JP2005074076A - Optical engine, image display unit and game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical engine which can improve cooling efficiency for cooling a light source. <P>SOLUTION: In an optical engine 31, an LED unit 51 and an optical modulator which can make light modulation from the light of the LED unit 51 to projecting light for displaying image are arranged in a case 48. A radiating fin 53 is attached in the LED unit 51 so that heat transfer is possible, made to project out of the case 48 and can radiate the heat generated in the LED unit 51. Then, most heat generated in the LED unit 51 is transferred to the exterior of the case 48 through the radiating fin 53 and heat is radiated around the radiating fin 53, and cooling efficiency for cooling the light source is fully improved. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical engine in which a light source and a light modulation element capable of optically modulating light from the light source into projection light for image display are disposed in an optical engine casing, and an image display including the optical engine The present invention relates to a unit and a gaming machine including the optical engine or the image display unit.

  As this type of optical engine (projector), a liquid crystal projector (15) disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-23355 is known. In the present specification, the reference numerals in the same gazette will be described below in parentheses. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 of the publication, the liquid crystal projector (15) includes a housing (16), a lens unit (17), an optical unit (18), a light source unit (19), and a cooling unit (20). And a duct portion (21). Here, the lens portion (17) is disposed on the side surface of the housing (16). The optical unit (18), the light source unit (19), the cooling unit (20), and the duct unit (21) are disposed in the housing (16). In this case, the optical unit (18) includes a liquid crystal panel (light modulation element) that modulates the light from the light source unit (19). The light source unit (19) includes a metal hydride lamp (1), a lamp housing (22), a reflector (23), and the like. The cooling part (20) is arranged in the vicinity of the lattice part (24) in which a part of the case (16) is formed in a lattice shape, and flows in the case (16). A cooling fan (25) is provided. The duct part (21) is composed of a bent duct member (27), and is disposed between the cooling fan (25) and the light source part (19).

In the liquid crystal projector (15), the cooling fan (25) causes the air in the housing (16) to flow toward the lattice part (24). At this time, a part of the fluidized air is discharged to the outside of the housing (16) through the gap of the lattice part (24). In addition, the other part of the flowed air hits the lattice portion (24) and is changed in direction, and blown from the air discharge port (28) to the metal hydride lamp (1) through the duct portion (21). It is turned on. At this time, since the air blown to the metal hydride lamp (1) absorbs heat generated by the metal hydride lamp (1), the metal hydride lamp (1) is cooled. Next, the air whose temperature has risen due to heat absorption circulates in the housing (16) and is made to flow again toward the lattice portion (24) by the cooling fan (25).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-23355 (page 3-4, Fig. 1-3)

  However, the conventional liquid crystal projector (15) has the following problems. That is, in the liquid crystal projector (15), the metal hydride lamp (1) is cooled by blowing air in the housing (16). However, in this method, a part of the air whose temperature has increased due to heat absorption circulates in the housing (16) and is blown again to the metal hydride lamp (1). Only a part of the heat generated in the metal hydride lamp (1) is discharged outside the housing (16). Therefore, the liquid crystal projector (15) cannot efficiently dissipate the heat generated in the metal hydride lamp (1) to the outside of the casing (16), so that the cooling for cooling the metal hydride lamp (1) is performed. There is a problem that efficiency is low.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and a main object of the present invention is to provide an optical engine, an image display unit, and a game machine that can improve the cooling efficiency for cooling a light source.

  In order to achieve the above object, in an optical engine according to the present invention, a light source and a light modulation element capable of modulating the light from the light source into projection light for image display are disposed in the optical engine casing. It is an optical engine, and is provided with a radiation fin that is attached to the light source so as to be capable of transferring heat, and is projected to the outside of the optical engine casing to dissipate heat generated by the light source.

  According to this optical engine, the heat generated by the light source can be transferred to the light source by attaching the heat radiating fin that protrudes outside the housing for the optical engine and can radiate the heat generated by the light source to the heat source. Heat can be transferred to the outside of the optical engine housing through the heat sink and dissipated around the heat radiating fins, so that only a part of the heat generated by the light source can be discharged to the outside of the housing. As a result, most of the heat generated by the light source can be dissipated to the outside of the optical engine casing, so that the cooling efficiency for cooling the light source can be sufficiently improved.

