JP2007249136A - Illuminator and projector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an illuminator which has a plurality of light sources and whose upsizing can be suppressed. <P>SOLUTION: The illuminator 100 includes a first light source device 10, a second light source device 20, a third light source device 30, a fourth light source device 40, a light composition optical system 50 which puts together pieces of lighting luminous flux from the first light source device 10 to the fourth light source device 40 and projects lighting luminous flux having an optical axis parallel to a first optical axis 10ax as its center axis, and an integrator optical system 700. The first light source device 10 to the fourth light source device 40 are so arranged that a second virtual plane V<SB>2</SB>orthogonal to a second optical axis 20ax, a third virtual plane V<SB>3</SB>orthogonal to a third optical axis 30ax and a fourth virtual plane V<SB>4</SB>orthogonal to a fourth optical axis 40ax are respectively orthogonal to a first virtual plane V<SB>1</SB>orthogonal to the first optical axis 10ax, and the second virtual plane V<SB>2</SB>and third virtual plane V<SB>3</SB>are parallel to each other. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a lighting device and a projector.

  Conventionally, a projector with high brightness has been demanded, and a projector having a plurality of light source devices (so-called multi-lamp projector) has been proposed as a response to the demand (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  According to such a conventional multi-lamp type projector, since an illumination device having a plurality of light source devices is used as the illumination device, a projector with higher brightness than the conventional one can be configured.

JP-A-8-36180 (FIG. 12)

  However, the conventional multi-lamp type projector has a problem that the lighting device becomes large. Further, there is a problem that the projector becomes larger as the lighting device becomes larger.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and provides an illumination device including a plurality of light source devices, which can suppress an increase in the size of the illumination device. With the goal. Moreover, it aims at providing a projector provided with such an outstanding illuminating device.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present inventor has conducted intensive research to find out the cause of the increase in the size of the illumination device in the conventional multi-lamp projector. As a result, the arrangement position of a plurality of light source devices has a cause. I got the knowledge.

  That is, in the illumination device used in the conventional projector, since the plurality of light source devices are arranged in parallel so that the emission directions of the illumination light beams emitted from the plurality of light source devices are all in the same direction, space is effectively used. If the light source devices cannot be used and the plurality of light source devices are arranged so that the reflectors in each light source device do not interfere with each other, the size of the light uniformizing optical system arranged in the latter stage of the optical path becomes large, and as a result This increases the size of the lighting device.

  Therefore, the present inventor, based on the above knowledge, in the illuminating device including the plurality of light source devices, the plurality of light source devices are arranged so that the emission directions of the illumination light beams emitted from the plurality of light source devices are different from each other. If the arrangement is such that the light emitted from different directions is combined and emitted in one direction, the size of the illumination device can be suppressed even if the illumination device includes a plurality of light source devices. As a result, the present invention has been completed.

  The illumination device of the present invention includes a first light source device that emits an illumination light beam having a first optical axis as a central axis, and a second light source device that emits an illumination light beam having a second optical axis as a central axis. , A third light source device for emitting an illumination light beam having a third optical axis as a central axis, a fourth light source device for emitting an illumination light beam having a fourth optical axis as a central axis, and the first light source A light combining optical system that combines the illumination light beams from the device to the fourth light source device and emits the resultant light as an illumination light beam having an optical axis substantially parallel to the first optical axis as a central axis, and the illumination light beam from the light combining optical system And an integrator optical system having a function of converting light into light having a more uniform intensity distribution, a virtual plane orthogonal to the first optical axis is defined as a first virtual plane, and orthogonal to the second optical axis The virtual plane is the second virtual plane, and the virtual plane orthogonal to the third optical axis is the third virtual plane. When a virtual plane orthogonal to the fourth optical axis is a fourth virtual plane, each of the first light source device to the fourth light source device is The second virtual plane, the third virtual plane, and the fourth virtual plane are orthogonal to each other, and the second virtual plane and the third virtual plane are arranged in parallel. It is characterized by.

  For this reason, according to the illumination device of the present invention, the first light source device to the fourth light source so that the emission directions of the illumination light beams emitted from the first light source device to the fourth light source device are different from each other. Since each device is arranged and a light combining optical system that combines the illumination light beams from the first light source device to the fourth light source device and emits them toward the integrator optical system, the space can be used effectively. The reflectors in each light source device do not interfere with each other. As a result, an increase in the size of the integrator optical system can be suppressed, and an increase in the size of the illumination device can be suppressed.

  Further, according to the illumination device of the present invention, since the integrator optical system is provided, the light emitted from the first light source device to the fourth light source device and synthesized by the light synthesis optical system has a more uniform intensity distribution. It becomes possible to convert into the light which has.

By the way, when increasing the luminance of the lighting device, it is conceivable to use a high-power arc tube as the arc tube in the light source device. However, when a high-power arc tube is used, there is a problem that the life of the lighting device is reduced.
On the other hand, according to the illuminating device of the present invention, the first light source device to the fourth light source device can be used without using a high-output arc tube as each of the first light source device to the fourth light source device. Since it is possible to realize a relatively high-luminance illumination device by synthesizing the illumination light flux from the light source device, it is possible to increase the brightness of the illumination device and suppress a decrease in the lifetime of the illumination device There is also an effect of becoming.

Further, since it is generally difficult to shorten the arc length of a high-power arc tube, there is a problem that the light source device becomes large when a high-power arc tube is used. If the light source device becomes large, the emission characteristics of the light source device will be significantly deviated from the ideal point light source, and as a result, the parallelism of the illumination light beam emitted from the light source device decreases, resulting in a decrease in light use efficiency. .
On the other hand, according to the illuminating device of the present invention, the first light source device to the fourth light source device can be used without using a high-output arc tube as each of the first light source device to the fourth light source device. Since it is possible to realize a relatively high-luminance illumination device by synthesizing illumination light beams from the light source device, it is possible to increase the luminance of the illumination device and to suppress a decrease in light utilization efficiency. There is also an effect of becoming.

  In the illumination device of the present invention, the light combining optical system includes three light beams that reflect the illumination light beams from the second light source device, the third light source device, and the fourth light source device toward the integrator optical system. It is preferable to have a reflecting prism or three reflecting mirrors.

  With this configuration, the illumination light beams from the first light source device to the fourth light source device are combined and emitted as an illumination light beam having an optical axis substantially parallel to the first optical axis as a central axis. A photosynthetic optical system can be easily realized.

  In the case where the light combining optical system is composed of a reflecting prism, it is preferable that each reflecting prism is bonded. Thereby, unnecessary reflections between the reflecting prisms are reduced, so that the light use efficiency is improved and the stray light level is reduced.

  In this case, it is preferable to use an adhesive having substantially the same refractive index as each reflecting prism.

  In the illumination device of the present invention, each of the first light source device to the fourth light source device includes an ellipsoidal reflector, an arc tube having a light emission center near the first focal point of the ellipsoidal reflector, and the ellipse. It is preferable to have a concave lens that emits focused light from the surface reflector toward the light combining optical system.

  With this configuration, the first light source device to the fourth light source device emit a substantially parallel light beam that is smaller than the size of the ellipsoidal reflector, thereby further reducing the size of the illumination device. Can do.

  In the illuminating device of the present invention, it is preferable that the arc tube is provided with reflecting means for reflecting light emitted from the arc tube toward the illuminated area toward the arc tube.

With this configuration, since the light emitted from the arc tube toward the illuminated area is reflected toward the arc tube, each elliptical surface has a size that covers the illuminated area side end of the arc tube. It is not necessary to set the size of the reflector, and each ellipsoidal reflector can be miniaturized. As a result, the lighting device can be miniaturized.
Further, since the size of each ellipsoidal reflector can be reduced, the focusing angle and beam spot of the beam focused from the ellipsoidal reflector toward the second focal point of the ellipsoidal reflector can be reduced. The size, the size of the light combining optical system, and the size of the integrator optical system can be further reduced, and the lighting device can be further reduced in size.

  In the illuminating device of the present invention, the integrator optical system includes a condenser lens that converts the illumination light beam from the light combining optical system into a focused light and emits the light, and a more uniform intensity distribution of the illumination light beam from the condenser lens. It is preferable to have an integrator rod that converts light into light.

  With this configuration, the in-plane light intensity distribution of the illumination light beam can be made more uniform by the function of the integrator rod.

  In the illumination device of the present invention, the integrator rod may be a hollow integrator rod or a solid integrator rod.

  As the hollow integrator rod, for example, a cylindrical light tunnel in which the reflecting surfaces of four reflecting mirrors are bonded inward can be suitably used. In addition, as the solid integrator rod, for example, a solid rod member (glass rod) of an internal total reflection type can be suitably used.

  In the illuminating device of the present invention, the integrator optical system is disposed on the light incident surface of the integrator rod, and is disposed on the light emitting surface of the integrator rod, and a reflective layer having an opening for light incidence at a central portion. It is preferable to further include a λ / 4 plate and a reflective polarizing plate disposed on the light exit side of the λ / 4 plate.

  With this configuration, when the illumination light beam related to one polarization component of the illumination light beam incident on the integrator rod passes through the reflection side polarizing plate, the illumination light beam related to the other polarization component is reflected to the reflection type polarizing plate. It is reflected by. This reflected light is reflected by the reflective layer disposed on the light incident surface of the integrator rod and reaches the reflective polarizing plate again. At this time, since this light has already passed through the λ / 4 plate twice, the polarization direction is rotated by 90 degrees, and passes through the reflective polarizing plate as an illumination light beam related to one polarization component. That is, it becomes possible to align the polarization direction of the light emitted from the integrator rod with approximately one type of polarization direction. Therefore, it is particularly suitable for a projector using an electro-optic modulation device that controls the polarization direction, such as a liquid crystal device.

  In the illumination device of the present invention, the integrator optical system is disposed on the light incident side of the integrator rod, and converts the illumination light beam from the condenser lens into a light beam having substantially one type of linearly polarized light component. It is preferable to further have.

  This configuration also makes it possible to align the polarization direction of the light incident on the integrator rod with approximately one type of polarization direction. Therefore, an electro-optic modulation device that controls the polarization direction like a liquid crystal device is used. This is particularly suitable for a conventional projector.

  In the illuminating device of this invention, it is preferable that the said integrator rod and the said polarization conversion element are adhere | attached.

  With this configuration, undesirable multiple reflections between the polarization conversion element and the integrator rod are suppressed, and the light use efficiency does not decrease and the stray light level does not increase. Further, the polarization conversion element and the integrator rod can be easily integrated. In addition, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of misalignment between the polarization conversion element and the integrator rod after the device is assembled.

  In this case, it is preferable to use an adhesive having substantially the same refractive index as that of the polarization conversion element and the integrator rod.

