JP2009031545A - Projector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a projector improved in light resistance and reliability. <P>SOLUTION: The projector is equipped with: a light source (1112) which emits red light, green light, and blue light; a liquid crystal panel for red (100R) having a first liquid crystal layer and modulating red light; a liquid crystal panel for green (100G) having a second liquid crystal layer and modulating green light; a liquid crystal panel for blue (100B) having a third liquid crystal layer and modulating blue light; and a photosynthesis optical system (1119) to synthesize modulated light rays emitted from the respective liquid crystal panels for red, green, and blue. The liquid crystal panel for red and the liquid crystal panel for green have same structure, and the liquid crystal panel for blue has a structure different from the liquid crystal panel for red and the liquid crystal panel for green. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technical field of a projector such as a three-plate color liquid crystal projector using three liquid crystal light valves that modulate, for example, red light, green light, and blue light.

  A three-plate color liquid crystal projector, which is an example of this type of projector, includes, for example, three liquid crystal light valves that modulate each of red light, green light, and blue light. By combining with an optical system, a color image is projected onto a projection surface such as a screen. Each liquid crystal light valve is configured as a liquid crystal panel having a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between a pair of substrates, and modulates incident light by driving the liquid crystal layer.

  With regard to such a liquid crystal panel, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for improving light resistance by forming an alignment film that regulates the alignment state of a liquid crystal layer from an inorganic material under predetermined conditions. For example, Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for increasing contrast by forming an alignment film with a predetermined film thickness on an oblique deposition film formed under a predetermined condition. For example, Patent Document 3 discloses a technique for appropriately evaluating the durability of a liquid crystal panel in a short time.

Japanese Patent No. 3838512 Japanese Patent No. 3840922 JP 2004-341423 A

  In this type of projector, the three liquid crystal light valves that modulate light of each color usually have the same panel structure using the same type of liquid crystal for the versatility of the components. However, when each of light having different wavelengths of red light, green light and blue light is incident on a liquid crystal light valve having the same panel structure using the same type of liquid crystal, it is caused by the difference in wavelength of these lights. In a liquid crystal light valve that modulates blue light, components such as alignment films and liquid crystal layers that constitute the liquid crystal light valve are more likely to be deteriorated by light than liquid crystal light valves that modulate red light and green light. There is a technical problem.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, for example, and an object of the present invention is to provide a projector having excellent light resistance and high reliability.

  In order to solve the above problems, a first projector according to the present invention has a light source unit that emits red light, green light, and blue light, and a first liquid crystal layer, and modulates the red light. A green liquid crystal panel that modulates the green light, a blue liquid crystal panel that modulates the blue light, a red liquid crystal panel, and the green liquid crystal panel. A light combining optical system for combining modulated light emitted from each of the liquid crystal panel for blue and the liquid crystal panel for blue, and the liquid crystal panel for red and the liquid crystal panel for green have the same structure, The blue liquid crystal panel has a different structure from the red liquid crystal panel and the green liquid crystal panel.

  According to the first projector of the present invention, it is possible to construct a three-plate type color projector using three liquid crystal panels including a red liquid crystal panel, a green liquid crystal panel, and a blue panel as liquid crystal light valves. The light source unit typically includes a white light source such as an ultra-high pressure mercury lamp and a halogen lamp, and color separation means for separating white light emitted from the white light source into red light, green light, and blue light. It is configured to emit red light, green light and blue light. Note that the light source unit may include three light sources that emit red light, green light, and blue light as monochromatic light. Each of the red liquid crystal panel, the green liquid crystal panel, and the blue liquid crystal panel used as the liquid crystal light valve modulates each color light of red light, green light, and blue light emitted from the light source unit. The photosynthetic optical system includes a dichroic prism and a projection lens. After the modulated light modulated by each liquid crystal panel is combined by the combining optical system, the image is displayed on the projection surface, for example, by being projected onto a projection surface such as a screen.

  In the present invention, in particular, the red liquid crystal panel and the green liquid crystal panel have the same structure, and the blue liquid crystal panel has a different structure from the red liquid crystal panel and the green liquid crystal panel. .

  That is, for example, the red liquid crystal panel and the green liquid crystal panel have the same panel size, and the blue liquid crystal panel has a larger panel size than the red liquid crystal panel and the green liquid crystal panel. Therefore, the blue light condensing density in the blue liquid crystal panel can be reduced more than the red light condensing density in the red liquid crystal panel and the green light condensing density in the green liquid crystal panel. Therefore, because the wavelength of blue light is shorter than the wavelengths of red light and green light, for example, the third liquid crystal layer of the blue liquid crystal panel on which blue light is incident is red on which red light is incident. It is possible to reduce or prevent the deterioration of the first liquid crystal layer of the liquid crystal panel and the second liquid crystal layer of the green liquid crystal panel on which green light is incident. In other words, the blue liquid crystal panel has a structure different from that of the red liquid crystal panel and the green liquid crystal panel, so that components such as alignment films and liquid crystals constituting the blue liquid crystal panel are hardly deteriorated by blue light. That is, light resistance is improved. As a result, the reliability or lifetime of the projector can be improved.

  Further, for example, since the liquid crystal panel for blue has a larger panel size than the liquid crystal panel for red and the liquid crystal panel for green, for example, all the panel sizes of the liquid crystal panel for red, the liquid crystal panel for green, and the liquid crystal panel for blue are used. By increasing the value, it is possible to suppress a reduction in projector productivity or an increase in cost as compared with the case where the light resistance of all liquid crystal panels is improved. In other words, the blue liquid crystal panel has a different structure from the red liquid crystal panel and the green liquid crystal panel, so that the structure of all liquid crystal panels is changed or added in order to improve the light resistance. Reduction in projector productivity or cost increase can be suppressed.

