust the mutual positions of 1G and 441B. Specifically, the counter substrate 44 of the liquid crystal panel 441G that faces the projection lens
The dustproof glass 441A attached to 1D is fixed by a position adjusting jig, and the pin spacer 446 inserted into the side surface of the fixing plate 446 and the hole 447I of the optical modulator holder 447.
Alignment is performed with the joint surface with A as the sliding surface,
The pin spacer 446A and the optical modulator holder 447 are slid through the joint, that is, the pin spacer 446A,
Adjust the focus. After adjusting the liquid crystal panel 441G (light modulator holding member 447) at a predetermined position from the light source, the pin spacer 446A is irradiated with ultraviolet rays from the light beam incident side to cure the adhesive and fix it. Next, after the above position adjustment, the liquid crystal panels 441R and 441B are adjusted and fixed in the same manner as described above so as to match the pixels of the liquid crystal panel 441G that is cured and fixed. (11) After the position adjustment of the optical device is completed, the optical device is incorporated into the light guide, and the hole 445 of the pedestal 445 is installed.
Insert the screw into C and fix it to the lower light guide.

[5. Cooling Structure] In the projector 1 of this embodiment, the panel cooling system A that mainly cools the liquid crystal panels 441R, 441G, and 441B, the light source cooling system B that mainly cools the light source device 413, and the power supply unit 3 are mainly cooled. Power supply cooling system C and liquid crystal panels 441R, 441G, 4
41B and a light modulator cooling system D that mainly cools the polarizing plate 442B on the light beam emission side.

In FIG. 1, in the panel cooling system A, an axial intake fan 51 arranged below the optical device 44 is used. The cooling air sucked from the intake port on the lower surface of the exterior case 2 by the axial flow intake fan is guided to below the optical device 44. Here, on the bottom surface of the light guide 4A, at a position corresponding to the position of the intake port (not shown) formed on the bottom surface of the outer case 2 and below the light modulator holder 447 of the optical device 44. The opening 4B is formed so that the cooling air sucked from the intake port formed on the bottom surface of the outer case 2 can be taken into the light guide 4A. As a result, the cooling air sucked by the axial-flow intake fan 51 receives the fixing plate 446, the optical modulator holder 447, and the optical modulator holder 447.
Liquid crystal panels 441R and 441
G, 441B and the polarizing plates 442A and 442B arranged on the light incident side and the light emitting side are cooled. The liquid crystal panels 441R, 441G, 441B are
Refrigerant charging section 447A constituting the optical modulator holder 447A
The opening 447P of the liquid crystal panel 441 is sealed.
The heat transferred from the R, 441G, 441B to the refrigerant and the optical modulator holder 447 is also cooled by the cooling air. Here, the optical modulator holder 447 is configured to be cooled more efficiently by the fins 447J protruding from the left and right edges. As shown in FIG. 1 or 5, the lower surface of the light guide 4A is provided with a straightening plate 478 having a substantially rectangular flat plate shape.
A pair of rising pieces 478A (14 pieces in total) provided in the above are projected upward from the opening 4B. However, in FIG. 1, the rising piece 478A is indicated by a chain double-dashed line. By these rising pieces 478A, the liquid crystal panel 441
R, 441G, 441B and polarizing plates 442A, 442
The flow of cooling air for cooling B is regulated from bottom to top.

In this way, the cooling air of the panel cooling system A cools the liquid crystal panels 441R, 441G, 441B and the polarizing plates 442A, 442B from the lower side to the upper side, and then is drawn to the blower 52 side, and the front side is cooled. Exhaust port 2
Exhausted from B. Here, the cooling air by the panel cooling system A not only plays a role of cooling the liquid crystal panels 441R, 441G, 441B, but also the liquid crystal panels 441R, 441.
By being blown onto the surface of G, 441B, it also has a role of blowing away dust and the like adhering to the panel surface. By the panel cooling system A, the liquid crystal panels 441R, 441G,
Since the surface of the 441B can be constantly cleaned, the projector 1 can project an optical image of stable image quality on a screen or the like.