  In the illumination device of the present invention, the integrator optical system includes four first lens arrays each having a plurality of first small lenses that divide the illumination light beam from the light combining optical system into a plurality of partial light beams, and the four Four second lens arrays each having a plurality of second small lenses corresponding to the first small lenses of the first lens array, and each partial light beam from the four second lens arrays is substantially one type of linearly polarized light. It is preferable to include four polarization conversion elements that convert light beams having components, and a superimposing lens that superimposes each light from the four polarization conversion elements in an illuminated area.

  With this configuration, the in-plane light intensity distribution of the illumination light beam can be made more uniform by the action of the four first lens arrays, the four second lens arrays, and the superimposing lens. In addition, the action of the four polarization conversion elements makes it possible to align the polarization direction of the illumination light beam with approximately one polarization direction. Therefore, a projector using an electro-optic modulation device that controls the polarization direction like a liquid crystal device. Is particularly suitable.

  In addition, according to the illumination device of the present invention, the first lens array, the second lens array, and the four polarization conversion elements are arranged in the latter part of the optical path of the light combining optical system, so that the light combining optical system is provided. The size of each of the first lens array, the second lens array, and the polarization conversion element is compared with that having a configuration in which one each of the first lens array, the second lens array, and the polarization conversion element is disposed in the subsequent stage of the optical path. There is also an effect that the first lens array, the second lens array, and the polarization conversion element can be easily manufactured.

  In the illuminating device of the present invention, each of the four first lens arrays is arranged in a matrix in which each first small lens has one direction and the other direction orthogonal to the one direction has 6 rows and 4 columns, respectively. A lens array is preferable.

  With this configuration, it is possible to make the polarization conversion element disposed downstream of the optical path into a relatively simple and small structure while obtaining a sufficient light uniforming effect by the lens array. The illuminating device of the present invention is an illuminating device suitable for a projector including an electro-optic modulation device in which an image forming area has an aspect ratio (aspect ratio) of 3: 4.

  In the illumination device of the present invention, each of the four first lens arrays is arranged in a matrix in which each first small lens has one direction and the other direction orthogonal to the one direction has 7 rows and 4 columns, respectively. A lens array is preferable.

  With this configuration, it is possible to make the polarization conversion element disposed downstream of the optical path into a relatively simple and small structure while obtaining a sufficient light uniforming effect by the lens array. The illuminating device of the present invention is an illuminating device suitable for a projector including an electro-optic modulation device for wide vision whose image forming area has an aspect ratio (aspect ratio) of 9:16.

  The projector of the present invention includes the above-described illumination device of the present invention, an electro-optic modulation device that modulates light from the illumination device according to image information, and projection optics that projects light modulated by the electro-optic modulation device. And a system.

  Therefore, according to the projector of the present invention, since the excellent illumination device is provided as described above, the projector becomes a high-intensity and small-sized projector.

  Hereinafter, an illumination device and a projector according to the present invention will be described based on embodiments shown in the drawings.

[Embodiment 1]
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an illumination device 100 and a projector 1000 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 1A is a plan view showing an optical system of the projector 1000, and FIG. 1B is a side view showing the optical system of the projector 1000. FIG. 2 is a view for explaining the photosynthetic optical system 50. 2A is a perspective view of the light combining optical system 50, and FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the light combining optical system 50 viewed from a direction different from FIG. 2A. ) Is a side view of the light combining optical system 50, FIG. 2D is a view of the upper structure 60 in the light combining optical system 50 as viewed from above, and FIG. It is a figure when the side structure 70 is seen from the top.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram shown for explaining the arrangement positions of the first light source device 10 to the fourth light source device 40. FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the first light source device 10 to the fourth light source device 40 and the light combining optical system 50, and FIG. 3B is a diagram of the first light source device 10 to the fourth light source device 40. FIG. 3C is a side view schematically showing the arrangement positions of the first light source device 10 to the fourth light source device 40. FIG. In FIG. 3, the concave lenses 18 to 48 are not shown.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the integrator optical system 700. 4A is a top view showing each optical element of the integrator optical system 700 arranged at a position where the illumination light beam emitted from the upper structure 60 passes, and FIG. 4B is a lower structure 70. It is a top view which shows each optical element of the integrator optical system 700 arrange | positioned in the position through which the illumination light beam inject | emitted from passes. FIG. 5 is a front view of the first lens array 710, 712, 714, 716. In FIG. 5, the outline L of the illumination light beam is also shown. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing light rays in the integrator optical system 700.

  In the following description, three directions orthogonal to each other are defined as the z-axis direction (system optical axis OC direction in FIG. 1A) and the x-axis direction (parallel to the paper surface in FIG. And a direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 1A and perpendicular to the z-axis.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the projector 1000 according to the first embodiment includes a so-called four-lamp illumination device 100 and color separation that separates an illumination light beam from the illumination device 100 into three color lights and guides them to an illuminated area. Light guide optical system 200, three liquid crystal devices 400R, 400G, and 400B as electro-optic modulation devices that modulate each of the three color lights separated by color separation light guide optical system 200 according to image information, and a liquid crystal device The projector includes a cross dichroic prism 500 that combines color lights modulated by 400R, 400G, and 400B, and a projection optical system 600 that projects the light combined by the cross dichroic prism 500 onto a projection surface such as a screen SCR.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the illumination device 100 according to the first embodiment emits an illumination light beam, a first light source device 10 that emits an illumination light beam, a second light source device 20 that emits an illumination light beam, and the illumination light beam. The third light source device 30, the fourth light source device 40 that emits the illumination light beam, and the light combining optical system 50 that combines and emits the illumination light beams from the first light source device 10 to the fourth light source device 40. And an integrator optical system 700 having a function of converting the illumination light flux from the light combining optical system 50 into light having a more uniform intensity distribution.

  First, the configuration of the first light source device 10 to the fourth light source device 40 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the first light source device 10 includes a first ellipsoidal reflector 14, a first arc tube 12 having an emission center near the first focal point of the first ellipsoidal reflector 14, And a first concave lens 18 that emits the converged light from the first ellipsoidal reflector 14 toward the optical block 62 in the light combining optical system 50. The first arc tube 12 includes a first auxiliary mirror 16 as a first reflecting means for reflecting light emitted from the first arc tube 12 toward the illuminated region toward the first arc tube 12. Is provided. The first light source device 10 emits a light beam having the optical axis 10ax as a central axis.

  The first arc tube 12 has a tube bulb portion and a pair of sealing portions extending on both sides of the tube bulb portion. The tube portion is made of quartz glass formed in a spherical shape, and includes a pair of electrodes disposed in the tube portion, mercury, a rare gas, and a small amount of halogen sealed in the tube portion. As the first arc tube 12 and the second arc tube 22 described later, various arc tubes can be employed, for example, a metal halide lamp, a high-pressure mercury lamp, an ultra-high pressure mercury lamp, or the like.

  The first ellipsoidal reflector 14 has a cylindrical neck-like portion inserted into and fixed to one sealing portion of the first arc tube 12, and light emitted from the first arc tube 12 as a second focal point. And a reflective concave surface that reflects toward the position.

  The first auxiliary mirror 16 is a reflecting means that covers substantially half of the tube portion of the first arc tube 12 and is disposed to face the reflecting concave surface of the first ellipsoidal reflector 14. The first auxiliary mirror 16 is inserted and fixed to the other sealing portion of the first arc tube 12. The first auxiliary mirror 16 returns the light emitted from the first arc tube 12 that does not go to the first ellipsoidal reflector 14 to the first arctube reflector 12 and enters the first ellipsoidal reflector 14. Let

  The first concave lens 18 is disposed on the illuminated area side of the first ellipsoidal reflector 14. Then, the light from the first ellipsoidal reflector 14 is emitted toward the optical block 62 in the light combining optical system 50.

  The second light source device 20 includes a second ellipsoidal reflector 24, a second arc tube 22 having a light emission center near the first focal point of the second ellipsoidal reflector 24, and a second ellipsoidal reflector 24. And a second concave lens 28 that emits the focused light toward the reflecting prism 72 in the light combining optical system 50. The second arc tube 22 includes a second auxiliary mirror 26 as second reflecting means for reflecting the light emitted from the second arc tube 22 toward the illuminated region toward the second arc tube 22. Is provided. The second light source device 20 emits a light beam having the optical axis 20ax as a central axis.

  The second arc tube 22, the second ellipsoidal reflector 24, the second auxiliary mirror 26, and the second concave lens 28 are respectively the first arc tube 12, the first ellipsoidal reflector 14, and the first auxiliary lens. Since it is the same structure as the mirror 16 and the 1st concave lens 18, detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The third light source device 30 includes a third ellipsoidal reflector 34, a third arc tube 32 having a light emission center near the first focal point of the third ellipsoidal reflector 34, and a third ellipsoidal reflector 34. And a third concave lens 38 that emits the focused light toward the reflecting prism 74 in the light combining optical system 50. The third arc tube 32 has a third auxiliary mirror 36 as a third reflecting means for reflecting the light emitted from the third arc tube 32 toward the illuminated area toward the third arc tube 32. Is provided. The third light source device 30 emits a light beam having the optical axis 30ax as a central axis.

  The third arc tube 32, the third ellipsoidal reflector 34, the third auxiliary mirror 36, and the third concave lens 38 are respectively the first arc tube 12, the first ellipsoidal reflector 14, and the first auxiliary lens. Since it is the same structure as the mirror 16 and the 1st concave lens 18, detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The fourth light source device 40 includes a fourth ellipsoidal reflector 44, a fourth arc tube 42 having a light emission center near the first focal point of the fourth ellipsoidal reflector 44, and the fourth ellipsoidal reflector 44. And a fourth concave lens 48 that emits the focused light toward the reflecting prism 64 in the light combining optical system 50. The fourth arc tube 42 includes a fourth auxiliary mirror 46 as a fourth reflecting means for reflecting the light emitted from the fourth arc tube 42 toward the illuminated region toward the fourth arc tube 42. Is provided. The fourth light source device 40 emits a light beam having the optical axis 40ax as a central axis.

  The fourth arc tube 42, the fourth ellipsoidal reflector 44, the fourth auxiliary mirror 46, and the fourth concave lens 48 are respectively the first arc tube 12, the first ellipsoidal reflector 14, and the first auxiliary lens. Since it is the same structure as the mirror 16 and the 1st concave lens 18, detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  Next, the configuration of the photosynthesis optical system 50 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the light combining optical system 50 includes an upper structure 60 that synthesizes and emits the illumination light beam from the first light source device 10 and the illumination light beam from the fourth light source device 40, and a second light source. The lower structure 70 is configured to synthesize and emit the illumination light beam from the device 20 and the illumination light beam from the third light source device 30.

  The upper structure 60 has an optical block 62 that transmits the illumination light beam from the first light source device 10 and a reflection prism 64 that reflects the illumination light beam from the fourth light source device 40 toward the integrator optical system 700. is doing. The reflecting prism 64 is a prism having a substantially cubic shape with a reflecting surface 65 formed at the interface between two triangular prisms.

