JP2006308678A - Light source device and projector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the size over the entire part of a projector by using a light tunnel which efficiently makes luminous flux uniform while shortening the dimensions in an optical axis direction. <P>SOLUTION: The projector is equipped with the light tunnel 31 comprising a light tunnel main part 41 forming an optical path having an incident opening and an exit opening of a rectangular shape similar to that of an optical image to be projected, and a reflection section 42 of a cruciform in section which is arranged near the incident opening within the optical path and of which a plurality of flat surfaces parallel to the optical axis direction are composed of reflection materials. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a data projector, a home theater light source device, and a projection device using the light source device.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, projector apparatuses that can perform various presentations and demonstrations by connecting to a personal computer are becoming more familiar.

  In this type of projector apparatus, DLP (Digital Light Processing) (registered trademark) using an optical semiconductor element called a micromirror element is used as compared with an apparatus for forming a light image using a transmissive color liquid crystal panel. The method is becoming popular because a brighter image projection can be obtained.

  The DLP (registered trademark) type projector device is a color in which high-intensity white light from a light source lamp is separately arranged in color filters such as red (red), green (green), and blue (blue). A disk-shaped member called a wheel is rotated and colored in a time-sharing manner (more precisely, only the light of the color component is transmitted), and a rectangular tube-shaped optical member called a light tunnel or rod integrator After the light flux distribution is made uniform through the light, the light is reflected by a micromirror element that is driven to form a light image corresponding to the color component, and the reflected light is projected through the lens of the projection optical system. And so on.

  FIG. 12 shows a configuration of a general light tunnel 1, which is a hollow rectangular cylindrical body having an opening with an aspect ratio equal to that of the projected light image, and the entire inner surface thereof becomes a reflecting surface. Then, light L colored by a color wheel (not shown) enters from the right front side in the drawing along the optical axis LX, and exits from the left back side in the drawing.

  In the process of passing through the inside of the light tunnel 1, the light L that has passed through the color wheel, which is not uniform parallel light, is reflected by the inner surface of the light tunnel 1, so that the light flux distribution is almost equalized at the time of emission. The

  In order to equalize the distribution of the luminous flux of the emitted light, the transmitted light needs to be reflected several times on the inner surface of the light tunnel 1 to become scattered light as a whole. A certain length is required in the direction of the axis LX.

By the way, in a projector equipped with a rod integrator made of a translucent material instead of being hollow like the light tunnel described above, the light is emitted from the light exit surface of the rod integrator in order to easily improve the light utilization efficiency. An inclination angle for making the maximum inclination angle of the light to be centered perpendicular to the light exit surface smaller than the maximum inclination angle of the condensed light emitted from the light source device to the center axis perpendicular to the light incident surface A technique is described in which a change unit is provided in the rod integrator. (For example, Patent Document 1)
JP 2004-038086 A

  Including the technique of the rod integrator described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, in order to make the luminance distribution of the light beam uniform as described above, the light tunnel (or rod integrator) necessarily requires a certain length in the axial direction.

  Therefore, the presence of the light tunnel can be one of the factors that hinder downsizing of the entire projector apparatus.

  On the other hand, if the light tunnel cannot secure a sufficient axial length, the light flux becomes inhomogeneous.For example, when flicker occurs in the light source lamp, the light tunnel causes fluctuations in the light flux to the entrance aperture. This results in a problem that the light cannot be absorbed and flickers in the projected image that is emitted.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the object of the present invention is to reduce the overall size by using a light tunnel or the like that efficiently equalizes a light beam while shortening the dimension in the optical axis direction. It is an object of the present invention to provide a light source device and a projection device that can contribute to the realization.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, a light source lamp and an optical path having an entrance aperture and an exit aperture are formed, and a plurality of entire planar surfaces parallel to the optical axis direction are made of a reflecting material near the entrance aperture in the optical path. And a columnar body uniformizing means for uniforming the luminance distribution of the luminous flux from the light source lamp.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the uniformizing means comprises a light tunnel in which the optical path is hollow and a reflecting member is formed on the entire inner wall surface, and the reflecting portion is provided in the optical path. It is supported near the entrance aperture.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the uniformizing means includes a light-transmitting rod in which an optical path is filled with a light-transmitting member, and a peripheral surface excluding the entrance opening and the exit opening functions as a reflecting member The reflective portion is characterized in that a reflective film is embedded near the entrance opening of the translucent member or is formed of an air layer.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the reflecting portion is divided into n equal parts (n: 2 or more) each of the short side and the long side of the optical path having a rectangular cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the optical axis. (Natural number).

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the reflecting portion is mounted so as to connect two pairs of diagonals of an optical path having a rectangular cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the optical axis. It is formed in a letter shape.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the reflecting portion includes n (n: natural number) parallel line portions whose cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the optical axis is parallel to the short side of the optical path. And n parallel line portions parallel to the long side are alternately arranged along the optical axis direction.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the reflecting portion has a cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the optical axis, the diagonal portion connecting one diagonal of a rectangular optical path and the other diagonal. The connected diagonal line portions are independently arranged along the optical axis direction.

  The invention described in claim 8 is characterized in that, in the invention described in claim 1, the reflecting portion has a rectangular shape whose cross section perpendicular to the optical axis is similar to a rectangular optical path.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the fourth to eighth aspects, the uniformizing means includes a plurality of sets of reflecting portions having the same shape spaced apart along the optical axis direction. It is characterized by.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the fourth to eighth aspects, the uniformizing means is characterized in that a plurality of sets of reflecting portions having different shapes are arranged in combination.

  The invention according to claim 11 forms a light source lamp and an optical path having an entrance aperture and an exit aperture, and narrows at least one pair of opposite side dimensions at the center of the optical path so as to be smaller than both apertures. And a columnar body uniformizing means for uniformizing the luminance distribution of the luminous flux from the light source lamp.

