JP2006017799A - Liquid crystal projector, its liquid crystal panel and its liquid cooling device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid crystal projector which is efficiently cooled by a liquid cooling cycle and is free from image disturbance caused by a liquid cooling medium passing along a transmission face of the liquid crystal panel, and to provide a liquid crystal panel, and a liquid cooling device. <P>SOLUTION: The liquid crystal projector splits light from a light source 112 into three parallel rays, transmits the three separate rays of light through the liquid crystal panels 101(R), 101(G), and 101 (B) for R, G, and B, thereby modulating the intensity of each ray of light, composes the modulated rays of light by the use of a composing prism 119, and projects the light with a projecting lens 127, thereby obtaining an image. In the liquid crystal projector, each liquid crystal panel 101 has conduits for the liquid cooling medium, which are formed between opposite substrates 1 composing the liquid crystal panel and protective glass plates 4 and 5 disposed opposite a TFT substrate 2. The conduits includes first conduits having thickness "D" covering the area of the flat liquid crystal panel that has a uniform thickness, second conduits located upstream and downstream of the first conduits and having thickness "d" less than the thickness "D", and buffer conduits located upstream and downstream of the second conduits. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid crystal projector that projects light on a screen through a liquid crystal panel called a light valve or a projection lens, and particularly to the structure of the liquid crystal panel used in the liquid crystal projector and the liquid crystal panel. The present invention relates to a liquid cooling device for cooling the liquid with a liquid refrigerant.

  In recent years, for example, in a projection device for enlarging and projecting a color video screen on a personal computer (hereinafter simply referred to as “projector”), light obtained from a light source such as a metal halide lamp is decomposed in three directions. A device that modulates the light intensity via a liquid crystal panel for three primary colors of R, G, or B, combines them by a color combining prism, etc., and then projects them onto a screen via a projection lens or the like. Widely and practically used.

  In such a projector, the number of pixels of the liquid crystal panel is increased in order to increase the definition of the obtained projection screen (high definition), and further, the light emission source is increased as the display screen is enlarged. The illuminance of the lamp is increased (for example, a metahalide lamp with a power of 250 W or higher is employed). Therefore, heat from such a high illuminance light source has become a problem. In particular, in the projector configured as described above, the light from the light source is irradiated to the liquid crystal panel for the three primary colors of R, G, or B, and modulated and transmitted on the surface thereof. When the light intensity (brightness) of the source increases, the heat generation in these liquid crystal panels also increases, which adversely affects the characteristics of the liquid crystal panel.

  By the way, conventionally, such a projector is generally provided with an air cooling fan in order to prevent an increase in temperature in each part (particularly, a lamp and a control unit) of the apparatus including the liquid crystal panel and to prevent adverse effects thereof. Cooling air is introduced and circulated into the housing from the outside of the apparatus. However, as described above, with the recent increase in light intensity from the light source, it is difficult to sufficiently suppress the heat generation in the liquid crystal panel only by introducing or circulating the cooling air by the above-described air cooling fan into the apparatus. It was becoming.

  Therefore, as disclosed in the following Patent Documents 1 to 15, for example, a space is formed inside the polarizing plate and a glass panel facing the polarizing plate, and a liquid refrigerant such as water is sealed inside the space. Then, the liquid refrigerant encapsulated in the space is circulated in the space by using the heat generated by the liquid crystal panel, thereby suppressing the temperature rise due to light reception of the liquid crystal panel and protecting the liquid crystal panel from adverse effects due to the temperature rise. ing. For example, in particular, in Patent Document 11 below, a liquid crystal panel for three primary colors of R, G, and B is formed so as to surround the photosynthetic prism as a whole, and a refrigerant is enclosed therein, and a part thereof Discloses a cooling structure that is immersed in a cooling container provided with stirring means and cooled. In addition, for example, in particular, according to Patent Document 15 below, a coolant is sealed in a space formed between the liquid crystal panel and the polarizing plates provided before and after the liquid crystal panel, and between the spaces before and after the liquid crystal panel. In addition, there is already known one in which a connection channel is formed, and a refrigerant filled inside the space is circulated positively using a pump or the like.