  The lower structure 70 reflects the illumination light beam from the second light source device 20 toward the integrator optical system 700 and the illumination light beam from the third light source device 30 toward the integrator optical system 700. And a reflecting prism 74 for reflecting. The reflecting prism 72 is a prism having a substantially cubic shape with a reflecting surface 73 formed at the interface between two triangular prisms. The reflecting prism 74 is a prism having a substantially cubic shape with a reflecting surface 75 formed at the interface between two triangular prisms.

  The light combining optical system 50 configured as described above combines the illumination light beams from the first light source device 10 to the fourth light source device 40 and sets the optical axis (system optical axis OC) parallel to the first optical axis 10ax. It becomes possible to emit the illumination light beam having the central axis toward the integrator optical system 700.

  Note that the optical block 62 in the light combining optical system 50 may be omitted.

  Next, the configuration of the integrated optical system 700 will be described.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the integrator optical system 700 includes four first small lenses 711, 713, 715, and 717 that divide the illumination light beam from the light combining optical system 50 into a plurality of partial light beams. Four second lens arrays each having a first lens array 710, 712, 714, 716 and a plurality of second small lenses 721, 723, 725, 727 corresponding to the respective first small lenses 711, 713, 715, 717 720, 722, 724, 726 and four polarization conversion elements 730, 735 for converting the partial light beams from the four second lens arrays 720, 722, 724, 726 into light beams having substantially one type of linearly polarized light component. , 740, 745 and the light from the four polarization conversion elements 730, 735, 740, 745 are superimposed in the illuminated area. And a superimposing lens 750.

  The first lens array 710 functions as a light beam splitting optical element that splits light from the light combining optical system 50 (optical block 62) into a plurality of partial light beams, and the plurality of first small lenses 711 are perpendicular to the z axis. It has a configuration arranged in a matrix of 6 rows and 4 columns in a simple plane (see FIG. 5). The contour shape of each first small lens 711 of the first lens array 710 is set to be almost similar to the shape of the image forming area of the liquid crystal devices 400R, 400G, and 400B. In the illumination device 100 according to the first embodiment, each first small lens 711 has a planar shape of “short side: long side = 3: 4 rectangle”. The other first lens arrays 712, 714, and 716 also have the same configuration as the first lens array 710.

  The second lens array 720 has substantially the same configuration as the first lens array 710, and a plurality of second small lenses 721 are arranged in a matrix of 6 rows and 4 columns in a plane perpendicular to the z-axis. have. The other second lens arrays 722, 724, and 726 also have the same configuration as the second lens array 720. The second lens arrays 720, 722, 724, and 726, together with the superimposing lens 750, display images of the first small lenses 711, 713, 715, and 717 of the first lens arrays 710, 712, 714, and 716 in the liquid crystal devices 400R and 400G. , 400B has a function of forming an image in the vicinity of the image forming area.

The polarization conversion element 730 is a polarization conversion element that emits the polarization direction of each of the partial light beams divided by the first lens array 710 as approximately one type of linearly polarized light having a uniform polarization direction.
The polarization conversion element 730 transmits the light beam related to the P-polarized component among the light beams emitted from the second lens array 720 and reflects the light beam related to the S-polarized component in the direction away from the system optical axis OC (x-axis direction). The polarization separation surface 731 and the reflection that reflects the light beam related to the S-polarized component reflected by the polarization separation surface 731 toward the direction parallel to the light beam related to the P-polarized component transmitted through the polarization separation surface 731 (z-axis direction). Λ as a phase difference plate that is disposed at a position where the light beam related to the P-polarized component is emitted from the surface 732 and the light exit surface of the polarization conversion element 730 and converts the light beam related to the P-polarized component to the light beam related to the S-polarized component. / 2 plate 733.
The other polarization conversion elements 735, 740, and 745 have the same configuration as the polarization conversion element 730.

  The superimposing lens 750 includes a plurality of parts through four first lens arrays 710, 712, 714, 716, four second lens arrays 720, 722, 724, 726 and four polarization conversion elements 730, 735, 740, 745. It is an optical element for condensing the light beam and superimposing it in the vicinity of the image forming area of the liquid crystal devices 400R, 400G, 400B. The superimposing lens 750 is arranged so that the optical axis of the superimposing lens 750 and the system optical axis OC of the illumination device 100 substantially coincide. The superimposing lens 750 shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 4 and FIG. 6 is composed of one lens, but may be composed of a compound lens in which a plurality of lenses are combined.

  Next, the configuration of each optical element arranged in the latter stage of the optical path from the integrator optical system 700 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the color separation light guide optical system 200 includes dichroic mirrors 210 and 220, reflection mirrors 230, 240 and 250, an incident side lens 260, and a relay lens 270. The color separation light guide optical system 200 separates the illumination light beam emitted from the superimposing lens 750 into three color lights of red light, green light, and blue light, and the three color liquid crystal devices 400R that are the illumination targets. , 400G, 400B.

  The dichroic mirrors 210 and 220 are optical elements on which a wavelength selection film that reflects a light beam in a predetermined wavelength region and transmits a light beam in another wavelength region is formed on a substrate. The dichroic mirror 210 disposed in the front stage of the optical path is a mirror that reflects a red light component and transmits other color light components. The dichroic mirror 220 disposed in the latter stage of the optical path is a mirror that reflects the green light component and transmits the blue light component.

  The red light component reflected by the dichroic mirror 210 is bent by the reflection mirror 230 and enters the image forming area of the liquid crystal device 400R for red light through the condenser lens 300R.

  The condenser lens 300R is provided to convert each partial light beam from the superimposing lens 750 into a light beam substantially parallel to each principal ray. The condensing lenses 300G and 300B arranged in the preceding stage of the optical path of the other liquid crystal devices 400G and 400B are configured in the same manner as the condensing lens 300R.

  Of the green light component and blue light component transmitted through the dichroic mirror 210, the green light component is reflected by the dichroic mirror 220, passes through the condenser lens 300G, and enters the image forming area of the green light liquid crystal device 400G. On the other hand, the blue light component is transmitted through the dichroic mirror 220, passes through the incident side lens 260, the incident side reflection mirror 240, the relay lens 270, the emission side reflection mirror 250, and the condensing lens 300B, and is a liquid crystal for blue light. The light enters the image forming area of the apparatus 400B. The incident side lens 260, the relay lens 270, and the reflection mirrors 240 and 250 have a function of guiding the blue light component transmitted through the dichroic mirror 220 to the liquid crystal device 400B.

  The reason that the incident side lens 260, the relay lens 270, and the reflection mirrors 240 and 250 are provided in the optical path of blue light is that the length of the optical path of blue light is longer than the length of the optical paths of other color lights. For this reason, a decrease in light use efficiency due to light divergence or the like is prevented. The projector 1000 according to Embodiment 1 has such a configuration because the length of the optical path of blue light is long. However, the length of the optical path of red light is increased, and the incident side lens 260 and the relay lens 270 are configured. And the structure which uses the reflective mirrors 240 and 250 for the optical path of red light is also considered.

The liquid crystal devices 400 </ b> R, 400 </ b> G, and 400 </ b> B modulate an illumination light beam according to image information, and are illumination targets of the illumination device 100.
The liquid crystal devices 400R, 400G, and 400B are a pair of transparent glass substrates in which a liquid crystal that is an electro-optical material is hermetically sealed. For example, incident side polarization is performed according to given image information using a polysilicon TFT as a switching element. The polarization direction of one type of linearly polarized light emitted from the plate is modulated.
As the liquid crystal devices 400R, 400G, and 400B, liquid crystal devices having an image forming area having a planar shape of “a rectangle of short side: long side = 3: 4” are used.

  Although not shown, incident side polarizing plates are interposed between the condenser lenses 300R, 300G, and 300B and the liquid crystal devices 400R, 400G, and 400B, and the liquid crystal devices 400R, 400G, and 400B are disposed. And the cross dichroic prism 500 are each provided with an exit-side polarizing plate. The incident-side polarizing plate, the liquid crystal devices 400R, 400G, and 400B and the exit-side polarizing plate modulate light of each color light incident thereon.

  The cross dichroic prism 500 is an optical element that forms a color image by synthesizing an optical image modulated for each color light emitted from the exit side polarizing plate. The cross dichroic prism 500 has a substantially square shape in plan view in which four right-angle prisms are bonded together, and a dielectric multilayer film is formed on a substantially X-shaped interface in which the right-angle prisms are bonded together. The dielectric multilayer film formed at one of the substantially X-shaped interfaces reflects red light, and the dielectric multilayer film formed at the other interface reflects blue light. By these dielectric multilayer films, the red light and the blue light are bent and aligned with the traveling direction of the green light, so that the three color lights are synthesized.

  The color image emitted from the cross dichroic prism 500 is enlarged and projected by the projection optical system 600 to form a large screen image on the screen SCR.

In the illumination device 100 and the projector 1000 according to the first embodiment configured as described above, as illustrated in FIG. 3, a virtual plane orthogonal to the first optical axis 10ax in the first light source device 10 is defined as the first virtual plane. as the plane V _1, a virtual plane perpendicular to the second optical axis 20ax of the second light source device 20 as a second virtual plane V _2, perpendicular to the third optical axis 30ax of the third light source device 30 virtual the plane as a third virtual plane V _3, when a virtual plane perpendicular to the fourth optical axis 40ax of the fourth light source unit 40 and the fourth imaginary plane V _4, the first light source unit 10 to the fourth Each of the light source devices 40 includes a second virtual plane V ₂ , a third virtual plane V _3, and a fourth virtual plane V ₄ that are orthogonal to the first virtual plane V ₁ and the second virtual plane V ₂ . a virtual plane V ₂ third virtual Rights Plane V ₃ and are parallel, and the second virtual plane V ₂ and the fourth imaginary plane V ₄ of are arranged orthogonally. In other words, the emission directions of the illumination light beams from the second light source device 20, the third light source device 30, and the fourth light source device 40 are orthogonal to the emission directions of the illumination light beams from the first light source device 10, respectively. At the same time, the emission direction of the illumination light beam from the second light source device 20 and the emission direction of the illumination light beam from the third light source device 30 are parallel to each other, and the emission light beam from the second light source device 20 is emitted. It arrange | positions so that the direction and the emission direction of the illumination light beam from the 4th light source device 40 may orthogonally cross.

  For this reason, according to the illuminating device 100 which concerns on Embodiment 1, the 1st light source device so that the emission direction of the illumination light beam inject | emitted from the 1st light source device 10-the 4th light source device 40 may become a mutually different direction. 10 to 4, and a light combining optical system 50 that combines the illumination light beams from the first light source device 10 to the fourth light source device 40 and emits them toward the integrator optical system 700. Therefore, the space can be used effectively, and the ellipsoidal reflectors 14 to 44 in the light source devices 10 to 40 do not interfere with each other. As a result, an increase in the size of the integrator optical system 700 can be suppressed, and an increase in the size of the illumination device 100 can be suppressed.