  In the optical engine according to the present invention, the light source includes one or a plurality of light emitting diodes.

  According to this optical engine, since the light source is configured with the light emitting diode, the light emitting diode is small, so that the optical engine can be configured to be small compared to a configuration using, for example, a high-pressure mercury lamp as the light source. . In addition, since the life of the light emitting diode (total lighting time) is small and the power consumption is small compared to a high pressure mercury lamp or the like, for example, the running cost of the optical engine can be sufficiently reduced.

  The optical engine according to the present invention is the above optical engine, wherein the light source includes a red light source including a red light emitting diode as the light emitting diode that emits red light, and the light emitting diode that emits green light. The light source includes a green light source including a green light emitting diode and a blue light source including a blue light emitting diode as the light emitting diode that emits blue light, and the radiating fin includes the red light source, the green light source, and the blue light source. It is attached to the light source that generates the most calorific value.

  According to this optical engine, the light source is composed of a red light source having a red light emitting diode, a green light source having a green light emitting diode, and a blue light source having a blue light emitting diode, so that a current or voltage for light emission is obtained. Can be adjusted for each type (color) of light-emitting diode, so that the balance of the amount of red light, green light and blue light can be easily changed. As a result, the hue (color tone) of the image can be reliably and easily Can be changed. Furthermore, by attaching a radiation fin to a light source that generates the largest amount of heat (for example, only a light source that generates the largest amount of heat) among at least one of a red light source, a green light source, and a blue light source, the optical engine can be made compact.

  Furthermore, in the optical engine according to the present invention, in the optical engine described above, a blower fan that causes the air around the radiating fin to flow is attached to the radiating fin.

  According to this optical engine, by installing the blower fan that flows the air around the radiating fins to the radiating fins, the heat around the radiating fins can be further diffused around the radiating fins. As a result, the cooling efficiency for cooling the light source can be further improved.

  In the optical engine according to the present invention, in the optical engine described above, an air exhaust port is formed in the optical engine casing, and a shielding plate capable of shielding the light covers the air exhaust port. Arranged in the optical engine casing.

  According to this optical engine, since the air discharge port is formed in the optical engine casing, the air in the optical engine casing whose temperature is increased by the heat generated by the light source and the light modulation element is transferred from the air discharge port to the optical engine casing. Since it can be discharged to the outside of the housing, the influence of heat on the light modulation element can be reliably prevented. Furthermore, the shielding plate is arranged in the optical engine casing so as to cover the air discharge port, so that even if the light emitted from the light source leaks from the air discharge port, the leaked light is surely secured by the shielding plate. Therefore, for example, reflection of leaked light on the display unit can be reliably prevented.

  The image display unit according to the present invention emits the optical engine and the screen capable of receiving the projection light emitted from the optical engine on the back side and displaying an image from the optical engine. The projection light is fixed to and integrated with the unit casing in a state in which the projection light can be projected toward the back surface of the screen, and the radiating fins are protruded to the outside of the unit casing.

  According to this image display unit, by fixing the optical engine and the screen to the unit housing in a state in which the projection light emitted from the optical engine can be projected toward the back of the screen, For example, the screen and the optical engine can be attached to the attachment object in such a posture that the image display unit can be accurately displayed at the display position that should be displayed by simply aligning and fixing the image display unit to the attachment object. Further, by projecting the heat radiating fins to the outside of the unit housing, for example, even if the unit housing has a sealed structure, the heat generated by the light source is efficiently radiated to the outside of the unit housing. Therefore, the cooling efficiency for cooling the light source can be sufficiently improved.

  Furthermore, a gaming machine according to the present invention provides a game for the optical engine, a display unit capable of receiving the projection light emitted from the optical engine on the back side and displaying an image, and the optical engine. A display control unit that generates and outputs data for displaying the image.

  According to this gaming machine, by providing the optical engine, the display unit, and the display control unit, it is possible to realize the same effect as the optical engine has.

