JP2005346117A - Projection device and liquid crystal panel unit used for same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device for projecting a uniform image with a clear-cut black and white contrast by using a projection device equipped with an optical compensation sheet. <P>SOLUTION: The projection device is equipped with a liquid crystal panel 7 which encloses liquid crystal molecules 57 irradiated with light from a light source 35, a polarizing plate 73 placed opposite to the liquid crystal panel 7 and the optical compensation sheet 8 which is placed between the liquid crystal panel 7 and the polarizing plate 73 and compensates birefringence of the liquid crystal molecules 57. Therein, the optical compensation sheet 8 is attached to a first rotation plate 2, the polarizing plate 73 is attached to a second rotation plate 6 and the first rotation plate 2 and the second rotation plate 6 are rotated independently to each other and are constituted so that it can be rotatably adjusted in a plane vertical to an optical axis L. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a projection apparatus provided with an optical compensation sheet between a liquid crystal panel and a polarizing plate, and a liquid crystal panel unit used in the projection apparatus.

  FIGS. 8A and 8B are exploded perspective views of the liquid crystal panel 7 and the polarizing plates 73 and 74 sandwiching the liquid crystal panel 7, and FIG. 8A shows the liquid crystal panel 7. (B) shows a state where an electric field is applied to the liquid crystal panel (7). As is well known, the polarizing plates (73) and (74) allow one of the two polarized light beams orthogonal to each other, and both polarizing plates (73) and (74) have a vibrating surface of the polarizing light that allows the passage. They are 90 degrees apart from each other. Since the vibration planes of the polarizing plates (73) and (74) must be exactly 90 degrees apart from each other, the polarizing plates (73) and (74) are placed in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the liquid crystal panel (7). A configuration for rotational adjustment is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  The liquid crystal panel (7) is configured by enclosing liquid crystal molecules (57) in transparent display substrates (70) and (71), and both display substrates (70) and (71) are rubbed to form both display substrates (70 and 70). ) (71), the rod-like liquid crystal molecules (57) are confined in a twisted state.

  The liquid crystal panel (7) is a so-called normally white type. When no electric field is applied between the display substrates (70) and (71), as shown in FIG. The polarized light that has passed passes through the polarizing plate (74) on the emission side while being bent 90 degrees by the twist of the liquid crystal molecules (57). Accordingly, the liquid crystal panel (7) is displayed brightly, that is, white.

When an electric field is applied between the display substrates (70) and (71), as shown in FIG. 8 (b), the liquid crystal molecules (57) are aligned and polarized light that has passed through the polarizing plate (73) on the incident side. Passes through the gap between the liquid crystal molecules (57). Since the polarized light is blocked by the output-side polarizing plate (74), it is displayed in black on the liquid crystal panel (7). The liquid crystal panel (7) displays an image by switching the presence or absence of an electric field for each small space.

  However, in reality, in the liquid crystal panel (7), the tilt angle of the liquid crystal molecules (57) is set to the liquid crystal panel (70) as shown in FIG. 9 with an electric field applied between the display substrates (70) and (71). It is known that it changes continuously along the thickness direction of 7). As a result, when an electric field is applied between the display substrates (70) and (71), light leaks due to the birefringence of the liquid crystal molecules (57) located near the substrates (70) and (71). Is known to decrease.

  In recent years, there has been a demand for higher density images. In an apparatus that captures such a high-density image, it is necessary to highlight the black and white contrast of the projected image and to capture the image clearly. As described above, when the polarized light that should be blocked normally passes through the liquid crystal panel (7) as shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 8 (b) due to the birefringence of the liquid crystal molecules (57), the black color is not displayed completely black. . Here, birefringence means that the traveling speed varies depending on the direction of the vibration plane of light, and an azimuth with a high speed is called a fast axis and a slow azimuth is called a slow axis.

In view of this point, as shown in FIG. 9, the liquid crystal panel (7) and the input / output side polarizing plate (73)
(74) and an optical compensation sheet (8) in which liquid crystal molecules (58) are arranged along the thickness direction.
It is proposed to provide 8a) (for example, refer nonpatent literature 1). This is a transparent sheet in which substantially disc-shaped liquid crystal molecules (58) made of a discotic liquid crystal compound are aligned. Here, the discotic liquid crystal compound is a compound in which ester molecules are stacked with a benzene ring as a nucleus.

