JP2009075515A - Optical device and projector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical device and a projector, capable of improving manufacturing efficiency. <P>SOLUTION: The optical device includes a plurality of optical modulation devices and a color composition optical device. The optical modulation device includes a liquid crystal panel 4511 and a holding frame 4512 for holding the liquid crystal panel 4511 and fixing it to an luminous flux incident-side end surface of the color composition optical device. The holding frame 4512 includes a holding frame body 4513 having a recessed part 4513A recessed along the optical axis of an incoming colored light, in which the liquid crystal panel 4511 is stored in the recessed part 4513A in a freely fitted state; a movement regulating member 4514 which is connected with the holding frame body 4513 to regulate the movement of the liquid crystal panel 4511 to the outside of the recessed part 4513A; and adjustment screws 4515 for adjusting the position of the liquid crystal panel 4511 stored in the recessed part 4513A in the freely fitted state. Adjustment screw holes 4513E, 4513F and 4513G to be screwed with the adjustment screws 4515 are formed in the holding frame body 4513 to extend therethrough from the outer surface toward the recessed part 4513A. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical device and a projector.

Conventionally, three liquid crystal panels (light modulation elements) modulate each color light in accordance with image information, and the modulated color lights are combined by a cross dichroic prism (color combining optical device) to form image light. A projector having a three-plate optical device is known.
In such an optical apparatus, a liquid crystal panel is integrally assembled with a cross dichroic prism to improve assemblability (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
The optical device described in Patent Document 1 includes a holding member that is interposed between a cross dichroic prism and a liquid crystal panel and that fixes the liquid crystal panel to a light beam incident side end surface of the cross dichroic prism. The holding member includes a rectangular plate-like body and pins that project from the four corners of the rectangular plate-like body and are inserted into holes of a holding frame that holds the liquid crystal panel. Then, an ultraviolet curable adhesive was filled between each of the pedestal side surfaces fixed to the upper and lower surfaces of the cross dichroic prism and the rectangular plate-like body of the holding member and between the pin of the holding member and the hole of the holding frame. In this state, the light beam is introduced into the liquid crystal panel, and the position of the liquid crystal panel is changed by changing the position of the holding member with respect to each pedestal and the position of the holding frame with respect to the holding member while checking the light flux through the liquid crystal panel and the cross dichroic prism. Adjust. After the position adjustment, the ultraviolet curable adhesive between the members is cured, and the liquid crystal panel is fixed to the cross dichroic prism.

JP2003-121931A (FIGS. 8 and 9)

However, as described above, when the adhesive is cured after the position of the liquid crystal panel is adjusted, the liquid crystal panel is moved to the desired position due to the shrinkage when the adhesive is cured, even though the liquid crystal panel is positioned at the desired position. It may be out of position. In such a case, the holding member is removed from each pedestal and the holding frame is removed from the holding member. Then, after cleaning each member, the liquid crystal panel is assembled to the cross dichroic prism again as described above.
Therefore, when the position of the liquid crystal panel deviates from a desired position due to the curing shrinkage of the adhesive, there is a problem that the above-described operation is required and the manufacturing efficiency of the optical device is lowered.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an optical device and a projector that can improve manufacturing efficiency.

  The optical device of the present invention has a plurality of light modulation devices that modulate a plurality of color lights according to image information for each color light, and a plurality of light beam incident side end faces facing each light modulation device, and is modulated by each light modulation device. An optical device comprising a color combining optical device that combines image light to form image light, wherein the light modulation device modulates an incident light beam according to image information, and A holding frame for holding the light modulation element and fixing the light modulation element to the light incident side end surface, the holding frame corresponding to the outer shape of the light modulation element and recessed along the optical axis of the incident color light A holding frame main body having a recess, in which the light modulation element is housed in a loosely-fitted state, and facing the holding frame main body with the light modulation element sandwiched therebetween, connected to the holding frame main body and the recess A movement restricting member for restricting movement of the light modulation element to the outside, and a recess in the first half An adjustment screw for adjusting the position of the light modulation element housed in the loosely fitted state, and at least one of the holding frame main body and the movement restricting member penetrates from the outer surface toward the recess, An adjustment screw hole for screwing with the adjustment screw is formed.

  Here, “fixed to the end face on the light incident side” means not only the structure in which the holding frame is directly fixed to the end face on the light incident side, but also the light incident on the holding frame via a holding member or the like as in the conventional case. This also includes a structure that is fixed to the side end face.

