JP2011013455A - Projector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a projector which is improved in convenience by achieving multiple image display and stereoscopic image display by using one projector, and which achieves improvement of efficiency of using luminous flux and miniaturization.SOLUTION: The projector 90 includes: a light source 10; an illumination optical system 20 which splits the luminous flux emitted from the light source 10 by a polarized light splitting optical element 21, and makes the split luminous flux (P polarized light or S polarized light) incident on an optical element disposed in a subsequent stage; a plurality of optical modulation optical systems (first optical modulation optical system 30 and second optical modulation optical system 35) modulating each luminous flux (P polarized light or S polarized light) made incident from the illumination optical system 20; and a plurality of projection optical systems (first projection optical system 50 and second projection optical system 52) projecting an optical image formed by the modulation by the plurality of optical modulation optical systems (first optical modulation optical system 30 and second optical modulation optical system 35).

Description

  The present invention relates to a projector.

  Conventionally, efforts have been made to display 3D images (stereoscopic images) in projectors. Among these, in Patent Document 1, the light flux from the light source is dispersed, and the split light flux is modulated by the right-eye video signal and the left-eye video signal in the first liquid crystal panel and the second liquid crystal panel, respectively. A linear polarizer having a vertical polarization axis is disposed in front of the first liquid crystal panel, and a linear polarizer having a horizontal polarization axis is disposed in front of the second liquid crystal panel. The lights that have passed through the respective linear polarizers are combined and projected onto the screen by the projection lens. Viewing this screen with glasses with a linear polarizer with the vertical polarization axis on the right eye side and a linear polarizer with the horizontal polarization axis on the left eye side allows the viewer to appreciate stereoscopic images and downsize the device. And realizing a liquid crystal stereoscopic projector that does not require complicated circuits.

  In Patent Document 2, a light source, a first half mirror, a first liquid crystal panel that receives light transmitted through the first half mirror, a mirror that reflects light emitted from the first liquid crystal panel, and reflected light from the first half mirror. , A second liquid crystal panel on which light reflected by the mirror is incident, light that is emitted from the second liquid crystal panel is transmitted, and light that is emitted from the first liquid crystal panel is reflected by the mirror. And a projection lens that projects light emitted from the second half mirror as an optical system. This optical system is arranged so that the pixel group of the liquid crystal panel has a pixel arrangement shifted by half a pixel in the vertical direction, and a liquid crystal display device that improves a decrease in vertical resolution in a two-line driving method of a liquid crystal projector It is disclosed.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-103350 JP-A-8-137439

  However, in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, one projection optical system (projection lens) is provided, and modulated light after being modulated by separate liquid crystal panels is combined and projected to produce a single stereoscopic image or high-level image. A fine image is formed. For this reason, there is a problem that a plurality of images cannot be projected.

  Accordingly, there is a demand for a projector that can display a plurality of images with a single projector, improve convenience by enabling stereoscopic image display, and a projector that can improve the use efficiency and miniaturization of luminous flux. It was.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to solve at least a part of the problems described above, and the invention can be implemented as the following forms or application examples.

  Application Example 1 A projector according to this application example separates (a) a light source and (b) a light beam emitted from the light source, and causes each of the separated light beams to enter an optical element disposed in a subsequent stage. An illumination optical system, (c) a plurality of light modulation optical systems corresponding to the illumination optical system and modulating each light beam incident from the illumination optical system, and (d) a plurality of light modulation optical systems, And a plurality of projection optical systems each projecting an optical image formed by being modulated by the light modulation optical system.

  According to such a projector, the light beam emitted from the light source is separated by the illumination optical system and is incident on the subsequent optical element. Each of the light beams incident from the corresponding illumination optical system is modulated by the plurality of light modulation optical systems. Then, an optical image formed by being modulated by the corresponding illumination optical system is projected by a plurality of projection optical systems. Thereby, a plurality of images (a plurality of 2D images) can be displayed, and the convenience of the projector can be improved.

  Application Example 2 In the projector according to the application example described above, it is preferable that projection areas of the plurality of projection optical systems overlap at least partially.