  Moreover, according to the illuminating device 100 which concerns on Embodiment 1, since the integrator optical system 700 was provided, the light radiate | emitted from the 1st light source device 10-the 4th light source device 40, and the light synthesis | combination optical system 50 were combined. It becomes possible to convert to light having a more uniform intensity distribution.

  Moreover, according to the illuminating device 100 which concerns on Embodiment 1, even if it does not use a very high output arc tube as each arc tube 12-42 in the 1st light source device 10-the 4th light source device 40, it is 1st. Since the illumination device 100 with relatively high brightness can be realized by synthesizing the illumination light beams from the light source device 10 to the fourth light source device 40, the brightness of the illumination device can be increased, and the illumination device There is also an effect that it is possible to suppress a decrease in lifetime and suppress a decrease in light utilization efficiency.

  In the illumination device 100 according to the first embodiment, the light combining optical system 50 includes the optical block 62 that transmits the illumination light beam from the first light source device 10, the second light source device 20, the third light source device 30, and the first light source device 30. And four reflecting prisms 64, 72, and 74 that reflect the illumination light beams from the four light source devices 40 toward the integrator optical system 700.

  For this reason, the illumination light beams from the first light source device 10 to the fourth light source device 40 are combined and emitted as an illumination light beam having an optical axis (system optical axis OC) substantially parallel to the first optical axis 10ax as a central axis. It is possible to easily realize a photosynthetic optical system having the function of

  In the illumination device 100 according to the first embodiment, the light combining optical system 50 is configured by combining an optical block 62 and reflecting prisms 64, 72, and 74. Since the refractive index of the medium constituting the optical block 62 and the reflecting prisms 64, 72, 74 is larger than the refractive index of air, the optical path length of the illumination light beam passing through the light combining optical system 50 can be made relatively short. It becomes. As a result, it is possible to reduce the size of the light combining optical system 50 and consequently the illumination device 100.

In the illumination device 100 according to the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2C to 2E, the optical block 62 and the reflecting prisms 64, 72, and 74 are bonded through the adhesive layer C, respectively. Yes. Thereby, unnecessary reflections between the members are reduced, so that the light use efficiency is improved and the stray light level is reduced.
An adhesive having substantially the same refractive index as that of the optical block 62 and the reflecting prisms 64, 72, 74 is used.

  In the illumination device 100 according to the first embodiment, as described above, each of the first light source device 10 to the fourth light source device 40 includes the ellipsoidal reflectors 14 to 44 and the first ellipsoidal reflectors 14 to 44. There are arc tubes 12 to 42 having a light emission center in the vicinity of the focal point, and concave lenses 18 to 48 for emitting the focused light from the ellipsoidal reflectors 14 to 44 toward the light combining optical system 50.

  For this reason, the first light source device 10 to the fourth light source device 40 emit substantially parallel light beams that are smaller than the size of each of the ellipsoidal reflectors 14 to 44, so that the illumination device 100 can be further downsized. Can be planned.

  In the illumination device 100 according to the first embodiment, as described above, the arc tubes 12 to 42 are provided with auxiliary mirrors 16 to 46 as reflecting means, respectively.

For this reason, since the light radiated | emitted to the to-be-illuminated area side from each arc_tube | light_emitting_tube 12-42 is reflected toward each arc_tube | light_emitting_tube 12-42, it covers so that the to-be-illuminated area side edge part of each arc_tube | It is not necessary to set the size of each of the ellipsoidal reflectors 14 to 44 to a large size, and the size of each of the ellipsoidal reflectors 14 to 44 can be reduced. As a result, the lighting device 100 can be reduced in size. Can do.
Further, since each of the ellipsoidal reflectors 14 to 44 can be miniaturized, the focusing angle or beam spot of the beam that is converged from each of the ellipsoidal reflectors 14 to 44 toward the second focal point of each of the ellipsoidal reflectors 14 to 44. Therefore, the size of each concave lens 18 to 48, the size of the photosynthesis optical system 50, and the size of the integrator optical system 700 can be further reduced, and the lighting device 100 can be further downsized. Can do.

  In the illuminating device 100 according to the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the concave lenses 18 to 48 and the light combining optical system 50 are arranged apart from each other, so that the position adjustment between the optical elements is performed. It can be done easily. Further, the thermal influence on each optical element can be reduced.

  Although not shown here, a light-reflecting film is provided on the light incident surface and the light exit surface of each concave lens 18 to 48 and the light incident surface of the light combining optical system 50 (position corresponding to each concave lens 18 to 48). It is coated. Thereby, generation | occurrence | production of the unnecessary reflection in the illumination light beam which injects into each said optical element, and the illumination light beam inject | emitted from each said optical element can be suppressed.

  In the illumination device 100 according to the first embodiment, the integrator optical system 700 includes a plurality of first small lenses 711, 713, 715, and 717 that divide the illumination light beam from the light combining optical system 50 into a plurality of partial light beams, respectively. Four second lenses each having two first lens arrays 710, 712, 714, 716 and a plurality of second small lenses 721, 723, 725, 727 corresponding to the first small lenses 711, 713, 715, 717, respectively. Arrays 720, 722, 724, and 726, and four polarization conversion elements 730 that convert the partial light beams from the four second lens arrays 720, 722, 724, and 726 into light beams having substantially one type of linearly polarized light component, 735, 740, 745 and the respective light from the four polarization conversion elements 730, 735, 740, 745 And a superimposing lens 750 for superimposing a light area.

  Therefore, the in-plane light intensity distribution of the illumination light beam is made more uniform by the action of the four first lens arrays 710, 712, 714, 716, the four second lens arrays 720, 722, 724, 726 and the superimposing lens 750. It becomes possible to make things. The four polarization conversion elements 730, 735, 740, and 745 can align the polarization direction of the illumination light flux with substantially one type of polarization direction, so that the polarization direction is controlled like a liquid crystal device. This is particularly suitable for a projector using an optical modulation device.

  Moreover, according to the illuminating device 100 which concerns on Embodiment 1, since it has the structure by which the 1st lens array, the 2nd lens array, and the polarization conversion element are each arrange | positioned 4 each in the back | latter stage of the optical path of the photosynthetic optical system 50. The first lens arrays 710, 712, 714, 716, as compared with the configuration in which the first lens array, the second lens array, and the polarization conversion element are respectively arranged one after the optical path of the light combining optical system. The second lens arrays 720, 722, 724, 726 and the polarization conversion elements 730, 735, 740, 745 can be reduced in size, and the first lens arrays 710, 712, 714, 716, the second lens array 720, There is also an effect that manufacture of 722, 724, 726 and polarization conversion elements 730, 735, 740, 745 becomes easy.

  In the illuminating device 100 according to the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, each of the four first lens arrays 710, 712, 714, 716 includes the first small lenses 711, 713, 715, 717 in the vertical direction. Since the lens array is arranged in a matrix with 6 rows and 4 columns in the horizontal direction, the polarization conversion elements 730, 735, and 740 are arranged in the latter stage of the optical path while obtaining a sufficient light uniforming effect by the lens array. , 745 can be made a relatively simple and compact structure. The illuminating device 100 according to Embodiment 1 is an illuminating device suitable for a projector including a liquid crystal device in which an aspect ratio (aspect ratio) of the image forming region is 3: 4.

  In the illumination device 100 according to the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the length along the horizontal direction (x-axis direction) in each of the second lens arrays 720, 722, 724, and 726 is the length of each of the first lens arrays. Since the length along the horizontal direction (x-axis direction) in 710, 712, 714, 716 is substantially the same, the first lens array 710, 712, 714, 716 and the second lens array 720, 722, 724, 726 are used. It is possible to use a lens array with no or little eccentricity, and the first lens arrays 710, 712, 714, 716 and the second lens arrays 720, 722, 724, 726 are easily manufactured.

  In the illumination device 100 according to the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4A, each of the four polarization conversion elements 730, 735, 740, and 745 is emitted from the second lens arrays 720, 722, 724, and 726, respectively. Polarization separation surfaces 731, 736, 741, and 746 that transmit a light beam related to the P-polarized component and reflect a light beam related to the S-polarized component in a direction away from the system optical axis OC (x-axis direction). Therefore, the density of the light beam in the vicinity of the system optical axis OC (the optical axis of the superimposing lens 750) can be reduced, and the degree of freedom of arrangement of the polarization conversion elements 730, 735, 740, and 745 can be increased. .

  The projector 1000 according to the first embodiment includes the illumination device 100 according to the first embodiment, liquid crystal devices 400R, 400G, and 400B that modulate light from the illumination device 100 according to image information, and liquid crystal devices 400R, 400G, and the like. The projector includes a projection optical system 600 that projects light modulated by 400B.

  For this reason, according to the projector 1000 according to the first embodiment, since the excellent illumination device 100 is provided as described above, the projector 1000 has a high brightness and a small size.

[Embodiment 2]
FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the illumination device 102 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the light combining optical system 52, and FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the light combining optical system 52 when viewed from a direction different from FIG. 7A. ) Is a side view of the light combining optical system 52, FIG. 7D is a view of the portion of the light combining optical system 52 where the reflection mirror 84 is disposed, and FIG. 7E is a light combining optical system. It is a figure when the part in which the reflective mirrors 80 and 82 in the system 52 are arranged is viewed from above.

  The illumination device 102 (not shown) according to the second embodiment basically has a configuration similar to that of the illumination device 100 according to the first embodiment, but the configuration of the light combining optical system is the same as that of the first embodiment. This is different from the lighting device 100.

  That is, in the illumination device 102 according to the second embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the light combining optical system 52 includes illumination light beams from the second light source device 20, the third light source device 30, and the fourth light source device 40. Is composed of three reflecting mirrors 80, 82, 84 that reflect the light toward the integrator optical system 700 (not shown).

  The reflection mirror 80 reflects the illumination light flux from the second light source device 20 in the direction along the system optical axis OC, as shown in FIG. The reflection mirror 82 reflects the illumination light beam from the third light source device 30 in the direction along the system optical axis OC. The reflection mirror 84 reflects the illumination light beam from the fourth light source device 40 in the direction along the system optical axis OC, as shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 7 (a), 7 (b), and 7 (d), the reflecting mirror is not disposed at the position where the illumination light beam from the first light source device 10 passes. The illumination light beam from one light source device 10 passes through the light combining optical system 52.

  As described above, the illuminating device 102 according to the second embodiment is different from the illuminating device 100 according to the first embodiment in the configuration of the light combining optical system, but as in the case of the illuminating device 100 according to the first embodiment, The first light source device 10 to the fourth light source device 40 are arranged so that the emission directions of the illumination light beams emitted from the first light source device 10 to the fourth light source device 40 are different from each other, and Since the light combining optical system 52 that combines the illumination light beams from the light source device 10 to the fourth light source device 40 and emits them toward the integrator optical system 700 is provided, the space can be used effectively. The ellipsoidal reflectors in the devices 10 to 40 do not interfere with each other. As a result, an increase in the size of the integrator optical system 700 can be suppressed, and an increase in the size of the illumination device 102 can be suppressed.