In the present invention, the holding frame constituting the light modulation device includes a holding frame main body having a recess in which the light modulation element is housed in a loosely fitted state, a movement restricting member, and an adjusting screw. At least one of the holding frame main body and the movement restricting member is formed with an adjustment screw hole that penetrates from the outer surface toward the recess and is screwed with the adjustment screw. As a result, when the optical device is manufactured, the adjustment screw screwed into the adjustment screw hole is engaged even when the position of the light modulation element is shifted from the desired position due to curing shrinkage of the adhesive. The adjustment screw is moved back and forth along the adjustment screw hole, and the light modulation element housed in the recessed portion of the holding frame main body is pressed at the leading end portion of the adjustment screw, so that the light modulation element is The position can be adjusted again. Therefore, even when the position of the light modulation element is deviated from a desired position due to curing shrinkage of the adhesive, the light modulation device is removed from the color synthesis optical device, each member is cleaned, and the color synthesis optical device is again used. On the other hand, the work of assembling the light modulation device is unnecessary, and the manufacturing efficiency of the optical device can be improved.
Further, since the above-described operation is unnecessary, there is no risk of scratching each member, and each member is not wasted.

In the optical device according to the aspect of the invention, it is preferable that a plurality of the adjustment screws and the adjustment screw holes are provided, and the adjustment screw holes are formed to penetrate in a direction substantially parallel to the optical axis of the incident color light. .
According to the present invention, since the adjustment screw hole is formed so as to penetrate as described above, by changing the screwing state of the adjustment screw screwed into the adjustment screw hole, the color light incident on the adjustment screw can be changed. It can be advanced and retracted in a direction substantially parallel to the optical axis. For this reason, by appropriately advancing and retracting a plurality of adjustment screws along the respective adjustment screw holes, the light modulation elements are respectively pressed at the tip portions of the respective adjustment screws, and the light modulation elements are made to enter the optical axis of the incident color light. Can be adjusted in the direction substantially parallel to each other and in each rotation direction around two axes substantially orthogonal to the optical axis, and appropriately positioned at the back focus position of the projection lens when the optical device is disposed in the projector Can be adjusted.

In the optical device according to the aspect of the invention, it is preferable that a plurality of the adjustment screws and the adjustment screw holes are provided, and the adjustment screw holes are formed so as to penetrate in a direction substantially orthogonal to the optical axis of the incident color light. .
According to the present invention, since the adjustment screw hole is formed so as to penetrate as described above, by changing the screwing state of the adjustment screw screwed into the adjustment screw hole, the color light incident on the adjustment screw can be changed. It can be advanced and retracted in a direction substantially perpendicular to the optical axis. For this reason, by appropriately advancing and retracting a plurality of adjustment screws along the respective adjustment screw holes, the light modulation elements are respectively pressed at the tip portions of the respective adjustment screws, and the light modulation elements are made to enter the optical axis of the incident color light. The position can be adjusted in a direction substantially orthogonal to the optical axis and a rotation direction about the optical axis, and the pixels between the light modulation elements can be appropriately aligned.

A projector according to the present invention includes a light source device, the above-described optical device, and a projection optical device that magnifies and projects image light formed by the optical device.
According to the present invention, since the projector includes the optical device described above, the projector can enjoy the same operations and effects as the optical device described above.
Further, by using the projector for a long time, even if the position of the light modulation element is deviated from the desired position, the position of the light modulation element can be adjusted again by the adjusting screw as described above. Long life can be achieved.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[Configuration of projector]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the projector 1.
The projector 1 modulates a light beam emitted from a light source according to image information to form a color image (image light), and enlarges and projects this color image on a screen (not shown). As shown in FIG. 1, the projector 1 includes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer casing 2, a projection lens 3 as a projection optical device, an optical unit 4, and the like.
Although not shown in FIG. 1, in the exterior casing 2, a space other than the projection lens 3 and the optical unit 4 is provided with a cooling fan or the like for cooling each component inside the projector 1. It is assumed that a cooling unit, a power supply unit that supplies power to each component in the projector 1, a control device that controls each component in the projector 1, and the like are arranged.

The exterior housing 2 includes an upper case that configures the top, front, back, and side surfaces of the projector 1 and a lower case that configures the bottom, front, back, and side surfaces of the projector 1. Each case is fixed to each other with a screw or the like.
The projection lens 3 is configured as a combined lens in which a plurality of lenses are combined, and enlarges and projects the color image formed by the optical unit 4 on the screen.

The optical unit 4 is a unit that forms a color image corresponding to an image signal by optically processing the light beam emitted from the light source under the control of the control device. As shown in FIG. 1, the optical unit 4 includes a light source device 41, an illumination optical device 42, a color separation optical device 43, a relay optical device 44, an optical device 45, and these optical components 41 to 45. And an optical component casing 46 disposed at a predetermined position with respect to the illumination optical axis A set inside.
As shown in FIG. 1, the light source device 41 includes a light source lamp 411 and a reflector 412. The light source device 41 emits the light beam emitted from the light source lamp 411 toward the illumination optical device 42 with the emission direction being aligned by the reflector 412.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the illumination optical device 42 includes a first lens array 421, a second lens array 422, a polarization conversion element 423, and a superimposing lens 424. The light beam emitted from the light source device 41 is divided into a plurality of partial light beams by the first lens array 421 and forms an image in the vicinity of the second lens array 422. Each partial light beam emitted from the second lens array 422 is incident so that the central axis (principal ray) thereof is perpendicular to the incident surface of the polarization conversion element 423, and the polarization conversion element 423 provides approximately one type of linearly polarized light. Injected as light. A plurality of partial light beams emitted from the polarization conversion element 423 as linearly polarized light and passed through the superimposing lens 424 are superimposed on three liquid crystal panels (to be described later) of the optical device 45.

