JP2006098759A - Liquid crystal projector and liquid-cooling apparatus for the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid crystal projector and a cooling apparatus for the projector where efficient cooling can be attained, the increase of manufacturing work and the increase of the manufacturing cost are suppressed, and maintenance work is facilitated. <P>SOLUTION: In the liquid crystal projector where light emitted from a light source 112 is transmitted through sheet-like liquid crystal panels 101(R), 101(G) and 101(B) for R, G and B so as to modulate the intensity of the light, then, the intensity-modulated light are combined by a combining prism 119, thereafter, the light is projected through a projection lens 127 so as to obtain a video, the cooling apparatus for cooling the three kinds of sheet-like liquid crystal panels in which flow passages are formed by circulating liquid coolant in the panels is provided with a motor-driven pump 129 for circulating the liquid coolant, and a radiator 130 for cooling the liquid coolant circulated by the motor-driven pump, further, the liquid coolant is guided to the three kinds of sheet-like liquid crystal panels by a flow passage block 200 with the flow passage formed therein, which is attached to the three kinds of sheet-like liquid crystal panels so as to be integrally attached/detached. <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 further used in such a liquid crystal projector to cool the liquid crystal panel with a liquid refrigerant. The present invention relates to a liquid cooling device.

  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 in detail above, the conventional projector is more efficient in place of the introduction and circulation of the cooling air by the conventional air-cooling fan, in particular, due to the remarkable increase in the light source intensity (brightness) in recent years. In order to realize cooling, 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. Furthermore, in order to achieve more efficient cooling, A system has been proposed in which a flow path for liquid refrigerant is formed and a heat exchanger or a circulation pump is provided outside to form a cooling cycle, and the liquid refrigerant is circulated in the cooling cycle for cooling.

  As described above, in the above prior art, a flow path for the liquid refrigerant is formed in the liquid crystal panel, and a heat exchanger and a circulation pump are provided outside the liquid crystal panel to form a cooling cycle. However, in this case, what is the structure for easily configuring such a cooling cycle in the projector housing? The consideration of was not paid.

  That is, in the structure proposed by the above-described prior art, in particular, the liquids for the three primary colors of R, G, and B are respectively supplied from the heat exchanger and the circulation pump constituting the cooling cycle provided outside. Work to connect the flow path of the refrigerant is required. For this reason, problems have been pointed out in the projector according to the above-described prior art, such that the manufacturing work and the manufacturing price increase, or the maintenance work such as replacement of the liquid crystal panel becomes troublesome.

  Therefore, in the present invention, in view of the problems in the above-described prior art, first, a cooling cycle is configured by externally including a heat exchanger, a circulation pump, and the like, and the liquid refrigerant circulating in the cooling cycle is R, It is possible to realize a connection flow path for guiding to the liquid crystal panel for the three primary colors G and B by a simple operation, and therefore, it is possible to suppress an increase in the manufacturing operation and the manufacturing price and to perform the maintenance operation easily. The present invention proposes a liquid crystal projector, and further provides a liquid cooling device used in such a liquid crystal projector for cooling a liquid crystal panel with a liquid refrigerant.

  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. Liquid crystal panels formed in three types of plates that transmit light and modulate its intensity, and light combining means that combines the three types of light that have been transmitted through the three types of plate-like liquid crystal panels and modulated in intensity. And a liquid cooling cycle including a pump and a radiator that circulates and cools the liquid refrigerant in the three kinds of plate-like liquid crystal panels, together with a projection means for projecting the three lights synthesized by the light synthesis means. In the liquid crystal projector, a flow path for circulating the liquid refrigerant is formed in each of the three types of plate-like liquid crystal panels, and the three types of plate-like liquid crystal panels are arranged in the inside thereof. To the liquid The passage block the flow path is formed of medium, together, detachably attached, with a liquid crystal projector for circulating a liquid coolant therein is provided.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, light from a light source is transmitted through a liquid crystal panel formed in three types of plates to modulate its intensity, and the intensity-modulated light. Is a cooling device for cooling the three types of plate-like liquid crystal panels, and circulates the liquid refrigerant in a liquid crystal projector that obtains an image by projecting the synthesized light onto a screen. And a radiator that cools the liquid refrigerant circulated by the electric pump, and is detachably attached integrally to the three types of plate-like liquid crystal panels. There is provided a cooling device for a liquid crystal projector provided with a flow path block for circulating the circulated liquid refrigerant in a flow path formed inside the plate-like liquid crystal panel.