  The illumination device 102 according to the second embodiment has the same configuration as that of the illumination device 100 according to the first embodiment except for the configuration of the light combining optical system, and thus the same effect as that of the illumination device 100 according to the first embodiment. Have

[Embodiment 3]
FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the illumination device 104 according to the third embodiment. 8A is a perspective view of the light combining optical system 54, FIG. 8B is a side view of the light combining optical system 54, and FIG. 8C is a view of the upper structure 60 in the light combining optical system 54 from above. FIG. 8D is a view when the lower structure 90 in the light combining optical system 54 is viewed from above, and FIG. 8E is an illumination incident on the lower structure 90. It is a figure which shows typically a mode that a light beam is polarization-separated and synthesize | combined.

  The illumination device 104 (not shown) according to the third embodiment basically has a configuration similar to that of the illumination device 100 according to the first embodiment, but the configuration of the light combining optical system is the same as that of the first embodiment. This is different from the lighting device 100.

  That is, in the illumination device 104 according to the third embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the light combining optical system 54 combines the illumination light beam from the first light source device 10 and the illumination light beam from the fourth light source device 40. And the lower structure 90 that synthesizes and emits the illumination light beam from the second light source device 20 and the illumination light beam from the third light source device 30. The upper structure 60 in the light combining optical system 54 is the same as that described in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 8D, the lower structure 90 includes three polarizing prisms 97a, 97b, 97c, one reflecting prism 98, and two λ / 2 plates 93, 95. .

As shown in FIGS. 8D and 8E, the polarization prism 97a transmits the illumination light beam related to the P-polarized component among the illumination light beams from the third light source device 30 (not shown), and S A polarization separation surface 91 that reflects the illumination light flux related to the polarization component is provided.
The polarizing prism 97b transmits the illumination light beam related to the P-polarized component among the illumination light beam from the second light source device 20 (not shown), reflects the illumination light beam related to the S-polarized component, and reflects it on the reflection surface 92. And a polarization separation / synthesis surface 94 that transmits the illumination light beam related to the P-polarized light component.
The polarization prism 97 c has a polarization combining surface 96 that combines the illumination light beam related to the P-polarized component that has passed through the λ / 2 plate 93 and the illumination light beam related to the S-polarized component that has passed through the λ / 2 plate 95.

  The reflecting prism 98 has a reflecting surface 92 that reflects the illumination light beam related to the P-polarized component transmitted through the polarization separation surface 91 toward the direction parallel to the illumination light beam related to the S-polarized component reflected by the polarization separation surface 91.

The λ / 2 plate 93 as a phase difference plate is disposed at a position where the illumination light beam related to the S-polarized component reflected by the polarization separation surface 91 passes, and the illumination light beam related to the S-polarized component is changed to the illumination light beam related to the P-polarized component. Convert to
The λ / 2 plate 95 as a phase difference plate is disposed at a position through which the illumination light beam related to the P-polarized component transmitted through the polarization separation / combination surface 94 among the illumination light beam from the second light source device 20 passes. Is converted into an illumination light beam related to the S-polarized component.

The polarization separation / combination surface 94 includes an illumination light beam related to the P-polarized component reflected by the reflection surface 92 in the illumination light beam from the third light source device 30 and an S polarization component in the illumination light beam from the second light source device 20. Is combined with the illumination luminous flux according to the above, and is emitted as apparently non-polarized light. The polarization combining surface 96 passes through the λ / 2 plate 93 out of the illumination light beam from the third light source device 30 by transmitting the illumination light beam related to the P-polarized component and reflecting the illumination light beam related to the S-polarized component. The illumination light beam related to the P-polarized component and the illumination light beam related to the S-polarized component that has passed through the λ / 2 plate 95 out of the illumination light beam from the second light source device 20 are synthesized and emitted as apparently unpolarized light. To do.
As a result, the illumination light beams from the second light source device 20 and the third light source device 30 are emitted from the lower structure 90 in a superimposed manner at the same angle.

  The lower structure 90 (a) transmits the illumination light beam related to the P-polarized component and reflects the illumination light beam related to the S-polarized component, and transmits the illumination light beam related to the S-polarized component and transmits the P-polarized light. Instead of another polarization separation surface that reflects the illumination light beam related to the component, (a) a polarization separation / synthesis surface 94 that transmits the illumination light beam related to the P polarization component and reflects the illumination light beam related to the S polarization component is used as the S polarization component. (C) By transmitting the illumination light beam related to the P-polarized component and reflecting the illumination light beam related to the S-polarized component by changing to another polarization separation / synthesis surface that transmits the illumination light beam and reflects the illumination light beam related to the P-polarized component The polarization combining surface 96 that combines the two illumination beams is replaced with another polarization combining surface that combines the two illumination beams by transmitting the illumination beam related to the S polarization component and reflecting the illumination beam related to the P polarization component. Is also possible. As described above, the lower structure including the other polarization separation surfaces, the other polarization separation / synthesis surfaces, and the other polarization synthesis surfaces are also used as the second light source device 20 and the third light source device from the lower structure. The illumination light flux from 30 is emitted in the form of being superimposed at the same angle.

  As described above, the illumination device 104 according to the third embodiment is different from the illumination device 100 according to the first embodiment in the configuration of the light combining optical system. The first light source device 10 to the fourth light source device 40 are arranged so that the emission directions of the illumination light beams emitted from the first light source device 10 to the fourth light source device 40 are different from each other, and Since the light combining optical system 54 that combines the illumination light beams from the light source devices 10 to the fourth light source device 40 and emits them toward the integrator optical system 700 is provided, the space can be used effectively. The ellipsoidal reflectors in the devices 10 to 40 do not interfere with each other. As a result, an increase in the size of the integrator optical system 700 can be suppressed, and an increase in the size of the illumination device 104 can be suppressed.

  The illumination device 104 according to the third embodiment has the same configuration as that of the illumination device 100 according to the first embodiment except for the configuration of the light combining optical system, and thus the same effect as that of the illumination device 100 according to the first embodiment. Have

[Embodiment 4]
FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the illumination device 106 according to the fourth embodiment. 9A is a perspective view of the light combining optical system 56, FIG. 9B is a side view of the light combining optical system 56, and FIG. 9C shows the upper structure 60B in the light combining optical system 56 from above. FIG. 9D is a view when the lower structure 120 in the light combining optical system 56 is viewed from above, and FIG. 9E is an illumination incident on the lower structure 120. It is a figure which shows typically a mode that a light beam is polarization-separated and synthesize | combined.

  The illumination device 106 (not shown) according to the fourth embodiment basically has a configuration similar to that of the illumination device 100 according to the first embodiment, but the configuration of the light combining optical system is the same as that of the first embodiment. This is different from the lighting device 100. The illumination device 106 according to the fourth embodiment is different from the illumination device 100 according to the first embodiment in the arrangement positions of the first light source device 10 and the third light source device 30.

  That is, in the illumination device 106 according to the fourth embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the light combining optical system 56 combines the illumination light beam from the third light source device 30 and the illumination light beam from the fourth light source device 40. And the lower structure 120 that combines and emits the illumination light beam from the first light source device 10 and the illumination light beam from the second light source device 20.

  As shown in FIGS. 9B and 9C, the upper structure 60B reflects the illumination light beam from the third light source device 30 toward the integrator optical system 700 (not shown). 66B, and a reflecting prism 68B that reflects the illumination light beam from the fourth light source device 40 toward the integrator optical system 700. The reflecting prism 66B is a prism having a substantially cubic shape with a reflecting surface 67B formed at the interface between two triangular prisms. The reflecting prism 68B is a prism having a substantially cubic shape with a reflecting surface 69B formed at the interface between two triangular prisms.

  As shown in FIGS. 9 (d) and 9 (e), the lower structure 120 converts the illumination light beam from the first light source device 10 into an illumination light beam related to the P-polarized component and an illumination light beam related to the S-polarized component. A polarization separation optical element 122 that is separated into two, a λ / 2 plate 128 as a phase difference plate disposed at a position where an illumination light beam related to the S-polarized component passes on the light exit surface of the polarization separation optical element 122, and a second A polarization separation optical element 132 that separates an illumination light beam from the light source device 20 into an illumination light beam related to the P polarization component and an illumination light beam related to the S polarization component, and illumination related to the P polarization component on the light exit surface of the polarization separation optical element 132 A λ / 2 plate 138 as a phase difference plate disposed at a position where a light beam passes, and a polarization beam combiner 140 that combines and emits illumination light beams emitted from the first light source device 10 and the second light source device 20. And have The

  The polarization separation optical element 122 transmits the illumination light beam related to the P-polarized component out of the illumination light beam from the first light source device 10 and moves the illumination light beam related to the S-polarized component away from the optical axis 10ax of the first light source device 10. The polarized light separation surface 124 that reflects toward the polarization separation surface and the illumination light beam related to the S polarization component reflected by the polarization separation surface 124 are reflected in a direction parallel to the illumination light beam related to the P polarization component that has passed through the polarization separation surface 124. And a reflective surface 126.

  The λ / 2 plate 128 is disposed at the position where the illumination light beam related to the S-polarized component is emitted on the light exit surface of the polarization separation optical element 122. Then, the illumination light beam related to the S polarization component is converted into the illumination light beam related to the P polarization component.

  The polarization separation optical element 132 transmits the illumination light beam related to the P-polarized component of the illumination light beam from the second light source device 20 and moves the illumination light beam related to the S-polarized component away from the optical axis 20ax of the second light source device 20. The polarization separation surface 134 that is reflected toward the light source and the illumination light beam related to the S polarization component reflected by the polarization separation surface 134 are reflected in a direction parallel to the illumination light beam that is transmitted through the polarization separation surface 134 and related to the P polarization component. And a reflection surface 136.

  The λ / 2 plate 138 is disposed at a position on the light exit surface of the polarization separation optical element 132 where the illumination light beam related to the P-polarized component is emitted. Then, the illumination light beam related to the P-polarized component is converted into the illumination light beam related to the S-polarized component.

The polarization beam combiner 140 has a substantially square shape in plan view in which a triangular prism having the first light incident surface 144 and a triangular prism having the second light incident surface 146 are bonded together, and an interface in which the triangular prisms are bonded together. Is formed with a polarization combining surface 142 that transmits the illumination light beam related to the P-polarized component and reflects the illumination light beam related to the S-polarized component. The illumination light flux related to the P-polarized component emitted from the polarization separation optical element 122 and the λ / 2 plate 128 and incident on the first light incident surface 144 is transmitted through the polarization combining surface 142. The illumination light beam related to the S-polarized light component that is emitted from the polarization separation optical element 132 and the λ / 2 plate 138 and incident on the second light incident surface 146 is reflected by the polarization combining surface 142. As a result, the illumination light beam from the first light source device 10 and the illumination light beam from the second light source device 20 are combined and emitted from the polarization beam combiner 140 toward the integrator optical system 700.
Such a polarization beam combiner 140 has the same configuration as that of a polarization beam splitter, but the light passing direction is opposite to that of the polarization beam splitter, and two types of straight lines whose polarization directions are perpendicular to each other. Combines polarized light and emits apparently unpolarized light.