The tilt angle of the liquid crystal molecules (58) changes continuously along the thickness direction of the sheet,
The outermost liquid crystal molecules (58) are arranged substantially horizontally. Thereby, the birefringence of the liquid crystal molecules (57) in the liquid crystal panel (7) is compensated, and the light leaking from the liquid crystal panel (7) does not pass through the polarizing plate (74). Therefore, the black color appears completely black on the liquid crystal panel (7), so that the contrast can be emphasized.

The optical compensation sheets (8) and (8a) are often attached to the polarizing plates (73) and (74). The alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules (58) in the optical compensation sheets (8) and (8a) depends on the display substrates (70) (71
) Must be parallel to the orientation direction.
JP 2000-39591 (FIG. 5) Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. Technical Report 1998 No. 2, pages 97-98

  The optical compensation sheets (8) and (8a) are attached to the polarizing plates (73) and (74) so that the alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules (58) is parallel to the alignment direction of the display substrates (70) and (71). Should.

However, the alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules (58) of the optical compensation sheets (8) and (8a) is parallel to the alignment direction due to an attachment error of the optical compensation sheets (8) and (8a) to the polarizing plates (73) and (74). It may not be possible.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the optical compensation sheet (8) is cut out from the film sheet (85) to a required size. There may be deviation.

  Such an optical compensation sheet (8) allows the light to be originally blocked to pass through because the alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules (58) is deviated from the original position. As a result, light leaks and display unevenness occurs. Further, since the optical compensation sheet (8) was fixed, when contrast reduction or display unevenness occurred, it was replaced with another optical compensation sheet (8) having a different optical axis. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare the optical compensation sheet (8) having various optical axes, which causes adverse effects such as generation of unnecessary inventory.

  The applicant projects an image with clear and uniform contrast between black and white by rotating and adjusting the alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules (58) of the optical compensation sheet (8) in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis. I was inspired by that.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for projecting a uniform image with clear contrast between black and white in a projection apparatus provided with an optical compensation sheet (8).

A first means for solving the above problem is that the liquid crystal panel enclosing liquid crystal molecules irradiated with light from the light source, the polarizing plate facing the liquid crystal panel, and the liquid crystal panel and the polarizing plate In a projection apparatus equipped with an optical compensation sheet that compensates for the birefringence of liquid crystal molecules,
The optical compensation sheet is attached to the first rotating plate, the polarizing plate is attached to the second rotating plate, and the first rotating plate and the second rotating plate rotate independently of each other. The rotation adjustment is possible in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis.

A second means for solving the above problem is that the liquid crystal panel enclosing liquid crystal molecules irradiated with light from the light source, the polarizing plate facing the liquid crystal panel, and the liquid crystal panel and the polarizing plate In a liquid crystal panel unit equipped with an optical compensation sheet that compensates for the birefringence of liquid crystal molecules,
The optical compensation sheet is attached to the first rotating plate, the polarizing plate is attached to the second rotating plate, and the first rotating plate and the second rotating plate rotate independently of each other. The rotation adjustment is possible in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis.

  Since the optical compensation sheet is rotated and adjusted in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis, the alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules in the optical compensation sheet can be set strictly parallel to the alignment direction of the liquid crystal panel. Thereby, a uniform image with clear contrast between black and white can be displayed.

  In addition, since the first rotation plate and the second rotation plate are independently adjusted separately, even if one of the rotation plates is adjusted, the adjustment of the other rotation plate is not shifted. There is an effect that the adjustment can be performed stably.

  Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a plan view of a projection apparatus according to this example. The device comprises three liquid crystal panels (7), (7a) and (7b) corresponding to R, G and B which are the three primary colors of light on the chassis (3), and these are used as strong light from the light source (35). The image is projected by synthesizing the light flux that has passed through the liquid crystal panel. This example is characterized by the rotation adjustment of the optical compensation sheet (8). First, the overall configuration will be described.

  In the chassis (3), there are disposed liquid crystal panels (7a) and (7b) corresponding to R and B across the optical axis of the projection lens (36), and between the liquid crystal panels (7a) and (7b). A prism body (30) is provided. A liquid crystal panel (7) corresponding to G is provided on the opposite side of the projection lens (36) across the prism body (30).

  A light source (35) is provided at the entrance of the optical path to the chassis (3), and total reflection mirrors (75) (76) (77) (78) and dichroic mirrors (45) (46) are in the optical path on the optical path. It is inclined and deployed.