  A gaming machine according to the present invention includes the above-described image display unit and a display control unit that causes the image display unit to display a game image.

  According to this gaming machine, by providing the image display unit and the display control unit, it is possible to realize the same effect as the effect of the image display unit.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of an optical engine, an image display unit, and a game machine according to the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  First, the configuration of the pachinko machine 1 (an example of a gaming machine according to the present invention) will be described with reference to the drawings. The pachinko machine 1 shown in FIG. 1 is, as an example, a “seven machine” type pachinko machine in which a “big hit” is generated by lottery, and includes a game image G (for example, the earth, Mt. Fuji, and the numbers “ 123 ”) is displayed on the back side of the game board 21 and is visible through the game board 21. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the pachinko machine 1 includes a game mechanism 2, a main control unit 3, a main storage unit 4, a display device 5, and a housing 6 (see FIG. 1). Yes. The game mechanism 2 includes a game board 21 and a drive mechanism 27, as shown in FIG. The game board 21 is formed, for example, in the shape of a rectangular plate as a whole by a light-transmitting resin (polycarbonate as an example), and is formed in a circular game part 21a partitioned by a frame member F as shown in FIG. A game ball is configured to be movable. In this case, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the game unit 21a has a plurality of nails 22, 22,..., A start chucker 23, a big winning opening (attacker) 24, winning openings 25, 25, windmills 26, 26, and the like. The gaming parts are arranged. A door 28 fitted with a transparent glass plate 28 a is attached to the front of the game board 21. As shown in FIG. 3, the drive mechanism 27 is disposed on the bottom side in the housing 6, and collects and pays out game balls in accordance with instructions from the main control unit 3.

  The main control unit 3 controls the drive mechanism 27 and the display device 5 in an integrated manner, and executes a lottery when a game ball wins the start chucker 23. In addition, the main control unit 3 outputs a command C when the game state changes, for example, at the start of a lottery or when a big hit occurs, thereby causing the display device 5 to execute image display processing and various game images. G is displayed. In this case, the main control unit 3 outputs a command C including designation of display procedure data Ds (this will be described later) necessary for displaying the game image G. The main storage unit 4 stores an operation program of the main control unit 3 and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the display device 5 includes an image display unit 11, a display control unit 12, a RAM 13, a display procedure data storage unit 14, a VRAM 15, and a symbol data storage unit 16. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the image display unit 11 includes an optical engine 31, a screen panel 32, a reflection mirror 33, and a housing 34. In this case, the image display unit 11 includes an optical engine 31, a screen panel 32, and a reflection mirror 33 fixed to and integrated with a casing 34, and is attached to the back side of the casing 6 as shown in FIG. Yes.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the optical engine 31 is tilted at a predetermined tilt angle, and the emitted projection light Lp can be reflected toward the back surface of the screen panel 32 by the reflection mirror 33 (hereinafter simply “preliminarily” Projected light that is fixed at a position near the bottom surface of the housing 34 in a specified state) and light-modulated based on display image data Dg (which will be described later) output by the display control unit 12 Lp is projected toward the reflection mirror 33 disposed on the back side of the housing 34. Further, the optical engine 31 is configured by, for example, a three-plate transmissive liquid crystal system including three liquid crystal light valves as light modulation elements, and as illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 8, the light source units 41r, 41g, and 41b (hereinafter referred to as “light source units”). When not distinguished, they are also referred to as “light source unit 41”), mirrors 42, 42, 42, liquid crystal light valves 43, 43, 43, prism 44, projection lens 45, blower 46, drive circuit board 47 and case 48 (in the present invention). Corresponding to an optical engine casing).