  According to the present invention, in the liquid crystal projector or the cooling device for the liquid crystal projector described above, each of the plate-like liquid crystal panels has an inlet and an outlet for the liquid refrigerant formed on the same side surface. The flow path block is preferably formed so as to cover the same side surface of the three types of plate-like liquid crystal panels, and is further opposed to the same side surface of the three types of plate-like liquid crystal panels. It is preferable that connection pipes are respectively formed on the surface of the flow path block at positions facing the inlet and outlet of the three types of plate-like liquid crystal panels. Furthermore, the connecting pipes formed on the surface of the flow path block are preferably formed so as to be freely movable in the surface direction.

  Further, according to the present invention, in the liquid crystal projector or the liquid crystal projector cooling device described above, the flow path block is disposed above the three types of plate-like liquid crystal panels, and the pump and the radiator are provided. It is preferable to arrange the liquid cooling cycle including it in proximity to the projection means.

  As is clear from the above description, according to the liquid crystal projector according to the present invention, and further, the liquid cooling device, a cooling cycle is configured by providing a heat exchanger, a circulation pump, and the like outside. In addition to realizing cooling, it is possible to realize a connection flow path for guiding the liquid refrigerant circulating in the cooling cycle to the liquid crystal panel for the three primary colors of R, G, and B with a simple operation. The liquid crystal projector which suppresses the increase in the manufacturing work and the manufacturing price, and can easily perform the maintenance work, and the cooling device can be provided.

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

  First, FIG. 2 schematically shows the overall structure of a liquid crystal projector including 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 suction port 134 that is partially opened, and the radiator 130 and the electrical component unit 128 that constitute a heat dissipation unit described later are cooled. Furthermore, as described above, the taken-in air is made up of a metal halide lamp, which is a high illuminance light source that has become a problem with high illuminance due to the recent increase in the size of the display screen. After cooling the light source 112, and also the first lens array 113, the second lens array 114, the polarization conversion element 115, and the condensing lens 116 that are disposed in the vicinity of the light source 112, the housing 100 It is discharged to the outside through an air discharge port 135 that is partially opened.

  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. 132, the liquid crystal panels 101 (R), 101 (G), 101 (B) for R, G, B are circulated in the order of the electric pump 129 and the radiator 130, thereby forming a so-called liquid cooling cycle. ing.

  Next, FIG. 3 attached herewith shows the 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. 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. First, reference numeral 2 in FIG. 3A showing a side cross section of the liquid crystal panel 101 is a main component of the liquid crystal panel 101, and is made of, for example, glass on which a large number of transistor driving elements are formed. A TFT substrate is shown. A counter substrate 1 made of glass is arranged opposite to the TFT substrate, and a liquid crystal 3 is sealed between the transparent substrates 2 and 1 so that R, A liquid crystal panel 101 which is one of the three primary colors G or 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. As is apparent from FIG. 3B showing the plane cross section, a case 14 that forms a frame surrounding the counter substrate 1, the TFT substrate 2, and the protective glass plates 4, 5 is formed. It is attached. That is, on both sides of the panel including the region where the liquid crystal panel 101 described above is formed (hereinafter referred to as “liquid crystal panel region”), specifically, between the counter substrate 1 and the protective glass plate 4. Then, between the TFT substrate 2 and the protective glass plate 5, the thickness “D” (the height in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 3B) is uniform and flat. Are formed. 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 is apparent from FIGS. 3A and 3B, the liquid refrigerant introduction pipe 10 and the lead-out pipe are disposed above the case 14 forming a frame formed so as to surround the various substrates. The flow of the liquid refrigerant in the flow path formed inside the liquid crystal panel 101 is indicated by arrows.

  Next, FIG. 4 of the accompanying drawings shows the configuration of the liquid cooling device (cooling block) of 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. In FIG. 4, as in FIG. 2, reference numeral 129 indicates an electric pump having a motor as a driving device in a part thereof, and a number of metal pipes are arranged adjacent to the electric pump 129. The heat dissipating unit composed of the radiator 130 and the refrigerant tank 150 which will be described in detail later are integrally formed. In the figure, the cooling fan unit 131 is also integrally attached to the lower portion of the radiator 130. That is, according to the electric pump 129, the radiator 130, the cooling fan unit 131, and the cooling unit formed integrally with the refrigerant tank 150, the cooling is performed from the discharge pipe 151 formed on the side wall surface of the refrigerant tank 150. After that, the low-temperature liquid refrigerant is taken out, and then the high-temperature liquid refrigerant circulated through the flow path including the liquid crystal panel 101 as a part thereof and the heat generation is transmitted returns to the inflow pipe 152.