  The invention according to claim 12 forms a light source lamp and an optical path having an entrance opening and an exit opening, and a plurality of planar whole surfaces parallel to the optical axis direction are made of a reflecting material near the entrance opening in the optical path. A light beam forming a projection light image by means of the columnar body homogenizing means for uniforming the luminance distribution of the luminous flux from the light source lamp and the luminous flux whose luminance distribution has been uniformed by the homogenizing means. A modulation unit and a projection unit that projects a projection light image formed by the light modulation unit toward a projection target are provided.

  The invention according to claim 13 forms a light source lamp and an optical path having an entrance opening and an exit opening, and narrows at least one pair of opposite side dimensions at the center of the optical path so as to be smaller than both the openings. A columnar body uniformizing means for uniforming the luminance distribution of the light flux from the light source lamp, a light modulating means for forming a projection light image with the light flux whose luminance distribution is uniformed by the uniformizing means, and the light modulating means And a projection means for projecting the projection light image formed in (1) toward the projection target.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the number of reflections accompanying the progress in the uniformizing means is increased by facilitating the scattering of the light flux immediately after the incidence by the reflecting portion provided near the entrance aperture, and the optical axis direction is increased. By making the luminous flux sufficiently uniform while shortening the dimensions, it becomes possible to contribute to the overall miniaturization.

  According to the invention described in claim 2, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 1, the reflecting portion is a hollow in which a thin metal plate such as aluminum having a mechanical strength that can be supported on the incident aperture side is disposed. By using this light tunnel, the luminance distribution of the light flux can be made uniform at a relatively low cost.

  According to the invention described in claim 3, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 1, since it is not necessary to have a structure in which the reflecting portion supports itself in the optical path, the degree of freedom of the shape is high. In addition, since the thickness in the cross-sectional direction perpendicular to the optical axis can be minimized, excessive light loss can be minimized, and by selecting a translucent rod made of a material with an appropriate refractive index, the luminance distribution of the light flux can be made uniform. Therefore, it is possible to achieve a very shortening of the part.

  According to the invention described in claims 4 to 8, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 1 above, the luminance distribution of the luminous flux in the area divided on the light source side according to the shape of the reflecting portion is made uniform. After the image is obtained, the luminance distribution of the light beam is made uniform over the entire optical image in the portion where the area on the emission side is not divided.

  According to the invention of claim 9, in addition to the effect of the invention of any of claims 4 to 8, the luminous flux is more efficiently generated by arranging a plurality of sets of the same-shaped reflecting portions at intervals. It is possible to make the luminance distribution uniform and further shorten the part to be made uniform.

  According to the invention described in claim 10, in addition to the effect of the invention described in any one of claims 4 to 8, each area divided more complicatedly by combining a plurality of sets of reflecting portions having different shapes. After the luminance distribution of the light beam is uniformed, the luminance distribution of the light beam is made uniform over the entire optical image in the part where the area on the emission side is not divided, and the part to be uniformized is further increased. It becomes possible to shorten.

  According to the eleventh aspect of the invention, the light flux density is increased on the light source side where the optical path is narrowed in the first half portion of the uniformizing means, and the luminance distribution is made uniform. Since the light flux that has been made uniform is released and returns to its original density, the luminance distribution of the light flux can be efficiently made uniform, and the part to be made uniform can be further shortened.

  According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the reflection portion provided near the entrance opening of the homogenizing means promotes the scattering of the light flux immediately after incidence, thereby increasing the number of reflections accompanying the progress in the homogenizing means, and By sufficiently equalizing the luminance distribution of the luminous flux while shortening the axial dimension, the light source unit including the light source lamp can be made compact, which can contribute to the miniaturization of the entire projection apparatus.

  According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the light flux density is increased and uniformed on the light source side where the optical path is narrowed in the first half of the uniformizing means, and the light flux is uniformed by widening the optical path in the second half. Is released and the original density is restored, so that it is possible to efficiently uniformize the luminance distribution of the luminous flux and further shorten the part to be homogenized. The part can be made compact, and it can contribute to miniaturization of the whole projection apparatus.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a projector apparatus will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows an external appearance configuration of mainly a front surface and an upper surface of a housing of a projector device 10 according to the embodiment. As shown in the figure, a projection lens 12, a distance measuring sensor 13, and an Ir receiver 14 are disposed on the front surface of a rectangular parallelepiped main body casing 11.

  The projection lens 12 is for enlarging and projecting a light image formed by a spatial light modulation element composed of a micromirror element, which will be described later, onto an object such as a screen. Here, a focus position and a zoom position (projection) The angle of view) can be arbitrarily changed.

  The distance measuring sensor 13 is arranged in a direction orthogonal to each other so that one of the two pairs of phase difference sensors is in the horizontal direction and the other is in the vertical direction. Is measured along a one-dimensional detection line.

  The Ir receiver 14 receives an infrared light (Ir) signal on which a key operation signal from a remote controller of the projector device 10 (not shown) is superimposed.

A key switch portion 15 and a speaker 16 are disposed on the upper surface of the main body casing 11.
The key switch unit 15 includes, for example, a power key, an AF / AK (Automatic Focus / Automatic Key-stone correction) key, a zoom key, an input selection key, a cursor (“↑”, “↓”, “←”). The “→”) key, the “Enter” key, and the like, and the same key is provided on the remote controller of the projector apparatus 10.

  The speaker 16 emits a sound of the input audio signal and a beep sound during operation.

Although not shown, an input / output connector portion, an Ir receiving portion, and an AC adapter connecting portion are disposed on the back surface of the main casing 11.
The input / output connector unit includes, for example, a USB terminal for connection to an external device such as a personal computer, a mini D-SUB terminal for video input, an S terminal, an RCA terminal, a stereo mini terminal for audio input, and the like. .

Similar to the Ir receiver 14, the Ir receiver receives an infrared light (Ir) signal on which a key operation signal from a remote controller (not shown) is superimposed.
The AC adapter connection unit connects a cable from an AC adapter (not shown) serving as a power source.

  Next, the functional configuration of the electronic circuit of the projector apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, image signals of various standards input from the input / output connector unit 21 are unified into image signals of a predetermined format by the image conversion unit 23 via the input / output interface (I / F) 22 and the system bus SB. Later, it is sent to the projection encoder 24.