  According to such a projector, when at least a part of the projection areas of the plurality of projection optical systems overlap, a plurality of projection images can be connected to form one image, for example, a panoramic image can be projected. Also, different images can be displayed as one image by overlapping and projecting a plurality of projected images. Further, by displaying the same image as one image, a high-luminance image display can be performed. As a result, the convenience of the projector can be improved.

  Application Example 3 In the projector according to the application example described above, it is preferable that the projection areas of the plurality of projection optical systems can obtain independent projection images without overlapping.

  According to such a projector, by obtaining independent projection images in which projection areas of a plurality of projection optical systems do not overlap with each other, a plurality of projection images can be converted into a plurality of independent images. The explanatory material can be projected independently. Also, different images can be displayed as one image by overlapping and projecting a plurality of projected images. Further, by displaying the same image as one image, a high-luminance image display can be performed. As a result, the convenience of the projector can be improved.

  Application Example 4 In the projector according to the application example described above, it is preferable that the optical axes of the projection lenses constituting the plurality of projection optical systems are shifted from the optical axes of the light beams incident on the projection lenses. .

  According to such a projector, the optical axis of each projection lens and the optical axis of the light beam incident on each projection lens are shifted, so that a part or all of each projection area is overlapped, It is possible to satisfactorily perform projection as independent projection areas without overlapping.

  Application Example 5 In the projector according to the application example described above, the illumination optical system includes a polarization separation optical element that separates the light flux from the light source, and the polarization separation optical element transmits the P-polarized light and reflects the S-polarized light. It is preferable to make it.

  According to such a projector, the polarization separation optical element transmits the P-polarized light and reflects the S-polarized light to separate the light flux. As a result, S-polarized light with high reflection characteristics and P-polarized light with low reflection characteristics can be matched to each other, so light loss due to polarization conversion is reduced and light beam separation (polarization separation) is highly efficient. Can be performed. In addition, for example, a stereoscopic image (corresponding to P-polarized light and S-polarized light is modulated by a light modulation optical system based on the image signal for the right eye and the image signal for the left eye, and then projected in an overlapping manner. 3D image) display is possible. In this case, the user can view the projected image as a stereoscopic image by wearing glasses with polarizing elements arranged on the left and right. Further, both P-polarized light and S-polarized light are modulated based on the same image signal, and then projected in an overlapping manner, thereby enabling high-luminance image display. As a result, the convenience of the projector can be further improved.

  Application Example 6 In the projector according to the application example described above, it is preferable that at least one of the plurality of projection optical systems includes a lens shift mechanism that can move a projection lens constituting the projection optical system.

  According to such a projector, the range of the projection area can be expanded by providing the lens shift mechanism. At least a part of the projection area can be overlapped at any projection lens position, and a plurality of image displays can be performed by setting the projection area for each image. In addition, it is possible to perform high-luminance display and stereoscopic image display by overlapping projection areas.

  Application Example 7 In the projector according to the application example described above, it is preferable that the projection lens of the projection optical system including the lens shift mechanism has a lens having a larger aperture than the projection lens of the other projection optical system. .

  According to such a projector, the shift range of the lens shift mechanism can be expanded by having the lens with a large aperture (lens with a small F number) in the projection lens of the projection optical system including the lens shift mechanism. The projection area can be set in a wide range.

  Application Example 8 In the projector according to the application example described above, the projection optical system includes a first projection optical system and a second projection optical system, and the first projection optical system and the second projection optical system include It is preferable that the incident light intensity is equal to each other.

  According to such a projector, the intensity of incident light incident on the first projection optical system and the second projection optical system is equal to each other, so that even when the polarization ratios of the light sources are different, the same brightness is obtained. A projected image can be obtained. In the case of a stereoscopic image display, a realistic image expression without discomfort is possible.

  Application Example 9 In the projector according to the application example described above, among the optical elements from the illumination optical system to the projection optical system, at least the optical elements that have the same function and generate heat are disposed so as to overlap in the direction of gravity. It is preferable.

  According to such a projector, when optical elements having the same function and generating heat are stacked in the direction of gravity, for example, when the light modulation optical system is cooled using a cooling fan, 1 is used. It is not necessary to use a fan for each optical element, and efficient cooling can be performed with a minimum number of fans. In addition, the cooling structure can be simplified by stacking optical elements that require cooling.