  It should be noted that “same as each other” according to the present invention is sufficient to increase the productivity of the liquid crystal panel for red and the liquid crystal panel for green (in other words, the productivity of the projector) to an allowable level in the product specifications. This means that it is only necessary to have members or shapes that are common to each other in a range, and it is meant to include the case where they are substantially the same in addition to literally the same. Therefore, the red liquid crystal panel and the green liquid crystal panel may have different members or shapes.

  As described above, according to the first projector of the present invention, for example, the blue liquid crystal panel has a larger panel size than the red liquid crystal panel and the green liquid crystal panel. Since the liquid crystal panel for red and the liquid crystal panel for green have different structures, the light resistance of the blue liquid crystal panel can be improved. As a result, the reliability or lifetime of the projector can be improved.

  In one aspect of the first projector according to the present invention, the red liquid crystal panel and the green liquid crystal panel have the same panel size, and the blue liquid crystal panel includes the red liquid crystal panel and the green liquid crystal panel. The panel size is larger than that of liquid crystal panels.

  According to this aspect, the blue light condensing density in the blue liquid crystal panel can be reduced more than the red light condensing density in the red liquid crystal panel and the green light condensing density in the green liquid crystal panel. Therefore, because the wavelength of blue light is shorter than the wavelengths of red light and green light, for example, the third liquid crystal layer of the blue liquid crystal panel on which blue light is incident is red on which red light is incident. It is possible to reduce or prevent the deterioration of the first liquid crystal layer of the liquid crystal panel and the second liquid crystal layer of the green liquid crystal panel on which green light is incident. That is, the light resistance of the blue liquid crystal panel can be improved. As a result, the reliability or lifetime of the projector can be improved.

  Furthermore, since the blue liquid crystal panel has a larger panel size than the red liquid crystal panel and the green liquid crystal panel, for example, all the panel sizes of the red liquid crystal panel, the green liquid crystal panel, and the blue liquid crystal panel are increased. By doing so, it is possible to suppress a reduction in productivity or an increase in cost of the projector as compared with the case where the light resistance of all the liquid crystal panels is improved.

  In another aspect of the first projector according to the present invention, the red liquid crystal panel has a first microlens array plate on which a plurality of first microlenses are formed, and the green liquid crystal panel has a plurality of The blue liquid crystal panel has a third microlens array plate on which a plurality of third microlenses are formed, and the first microlens has a second microlens array plate on which a second microlens is formed. The condensing degree of the second microlens is the same as that of the second microlens, and the condensing degree of the third microlens is lower than that of the first and second microlenses.

  According to this aspect, the red liquid crystal panel has the first microlens array plate on the side where the red light is incident on the first liquid crystal layer. That is, in the red liquid crystal panel, for example, a first liquid crystal layer is sandwiched between a pair of first substrates, and one of the pair of first substrates on which red light is incident is a predetermined pixel. A first microlens array plate having a plurality of first microlenses formed at a pitch is formed. Alternatively, a first microlens array plate on which a first microlens corresponding to each pixel is formed is attached to the one first substrate. As a result, the red light incident on the red liquid crystal panel is condensed on a pixel basis by the first microlens array plate. In substantially the same manner as the first microlens array plate in the red liquid crystal panel, the green light incident on the green liquid crystal panel is collected in units of pixels by the second microlens array plate and incident on the blue liquid crystal panel. Blue light is condensed for each pixel by the third microlens array plate.

  In this aspect, in particular, the concentration of the first microlens and the concentration of the second microlens are the same, and the concentration of the third microlens is lower than that of the first and second microlenses. That is, the condensing degree for the blue liquid crystal panel is lower than the condensing degree for the red liquid crystal panel and the condensing degree for the green liquid crystal panel. Therefore, because the wavelength of blue light is shorter than the wavelengths of red light and green light, for example, the third liquid crystal layer of the blue liquid crystal panel on which blue light is incident is red on which red light is incident. It is possible to reduce or prevent the deterioration of the first liquid crystal layer of the liquid crystal panel and the second liquid crystal layer of the green liquid crystal panel on which green light is incident. That is, the light resistance of the blue liquid crystal panel can be improved. As a result, the reliability or lifetime of the projector can be improved.

  In another aspect of the projector of the present invention, each of the red liquid crystal panel and the green liquid crystal panel has an organic alignment film made of an organic material, and the blue liquid crystal panel has an inorganic alignment film made of an inorganic material. Have

  According to this aspect, the liquid crystal panel for red has the first alignment film made of an organic material such as polyimide in order to regulate the alignment direction of the first liquid crystal layer. The liquid crystal panel for green has a second alignment film made of an organic material such as polyimide in order to regulate the alignment direction of the second liquid crystal layer. The blue liquid crystal panel has a third alignment film formed from an inorganic material such as silica (SiO 2), for example, by oblique vapor deposition or ion beam sputtering. That is, each of the first alignment film of the red liquid crystal panel and the second alignment film of the green liquid crystal panel is an organic alignment film, and the third alignment film of the blue liquid crystal panel is an inorganic alignment film. Therefore, the third alignment film is less likely to be deteriorated by light than the first and second alignment films, that is, has high light resistance. Therefore, the light resistance of the blue liquid crystal panel can be improved. As a result, the reliability or lifetime of the projector can be improved.

  In another aspect of the projector of the present invention, each of the first, second, and third liquid crystal layers includes a terphenyl derivative, and the concentration of the terphenyl derivative in the third liquid crystal layer is the first and second concentrations. Lower than the concentration of the terphenyl derivative in each of the liquid crystal layers.

  According to this aspect, the third liquid crystal layer of the blue liquid crystal panel is less likely to be deteriorated by light than the first liquid crystal layer of the red liquid crystal panel and the second liquid crystal layer of the green liquid crystal panel, that is, has high light resistance. Therefore, the light resistance of the blue liquid crystal panel can be improved. As a result, the reliability or lifetime of the projector can be improved.