  The projection encoder 24 develops and stores the transmitted image signal in the video RAM 25, generates a video signal from the stored contents of the video RAM 25, and outputs the video signal to the projection drive unit 26.

  The projection drive unit 26 appropriately speeds up time division by multiplying a frame rate, for example, 60 [frames / second], the number of color component divisions, and the number of display gradations in accordance with the transmitted image signal. For example, the micro-mirror element 27 which is a spatial light modulation element (SOM) is driven to display.

  High-luminance white light emitted from the light source lamp 29 disposed in the reflector 28 is appropriately colored to the primary color via the color wheel 30 and the luminance distribution is made uniform by the light tunnel 31. After that, when the light is totally reflected by the mirror 32 and irradiated, a light image is formed by the reflected light, and is projected and displayed on a screen (not shown) through the projection lens 12.

  However, both the lighting drive of the light source lamp 29 and the motor (M) 33 that rotationally drives the color wheel 30 operate based on the supply voltage value from the projection light processing unit 34.

  The control unit 35 controls all the operations of the above circuits. The control unit 35 includes a CPU, a nonvolatile memory that stores an operation program executed by the CPU during a projection operation, a work memory, and the like.

  The control unit 35 is also connected to a distance measurement processing unit 36 and an audio processing unit 37 via the system bus SB.

  The distance measurement processing unit 36 controls and drives the distance measurement sensor 13 composed of the two pairs of phase difference sensors, and calculates the distance from the detected output to an arbitrary point position. The calculated distance value data is It is sent to the control unit 35.

  The sound processing unit 37 includes a sound source circuit such as a PCM sound source, converts the sound data given during the projection operation into analog data, drives the speaker 16 to emit a loud sound, or generates a beep sound or the like if necessary.

  Each key operation signal in the key switch (SW) unit 15 is directly input to the control unit 35, and a signal from the Ir reception unit 38 is also directly input to the control unit 35. The Ir receiving unit 38 includes the Ir receiving unit 14 and an Ir receiving unit provided on the back side of the main body casing 11, converts the infrared light reception signal into a code signal, and sends the code signal to the control unit 35.

[First configuration example]
Next, a specific configuration of the light tunnel 31 will be illustrated.
FIG. 3 shows a first configuration example of the light tunnel 31 according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 3A, in this first configuration example, the light tunnel 31 has the same aspect ratio as that of the light image projected by the projection lens 12 whose entire inner surface is a reflection surface, for example, 3: 4. A pair of reflectors 42 are inserted into an entrance opening on the right front side in the figure, in which white light from a light source lamp 29 (not shown) is incident on a rectangular tubular light tunnel body 41 having a rectangular opening. It is configured by supporting and fixing.
The reflecting portion 42 is configured by combining two metal thin plates such as aluminum that are mirror-finished so that the entire surface becomes a reflecting surface, for example.

  FIG. 3B shows the light tunnel 31 in a state in which the reflecting portion 42 is inserted and supported and fixed in the entrance opening of the light tunnel main body 41. Here, as shown in the figure, the reflecting section 42 has a cross shape in a cross section perpendicular to the optical axis, and the rectangular optical path in the light tunnel 31 is divided into two equal parts in the vertical and horizontal directions to be divided into a total of four identically shaped spaces. To do.

  In such a configuration, when light from the light source lamp 29 and the reflector 28 is incident on the light tunnel 31, the light beam is first divided into four spaces by the reflecting portion 42, and each of the divided spaces is divided into four spaces. Thus, reflection at a short distance is repeated between the reflecting portion 42 and the inner surface of the light tunnel main body 41.

  At this time, light that is directly incident from the light source lamp 29 and is relatively parallel to the optical axis is reflected by the reflector 28 as compared to passing through the space with little reflection, and then the light tunnel 31. The light that is incident on the optical axis is largely deflected with respect to the optical axis, and the greater the degree of deflection, the more reflection is repeated in the space. The luminance distribution of the luminous flux is made uniform for each space.

  After that, each light beam that has passed through the four spaces divided by the reflecting portion 42 is reflected by a wall surface in the latter half of the light path of the light tunnel main body 41 and then emitted from the wall, so that the entire light beam is emitted. Is distributed to the micromirror element 27 via a mirror 32 and a motor 33 (not shown) in the subsequent stage.

  As described above, by providing the reflecting portion 42 on the incident opening side, it is possible to further promote the uniformization of the luminance distribution of the light flux as compared with the case where the reflecting portion 42 is not provided. Therefore, the axial dimension of the light tunnel 31 can be further shortened as long as a uniform luminance distribution can be obtained.

[Second Configuration Example]
FIG. 4 shows a second configuration example of the light tunnel 31 according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 4A, in this second configuration example, the light tunnel 31 has the same aspect ratio as that of the light image projected by the projection lens 12 whose entire inner surface is a reflection surface, for example, 3: 4. White light from a light source lamp 29 (not shown) is incident on a rectangular tubular light tunnel main body 41 having a rectangular opening, and two sets of reflecting portions 43a and 43b are emitted into the entrance opening on the right front side in the figure. It is configured by inserting and supporting and fixing along the axis at intervals.
Each of the reflecting portions 43a and 43b is configured by combining two metal thin plates such as aluminum that are mirror-finished so that the entire surface becomes a reflecting surface, for example.

  FIG. 4B shows the light tunnel 31 in a state in which the reflecting portions 43 a and 43 b are inserted and supported and fixed in the entrance opening of the light tunnel main body 41. Here, each of the reflecting portions 43a and 43b has a cross shape in a cross section perpendicular to the optical axis as shown in the drawing, and the portion in the light tunnel 31 divides the rectangular optical path into two equal parts vertically and horizontally, for a total of four parts. It is divided into spaces of the same shape, and the dimensions in the optical axis direction are significantly shortened compared to the reflecting portion 42 shown in FIG.