  Application Example 10 In the projector according to the application example described above, at least one of a plurality of optical elements that are disposed in the subsequent stage after separating the light beam from the light source and have the same function is disposed adjacent to each other. Preferably it is.

  According to such a projector, it is possible to perform an efficient arrangement with a reduced useless space area, so that the optical system can be configured as a miniaturized unit.

  Application Example 11 In the projector according to the application example described above, at least one of a plurality of optical elements that are disposed in a subsequent stage after separating the light beam from the light source and have the same function may be shared. preferable.

  According to such a projector, by sharing at least one of a plurality of optical elements having the same function, the number of optical elements can be reduced, and the structure of the optical system can be simplified. can do.

  Application Example 12 In the projector according to the application example described above, at least one of a plurality of optical elements that are disposed in a subsequent stage after separating the light beam from the light source and have the same function may be integrated. preferable.

  According to such a projector, the optical system can be configured as a further miniaturized unit.

  Application Example 13 In the projector according to the application example described above, the light source is preferably a light source with high directivity.

  According to such a projector, a light source with a low directivity (for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) is used by using a light source with a high directivity (for example, an LD (Laser Diode) light source or a SLD (Super Luminescent Diode) light source)). Compared with a light source such as a light source or a discharge lamp), there are many parallel light components in the light distribution of the luminous flux, and the angle of penetration defined by the F number of the projection lens can be reduced. Thereby, the aperture of the projection lens can be made smaller than that of the projection lens used for the light source having low directivity. In addition, when the lens shift mechanism is used, the shift range can be set wider than when the lens shift mechanism is used for a light source with low directivity.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of an optical system in the projector according to the first embodiment. The typical side view of the optical system in the projector of 2nd Embodiment. It is a top view explaining the projection area | region by a projection optical system, (a) is a top view which shows the projection area | region and 3rd projection image by a 3rd projection optical system, (b) is the 3rd projection area | region by a projection optical system. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a first projection image. It is a top view explaining the projection area | region by a projection optical system, (a) is a top view which shows the state which the 3rd projection image and the 1st projection image touched in the horizontal direction, (b) is a 3rd projection image, The top view which shows the image which the 1st projection image overlapped. The top view explaining the projection area of the projection optical system in the projector of a 3rd embodiment. The typical perspective view of the optical system in the projector of a 4th embodiment. FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of an optical system in a projector according to a fifth embodiment. FIG. 20 is a schematic perspective view of an optical system in a projector according to a sixth embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)

  FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an optical system in the projector according to the first embodiment. The configuration and operation of the optical system 1 in the projector 90 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The optical system 1 of the projector 90 includes a light source 10 and an illumination optical system 20 that separates light beams emitted from the light source 10 and causes each separated light beam to enter an optical element disposed in a subsequent stage. The optical system 1 is modulated and formed with two light modulation optical systems (a first light modulation optical system 30 and a second light modulation optical system 35) that modulate each light beam incident from the illumination optical system 20. Two projection optical systems (a first projection optical system 50 and a second projection optical system 52) for projecting each optical image.

  Here, in FIG. 1 for explaining the present embodiment, the direction of the light beam traveling through the first light modulation optical system 30 and the second light modulation optical system 35 is orthogonal to the X-axis direction and the X-axis direction. An XYZ orthogonal coordinate system in which the vertical direction is orthogonal to the Y-axis direction and the substantially horizontal direction in FIG. Further, the traveling direction of the light beam is defined as + X direction, the upward direction along + X direction is defined as + Y direction, and the substantially right direction along + X direction is defined as + Z direction.

  The light source 10 uses an LED (Light Emitting Diode) light source 11 as a solid light source. The LED light source 11 emits white light. The illumination optical system 20 includes a polarization separation optical element 21 and a reflection mirror 22. The polarization separation optical element 21 transmits P-polarized light and reflects S-polarized light.

  The first light modulation optical system 30 uses a single plate system, and includes a first incident side polarizing plate 32, a first liquid crystal panel 31 as a light modulation element, and a first emission side polarizing plate 33. . Similarly, the second light modulation optical system 35 also uses a single plate system, and includes a second incident side polarizing plate 37, a second liquid crystal panel 36 as a light modulating element, and a second emission side polarizing plate 38. Has been. The first projection optical system 50 includes a first projection lens 51. Similarly, the second projection optical system 52 is also configured to include a second projection lens 53.