In FIG. 1, the light source cooling system B uses a blower 52 provided on the lower surface of the optical unit 4. The cooling air sucked from the outside by the axial intake fan 51 and entering the light guide 4A receives the liquid crystal panels 441R, 441G, 441B and the polarizing plate 442A.
After cooling 442B, the first lens array, the second lens array 414, and the polarization conversion element 415, which are attracted by the blower 52 and integrated, are cooled and then enter the inside of the light source device 413 to cool the light source lamp. Cool 411, then exit the light guide 4A,
The air is exhausted from the exhaust port 2B via the duct 52A.

In the power supply cooling system C, the power supply unit 3
The axial exhaust fan 53 provided in the vicinity of is used. The air warmed by the heat of the power supply unit 3 is sucked by the axial exhaust fan 53 and discharged from the front side exhaust port 2C. Similarly, the air inside the projector 1 is also discharged from the exhaust port 2C, so that the projector 1
The heat does not stay inside.

Further, in the optical modulator cooling system D, the optical modulator holder 447 is used as described above. The liquid crystal panels 441R, 441G, 441B and the polarizing plate 442B on the light beam emission side are provided with the openings 44 of the refrigerant filling portion 447A.
7P is configured to be sealed, and the refrigerant charging unit 44
It is in direct contact with the refrigerant filled in 7A. The liquid crystal panel 441 is formed by the light flux emitted from the light source lamp 411.
The heat generated in R, 441G, 441B and the polarizing plate 442B is air-cooled from the surface and at the same time transferred to the refrigerant. The refrigerant heated by heat rises due to the decrease in density, and natural convection occurs in the refrigerant. The heat carried by the convection is exchanged with the outside air by the refrigerant charging unit 447A. Here, the cooling air by the panel cooling system A is blown to the fins 447J protruding on the left and right edges of the refrigerant charging section 447A, so that the heat exchange from the refrigerant charging section 447A is more effectively promoted. .

[6. Effects of Embodiment] According to the present embodiment as described above, there are the following effects. (1) The optical device 44 includes the light modulator holder 447, and the liquid crystal panels 441R, 441G, 441B and the light-beam-exiting-side polarizing plate 442B are the light modulator holder 4.
By sealing the opening of the refrigerant filling portion 447A that constitutes 47, the heat generated in the optical element due to the irradiation of the light flux emitted from the light source lamp 411 is naturally generated by the refrigerant filled in the optical modulator holding body 447. It is possible to radiate heat by utilizing heat transfer by convection. Further, since the portion corresponding to the image forming area of the optical element is in direct contact with the coolant, the temperature distribution in the optical element is made uniform,
It is possible to avoid local overheating, prevent deterioration of the optical element due to long-term use, and clearly display an image projected on the screen. Therefore, the heat dissipation of each of the liquid crystal panels 441R, 441G, 441B and the polarizing plate 442B on the light beam emission side is improved, and even when the luminous flux from the light source is increased in response to the higher brightness of the projector 1. , Each liquid crystal panel 441R, 441
It is possible to efficiently dissipate the heat of the G and 441B and the polarizing plate 442B on the light beam emission side and display a clear image. Further, by improving the heat dissipation of the optical element, it is possible to suppress an increase in energy consumption and noise due to the enhancement of a cooling device such as a fan, and further to downsize the cooling device such as a fan.

(2) Liquid crystal panels 441R, 441G, 4
Since 41B constitutes the wall on the light flux incident side of the coolant filling section 447A, the liquid crystal panels 441R, 441G,
The position of the light flux incident side end surface of 441B can be adjusted by a position adjusting jig, and the liquid crystal panels 441R and 441 can be adjusted.
The mutual position adjustment of G and 441B can be facilitated, and a good projection image without pixel shift can be displayed. (3) Since the polarizing plate 442B is composed of the polarizing film and the sapphire plate, it can radiate the heat generated by the polarizing film by the irradiation of the light flux emitted from the light source lamp 411 to the sapphire plate having good thermal conductivity. Can
It is possible to avoid the temperature rise of the polarizing film and ensure the functional reliability of the polarizing film. (4) The polarizing plate 442B composed of the polarizing film and the sapphire plate having high hardness is the optical modulator holder 44.
By configuring one wall of the refrigerant filling portion 447A that constitutes No. 7, it is possible to avoid damage to the wall due to expansion due to heat of the refrigerant.