  As described above, a liquid refrigerant is sealed in a part of the liquid crystal panel, and the liquid refrigerant sealed in the liquid crystal panel is circulated using the convection generated by the heat generation of the liquid crystal panel, or actively by a stirring means, a pump, or the like. Therefore, the liquid crystal panel can be cooled more efficiently by circulating the liquid refrigerant sealed in the liquid crystal panel. However, in consideration of the heat generation of the liquid crystal panel accompanying the remarkable increase in the light intensity (brightness) of the light source in the projector in recent years, it is still insufficient. Therefore, for example, as is also known in the following Patent Documents 16 to 19, a liquid refrigerant channel is formed in the liquid crystal panel for the three primary colors R, G, and B, and a heat exchanger is provided outside thereof. In addition, a cooling cycle that circulates liquid refrigerant using a circulation pump is configured, and liquid refrigerant such as water is circulated in the cooling cycle, thereby realizing more efficient cooling in the liquid crystal panel. What to do is already known. In particular, the above-mentioned Patent Document 19 forms a circulation path of the liquid refrigerant around the liquid crystal panel and cools it from the circumference, and further forms a circulation path around the light emitting source. The entire projector is cooled by a cooling cycle.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-126011 JP-A-4-54778 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-73733 JP-A-4-291230 JP-A-5-107519 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-232427 JP-A-6-110040 JP-A-7-248480 JP-A-8-212353 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-202411 JP 2002-131737 A JP 2002-214596 A JP 2003-75918 A JP 2003-195135 A JP 2004-12934 A JP-A-1-159684 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-216016 JP-A-5-264947 JP-A-11-282361

  As described above in detail, the conventional projector realizes more efficient cooling from the introduction and circulation of the cooling air by the air cooling fan, particularly with the remarkable increase in the light source intensity (brightness) in recent years. Therefore, a method is adopted in which a liquid refrigerant is brought into contact with a part of the liquid crystal panel and circulated and cooled inside the liquid crystal panel. Further, in order to realize more efficient cooling, the liquid refrigerant flows in the liquid crystal panel. There has been proposed a system in which a cooling cycle is formed by forming a passage and providing a heat exchanger and a circulation pump outside thereof, and thus cooling by circulating liquid refrigerant in the cooling cycle. At that time, in projectors, since the adverse effect caused by the heat generation of the liquid crystal panel is particularly great, an optimum flow path structure is strongly demanded in order to increase the cooling efficiency by the liquid refrigerant in the liquid crystal panel.

  On the other hand, in the projector according to the above-described prior art, as described above, the light intensity of the three directions of light obtained from the light source is modulated via the liquid crystal panels for the three primary colors R, G, and B, respectively. From the principle that these are synthesized by a color synthesizing prism and then projected onto a screen via a projection lens or the like, the above liquid crystal panel, in particular, the one that is cooled using a liquid refrigerant as described above, Needless to say, when bubbles are mixed in the liquid refrigerant in contact with or passing through the light-transmitting part (surface) of the panel, density difference due to speed difference or temperature difference in the liquid refrigerant in contact with or passing through. When this occurs, there is a problem in that the image projected through the liquid crystal panel causes fluctuations, color unevenness, and the like, thereby disturbing the projection screen. Also in the above-described prior art, for example, in Patent Document 17, a bubble chamber is provided in the circulation cycle of the liquid refrigerant for cooling the liquid crystal panel, and bubbles mixed in the circulating liquid refrigerant are removed. The configuration is shown.