  The image projected from the first projection optical system 50 is projected on the screen S as the first projected image 61. Similarly, the image projected from the second projection optical system 52 is projected on the screen S as the second projected image 62. In the optical system 1 of the present embodiment, each of the first projection image 61 and the second projection image 62 projected from the first projection optical system 50 and the second projection optical system 52 is overlapped to form one projection image 60. Is formed. The optical axes 51a and 53a of the first projection lens 51 and the second projection lens 53 constituting the first projection optical system 50 and the second projection optical system 52 are respectively the first projection lens 51 and the second projection lens 53. Is shifted with respect to the optical axes 30a and 35a of the light beam incident on the beam. Specifically, the optical axes 51a and 53a are configured to be shifted from the optical axes 30a and 35a in the center direction of the projection image 60 formed by overlapping the first projection image 61 and the second projection image 62. The projected image may be a still image or a moving image.

  The optical elements constituting the first light modulation optical system 30 and the second light modulation optical system 35 are optical elements having the same function in the horizontal direction (Y-axis direction), in other words, in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction). They are arranged in a stacked form. For example, the 1st incident side polarizing plate 32 and the 2nd incident side polarizing plate 37 are arrange | positioned in the form piled up in the left-right direction. Alternatively, the first liquid crystal panel 31 and the second liquid crystal panel 36 are arranged so as to be overlapped in the left-right direction.

  Further, in the optical system 1 of the present embodiment, the projection optical system (the first projection optical system 50 and the second projection optical system 52) is arranged from the illumination optical system 20 disposed in the subsequent stage after the light beam from the light source 10 is separated. The optical elements described above are arranged such that optical elements having the same function are stacked in the horizontal direction and the distance between the optical elements is shortened (adjacent).

  In the optical system 1 configured as described above, the light beam emitted from the LED light source 11 is separated into two polarized lights (P-polarized light and S-polarized light) by the polarization separation optical element 21. Specifically, the polarization splitting optical element 21 transmits P-polarized light that is a polarization component in the horizontal direction (Y-axis direction) and reflects S-polarized light that is a polarization component in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). Thus, the light beam is separated into two polarized lights.

  The P-polarized light that has been transmitted and separated by the polarization separation optical element 21 is incident on the first incident-side polarizing plate 32 having the polarization axis provided in the front stage (incident side) of the first liquid crystal panel 31 and is first incident. The light passes through the side polarizing plate 32. The first incident-side polarizing plate 32 transmits the P-polarized light having the same axial direction. The first liquid crystal panel 31 is a normally black TN liquid crystal that transmits a light beam when a voltage is applied, and is driven by a right-eye image signal. Then, the P-polarized light incident on the first liquid crystal panel 31 is output by the first liquid crystal panel 31 with the polarization axis converted into the vertical direction.

  The P-polarized light incident on the first liquid crystal panel 31 is converted into polarized light (so-called S-polarized light) whose polarization axis is in the vertical direction, and the polarization axis provided on the rear stage (exit side) of the first liquid crystal panel 31 is in the vertical direction. Is incident on the first exit-side polarizing plate 33 and passes through the first exit-side polarizing plate 33. The polarized light whose polarization axis is converted in the vertical direction (the optical image for the right eye formed by being modulated by the first liquid crystal panel 31) is applied to the screen S via the first projection lens 51. Is projected as.

  On the other hand, the S-polarized light reflected and separated by the polarization separation optical element 21 is totally reflected by the reflection mirror 22, and the second incident side in which the polarization axis provided at the front stage (incident side) of the second liquid crystal panel 36 is vertical. The light enters the polarizing plate 37 and passes through the second incident-side polarizing plate 37. The second incident-side polarizing plate 37 transmits S-polarized light having a more uniform axial direction. Similarly to the first liquid crystal panel 31, the second liquid crystal panel 36 is also composed of a normally black TN liquid crystal and is driven by a left-eye image signal. Then, the S-polarized light incident on the second liquid crystal panel 36 is output by the second liquid crystal panel 36 with the polarization axis converted into the vertical direction.