(5) The walls (the liquid crystal panels 441R, 441G, 441B and the polarizing plate 442B on the light beam emission side) that seal the opening of the refrigerant charging portion 447A are made of elastic material 447D made of elastic silicon rubber. By sealing the opening 447P of the optical modulator holder 447 via the elastic member 447D, expansion of the refrigerant due to heat can be absorbed by the elastic member 447D and liquid leakage of the refrigerant can be avoided. Further, the surface of the elastic member 447D is subjected to a surface treatment so as to increase the degree of cross-linking, so that the optical modulator holding member 447 is obtained.
Of the elastic member 447D when assembling the refrigerant.
Positioning to 7A can be facilitated. (6) Since dust-proof glass made of sapphire or quartz glass is attached to the light flux incident end faces of the liquid crystal panels 441R, 441G, and 441B, heat from the liquid crystal panels 441R, 441G, and 441B to the holding frame is reduced. The conduction can be improved. In addition, each liquid crystal panel 4
The strength of the outer surfaces of 41R, 441G, and 441B can be improved, and the liquid crystal panels 441R, 441G, and 441 can be improved.
The outer surface of B is less likely to be scratched, and the risk of damage during handling during the manufacturing process can be avoided. Further, by improving the mechanical strength of each liquid crystal panel 441R, 441G, 441B, the drive substrate and the counter substrate that form the liquid crystal panel can be made thinner, and the liquid crystal panel can be made thinner.

(7) Liquid crystal panels 441R, 441G, 4
Since the drive substrate 441C that configures 41B is located on the side of the optical modulator holder 447, the drive substrate 441 is formed.
It is possible to prevent C from coming into contact with the refrigerant and causing damage such as chipping or cracking due to disturbance to the drive substrate 441C.
In addition, dust or the like that enters from the outside during use may cause the drive substrate 4 to
It does not adhere to the surface of 41C. Therefore, it is not necessary to attach the dustproof glass to the drive substrate 441C, the members are omitted, and the cost is reduced. (8) Since the surface of the refrigerant charging portion 447A is subjected to chromate treatment (alodine), the extreme surface layer can be covered with an oxide film, and the corrosion resistance can be improved. Therefore, even in long-term contact with the refrigerant,
The chemical reaction with the refrigerant can be prevented, and the image projected on the screen can be clearly displayed without deteriorating the optical characteristics of the refrigerant. (9) The optical modulator holder 447 is the refrigerant filling portion 447A.
By providing the injection hole 447F for injecting the refrigerant and the air vent hole 447G at the upper end of the, it is possible to avoid liquid leakage due to the weight of the refrigerant even when used for a long period of time. Further, the air vent hole 447G is provided in the refrigerant charging portion 44.
By being located at the corner portion of 7A, when the refrigerant is injected, the air vent hole 447G is inclined so as to be upward,
When the refrigerant is injected from the injection hole 447F, the air mixed in the refrigerant rises and is accumulated in the bubble collecting saray 447H formed at the opening corresponding to the air vent hole 447G, and from the air vent hole 447G at the same time when the injection of the refrigerant is completed. Will be eliminated. Therefore, by eliminating the residual air in the refrigerant,
The light beam that passes through the inside of the light modulator holder 447 is not scattered by the residual air in the coolant, and the projected image can be displayed clearly.

(10) Opening portion 44 of the refrigerant charging portion 447A
When the air bubble trap saray 447H is formed at the upper end of 7P, when air is mixed in the refrigerant, the air is trapped in the bubble trap saray 447H and faces the image forming area of the liquid crystal panel 441. There is no intervening position. Therefore, the residual air in the refrigerant will be
The characteristics of the liquid crystal panel 441 can be sufficiently exerted without disturbing the optical image modulated by 41. (11) The fins 44 are provided on the left and right edges of the refrigerant charging portion 447A.
7J is provided so as to facilitate the heat exchange with the outside air of the heat generated in the optical modulator holding body 447 by the heat transfer by the natural convection of the refrigerant by the blowing of the cooling air from the panel cooling system A, The heat of the optical modulator holder 447 can be efficiently dissipated. (12) The optical modulator holder 447 is the pin spacer 44.
By being attached to the cross dichroic prism 45 via 6A and the fixing plate 446, a cooling flow path between the cross dichroic prism 45 and the optical modulator holding member 447 can be secured, and the panel cooling system A By blowing the cooling air, it is possible to improve the cooling efficiency of the polarizing plate 442B that configures the wall on the light flux emission side of the refrigerant charging unit 447A and prevent heat from staying in the optical modulator holding member 447.

