JP2006309096A - Lamp cartridge, lamp cooling device and optical engine unit - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical device for a rear projection television, which prevents the entrance of dust that causes optical deterioration, keeps the hermetic structure of a lamp so that the broken pieces of glass may not be scattered to the outside when the burner of the lamp is broken, efficiently cools the circumference of the lamp to improve the life and the stability of the lamp, and achieves miniaturization, the reduction of cost and the facilitation of the exchange and the maintenance of the lamp as an optical engine used for a projector, particularly, a home rear projection television. <P>SOLUTION: In the lamp cartridge, only the inside of a reflector where the lamp burner is arranged has hermetic structure and is cooled by the lamp cooling device, and the reflector is cooled by a cooling fan provided on the outside. The lamp cooling device has an air stirring device for stirring heated air in hermetically sealed space. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a projection-type image display device used in a projection-type high-definition television (HDTV) system, a video projector, and the like, for example, a lamp cartridge, a lamp cooling device, and an optical engine unit used in a rear-projection television. .

The inventor of the present invention previously invented an image display device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-71937. This image display device is disposed at the position of a white light source, a light collecting mirror that collects light from the white light source as a secondary light source, and the secondary light source, and temporally separates the white light into the three primary colors of light. The angle of the reflected light is changed by changing the inclination of the color filter, the condenser lens, the first and second folding mirrors, and the minute mirror of each pixel arranged two-dimensionally to create an on / off state. The apparatus includes a reflective display unit and a projection lens that magnifies and projects an image represented by the reflective display unit on a screen.

FIG. 6 is a structural diagram of the above prior art, in which 30 is an arc (light emitting point) of a white light source, 31 is an elliptical mirror as a condenser mirror, and 32 is the three primary colors (red, green, and blue) of the ring zone. The color filter 33 is divided into a light tunnel 33 as an optical component, 34 is a condenser lens, 35 is a plane mirror as a folding mirror, 36 is a spherical mirror as a second folding mirror, and 37 is a reflection described later. DMD (digital micromirror device) as display means, 38 is a second condenser lens, and 39 is a projection lens.

Here, as described in “Optics” (vol. 25, No. 6, p. 313 to 314, 1996), the DMD 37 is configured by two-dimensionally arranged pixels from minute mirrors. This is a reflective display element that creates an on / off state by controlling the tilt of the micromirror by the electrostatic field effect of the memory element arranged immediately below each pixel and changing the reflection angle of the reflected light. When the pixel is off, the reflected light from the minute mirror of the pixel does not enter the projection lens. When the pixel is on, the reflected light from the minute mirror of the pixel enters the projection lens 39 and enters the screen. It is necessary to arrange optical parts so as to form an image. The tilt angle of each pixel when the micromirror is on is determined to be about 10 to 12 degrees with respect to the light incident surface of the DMD 37.

JP 2002-75014 A

Home electronic devices need to have a long service life and must be protected against dust and dirt adhering to optical members and the like.
In recent years, rear projection televisions using an optical device using light from a discharge lamp have been rapidly spread in the home.
High-pressure mercury lamps used in rear projection televisions have high temperatures when they are turned on, and the internal pressure of the burner of the lamps is as high as 200 Hp. If it was not properly cooled, there was a risk of life deterioration, flickering of light emission, and lamp explosion.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a high-pressure mercury lamp as a conventional lamp.
This high-pressure mercury lamp needs to be cooled to an appropriate temperature and generate a normal halogen cycle in order to suppress deterioration of life, breakage, flickering of light emission, and the like.
Therefore, it is important to cool the burner top to about 980 to 1000 degrees and the molybdenum foil and lead wire to 350 degrees or less.