  In such a configuration, when light from the light source lamp 29 and the reflector 28 is incident on the light tunnel 31, the light beam is first divided into four spaces by the reflecting portion 43a on the incident opening side, and each division is performed. In this space, the reflection at a short distance is repeated by the reflecting portion 43a and the inner surface of the light tunnel main body 41.

  At this time, light that is directly incident from the light source lamp 29 and is relatively parallel to the optical axis is reflected by the reflector 28 as compared to passing through the space with little reflection, and then the light tunnel 31. The light that is incident on the optical axis is largely deflected with respect to the optical axis, and the greater the degree of deflection, the more reflection is repeated in the space. The luminance distribution of the luminous flux is made uniform for each space.

  After that, each light beam that has passed through the four spaces divided by the reflecting portion 43a is reflected by a wall surface as appropriate in one space, and then emitted, so that the luminance distribution in the entire light beam can be made uniform. Then, it further reaches the reflecting portion 43b and is divided again into four spaces, and the luminance distribution of the luminous flux is made uniform in each divided space.

  Then, each light flux that has passed through the four spaces divided by the reflecting portion 43b is reflected by a wall surface as appropriate in one space in the latter half of the optical path of the light tunnel main body 41, and is emitted from the exit opening of the light tunnel 31. In particular, the luminance distribution in the entire light beam is made uniform, and the light beam is supplied to the micromirror element 27 via a mirror 32 and a motor 33 (not shown) in the subsequent stage.

  In the configuration example of the first and second light tunnels 31, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the reflecting portions 42, 43 a, 43 b are cross-shaped, that is, one vertical and one horizontal cross at the center of each other. Although the present invention is not limited to this, the present invention is not limited to this, and each of the vertical and horizontal directions is such that the short side and the long side of the optical path having a rectangular cross-sectional shape are both equally divided into n (n: a natural number of 2 or more). (N-1) It is good also as what forms in a grid | lattice-like cross section so that a book may mutually orthogonally cross.

  As described above, by providing the reflecting portions 43a and 43b on the incident opening side, it is possible to further promote the uniformity of the luminance distribution of the light flux as compared with the case where the reflecting portions 43a and 43b are not provided. Therefore, the axial dimension of the light tunnel 31 can be further shortened as long as a uniform luminance distribution can be obtained.

[Third configuration example]
FIG. 5 shows a third configuration example of the light tunnel 31 according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 5A, in this third configuration example, the light tunnel 31 has the same aspect ratio as that of the light image projected by the projection lens 12 whose entire inner surface is a reflection surface, for example, 3: 4. 3 is vertically and horizontally arranged in the entrance opening on the right front side in the figure, in which white light from a light source lamp 29 (not shown) is incident on the rectangular tubular light tunnel body 41 having the rectangular opening. A pair of reflecting portions 44a and 44b divided into two pieces is inserted and supported and fixed.
The reflecting portions 44a and 44b are made of, for example, two metal thin plates such as aluminum that are mirror-finished so that the entire surface becomes a reflecting surface.

  FIG. 5B shows the light tunnel 31 in a state in which the reflecting portions 44 a and 44 b are inserted into and supported by the entrance opening of the light tunnel main body 41. Here, as shown in the drawing, one reflecting portion 44a is parallel to the long side of the rectangular optical path in a cross section perpendicular to the optical axis, and divides the optical path into two equal parts, and on the other side of the reflecting portion 44a. The reflection part 44b located adjacent to is parallel to the short side of the rectangular optical path in a cross section perpendicular to the optical axis, and divides the optical path into two equal parts.

  In such a configuration, when light from the light source lamp 29 and the reflector 28 is incident on the light tunnel 31, the light beam is first divided into two spaces in the vertical direction by the reflecting portion 44a, and is divided into the two spaces. The reflection at a short distance is repeated by the reflecting portion 44a and the inner surface of the light tunnel body 41 in the space.

  At this time, light that is directly incident from the light source lamp 29 and is relatively parallel to the optical axis is reflected by the reflector 28 as compared to passing through the space with little reflection, and then the light tunnel 31. The light incident on the optical axis is greatly deflected with respect to the optical axis, and the greater the degree of deflection, the more reflection is repeated in the space. The luminance distribution of the luminous flux is made uniform for each space.

  After that, each light flux that has passed through the two spaces divided by the reflecting portion 44a is divided into two spaces in the horizontal direction by the reflecting portion 44b orthogonal to the reflecting portion 44a, and is reflected in each divided space. Reflection at a short distance is repeated by the portion 44b and the inner surface of the light tunnel main body 41, and the luminance distribution of the light flux is made uniform in each of the two divided spaces.

  Then, each light beam that has passed through the space divided into two by the reflection part 44b is reflected by a wall surface in the latter half of the light path of the light tunnel main body 41, and then emitted, so that the entire light beam is emitted. Is distributed to the micromirror element 27 via a mirror 32 and a motor 33 (not shown) in the subsequent stage.

  As described above, by providing the reflecting portions 44a and 44b on the incident opening side, it is possible to further promote the uniformity of the luminance distribution of the light flux as compared with the case where the reflecting portions 44a and 44b are not provided. Therefore, the axial dimension of the light tunnel 31 can be further shortened as long as a uniform luminance distribution can be obtained.

[Fourth configuration example]
FIG. 6 shows a fourth configuration example of the light tunnel 31 according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 6A, in this fourth configuration example, the light tunnel 31 has the same aspect ratio as that of the light image projected by the projection lens 12 whose entire inner surface is a reflecting surface, for example, 3: 4. Reflecting portions 44a and 44b shown in FIG. 5 are incident on the right front side of the drawing in which white light from a light source lamp 29 (not shown) is incident on a rectangular cylindrical light tunnel body 41 having a rectangular opening. The two reflecting portions 45a to 45d having a shallow depth in the optical axis direction are inserted and supported and fixed.
The reflecting portions 45a to 45d are made of, for example, four metal thin plates such as aluminum that are mirror-finished so that the entire surface becomes a reflecting surface.