As shown in FIG. 1, the color separation optical device 43 includes two dichroic mirrors 431 and 432 and a reflection mirror 433, and the dichroic mirrors 431 and 432 and the reflection mirror 433 emit the light from the illumination optical device 42. It has a function of separating a plurality of partial light beams into three color lights of red, green, and blue.
As shown in FIG. 1, the relay optical device 44 includes an incident side lens 441, a relay lens 443, and reflection mirrors 442 and 444, and the color light separated by the color separation optical device 43, for example, red light, is optical device 45. Of the light modulation device (liquid crystal panel) on the red light side, which will be described later.

The optical device 45 modulates an incident light beam according to image information to form image light (color image). As shown in FIG. 1, the optical device 45 includes three light modulation devices 451 (red light side light modulation device 451R and green light side light) having a liquid crystal panel 4511 (see FIG. 2) as light modulation elements. 451G for the modulation device and 451B for the light modulation device on the blue light side), an incident-side polarizing plate 452 arranged on the upstream side of the optical path of each light modulation device 451, and on the downstream side of the optical path of each light modulation device 451. And a cross dichroic prism 454 as a color synthesizing optical device. Of these members 451 to 454, the light modulators 451, the exit-side polarizing plates 453, and the cross dichroic prism 454 are integrated to form an optical device body 45A (see FIG. 2). The optical device main body 45A may employ a configuration in which the incident-side polarizing plates 452 are integrated in addition to the members 451, 453, and 454.
The specific configuration of the optical device main body 45A will be described later.

The three incident-side polarizing plates 452 transmit only polarized light having substantially the same polarization direction as the polarization direction aligned by the polarization conversion element 423 among the light beams separated by the color separation optical device 43, and other light beams. The polarizing film is affixed on the translucent substrate.
Each of the liquid crystal panels 4511 constituting the three light modulation devices 451 has a configuration in which liquid crystal, which is an electro-optical material, is hermetically sealed between a pair of rectangular substrates 4511A and 4511B (see FIG. 2) made of glass or the like. is doing. Of these, the substrate 4511A is a driving substrate for driving the liquid crystal, and includes a plurality of data lines arranged in parallel to each other and a plurality of scanning lines arranged and formed in a direction orthogonal to the plurality of data lines. The pixel electrodes are arranged in a matrix corresponding to the intersections of the scanning lines and the data lines, switching elements such as TFTs (Thin Film Transistors), and driving units for driving the switching elements. The substrate 4511B is a counter substrate disposed to face the substrate 4511A at a predetermined interval, and has a common electrode to which a predetermined voltage Vcom is applied. In addition, these substrates 4511A and 4511B are electrically connected to the control device, and are FPCs as circuit substrates that output predetermined drive signals to the scanning lines, the data lines, the switching elements, the common electrodes, and the like. A cable 4511C is connected. By inputting a drive signal from the control device via the FPC cable 4511C, a voltage is applied between the predetermined pixel electrode and the common electrode, and the liquid crystal is interposed between the pixel electrode and the common electrode. The state is controlled, and the polarization direction of the polarized light beam emitted from the incident side polarizing plate 452 is modulated.

In the liquid crystal panel 4511, the outer shape of the drive substrate 4511A is set larger than the outer shape of the counter substrate 4511B (see FIG. 2). That is, the liquid crystal panel 4511 is formed in a stepped shape in which the outer shape becomes smaller toward the light beam incident side.
Further, a dust-proof glass 4511D (see FIG. 2) having an outer shape substantially the same as the outer shape of the drive substrate 4511A is attached to the outer surface of the drive substrate 4511A. Similarly, a dustproof glass 4511E (see FIG. 2) having an outer shape substantially the same as the outer shape of the counter substrate 4511B is attached to the outer surface of the counter substrate 4511B. By attaching these dustproof glasses 4511D and 4511E, even if dust adheres to the outer surface of the liquid crystal panel 4511, the dust is shifted from the focus position, and the dust is displayed as a shadow on the projected image. Can be prevented.

  The three exit-side polarizing plates 453 have substantially the same function as the incident-side polarizing plate 452 and transmit polarized light in a certain direction among the light beams emitted through the liquid crystal panel 4511 and absorb the other light beams. To do.

  The cross dichroic prism 454 synthesizes each color light modulated for each color light emitted from the emission side polarizing plate 453 to form a color image. The cross dichroic prism 454 has a substantially square shape in plan view in which four right-angle prisms are bonded together, and two dielectric multilayer films are formed at the interface where the right-angle prisms are bonded together. These dielectric multilayer films transmit the color light emitted from the light modulation device 451G and pass through the emission side polarizing plate 453, and reflect the color light emitted from the light modulation devices 451R and 451B and passed through the emission side polarizing plate 453. To do. In this way, the color lights are combined to form a color image. The color image formed by the cross dichroic prism 454 is enlarged and projected onto the screen by the projection lens 3 described above.

