JP2006113276A - Modular color wheel device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a projector which allows a user to simply select and utilize a favorite color filter from among a plurality of color filters without buying and replacing a projector main body. <P>SOLUTION: The modular color wheel device 16 comprises a color filter 30 having at least a blue light transmission region, a red light transmission region and a green light transmission region, a motor 32 for rotating the color filter 30, a position detecting sensor 34 for detecting the position of the motor 32 and a unit case 36 for storing them. The unit case 36 includes a first light transmission region 232 for making light incident to the color filter 30 and a second light transmission region 234 for emitting light from the color filter. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a modular color wheel device, and more particularly to a projector color wheel device using a digital micro-mirror device (hereinafter referred to as DMD).

  The present applicant discloses, for example, Patent Document 1 regarding a projector using a DMD. According to this, the light from the light source is reflected by the reflector, and the reflected light is incident on a transmissive filter in which R (red), G (green), and B (blue) color filters are arranged in the circumferential direction. The The color filter is rotated at a constant speed, and light separated into R, G, and B is sequentially emitted therefrom. This light illuminates the DMD, where the spatially modulated light is projected on the screen via the projection lens.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for moving a color wheel in which such color filters are arranged. By moving the color wheel, all of the light from the light source is transmitted through the color wheel or a part thereof is transmitted. Thereby, it is possible to display a projected image in a color mode or a black and white mode (or gray scale).

  Furthermore, when all the areas of the color wheel are constituted by three primary color filters, the brightness is insufficient. In order to avoid this, in addition to the three primary color filters, a color wheel in which a filter that transmits white light from a light source as it is is used.

  However, if an area that partially transmits white light is provided in the color wheel, the color contrast is reduced. In order to solve such a problem, in the Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-90290, the present applicant prepares two color wheels W1 and W2 having different color ratios of color filters as shown in FIG. For example, one color wheel W1 is composed of R, G, and B primary color filters, and the other color wheel W2 is added with a white light color filter. Then, one of the color wheels is moved in the directions S1 and S2 orthogonal to the rotation axis so as to be inserted into the optical path of the light tunnel, so that the projection video mode can be varied.

Patent 3121843 JP-A-9-163391

  However, in the case of the color wheel shown in FIG. 8, it is necessary to prepare a plurality of color filters having different color ratios in advance and fix these color filters in the projector before shipment. For this reason, even if a newly designed color wheel appears, it cannot be used in exchange. If it is desired to use such a color wheel, a new projector must be replaced, which is uneconomical and inconvenient for the user. Furthermore, when the projector is used as a home theater, there are a variety of user preferences, and in order to realize a video display mode that satisfies this, more color filters are prepared and all of these are arranged in the projector. There must be. If it does so, cost will become very high and size reduction and weight reduction of a projector will become difficult by the occupation space of a color filter.

  On the other hand, since Patent Document 2 requires a mechanism for moving the color wheel, an increase in the number of parts caused thereby causes a high cost. Furthermore, a space for moving the color wheel is required, and as a result, there is a problem that the projector cannot be miniaturized.

The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and provides a projector that allows a user to easily select and use a favorite color filter from among a plurality of color filters without a user purchasing a new projector. With the goal.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a projector that can be reduced in size, weight, and cost.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a modular color wheel device that can be easily removed from such projectors.

  A modular color wheel device according to the present invention includes a color filter having at least a blue light transmission region, a red light transmission region, and a green light transmission region, and a unit case that rotatably stores the color filter. The case includes a first light transmission region for allowing light to enter the color filter and a second light transmission region for emitting light from the color filter.

  Preferably, the first and second light transmission regions are notches formed in the unit case. Alternatively, the first and second light transmission regions may be transparent members that transmit light. Furthermore, the unit case may include a sensor for detecting the rotational position of the color filter and a motor for rotating the color filter. The modular color wheel device further includes a socket for making an electrical connection with a circuit in the projector.

  The projector according to the present invention attaches the above-described modular color wheel device in a replaceable manner. When the modular color wheel device is attached, the color filter is rotated and light from the light source is incident thereon. Thus, the three primary colors of light are sequentially emitted from the color filter, and the emitted light is modulated to form a projection image. Preferably, in order to mount or replace the modular color wheel device, the projector is formed with an insertion port for the color wheel device.

  According to the present invention, the color wheel device is modular, and is configured to be detachable from the projector, so that the user can select a desired one from among a plurality of color wheel devices having different color ratios. It can be used for a projector. Thereby, the user can easily realize a video display mode suitable for his / her preference without replacing the projector. On the other hand, the projector does not need to be equipped with a plurality of color wheels in advance, and does not require a mechanism for moving the color wheel, so that an inexpensive and small projector can be provided.