  In another aspect of the projector of the present invention, the third liquid crystal layer is added with an ultraviolet absorber that absorbs at least part of light in the ultraviolet to blue region.

  According to this aspect, the third liquid crystal layer is added with an ultraviolet absorber that absorbs at least part of light in the ultraviolet to blue region (that is, light having a wavelength of 350 nm to 435 nm). Therefore, for example, even when the blue light incident on the blue liquid crystal panel includes light in the ultraviolet to blue region, the third liquid crystal layer is prevented from being deteriorated by light in the ultraviolet to blue region. Or it can be prevented.

  In addition, the ultraviolet absorber is not added to the 1st and 2nd liquid crystal layer.

  In another aspect of the projector of the present invention, the projector includes a first frame that accommodates the red liquid crystal panel, a second frame that accommodates the green liquid crystal panel, and a third frame that accommodates the blue liquid crystal panel. The first and second frames are made of resin, and at least a part of the third frame is made of metal.

  According to this aspect, the liquid crystal panel for red is attached to the projector by being fixed in the projector with, for example, the screw while being accommodated in the first frame. The liquid crystal panel for green and the liquid crystal panel for blue are also attached to the projector in a state of being accommodated in each frame in the same manner as the liquid crystal panel for red. That is, the first, second and third frames constitute a mounting case for mounting each liquid crystal panel on the projector.

  In this aspect, in particular, the first and second frames are made of resin, and at least a part of the third frame is made of metal. Therefore, the third frame has higher heat dissipation than the first and second frames. Therefore, heat generated in the blue liquid crystal panel when blue light is incident on the blue liquid crystal panel can be efficiently dissipated to the outside by the third frame. As a result, the failure of the blue liquid crystal panel caused by the heat generated from the blue liquid crystal panel is caused by the red liquid crystal panel and the green liquid crystal caused by the heat generated from each of the red liquid crystal panel and the green liquid crystal panel. It is possible to suppress or prevent the occurrence of more defects than the occurrence of panel defects. As a result, the reliability or lifetime of the projector can be improved.

  The first frame has an opening corresponding to the display area of the red liquid crystal panel, and the red liquid crystal panel is surrounded by the first frame from the peripheral edge side. That is, in the state in which the red liquid crystal panel is accommodated in the first frame, the peripheral area located around the display area in the red liquid crystal panel is covered with the first frame. The second frame has an opening corresponding to the display area of the green liquid crystal panel, and the green liquid crystal panel is surrounded by the second frame from the peripheral side. The third frame has an opening corresponding to the display area of the blue liquid crystal panel, and the blue liquid crystal panel is surrounded by the third frame from the peripheral side.

  In another aspect of the projector of the present invention, the red liquid crystal panel includes a pair of first substrates sandwiching the first liquid crystal layer, and the first liquid crystal on at least one first substrate of the pair of first substrates. And a first dustproof substrate made of glass, the green liquid crystal panel comprising a pair of second substrates sandwiching the second liquid crystal layer and the pair of second substrates. A second dust-proof substrate made of glass provided on a side of the at least one second substrate that does not face the second liquid crystal layer, and the blue liquid crystal panel sandwiching the third liquid crystal layer And a third dustproof substrate made of sapphire or quartz, provided on a side of at least one third substrate of the pair of third substrates that is not opposed to the third liquid crystal layer.

  According to this aspect, the first and second dustproof substrates are made of glass, and the third dustproof substrate is made of sapphire or quartz. Therefore, the third dustproof substrate has higher heat dissipation than the first and second dustproof substrates. Therefore, heat generated in the blue liquid crystal panel when blue light is incident on the blue liquid crystal panel can be efficiently dissipated to the outside by the third dustproof substrate. As a result, the failure of the blue liquid crystal panel caused by the heat generated from the blue liquid crystal panel is caused by the red liquid crystal panel and the green liquid crystal caused by the heat generated from each of the red liquid crystal panel and the green liquid crystal panel. It is possible to suppress or prevent the occurrence of more defects than the occurrence of panel defects. As a result, the reliability or lifetime of the projector can be improved.

  Since the red liquid crystal panel has the first dustproof substrate, the outer surface of at least one of the first substrates (that is, the surface of the at least one first substrate that does not face the first liquid crystal layer). ), And even if dust adheres to the first dust-proof substrate, the first dust-proof substrate has a predetermined thickness. A situation in which an image is projected can be avoided in advance. Since the green liquid crystal panel has the second dust-proof substrate, it is possible to prevent dust from adhering directly to the outer surface of at least one second substrate, and the dust is temporarily placed on the second dust-proof substrate. Even if it adheres, a situation in which an image of dust is projected on the image can be avoided in advance. Since the blue liquid crystal panel has the third dustproof substrate, it is possible to prevent the dust from adhering directly to the outer surface of at least one of the third substrates, and the dust is temporarily placed on the third dustproof substrate. Even if it adheres, a situation in which an image of dust is projected on the image can be avoided in advance.

  In order to solve the above problems, a second projector according to the present invention includes a white light source that emits white light, and color separation means that separates the white light into red light, green light, and blue light, A first light source unit that emits the red light and the green light, a second light source unit that emits blue laser light having a predetermined wavelength in a range of 450 nm to 470 nm, and a first liquid crystal layer, A liquid crystal panel for red that modulates red light, a liquid crystal panel for green that has a second liquid crystal layer and modulates the green light, and a liquid crystal panel for blue that modulates the blue laser light having a third liquid crystal layer And a light combining optical system that combines the modulated light emitted from each of the red liquid crystal panel, the green liquid crystal panel, and the blue liquid crystal panel.