  As is clear from the figure, the low-temperature liquid refrigerant taken out from the discharge pipe 151 passes through a flow path block 200 in which a liquid refrigerant flow path is formed, which will be described in detail later. Are guided to the three types of liquid crystal panels 101 (R), 101 (G), and 101 (B), respectively. The guided liquid refrigerant passes through the channels 6 and 7 (see FIG. 3A) in each liquid crystal panel 101 whose structure is shown in FIG. 3, and at that time, heat is generated in each liquid crystal panel 101. Is transferred to the liquid refrigerant, and returns to the flow path block 200 again, and further returns to the inflow pipe 152 through the flow path formed therein.

  As described above, according to the cooling unit and the flow path block 200 connected to the discharge pipe 151 and the inflow pipe 152, for example, as shown in FIG. It can be easily attached to a part of the housing 100. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the cooling unit formed integrally with the electric pump 129, the radiator 130, the cooling fan unit 131, and the refrigerant tank 150 has a relatively high temperature in the entire structure of the liquid crystal projector. , Ie, adjacent to the so-called projection optical system 127 including the projection lens, and the flow path block 200 connected to the cooling unit includes three types for R, G, and B The structure arrange | positioned so that the upper direction of the liquid crystal panel 101 may be covered is shown. Note that reference numeral 140 in FIG. 1 indicates a so-called optical system box including the components indicated by reference numerals 113 to 118 and 120 to 126 in FIG. Further, in the figure, reference numeral 112 denotes a light source 112 made of a metal halide lamp, which is a high illuminance light source, as in FIG. 2, and reference numeral 134 denotes an air inlet port 134 opened in a part of the housing 100. It is.

  Further, in FIG. 5 attached, the liquid refrigerant discharge pipe 151 and the inflow pipe 152 provided so as to protrude from the side surface of the refrigerant tank 150 constituting the cooling unit are shown as the inflow pipe 202 and the discharge pipe of the flow path block 200. An example of the structure connected to 203 is shown, and 153 in the figure is inserted between the discharge pipe 151 and the inflow pipe 202 and between the inflow pipe 152 and the discharge pipe 203, for example, rubber The tube which consists of elastic materials, such as, is shown. As described above, by adopting a configuration in which the cooling unit and the flow path block 200 are connected by the tubes 153 and 153 made of an elastic material, for example, the cooling unit is arranged in the housing 100. The position of the flow path block 200 can be freely moved even after being fixed to the section, and the flow path block 200 is fluidly connected to the three types of liquid crystal panels 101 for R, G, and B. To make work easier.

  Next, attached FIG. 6 shows the internal structure of the above-described flow path block 200. In this figure, reference numeral 201 denotes a flow path of the liquid refrigerant formed inside the flow path block 200. Reference numerals 202 and 203 denote the liquid refrigerant inflow pipe and the exhaust pipe of the flow path block 200 described above. As is clear from this figure, the flow path block 200 has an outer shape formed in a rectangular plate shape, and three types of liquid crystals arranged upright in the casing 100 of the liquid crystal projector. It is set so as to cover the upper end surfaces (one side surface) of the panels 101 (R), 101 (G), and 101 (B).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 attached hereto, on the lower wall surface of the flow path block 200, the three types of liquid crystal panels 101 (R), 101 (G), and 101 (B) are provided. Corresponding to each, a liquid refrigerant discharge pipe 204 and an inflow pipe 205 are attached. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the discharge pipe 204 and the inflow pipe 205 for the liquid refrigerant are constituted by tubes made of an elastic material such as rubber, for example. That is, the discharge pipe for connecting the flow path of the liquid refrigerant formed inside the flow path block 200 to each of the three types of liquid crystal panels 101 (R), 101 (G), and 101 (B). By configuring 204 and the inflow pipe 205 with an elastic material, the positions of the discharge pipe 204 and the inflow pipe 205 can be freely moved in the surface direction of the lower wall surface of the flow path block 200. The positions of the three types of liquid crystal panels 101 (R), 101 (G), and 101 (B) are not restricted by the positions of the discharge pipe 204 and the inflow pipe 205 formed in the flow path block 200 and are independent. However, it can be set at any position. In particular, this means that in the liquid crystal projector according to the present invention, the three types of liquid crystal panels 101 (R), 101 (G), and 101 (B) combine the light modulated by each of them. This is a preferable structure because it needs to be precisely positioned with respect to the light combining prism 119.