  After the light from the light source (35) is reflected by the total reflection mirror (75), the dichroic mirror (45) allows the passage of R and reflects G and B. R is reflected by the total reflection mirror (76) and irradiates the liquid crystal panel (7a) corresponding to R, and is irradiated toward the projection lens (36) by the prism body (30). G is reflected by the dichroic mirror (46) and enters the prism body (30), and the incident light passes through the prism body (30) as it is and enters the projection lens (36). B is reflected by the total reflection mirror (77) through the relay lens (38), then is reflected by the composite mirror (31) in the prism body (30) and is incident on the projection lens (36), and the screen (37). Is irradiated.

  FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the periphery of the liquid crystal panel (7) corresponding to G. Note that the periphery of the liquid crystal panels (7a) and (7b) corresponding to R and B has the same configuration as the periphery of the liquid crystal panel (7) corresponding to G. A panel (7) is illustrated.

  Polarizers (73) and (74) are respectively provided on the light incident side and the exit side of the liquid crystal panel (7), and, as is well known, one polarized light (tentatively P wave) that has passed through the incident side polarizing plate (73). Is twisted in the liquid crystal panel (7) in a state where no electric field is applied to the liquid crystal panel (7), and the polarization angle is changed to an S wave orthogonal to the P wave, so that the polarizing plate on the output side Go through (74).

  An incident side optical compensation sheet (8) is provided between the liquid crystal panel (7) and the incident side polarizing plate (73), and an outgoing side is provided between the liquid crystal panel (7) and the outgoing side polarizing plate (74). Optical compensation sheets (8a) are respectively provided.

  The incident side polarizing plate (73) and the incident side optical compensation sheet (8), and the outgoing side polarizing plate (74) and the outgoing side optical compensation sheet (8a) are attached to the rotation adjusting mechanisms (1) and (1), respectively. Thus, the rotation is adjusted in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis L.

  FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the rotation adjusting mechanism (1) to which the incident side polarizing plate (73) and the incident side optical compensation sheet (8) are attached. The exit side polarizing plate (74) and the exit side optical compensation sheet (8a) are also attached to the rotation adjustment mechanism (1) having the same configuration.

  The rotation adjustment mechanism (1) includes a first rotation plate (2) to which an optical compensation sheet (8) attached to a thin glass plate (not shown) is attached, and a first plate to which a polarizing plate (73) is attached. Two rotating plates (6) are provided, and both the rotating plates (2) and (6) are independently rotated and adjusted as described later. The rotation adjusting mechanism (1) is attached to a wall piece (4) provided upright on the chassis (3).

  The first rotating plate (2) has a through hole (21) into which the optical compensation sheet (8) is fitted at a substantially central portion in the height direction, and two arc holes (20) (20) at the upper end. Has been established. One end of each of the arc holes (20) and (20) forms a bulging portion (20a) and (20a) larger than the vertical width of the arc holes (20) and (20).

A notch (22) is provided at the lower end of the first rotating plate (2). First rotating plate (2)
From above the arc holes (20) and (20), a first projecting plate (23) swelled upward in a substantially arc shape protrudes toward the wall piece (4), and on the first projecting plate (23), A first elongated hole (24) extending left and right is opened. The right end portion of the first rotating plate (2) extends upward to form a knob portion (25) that is touched by the finger of the adjusting operator.

  The second rotating plate (6) has a through hole (61) into which the polarizing plate (73) is fitted at a substantially central portion in the height direction, and two guide shafts (60) (60) from the upper end. Protrudes toward the first rotating plate (2). Two notches (62) and (62) are formed at the lower end of the second rotating plate (6).

From below the through hole (61) on the second rotation plate (6), the rotation support shaft (63) is connected to the first rotation plate (63).
Projecting toward 2).

  Grooves (67) and (67) are formed in the guide shafts (60) and (60) and the rotation support shaft (63) along the circumferential direction. In the first rotating plate (2), after the bulging portion (20a) is inserted into the guide shaft (60) (60), the peripheral edge portion of the circular hole (20) (20) is the groove (67) (67) ( 67) (see FIG. 5). Further, the notch (22) of the first rotation plate (2) is fitted into the groove (67) of the rotation support shaft (63). Thereby, the space | interval of a 1st rotation board (2) and a 2nd rotation board (6) is kept constant.