  According to the second projector of the present invention, it is possible to construct a three-plate type color projector using three liquid crystal panels including a red liquid crystal panel, a green liquid crystal panel, and a blue panel as liquid crystal light valves. The first light source unit typically includes, for example, a white light source such as an ultra-high pressure mercury lamp and a halogen lamp, and a color separation unit that separates white light emitted from the white light source into red light, green light, and blue light. Consists of including. The first light source unit emits red light to the red liquid crystal panel and emits green light to the green liquid crystal panel. The first light source unit absorbs blue light by the light absorbing plate by emitting blue light to, for example, a light absorbing plate included in the first light source unit or provided outside the first light source unit. . That is, the first light source unit does not emit blue light to the blue liquid crystal panel. The second light source unit includes, for example, a semiconductor laser light source, and emits blue laser light having a predetermined wavelength (for example, wavelength of 460 nm) within a range of 450 nm to 470 nm to the blue liquid crystal panel. Each of the red liquid crystal panel and the green liquid crystal panel modulates each color light of the red light and the green light emitted from the first light source unit. The blue liquid crystal panel modulates blue laser light emitted from the second light source. The photosynthetic optical system includes a dichroic prism and a projection lens. After the modulated light modulated by each liquid crystal panel is combined by the combining optical system, the image is displayed on the projection surface, for example, by being projected onto a projection surface such as a screen.

  Particularly in the present invention, the blue liquid crystal panel modulates blue laser light having a predetermined wavelength within a range of 450 nm or more and 470 nm or less emitted from the second light source unit. Therefore, light having a wavelength of less than 450 nm is not incident on the blue liquid crystal panel. Therefore, for example, the blue liquid crystal panel is separated from the white light, and the blue liquid crystal panel, for example, that constitutes the blue liquid crystal panel is compared with the case where the blue light including the light component having a wavelength of less than 450 nm is modulated. In addition, it is possible to reduce or prevent deterioration of constituent materials such as liquid crystal by light incident on the blue liquid crystal panel. In other words, the light resistance of the blue liquid crystal panel can be improved. As a result, the reliability or lifetime of the projector can be improved.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
<First Embodiment>
The projector according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, the overall configuration of the projector according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Here, the description will focus on the optical system incorporated in the optical unit of the projector.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a projector according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 1, a projector 1100 according to the present embodiment is a front projection type projector that projects an image on a screen 1111 provided in front. The projector 1100 includes a light source 1112, dichroic mirrors 1113 and 1114, liquid crystal light valves 500 R, 500 G, and 500 B, a projection optical system 1118, a cross dichroic prism 1119, and a relay optical system 1120.

  The light source 1112 includes an ultrahigh pressure mercury lamp that supplies light including red light, green light, and blue light. The dichroic mirror 1113 transmits the red light LR from the light source 1112 and reflects the green light LG and the blue light LB. The dichroic mirror 1114 transmits the blue light LB among the green light LG and the blue light LB reflected by the dichroic mirror 1113 and reflects the green light LG. In this manner, the dichroic mirrors 1113 and 1114 constitute a color separation optical system that separates the light emitted from the light source 1112 into the red light LR, the green light LG, and the blue light LB.

  Each of the liquid crystal light valves 500R, 500G, and 500B is configured as a transmissive liquid crystal panel housed in a mounting case described later.

  The liquid crystal light valve 500R is a red liquid crystal light valve that modulates the red light LR. The liquid crystal light valve 500R modulates the red light LR transmitted through the dichroic mirror 1113 and reflected by the reflection mirror 1123 according to the image signal, and emits the modulated red light LR toward the cross dichroic prism 1119.

  The liquid crystal light valve 500G is a green liquid crystal light valve that modulates the green light LG. The liquid crystal light valve 500G modulates the green light LG reflected by the dichroic mirror 1113 and then reflected by the dichroic mirror 1114 according to the image signal, and emits the modulated green light LG toward the cross dichroic prism 1119.

  The liquid crystal light valve 500B is a blue liquid crystal light valve that modulates the blue light LB. The liquid crystal light valve 500B modulates the blue light LB reflected by the dichroic mirror 1113, transmitted through the dichroic mirror 1114 and then passed through the relay optical system 1120 in accordance with the image signal, and the modulated blue light LB is transmitted to the cross dichroic prism 1119. Exit toward. As will be described in detail later, the liquid crystal light valve 500B is configured as a liquid crystal panel having a larger panel size than the liquid crystal panels constituting each of the liquid crystal light valves 500R and 500G.

  The relay optical system 1120 includes relay lenses 1124a and 1124b and reflection mirrors 1125a and 1125b. The relay lenses 1124a and 1124b are provided to prevent light loss due to the long optical path of the blue light LB. The relay lens 1124a is disposed between the dichroic mirror 1114 and the reflection mirror 1125a. The relay lens 1124b is disposed between the reflection mirrors 1125a and 1125b. The reflection mirror 1125a is disposed so as to reflect the blue light LB transmitted through the dichroic mirror 1114 and emitted from the relay lens 1124a toward the relay lens 1124b. The reflection mirror 1125b is disposed so as to reflect the blue light LB emitted from the relay lens 1124b toward the liquid crystal light valve 500B.

  The cross dichroic prism 1119 is a color combining optical system in which two dichroic films 1119a and 1119b are orthogonally arranged in an X shape. The dichroic film 1119a reflects the blue light LB and transmits the green light LG. The dichroic film 1119b reflects the red light LR and transmits the green light LG. Therefore, the cross dichroic prism 1119 combines the red light LR, the green light LG, and the blue light LB modulated by the liquid crystal light valves 500R, 500G, and 500R, and emits the resultant light toward the projection optical system 1118. The projection optical system 1118 has a projection lens (not shown), and projects the light combined by the cross dichroic prism 1119 onto the screen 1111 as a color image.

  Next, the configuration of the liquid crystal light valve provided in the projector according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, the overall configuration of the liquid crystal panel constituting the liquid crystal light valve according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the overall configuration of the liquid crystal panel according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III ′ of FIG. In FIG. 3, the scale of each member is made different so that each member has a size that can be recognized on the drawing.