On the other hand, rear projection televisions are becoming thinner and more screen-sized year by year, and the power of lamps used is increasing.
Due to long-term use at home, dust or the like enters the optical device and adheres to and contaminates the optical member, resulting in a decrease in illuminance and image degradation.
In addition, since intense light is used, the temperature of the optical member rises due to contamination, and the coating is deteriorated or broken.
In addition, if dust or the like adheres to the lamp portion that is lit at a high temperature, there is a risk of fire or a lamp burst.
In order to solve these problems, a dustproof filter and a cooling fan are used in combination, but there are problems such as poor cooling due to clogging of the filter and complicated maintenance such as filter replacement. .
In addition, it is considered that the light source is hermetically arranged in the optical device. With this hermetically sealed structure, the heat of light generated from the lamp of the light source spreads in the optical path, and the temperature of optical components and electronic equipment rises. And reliability is impaired.
For this reason, it is necessary to efficiently cool in the sealed structure, but in particular, proper cooling around the lamp has been very difficult.

In contrast, in Patent Document 1, the front surface of the reflector that reflects the light emitted from the lamp burner is opened, and the unsealed lamp is stored in a sealed lamp house. Techniques for cooling lamps by convection of air are shown.
However, the lamp unit having such a structure has a large lamp house and is not suitable for miniaturization.
In addition, because the reflector is placed inside the lamp house, the heat rays that pass through the reflector (infrared rays) and the reflector itself generate a large amount of heat, so heat is generated in the lamp house and the efficiency of the cooling fan installed outside Cooling is difficult.

The present invention prevents ingress of dust that causes optical deterioration, and keeps the lamp sealing structure so that glass fragments do not scatter to the outside in the unlikely event that the burner of the lamp is broken. It is an object of the present invention to provide an optical device for a rear projection television that efficiently cools, improves lamp life and safety, is miniaturized, reduced in cost, and facilitates lamp replacement and maintenance.
The optical engine unit of the present invention refers to a device composed of optical components from a light source to a projection lens, excluding a television tuner circuit, a projection screen, and a television main body case, for example, in a rear projection television.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a lamp cartridge, a lamp cooling device provided in front of the lamp cartridge and constituting a sealed space, and a light output opening of the lamp cooling device. And an optical engine main body part constituting a sealed space.

Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that the lamp cartridge has a sealed structure only inside the reflector in which the lamp burner is arranged, the inside is cooled by a lamp cooling device, and the reflector is cooled by a cooling fan provided outside. It is said.
A lamp cooling device which is one of the features of the present invention is characterized by having an air agitating device for agitating the heated air in the sealed space.

In the apparatus of the present invention, the light source and the optical components are arranged in a sealed space, so that even if the lamp of the light source is damaged, the fragments are not scattered, and the optical member is deteriorated due to dust or high temperature and humidity, for example, the amount of light. It is possible to suppress the decrease and damage to the optical components, and the convection direction in the lamp cooling device and the rotation speed of the fan can be controlled by temperature, so that the light source can be appropriately cooled.
The light source of the device of the present invention enables stable light emission, and the life of the light source is increased.
For this reason, by using the apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to configure an optical device such as a rear projection television that is optimal for use in the home.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a structural diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, showing the positional relationship of main components around a light source.
FIG. 1 shows a state viewed from above.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a lamp cartridge, in which a lamp burner 2 made of a high-pressure mercury lamp is disposed, and is composed of a reflector 3 and a lamp holder 4 that are formed by a cold mirror material around the lamp burner 2. Has been. The reflector-equipped lamp, in which the lamp burner 2 is fixed by positioning the optical axis on the reflector 3 having a coating that reflects only visible light and transmits infrared rays (heat rays), is attached to the lamp holder 4 by a spring member (not shown). It is fixed using.
The lamp holder 4 has a positioning pin 5 and a mating portion 6 for aligning the optical axis when joined to the lamp cooling device 7.
This positioning pin 5 and the mating part 6 act as a positioning part.
The fitting portion 6 is configured so that the lamp holder side is convex and the lamp cooling device side is concave so that dust or the like does not enter the inside of the lamp.
The lamp holder may be concave and the lamp internal cooling case may be convex, or a positioning pin may be disposed on the case side of the lamp cooling device to provide an opening in the lamp holder.
Moreover, O-rings or rubber packings may be arranged at each joint to further improve the sealing performance.