[Configuration of optical device body]
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the optical device main body 45A. In FIG. 2, only the light modulation device 451G side is disassembled in the optical device main body 45A, but each light modulation device 451R, 451B side has the same configuration as the light modulation device 451G side. To do.
The optical device main body 45A includes, in addition to the light modulators 451, the exit-side polarizing plates 453, and the cross dichroic prism 454 described above, three holding members 455, as shown in FIG. ˜455 are integrated.

Here, in the cross dichroic prism 454, a translucent substrate 4541 is attached to each side surface including three edges of a substantially square shape in plan view, as shown in FIG. Note that examples of the light-transmitting substrate 4541 include a crystal plate or a sapphire plate. Then, with the light-transmitting substrate 4541 attached to the cross dichroic prism 454, the light beam incident side end surface 4541A (FIG. 2) of each light transmitting substrate 4541 is the light beam incident side end surface of the color synthesizing optical device according to the present invention. It corresponds to.
Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the three exit-side polarizing plates 453 are fixed to the respective light-incident-side end surfaces 4541A with an adhesive or the like.
In addition to the liquid crystal panel 4511 described above, the light modulation device 451 includes a holding frame 4512 that holds the liquid crystal panel 4511 as shown in FIG.

3 and 4 are diagrams schematically showing the structure of the holding frame 4512. FIG. Specifically, FIG. 3 is a view of the holding frame 4512 as viewed from the light beam incident side. 4A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II of FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II in FIG.
3 and 4, for convenience of explanation, the optical axis of the color light incident on the liquid crystal panel 4511 is the Z axis, and two axes orthogonal to the Z axis are the X axis (horizontal axis) and the Y axis (vertical axis), respectively. Will be described.
The holding frame 4512 is a member for storing and holding the liquid crystal panel 4511. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the holding frame main body 4513 arranged on the light beam incident side and a substantially rectangular holding frame main body 4513 is arranged on the light beam emission side. The movement restricting member 4514 having a substantially rectangular shape in plan view and a plurality (ten in the present embodiment) of adjusting screws 4515 are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the holding frame main body 4513 includes a first recess 4513 </ b> A <b> 1 corresponding to the outer shape of the drive substrate 4511 </ b> A of the liquid crystal panel 4511 and a first recess 4513 </ b> A <b> 1 that is recessed toward the beam incident side. Corresponding to the outer shape of the counter substrate 4511B of the liquid crystal panel 4511 from the bottom portion, there is a second recess 4513A2 that is recessed toward the light beam incident side. That is, the first concave portion 4513A1 and the second concave portion 4513A2 constitute a stepped concave portion 4513A corresponding to the outer shape of the liquid crystal panel 4511. As shown in FIG. 4, the holding frame main body 4513 is housed in the second recess 4513A2 with the light beam incident side (dust-proof glass 4511E, etc.) of the liquid crystal panel 4511 in a loosely fitted state, and in the first recess 4513A1. The light emission side of 4511 (drive substrate 4511A, dustproof glass 4511D, etc.) is housed in a loosely fitted state.

In the holding frame main body 4513, an opening 4513B corresponding to the image forming area of the liquid crystal panel 4511 is formed at the bottom of the second recess 4513A2 as shown in FIGS.
Further, in the holding frame main body 4513, as shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3, the four corner portions penetrate the light beam incident side end surface and the light beam emission side end surface, and fix the light modulation device 451 to the holding member 455. Fixing holes 4513C are respectively formed.
Further, in the holding frame main body 4513, hooks 4513D for connecting to the movement restricting member 4514 are formed at substantially the center portion in the Y-axis direction on both side surfaces (left and right side surfaces) in the X-axis direction, as shown in FIG. Yes.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the holding frame main body 4513 has four first adjustment screw holes 4513E, four second adjustment screw holes 4513F, and two third adjustment screw holes 4513G. And are formed.
The four first adjustment screw holes 4513E are provided two on the upper side and two on the lower side so as to surround the second recess 4513A2, and the first adjustment screw holes 4513E are substantially parallel to the Z-axis from the light beam incident side end surface of the holding frame main body 4513. One recess 4513A1 is formed to penetrate to the bottom.
The four second adjustment screw holes 4513F are respectively located above and below each hook 4513D on both sides in the X-axis direction of the holding frame main body 4513, and are substantially parallel to the X-axis from both sides in the X-axis direction. The first recess 4513A1 is penetrated to the side wall.
The two third adjustment screw holes 4513G are positioned between the fixing holes 4513C on the −Y-axis direction side surface (lower side surface) of the holding frame main body 4513, and are substantially parallel to the Y-axis from the −Y-axis direction side surface. The first recess 4513A1 is penetrated to the side wall.