  FIG. 6B shows the light tunnel 31 in a state where the reflecting portions 45 a to 45 d are inserted and supported and fixed in the entrance opening of the light tunnel main body 41. Here, the reflection parts 45a and 45c are parallel to the long side of the rectangular optical path in a cross section perpendicular to the optical axis as shown in the drawing, and divide the optical path into two equal parts, whereas these reflection parts 45a and 45c. The reflective portions 45b and 45d alternately arranged are parallel to the short side of the rectangular optical path in a cross section perpendicular to the optical axis, and divide the optical path into two equal parts.

  In such a configuration, when light from the light source lamp 29 and the reflector 28 is incident on the light tunnel 31, the light beam is first divided into two spaces in the vertical direction by the reflecting portion 45a, and is divided into the two spaces. The reflection at a short distance is repeated by the reflecting portion 45a and the inner surface of the light tunnel main body 41 in the remaining space.

  At this time, light that is directly incident from the light source lamp 29 and is relatively parallel to the optical axis is reflected by the reflector 28 as compared to passing through the space with little reflection, and then the light tunnel 31. The light incident on the optical axis is greatly deflected with respect to the optical axis, and the greater the degree of deflection, the more reflection is repeated in the space. The luminance distribution of the luminous flux is made uniform for each space.

  After that, each light flux that has passed through the two spaces divided by the reflecting portion 45a is divided into two spaces in the horizontal direction by a reflecting portion 45b orthogonal to the reflecting portion 45a, and is reflected in each divided space. Reflection at a short distance is repeated by the portion 45b and the inner surface of the light tunnel body 41, and the luminance distribution of the light flux is made uniform in each of the two divided spaces.

  Next, each light flux that has passed through the two spaces divided by the reflecting portion 45b is again divided into two spaces in the vertical direction by a reflecting portion 45c similar to the reflecting portion 45a, and within each of the divided spaces. Reflection at a short distance is repeated by the reflecting portion 45c and the inner surface of the light tunnel body 41, and the luminance distribution of the light flux is made uniform in each of the two divided spaces.

  Then, each light flux that has passed through the two spaces divided by the reflecting portion 45c is divided into two spaces in the horizontal direction by a reflecting portion 45d similar to the reflecting portion 45b, and is reflected in each divided space. Reflection at a short distance is repeated by the portion 45d and the inner surface of the light tunnel body 41, and the luminance distribution of the luminous flux is made uniform in each of the two divided spaces.

  Finally, each light beam that has passed through the space divided into two by the reflecting portion 45d is reflected by a wall surface in the latter half of the light path of the light tunnel main body 41 and then emitted, and then emitted. In this case, the luminance distribution is made uniform, and is supplied to the micromirror element 27 via a mirror 32 and a motor 33 (not shown) in the subsequent stage.

  As described above, by providing the reflecting portions 45a to 45d on the incident opening side, it is possible to further promote the uniformity of the luminance distribution of the light flux as compared with the case where the reflecting portions 45a to 45d are not provided. Therefore, the axial dimension of the light tunnel 31 can be further shortened as long as a uniform luminance distribution can be obtained.

[Fifth Configuration Example]
FIG. 7 shows a fifth configuration example of the light tunnel 31 according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 7A, in this fifth configuration example, the light tunnel 31 has the same aspect ratio as that of the light image projected by the projection lens 12 whose entire inner surface is a reflection surface, for example, 3: 4. A pair of reflecting portions 46 are inserted into the entrance opening on the right front side in the figure, in which white light from a light source lamp 29 (not shown) is incident on the rectangular tubular light tunnel main body 41 having the rectangular opening. It is configured by supporting and fixing.
The reflector 46 is configured by combining two metal thin plates such as aluminum that are mirror-finished so that the entire surface becomes a reflecting surface.

  FIG. 7B shows the light tunnel 31 in a state where the reflecting portion 46 is inserted and supported and fixed in the entrance opening of the light tunnel main body 41. Here, as shown in the drawing, the reflecting portion 46 is formed in an X shape in which the shape in a cross section perpendicular to the optical axis is mounted so as to connect the two diagonals of the rectangular optical path. Yes, the rectangular optical path in the light tunnel 31 is divided into a total of four triangular columnar spaces.

  In such a configuration, when light from the light source lamp 29 and the reflector 28 is incident on the light tunnel 31, the light beam is first divided into four spaces by the reflecting portion 46, and each of the divided spaces is divided into four spaces. Thus, reflection at a short distance is repeated between the reflecting portion 46 and the inner surface of the light tunnel main body 41.

  At this time, light that is directly incident from the light source lamp 29 and is relatively parallel to the optical axis passes through the space with a small number of reflections, and then is reflected by the reflector 28 and then enters the light tunnel 31. The reflected light is greatly deflected with respect to the optical axis, and the greater the degree of deflection, the more reflection is repeated in the space. By mixing these lights, the four divided spaces are mixed. In addition, the luminance distribution of the luminous flux can be made uniform.

  After that, each light beam that has passed through the four spaces divided by the reflecting portion 46 is reflected by a wall surface in the latter half of the light path of the light tunnel main body 41 and then emitted from the light beam. Is distributed to the micromirror element 27 via a mirror 32 and a motor 33 (not shown) in the subsequent stage.

  As described above, by providing the reflecting portion 46 on the incident opening side, it is possible to further promote the uniformization of the luminance distribution of the light flux as compared with the case where the reflecting portion 46 is not provided. Therefore, the axial dimension of the light tunnel 31 can be further shortened as long as a uniform luminance distribution can be obtained.

[Sixth configuration example]
FIG. 8 shows a sixth configuration example of the light tunnel 31 according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 8A, in this sixth configuration example, the light tunnel 31 has the same aspect ratio as that of the light image projected by the projection lens 12 whose entire inner surface is a reflecting surface, for example, 3: 4. A rectangular tube-shaped light tunnel main body 41 having a rectangular opening of FIG. 7 into which white light from a light source lamp 29 (not shown) is incident is divided into two pieces. It is configured by inserting and supporting and fixing a pair of reflecting portions 47a and 47b.
The reflecting portions 47a and 47b are made of, for example, two metal thin plates such as aluminum that are mirror-finished so that the entire surface becomes a reflecting surface.