The rear part of the reflector 3 is opened in order to efficiently radiate and dissipate infrared rays generated from the lamp burner 2 and heat generated by the reflector 3.
Although not shown, the reflector 3 may be surrounded by a mesh-like protective device having a ventilation effect so that the reflector 3 is not damaged and scattered.
Further, a frame-shaped handle may be provided on the lamp cartridge so that the lamp can be easily replaced.

Reference numeral 7 denotes a lamp cooling device, which is constituted by a case body that forms a space in front of the lamp cartridge 1, an opening corresponding to the positioning pin 5 of the lamp cartridge 1, and a mating portion corresponding to the mating portion 6 of the lamp cartridge. have. These positioning pins, openings, and mating portions act as positioning portions for accurately positioning and joining the lamp cartridge and the lamp cooling device 7.
In addition, as a positioning part, it is good also as only a positioning pin or a fitting part.
In the part where the lamp cartridge of the lamp cooling device 7 is joined, the first opening window 8 for introducing the lamp light emitted from the lamp cartridge 1 and the optical axis of the lamp light are provided apart from each other. The second open window 9 has a smaller diameter than the first open window.
The wall surface on which the second open window is formed functions as a partition plate that separates the lamp and other optical components and has a function of shielding unnecessary stray light.
Further, a positioning pin 10 and a mating portion 11 are provided around the second opening window 9.

The lamp cooling device 7 is joined to the optical engine main body 12 only at the mating portion, and a gap 22 is provided in the other portion.
With such a structure, the heat of the lamp cooling device 7 is prevented from being transmitted to the optical engine side.
A larger cooling effect can be obtained by passing cooling air generated by a cooling fan, which will be described later, through this gap.
Although not shown in the drawings, concave and convex fins may be provided on the inside and outside surfaces of the lamp cooling device 7 so that the temperature inside the lamp cooling device 7 can be efficiently discharged to the outside.
In the case where the uneven fins are provided, a large cooling effect can be obtained by providing them along the air convection inside the lamp cooling device 7.
Moreover, it is good to provide along the flow of the cooling air which generate | occur | produces from the cooling fan mentioned later outside the lamp cooling device.

Reference numeral 12 denotes an optical engine main body, which receives white light, which is visible light reflected from the reflector 3, and rotates only the color components such as red, blue, and green in time series, and rotates this color filter. A motor 14 for driving, a light tunnel 15 for making the brightness of light on the projection surface uniform, a condenser lens 16 for concentrating the light, a reflecting mirror 17 for guiding the uniformed lamp light to the image forming element, and forming a projection image The image forming element includes a DMD (digital micromirror device) 18 and a projection lens 19, and these optical components are housed in a case body that forms a sealed space.
The projection lens 19 includes a mirror or a prism for emitting projection light in a predetermined direction.

A transparent member 20 is detachably disposed on the optical axis of the lamp light. A second opening window of the lamp cooling device 7 is disposed on the transparent member 20.
Around the transparent member 20, an opening corresponding to the positioning pin 10 of the lamp cooling device 7 and a mating portion corresponding to the mating portion 11 are formed.
Although not shown, the optical engine main body 12 forms a sealed space by the case body, the upper lid of the case body, and the transparent member 20.
The transparent member 20 is made of a heat-resistant glass or plastic material coated with UV and AR.

Since the transparent member 20 transmits visible light and reflects infrared rays (heat rays), when the heat rays are concentrated on the lamp burner 2, the lamp burner 2 is heated.
In order to solve this problem, the width of the lamp cooling device 7 is set so that the reflected light from the transparent member 20 is concentrated at a position away from the lamp burner 2.

By combining the lamp cartridge 1, the lamp cooling device 7, and the optical engine main body 12, the optical path has a sealed structure, and the lamp and the optical member are not contaminated by dust from the outside, and are reliable. An optical device is configured.
In the rear projection television in which the apparatus of this embodiment that is used for a long time in the home is used, dust is often attached to the optical components, and the influence is great. For this reason, although it is disadvantageous as a countermeasure against heat, by arranging the optical component in a sealed space, dust is prevented from adhering to the optical component.