  Further, FIG. 8 attached shows a deformation structure of the flow path block 200 shown in FIG. 7, particularly the lower wall surface thereof. That is, in this modification, instead of the liquid refrigerant discharge pipe 204 and the inflow pipe 205, a discharge port 204 ′ and an inflow port 205 ′ are formed on the lower wall surface of the flow path block 200. An O-ring 206 made of an elastic material such as rubber is inserted. Even with this configuration, the flow path block 200 can be pressed from above the three types of liquid crystal panels 101 (R), 101 (G), and 101 (B) to form a flow path. In this case, the position of the discharge pipe 10 and the inflow pipe 11 of each liquid crystal panel 101 is slightly in the surface direction of the lower wall surface of the flow path block 200 by the action of the O-ring 206 made of the elastic material. It becomes movable.

  Further, FIG. 9 attached shows a modified structure of the flow path block 200 shown in FIG. That is, in FIG. 6, the three types of liquid crystal panels 101 (R), 101 (G), and 101 (B) are connected in series to the liquid refrigerant flow path. On the other hand, in this modified example, as is apparent from the drawing, the flow paths formed inside the flow path block 200 are the three types of liquid crystal panels 101 (R), 101 (G), and 101 (B). It is formed so as to be in parallel with the flow path of the liquid refrigerant. In the present invention, the flow path formed inside the flow path block 200 is not limited to the above example, and it is apparent that other configurations such as simply forming a space inside the flow path block 200 may be used. I will.

  In an actual liquid crystal projector, among the above three types of liquid crystal panels 101 (R), 101 (G), and 101 (B), the cooling of the blue liquid crystal panel 101 (B) is particularly limited to the other two. The liquid crystal panel 101 (R) for red or the liquid crystal panel 101 (G) for green is required to be cooled more. In particular, the configuration of the flow path block 200 shown in FIG. According to the serial flow path), the low-temperature liquid refrigerant from the cooling unit is preferably led to the blue liquid crystal panel 101 (B) first. Further, in the configuration (parallel flow path) of the flow path block 200 shown in FIG. 9, for example, the flow path guided to the blue liquid crystal panel 101 (B) is replaced with another red liquid crystal panel 101 (R) or The same effect can be achieved by making the cross-sectional area larger than the path led to the green liquid crystal panel 101 (G).

  Subsequently, the detailed structure of the refrigerant tank 150 constituting a part of the cooling unit shown in FIG. 4 will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the refrigerant tank 150 constituting the cooling unit shown in FIG. 4 is not necessarily required to have the following configuration. However, as will be apparent from the following description, the refrigerant tank 150 has a structure. For example, it is possible to take out only the liquid from the refrigerant tank 150 regardless of the posture. This is particularly the case in the liquid crystal projector according to the present invention, which is often used upside down. Therefore, the structure is particularly suitable for the refrigerant tank constituting the cooling unit of the liquid crystal projector. Become.

  First, in FIG. 10 attached, the internal structure of the refrigerant tank 150 is shown in a partially developed manner along with the appearance of the refrigerant tank 150. As is clear from this figure, the refrigerant tank 150 is formed of an outer container 1501 and an inner container 1502 disposed at the center thereof. Reference numeral 1503 in the figure indicates a support member for holding the inner container 1502 at the center of the outer container 1501. Reference numeral 1504 indicates an inflow pipe for liquid refrigerant, and reference numeral 1505 indicates an outflow pipe. As is apparent from the drawing, the inflow pipe 1504 is connected to the external container 1501. While opening to the inside, the other outflow pipe 1505 passes through the outer container 1501 and reaches the inside of the inner container 1502. Furthermore, slits 1506 are formed in a part of the outer wall of the inner container 1502 (four sides in this example), and the liquid refrigerant stored in the outer container 1501 passes through these slits 1506. And flows into the inner container 1502.

  The operation of the refrigerant tank 150 whose structure has been described above will be described with reference to the attached sectional view of FIG. In general, in the above-described cooling unit, as time passes, a part of the liquid refrigerant filled in the inside leaks out from the piping portion or the like, and as a result, a part of the liquid refrigerant filled in the inside is discharged. Gases such as air will be mixed. The mixed gas collects in the refrigerant tank 150 by the circulation of the liquid refrigerant, and the state is shown in FIG. That is, most of the refrigerant tank 150 including the lower part is filled with the liquid refrigerant W, however, a gas layer A is formed above the liquid refrigerant W. As described above, for example, when the liquid crystal projector is disposed upside down, the gas layer A rises in the liquid refrigerant W and above the external container 1501 as indicated by a broken line C in the figure. At this time, the path is separated by the inner container 1502 and moves along the outer wall. That is, even when the gas moves up and down in the refrigerant tank 150, the gas A does not enter the internal container 1502 in which the outflow pipe 1505 protrudes from the inside, and from the outflow pipe 1505, It is always possible to reliably take out only the liquid refrigerant without mixing the gas A into a part thereof.