In the lower structure 120, the polarization separation optical element 122 has a polarization separation surface 124 that transmits the illumination light beam related to the P-polarized component and reflects the illumination light beam related to the S-polarization component, and the illumination light beam related to the S-polarization component. It is also possible to change to another polarization separation surface that transmits the light and reflects the illumination light beam related to the P-polarized light component. In this case, if the λ / 2 plate 128 is disposed at a position where the illumination light beam related to the S-polarized light component that has passed through the other polarization separation surface is emitted, the light incident on the first light incident surface 144 of the polarization beam combiner 140. Can be aligned with the illumination light beam related to the P-polarized light component.
The polarization separation optical element 132 transmits the illumination light beam related to the S-polarized light component and transmits the illumination light beam related to the S-polarized light component and transmits the illumination light beam related to the S-polarized light component. It is also possible to change to another polarization separation surface that reflects the illumination light beam. In this case, if the λ / 2 plate 138 is disposed at a position where the illumination light beam related to the P-polarized component reflected by the other polarization separation surface is emitted, the light enters the second light incident surface 146 of the polarization beam combiner 140. The light can be aligned with the illumination light beam related to the S-polarized component.

  As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9D, the polarization separation optical elements 122 and 132 and the polarization beam combiner 140 are spaced apart from each other, so that the position adjustment between the optical elements can be easily performed. Will be able to do. Further, the thermal influence on each optical element can be reduced.

  Although not shown here, the light incident surfaces and the light exit surfaces of the polarization splitting optical elements 122 and 132 and the first light incident surface 144 and the second light incident surface 146 of the polarization beam combiner 140 are reduced. Reflective film is coated. Thereby, generation | occurrence | production of the unnecessary reflection in the illumination light beam which injects into each said optical element, and the illumination light beam inject | emitted from each said optical element can be suppressed.

  In the illuminating device 106 according to the fourth embodiment, the arrangement positions of the first light source device 10 and the third light source device 30 are described in the first embodiment because the light combining optical system 56 having the above-described configuration is provided. It is different from what I did. Specifically, the first light source device 10 is arranged so that the illumination light beam from the first light source device 10 enters the lower structure 120 instead of the upper structure 60B (FIG. 9D). reference.). Further, the third light source device 30 is arranged so that the illumination light beam from the third light source device 30 enters the upper structure 60B instead of the lower structure 120 (see FIG. 9C). .

  As described above, the illumination device 106 according to the fourth embodiment is different from the illumination device 100 according to the first embodiment in the configuration of the light combining optical system and the arrangement positions of the first light source device and the third light source device. As in the case of the illumination device 100 according to the first embodiment, the first light source device 10 is configured such that the emission directions of the illumination light beams emitted from the first light source device 10 to the fourth light source device 40 are different from each other. The fourth light source device 40 is disposed, and the light combining optical system 56 that combines the illumination light beams from the first light source device 10 to the fourth light source device 40 and emits them toward the integrator optical system 700 is provided. Therefore, the space can be used effectively, and the ellipsoidal reflectors in the light source devices 10 to 40 do not interfere with each other. As a result, an increase in the size of the integrator optical system 700 can be suppressed, and an increase in the size of the illumination device 106 can be suppressed.

  The illumination device 106 according to the fourth embodiment has the same configuration as that of the illumination device 100 according to the first embodiment except for the configuration of the light combining optical system and the arrangement positions of the first light source device and the third light source device. The same effects as those of the lighting device 100 according to the first embodiment are obtained.

[Embodiment 5]
In describing the features and effects of the illumination device 108 and the projector 1008 according to the fifth embodiment, first, the configuration of the projector 1008 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the illumination device 108 and the projector 1008 according to the fifth embodiment. 10A is a plan view showing the optical system of the projector 1008, FIG. 10B is a side view showing the optical system of the projector 1008, and FIG. 10C shows the color wheel 810 with the system optical axis OC. It is the figure seen along. 10A and 10B, the same members as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the projector 1008 according to the fifth embodiment includes an illumination device 108, a relay optical system 820 that guides an illumination light beam from the illumination device 108 to an illuminated area, and , A micromirror light modulator 410 as an electro-optic modulator that modulates light from the relay optical system 820 according to image information, and a projection surface such as a screen SCR for the light modulated by the micromirror light modulator 410 The projector includes a projection optical system 610 that projects onto the projector.

  The illuminating device 108 according to Embodiment 5 combines the first light source device 10 to the fourth light source device 40 and the illumination light beams emitted from the first light source device 10 to the fourth light source device 40. A light combining optical system 50 that is emitted as an illumination light beam having an optical axis (system optical axis OC) parallel to the optical axis 10ax as a central axis, and the illumination light beam from the light combining optical system 50 is converted into light having a more uniform intensity distribution. It is an illuminating device provided with the integrator optical system 702 which has a function.

  Since the first light source device 10 to the fourth light source device 40 and the light combining optical system 50 are the same as those described in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  The integrator optical system 702 converts the illumination light beam from the light combining optical system 50 into focused light and emits it, and the integrator that converts the illumination light beam from the light collection lens 752 into light having a more uniform intensity distribution. Rod 760.

  The condensing lens 752 has a function of condensing the illumination light beam from the light combining optical system 50 in the vicinity of the light incident surface of the integrator rod 760. In addition, although the condensing lens 752 shown to Fig.10 (a) and FIG.10 (b) is comprised by one lens, you may be comprised by the compound lens which combined several lenses.

  The integrator rod 760 is an optical member having a function of converting light from the condensing lens 752 into light having a more uniform intensity distribution by multiple reflection of light from the condensing lens 752 on the inner surface. As the integrator rod 760, for example, a solid glass rod can be suitably used.

  The shape of the light exit surface of the integrator rod 760 is set to be substantially similar to the shape of the image forming region of the micromirror light modulator 410. However, since the system optical axis OC is inclined with respect to the central axis of the micromirror light modulator 410, the light irradiated to the micromirror light modulator 410 is distorted in accordance with this inclination. It will have a contour shape. Therefore, the shape of the light exit surface of the integrator rod 760 in such a case is more preferably a shape that corrects the distortion of the contour of the light applied to the micromirror light modulator 410.

  A color wheel 810 is disposed on the light emission side of the integrator rod 760. As shown in FIG. 10C, the color wheel 810 is a disk-shaped member in which three transmissive color filters 812R, 812G, and 812B are formed in four fan-shaped regions partitioned along the rotation direction. is there. A motor 814 for rotating the color wheel 810 is disposed at the center of the color wheel 810.

  The color filter 812R transmits only the red light component by transmitting light in the red wavelength region of the illumination light flux from the integrator rod 760 and reflecting or absorbing light in other wavelength regions. Similarly, the color filters 812G and 812B transmit green light in the wavelength region of green or blue, and reflect or absorb light in other wavelength regions, among the illumination light fluxes from the integrator rod 810, respectively. Only the component or the blue light component is transmitted. As the color filters 812R, 812G, and 812B, for example, a dielectric multilayer film, a filter plate formed using a paint, or the like can be suitably used. In the four fan-shaped regions, the portions other than the color filters 812R, 812G, and 812B serve as a light-transmitting region 812W so that light from the integrator rod 760 can pass through as it is. The light-transmitting area 812W can increase the brightness in the projected image and ensure the brightness of the projected image.

  Note that the color wheel 810 can be omitted, and the projected image in this case is a monochrome image.

  The illumination light beam emitted from the integrator rod 760 passes through the color wheel 810 and becomes an illumination light beam including three color light components of red light, green light, and blue light as described above. The image is magnified by the optical system 820 and irradiated onto the image forming area of the micromirror light modulator 410.

  The relay optical system 820 includes a relay lens 822, a reflection mirror 824, and a condenser lens 826, and the illumination light beam from the illumination device 108 (color wheel 810) is input to the image forming area of the micromirror light modulation device 410. Has a guiding function.

  The relay lens 822 has a function of forming an image in the vicinity of the image forming area of the micromirror light modulator 410 without diverging the illumination light beam from the illumination device 108 together with the condenser lens 826. Note that the relay lens 822 illustrated in FIGS. 10A and 10B is configured by a single lens, but may be configured by a composite lens in which a plurality of lenses are combined.

  The reflection mirror 824 is arranged to be inclined with respect to the system optical axis OC, bends the illumination light beam from the relay lens 822, and guides it to the micromirror type light modulation device 410. Thereby, a projector can be made compact.

  The condenser lens 826 substantially superimposes the illumination light flux from the relay lens 822 and the reflection mirror 824 on the image forming area of the micromirror light modulator 410 and projects the light modulated by the micromirror light modulator 410. The image is enlarged and projected together with the optical system 610.

  The micromirror light modulator 410 has a function of emitting image light representing an image to the projection optical system 610 by reflecting light from the relay optical system 820 with a micromirror corresponding to each pixel according to image information. Is a reflection direction control type light modulation device. As the micromirror type light modulation device 410, for example, DMD (digital micromirror device) (trademark of TI) can be used.

  The image light emitted from the micromirror light modulator 410 is enlarged and projected by the projection optical system 610 to form a large screen image on the screen SCR.

  The micromirror light modulator 410 and the projection optical system 610 are arranged so that their central axes coincide with each other. When the projector 1008 according to the fifth embodiment is a projector having a tilting projection configuration, the projection optical axis 610ax of the projection optical system 610 is shifted in the tilting direction with respect to the central axis of the micromirror light modulator 410. It is preferable to configure as described above.

  Also in the illumination device 108 and the projector 1008 according to the fifth embodiment configured as described above, as in the case of the illumination device 100 and the projector 1000 according to the first embodiment, the first light source device 10 to the fourth light source device. 40 and the illumination light beams emitted from the first light source device 10 to the fourth light source device 40 are combined into an illumination light beam having an optical axis (system optical axis OC) parallel to the first optical axis 10ax as a central axis. A light combining optical system 50 is provided. The first light source device 10 to the fourth light source device 40 are arranged as described in the first embodiment.

  For this reason, according to the illuminating device 108 which concerns on Embodiment 5, the 1st light source device so that the emission direction of the illumination light beam inject | emitted from the 1st light source device 10-the 4th light source device 40 may become a mutually different direction. 10 to 4, and a light combining optical system 50 that combines the illumination light beams from the first light source device 10 to the fourth light source device 40 and emits them toward the integrator optical system 702. Therefore, the space can be used effectively, and the ellipsoidal reflectors 14 to 44 in the light source devices 10 to 40 do not interfere with each other. As a result, an increase in the size of the integrator optical system 702 can be suppressed, and an increase in the size of the illumination device 108 can be suppressed.