Reference numeral 21 denotes a cooling fan. The outer surface of the reflector 3 exposed to the outer surface of the lamp cartridge 1 and the lamp cooling device 7 are cooled by the cooling fan 21.
If the power consumption (wattage) of the lamp is not large, the air in the lamp cooling device 7 naturally convects and the internal heat is efficiently conducted to the case, so that the outside of the reflector 3 of the lamp cartridge 1 and the lamp By simply cooling the outside of the cooling device 7 with the cooling fan 21, it is possible to suppress the temperature rise of the lamp specification temperature range and other optical members.

When replacing the lamp, the optical engine main body 12 and the lamp cooling device 7 are fixed, and only the lamp cartridge 1 is removed.
In addition, when the lamp burner 2 is broken and the fragments are scattered in the lamp cooling device 7, the lamp cooling device 7 is removed and the fragments are processed.

FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment.
When the lamp reflector 3 is downsized or the display screen size of the projected image is increased, it is necessary to increase the power consumption of the lamp of the light source in order to increase the illuminance.
Then, the light and heat emitted from the lamp increase rapidly, and the temperatures of the lamp burner 2 and the optical member increase rapidly.
In order to prevent the lamp life and the deterioration of the optical member due to such a problem, it is required to perform proper cooling to obtain an appropriate temperature.
Therefore, in this embodiment, the lamp cooling device 7 is provided with a rotating spring 23 that stirs the air inside the lamp cooling device 7 and the air inside the lamp reflector 3 to generate convection, and a motor 24 attached to the outside. Provided.

By connecting the rotary spring 23 and the motor 24 and rotating the rotary spring 23, an air flow as shown in the figure is generated.
Since this air flow directly hits the surface of the burner 2, the heat of the burner 2 and a molybdenum foil (not shown) or the tip of the burner is taken away by the convection air, and the raised air is efficiently convected by the lamp cooling device 7. Then, it is transmitted to the case of the lamp cooling device 7 and discharged to the outside.

By controlling the number of rotations of the internal rotation spring 23 and the air volume by the external cooling fan 21, the temperature of the lamp and the temperature of other optical members can be maintained appropriately, extending the life of the lamp, and the lamp burner 2 It is possible to prevent breakage of the optical member and further to prevent deterioration of the optical member.
In this embodiment, the case of the lamp cooling device 7 is provided with an opening through which the rotation shaft is passed, and the rotation spring 23 is driven by being directly connected to the rotation shaft of the motor 24. Without providing an opening through which the rotating shaft passes, the motor may be driven by coupling electromagnetically with a rotating spring.
This electromagnetic coupling facilitates protection of the motor 24 against heat.

FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment.
In this embodiment, a sirocco fan 25 is used as an air agitator.
The sirocco fan 25 sucks air from the top and discharges air from the side, and is disposed in a portion of the lamp cooling device 7 that does not block the lamp light.
In addition, plate-like fins 26 that determine the direction of air flow are arranged inside the case of the lamp cooling device 7.
Cooling air is made to flow more efficiently and smoothly in the case of the lamp cooling device 7, and cooling is performed more efficiently by specifying the cooling position.
The fins 26 are provided with openings for allowing lamp light to pass through. However, the fins 26 may be made of a transparent material, and the openings need not be provided.
When the aperture is not used, reflected light such as infrared rays from the fin 26 is generated. Therefore, the fin 27 is arranged so that the focal point of the reflected light is spaced forward from the tip of the burner and reflected. Prevents the burner from being heated by light.

In addition, an axial flow (axial) fan may be used as the air agitation device that generates agitation convection of air.
Further, the arrangement position of the air agitating device is not limited as long as it does not block the optical path.
However, when the temperature rise in the case of the lamp cooling device 7 is large, for example, 60 degrees or more, it is better to place the motor outside in consideration of the durability. Thus, a structure in which the motor is disposed outside the case is preferable.