  FIG. 8B shows the light tunnel 31 in a state in which the reflecting portions 47 a and 47 b are inserted into and supported by the entrance opening of the light tunnel main body 41. Here, one reflection part 47a connects one diagonal of a rectangular optical path in a cross section perpendicular to the optical axis as shown in the figure, and in the figure, connects the upper right corner and the lower left corner to bisect the optical path diagonally. On the other hand, the reflecting portion 47b located adjacent to the back side of the reflecting portion 47a is connected to the other diagonal of the rectangular optical path in the cross section perpendicular to the optical axis, in the figure, the upper left corner and the lower right corner. The optical path is divided into two equal parts.

  In such a configuration, when light from the light source lamp 29 and the reflector 28 is incident on the light tunnel 31, the luminous flux is first divided into two spaces on the upper left side and the lower right side by the reflecting portion 47a. Within each divided space, reflection at a short distance is repeated by the reflecting portion 47a and the inner surface of the light tunnel main body 41.

  At this time, light that is directly incident from the light source lamp 29 and is relatively parallel to the optical axis is reflected by the reflector 28 as compared to passing through the space with little reflection, and then the light tunnel 31. The light incident on the optical axis is greatly deflected with respect to the optical axis, and the greater the degree of deflection, the more reflection is repeated in the space. The luminance distribution of the luminous flux is made uniform for each space.

  Thereafter, each light beam that has passed through the two spaces divided by the reflecting portion 47a is divided into two spaces, the upper right side and the lower left side, by a reflecting portion 47b that intersects the reflecting portion 47a at the center. In the divided space, reflection at a short distance is repeated by the reflecting portion 47b and the inner surface of the light tunnel main body 41, and the luminance distribution of the light flux is made uniform in each of the two divided spaces.

  Then, each light beam that has passed through the space divided into two by the reflection part 47b is reflected by a wall surface in the latter half of the light path of the light tunnel main body 41 and then emitted from the light tunnel body 41. Is distributed to the micromirror element 27 via a mirror 32 and a motor 33 (not shown) in the subsequent stage.

  As described above, by providing the reflecting portions 47a and 47b on the incident aperture side, it is possible to further promote the uniformization of the luminance distribution of the light flux as compared with the case where the reflecting portions 47a and 47b are not provided. Therefore, the axial dimension of the light tunnel 31 can be further shortened as long as a uniform luminance distribution can be obtained.

[Seventh configuration example]
FIG. 9 shows a seventh configuration example of the light tunnel 31 according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 9A, in this seventh configuration example, the light tunnel 31 has the same aspect ratio as that of the light image projected by the projection lens 12 whose entire inner surface is a reflecting surface, for example, 3: 4. A pair of reflectors 48a to 48e are inserted into an entrance opening on the right front side in the figure, in which white light from a light source lamp 29 (not shown) is incident on a rectangular tubular light tunnel body 41 having a rectangular opening formed therein. And is supported and fixed.
The reflecting portions 48a to 48e, for example, are configured by combining a total of eight metal thin plates such as aluminum that are mirror-finished so that the entire surface becomes a reflecting surface.

  FIG. 9B shows the light tunnel 31 in a state in which the reflecting portions 48 a to 48 e are inserted into and supported by the entrance opening of the light tunnel main body 41. Here, the reflection sections 48a to 48e have a cross section perpendicular to the optical axis as shown in the figure, the reflection section 48a having a similar shape to the rectangular optical path as the center, and the nearest optical path angle from each corner of the reflection section 48a. 4 pieces 48b to 48e that are radially connected to each other are integrally formed, and a rectangular optical path in the light tunnel 31 is divided into a total of five spaces, that is, a central part of the optical path and four peripheral parts on the top, bottom, left, and right sides thereof. Divide into

  In such a configuration, when light from the light source lamp 29 and the reflector 28 is incident on the light tunnel 31, the light beam is first reflected by the reflecting portions 48 a to 48 e and the central portion of the optical path and its four upper, lower, left and right peripheral portions. Are divided into a total of five spaces, and the reflection at a short distance is repeated by the reflecting portions 48a to 48e and the inner surface of the light tunnel main body 41 in each of the divided spaces.

  At this time, light that is directly incident from the light source lamp 29 and is relatively parallel to the optical axis passes through the space with a small number of reflections, and then is reflected by the reflector 28 and then enters the light tunnel 31. The light that is deflected greatly with respect to the optical axis, and the greater the degree of deflection, the more reflection is repeated in the space. In addition, the luminance distribution of the luminous flux can be made uniform.

  After that, each light flux that has passed through the total of five spaces divided by the reflecting portions 48a to 48e is reflected by a wall surface in the latter half of the light path of the light tunnel main body 41, and then emitted after being appropriately reflected. The luminance distribution in the entire light beam is made uniform, and is supplied to the micromirror element 27 via a mirror 32 and a motor 33 (not shown) in the subsequent stage.

  As described above, by providing the reflecting portions 48a to 48e on the incident opening side, it is possible to further promote the uniformity of the luminance distribution of the light flux as compared with the case where the reflecting portions 48a to 48e are not provided. Therefore, the axial dimension of the light tunnel 31 can be further shortened as long as a uniform luminance distribution can be obtained.

  In the first to seventh configuration examples, the light tunnel 31 is formed by disposing the reflecting portions 42 to 48 of various shapes in the entrance opening of the hollow light tunnel main body 41. It is composed of a translucent member such as glass and plastic, and the same configuration can be applied to a rod integrator having a peripheral surface excluding both incident and outgoing openings as a reflecting surface. By using the refractive index, the luminance distribution of the luminous flux can be made uniform more efficiently than a light tunnel having a hollow air path.

  In that case, if the reflecting portion is embedded in the translucent member, the reflecting portion itself does not need to have a mechanical support structure as in the case of the light tunnel, and is configured by a thinner metal thin film or the like. The cross-sectional area can be reduced to reduce the resistance in the optical path.