As shown in FIG. 2, the movement restricting member 4514 is formed of a rectangular plate having an opening 4514A corresponding to the image forming area of the liquid crystal panel 4511 at a substantially central portion in plan view. Attached to the side. The movement restricting member 4514 is attached to the holding frame main body 4513 so that the movement restricting member 4514 has a function of restricting the movement of the liquid crystal panel 4511 from the concave portion 4513A to the light emission side, and the light transmitted through the liquid crystal panel 4511 is emitted side polarized light. It has a function of preventing the liquid crystal panel 4511 from malfunctioning by being reflected by the plate 453 or the cross dichroic prism 454 and hitting the driving portion of the liquid crystal panel 4511.
In this movement restricting member 4514, hook engaging portions 4514B that engage with hooks 4513D formed on the holding frame main body 4513 are formed at substantially the center portions in the Y-axis direction at both ends of the X-axis direction, as shown in FIG. Has been. The movement restricting member 4514 is attached to the holding frame main body 4513 by engaging the hook engaging portion 4514B with the hook 4513D. In the state where the movement restricting member 4514 is attached to the holding frame main body 4513, as shown in FIG. 4, between the light emission side end surface of the liquid crystal panel 4511 housed in the recess 4513A and the movement restricting member 4514, A slight gap is formed.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the plurality of adjustment screws 4515 are members that are respectively screwed into the adjustment screw holes 4513E, 4513F, and 4513G formed in the holding frame main body 4513.
Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, among the plurality of adjustment screws 4515, each adjustment screw that is screwed into each first adjustment screw hole 4513E is referred to as a first adjustment screw 4515E, and each second adjustment screw hole 4513F is threaded. The adjusting screws to be combined are referred to as second adjusting screws 4515F, and the adjusting screws to be screwed into the third adjusting screw holes 4513G are referred to as third adjusting screws 4515G.
Each first adjustment screw 4515E can be moved forward and backward in the Z-axis direction along each first adjustment screw hole 4513E by changing the screwing state with each first adjustment screw hole 4513E, and the tip portion is recessed. The liquid crystal panel 4511 housed in 4513A can be brought into contact with the light incident side end surface of the drive substrate 4511A.

Each second adjustment screw 4515F can be moved forward and backward in the X-axis direction along each second adjustment screw hole 4513F by changing the screwed state with each second adjustment screw hole 4513F, and the tip portion is recessed. The liquid crystal panel 4511 housed in 4513A can be brought into contact with both side surfaces in the X-axis direction of the drive substrate 4511A.
Each third adjustment screw 4515G can be moved forward and backward in the Y-axis direction along each third adjustment screw hole 4513G by changing the screwed state with each third adjustment screw hole 4513G, and the tip portion is recessed. Each of the liquid crystal panels 4511 housed in 4513A can be brought into contact with the −Y-axis direction side surface of the drive substrate 4511A.

As shown in FIG. 2, the three holding members 455 are disposed between the light modulation device 451 and the cross dichroic prism 454, respectively, support the light modulation devices 451, and cross dichroic prism 454 (translucent substrate). 4541).
As shown in FIG. 2, the holding member 455 includes a plate-shaped base portion 4551 and four pins 4552.
The base 4551 has a substantially rectangular shape in plan view. In the base 4551, an opening 4551A that is larger than the planar shape of the exit-side polarizing plate 453 and through which a light beam passes is formed in a substantially central portion.
The four pins 4552 are portions that protrude from the four corners of the light incident side end face of the base 4551 toward the light incident side, and are inserted into the fixing holes 4513C of the holding frame 4512 that constitutes the light modulation device 451.

The optical device main body 45A described above is manufactured as described below.
First, the liquid crystal panel 4511 is housed in the recess 4513A of the holding frame main body 4513 in a loosely fitted state, and a gap between the recess 4513A and the liquid crystal panel 4511 is filled with an adhesive Ad (FIG. 4) having a predetermined elasticity. 4511 is bonded and fixed to the recess 4513A. Then, each hook engaging portion 4514B is engaged with each hook 4513D, and the movement restricting member 4514 is attached to the holding frame main body 4513. Thereafter, the adjustment screws 4515 are screwed into the adjustment screw holes 4513E, 4513F, and 4513G, and the tip portions of the adjustment screws 4515 are brought into contact with the outer surface of the liquid crystal panel 4511.

Next, an ultraviolet curable adhesive is applied to the end surface of the light emitting side of the base 4551 constituting the holding member 455. Then, the base portion is arranged such that the exit-side polarizing plate 453 is positioned in the opening 4551A with respect to the light beam incident-side end surface 4541A of the cross dichroic prism 454 to which each light-transmitting substrate 4541 and each exit-side polarizing plate 453 are attached. The end surface of the light emission side 4551 is brought into close contact.
Next, an ultraviolet curable adhesive is applied to the outer peripheral portions of the four pins 4552.
Next, the light modulation device 451 is held by a position adjustment jig (not shown) for adjusting the position of the light modulation device 451 with respect to the cross dichroic prism 454, and the four pins 4552 of the holding member 455 are connected to the light modulation device 451. Are inserted into the fixing holes 4513C.