  As shown in FIG. 9, the light source unit 41 includes an LED unit 51, a lens array 52, a heat radiation fin 53, and a blower fan 54. In the light source unit 41, as shown in FIG. 6, the radiation fins 53 and the blower fan 54 are projected outside the case 48, and the LED unit 51 and the lens array 52 are accommodated (arranged) inside the case 48. In this state, it is fixed to the case 48. The LED unit 51 corresponds to a light source in the present invention, and as shown in FIG. 9, a plurality of LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) 61, 61,... Are arranged on a substrate in a matrix, for example. Yes. In this case, LEDs 61 (red light emitting diodes) that emit red light are arranged in the LED units 51 (hereinafter also referred to as “LED units 51r”) of the light source unit 41r. In addition, in the LED unit 51 of the light source unit 41g (hereinafter also referred to as “LED unit 51g”), LEDs 61 (green light emitting diodes) that emit green light are arranged. Further, the LED unit 51 of the light source unit 41b (hereinafter also referred to as “LED unit 51b”) emits blue light (hereinafter also simply referred to as “light L” when red light, green light, and blue light are not distinguished). LEDs 61 (blue light emitting diodes) are arranged.

  In this case, in this optical engine 31, in order to display an image in a natural color, the light quantity ratio of red light, green light, and blue light emitted from the LED units 51r, 51g, and 51b, respectively, is 24: 70: 6, for example. It is stipulated in. Accordingly, since the amount of green light is the largest among the amounts of red light, green light, and blue, among the LED units 51r, 51g, and 51b, the LED unit 51g is the largest when the LED 61 is turned on. Generates heat. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 4, the heat radiating fins 53 and the blower fans 54 of the light source unit 41g are projected outside the housing 34 in order to improve the cooling efficiency for cooling the LED unit 51g.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the lens array 52 is formed by integrally forming a plurality of small lenses arranged in a matrix, for example, and converts the light L (diverged light) from the LED unit 51 into substantially parallel light. . As shown in the figure, the radiating fin 53 is configured to include a plurality of thin metal plates, and is attached so as to be in close contact with the substrate of the LED unit 51 (so that heat can be transferred), and the LED unit 51 (LED 61). The heat generated in step 1 is radiated to the outside of the case 48. The blower fan 54 is attached to the radiating fins 53 and causes the air around the radiating fins 53 (around the LED unit 51) to flow.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the mirrors 42, 42, 42 are arranged on the optical paths of the light L from the respective light source units 41, 41, 41 and reflect the light L toward the light modulation element. The liquid crystal light valve 43 corresponds to the light modulation element in the present invention, is driven by the drive circuit board 47, and performs light modulation by transmitting or blocking the light L based on the display image data Dg. In this case, on the incident side of the light L in the liquid crystal light valve 43, an incident-side polarizing plate (not shown) that linearly polarizes the light L is disposed. Further, on the light emission side of the liquid crystal light valve 43, an emission side polarizing plate (not shown) for aligning the amplitude direction of the light modulated light L is disposed. The prism 44 synthesizes the light L (red light, green light, and blue light) light-modulated by the liquid crystal light valves 43, 43, 43, and emits the projection light Lp for displaying the game image G in color. . The projection lens 45 expands the projection light Lp emitted from the prism 44. As shown in FIG. 7, the blower 46 has a casing integrally formed with the case 48, and cools the liquid crystal light valve 43 by causing the air in the case 48 to flow. The drive circuit board 47 drives the light source unit 41 (the LED unit 51 and the blower fan 54) and the liquid crystal light valve 43 under the control of the display control unit 12. The drive circuit board 47 also functions as a shielding plate in the present invention, and is configured by arranging various electronic components on a board formed of a light shielding material. As shown in FIG. It is attached to the case 48 so as to cover.