  Hereinafter, a specific configuration of the liquid crystal panel will be described by taking the liquid crystal panel 100R constituting the liquid crystal light valve 500R as an example. The liquid crystal light valves 500R and 500G differ only in the wavelength range of light to be modulated, and the basic configuration is the same. The liquid crystal light valve 500B has the same basic configuration as the liquid crystal light valves 500R and 500G, but has structural differences. Differences in configuration between the liquid crystal light valve 500B and the liquid crystal light valves 500R and 500G will be described in detail later.

  The liquid crystal light valve 500R includes a liquid crystal panel 100R as an example of the “red liquid crystal panel” according to the present invention, and the liquid crystal light valve 500G is a liquid crystal panel as an example of the “green liquid crystal panel” according to the present invention. The liquid crystal light valve 500B includes a liquid crystal panel 100B as an example of the “blue liquid crystal panel” according to the present invention.

  2 and 3, in the liquid crystal panel 100R according to the present embodiment, the element substrate 10 and the counter substrate 20 are disposed to face each other. A liquid crystal layer 50R is sealed between the element substrate 10 and the counter substrate 20, and the element substrate 10 and the counter substrate 20 are mutually connected by a sealing material 52 provided in a seal region located around the image display region 10a. It is glued to. The sealing material 52 is made of an ultraviolet curable resin for bonding the two substrates together, and is applied on the element substrate 10 in the manufacturing process and then cured by ultraviolet irradiation. In the sealing material 52, a gap material such as glass fiber or glass beads for spreading the distance between the element substrate 10 and the counter substrate 20 (inter-substrate gap) to a predetermined value is dispersed.

  Further, dustproof substrates 410R and 420R are provided on the side of the element substrate 10 and the counter substrate 20 that do not face the liquid crystal layer 50R, respectively. The dustproof substrates 410R and 420R are made of transparent glass substrates and are bonded to the element substrate 10 and the counter substrate 20, respectively. The dustproof substrates 410B and 420B provided in the liquid crystal light valve 500B are made of sapphire substrates. The dust-proof substrates 410R and 420R can prevent dust from directly adhering to the outer surfaces of the element substrate 10 and the counter substrate 20 (that is, the surfaces of the substrates that do not face the liquid crystal layer 50R), and the dust-proof substrates. Even if dust adheres to 410R and 420R, the dust-proof substrates 410R and 420R have a predetermined thickness, thereby avoiding a situation in which a dust image is projected on the image. it can.

  In FIG. 2, a light-shielding frame light-shielding film 53 that defines the frame area of the image display region 10 a is provided on the counter substrate 20 side in parallel with the inside of the seal region where the seal material 52 is disposed. A data line driving circuit 101 and an external circuit connection terminal 102 are provided along one side of the element substrate 10 in a region located outside the sealing region where the sealing material 52 is disposed in the peripheral region. The sampling circuit 7 is provided so as to be covered with the frame light shielding film 53 on the inner side of the seal region along the one side. The scanning line driving circuit 104 is provided so as to be covered with the frame light-shielding film 53 inside the seal region along two sides adjacent to the one side. On the element substrate 10, vertical conduction terminals 106 for connecting the two substrates with the vertical conduction material 107 are disposed in regions facing the four corner portions of the counter substrate 20. Thus, electrical conduction can be established between the element substrate 10 and the counter substrate 20.

  On the element substrate 10, lead wirings 90 are formed for electrically connecting the external circuit connection terminals 102 to the data line driving circuit 101, the scanning line driving circuit 104, the vertical conduction terminal 106, and the like.

  In FIG. 3, on the element substrate 10, a laminated structure in which wirings such as a pixel switching TFT as a driving element, a scanning line, and a data line are formed. In the image display area 10a, a plurality of pixel electrodes 9a are provided in a matrix on the upper layer of wiring such as TFT (Thin Film Transistor) for pixel switching, scanning lines, and data lines. An alignment film 16R is formed on the pixel electrode 9a.

  On the other hand, the counter substrate 20 is configured as a microlens plate (light collecting plate) having a plurality of microlenses arranged in a plane. The counter substrate 20 includes a substrate 92, a resin layer 93, and a cover glass 94.

  The substrate 92 and the cover glass 94 are transparent substrates made of glass or the like, and substrates made of quartz, borosilicate glass, soda lime glass (blue plate glass), crown glass (white plate glass), or the like can also be used. A plurality of concave portions (microlenses) 95R are formed on the liquid crystal layer 50R side (the lower surface side in the drawing) of the substrate 92. The microlens 95R collects light incident on the substrate 92 from the side opposite to the liquid crystal layer 50R and emits the light toward the liquid crystal layer 50R.

  The resin layer 93 is a layer made of a resin material filled on the microlens 95R of the substrate 92, and is formed using a resin material capable of transmitting light, such as an acrylic resin. The resin layer 93 is provided so as to cover one surface side of the substrate 92 and fill the concave interior of the microlens 95R. The upper surface of the resin layer 93 is a flat surface, and a cover glass 94 is attached to the flat surface.

  A light shielding film 23 is formed on the surface of the counter substrate 20 facing the element substrate 10. The light shielding film 23 is formed of, for example, a light shielding metal film or the like, and is patterned, for example, in a lattice shape in the image display region 10a on the counter substrate 20. That is, the light-shielding film 23 functions as a black matrix that defines an opening region from which light contributing to display in the image display region 10a is emitted. On the light shielding film 23, a counter electrode 21 made of a transparent material such as ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) is formed in a solid shape so as to face the plurality of pixel electrodes 9a. An alignment film 22R is formed on the counter electrode 21. The liquid crystal layer 50R is made of, for example, a liquid crystal in which one or several types of nematic liquid crystals are mixed, and takes a predetermined alignment state between the pair of alignment films.

  Although not shown here, on the element substrate 10, in addition to the data line driving circuit 101 and the scanning line driving circuit 104, an inspection for inspecting the quality, defects, etc. of the liquid crystal device during manufacturing or at the time of shipment. A circuit, an inspection pattern, or the like may be formed.