  The S-polarized light incident on the second liquid crystal panel 36 is converted into polarized light whose polarization axis is horizontal (so-called P-polarized light), and the polarization axis provided at the rear stage (exit side) of the second liquid crystal panel 36 is horizontal. Is incident on the second exit-side polarizing plate 38 and passes through the second exit-side polarizing plate 38. Then, the polarized light whose polarization axis is converted in the horizontal direction (the optical image for the left eye formed by being modulated by the second liquid crystal panel 36) is applied to the second projected image 62 on the screen S via the second projection lens 53. Is projected as.

  By the operation of the optical system 1 of the present embodiment, the first projection image 61 for the right eye and the second projection image 62 for the left eye overlap and are projected on the screen S as one projection image 60. Then, the user arranges a polarizing element having the same polarization axis as that of the first exit side polarizing plate 33 for the right eye and a polarizing element having the same polarization axis as that of the second exit side polarizing plate 38 for the left eye. The projected image 60 can be recognized as a stereoscopic image by wearing the glasses 9 and viewing the projected image 60.

According to the embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained.
According to the projector 90 including the optical system 1 of the present embodiment, the light beam emitted from the light source 10 (LED light source 11) is separated by the illumination optical system 20 (polarization separation optical element 21 and reflection mirror 22), and the subsequent stage. Is incident on the optical element. Each of the light beams incident from the corresponding illumination optical system 20 is modulated by a plurality of light modulation optical systems (the first light modulation optical system 30 and the second light modulation optical system 35). Then, an optical image formed by being modulated by the corresponding illumination optical system 20 is projected by a plurality of projection optical systems (the first projection optical system 50 and the second projection optical system 52). More specifically, the polarized light separating optical element 21 separates the light into P-polarized light and S-polarized light, modulates the right-eye image signal with respect to the P-polarized light by the first light modulation optical system 30, and generates S-polarized light. The image signal for the left eye is modulated by the second light modulation optical system 35 with respect to the light. Then, the first projection optical system 50 projects the first projection image 61 for the right eye, the second projection optical system 52 projects the second projection image 62 for the left eye, and superimposes the images to form one projection image. 60 is projected onto the screen S. Thereby, the projector 90 can project a polarization-separated stereoscopic image (projected image 60), and can improve the convenience of the projector.

  The optical system 1 of the projector 90 according to the present embodiment includes a light path system using P-polarized light and an optical path system using S-polarized light by the polarization separation optical element 21 for the light beam of the light source 10 (LED light source 11) in one projector 90. The two optical path systems are divided into two projection optical systems (a first projection optical system 50 and a second projection optical system 52) corresponding to the two optical path systems, and a stereoscopic image is projected. Therefore, when compared with the conventional method of stacking two projectors with a stack member and projecting a stereoscopic image by polarization separation, the user has special knowledge and work such as stacking method and subsequent projection. It is possible to easily project a stereoscopic image without forcing.

  The optical system 1 of the projector 90 according to the present embodiment includes a light path system using P-polarized light and an optical path system using S-polarized light by the polarization separation optical element 21 for the light beam of the light source 10 (LED light source 11) in one projector 90. The two optical path systems are divided into two projection optical systems (a first projection optical system 50 and a second projection optical system 52) corresponding to the two optical path systems, and a stereoscopic image is projected. As a result, there is no change in etendue before and after polarization separation, and it is possible to project a polarization-separated stereoscopic image (projected image 60) that realizes energy saving without reducing light utilization efficiency. Etendue is a parameter given by the product of the light emitting area of the light source and the solid angle of light that can be collected, and indicates the spatial extent in which there is a luminous flux that can be used effectively and is stored optically. .

  According to the projector 90 including the optical system 1 of the present embodiment, the polarization separation optical element 21 transmits P-polarized light and reflects S-polarized light to separate the light flux. As a result, S-polarized light with high reflection characteristics and P-polarized light with low reflection characteristics can be matched to each other, so light loss due to polarization conversion is reduced and light beam separation (polarization separation) is highly efficient. Can be performed.