  The screen panel 32 corresponds to the screen according to the present invention, and as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the screen panel 32 is substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface of the housing 34 (predetermined state) on the front side of the housing 34. The projection light Lp fixed to the edge of the opening 34a and projected from the back side (reflected by the reflection mirror 33) is received to display various images. In this case, for example, the screen panel 32 transmits, as an example, a Fresnel lens that converts the projection light Lp into parallel light, a lenticular lens that converts parallel light into enlarged (diffused) light, and transmits the enlarged light and protects the lenticular lens. A resin plate (both not shown) that functions as a protective plate is integrally formed. Further, as shown in both figures, at the lower part of the screen panel 32, when attached to the housing 6 (see FIG. 3), there are game parts (for example, the start chucker 23) disposed on the game board 21. A notch 32a for avoiding the contact is formed. In this case, the number, size, shape, and position of the notches 32a can be changed as appropriate according to the number, size, shape, and position of the gaming components provided on the game board 21. As shown in FIG. 5, the reflection mirror 33 is fixed to the back side of the housing 34 in a state inclined at a predetermined angle (predetermined state), and the projection light Lp emitted by the optical engine 31. Is reflected toward the back surface of the screen panel 32. The casing 34 corresponds to the unit casing in the present invention, and is configured in a box shape with the rear side inclined, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, and an opening 34a is formed on the front side. Has been. Further, the housing 34 is configured to be detachable from the housing 6, and as shown in FIG. 3, the housing 6 is attached to the housing 6 by front-side stoppers 71 and 71 and a rear-side fixing member 72. Fixed. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the casing 34 is formed with a notch 34b in the lower right corner on the front side for projecting the heat radiation fins 53 and the blower fans 54 of the light source unit 41g in the optical engine 31 to the outside. ing.

  The display control unit 12 generates display image data Dg for displaying various game images G by executing an image display process according to the command C output by the main control unit 3 as shown in FIG. And output to the optical engine 31. In this case, the display image data Dg is composed of red image data, green image data, and blue image data corresponding to images obtained by color-separating the game image G into red, green, and blue, respectively. The RAM 13 temporarily stores various data generated by the display control unit 12. The display procedure data storage unit 14 stores display procedure data Ds in which designation of symbols used for the game image G, the display position and size of the game image G, and the like are described. The VRAM 15 stores display image data Dg generated when an image is virtually drawn by the display control unit 12. The symbol data storage unit 16 stores various symbol data Dp (symbol data such as the earth, Mt. Fuji, and numbers) for generating the display image data Dg.

  The housing 6 is formed in a box shape as a whole as shown in FIGS. As shown in FIG. 3, an opening 7 for attaching the image display unit 11 is formed on the back side of the housing 6. In addition, partition plates 8 a and 8 b for partitioning the housing portion that houses the drive mechanism 27 are disposed in the lower portion of the housing 6. Further, stoppers 71 and 71 for positioning the front surface of the image display unit 11 in contact with the upper part of the back surface of the game board 21 and the lower part of the partition plate 8b in the housing 6 when the image display unit 11 is attached. Is arranged.

  Next, the overall operation of the pachinko machine 1 will be described with reference to the drawings. In the pachinko machine 1, when the power is turned on, the main control unit 3 outputs a command C designating display procedure data Ds for displaying, for example, the game image G shown in FIG. In response to this, the display control unit 12 checks the content of the command C and executes image display processing. In this image display process, the display control unit 12 reads the display procedure data Ds specified by the command C from the display procedure data storage unit 14. Next, the display control unit 12 stores the symbol data Dp, Dp,... Necessary for generating the display image data Dg for displaying the game image G in accordance with the procedure of the read display procedure data Ds. 16 is read out. Next, the display control unit 12 virtually draws the symbols corresponding to the read symbol data Dp, Dp,... On the virtual plane of the VRAM 15 (stores them in the VRAM 15), thereby displaying the display image data Dg in the VRAM 15. Is generated. Subsequently, the display control unit 12 outputs the display image data Dg in the VRAM 15 to the optical engine 31.

  On the other hand, in the optical engine 31, when the power is turned on, each light source unit 41, 41, 41 emits light L under the control of the drive circuit board 47 as shown in FIG. 8. Further, when the power is turned on, the blower fans 54, 54, 54 are actuated to flow the air around the radiating fins 53, 53, 53. At this time, the heat generated in the LED unit 51 (LED 61) is transferred to the heat radiating fins 53 through the above-described substrate, and outside the case 48 (for the heat radiating fins 53 of the light source unit 41g, outside the housing 34). The heat is dissipated around the radiating fins 53. Moreover, since the air around the radiation fins 53 flows by the blower fan 54, the heat around the radiation fins 53 is further diffused around the air. For this reason, the LED unit 51 (LED 61) is efficiently cooled. Further, when the power is turned on, the blower 46 operates to cause the air in the case 48 to flow. At this time, the heat in the LED unit 51 and the air in the case 48 that has risen in temperature due to the heat generated in the liquid crystal light valve 43 are discharged to the outside of the case 48 from the air discharge port 48a. The influence of heat on is reliably prevented.