  However, in the liquid crystal panel cooling structure in various projectors proposed by the above-described conventional technologies, particularly, the three directions of light obtained from the light source are liquid crystal panels for the three primary colors R, G, and B, respectively. When applied to a liquid crystal projector that is projected by being synthesized by a prism after being transmitted through the projector, it is still possible to efficiently use the cooling cycle that circulates the liquid refrigerant, including the image quality of the projected image. It could not be said to provide a structure suitable for cooling a liquid crystal panel.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems in the prior art, and in particular, a configuration that makes it possible to efficiently cool a liquid crystal panel using a liquid cooling cycle in which a liquid refrigerant is circulated. In particular, the liquid refrigerant that passes through the light-transmitting surface of the liquid crystal panel is unlikely to have a density difference due to a speed difference or a temperature difference, so that a good projection can be achieved without adversely affecting the image transmitted therethrough. It is an object of the present invention to provide a liquid crystal projector capable of obtaining an image, and to provide a liquid crystal panel and a liquid cooling device therefor.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, according to the present invention, first, a light source, an optical element that divides light from the light source into three lights as parallel light, and three optical elements divided by the optical element. 3 types of liquid crystal panels that transmit light and modulate the intensity, a light combining unit that combines the three types of light that have transmitted through the three types of liquid crystal panels and modulated their intensity, and the light combining unit In order to circulate and cool the liquid refrigerant in the three kinds of liquid crystal panels together with the projection means for projecting three lights, a liquid cooling cycle including a radiator and a pump provided with a tank in a part of the liquid refrigerant is performed. In the liquid crystal projector provided, each of the three types of liquid crystal panels includes a liquid refrigerant channel formed by one surface of the liquid crystal panel and a transparent member disposed opposite thereto, and the channel The thickness is one The first flow path covering the liquid crystal panel region of the flat liquid crystal panel and the flow path higher than the flow path resistance in the first flow path provided on one of the upstream and downstream sides of the first flow path A liquid crystal projector comprising a second flow path having a resistor is provided.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided a liquid crystal panel for a liquid crystal projector in which liquid crystal is sealed between two transparent substrates. A transparent plate disposed opposite to one surface and having a liquid refrigerant channel formed therebetween, wherein the channel has a thickness in a region covering the liquid crystal panel region of the liquid crystal panel. A flat first flow path is formed, and one of the upstream side and the downstream side of the first flow path is provided with a flow path resistance higher than the flow path resistance in the first flow path. In addition, a liquid crystal panel of a liquid crystal projector including the second flow path is provided.

  Furthermore, in order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided a liquid cooling device for cooling a liquid crystal panel for a liquid crystal projector, in which liquid crystal is sealed between two transparent substrates, with a liquid refrigerant, A first flow path comprising a transparent plate disposed opposite to at least one surface of the two transparent substrates, and having a flat and uniform thickness covering the liquid crystal panel region of the liquid crystal panel therebetween And a second channel having a channel resistance higher than the channel resistance in the first channel on one of the upstream side and the downstream side of the first channel, and A liquid refrigerant driving means connected to the first and second flow paths of the liquid crystal panel; and a heat radiating means for radiating heat of the liquid crystal panel received in the first and second flow paths to the outside. In a liquid crystal projector constituting a liquid cooling cycle Liquid cooling device of LCD panels are provided.

  According to the present invention, in the liquid crystal projector, the liquid crystal panel of the liquid crystal projector, and the cooling device for the liquid crystal panel described above, in addition to the second channel, the second channel It is preferable to have an adjacent buffer part.

  As is apparent from the above description, the liquid crystal projector according to the present invention, and further, the liquid crystal panel and the liquid cooling device therefor can efficiently use the liquid cooling cycle in which the liquid refrigerant is circulated. The liquid refrigerant that passes through the light-transmitting surface of the liquid crystal panel is less likely to cause a density difference due to a speed difference or a temperature difference. In addition, in particular, the liquid crystal panel, including the liquid crystal panel, can exhibit a very excellent effect that it is possible to ensure a high lifetime and reliability.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  First, FIG. 3 shows an example of the entire structure of a liquid crystal projector provided with a liquid cooling device for a liquid crystal panel according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 100 indicates a housing of the liquid crystal projector, and as is apparent from the figure, a light source, for example, a metal halide lamp 112 is provided therein. And the light from this light source 112 is also parallel light by the 1st lens array 113, the 2nd lens array 114, the polarization conversion element 115, and the condensing lens 116 which are arrange | positioned in the predetermined position in said housing | casing. Is output. The parallel light is then guided to the first dichroic mirror 117, a part of which is transmitted therethrough, and is guided to the R (red) liquid crystal panel 101 (R) through the first condenser lens 118. The light intensity is modulated and then reaches the light combining prism 119.

  On the other hand, the light reflected by the first dichroic mirror 117 is reflected by the surface of the first reflecting mirror 120 and enters the second dichroic mirror 121. The reflected light is guided to the G (green) liquid crystal panel 101 (G) through the second condenser lens 122, where the light intensity is modulated, and then reaches the light combining prism 119. Further, the light transmitted through the second croic mirror 121 passes through the second reflecting mirror 123 and the relay lens 124 and is reflected by the surface of the third reflecting mirror 125, and passes through the third condenser lens 126 to obtain B. The light is guided to the (blue) liquid crystal panel 101 (B), where the light intensity is modulated and reaches the light combining prism 119. The light whose intensity is modulated by the liquid crystal panels 101 (R), 101 (G), and 101 (B) for the three primary colors R, G, and B is combined by the light combining prism 119, Further, the image is enlarged by a projection optical system 127 including a projection lens and projected onto a screen (not shown), for example (see thin arrows in the figure).