  The liquid crystal panel 100R configured as described above is housed in a mounting case and mounted as the liquid crystal light valve 500R on the projector described above with reference to FIG.

  Next, the overall configuration of the mounting case according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the mounting case together with the liquid crystal panel.

  In FIG. 4, the liquid crystal panel 100R configured as described above is housed in a mounting case 601R and mounted as the liquid crystal light valve 500R on the projector 1100 described above with reference to FIG. A flexible printed wiring board 501 is connected to the external circuit connection terminal 102 (see FIG. 3) of the liquid crystal panel 100R. Note that a polarizing plate, a retardation plate, or the like may be attached to the outer surface of the liquid crystal panel 100R. The polarizing plate, the retardation plate, and the like may be included in the optical system of the projector 1100.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the mounting case 601R includes a frame 610R that houses the liquid crystal panel 100R, and a cover member 620R that covers the frame 610R. The cover member 620R is combined with the frame 610R by hooking hooks 627 on both side edges to a claw portion 617 formed on the side surface of the frame 610R.

  The liquid crystal panel 100R is accommodated in a direction in which the counter substrate 20 side faces the frame 610R, and the outer surface on the element substrate 10 side is covered with a cover member 620R. That is, when the liquid crystal panel 100R is housed in the mounting case 601R and mounted on the projector 1100 and used as the liquid crystal light valve 500R, light enters from the frame 610R side, passes through the liquid crystal panel 100R, and covers the cover member. The light is emitted from the side of 620R. The liquid crystal panel 100R is fixed by being bonded to the frame 610R with an adhesive while being surrounded by the frame 610R from the peripheral edge side, and is accommodated in the frame 610R. Therefore, the liquid crystal panel 100R is surrounded by the frame 610R from the peripheral side. Note that the peripheral area located around the image display area 10a in the liquid crystal panel 100R in the state of being accommodated in the mounting case 601R is covered with the frame 610R. For this reason, the frame 610R has a light shielding function for preventing light leakage in the peripheral area or preventing stray light from entering the image display area 10a from the peripheral area.

  The cover member 620R includes a frame-shaped main body provided with a window 625 as an opening, and hooks 627 on both sides of the main body. The window 625 is opened to face the image display area 10a in order to extract light emitted from the image display area 10a (see FIG. 1) of the liquid crystal panel 100R.

  Next, differences in configuration between the blue liquid crystal light valve, the red light valve, and the green light valve will be described with reference to FIGS.

  1 and 2, particularly in the present embodiment, the liquid crystal panels 100R and 100G constituting the liquid crystal light valves 500R and 500G have the same panel size, and the liquid crystal panel 100B constituting the liquid crystal light valve 500B. Has a larger panel size than the liquid crystal panels 100R and 100G. Therefore, the condensing density of the blue light LB in the liquid crystal panel 100B can be reduced more than the condensing density of the red light LR in the liquid crystal panel 100R and the condensing density of the green light LG in the liquid crystal panel 100G. That is, the amount per unit area of light passing through the image display region 10a in the liquid crystal panel 100B may be less than the amount per unit area of light passing through the image display region 10a in each of the liquid crystal panels 100R and 100G. it can. Accordingly, the wavelength of the blue light LB is shorter than the wavelengths of the red light LR and the green light LG, for example, the liquid crystal layer 50B of the liquid crystal panel 100B on which the blue light LB is incident is incident on the red light LR. The deterioration of the liquid crystal layer 50R of the liquid crystal panel 100R and the liquid crystal layer 50G of the liquid crystal panel 100G on which the green light LG is incident can be reduced. That is, the light resistance of the liquid crystal panel 500B into which light having a relatively short wavelength is incident can be improved. As a result, the reliability or lifetime of the projector 1100 can be improved.

  Furthermore, since the liquid crystal panel 100B has a larger panel size than the liquid crystal panels 100R and 100B, for example, all the liquid crystal panels 100R, 100G, and 100B are made larger by increasing all the panel sizes of the liquid crystal panels 100R, 100G, and 100B. Compared with the case where the light resistance of the projector 1100 is improved, a reduction in productivity of the projector 1100 can be suppressed. Furthermore, an increase in manufacturing cost for manufacturing the projector 1100 can be suppressed.

  In FIG. 3, particularly in the present embodiment, the condensing degree of the microlens 95R included in the liquid crystal panel 100R and the condensing degree of the microlens 95G included in the liquid crystal panel 100G are the same, and the collection of the microlens 95B included in the liquid crystal panel 100B is the same. The luminous intensity is lower than that of the microlenses 95R and 95G. That is, the light condensing degree for each pixel of the liquid crystal panel 100B is lower than the light condensing degree for each pixel of the liquid crystal panel 100R and the light condensing degree for each pixel of the liquid crystal panel 100G. That is, the amount per unit area of light passing through each pixel of the liquid crystal panel 100B can be made smaller than the amount per unit area of light passing through each pixel of the liquid crystal panels 100R and 100G. Accordingly, the wavelength of the blue light LB is shorter than the wavelengths of the red light LR and the green light LG, for example, the liquid crystal layer 50B of the liquid crystal panel 100B on which the blue light LB is incident is incident on the red light LR. It is possible to reduce or prevent deterioration of the liquid crystal layer 50R of the liquid crystal panel 100R and the liquid crystal layer 50G of the liquid crystal panel 100G into which the green light LG is incident. That is, the light resistance of the liquid crystal panel 100B constituting the liquid crystal light valve 500B that modulates the blue light LB can be improved. As a result, the reliability or lifetime of the projector 1100 can be improved.