  Next, the liquid crystal light valves 43, 43, 43 modulate the light L from the light source units 41, 41, 41 based on the display image data Dg under the control of the drive circuit board 47. Next, the prism 44 combines the light L light-modulated by the liquid crystal light valves 43, 43, 43 and emits the projection light Lp. Subsequently, the projection lens 45 expands the projection light Lp emitted by the prism 44. At this time, the projection light Lp magnified by the projection lens 45 is reflected by the reflection mirror 33 and projected onto the screen panel 32 as shown in FIG. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 1, the game image G is displayed on the screen panel 32 and is visually recognized through the game board 21. In this case, since the drive circuit board 47 is attached to the case 48 so as to cover the air discharge port 48a, the light L from the LED unit 51 is reflected in the case 48 and leaks from the air discharge port 48a. However, as a result of the leaked light L being shielded by the drive circuit board 47, reflection of the leaked light L on the screen panel 32 is reliably prevented.

  For example, when a game is started and a game ball wins the winning opening 25 and a lottery is executed, or when a “big hit” is generated as a result of the lottery, the main control unit 3 causes the lottery game image G or big win. The command C specifying the display procedure data Ds for displaying the effect game image G is output, and the display control unit 12 executes the image display process to output the display image data Dg. On the other hand, the optical engine 31 emits the projection light Lp for displaying the lottery game image G and the big hit effect game image G based on the display image data Dg. As a result, the lottery game image G and the jackpot game image G are accurately displayed at the display position on the screen panel 32.

  As described above, according to the pachinko machine 1, the image display unit 11, and the optical engine 31, the radiation fins 53 that are projected outside the case 48 and can radiate the heat generated in the LED unit 51 are transmitted to the LED unit 51. Since the heat generated in the LED unit 51 can be transferred to the outside of the case 48 through the heat radiation fins 53 and dissipated to the periphery of the heat radiation fins 53, the heat generated by the light source can be reduced. Compared to a conventional optical engine that can only radiate heat to the outside of the housing, much of the heat generated in the LED unit 51 can be radiated to the outside of the case 48, thereby cooling the LED unit 51 (LED 61). Cooling efficiency can be sufficiently improved.

  Further, by adopting the LED unit 51 including the LED 61 as a light source, the LED 61 is small, so that the optical engine 31 and the image display unit 11 are configured to be small compared to a configuration using, for example, a high-pressure mercury lamp as the light source. be able to. Further, for example, the LED 61 has a longer life (total lighting time) and less power consumption than a high-pressure mercury lamp or the like, and thus the running cost of the optical engine 31 (the image display unit 11 and the pachinko machine 1) is sufficiently reduced. be able to.

  In addition, since the light source is configured by the LED units 51r, 51g, and 51b, the light emission current and voltage can be adjusted for each type (color) of the LED 61. Therefore, the amount of red light, green light, and blue light can be adjusted. As a result of being able to easily change the balance, the hue (color tone) of the game image G can be changed reliably and easily.

  Moreover, since the heat around the radiation fin 53 can be further diffused by attaching the blower fan 54 for flowing the air around the radiation fin 53 to the radiation fin 53, the heat radiation efficiency of the radiation fin 53 is improved. As a result, the cooling efficiency for cooling the LED unit 51 can be further improved.

  Further, since the air discharge port 48 a for discharging the air in the case 48 is formed in the case 48, the air in the case 48 whose temperature has risen due to the heat generated in the LED unit 51 and the liquid crystal light valve 43 is removed from the air discharge port. Since it can be discharged from the case 48 to the outside of the case 48, the influence of heat on the liquid crystal light valve 43 can be reliably prevented. Furthermore, by arranging the drive circuit board 47 in the case 48 so as to cover the air discharge port 48a, even if the light L from the LED unit 51 leaks from the air discharge port 48a, the leaked light L is driven. Since it is reliably shielded by the circuit board 47, the reflection of the leaked light L on the screen panel 32 can be reliably prevented.