  Reference numeral 131 in the figure denotes a cooling fan unit including a fan and a motor for rotating the fan therein. As indicated by a white arrow in the figure, the reference numeral 131 of the casing 100 of the liquid crystal projector is shown. External air is taken into the housing through the air inlet 134 that is partially opened, and the heat dissipation unit 130 and the electrical component unit 128 described later are cooled. Furthermore, as described above, with the increase in the size of the display screen in recent years, the taken-in air has a markedly high illuminance, and therefore, the metal halide lamp 112, which is a high illuminance light source that has become a problem of heat generation, Further, after cooling the first lens array 113, the second lens array 114, the polarization conversion element 115, and the condensing lens 116 disposed in the vicinity of the light source 112, an opening is formed in a part of the casing 100. The air is discharged to the outside through the air discharge port 135.

  The liquid crystal panels 101 (R), 101 (G), and 101 (B) for R, G, and B that are the three primary colors will be described in detail below. A pipe in which the liquid refrigerant is squeezed into the casing as shown by the black thick arrow in the figure by the action of the electric pump 129 provided in the casing 100 of the liquid crystal projector. The liquid crystal panels 101 (R), 101 (G), 101 (B) for R, G, and B are circulated in this order in order, thereby forming a so-called liquid cooling cycle. ing.

  Next, FIG. 1 attached herewith shows details of the internal structure of one of the liquid crystal panels 101 (R), 101 (G), and 101 (B) for the R, G, and B. First, reference numeral 2 in FIG. 1A showing a cross section of the liquid crystal panel 101 is a main component of the liquid crystal panel 101, and a TFT made of, for example, glass on which a large number of transistor driving elements are formed. A counter substrate 1 made of glass is disposed opposite to the TFT substrate, and a liquid crystal 3 is sealed between the transparent substrates 2 and 1 so that R, G Alternatively, the liquid crystal panel 101 that is one of the three primary colors of B is configured.

  Reference numerals 4 and 5 in the figure are so-called protective glass plates, which are provided on the incident side and the emission side of the liquid crystal panel 101, respectively, and a liquid refrigerant is interposed between them. The flow paths 6 and 7 are formed. A case 14 that surrounds the counter substrate 1, the TFT substrate 2, and the protective glass plates 4 and 5 and forms a frame is attached. That is, as is apparent from FIG. 1B showing the AA cross section in FIG. 1A, the region including the liquid crystal panel 101 described above (hereinafter referred to as “liquid crystal panel region”) is included. Specifically, the thickness “D” (see FIG. 2) is formed between the opposing substrate 1 and the protective glass plate 4 and between the TFT substrate 2 and the protective glass plate 5. Channels 6 and 7 having a uniform and flat shape (the height in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of 1 (b)) are formed, respectively. Although not shown here, polarizing films are respectively formed on the incident side and the emission side of the protective glass plates 4 and 5.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, the thickness “D” of the flow paths 6 and 7 is formed on the upper and lower edges of the case 14 that forms the frame formed so as to surround the various substrates. Channels 8, 9 (lower), 15, 16 (upper) having a smaller thickness “d” (ie, d <D) are slit-shaped and as is apparent from FIG. 1 (b). The width (that is, the horizontal direction in FIG. 1B) is the same as that of the flow path, respectively. Furthermore, box-like members 10, 11 (downward), 17, 18 (upper) that form buffer channels therein are attached to the end surfaces of the upper and lower edges of the case 14, respectively. In FIG. 1B, the flow of the liquid refrigerant in the flow path formed inside the liquid crystal panel 101 is indicated by an arrow. Also, reference numerals 12, 13, 19, and 20 in FIGS. 1A and 1B denote box-shaped members 10, 11 (lower), 17, and 18 (upper) that form the buffer flow path, respectively. ) Shows a liquid refrigerant inlet / outlet pipe attached to a substantially central portion. Further, a black-painted portion typified by reference numeral 21 in the drawing indicates a so-called O-ring that is inserted in order to liquid-tightly seal the above-described members when assembling the above-described members.