(13) Since the light modulator holder 447 is made of Al having good thermal conductivity, the liquid crystal panels 441R, 4 by irradiation of light from the light source lamp 411.
41G, 441B, and the polarizing plate 442B on the light beam emission side
By releasing the heat of the above to the above-mentioned member composed of Al having good thermal conductivity, the heat dissipation of the optical element is further improved,
It is possible to prevent malfunction of the optical element due to temperature rise. Further, since the fixing plate 446 that constitutes the optical device is made of the same material (Al), the amount of dimensional change (expansion, contraction) due to heat is the same, so that the functional reliability is dramatically improved. (14) Since the convex portions 447R are formed at the peripheral corners of the openings 447P of the optical modulator holder 447,
When the elastic member 447D is installed on the optical modulator holder 447, the convex portion 447R can be used for positioning, and the elastic member 447D can be easily installed on the optical modulator holder 447, and the optical device The manufacturing efficiency of 44 can be improved.

(15) Since the pin spacer 446A used when fixing the optical modulator holder 447 to the fixing plate 446 is made of a transparent material that transmits ultraviolet rays, the optical modulator holder 447 and the fixing plate are formed. It can be fixed to 446 by using an ultraviolet curable adhesive, and by irradiating ultraviolet rays through the pin spacer 446A, the optical modulator holder 447 and the fixing plate 446 can be easily joined. (16) Since the pin spacer 446A has a stepped shape, the ends having a large diameter are joined to the four corners of the fixing plate 446, and the joining areas are increased. A stable joining state can be secured.

[7. Modification of Embodiments]
The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and includes other configurations and the like that can achieve the object of the present invention, and the following modifications and the like are also included in the present invention. In the above embodiment, an optical compensation film such as a WV film may be interposed between each liquid crystal panel 441R, 441G, 441B and the polarizing plate 442B on the light beam emission side. By interposing such an optical compensation film, , Each liquid crystal panel 441R, 441G, 441B
The image displayed by can be projected clearly.

In the above embodiment, the support plate 447E and the refrigerant charging portion 447A are fixed by screws. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it suffices that the support plate 447E and the refrigerant charging portion 447A are fixed so that heat can be transferred. Adhesives or UV curable adhesives may be used. In the above-described embodiment, the refrigerant charging unit 447A.
The fins are provided in order to efficiently dissipate the heat, but the shape of the fins is arbitrary and is not limited to the shape in the above-described embodiment.

Furthermore, in each of the above-described embodiments, only an example of a projector using three light modulating devices is given, but the present invention is a projector using only one light modulating device.
It is also applicable to a projector using one light modulation device or a projector using four or more light modulation devices.

In each of the above embodiments, the liquid crystal panel is used as the light modulator, but a light modulator other than liquid crystal such as a device using a micromirror may be used. In this case, the polarizing plates on the entrance and exit sides can be omitted. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the transmissive light modulator having the different light incident surface and the light exit surface is used. However, the reflective light modulator having the same light incident surface and the light exit surface is used. Good.

Furthermore, in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, only an example of a front type projector which projects from the direction of observing the screen is given, but the present invention projects from the side opposite to the direction of observing the screen. It is also applicable to rear type projectors.

[0070]

According to the optical device of the present invention and the projector provided with the same, it is possible to cope with higher brightness and smaller size of the projector and to improve the cooling efficiency of the optical element. .