After the above-described state is set, a light beam is introduced into the liquid crystal panel 4511, and the light beam passes through the liquid crystal panel 4511 and the cross dichroic prism 454, for example, an image projected on a screen or an image pickup device such as a CCD camera. Then, while confirming the image displayed on the monitor or the like, the light modulation device 451 is moved with respect to the cross dichroic prism 454 using the position adjusting jig. Then, alignment adjustment (X-axis direction, Y-axis direction, and rotation direction around the Z-axis) is performed with the joint surface between the light beam incident side end surface 4541A of the cross dichroic prism 454 and the base portion 4551 of the holding member 455 as a sliding surface. Adjustment). In addition, the focus is adjusted by sliding through the joint surface of the holding frame 4512 and the holding member 455, that is, the pin 4552 (the Z axis direction, the rotation direction around the X axis, and the rotation around the Y axis). (Adjustment with direction).
Then, after positioning the light modulation device 451 (liquid crystal panel 4511) at a predetermined position, the ultraviolet curable adhesive described above is cured by irradiating with ultraviolet rays, and the luminous flux of the cross dichroic prism 454 is passed through the holding member 455. The light modulation device 451 is fixed to the incident side end face 4541A.
Then, the optical device main body 45A is manufactured by performing the above steps on all the light modulation devices 451.

After the optical device main body 45A is manufactured, the light flux is again introduced into the liquid crystal panel 4511 to confirm the light flux through the liquid crystal panel 4511 and the cross dichroic prism 454, and the liquid crystal panels 4511 are positioned at the positions due to the curing shrinkage of the adhesive. It is confirmed whether or not there is a deviation from the predetermined position positioned at the time of adjustment.
Here, in the case where there is a liquid crystal panel 4511 out of position among the liquid crystal panels 4511, the following steps are performed on the liquid crystal panel 4511.
That is, by introducing a light beam into the liquid crystal panel 4511 and confirming the light beam via the liquid crystal panel 4511 and the cross dichroic prism 454, the screwing state of each first adjustment screw 4515E with respect to the four first adjustment screw holes 4513E is appropriately set. The position of the liquid crystal panel 4511 is adjusted against the elastic force of the adhesive Ad by pressing the light beam incident side end surface of the drive substrate 4511A constituting the liquid crystal panel 4511 at the tip of each first adjustment screw 4515E. To do. For example, the position of the liquid crystal panel 4511 is adjusted in the + Z-axis direction by moving all the first adjustment screws 4515E forward and backward to the same extent. Further, the two first adjustment screws 4515E on the upper side are advanced and retracted to the same extent, and the two first adjustment screws 4515E on the lower side are advanced and retracted to the same extent, whereby the liquid crystal panel 4511 is centered on the X axis. Adjust the position in the direction of rotation. Further, the two first adjustment screws 4515E on the left side when viewed from the light incident side are advanced and retracted to the same extent, and the two first adjustment screws 4515E on the right side are advanced and retracted to the same extent, whereby the liquid crystal panel 4511 is The position is adjusted in the rotation direction around the Y axis. That is, by appropriately moving the four first adjustment screws 4515E forward and backward, the position of the liquid crystal panel 4511 is adjusted in substantially the same manner as the focus adjustment.

Further, the screwing state of each of the second adjustment screws 4515F with respect to the four second adjustment screw holes 4513F is appropriately changed, and the X of the drive substrate 4511A constituting the liquid crystal panel 4511A at the tip portion of each of the second adjustment screws 4515F. Both side surfaces in the axial direction are pressed to adjust the position of the liquid crystal panel 4511 against the elastic force of the adhesive Ad. Similarly, the screwing state of each third adjustment screw 4515G with respect to the two third adjustment screw holes 4513G is appropriately changed, and the tip of the third adjustment screw 4515G has the liquid crystal panel 4511A constituting the liquid crystal panel 4511A. −Press the Y-axis direction side surfaces to adjust the position of the liquid crystal panel 4511 against the elastic force of the adhesive Ad. For example, the two second adjustment screws 4515F on the left side when viewed from the light incident side are advanced and retracted to the same extent, and the two second adjustment screws 4515F on the right side are advanced and retracted in the opposite directions, so that the liquid crystal panel 4511 is moved in the X-axis direction. Adjust the position. Further, the position of the liquid crystal panel 4511 is adjusted in the + Y-axis direction by moving the two third adjustment screws 4515G to the same extent. Further, by moving the two second adjustment screws 4515F disposed diagonally as viewed from the light beam incident side, or by moving any of the third adjustment screws 4515F forward and backward, the liquid crystal panel 4511 can be moved in the Z-axis direction. Adjust the position in the rotation direction centered on. That is, the position of the liquid crystal panel 4511 is adjusted in substantially the same manner as the alignment adjustment by appropriately moving the adjustment screws 4515F and 4515G back and forth.
As described above, the liquid crystal panel 4511 is positioned again at a predetermined position during the alignment adjustment and focus adjustment by appropriately moving the adjustment screws 4515 forward and backward.