  Next, the circulation flow of the liquid refrigerant in the liquid crystal projector according to the present invention, which includes the liquid crystal panel 101 having the above-described configuration as a part thereof, will be described in detail with reference to FIG. . Here, in FIG. 3 described above, the R, G, and B liquid crystal panels 101 (R), 101 (G), and 101 (B) are driven by a pump 129 to form a radiator 130 that constitutes a heat radiating unit. In the liquid cooling cycle shown in FIG. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the liquid crystal panels 101 (R), 101 (G), and 101 (B) can be connected in parallel in the liquid cooling cycle. Therefore, in this figure, only one of these three types of liquid crystal panels is taken out and described as a single liquid crystal panel 101.

  That is, the liquid refrigerant that has received heat in the liquid crystal panel 101 that has been heated by receiving the intense light from the light emitting source 112 and has risen in temperature is discharged from the buffer channels 10 and 11 and driven by the pump 129. Passes through the radiator 130. At that time, the heat is cooled by dissipating to the outside, and again flows into the buffer channels 17 and 18 attached to the upper and lower edges of the case 14 which is the frame of the liquid crystal panel 101. Thereafter, the liquid refrigerant in the buffer channels 17 and 18 passes through the flat channels 15 and 16 having a thickness “d” formed at the upper edge portion of the case 14, and thereafter, has a thickness “D”. After passing through the flat flow channels 6 and 7 in the flat liquid crystal panel region, and further through the flat flow channels 10 and 11 having a thickness “d” formed at the lower edge of the case 14, the buffer flow channel is again formed. Return to 10 and 11. At that time, as described above, the flat channels 15, 16 (thickness “d” (D> d) are provided on both upper and lower sides of the channels 6, 7 in the flat liquid crystal panel region having the thickness “D”. A so-called high-resistance throttle channel composed of (upper), 10 and 11 (lower) is provided.

  That is, according to such a flow path configuration, for example, the liquid refrigerant that has flowed from the liquid refrigerant introduction pipe 20 continues to the buffer flow path 18 (above) and has a thickness “d” that forms a high resistance flow path. Since the flat flow path 16 is provided, it spreads in the width direction of the buffer flow path 18 (that is, the horizontal direction in FIG. 1B) and is greatly decelerated. As a result, the pressure in the buffer channel 18 becomes uniform. Further, since a buffer flow path 11 is provided downstream of the flow path 7 in the flat liquid crystal panel region having a thickness “D” in succession to the flat flow path 9 having high resistance, one outlet pipe is provided. Even if the cooling medium is sucked from 13, the flow resistance of the flow path 9 is large, so that the pressure in the buffer flow path 11 becomes uniform. In this case, the flow rate (flow velocity) of the liquid refrigerant flowing through the high resistance flat channels 16 and 9 and the flat channel 7 in the liquid crystal panel region having the thickness “D” is Since the pressure difference is proportional to the cross-sectional area of the flow path, if the thickness “D” of the flow path 7 and the thickness “d” of the flow paths 16 and 9 are uniform in the width direction, the flow velocity in the flow path 7 is constant. It becomes. Similarly, the liquid refrigerant that has flowed from the liquid refrigerant introduction pipe 19 flows at a uniform flow rate through the flow path 6 in the flat liquid crystal panel region having a thickness “D”.

  Thus, according to the above-described flow channel structure, the liquid refrigerant is prevented from being swirled or drifted in the liquid crystal panel surface (liquid crystal panel region) by making the flowing refrigerant uniform and stable. Therefore, a difference in density occurs in the refrigerant flowing in the interior or a difference in cooling capacity, that is, a temperature distribution in the plane of the liquid crystal panel, and further, no difference in refractive index due to this. Therefore, it is possible to improve the image quality without causing problems such as fluctuations and color unevenness in the obtained image. In addition, according to the above-described flow path structure, as described above, a so-called liquid cooling cycle in which the liquid refrigerant is driven by the pump 12 and the heat generation is discharged to the outside via the radiator 130 constituting the heat radiating unit. Since it comprises, a liquid crystal panel can be cooled by higher cooling efficiency.