  Further, by adopting the image display unit 11 in which the optical engine 31, the screen panel 32, and the reflection mirror 33 are fixed and integrated with the casing 34 in a predetermined state, the image display unit 11 is positioned in the casing 6. The optical engine 31, the screen panel 32, and the reflection mirror 33 can be attached to the housing 6 in such a posture that an image can be accurately displayed at a display position that should be displayed by simply fixing them together. Further, the heat radiation fins 53 of the light source unit 41g are projected outside the housing 34, so that the heat generated by the LED unit 51g can be efficiently transmitted to the outside of the housing 34 even if the housing 34 is configured in a sealed structure. Therefore, the cooling efficiency for cooling the LED unit 51g can be sufficiently improved.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiment of the present invention described above. For example, in the embodiment of the present invention, the example in which the image display unit 11 is mounted on the pachinko machine 1 has been described. For example, the present invention is applied to the slot machine 101 shown in FIG. 10 (another example of the gaming machine according to the present invention). Can also be applied. As shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 11, the slot machine 101 includes a gaming mechanism 102, a housing 103, and an image display unit 11. In this case, the gaming mechanism 102 is disposed on the bottom side in the housing 103 and executes the payout of coins (medals) under the control of the main control unit 3. The housing 103 is configured such that an opening 103a for detachably attaching the image display unit 11 is formed on the back side thereof. The image display unit 11 is detachably attached to the housing 103, and displays a game image G (for example, an image simulating a reel shown in FIG. 10) under the control of the display control unit 12. Also in this slot machine 101, by mounting the image display unit 11 including the optical engine 31, it is possible to dissipate most of the heat generated in the LED unit 51 to the outside of the case 48. As a result, the LED unit 51 is cooled. Cooling efficiency can be sufficiently improved.

  Further, the present invention can be applied to a pinball machine 201 (a further example of the gaming machine according to the present invention) shown in FIG. The pinball machine 201 includes a game board 202, a housing 203, and an image display unit 11 as shown in FIG. In this case, the game board 202 is provided on the upper surface side of the housing 203 and is formed of a light-transmitting resin while various kinds of accessories are attached. The housing 203 is configured such that an opening 203a for detachably attaching the image display unit 11 is formed on a side surface thereof. The image display unit 11 is detachably attached to the housing 203 and displays a game image G (for example, an image representing a score shown in FIG. 12) under the control of the display control unit 12. Also in this pinball machine 201, by mounting the image display unit 11 including the optical engine 31, much of the heat generated in the LED unit 51 is transferred to the case 48 in the same manner as the pachinko machine 1 and the slot machine 101. As a result, the cooling efficiency for cooling the LED unit 51 can be sufficiently improved.

  Furthermore, the gaming machine according to the present invention is not limited to a pachinko machine, a slot machine, and a pinball machine, and includes various arcade game machines. Of course, the present invention can be applied to a rear projector and a rear projection television.