  In addition, by appropriately selecting the refractive index of the translucent member, it is possible to form the reflective portion by forming an air layer instead of the metal thin film, and the degree of freedom of the shape of the reflective portion can be further improved. it can.

  For example, in the rod integrator, it is also possible to realize a configuration using only the reflection portion 48a by removing the reflection portions 48b to 48e on the peripheral side from the reflection portions 48a to 48e in the seventh configuration example of FIG.

  In such a rod integrator, the light beam incident from the light source side is divided into a central part and its peripheral part by the reflecting part 48a, and after the luminance distribution is made uniform in each divided space, In the latter half of the optical path, the light beam is appropriately reflected by a wall surface in the latter half of the optical path and then emitted, so that the luminance distribution in the entire light beam can be made uniform.

  In particular, the second configuration example in FIG. 4 and the fourth configuration example in FIG. 6 are arranged along the optical axis direction in the first configuration example in FIG. 3 and the third configuration example in FIG. It can also be interpreted as a thing.

  In such a configuration, since it is possible to more efficiently implement the uniform luminance distribution of the entire finally emitted light beam, so long as a uniform luminance distribution should be obtained, It is possible to further reduce the axial dimension.

  Furthermore, the reflecting portions 48a to 48e in the seventh configuration example in FIG. 9 are also interpreted as a partial combination of the reflecting portion 46 in the fifth configuration example in FIG. 7 with respect to the central reflecting portion 48a alone. can do.

  In this way, by having a structure in which a plurality of types of reflecting portions are at least partially combined, the dimension in the axial direction is shortened in correspondence with the luminance distribution pattern of the light beam incident from the light source side. Light tunnels and rod integrators with sufficiently uniform luminance distribution can be realized.

[Eighth configuration example]
FIG. 10 shows an eighth configuration example of the light tunnel 31 according to the present embodiment.
As shown in the figure, in the eighth configuration example, the light tunnel 31 has a reflection surface on the entire inner surface, and has the same aspect ratio as that of the light image projected by the projection lens 12, for example, a rectangle with a length of 3: 3. The incident aperture and the exit aperture are formed, and the vertical and horizontal dimensions are narrowed at the central portion in the axial direction, but the rectangular shape is narrowed as a result.

  By adopting such a configuration, the individual light constituting the light flux incident from the light source lamp 29 and the reflector 28 is in the first half portion where the optical path gradually narrows from the incident aperture until it reaches the centered position. Each time the light is reflected by the inner surfaces of the upper, lower, left and right surfaces, the inclination angle (absolute value) with respect to the optical axis is added by twice the difference angle between the optical axis and the plane of each inner surface. While the component that moves in the axial direction decreases, the component that moves on the plane orthogonal to the optical axis increases, and the light flux is condensed while being uniformized as a whole.

  After that, the individual lights constituting the light beam that has passed through the most constricted part in the center are reflected on the inner surfaces of the upper, lower, left and right surfaces in the latter half part where the optical path gradually increases from the center to the exit aperture. Each time, the inclination angle (absolute value) with respect to the optical axis is subtracted by twice the difference angle between the optical axis and the plane of each inner surface, and the component moving in the optical axis direction increases. The component that moves on the plane orthogonal to the optical axis is reduced, and the light beam is diffused while being uniformized as a whole.

  As a result, the individual light constituting the light beam emitted from the exit aperture of the light tunnel 31 is reflected the same number of times in the first half portion and the second half portion of the light tunnel 31, and the luminance distribution of the light beam is very efficient. And is supplied to the micromirror element 27 via a mirror 32 and a motor 33 (not shown) in the subsequent stage.

  As described above, the optical path in the light tunnel 31 is linearly constrained at the center in the axial direction, while maintaining a rectangular cross-sectional shape similar to the entrance opening and the exit opening, and the vertical and horizontal dimensions are reduced. By adopting the shape, it is possible to further promote the uniform luminance distribution of the luminous flux as compared with the light tunnel having the entire shape as shown in FIG. 12 (in other words, a “size cylinder”). Therefore, the axial dimension of the light tunnel 31 can be further shortened as long as a uniform luminance distribution can be obtained.

  Note that the configuration is not limited to the configuration of the light tunnel 31 shown in FIG. 10, but the vertical dimension at the center of the light tunnel 31 is not shortened as shown in another configuration example of FIG. It is good also as what shrinks.

  In other words, the rectangular shape, which is the cross-sectional shape of the optical path in the central portion in the axial direction, is reduced in size compared to the above two openings only in one pair of opposite sides (in this case, the upper and lower sides). Thus, the individual light constituting the high speed passing through the light tunnel 31 does not change the inclination angle (the absolute value thereof) with respect to the optical axis when reflected on the upper and lower inner surfaces, but reflects on the left and right inner surfaces. In this case, the inclination angle (absolute value) with respect to the optical axis is changed between the first half portion and the second half portion in the same manner after the character in FIG.

  Therefore, the individual light constituting the light beam emitted from the light opening of the light tunnel 31 is reflected the same number of times in the first half portion and the second half portion of the light tunnel 31, and particularly in the lateral (left and right) direction of the light beam. The luminance distribution is made more efficient and is supplied to the micromirror element 27 via a mirror 32 and a motor 33 (not shown) in the subsequent stage.

  In this way, the light tunnel shape itself is constricted at the center of the light tunnel without using a reflecting portion on the entrance opening side in the optical path as in the light tunnel 31 shown in the first to seventh aspects, thereby allowing the light flux to be reduced. Uniformity of the luminance distribution can be further promoted. Therefore, the axial dimension of the light tunnel 31 can be further shortened as long as a uniform luminance distribution can be obtained.

  In the eighth configuration example shown in FIG. 10 and the eighth other configuration example shown in FIG. 11, not only the hollow light tunnel 31 but also the rod integrator in which the optical path is made of a translucent member is similarly configured. It becomes possible to do.