  The projector according to the present invention is implemented in a projector using DMD. Hereinafter, it will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an optical system of a projector using a digital micromirror. In the figure, 10 is an arc (light emitting point) of a white light source, 12 is an elliptical mirror as a condenser mirror, 14 is a light tunnel which is an optical component, 16 is a modular color wheel device, 18 is a condenser lens, and 20 is A plane mirror as a folding mirror, 22 is a spherical mirror as a second folding mirror, 24 is a DMD (digital micromirror device), 26 is a second condenser lens disposed in front of the DMD, and 28 is a projection lens. .

  The modular color wheel device 16 includes a color filter 30 in which, for example, red (R), green (G), and blue (B) color filters are arranged in the outer circumferential direction, a motor 32 that rotates the color filter 30, and a color filter. A unit case 36 including a position detection sensor 34 for detecting 30 rotational positions is provided. The modular color wheel device 16 is configured to be detachable from the projector by moving the unit case 36 in the Y direction. As a result, a plurality of color wheel devices having different color ratios of the color filters can be prepared, and a desired color wheel device can be selected from the color wheel devices and mounted on the projector.

  In the DMD 24, each pixel arranged two-dimensionally is composed of a minute mirror, and the inclination of the minute mirror is controlled by an electrostatic field effect by a memory element arranged immediately below each pixel, thereby changing the reflection angle of reflected light. Thus, it is a reflective display element that creates an on / off state. When the pixel is off, the reflected light from the pixel's micromirror does not enter the projection lens. When the pixel is on, the reflected light from the pixel's micromirror enters the projection lens and forms an image on the screen. System parts are arranged. The tilt angle of each pixel when the micromirror is on is determined to be about 10 to 12 degrees with respect to the incident surface of the DMD beam.

  Light from the light source 10 is incident on the modular color wheel device 16 via the light tunnel 14 where it is sequentially separated into R, G, B light, which illuminates the DMD 24. On-state light reflected by the DMD 24 is magnified by the projection lens 28 and projected on the screen.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of the projector according to the present embodiment. The projector main body 100 contains the optical system and circuit board shown in FIG. A projection lens 28 is disposed on the front surface 102 of the projector main body 100, and an exhaust port 104 including a slit-like hole is formed on the side thereof. An insertion port 108 for inserting the modular color wheel device 16 is formed on the upper surface 1106 of the projector 100. A discharge button 110 is provided in the vicinity of the insertion slot 108. The discharge button 110 uses a known mechanism, and presses the button to discharge the modular color wheel device 16 attached to the projector main body 100. Furthermore, an operation switch 112 for inputting an instruction from the user is provided on the upper surface 106. When the color wheel device 16 is not installed, it is desirable to attach a cover that covers the insertion port 108 in order to prevent dust and dust from entering the projector main body 100.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of the modular color wheel device. In the figure, a unit case 36 connects a circular first main surface 200, a circular second main surface 210 opposite to the first main surface, and connects the first main surface and the second main surface. And an outer peripheral surface 220. Preferably, the first and second main surfaces 200 and 210 and the outer peripheral surface 220 are made of a transparent plastic member or resin. The first and second main surfaces 200 and 210 and the outer peripheral surface 220 form a cylindrical space inside, and the color filter 30 and the motor 32 are disposed therein.

  Fan-shaped notches 230 are formed in the first and second main surfaces 200 and 210 and the outer peripheral portion 220. The notch 230 exposes the filter portion of the color filter 30, forms a first light transmission region 232 for entering light on the first main surface 200 side, and transmits light on the second main surface 210 side. A second light transmission region 234 for emission is formed. A socket 240 is attached on the first main surface 200. The socket 240 forms an electrical connection between the circuit in the projector main body 100, the motor 32, and the position detection sensor 34, as will be described later.

  FIG. 4 shows the connection relationship between the modular color wheel device and the projector body. The color wheel device 16 is inserted into the projector main body 100 through the insertion port 108 (see FIG. 2). When the unit case 36 is pressed to a predetermined position, the socket 240 is engaged with the connector 310 disposed in the main body, and an electrical connection between the color wheel device 16 and the projector main body is formed. The socket 240 formed on the first main surface 200 is electrically connected to the motor 32 and the position detection sensor 34 by a flexible substrate 250 disposed inside.

  The motor control circuit 300 supplies a drive signal for driving the motor 32 via the connector 310 and the socket 240. As a result, the color filter 32 is rotated by the motor 32. White light Lin from the light source enters the color filter 30 from the first light transmission region 232 at a substantially right angle, and R, G, and B light Lout is sequentially emitted from the second light transmission region 234. The rotation angle of the color filter 30 is detected by the position detection sensor 34. For example, the position detection sensor 34 outputs one reset pulse per rotation of the color filter 30, and this sensor output is supplied to the motor control circuit 300 via the socket 240 and the connector 310. The sensor output is also input to a video processing device (not shown) where video signal processing corresponding to each color is performed.

  The motor control circuit 300 detects which color of the color filter 30 the light is incident on, and controls the motor 32 to synchronize with the DMD 24. The motor control circuit 300 can perform synchronous control of the motor 32 by a phase lock loop circuit (PLL circuit) (not shown).