  Further, in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, the alignment films 16R and 22R included in the liquid crystal panel 100R and the alignment films 16G and 22G included in the liquid crystal panel 100G are both organic alignment films made of an organic material such as polyimide. The alignment films 16B and 22B included in the liquid crystal panel 100B are inorganic alignment films formed of an inorganic material such as silica by, for example, oblique vapor deposition or ion beam sputtering. Therefore, the alignment films 16B and 22B that are inorganic alignment films are less likely to be deteriorated by light than the alignment films 16R, 22R, 16G, and 22G that are organic alignment films. Therefore, the light resistance of the liquid crystal panel 100B constituting the liquid crystal light valve 500B that modulates the blue light LB can be improved. As a result, the reliability or lifetime of the projector 1100 can be improved.

  In addition, in FIG. 3, in the present embodiment, in particular, the liquid crystal layer 50R included in the liquid crystal panel 100R, the liquid crystal layer 50G included in the liquid crystal panel 100G, and the liquid crystal layer 50B included in the liquid crystal panel 100B are all terphenyl derivatives. The concentration of the terphenyl derivative in the liquid crystal layer 50B is lower than the concentration of the terphenyl derivative in each of the liquid crystal layers 50R and 50G. Therefore, the liquid crystal layer 50B is less likely to be deteriorated by light than the liquid crystal layers 50R and 50G. Therefore, the light resistance of the liquid crystal panel 100B constituting the liquid crystal light valve 500B that modulates the blue light LB can be improved. As a result, the reliability or lifetime of the projector 1100 can be improved.

  In addition, in FIG. 3, particularly in the present embodiment, the liquid crystal layer 50B of the liquid crystal panel 100B is added with an ultraviolet absorber that absorbs light in the ultraviolet to blue region (that is, light having a wavelength of 350 nm to 435 nm). Has been. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the deterioration of the liquid crystal layer 50B due to light in the ultraviolet to blue region included in the blue light LB. Note that an ultraviolet absorber is not added to either the liquid crystal layer 50R included in the liquid crystal panel 100R or the liquid crystal layer 50G included in the liquid crystal panel 100G.

  In FIG. 3, particularly in the present embodiment, the dustproof substrates 410R and 420R included in the liquid crystal panel 100R and the dustproof substrates 410G and 420G included in the liquid crystal panel 100G are both glass substrates, and the dustproof substrate included in the liquid crystal panel 100B. The substrates 410B and 420B are sapphire substrates. Therefore, the dustproof substrates 410B and 420B have higher heat dissipation than the dustproof substrates 410R, 420R, 410G, and 420G. Therefore, the heat generated in the liquid crystal panel 100B when the blue light LB enters the liquid crystal panel 100B can be efficiently dissipated to the outside by the dustproof substrates 410B and 420B. Accordingly, the occurrence of defects in the liquid crystal panel 100B due to heat generated from the liquid crystal panel 100B is greater than the occurrence of defects in the liquid crystal panels 100R and 100G due to heat generated from the liquid crystal panels 100R and 100G. Can be suppressed. As a result, the reliability or lifetime of the projector 1100 can be improved.

  The dustproof substrates 410B and 420B included in the liquid crystal panel 100B may be made of a quartz substrate. Also in this case, heat generated in the liquid crystal panel 100B when the blue light LB is incident on the liquid crystal panel 100B can be efficiently dissipated to the outside by the dustproof substrates 410B and 420B.

  Note that only one of the dustproof substrates 410B and 420B of the liquid crystal panel 100B may be made of a sapphire substrate or a quartz substrate, and the other may be made of, for example, a glass substrate. Also in this case, the heat generated in the liquid crystal panel 100B when the blue light LB is incident on the liquid crystal panel 100B is converted into one dustproof substrate made of a sapphire substrate or a quartz substrate among the dustproof substrates 410B and 420B. Thus, the effect of efficiently radiating to the outside can be obtained accordingly.

  Further, in FIGS. 1 and 4, in the present embodiment, in particular, the frame 610R for accommodating the liquid crystal panel 100R and the frame 610G for accommodating the liquid crystal panel 100G are both formed of, for example, a PPS (polyphenylene sulfide) resin. Further, the frame 610B for accommodating the liquid crystal panel 100B is made of a metal such as aluminum die casting. That is, the frames 610R and 610G are made of resin, whereas the frame 610B is made of metal. The cover members 620R, 620G, and 620B are all made of metal.

  Therefore, the frame 610B has higher heat dissipation than the frames 610R and 610G (that is, the mounting case 601B has higher heat dissipation than the mounting cases 601R and 601G). Therefore, the heat generated in the liquid crystal panel 100B when the blue light LB is incident on the liquid crystal panel 100B can be efficiently dissipated to the outside by the frame 610B formed of metal. Accordingly, the occurrence of defects in the liquid crystal panel 100B due to heat generated from the liquid crystal panel 100B is greater than the occurrence of defects in the liquid crystal panels 100R and 100G due to heat generated from the liquid crystal panels 100R and 100G. Can be suppressed. As a result, the reliability or lifetime of the projector 1100 can be improved.

As described above, according to the projector according to the present embodiment, for example, the liquid crystal panel 100B constituting the liquid crystal light valve 500B is the liquid crystal panel constituting the liquid crystal light valve 100R and the liquid crystal light valve 500G constituting the liquid crystal light valve 500R. Since the liquid crystal light valve 500B has a different structure from the liquid crystal light valve 500R and the liquid crystal light valve 500G, such as having a panel size larger than 100G, the light resistance of the liquid crystal light valve 500B can be improved. As a result, the reliability or lifetime of the projector 1100 can be improved.
Second Embodiment
Next, a projector according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a projector according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 5, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as the components according to the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  In FIG. 5, a projector 1200 according to the second embodiment includes a liquid crystal light valve 502B instead of the liquid crystal light valve 500B according to the first embodiment described above, and replaces the relay optical system 1120 according to the first embodiment described above. Unlike the projector 1100 according to the first embodiment described above, the light absorber 1140 and the laser light source unit 1150 are provided, and the other points are substantially the same as those of the projector 1100 according to the first embodiment described above. ing.