  According to the projector 90 including the optical system 1 of the present embodiment, the first projection optical system 50, the first projection lens 51 constituting the second projection optical system 52, and the optical axes 51a and 53a of the second projection lens 53 are The first projection lens 51 and the second projection lens 53 are displaced from the optical axes 30a and 35a of the light beams incident on the first projection lens 51 and the second projection lens 53, respectively. Specifically, the projection image 60 is configured to be shifted in the center direction. Thereby, even if the position of the 1st projection lens 51 and the 2nd projection lens 53 differs by the 1st projection optical system 50 and the 2nd projection optical system 52, the 1st projection image 61 and the 2nd projection image 62 are overlapped. Can be done well.

  According to the optical system 1 of the present embodiment, the projection optical system (the first projection optical system 50 and the second projection optical system 52) is arranged from the illumination optical system 20 disposed in the subsequent stage after the light beam from the light source 10 is separated. The optical elements up to and including the optical elements having the same functions are arranged in the horizontal direction with the distance between the optical elements shortened (adjacent). As a result, it is possible to perform an efficient arrangement in which a useless space area is reduced, so that the optical system 1 can be configured as a miniaturized unit. Further, the optical system 1 can be further reduced in size by arranging the optical elements having the same functions in the horizontal direction.

In the optical system 1 of the present embodiment, the light source 10 uses an LED light source 11. When the LED light source 11 is separated into P-polarized light and S-polarized light by the polarization separating optical element 21, the intensities of the P-polarized light and S-polarized light are substantially equal to each other. Therefore, the intensity of incident light amounts incident on the first projection optical system 50 and the second projection optical system 52 are substantially equal to each other. As a result, when a stereoscopic image is projected, the brightness of the projected image is not biased, and a realistic image expression without a sense of incongruity becomes possible.
(Second Embodiment)

  FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of an optical system in the projector according to the second embodiment. FIG. 3 is a plan view for explaining a projection area by the projection optical system, and FIG. 3A is a plan view showing a projection area and a third projection image by the third projection optical system, and FIG. These are top views which show the 3rd projection area and 1st projection image by a projection optical system. 4 is a plan view for explaining a projection area by the projection optical system, and FIG. 4A is a plan view showing a state in which the third projection image and the first projection image are in contact with each other in the horizontal direction. (B) is a top view which shows the image which the 3rd projection image and the 1st projection image overlapped.

  The configuration and operation of the optical system 2 in the projector 91 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, and 4. In FIG. 2, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The configuration of the optical system 2 of the projector 91 of the present embodiment is different from that of the optical system 1 of the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the second projection optical system 52 is replaced with a new third projection optical system 54. Has been replaced. The third projection optical system 54 includes a third projection lens 55 having a large aperture (small F number) compared to the second projection lens 53 of the first embodiment. The third projection optical system 54 includes a lens shift mechanism (not shown). The lens shift mechanism is configured to be able to shift in the horizontal direction (Y-axis direction) and the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) with respect to the third projection optical system 54.

  The third projection image 63 projected from the third projection optical system 54 is projected onto the screen S as shown in FIG. Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the third projection image 63 can be arbitrarily moved within the projection area 65 indicated by the two-dot chain line by the shift by the lens shift mechanism to determine the projection position.

  Further, the first projection image 61 projected from the first projection optical system 50 is projected onto the screen S as shown in FIG. The first projected image 61 does not include a lens shift mechanism as in the first embodiment. In the optical system 2 of the present embodiment, the first projection optical system 50 is set to project the first projection image 61 projected from the first projection lens 51 into the projection area 65 of the third projection image 63. Has been. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3B, the first projection image 61 is projected so that the boundary in the −Y direction of the first projection image 61 substantially matches the boundary in the −Y direction of the projection area 65. I am letting.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the third projection image 63 projected from the third projection optical system 54 is shifted to the left boundary (+ Y direction) of the first projection image 61 by the shift by the lens shift mechanism. 3 Projection can be performed so that the right boundary (−Y direction) of the projected image 63 touches. A connected projection image formed by projecting the first projection image 61 and the third projection image 63 can be used as an integrated projection image 66. Specifically, a stitching image such as a panoramic image in the horizontal direction (Y-axis direction) can be projected using the projection image 66.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, the third projected image 63 is shifted by the lens shift mechanism, and is projected on the first projected image 61 (same as the projected image 60 of the first embodiment). Can be projected. Therefore, similarly to the first embodiment, the projected image 67 can be projected as a stereoscopic image. Further, when the stereoscopic image is not used, the projected image 67 can be a high-luminance projected image.