  In addition, the user can instruct the selection of the motor rotation speed according to the difference between the setting for emphasizing brightness, the setting for emphasizing hue, and the like according to the setting condition of the attached color filter via the input unit 112. . This input may be performed from a remote controller.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the color filter. 5A shows an R, G, and B color filter 400, and FIG. 5B shows a color filter 410 to which white (W) is added. The white (W) portion only needs to transmit white light from the light source, and may be a cavity instead of using a transparent member. FIG. 5C shows a color filter 420 having a large R ratio, which can give color rendering properties to the projected image. FIG. 5D shows a white (W) color filter 430, which can perform black and white display. However, when performing monochrome display, the same display can be performed without mounting the modular color wheel device 16 in the projector main body. A color wheel device having such a color filter is prepared, and the user can arbitrarily select and use a desired video mode.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment, the modular color wheel device 16 includes the motor 32 and the position detection sensor 34 in the unit case 36. However, in the second embodiment, the color wheel device includes the motor and the position detection sensor. It is not included. FIG. 6 shows the configuration of a modular color wheel device according to the second embodiment.

  A motor 32 is fixed to the projector main body 100 side, and a circular chuck 500 for holding a color filter is provided on a rotating shaft 32 a of the motor 32. A groove 510 is formed on the outer periphery of the chuck 500, and a holding claw 520 that is movable in the radial direction is accommodated in the groove 510. The holding claw 520 is biased outward by a spring 530 in the groove 510.

  On the other hand, the modular color wheel device is composed of a single color wheel 550 (synonymous with a color filter). A circular through hole 560 is formed at the center of the color wheel 550. The color wheel 550 is attached by inserting the chuck 500 into the through hole 560. When removing, the chuck 500 is detached from the through hole 560 by pressing the holding claw 520 inward.

  According to the second embodiment, the video mode of the projector can be arbitrarily changed simply by replacing the color filter. It is a lower cost and simpler configuration than the first embodiment.

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment, the first and second light transmission regions 232 and 234 are formed by forming the notch portion 230 in the unit case 36. In the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. At least portions corresponding to the first and second main surfaces of the notch portion 230 are configured by the transparent member 600. The first and second light transmission regions 232 and 234 are formed by the transparent member 600 and the inside of the unit case 36 is substantially sealed to prevent dust and dust from entering the unit case 36. In addition, the color filter 30 can be prevented from being damaged during handling such as replacement of the color wheel device.

  In this way, the modular color wheel device can be unitized and easily attached to or removed from the projector body, so that the user can arbitrarily select a color wheel with a different color pattern and focus on brightness. It is possible to easily switch between light irradiation and light irradiation that emphasizes color.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above. However, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims. Modifications and changes are possible. In particular, the shape and color ratio of the color filter can be appropriately changed, and are not limited to the above-described embodiments.

  The modular color wheel device according to the present invention is used in a digital micromirror front projection projector and a rear projection projector, and is particularly useful in a home theater projector.

It is a figure which shows the optical system of the projector which concerns on the Example of this invention. 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a projector according to an embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of a modular type color wheel apparatus. It is a figure which shows the connection relationship with a modular type color wheel apparatus. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a color filter. It is a figure which shows the modular type color wheel apparatus which concerns on a 2nd Example. It is a figure which shows the modular type color wheel apparatus which concerns on a 2nd Example. It is a figure which shows the example of the conventional color filter.

Explanation of symbols

10: Light source 16: Modular color wheel device 24: DMD 28: Projection lens 30: Color wheel 32: Motor 34: Position detection sensor 36: Unit case 100: Projector body 108: Insertion port 110: Eject button 200: First Main surface 210: Second main surface 220: Outer peripheral surface 230: Notch 232: First light transmission region 234: Second light transmission region 240: Socket 310: Connector 500: Chuck

Claims (8)

A color filter having at least a blue light transmission region, a red light transmission region, and a green light transmission region, and a unit case that rotatably stores the color filter;
The unit case includes a first light transmission region for allowing light to enter the color filter and a second light transmission region for emitting light from the color filter.
Modular color wheel device. The modular color wheel device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second light transmission regions are notches formed in the unit case. The modular color wheel device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second light transmission regions are transparent members that transmit light. The modular color wheel device according to claim 1, wherein the unit case further includes a sensor for detecting a rotational position of the color filter. The modular color wheel device according to claim 1, wherein the unit case further includes a motor for rotating the color filter. The modular color wheel device according to claim 1, wherein the modular color wheel device includes a socket for making an electrical connection with a circuit element in the projector. A projector in which the modular color wheel device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 is attached in a replaceable manner, and when the modular color wheel device is attached, the color filter is rotated and light from the light source is rotated there. A projector that sequentially emits the three primary colors of light from the color filter and modulates the emitted light to form a projected image. The projector according to claim 7, wherein the projector has an insertion slot for inserting a modular color wheel device.

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