  In the above description, the thickness “d” is a high-resistance channel that achieves the above-described diaphragm function on both the upper and lower sides of the channels 6 and 7 in the flat liquid crystal panel region having the thickness “D”. ”(D> d) The flat flow channels 15, 16 (upper), 10, 11 (lower) and further buffer flow channels 17, 18 (upper), 10, 11 (lower) are described. However, the present invention is not limited to such a structure, and only one of them may be provided only upstream or downstream.

  In addition, as the liquid refrigerant flowing through each flow path, for example, water mixed with an antifreeze liquid such as ethylene glycol or propylene glycol or a part of the liquid refrigerant is excellent. Further, for example, a fluorine-based inert liquid (perchlorocarbon) typified by Fluorinert (trademark of Sumitomo 3M Co., Ltd.) or the like that also has electrical insulation can be used. In particular, when the latter liquid is used, it is possible to effectively prevent deterioration of the projection screen due to air bubbles mixed into the liquid refrigerant flowing through the flow path of the liquid crystal panel region. In particular, the surface of the various substrates forming the channels 6 and 7 in the flat liquid crystal panel region having the thickness “D” is coated with a process for maintaining hydrophilicity, for example, a titanium oxide thin film. It is preferable. According to this, since the wall surface of the titanium oxide is always kept hydrophilic by the photocatalytic action of titanium oxide by the light from the lamp, it becomes possible to suppress adhesion of dirt and bubbles on the wall surface. .

  Further, for example, the thickness “d” of the flat high-resistance channel 16 is such that the flow rate in the high-resistance channel 16 is 10 times or more the average flow rate of the cooling medium in the buffer channel 18. It is preferable to set to. It is preferable to determine the relationship between other buffer channels and high resistance channels in the same manner. Further, the relationship between the thickness “D” of the flow path 7 in the liquid crystal panel region and the thickness “d” of the high resistance flow paths 16 and 9 is not particularly limited, but in the present invention, D is larger than d. In particular, D is preferably 2 to 5 mm, and d is preferably about 0.1 to 1 mm.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the thicknesses “D” of the flow channels 6 and 7 in the flat liquid crystal panel region formed on both surfaces (incident side and outgoing side) of the liquid crystal panel 101 are equal to each other. However, for example, when the heat generation of the liquid crystal panel on the incident side surface is larger than that on the emission side, the thickness is made different, so that the flow velocity (flow rate) of the internal liquid refrigerant is different. It is also possible to Similarly, not only the thickness “D” of the flow paths 6 and 7 but also the flow paths 15 and 16 (upper), 10 and 11 (lower) forming a throttle which is a high resistance flow path of the liquid refrigerant. The thickness “d” and the flow channel areas of the buffer flow channels 17, 18 (upper), 10, 11 (lower) can be appropriately changed.

  As described above, according to the uniformization and stabilization of the refrigerant flowing over the entire liquid crystal panel, it is possible to obtain good image quality without causing fluctuations in the obtained image, and Since a liquid cooling cycle for discharging the heat generation of the liquid crystal panel to the outside is configured, higher cooling efficiency of the liquid crystal panel can be obtained. By adopting the liquid crystal panel 101 as a liquid crystal panel 101 (R), 101 (G), 101 (B) for the R, G, and B in a liquid crystal projector, it is possible to reduce the size and the noise. In addition, the life and reliability of the liquid crystal panel can be ensured in spite of an increase in the amount of heat generated in the liquid crystal panel portion as the brightness increases.

  Next, in FIG. 4A attached, a modification of the liquid crystal panel 101 shown in FIG. 1 is shown in cross section, and in FIG. 4B, FIG. A-A cross section in FIG. In the liquid crystal panel 101 according to this modified example, in particular, the flow paths 8 and 9 (thickness “d”) formed on the upper and lower edges of the case 14 forming the frame formed so as to surround various substrates. (Lower), 15 and 16 (upper) are formed as a plurality of circular through holes 32 instead of the slit shape as shown in FIG. In addition, according to the structure of the liquid crystal panel 101 according to the modified example, in addition to the same effect as the liquid crystal panel according to the above-described embodiment, in particular, the upper and lower edges of the case 14 have the slit-like shape. Since the through-hole 32 is formed instead of the flow path, the manufacture thereof is easy, and in particular, the flow paths in the flow paths 15, 16 (upper), 10, 11 (lower) forming the throttle of the liquid refrigerant are provided. Further, it is advantageous when forming a high resistance.