  In the illumination device 108 according to the fifth embodiment, the integrator optical system 702 converts the illumination light beam from the light combining optical system 50 into focused light and emits it, and the illumination light beam from the light collection lens 752. Therefore, the in-plane light intensity distribution of the illumination light beam can be made more uniform.

  The illumination device 108 according to the fifth embodiment has the same configuration as that of the illumination device 100 according to the first embodiment except for the configuration of the integrator optical system, and thus the same effect as that of the illumination device 100 according to the first embodiment. Have

  Since the projector 1008 according to the fifth embodiment includes the illumination device 108 described above, the projector 1008 is a high-intensity and small-sized projector.

[Embodiment 6]
FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the illumination device 110 and the projector 1010 according to the sixth embodiment. 11A is a plan view showing the optical system of the projector 1010, FIG. 11B is a side view showing the optical system of the projector 1010, and FIG. 11C shows the light incident surface of the integrator rod 760B. It is the figure seen along the system optical axis OC. 11A and 11B, the same members as those in FIGS. 1 and 10 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The illumination device 110 according to the sixth embodiment basically has a configuration similar to that of the illumination device 100 according to the first embodiment, but the configuration of the integrator optical system is different from that of the illumination device 100 according to the first embodiment. Is different.

  That is, in the illumination device 110 according to the sixth embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the integrator optical system 702B converts the illumination light beam from the light combining optical system 50 into focused light. The condensing lens 752 to be emitted, the integrator rod 760B for converting the illumination light flux from the condensing lens 752 into light having a more uniform intensity distribution, and the light incident surface of the integrator rod 760B. And a reflection layer 772 having an opening for forming the light, a λ / 4 plate 774 disposed on the light exit surface of the integrator rod 760B, and a reflective polarizing plate 776 disposed on the light exit side of the λ / 4 plate 774. is doing.

  The integrator rod 760B is an optical member having a function of converting the light from the condensing lens 752 into light having a more uniform intensity distribution by multiple reflection of the light from the condensing lens 752 on the inner surface. For example, a solid glass rod can be suitably used as the integrator rod 760B.

  The shape of the light exit surface of the integrator rod 760B is set so as to be substantially similar to the shape of the image forming area of the liquid crystal devices 400R, 400G, 400B.

  Note that a relay lens 830 that guides an illumination light beam from the illumination device 110 is disposed in the latter stage of the optical path of the illumination device 110. The relay lens 830 has a function of forming an image in the vicinity of the image forming regions of the liquid crystal devices 400R, 400G, and 400B together with the condenser lenses 300R, 300G, and 300B without diverging the illumination light beam from the illumination device 110. Note that the relay lens 830 illustrated in FIGS. 11A and 11B is configured by a single lens, but may be configured by a composite lens in which a plurality of lenses are combined.

  As described above, the illumination device 110 according to the sixth embodiment differs from the illumination device 100 according to the first embodiment in the configuration of the integrator optical system, but as in the case of the illumination device 100 according to the first embodiment, The first light source device 10 to the fourth light source device 40 are arranged so that the emission directions of the illumination light beams emitted from the first light source device 10 to the fourth light source device 40 are different from each other. Since the light combining optical system 50 that combines the illumination light beams from the one light source device 10 to the fourth light source device 40 and emits them toward the integrator optical system 702B is provided, the space can be used effectively. The ellipsoidal reflectors in the light source devices 10 to 40 do not interfere with each other. As a result, an increase in the size of the integrator optical system 702B can be suppressed, and an increase in the size of the illumination device 110 can be suppressed.

  Moreover, in the illuminating device 110 which concerns on Embodiment 6, as shown in FIG. 11, the integrator optical system 702B is arrange | positioned at the light-incidence surface of the integrator rod 760B, and has the opening part for light incidence in the center part. It further includes a layer 772, a λ / 4 plate 774 disposed on the light exit surface of the integrator rod 760B, and a reflective polarizing plate 776 disposed on the light exit side of the λ / 4 plate 774.

  As a result, when the illumination light beam related to one polarization component (for example, the S polarization component) of the illumination light beam incident on the integrator rod 760B passes through the reflective polarizing plate 776, the other polarization component (for example, the P polarization component). Is reflected by the reflective polarizing plate 776. The reflected light is reflected by the reflective layer 772 disposed on the light incident surface of the integrator rod 760B, and reaches the reflective polarizing plate 776 again. At this time, since this light has already passed through the λ / 4 plate 774 twice, the polarization direction is rotated by 90 degrees, and passes through the reflective polarizing plate 776 as an illumination light beam related to one polarization component. That is, it is possible to align the polarization direction of the light emitted from the integrator rod 760B with substantially one type of polarization direction. Therefore, it is particularly suitable for a projector using an electro-optic modulation device that controls the polarization direction, such as a liquid crystal device.

  The illumination device 110 according to the sixth embodiment has the same configuration as that of the illumination device 100 according to the first embodiment except for the configuration of the integrator optical system, and thus the same effect as that of the illumination device 100 according to the first embodiment. Have

  Since the projector 1010 according to the sixth embodiment includes the illumination device 110 described above, the projector 1010 is a high-intensity and small-sized projector.

[Embodiment 7]
FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the illumination device 112 and the projector 1012 according to the seventh embodiment. 12A is a plan view showing the optical system of the projector 1012, FIG. 12B is a side view showing the optical system of the projector 1012, and FIG. 12C is a polarization conversion element 780 and an integrator rod 760C. FIG. 12A and 12B, the same members as those in FIGS. 1 and 11 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The illumination device 112 according to the seventh embodiment basically has a configuration similar to that of the illumination device 110 according to the sixth embodiment, but the configuration of the integrator optical system is different from that of the illumination device 110 according to the sixth embodiment. Is different.

  As shown in FIG. 12, in the illumination device 112 according to the seventh embodiment, the integrator optical system 702C converts the illumination light beam from the light combining optical system 50 into focused light and emits it, and a condenser lens 752. A polarization conversion element 780 that converts the illumination light beam from the light into a light beam having approximately one type of linearly polarized light component, and an integrator rod 760C that converts the illumination light beam from the polarization conversion element 780 into light having a more uniform intensity distribution. is doing.

The polarization conversion element 780 transmits one linearly polarized component (for example, P-polarized component) out of the polarized components included in the illumination light beam from the light combining optical system 50 as it is, and transmits the other linearly polarized component (for example, S-polarized component) as a system. A polarization separation surface 782 that reflects in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis OC (x-axis direction) and the other linearly polarized light component reflected by the polarization separation surface 782 reflects in a direction parallel to the system optical axis OC (z-axis direction). And a λ / 2 plate 786 as a phase difference plate that converts one linearly polarized light component transmitted through the polarization separating surface 782 into the other linearly polarized light component.
The polarization conversion element 780 transmits the illumination light beam related to the P-polarized component and transmits the illumination light beam related to the S-polarized component through the polarization separation surface 782 that reflects the illumination light beam related to the S-polarized component, and the illumination related to the P-polarized light component. It is also possible to change to another polarization separation surface that reflects the light beam.

  The integrator rod 760C is an optical member having a function of converting light from the polarization conversion element 780 into light having a more uniform intensity distribution by multiple reflection of light from the polarization conversion element 780 on the inner surface. As the integrator rod 760C, for example, a solid glass rod can be preferably used.

  The shape of the light exit surface of the integrator rod 760C is set so as to be substantially similar to the shape of the image forming area of the liquid crystal devices 400R, 400G, and 400B.

  As described above, the illumination device 112 according to the seventh embodiment is different from the illumination device 110 according to the sixth embodiment in the configuration of the integrator optical system, but in the case of the illumination devices 100 and 110 according to the first and sixth embodiments. Similarly, the first light source device 10 to the fourth light source device 40 are arranged so that the emission directions of the illumination light beams emitted from the first light source device 10 to the fourth light source device 40 are different from each other. In addition, since the light combining optical system 50 that combines the illumination light beams from the first light source device 10 to the fourth light source device 40 and emits them toward the integrator optical system 702C is provided, the space can be used effectively. The ellipsoidal reflectors in the light source devices 10 to 40 do not interfere with each other. As a result, an increase in the size of the integrator optical system 702C can be suppressed, and an increase in the size of the illumination device 112 can be suppressed.

  In the illumination device 112 according to the seventh embodiment, the integrator optical system 702C is disposed on the light incident side of the integrator rod 760C, and converts the illumination light beam from the condenser lens 752 into a light beam having approximately one type of linearly polarized light component. It further has a polarization conversion element 780 for conversion. This makes it possible to align the polarization direction of the light incident on the integrator rod 760C with substantially one type of polarization direction, which is particularly suitable for a projector using an electro-optic modulation device that controls the polarization direction, such as a liquid crystal device. It will be something.

  In the illumination device 112 according to the seventh embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, the integrator rod 760C and the polarization conversion element 780 are bonded by an adhesive having the same refractive index as that of the integrator rod 760C and the polarization conversion element 780. Therefore, undesirable multiple reflection between the polarization conversion element 780 and the integrator rod 760C is suppressed, and the light use efficiency does not decrease and the stray light level does not increase. Further, the polarization conversion element 780 and the integrator rod 760C can be easily integrated. In addition, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of positional deviation after assembly of the device between the polarization conversion element 780 and the integrator rod 760C.

  The illumination device 112 according to the seventh embodiment has the same configuration as the illumination devices 100 and 110 according to the first and sixth embodiments except for the configuration of the integrator optical system, and thus the illumination device 100 according to the first and sixth embodiments. , 110 has the same effect.

  Since the projector 1012 according to the seventh embodiment includes the illumination device 112 described above, the projector 1012 is a high-intensity and small-sized projector.

  As mentioned above, although the illuminating device and projector of this invention were demonstrated based on said each embodiment, this invention is not limited to said each embodiment, In the range which does not deviate from the summary, it implements in various aspects. For example, the following modifications are possible.

(1) In the illuminating devices 100 to 112 of the above embodiments, as the first light source device to the fourth light source device, an ellipsoidal reflector and an arc tube having a light emission center near the first focal point of the ellipsoidal reflector, Although the light source device having the concave lens that emits the focused light reflected by the ellipsoidal reflector toward the predetermined position in the light combining optical system is used, the present invention is not limited to this. A light source device having a parabolic reflector and an arc tube having a light emission center near the focal point of the parabolic reflector can also be preferably used.

(2) In the illuminating devices 100 to 112 of the above embodiments, the illuminating device in which the auxiliary mirror as the reflecting means is disposed on the arc tube is described as an example, but the present invention is limited to this. It is also possible to apply the present invention to an illuminating device not provided with an auxiliary mirror.