  As described above, in the liquid crystal projector, the air held in the tank 150 moves as an air mass when moving or when the liquid crystal projector is mounted on the ceiling upside down. At that time, the inner container 1502 moves. By making the width of the slit provided in the space small enough to allow the refrigerant liquid to enter, the air mass moves along the outer peripheral portion without almost entering the inner container 1502. On the other hand, fine bubbles dispersed in the liquid or some bubbles separated from the air mass may enter the inner container 1502. Even in this case, these bubbles move upward in the inner container, exit from the slit 1506, and are collected above the outer container 1501. However, even in this case, there are still bubbles that do not move upward in the inner container and go to the outflow pipe 1505 together with the flow of the refrigerant liquid.

  Therefore, it is preferable to attach a filter F to the inlet of the outflow pipe 1505. That is, by attaching this filter F, in particular, fine bubbles and the like are captured thereby. The fine bubbles captured by the filter F merge with other captured bubbles, move upward in the inner container 1502, and exit from the slit 1506. The roughness of the filter F is preferably about 10 μm, for example, when considering that the filter F passes without being captured and is circulated together with the liquid refrigerant, particularly when the projected image on the liquid crystal panel 101 is adversely affected. It is. That is, if the fine bubbles that can pass through the filter F are as small as about 10 μm or less, practically, the projected image on the liquid crystal panel 101 is not adversely affected.

  Further, by disposing the liquid refrigerant discharge port (that is, the outflow pipe 1505) formed in the tank 150 at a substantially central portion in the height direction of the tank, the refrigerant liquid held in the tank is More than a predetermined amount, more specifically, if the liquid level of the refrigerant liquid is always kept higher than the position of the discharge port (outflow pipe 1505), the device (tank ) Can be more reliably removed from the liquid refrigerant taken out from the tank 150 in any posture, and bubbles that are mixed inside and circulate in the liquid cooling cycle can be removed.

  In addition, FIGS. 12 and 13 attached hereto show a modification of the refrigerant tank 150 whose structure and operation have been described above, together with a partially developed perspective view thereof, and a sectional view thereof. Note that, in the refrigerant tank 150 'according to this modified example, as is apparent from these drawings, in particular, the shape of the inner container 1502 is formed in a spherical shape. It will be apparent that the same effects as described above can also be obtained with this configuration. In the above description, the refrigerant tank 150 or 150 ′ is provided with one inflow pipe 1504 and an outflow pipe 1505. However, the inflow pipe 1504 and the outflow pipe 1505 are respectively It is possible to provide a plurality (for example, two), and in this case, the same effect as described above can be obtained.

  Furthermore, in the various embodiments described above, the liquid refrigerant flowing in each of the flow paths described above is, for example, water mixed with an antifreeze liquid such as ethylene glycol or propylene glycol, or light transmissive. For example, a fluorine-based inert liquid (perchlorocarbon) represented by, for example, Fluorinert (trademark of Sumitomo 3M Co., Ltd.), which is excellent, inert, less foaming, and 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. Moreover, it is preferable to coat the surface of the various substrates forming the channels 6 and 7 in the liquid crystal panel region with a process for maintaining hydrophilicity, for example, a titanium oxide thin film. 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. .

  In addition, according to the liquid crystal projector having the structure described in detail above, and the liquid cooling apparatus, the liquid refrigerant circulating in the cooling cycle is guided to the liquid crystal panel for the three primary colors R, G, and B. The connection flow path can be realized by a simple operation, so that an increase in the manufacturing operation and the manufacturing price is suppressed, and the maintenance operation is easy to perform. This is advantageous when installing the pipe.