  From above the guide shafts (60) and (60) on the second rotating plate (6), a second projecting plate (64) bulging upward in an arc shape projects toward the wall piece (4). The second projecting plate (64) is provided with a second long hole (65) and two third long holes (66) and (66). The right end of the second rotating plate (6) extends upward to form a knob (68) that is touched by the adjustment operator's finger.

  The first rotating plate (2) rotates about a rotation support shaft (63) in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis L, and the circular holes (20), (20) are guided by the guide shafts (60), (60). ) And guided to turn. The first projecting plate (23) overlaps the second projecting plate (64), and the first elongated hole (24) overlaps the second elongated hole (65).

  The wall piece (4) has a through hole (44) through which light passes at the center in the height direction, and has a projecting shaft (40) (40) and a screw hole (41) on the upper end surface. The receiving pieces (42) and (42) protrude from the lower end of the wall piece (4), and a concave groove (43) is formed below the receiving pieces (42) and (42) on the chassis (3). Yes. The lower end of the second rotating plate (6) is fitted into the groove (43). The notches (62) and (62) of the second rotating plate (6) are fitted into the receiving pieces (42) and (42), and the second rotating plate (6) is one of the receiving pieces (42). It rotates in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis L, centering on (42).

A gap is provided between the receiving piece (42) and the notch (62) on the left and right to allow the second rotating plate (6) to rotate. The projecting shafts (40) and (40) are fitted into the third elongated holes (66) and (66) of the second rotating plate (6) to guide the rotation of the second rotating plate (6).
(Rotation adjustment of polarizing plate)
4 (a), 4 (b), and 4 (c) are plan views showing the adjustment operation, and FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b) respectively.
It is a front view which shows the rotation state of a 2nd rotation board and a 1st rotation board, respectively. As shown in FIG. 4 (a), in the state where the first long hole (24) and the second long hole (65) are overlapped, the set screw (26) from above.
Passes through the long holes (24) and (25) and is screwed into the screw holes (41) on the wall piece (4).

In order to adjust the rotation of the polarizing plate (73), the second rotating plate (6) is rotated. Set screw (26)
Is loosened, the knob (68) of the second rotating plate (6) is picked from above with a finger, and the second rotating plate (6) is moved to the right as shown in FIG. 4 (b). Of course, you may move it to the left. As shown in FIG. 6 (a), the second rotating plate (6) has the notches (62) and (62) fitted into the receiving pieces (42) and (42). It rotates in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis L around the contact point between the receiving pieces (42) and (42) and the peripheral portions of the notches (62) and (62). At this time, the first rotating plate (2) does not rotate. After completing the rotation adjustment, tighten the set screw (26).
(Rotation adjustment of optical compensation sheet)
In order to adjust the rotation of the optical compensation sheet (8), the first rotation plate (2) is rotated. Loosen the set screw (26), pick the knob (25) of the first rotating plate (2) from above with your finger, and move the second rotating plate (6) to the right as shown in FIG. 4 (c). Move to. Of course, you may move it to the left. As shown in FIG. 3, the notch (22) of the first rotating plate (2) is fitted in the rotating support shaft (63). Therefore, as shown in FIG. It rotates in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis L around the axis (63). At this time, the second rotating plate (6) does not rotate. After completing the rotation adjustment, tighten the set screw (26).

  That is, the first rotating plate (2) and the second rotating plate (6) move separately and do not interlock with each other. Further, both the rotating plates (2) and (6) are adjusted from above. This makes adjustment work stable and easy. In addition, you may adjust by inserting a jig | tool (not shown) from the upper direction of both rotation board (2) (6).

  Since the optical compensation sheet (8) is rotated and adjusted in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis L, the orientation direction of the liquid crystal molecules (58) in the optical compensation sheet (8) is set to the orientation of the liquid crystal panel (7). Can be set exactly parallel to the direction. Thereby, a uniform image with clear contrast between black and white can be displayed. Further, unlike the conventional case, it is not necessary to prepare the optical compensation sheet (8) having various optical axes, and it is possible to eliminate problems such as generation of unnecessary inventory.

  The rotation adjustment of the optical compensation sheet (8) causes the light source (35) to emit light and displays the image on the screen (37) through the projection lens (36), and the black and white contrast of this image is clear. As described above, the rotating plates (2) and (6) are rotated to adjust the optical compensation sheet (8) and the polarizing plate (73).