  The laser light source unit 1150 includes, for example, a semiconductor laser light source, and emits blue laser light having a predetermined wavelength within a range of 450 to 470 nm, for example, a wavelength of 460 nm, to the liquid crystal light valve 502B.

  The liquid crystal light valve 502B is a blue liquid crystal light valve that modulates the blue laser light emitted from the laser light source unit 1150. The basic configuration of the liquid crystal light valve 502B is the same as the basic configuration of the liquid crystal light valves 500R and 500G.

  The light absorber 1140 is disposed so as to absorb the blue light LB transmitted through the dichroic mirror 1114.

  Particularly in the present embodiment, the liquid crystal light valve 502B is configured to modulate blue laser light emitted from the laser light source unit 1150 and having a predetermined wavelength within a range of 450 to 470 nm. Therefore, light having a wavelength shorter than 450 nm is not incident on the liquid crystal light valve 502B. For this reason, compared with the case where the liquid crystal light valve 502B modulates the blue light LB containing a light component having a wavelength shorter than 450 nm, for example, the alignment film, liquid crystal, etc. of the liquid crystal panel constituting the liquid crystal light valve 502B It is possible to reduce deterioration of the constituent material due to light incident on the liquid crystal light valve 502B. In other words, the light resistance of the liquid crystal light valve 502B can be improved. As a result, the reliability or lifetime of the projector 1200 can be improved.

1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a projector according to a first embodiment. It is a top view which shows the whole structure of the liquid crystal panel which concerns on 1st Embodiment. FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line III-III ′ in FIG. 2. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows a mounting case with a liquid crystal panel. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a projector according to a second embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Element substrate, 20 ... Counter substrate, 16R, 16G, 16B, 22R, 22G, 22B ... Alignment film, 50R, 50G, 50B ... Liquid crystal layer, 95R, 95G, 95B ... Microlens, 100R, 100G, 100B ... Liquid crystal Panel, 410R, 410G, 410B, 420R, 420G, 420B ... Dust-proof substrate, 500R, 500G, 500B ... Liquid crystal light valve, 601R, 601G, 601B ... Mounting case, 1110, 1200 ... Projector, 1111, ... Screen, 1112 ... Light source 1150: Laser light source, LB: Blue light, LG: Green light, LR: Red light

Claims (9)

A light source unit for emitting red light, green light and blue light;
A red liquid crystal panel having a first liquid crystal layer and modulating the red light;
A green liquid crystal panel that has a second liquid crystal layer and modulates the green light;
A blue liquid crystal panel that has a third liquid crystal layer and modulates the blue light;
A light combining optical system for combining modulated light emitted from each of the red liquid crystal panel, the green liquid crystal panel, and the blue liquid crystal panel, and
The red liquid crystal panel and the green liquid crystal panel have the same structure.
The projector according to claim 1, wherein the blue liquid crystal panel has a structure different from that of the red liquid crystal panel and the green liquid crystal panel. The red liquid crystal panel and the green liquid crystal panel have the same panel size,
The projector according to claim 1, wherein the blue liquid crystal panel has a larger panel size than the red liquid crystal panel and the green liquid crystal panel. The liquid crystal panel for red has a first microlens array plate on which a plurality of first microlenses are formed,
The liquid crystal panel for green has a second microlens array plate on which a plurality of second microlenses are formed,
The blue liquid crystal panel has a third microlens array plate on which a plurality of third microlenses are formed,
The concentration of the first microlens and the concentration of the second microlens are the same.
3. The projector according to claim 1, wherein a light collection degree of the third microlens is lower than a light collection degree of the first and second microlenses. The liquid crystal panel for red has a first alignment film made of an organic material,
The green liquid crystal panel has a second alignment film made of the same material as the organic material,
4. The projector according to claim 1, wherein the blue liquid crystal panel includes a third alignment film made of an inorganic material. 5. Each of the first, second and third liquid crystal layers includes a terphenyl derivative;
5. The concentration of the terphenyl derivative in the third liquid crystal layer is lower than the concentration of the terphenyl derivative in each of the first and second liquid crystal layers. 6. projector.   The projector according to claim 1, wherein the third liquid crystal layer is added with an ultraviolet absorber that absorbs at least part of light in an ultraviolet to blue region. A first frame that accommodates the red liquid crystal panel;
A second frame for accommodating the green liquid crystal panel;
A third frame for accommodating the blue liquid crystal panel,
The first and second frames are made of resin,
The projector according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the third frame is made of metal. The liquid crystal panel for red is provided on a side of the pair of first substrates sandwiching the first liquid crystal layer and at least one first substrate of the pair of first substrates that is not opposed to the first liquid crystal layer. A first dustproof substrate comprising:
The green liquid crystal panel is provided on a side of the pair of second substrates sandwiching the second liquid crystal layer and at least one second substrate of the pair of second substrates that is not opposed to the second liquid crystal layer, and is made of glass. A second dustproof substrate comprising:
The blue liquid crystal panel is provided on a side of the pair of third substrates sandwiching the third liquid crystal layer and at least one third substrate of the pair of third substrates that is not opposed to the third liquid crystal layer, and sapphire The projector according to claim 1, further comprising: a third dustproof substrate made of crystal. A white light source that emits white light, and a color separation unit that separates the white light into red light, green light, and blue light, and a first light source unit that emits the red light and the green light,
A second light source unit that emits blue laser light having a predetermined wavelength in a range of 450 nm to 470 nm;
A red liquid crystal panel having a first liquid crystal layer and modulating the red light;
A green liquid crystal panel that has a second liquid crystal layer and modulates the green light;
A blue liquid crystal panel having a third liquid crystal layer and modulating the blue laser light;
A projector comprising: a light combining optical system for combining modulated light emitted from each of the red liquid crystal panel, the green liquid crystal panel, and the blue liquid crystal panel.