  Furthermore, in the embodiment of the present invention, the image display unit 11 in which the optical engine 31, the screen panel 32, and the reflection mirror 33 are fixed and integrated in the housing 34 is integrated into the pachinko machine 1, the slot machine 101, and the pinball machine 201. Although the attached example has been described, the optical engine 31, the screen panel 32, and the reflection mirror 33 can be directly fixed to the housing 6 (or the housing 103 or the housing 203) instead of the image display unit 11. Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, the optical engine 31 in which the radiation fins 53 are attached to the LED units 51, 51, 51 has been described as an example, but the heat generation of the LED units 51, 51, 51 is described. An optical engine in which the radiation fins 53 are attached only to the LED unit 51 having the largest amount (in this case, the LED unit 51g) may be employed. The optical engine configured as described above can be configured smaller than the optical engine 31 by the amount of mounting of the heat radiation fins 53 to one. Furthermore, the structure which cools the LED unit 51 only with the radiation fin 53 without providing the ventilation fan 54 is also employable. Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, the image display unit 11 in which the heat dissipating fins 53 and the blower fan 54 of the light source unit 41g are projected outside the casing 34 has been described as an example. It is not necessary to project outside, and it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which it is arranged in the housing 34.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the three-plate optical engine 31 including three liquid crystal light valves 43 has been described as an example. However, one (single) liquid crystal light valve is used for red light and green light. It is also possible to employ a single-plate optical engine that modulates blue light. Further, instead of the LED units 51, 51, 51, an LED unit in which a white LED (white light emitting diode) that emits white light is disposed is adopted, and a configuration in which the radiation fins 53 and the blower fan 54 are attached to the LED unit. It can also be adopted. In this case, this LED unit can be used as a light source to form a three-plate optical engine and a single-plate optical engine. Moreover, it can replace with LED and can employ | adopt the structure which employ | adopts a high pressure mercury lamp, a metal halide lamp, etc. as a light source, and attaches the radiation fin 53 and the ventilation fan 54 to these. Furthermore, in the embodiment of the present invention, the example in which the drive circuit board 47 is used as the light shielding plate has been described. However, the drive circuit board 47 is fixed to, for example, the bottom of the housing 34 and the air discharge port 48a of the case 48. It is also possible to attach a plate member dedicated to light shielding. In the embodiment of the present invention, an example in which the transmissive liquid crystal light valve 43 is employed as the light modulation element has been described. However, instead of the liquid crystal light valve 43, a reflective liquid crystal panel is employed as the light modulation element. You can also

1 is a front view of a pachinko machine 1. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a pachinko machine 1. 1 is a side sectional view of a pachinko machine 1. 3 is a front view of the image display unit 11. FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the image display unit 11. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the optical engine 31. FIG. 2 is a side view of the optical engine 31. FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a configuration in a case 48 in the optical engine 31. 4 is a plan view of a light source unit 41. FIG. 2 is a front view of the slot machine 101. FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of the slot machine 101. FIG. 1 is a front view of a pinball machine 201. FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the pinball machine 201. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Pachinko machine, 6, 34, 103, 203 Case, 11 Image display unit, 12 Display control part, 31 Optical engine, 32 Screen panel, 33 Reflection mirror, 43 Liquid crystal light valve, 47 Drive circuit board, 48 Case, 48a Air outlet, 51, 51b, 51g, 51r LED unit, 61 LED, 101 slot machine, 201 pinball machine, G game image, L light, Lp projection light

Claims (8)

An optical engine in which a light source and a light modulation element capable of optically modulating light from the light source into projection light for image display are disposed in an optical engine casing,
An optical engine provided with a radiation fin that is attached to the light source so as to be capable of transferring heat and protrudes outside the optical engine casing to radiate heat generated by the light source.   The optical engine according to claim 1, wherein the light source includes one or a plurality of light emitting diodes. The light source includes a red light source including a red light emitting diode as the light emitting diode that emits red light, a green light source including a green light emitting diode as the light emitting diode that emits green light, and the light emitting blue light. It consists of a blue light source with a blue light emitting diode as a light emitting diode,
The optical engine according to claim 2, wherein the radiating fin is attached to a light source having the largest amount of heat generated among the red light source, the green light source, and the blue light source.   The optical engine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a blower fan that causes the air around the radiating fin to flow is attached to the radiating fin.   The air exhaust port is formed in the optical engine casing, and the shielding plate capable of shielding the light is disposed in the optical engine casing so as to cover the air exhaust port. An optical engine according to any one of the above. The optical engine according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and a screen capable of receiving an image on the back side of the projection light emitted from the optical engine and displaying an image thereof, are emitted from the optical engine. It is fixed and integrated with the unit housing in a state in which the projection light can be projected toward the back of the screen,
The heat-radiating fin is an image display unit that protrudes outside the unit housing.   An optical engine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, a display unit capable of displaying an image by receiving the projection light emitted from the optical engine on a back side thereof, and a game for the optical engine A gaming machine including a display control unit that generates and outputs data for displaying an image.   A gaming machine comprising: the image display unit according to claim 6; and a display control unit configured to display a game image on the image display unit.

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