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view schematically showing an internal structure of a projector according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically showing the optical unit in the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the optical device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing a structure of a refrigerant charging unit in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a cooling structure of the optical device according to the exemplary embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Projector 42 Color Separation Optical System 44 Optical Device 45 Cross Dichroic Prism (Color Synthesizing Optical Device) 46 Projection Lens (Projection Optical System) 441, 441R, 441G, 441B Liquid Crystal Panel (Light Modulator) 441A Dust-proof Glass 441C Drive Board 441D Facing Substrate 442B Polarizing plate (polarizing film, sapphire plate) 445 Pedestal 446 Fixing plate (holding member) 446A Pin spacer (transparent member) 447 Light modulator holding body 447D Elastic member (elastic material) 447E Support plate (holding frame) 447F Injection hole 447G Air vent hole 447J Fin

Claims (17)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of light modulators for modulating a plurality of color lights for each color light according to image information, and a color combining optical device for combining the respective color lights modulated by the light modulators are integrally provided. The optical modulation device comprises a modulation element body in which an electro-optical material is hermetically sealed between a pair of substrates, the optical modulation device is formed according to a light transmission region of the optical modulation device, and is internally cooled. A light modulating device holder having a cooling chamber in which a fluid is hermetically sealed and made of a heat conductive material holding the light modulating device is provided, and the light incident side or the light emitting side of the cooling chamber is the light modulating device. An optical device, which is sealed by any one of the substrates. 2. The optical device according to claim 1, wherein a polarizing plate having a film-shaped polarizing element and a substrate to which the polarizing element is attached is disposed on a light emitting side or a light incident side of the light modulating device, An optical device characterized in that the surface of the light modulator opposite to the surface sealed by the substrate is sealed by the substrate of the polarizing plate. 3. The optical device according to claim 2, wherein the substrate is made of sapphire glass, quartz, or quartz glass. 4. The optical device according to claim 1, wherein a light incident side or a light emitting side of the cooling chamber is sealed with a heat conductive elastic material. An optical device characterized by. 5. The optical device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least one of a pair of substrates constituting the light modulation device is provided with dustproof glass, and the dustproof glass is sapphire glass. , Or quartz, or quartz glass. 6. The optical device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the pair of substrates forming the light modulator is located on a light beam exit side and has a driving substrate on which a pixel electrode is formed. An optical device, comprising: a counter substrate located on a light beam incident side and having a counter electrode corresponding to the pixel electrode, wherein the cooling chamber is sealed by the drive substrate. 7. The optical device according to claim 6, wherein the light modulator is held by a holding frame having an opening corresponding to an image forming area of the light modulator, and the counter substrate has an outer shape. An optical device, wherein the light modulator is positioned with respect to the holding frame as a reference. 8. The optical device according to claim 1, wherein the optical modulator holder is made of a metal material such as aluminum or magnesium, and the optical modulator holder is cooled. An optical device characterized in that a portion that comes into contact with a fluid is subjected to a corrosion-resistant treatment. 9. The optical device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the cooling medium is injected into the light modulator holding body at an end surface intersecting the light modulator holding surface. An optical device having a hole formed therein. 10. The optical device according to claim 9, wherein the light modulator holding member is formed with an air vent hole adjacent to the injection hole for exhausting air in the cooling chamber during injection. An optical device characterized by. 11. The optical device according to claim 10, wherein a recess for storing bubbles is formed inside the cooling chamber corresponding to the position where the air vent hole penetrates. 12. The optical device according to claim 11, wherein the injection hole and the air vent hole are arranged asymmetrically with respect to an axis that symmetrically divides the intersecting end faces. . 13. The optical device according to claim 1, wherein a cooling fin is formed on an outer peripheral portion of the optical modulator holder. 14. The optical device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the light modulator holder is provided with a fixing member attached to a light incident end face of the color combining optical device. An optical device that is attached to a synthetic optical device. 15. The optical device according to claim 14, wherein the light modulator holder and the fixing member are joined by a transparent member that transmits ultraviolet rays. 16. The optical device according to claim 15, wherein the transparent member is formed of a pin-shaped spacer, and has a stepped shape in which a diameter on one end side and a diameter on the other end side of the transparent member are different. Optical device characterized by being. 17. A projector comprising the optical device according to any one of claims 1 to 16.