In these embodiments, the optical engine main body 12 forms a sealed space alone, and the lamp cooling device 7 to which the lamp cartridge 1 is bonded forms a sealed space by bonding to the optical engine main body 12. Nothing is provided on the first and second open windows of the lamp cooling device 7.
On the other hand, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, a transparent member may be disposed in the second open window of the lamp cooling device 7.
In this case, since the transparent member is disposed in a portion facing the transparent member disposed in the light introduction window of the optical engine main body 12, the second open window of the lamp cooling device 7 is blocked by the transparent member. Thus, the lamp cooling device 7 has a sealed structure by itself only by arranging and fixing the lamp cartridge 1 without being joined to the optical engine main body 12.

When the lamp burner 2 is broken, if only the lamp cartridge 1 is replaced, fragments may be scattered. Therefore, the lamp cartridge 1 and the lamp cooling device 7 are integrated, and the lamp cooling device 7 It is good also as a structure removed from the optical engine main-body part 12. FIG.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the lamp cooling device 7 is divided into a fixed portion 7A containing the air agitating device and an exchange portion 7B. The fixed portion 7A is fixed to the main body device, and when the lamp is replaced, The lamp cartridge 1 and the replacement unit 7B may be integrated and removed from the optical engine main body 12.
In this case, since it is not necessary to replace the air agitator, the cost of replacement parts can be reduced.
In addition, as shown in FIG. 9, debris generated when the lamp ruptures scatters from the inside of the replacement part 7B to the open end of the replacement part 7B of the lamp cooling device and the opening joined to the fixing part 7A. In order to prevent this, a mesh-like protective filter 7C may be provided.

When using a lamp composed of a large reflector or using a lamp with low power consumption, a transparent member may be provided at the open end of the reflector 3 of the lamp cartridge 1 as shown in FIG.
The positioning pin may be provided on the lamp cooling device 7 side, and the shape of the mating portion is not limited to the embodiment.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, the image forming element may be a liquid crystal light valve.
In addition, the structure and arrangement of the lamp burner and the optical components can be variously changed as long as they are arranged in a sealed space.
Similarly, the structure and arrangement of the case constituting the sealed space can be variously changed. For example, in the embodiment, the lamp cooling device and the optical engine main body are configured separately, but may be integrated.
Furthermore, other optical components can be added as the component parts.
Further, the optical apparatus used by the apparatus of the present invention is not limited to the rear projection television.

As described above, in the present invention, in the optical engine unit having a sealed structure, it is possible to properly cool the lamp, and the apparatus can be made smaller and more compact than before, and further, the lamp can be damaged. Even if it occurs, it is possible to prevent the fragments from being scattered and to prevent the optical component from being contaminated by pride and the like, so that it can be used for a projection display device used in the home.

FIG. 1 is a top view showing the main structure according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a top view showing the main structure according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a top view showing the main structure according to the third embodiment of the present invention. 4A and 4B are conceptual diagrams of a lamp cooling apparatus to which a lamp cartridge according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention is coupled. FIG. 4A is a top view and FIG. 4B is a perspective view. FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram of a lamp cartridge according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, where (1) is a top view and (2) is a perspective view. FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing main components of a conventional projector. FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing main components of a conventional lamp. FIG. 8 is a top view showing the main structure according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a lamp cooling device according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

1: Lamp cartridge 7: Lamp cooling device 12: Optical engine body 20: Transparent member 23: Rotating splash (air stirring device)
25: Sirocco fan (air stirrer)

Claims (32)