  Next, FIG. 5 attached herewith shows a cross section of a liquid crystal panel 101 according to another modification. In the liquid crystal panel 101 according to another modified example, as is apparent from the drawing, slit-like flow paths formed at the upper and lower edges of the case 14 forming a frame formed so as to surround the various substrates. 8, 9 (lower), 15, 16 (upper) are previously formed equal to the thickness “D” of the channels 6 and 7 in the liquid crystal panel region, and then one of these slit-shaped channels is formed. A resistance plate 30, 31 (upper), 32, 33 (lower) with a predetermined thickness is attached to the wall surface of the wall to form a high-resistance channel having the above thickness “d”. In addition, according to this structure, the thickness of the flat resistance plates 30, 31, 32, 33 fixed to the slit-shaped flow paths formed in the upper and lower edges of the case 14 prepared in advance is set to, for example, the liquid crystal panel. By setting a desired value corresponding to the thickness “D” of the flow paths 6 and 7 in the region, it is possible to easily configure an optimum high resistance flow path together with the above-described actions and effects. It becomes. Further, by changing the thickness of the resistance plates 30, 31, 32, 33 corresponding to the flow paths 6, 7 in the liquid crystal panel region, the flow rate of the refrigerant in the flow paths 6, 7 is changed. It is also possible.

  Furthermore, in FIG. 6 attached, a liquid crystal panel 101 which is still another modified example of the present invention is shown in cross section. As is apparent from the figure, in the liquid crystal panel 101 which is still another modified example, the buffer flow path to be attached to the upper and lower edges of the case 14 forming the frame formed so as to surround the various substrates is formed. The box-shaped members to be integrated are integrated. That is, instead of the two box-like members 10 and 11 (lower) shown in FIG. 1, one box-like member 10 is attached, while the other two box-like members 17 and 18 (upper In this case, a single box-like member 17 is attached, and buffer passages are formed on the upper and lower edges of the case 14, respectively. Even with such a structure, the above-described operations and effects can be obtained, and the number of component parts can be reduced, so that a liquid crystal panel can be easily and inexpensively manufactured.

  In addition, in FIG. 7 attached, a liquid crystal panel 101 which is still another modified example of the present invention is also shown by its cross section. As is apparent from the figure, in the liquid crystal panel 101 which is still another modified example, unlike the liquid crystal panel shown in FIG. 1, the flat channel 6 having a uniform thickness “D” and In addition, a liquid refrigerant channel including uniform flat high resistance channels 30 and 32 having a thickness “d” on both sides thereof is provided only on the incident side of the liquid crystal panel 101. That is, in the liquid crystal panel 101 composed of the TFT substrate 2 and the counter substrate 1 enclosing the liquid crystal 3 between them, a thickness “D” is provided between the counter substrate 1 and the incident side protective glass plate 4. Such a flat flow path 6 is formed. However, the protective glass plate 5 is mounted on the TFT substrate 2 in direct contact with the other emission side. In addition, the upper and lower edges of the case 14 forming the frame formed so as to surround these substrates also correspond to the above-described uniform flat flow path 6 having the thickness “D”. Slit-like flow paths 30 (lower) and 32 (upper) are provided, and thereby, a high-resistance flow path having the above-described thickness “d” is formed.

  In addition, according to the structure of such a liquid crystal panel, it is possible to manufacture it relatively easily and inexpensively from its structure, and its calorific value is relatively small, particularly on the incident side of the liquid crystal panel. The present invention can be suitably applied in cases where it is sufficient to remove heat generation.

  Finally, in FIG. 8 attached, a liquid crystal panel 101 which is still another modified example of the present invention is also shown by its cross section. As is apparent from the figure, in the liquid crystal panel 101 which is still another modified example, the upper edge portion of the case 14 forming the frame body has a thickness “D” like the flow path 6. The flow path is curved in a “U” shape and connected to another flow path 7, while the lower edge portion of the case 14 has a high resistance flow path 44 having a thickness “D”, 45 are formed, and box-shaped members 42 and 42 for forming a buffer channel are attached to each of them. In addition, the code | symbols 42 and 43 of the figure have shown the introduction and derivation | leading-out pipe | tube of the liquid refrigerant.