According to this embodiment described above, the following effects are obtained.
In this embodiment, the holding frame 4512 constituting the light modulation device 451 includes a holding frame main body 4513 having a recess 4513A in which the liquid crystal panel 4511 is housed in a loosely fitted state, a movement restricting member 4514, and an adjusting screw 4515. . The holding frame main body 4513 is formed with adjustment screw holes 4513E, 4513F, and 4513G that penetrate from the outer surface toward the recess 4513A and are screwed into the adjustment screw 4515. As a result, even when the position of the liquid crystal panel 4511 is shifted from a desired position due to curing shrinkage of the adhesive during manufacture of the optical device main body 45A, the liquid crystal panel 4511 is screwed into the adjustment screw holes 4513E, 4513F, and 4513G. By changing the screwed state of the adjusting screw 4515, the adjusting screw 4515 is advanced and retracted along the adjusting screw holes 4513E, 4513F, and 4513G, and the leading end portion of the adjusting screw 4515 is allowed to freely move into the recess 4513A of the holding frame main body 4513. The position of the liquid crystal panel 4511 can be adjusted again by pressing the liquid crystal panel 4511 stored in the fitted state. Therefore, even when the position of the liquid crystal panel 4511 is shifted from a desired position due to curing shrinkage of the adhesive, the holding member 455 is removed from the cross dichroic prism 454, and the light modulation device 451 is removed from the holding member 455. The operation of cleaning the member and reassembling the light modulation device 451 to the cross dichroic prism 454 is unnecessary, and the manufacturing efficiency of the optical device main body 45A can be improved.
Further, since the above-described operation is not required, there is no risk of damaging the expensive cross dichroic prism 454 and the like during cleaning, and members such as the cross dichroic prism 454 are not wasted.

  Further, by using the projector 1 for a long time, even if the position of the liquid crystal panel 4511 is deviated from a desired position, the position of the liquid crystal panel 4511 can be adjusted again by the adjusting screw 4515 as described above. 1 can be extended in life.

  Of the adjustment screw holes 4513E, 4513F, and 4513G, the four first adjustment screw holes 4513E are formed to penetrate from the light incident side end surface of the holding frame main body 4513 to the recess 4513A substantially parallel to the Z-axis. Yes. Thus, by changing the screwing state of the first adjustment screw 4515E screwed into the first adjustment screw hole 4513E, the first adjustment screw 4515E can be advanced and retracted in a direction substantially parallel to the Z axis. . For this reason, the four first adjustment screws 4515E are appropriately advanced and retracted along the first adjustment screw holes 4513E, so that the liquid crystal panels 4511 are pressed by the tip portions of the first adjustment screws 4515E, respectively. 4511 can be adjusted in the + Z-axis direction, the rotation direction about the X-axis, and the rotation direction about the Y-axis, and the back focus position of the projection lens 3 when the optical device main body 45A is disposed in the projector 1 The position can be adjusted appropriately.

  Further, of the adjustment screw holes 4513E, 4513F, and 4513G, the four second adjustment screw holes 4513F are formed to penetrate from the both side surfaces in the X-axis direction of the holding frame main body 4513 to the recesses 4513A substantially parallel to the X-axis. ing. The two third adjustment screw holes 4513G are formed to penetrate from the side surface in the −Y-axis direction of the holding frame main body 4513 to the recess 4513A substantially parallel to the Y-axis. Thus, by changing the screwing state of the adjusting screws 4515F and 4515G screwed into the adjusting screw holes 4513F and 4513G, the adjusting screws 4515E and 4515F are substantially parallel to the X axis or the Y axis. You can move forward and backward. Therefore, the adjustment screws 4515F and 4515G are appropriately advanced and retracted along the adjustment screw holes 4513F and 4513G, respectively, so that the liquid crystal panel 4511 is pressed by the tip portions of the adjustment screws 4515F and 4515F, respectively. Can be adjusted in the X axis direction, the Y axis direction, and the rotation direction about the Z axis, and the pixels between the liquid crystal panels 4511 can be appropriately adjusted.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and modifications, improvements, and the like within the scope that can achieve the object of the present invention are included in the present invention.
In the embodiment, the adjustment screw holes 4513E, 4513F, and 4513G are provided only in the holding frame main body 4513. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an adjustment screw hole may be provided only in the movement restricting member 4514, or an adjustment screw hole may be provided in both the holding frame main body 4513 and the movement restricting member 4514.

  In the above embodiment, ten adjustment screw holes 4513E, 4513F, and 4513G are provided. However, the number is not particularly limited, and only one or a plurality other than ten is provided. It does not matter as a configuration. The number of adjustment screws 4515 is the same. In addition, the formation positions of the adjustment screw holes 4513E, 4513F, and 4513G are not limited to the formation positions described in the embodiment, and may be provided at other formation positions. Further, although the adjustment screw holes 4513E, 4513F, and 4513G are formed so as to penetrate in directions substantially parallel to the Z axis, the X axis, and the Y axis, they may be formed so as to penetrate in other directions.