A lamp cartridge, a lamp cooling device provided in front of the lamp cartridge and constituting a sealed space, and an optical engine main body portion joined to a light output opening of the lamp cooling device and constituting a sealed space, Optical engine unit to be used. The optical engine unit according to claim 1, further comprising a positioning portion at a joint portion between the lamp cartridge and the lamp cooling device, and the lamp cooling case and the optical engine main body. The optical engine unit according to claim 1, wherein the lamp cartridge, the lamp cooling device, and the optical engine main body each independently have a sealed space. The optical engine unit according to claim 1, wherein the sealed space is configured by joining the lamp cartridge and the lamp cooling device. The optical engine unit according to claim 1, wherein the sealed space is configured by joining the lamp cooling device and the optical engine main body. The optical engine unit according to claim 1, wherein the sealed space is configured by joining the lamp cartridge, the lamp cooling device, and the optical engine main body. 2. The optical engine unit according to claim 1, wherein only the lamp cartridge is removable when the lamp is replaced. 2. The optical engine unit according to claim 1, wherein the lamp cartridge and the lamp cooling device can be integrally attached and detached when the lamp is replaced. The optical engine unit according to claim 1, further comprising an air agitating device for generating an air flow in the lamp cooling device. A replacement lamp cartridge comprising a sealed space around the lamp by joining to the lamp cooling device. A lamp burner that emits light, a reflector that reflects and collects the light emitted from the lamp burner, and a lamp holder that has a positioning portion provided on the front surface, and has a cover glass that covers the front surface of the reflector. The replacement lamp cartridge according to claim 10, wherein the replacement lamp cartridge is not. A lamp burner that emits light, a reflector that reflects and collects light emitted from the lamp burner, a cover glass that covers the front surface of the reflector, and a lamp holder that has a positioning portion provided on the front surface; A featured replacement lamp cartridge. A hexahedral case, a first positioning portion provided at a first joining portion of the case to be joined to the lamp cartridge, a first opening window for allowing light emitted from the lamp cartridge to pass through, and an optical A second positioning portion provided at a second joining portion of the case to be joined to the engine body, and a second opening window for guiding light transmitted from the first opening window to the optical engine body. And a lamp cooling device. 14. The lamp cooling device according to claim 13, further comprising an air agitating device that is provided at a portion that does not block light emitted from the lamp cartridge and that generates an air flow in the case. 15. The lamp cooling device according to claim 14, wherein the air agitating device is a sirocco fan. The lamp cooling device according to claim 14, wherein the air agitating device is an axial fan. 15. The lamp cooling device according to claim 14, wherein the air agitating device is a rotary spring and a motor. 18. The lamp cooling device according to claim 17, wherein the rotational splash is provided inside the case, and the motor is provided outside the case. The lamp cooling device according to claim 17, wherein the rotary spring and the motor are electromagnetically coupled. 14. The lamp cooling device according to claim 13, further comprising a partition plate for guiding air in the case. 14. The lamp cooling device according to claim 13, further comprising concave or convex cooling fins inside and outside the case. The lamp cooling apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the case is made of a metal material. The lamp cooling device according to claim 13, wherein a transparent member made of glass or plastic material is provided in the second open window provided in the case. The lamp cooling apparatus according to claim 23, wherein a UV coat layer and an AR coat layer are provided on a surface of the transparent member. The said transparent member is arrange | positioned so that the reflected light reflected from the said transparent member may focus on the position away from the front-end | tip of a lamp burner, a molybdenum foil part, and an electrode. Lamp cooling device. 26. The lamp cooling device according to claim 25, wherein the transparent member is disposed with an inclination of several degrees with respect to the optical axis of the lamp. The lamp cooling apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the transparent member is detachably disposed on the case. 21. The lamp cooling device according to claim 20, wherein the wind guide partition plate is made of a transparent member. 21. The lamp cooling device according to claim 20, wherein the wind guide partition plate has an opening through which lamp light is transmitted. Motorized color filter, light tunnel, condenser lens, reflecting mirror, image forming element, projection lens, case for housing these optical components, and a case provided in this case for introducing light from the lamp An optical device comprising: an opening; a transparent member kicked into the opening; a positioning portion provided in the case for coupling to a lamp cooling device; and a case upper lid having the case as a sealed structure. engine. The optical engine unit according to claim 1, wherein the lamp cooling device and the optical engine main body are coupled to form a gap. 2. The fan according to claim 1, further comprising a fan that cools the lamp cartridge and the lamp cooling device, wherein cooling air from the fan is introduced into a gap between the lamp cooling device and the optical engine main body. Optical engine unit.

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