(3) In the illuminating devices 108 to 112 according to Embodiments 5 to 7 described above, a solid glass rod with a total internal reflection type is used as the integrator rod, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, you may use hollow rods, such as a cylindrical light tunnel which bonded together the reflective surface in four reflection mirrors toward the inner side.

(4) In the illuminating devices 100 to 112 of each of the embodiments described above, the case where each concave lens and the light combining optical system are spaced apart from each other has been illustrated, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Alternatively, each concave lens and the photosynthetic optical system may be bonded.

(5) In the illumination device 106 according to the fourth embodiment, the polarization beam combiner 140 in which two triangular prisms are bonded is used as the polarization beam combiner used for the lower structure 120. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a plate-type polarization beam combiner can also be preferably used. Further, as the polarization separation optical element used for the lower structure 120, the polarization separation optical elements 122 and 132 made of prisms are used, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a plate-type polarization separation optical element is used. Can also be preferably used. As the plate-type polarization beam combiner and the polarization separation optical element, a configuration in which a polarization separation film, a reflection film, or the like is provided on a translucent substrate can be appropriately employed.

(6) In the illumination device 106 according to the fourth embodiment, the λ / 2 plates 128 and 138 are attached to predetermined positions on the light exit surfaces of the polarization separation optical elements 122 and 132. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the polarizing beam combiner 140 may be attached to predetermined positions on the first light incident surface 144 and the second light incident surface 146.

(7) In the illuminating device 106 according to the fourth embodiment, the case where the polarization separation optical elements 122 and 132 and the polarization beam combiner 140 are arranged apart from each other has been described as an example. The polarization separating optical elements 122 and 132 and the polarization beam combiner 140 may be bonded to each other through an adhesive layer.

(8) In each of the above embodiments, the case where the fourth light source device 40 is disposed on the upper side with respect to the light combining optical system has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, The fourth light source device 40 may be disposed below the photosynthetic optical system.

(9) In each of the above embodiments, the combination of the upper structure and the lower structure in the light combining optical system may be changed as appropriate. For example, in the light combining optical system 50 according to the first embodiment, the reflection mirror 84 described in the second embodiment may be used instead of the upper structure 60.

(10) In projectors 1000, 1010, and 1012 according to the first, sixth, and seventh embodiments, as the liquid crystal device, the liquid crystal device has an image forming area having a planar shape of “short side: long side = 3: 4 rectangle”. Although 400R, 400G, and 400B are used, the present invention is not limited to this, and the liquid crystal device for wide vision in which the image forming region has a planar shape of “short side: long side = 9: 16 rectangle”. Can also be used. In this case, it is preferable to use a first lens array having a configuration in which a plurality of first small lenses are arranged in a matrix of 7 rows and 4 columns in a plane perpendicular to the z-axis.

(11) The projectors 1000, 1010, and 1012 according to the first, sixth, and seventh embodiments are transmissive projectors, but the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can also be applied to a reflection type projector. Here, “transmission type” means that an electro-optic modulation device as a light modulation means, such as a transmission type liquid crystal device, transmits light, and “reflection type” This means that an electro-optic modulation device as a light modulation means is a type that reflects light, such as a reflective liquid crystal device. Even when the present invention is applied to a reflective projector, the same effect as that of a transmissive projector can be obtained.

(12) In the projectors 1000, 1010, and 1012 according to the first, sixth, and seventh embodiments, the projector using the three liquid crystal devices 400R, 400G, and 400B is described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention is not limited to this, and can also be applied to a projector using one, two, or four or more liquid crystal devices.

(13) In the projector 1008 according to the fifth embodiment, the projector using one micromirror light modulation device 410 has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of micromirrors is used. The present invention can also be applied to a projector using a mirror type light modulation device.

(14) In the projector 1008 according to the fifth embodiment, the color wheel 810 is arranged on the light emission side of the integrator rod 760. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the light incident side of the integrator rod. A color wheel may be arranged.

(15) The present invention is applied to a rear projection type projector that projects from the side opposite to the side that observes the projected image, even when applied to a front projection type projector that projects from the side that observes the projected image. Is also possible.

FIG. 3 is a view for explaining the illumination device 100 and the projector 1000 according to the first embodiment. The figure shown in order to demonstrate the photosynthetic optical system 50. FIG. The figure shown in order to demonstrate the arrangement position of the 1st light source device 10-the 4th light source device 40. FIG. The figure shown in order to demonstrate the integrator optical system 700. FIG. The front view of the 1st lens array 710,712,714,716. The figure which shows the light ray in the integrator optical system. The figure shown in order to demonstrate the illuminating device 102 which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. The figure shown in order to demonstrate the illuminating device 104 which concerns on Embodiment 3. FIG. The figure shown in order to demonstrate the illuminating device 106 which concerns on Embodiment 4. FIG. FIG. 10 is a view for explaining an illumination device and a projector 1008 according to a fifth embodiment. The figure shown in order to demonstrate the illuminating device 110 and projector 1010 which concern on Embodiment 6. FIG. FIG. 10 is a view for explaining an illumination device 112 and a projector 1012 according to a seventh embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

10, 20, 30, 40 ... light source device, 10ax, 20ax, 30ax, 40ax ... optical axis of light source device, 12, 22, 32, 42 ... arc tube, 14, 24, 34, 44 ... ellipsoidal reflector, 16, 26, 36, 46 ... auxiliary mirror, 18, 28, 38, 48 ... concave lens, 50, 52, 54, 56 ... photosynthetic optical system, 60, 60B ... upper structure, 62 ... optical block, 64, 66B, 68B, 72, 74 ... reflective prism, 65, 67B, 69B, 73, 75, 92, 126, 136, 732, 737, 742, 747, 784 ... reflective surface, 70, 90, 120 ... lower structure, 80, 82 , 84, 230, 240, 250, 824 ... reflective mirrors, 91, 124, 134, 731, 736, 741, 746, 782 ... polarization separation surfaces, 93, 95, 128, 138,. 33, 738, 743, 748, 786 ... λ / 2 plate, 94 ... polarization separation / synthesis surface, 96, 142 ... polarization synthesis surface, 97a, 97b, 97c ... polarization prism, 100, 108, 110, 112 ... illumination device, 122, 132: Polarization separation optical element, 140: Polarization beam combiner, 144, 146 ... Light incident surface (of the polarization beam combiner), 200 ... Color separation light guide optical system, 210, 220 ... Dichroic mirror, 260 ... Incident side lens 270, 822, 830 ... relay lens, 300R, 300G, 300B, 752, 826 ... condensing lens, 400R, 400G, 400B ... liquid crystal device, 410 ... micromirror type light modulation device, 500 ... cross dichroic prism, 600, 610: projection optical system, 610ax: projection optical axis, 700, 702, 702B, 7 02C, ... integrator optical system, 710, 712, 714, 716 ... first lens array, 711, 713, 715, 717 ... first small lens, 720, 722, 724, 726 ... second lens array, 721, 723 725, 727 ... 2nd small lens, 730, 735, 740, 745, 780 ... polarization conversion element, 750 ... superposition lens, 760, 760B, 760C ... integrator rod, 772 ... reflection layer, 774 ... λ / 4 plate, 776 ... reflective polarizing plate, 810 ... color wheel, 812R, 812G, 812B ... color filter, 812W ... translucent area, 814 ... motor, 820 ... relay optical system, 1000, 1008, 1010, 1012 ... projector, C ... adhesive layer , L: Outline of illumination light beam, OC: System optical axis, SCR: Screen, V ₁ , V ₂ , V ₃ , V ₄ ... virtual plane

Claims (9)

A first light source device that emits an illumination light beam centered on the first optical axis;
A second light source device that emits an illumination light beam having a second optical axis as a central axis;
A third light source device that emits an illumination light beam having a third optical axis as a central axis;
A fourth light source device for emitting an illumination light beam having a fourth optical axis as a central axis;
A light combining optical system for combining the illumination light beams from the first light source device to the fourth light source device and emitting them as an illumination light beam having an optical axis substantially parallel to the first optical axis as a central axis;
An integrator optical system having a function of converting the illumination light beam from the light combining optical system into light having a more uniform intensity distribution;
A virtual plane orthogonal to the first optical axis is a first virtual plane, a virtual plane orthogonal to the second optical axis is a second virtual plane, and a virtual plane orthogonal to the third optical axis is When the third virtual plane and the virtual plane orthogonal to the fourth optical axis is the fourth virtual plane,
In each of the first light source device to the fourth light source device, the second virtual plane, the third virtual plane, and the fourth virtual plane are orthogonal to the first virtual plane. And the 2nd virtual plane and the 3rd virtual plane are arranged so that it may become parallel. The lighting device according to claim 1.
The photosynthetic optical system is
It has three reflective prisms or three reflective mirrors that reflect illumination light beams from the second light source device, the third light source device, and the fourth light source device toward the integrator optical system. Lighting device. The lighting device according to claim 1 or 2,
Each of the first light source device to the fourth light source device includes an ellipsoidal reflector, an arc tube having a light emission center near the first focal point of the ellipsoidal reflector, and the focused light from the ellipsoidal reflector. And a concave lens that emits the light toward the photosynthetic optical system. The lighting device according to claim 3.
The illuminating device according to claim 1, wherein the arc tube is provided with reflecting means for reflecting light emitted from the arc tube toward the illuminated area toward the arc tube. In the illuminating device in any one of Claims 1-4,
The integrator optical system is
A condensing lens that converts the illumination light beam from the light combining optical system into a focused light beam and emits it;
An illuminating device comprising: an integrator rod for converting an illumination light beam from the condenser lens into light having a more uniform intensity distribution. The lighting device according to claim 5.
The integrator optical system is
A reflective layer disposed on the light incident surface of the integrator rod and having an opening for light incidence in the center;
A λ / 4 plate disposed on the light exit surface of the integrator rod;
The illumination apparatus further comprising a reflective polarizing plate disposed on the light exit side of the λ / 4 plate. The lighting device according to claim 5.
The integrator optical system is
An illumination apparatus, further comprising a polarization conversion element that is disposed on the light incident side of the integrator rod and converts an illumination light beam from the condenser lens into a light beam having substantially one type of linearly polarized light component. In the illuminating device in any one of Claims 1-4,
The integrator optical system is
Four first lens arrays each having a plurality of first small lenses that divide an illumination light beam from the light combining optical system into a plurality of partial light beams;
Four second lens arrays each having a plurality of second small lenses corresponding to the first small lenses of the four first lens arrays;
Four polarization conversion elements for converting each partial light beam from the four second lens arrays into a light beam having substantially one type of linearly polarized light component;
An illuminating device comprising: a superimposing lens that superimposes each light from the four polarization conversion elements in an illuminated area. The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
An electro-optic modulator that modulates light from the illumination device according to image information;
A projector comprising: a projection optical system that projects light modulated by the electro-optic modulation device.