  In the above embodiment, the ultraviolet curable adhesive is used as the adhesive for fixing each member in the optical device main body 45A. You may use the thermosetting type adhesive agent which hardens by doing.

In the above-described embodiment, the light modulation device 451 is fixed to the light beam incident side end surface 4541A of the cross dichroic prism 454 via the holding member 455, but is not limited thereto.
For example, a configuration may be adopted in which pedestals are fixed to both the upper and lower surfaces of the cross dichroic prism 454 and the light modulation device 451 is fixed to the side surface of each pedestal via a holding member 455.
Further, for example, the holding member 455 is omitted, and a wedge-shaped spacer or the like is disposed between the light incident side end surface 4541A (or the side surface of the pedestal) of the cross dichroic prism 454 and the light modulator 451, and an ultraviolet curable adhesive. For example, the light modulator 451 may be fixed to the cross dichroic prism 454 via a spacer.

In the embodiment, the configuration of the holding member 455 is not limited to the configuration described in the embodiment.
For example, the base portion 4551 may be configured to have an upright piece having a substantially L shape in plan view that holds the outer periphery of the holding frame 4512 instead of the pin 4552.
Further, for example, at least two pins 4552 may be provided. The number of fixing holes 4513C formed in the holding frame 4512 is the same.

  In the above-described embodiment, the exit-side polarizing plate 453 is attached to the light-incident-side end surface 4541A. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be attached to the peripheral portion of the opening 4551A of the holding member 455.

In the embodiment, the configuration of the projector 1 is not limited to the configuration described in the embodiment.
For example, the light source device 41 is a discharge light-emitting light source device, but is not limited to this, and various solids such as a laser diode, an LED (Light Emitting Diode), an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) element, and a silicon light emitting element. A light emitting element may be adopted.
In addition, although only one light source device 41 is used and the color separation optical device 43 separates the three color lights, the color separation optical device 43 is omitted, and the three solid light emitting elements that respectively emit the three color lights are provided. You may comprise as a light source device.
Further, the projector 1 is configured as a three-plate projector including three liquid crystal panels 4511. However, the projector 1 is not limited thereto, and is configured as a projector including two liquid crystal panels or a projector including four or more liquid crystal panels. It doesn't matter.
In the above embodiment, only an example of a front type projector that projects from the direction of observing the screen has been described, but the present invention is also applicable to a rear type projector that projects from the side opposite to the direction of observing the screen. Is possible.

  Since the optical device of the present invention can improve the manufacturing efficiency, it can be used for an optical device of a projector used for presentations, home theaters, and the like.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a projector according to the present embodiment. The disassembled perspective view which shows schematic structure of the optical apparatus main body in the said embodiment. The figure which shows typically the structure of the holding frame in the said embodiment. The figure which shows typically the structure of the holding frame in the said embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Projector, 3 ... Projection lens (projection optical apparatus), 41 ... Light source device, 451 ... Light modulation apparatus, 4511 ... Liquid crystal panel (light modulation element), 4512 ... Holding Frame, 4513 ... Holding frame body, 4513A ... Recess, 4513E, 4513F, 4513G ... Adjustment screw hole, 4514 ... Movement restricting member, 4515 ... Adjustment screw.

Claims (4)

A plurality of light modulation devices that modulate a plurality of color lights according to image information for each color light and a plurality of light beam incident side end faces facing each light modulation device, and each color light modulated by each light modulation device is synthesized. An optical device comprising a color combining optical device for forming image light,
The light modulation device includes a light modulation element that modulates an incident light beam according to image information, and a holding frame that holds the light modulation element and fixes the light modulation element to the light beam incident side end surface,
The holding frame is
A holding frame main body having a recess that is recessed along the optical axis of the incident colored light corresponding to the outer shape of the light modulation element, and in which the light modulation element is housed in a loosely-fitted state;
A movement restricting member that faces the holding frame main body with the light modulation element sandwiched therebetween, is connected to the holding frame main body and restricts the movement of the light modulation element to the outside of the recess;
An adjustment screw for adjusting the position of the light modulation element housed in the recess in a loosely fitted state;
At least one of the holding frame main body and the movement restriction member includes
An optical device, wherein an adjustment screw hole penetrating from an outer surface toward the concave portion and screwing with the adjustment screw is formed. The optical device according to claim 1.
A plurality of the adjustment screws and the adjustment screw holes are provided,
The adjustment screw hole is
An optical device, wherein the optical device is formed so as to penetrate in a direction substantially parallel to an optical axis of incident color light. The optical device according to claim 1 or 2,
A plurality of the adjustment screws and the adjustment screw holes are provided,
The adjustment screw hole is
An optical device, wherein the optical device is formed so as to penetrate in a direction substantially orthogonal to an optical axis of incident color light.   A projector comprising: a light source device; an optical device according to any one of claims 1 to 3; and a projection optical device that enlarges and projects image light formed by the optical device.

Images