  As described above, various examples of the various configurations of the light tunnel 31 have been described. Since the light tunnel 31 can be shortened by adopting such a configuration, the configuration of the light source unit affects the overall size. This can greatly contribute to the downsizing of the device 10.

  In the above-described embodiment, the projector apparatus 10 using the micromirror element 27 as a light modulation transmission element (SOM) that forms a light image with a light flux having a uniform luminance distribution has been described. Of course, the present invention can be similarly applied to a so-called liquid crystal projector using a transmissive liquid crystal display panel.

  In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

  Further, the above embodiments include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining a plurality of disclosed constituent elements. For example, even if some constituent elements are deleted from all the constituent elements shown in the embodiment, at least one of the problems described in the column of the problem to be solved by the invention can be solved, and described in the column of the effect of the invention. In a case where at least one of the obtained effects can be obtained, a configuration in which this configuration requirement is deleted can be extracted as an invention.

1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a projector apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the electronic circuit according to the embodiment. FIG. The perspective view which shows the 1st structural example of the light tunnel which concerns on the embodiment. The perspective view which shows the 2nd structural example of the light tunnel which concerns on the embodiment. The perspective view which shows the 3rd structural example of the light tunnel which concerns on the embodiment. The perspective view which shows the 4th structural example of the light tunnel which concerns on the embodiment. The perspective view which shows the 5th structural example of the light tunnel which concerns on the embodiment. The perspective view which shows the 6th structural example of the light tunnel which concerns on the embodiment. The perspective view which shows the 7th structural example of the light tunnel which concerns on the embodiment. The perspective view which shows the 8th structural example of the light tunnel which concerns on the embodiment. The perspective view which shows the 8th other structural example of the light tunnel which concerns on the embodiment. The perspective view which shows the structural example of a general light tunnel.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Light tunnel, 10 ... Projector apparatus, 11 ... Main body casing, 12 ... Projection lens, 13 ... Distance measuring sensor, 14 ... Ir receiving part, 15 ... Key switch part, 16 ... Speaker, 21 ... Input / output connector part, 22 Input / output interface (I / F), 23 Image converter, 24 Projector encoder, 25 Video RAM, 26 Projector drive, 27 Micromirror element, 28 Reflector, 29 Light source lamp, 30 Color Wheel, 31 ... Light tunnel, 32 ... Mirror, 33 ... Motor (M), 34 ... Projection light processing unit, 35 ... Control unit, 36 ... Ranging processing unit, 37 ... Audio processing unit, 38 ... Ir receiving unit, 41 ... Light tunnel body, 42, 43a, 43b, 44a, 44b, 45a to 45d, 46, 47a, 47b, 48a to 48e ... Reflector, L ... Light, LX ... Axis, SB ... system bus.

Claims (13)

A light source lamp,
An optical path having an entrance aperture and an exit aperture is formed, and a reflective portion in which a plurality of planes parallel to the optical axis direction are made of a reflective material is disposed near the entrance aperture in the optical path, and the light source lamp And a columnar body uniformizing means for uniformizing the luminance distribution of the luminous flux.   2. The uniforming means comprises a light tunnel in which an optical path is hollow and a reflecting material is formed on the entire inner wall surface, and the reflecting portion is supported near the entrance opening in the optical path. Light source device.   The uniformizing means is a light-transmitting rod in which the optical path is filled with a light-transmitting member, and the peripheral surface excluding the entrance opening and the exit opening functions as a reflector, and the reflecting portion is close to the entrance opening of the light-transmitting member The light source device according to claim 1, wherein the reflection film is embedded or formed of an air layer.   2. The reflection portion is formed in a lattice shape in which a short side and a long side of an optical path having a rectangular cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the optical axis are each equally divided into n (n: natural number of 2 or more). The light source device described.   2. The light source device according to claim 1, wherein the reflecting portion is formed in an X-shape mounted so as to connect two pairs of diagonals of an optical path having a rectangular cross section perpendicular to the optical axis. .   The reflecting portion includes n parallel line portions (n: natural number) parallel to the short side of the optical path whose cross-sectional shape is perpendicular to the optical axis, and n parallel line portions parallel to the long side in the optical axis direction. The light source device according to claim 1, wherein the light source device is alternately arranged along the line.   The reflecting portion has a cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the optical axis, and a diagonal portion connecting one diagonal of a rectangular optical path and a diagonal portion connecting the other diagonal are arranged independently along the optical axis direction. The light source device according to claim 1, wherein   The light source device according to claim 1, wherein the reflecting section has a rectangular shape whose cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the optical axis is similar to a rectangular optical path.   9. The light source device according to claim 4, wherein the uniformizing means includes a plurality of sets of reflecting portions having the same shape and spaced along the optical axis direction.   9. The light source device according to claim 4, wherein the uniformizing means includes a plurality of sets of reflecting portions having different shapes. A light source lamp,
An optical path having an entrance aperture and an exit aperture is formed, and at least one pair of opposite sides is narrowed at the center of the optical path so as to be smaller than both apertures, thereby uniformizing the luminance distribution of the light flux from the light source lamp. A light source device comprising a columnar body uniformizing means. A light source lamp,
An optical path having an entrance aperture and an exit aperture is formed, and a reflective portion in which a plurality of planes parallel to the optical axis direction are made of a reflective material is disposed near the entrance aperture in the optical path, and the light source lamp A columnar body homogenizing means for homogenizing the luminance distribution of the luminous flux;
A light modulating means for forming a projected light image with a light flux whose luminance distribution is made uniform by the uniformizing means;
A projection apparatus comprising: a projection unit that projects a projection light image formed by the light modulation unit toward a projection target. A light source lamp,
An optical path having an entrance aperture and an exit aperture is formed, and at least one pair of opposite sides is narrowed at the center of the optical path so as to be smaller than both apertures, thereby uniformizing the luminance distribution of the light flux from the light source lamp. Means for uniformizing the columnar body;
A light modulating means for forming a projected light image with a light flux whose luminance distribution is made uniform by the uniformizing means;
A projection apparatus comprising: a projection unit that projects a projection light image formed by the light modulation unit toward a projection target.

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