The applicant obtained the contrast ratio between black and white after adjusting the rotation of the optical compensation sheets (8), (8a) and the polarizing plates (73), (74), and confirmed the effect of the present invention. First, the light source (35) is caused to emit light, and an electric field is not applied to the liquid crystal panel (7), and white is displayed on the screen (37). As shown in FIG. 7, the screen on the screen (37) was divided into nine, and the illuminance at the center of each divided screen was measured. The average value of the illuminance (unit: LUX) of the nine screens is obtained, and this average value is defined as Wave.

  Next, an electric field is applied to the liquid crystal panel (7) to display black on the screen (37). Similarly to the above, the screen on the screen (37) was divided into nine, and the illuminance at the center of each divided screen was measured. The average value of the illuminance of the nine screens is obtained, and this average value is defined as BRave. When the ratio of Wave to BRave was determined, it was about 800: 1. When the optical compensation sheets (8) and (8a) were not inserted before and after the liquid crystal panel (7), the ratio of Wave to BRave was about 400: 1, so that the contrast between black and white could be improved. .

  In the above embodiment, the optical compensation sheets (8) and (8a) are provided on both the incident side and the outgoing side of the liquid crystal panel (7), but may be provided on either the incident side or the outgoing side.

  Further, the rotation adjustment mechanism of the optical compensation sheet (8) is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 3, and for example, an adjustment mechanism disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-39591 may be used.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the rotation adjustment in the plane orthogonal to the optical axis L has been described. However, a sufficient effect can be obtained for the rotation adjustment in the plane inclined from the optical axis L.

  The above description of the embodiments is for explaining the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the invention described in the claims or reducing the scope thereof. In addition, the configuration of each part of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the technical scope described in the claims.

In the above example, the guide shafts (60), (60) protrude from the second rotating plate (6), and the circular holes (20), (20)
Is provided on the first rotating plate (2), but the guide shafts (60) and (60) are connected to the first rotating plate (
Projecting from 2), the circular holes (20), (20) may be provided in the second rotating plate (6). The configuration of the present invention can also be applied to a so-called normally black liquid crystal panel (7) that appears black when no electric field is applied.

It is a top view of a projection apparatus. 4 is an enlarged plan view of the periphery of a liquid crystal panel corresponding to G. FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view of the rotation adjustment mechanism to which an incident side polarizing plate and an incident side optical compensation sheet are attached. (a), (b), (c) is a top view which shows adjustment operation | movement. It is sectional drawing which looked at the state which the 1st rotation board fitted in the groove | channel from the B direction of FIG. (a) is a front view which shows the rotation state of a 2nd rotation board, (b) is the rotation state of a 1st rotation board, respectively. It is a front view of a screen. (a), (b) is an exploded perspective view of a liquid crystal panel and a polarizing plate, (a) is a state where an electric field is not applied to the liquid crystal panel, (b) is a state where an electric field is applied to the liquid crystal panel, respectively. Show. It is the front view which looked at the liquid crystal panel of FIG. 8 from the A direction, and has attached the optical compensation sheet. It is a figure which shows the state which cuts out an optical compensation sheet | seat from a film sheet.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Rotation adjustment mechanism 2 1st rotation board 3 Chassis 6 2nd rotation board 7 Liquid crystal panel 8 Optical compensation sheet
35 Light source
73 Polarizing plate

Claims (2)

A liquid crystal panel enclosing liquid crystal molecules irradiated with light from a light source, a polarizing plate facing the liquid crystal panel, and an optical compensation sheet for compensating the birefringence of the liquid crystal molecules are disposed between the liquid crystal panel and the polarizing plate. In the projection device
The optical compensation sheet is attached to the first rotating plate, the polarizing plate is attached to the second rotating plate, and the first rotating plate and the second rotating plate rotate independently of each other. A projection apparatus configured to be capable of rotating and adjusting within a plane orthogonal to the optical axis. A liquid crystal panel enclosing liquid crystal molecules irradiated with light from a light source, a polarizing plate facing the liquid crystal panel, and an optical compensation sheet for compensating the birefringence of the liquid crystal molecules are disposed between the liquid crystal panel and the polarizing plate. Liquid crystal panel unit
The optical compensation sheet is attached to the first rotating plate, the polarizing plate is attached to the second rotating plate, and the first rotating plate and the second rotating plate rotate independently of each other. A liquid crystal panel unit configured to be adjustable in rotation within a plane orthogonal to the optical axis.

Images