1 is an overall view for explaining a liquid crystal projector and a liquid cooling device (cooling block) thereof according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the outline 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 this invention. It is a figure which shows the detail of the internal structure of one liquid crystal panel in the said liquid-crystal projector. It is a figure which shows about the structure of the liquid-cooling apparatus (cooling block) of the liquid-crystal projector which becomes a part of the said liquid crystal panel in this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the structure which connects the refrigerant | coolant tank and flow path block which comprise the said cooling unit. It is a top sectional view showing the details of the internal structure of the flow path block. Again, it is a longitudinal sectional view showing details of the internal structure of the flow path block. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the detail of the modification of the said flow path block. It is a plane sectional view showing details of an internal structure in other modifications of the above-mentioned channel block. It is a partially expanded perspective view which shows the internal structure with the external appearance of the refrigerant | coolant tank which comprises the said cooling unit. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the refrigerant | coolant tank shown in the said FIG. It is a partially expanded perspective view which shows the internal structure with the external appearance of the modification of the refrigerant | coolant tank which comprises the said cooling unit. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the refrigerant tank shown in the said FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Case of liquid crystal projector 101 (R), 101 (G), 101 (B) Liquid crystal panel 127 Projection optical system (lens)
129 Pump 130 Radiator 150, 150 ′ Refrigerant tank 200 Flow path block.

Claims (10)

  A light source, an optical element that divides the light from the light source into three lights as parallel light, and three types of plates that transmit the three lights divided by the optical element and modulate the intensity thereof A liquid crystal panel, a light synthesizing means for synthesizing three light beams transmitted through the three types of plate-like liquid crystal panels and modulating the intensity thereof, and three lights synthesized by the light synthesizing means for projecting the three lights In a liquid crystal projector having a liquid cooling cycle including a pump and a radiator that circulates and cools liquid refrigerant in the three types of plate-like liquid crystal panels together with the projection means, the inside of the three types of plate-like liquid crystal panels includes: A flow path for circulating the liquid refrigerant is formed, and the three types of plate-like liquid crystal panels are integrated with a flow path block in which the flow path of the liquid refrigerant is formed. Removable It mounted, with it, a liquid crystal projector characterized by circulating a liquid coolant therein.   2. The liquid crystal projector according to claim 1, wherein each of the plate-like liquid crystal panels has an inlet and an outlet for the liquid refrigerant formed on the same side surface, and the flow path block includes the three types of plates. A liquid crystal projector formed so as to cover the same side surface of the liquid crystal panel.   3. The liquid crystal projector according to claim 2, wherein a surface of the flow path block facing the same side surface of the three kinds of plate-like liquid crystal panels is provided at an inlet and an outlet of the three kinds of plate-like liquid crystal panels. A liquid crystal projector, characterized in that a connecting pipe is formed at each facing position.   4. The liquid crystal projector according to claim 3, wherein each of the connecting pipes formed on the surface of the flow path block is movably movable in the surface direction.   The liquid crystal projector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the flow path block is disposed above the three types of plate-like liquid crystal panels, and a liquid cooling cycle including the pump and the radiator is performed as described above. A liquid crystal projector, characterized in that the liquid crystal projector is arranged close to the projection means.   The light from the light source is transmitted through three types of plate-shaped liquid crystal panels, the intensity is modulated, the light whose intensity has been modulated is synthesized by light synthesis means, and the synthesized light is projected onto the screen. In the liquid crystal projector for obtaining an image, a cooling device for cooling the three types of plate-like liquid crystal panels, wherein the electric pump for circulating the liquid refrigerant and the liquid refrigerant circulated by the electric pump are cooled Each of the three types of plate-like liquid crystal panels, and is attached to the three types of plate-like liquid crystal panels so as to be detachable. A cooling device for a liquid crystal projector, comprising a flow path block for circulating the circulated liquid refrigerant.   7. The cooling device according to claim 6, wherein each of the plate-like liquid crystal panels has an inlet and an outlet for the liquid refrigerant formed on the same side surface, and the flow path block includes the three types of plates. A cooling device for a liquid crystal projector, wherein the cooling device is formed so as to cover the same side surface of the liquid crystal panel.   8. The cooling device according to claim 7, wherein a surface of the flow path block facing the same side surface of the three types of plate-like liquid crystal panels is provided at an inlet and an outlet of the three types of plate-like liquid crystal panels. A cooling device for a liquid crystal projector, wherein connecting pipes are respectively formed at opposing positions.   9. The cooling device for a liquid crystal projector according to claim 8, wherein the connecting pipes formed on the surface of the flow path block are formed so as to be freely movable in the surface direction. .   The cooling device according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the flow path block is disposed above the three types of plate-like liquid crystal panels, and the liquid cooling cycle including the pump and the radiator is A cooling device for a liquid crystal projector, wherein the cooling device is disposed in proximity to a projection means.

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