  In addition, according to such a configuration, unlike the liquid crystal panel 101 described above, the inlet / outlet pipe for introducing or leading out the liquid refrigerant into the liquid crystal panel is not on the upper and lower sides of the panel, but on one side thereof, For example, in this example, since it can be configured to be provided only on the lower side thereof, it is particularly advantageous when a refrigerant pipe is attached in a narrow housing of the liquid crystal projector.

1 is a cross-sectional view showing details of an internal structure of a liquid crystal panel for a liquid crystal projector according to an embodiment of the present invention, and a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA. It is a figure for demonstrating the circulation flow of the liquid refrigerant in the liquid-crystal projector of the said invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the whole structure of a liquid crystal projector provided with the liquid cooling device of the liquid crystal panel which becomes one embodiment of the said invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the detail of the internal structure of the modification of the liquid crystal panel shown in the said FIG. 1, and its AA sectional drawing. It is sectional drawing which shows the detail of the internal structure of the liquid crystal panel which becomes the other modification of the said invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the detail of the internal structure of the liquid crystal panel used as the further another modification of the said invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the detail of the internal structure of the liquid crystal panel used as the further another modification of the said invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the detail of the internal structure of the liquid crystal panel used as the further another modification of the said invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Opposite substrate 2 TFT substrate 3 Liquid crystal 4, 5 Protective glass plate 6, 7 Thickness "D" flow path 8, 9, 15, 16 Thickness "d" flow path 10, 11, 17, 18 Buffer flow path 100 Forming member 100 Liquid crystal projector housing 101 Liquid crystal panel 129 Pump 130 Radiator

Claims (6)

A light source, an optical element that splits the light from the light source into three lights as parallel light, and three types of liquid crystal panels that transmit the three lights split by the optical element and modulate the intensity thereof, Along with the light combining means for combining the three light beams transmitted through the three liquid crystal panels and modulated in intensity, and the projection means for projecting the three lights combined by the light combining means, In a liquid crystal projector provided with a liquid cooling cycle including a pump and a radiator for circulating and cooling a liquid refrigerant in the liquid crystal panel,
In each of the three types of liquid crystal panels, a liquid refrigerant flow path is formed by one surface of the liquid crystal panel and a transparent member disposed opposite thereto, and the flow paths have a single thickness. The first flow path covering the liquid crystal panel region of the flat liquid crystal panel and the flow path higher than the flow path resistance in the first flow path are provided on one of the upstream and downstream sides of the first flow path. A liquid crystal projector comprising a second flow path having a path resistance. 2. The liquid crystal projector according to claim 1, wherein the liquid crystal panel further includes a buffer portion adjacent to the second flow path in addition to the second flow path. . A liquid crystal panel for a liquid crystal projector in which liquid crystal is sealed between two transparent substrates, further comprising a transparent plate disposed to face at least one surface of the two transparent substrates, In the liquid refrigerant flow path, the flow path forms a flat first flow path having a uniform thickness in a region covering the liquid crystal panel region of the liquid crystal panel, and One of the upstream side and the downstream side of the first channel is provided with a second channel having a channel resistance higher than the channel resistance in the first channel. Projector LCD panel. The liquid crystal panel of the liquid crystal projector according to claim 3, wherein the flow path further includes a buffer portion adjacent to the second flow path in addition to the second flow path. LCD panel of LCD projector. A liquid cooling apparatus for cooling a liquid crystal panel for a liquid crystal projector, in which liquid crystal is sealed between two transparent substrates, with a liquid refrigerant, and is disposed to face at least one surface of the two transparent substrates. A transparent first plate having a uniform and flat thickness covering the liquid crystal panel region of the liquid crystal panel, and one of the upstream and downstream sides of the first channel. A second channel having a channel resistance higher than the channel resistance in the first channel is formed on the side, and is further connected to the first and second channels of the liquid crystal panel A liquid crystal projector comprising: a liquid refrigerant driving means; and a heat radiating means for radiating the heat of the liquid crystal panel received in the first and second flow paths to the outside, thereby constituting a liquid cooling cycle. Liquid crystal panel liquid cooling device. 6. The liquid crystal panel cooling apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a buffer section adjacent to the second flow path in addition to the second flow path. Cold equipment.

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