  As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the third projected image 63 can be in contact with or overlapped with the first projected image 61, and can be arbitrarily set in the projection area 65. Since the projection position can be set, a part of the first projection image 61 can be overlapped, or the first projection image 61 can be projected independently. Further, it is possible to project the form in which the boundary in the −Z direction of the third projection image 63 is in contact with the boundary in the + Z direction of the first projection image 61, and stitching such as a panoramic image in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). An image can be projected.

  The optical system 2 according to the second embodiment is provided with a third projection optical system 54 and a lens shift mechanism instead of the second projection optical system 52 of the first embodiment. Except for being different from 1, it is the same as the first embodiment. Therefore, in addition to having the corresponding effect as it is among the effects of the optical system 1 and the projector 90 according to the first embodiment, the following effects are obtained.

According to the projector 91 of the present embodiment, the third projection optical system 54 includes a lens shift mechanism and is configured to be able to shift in the horizontal direction (Y-axis direction) and the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). Accordingly, different images can be displayed by projecting the first projection image 61 and the third projection image 63 to different positions. Therefore, for example, by displaying the reference material as the first projection image 61 and the explanatory material as the third projection image 63, the projector 91 can be used as means for efficiently advancing the conference. Thereby, the convenience of the projector 91 is further improved.
Further, a stitching image such as a panoramic image can be projected as a projection image 66 obtained by connecting the first projection image 61 and the third projection image 63 in the horizontal direction. Further, a stitching image such as a panoramic image can be projected as a projection image obtained by connecting the first projection image 61 and the third projection image 63 in the vertical direction. In addition, a stereoscopic image can be displayed as a projected image 67 in which the first projected image 61 and the third projected image 63 are overlapped and matched. In addition, when the first projected image 61 and the third projected image 63 project the same image, and the projected image 67 is made to coincide with each other, a high-brightness image obtained by adding P-polarized light and S-polarized light is used. Can be projected. As a result, the convenience of the projector 91 is further improved.

According to the projector 91 of the present embodiment, the third projection optical system 54 includes the third projection lens (projection lens having a small F number) 55 having a larger aperture than the second projection lens 53 of the first embodiment. Used. Thereby, compared with the case where the second projection optical system 52 of the first embodiment is provided with the same lens shift mechanism as that of the present embodiment, the projection area 65 of the third projection image 63 by the third projection optical system 54 is widened. By doing so, the degree of freedom in setting the projection position is expanded.
(Third embodiment)

  FIG. 5 is a plan view for explaining a projection area of the projection optical system in the projector according to the third embodiment. The configuration and operation of the optical system 3 in the projector 92 will be described with reference to FIG.

  This embodiment is the same as the second embodiment except that the second projection embodiment shown in FIG. 2 includes the optical system 3 including a lens shift mechanism (not shown) in the first projection optical system 50. It is constituted similarly. Therefore, in FIG. 5, the same components as those in the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As described above, the configuration of the optical system 3 of the projector 92 of the present embodiment is the same as that of the second embodiment except that the first projection optical system 50 shown in FIG. 2 includes a lens shift mechanism. This lens shift mechanism is configured to be shiftable in the horizontal direction (Y-axis direction) and the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) with respect to the first projection optical system 50. The aperture of the first projection lens 51 of the first projection optical system 50 is not changed.

  With this lens shift mechanism, the projection position of the first projection image 61 can be determined by arbitrarily moving within the projection area 68 indicated by a two-dot chain line, as shown in FIG. Note that the shift range of the lens shift mechanism used in the first projection optical system 50 is narrower than the shift range of the lens shift mechanism used in the third projection optical system 54. Accordingly, the projection area 68 of the first projection image 61 is narrower than the projection area 65 of the third projection image 63.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, by operating both lens shift mechanisms, the first projection image 61 is positioned at the boundary in the + Y direction of the projection area 68, and the third projection image 63 is in the −Y direction of the projection area 65. When the first projected image 61 and the third projected image 63 are made coincident with each other, the projected image 69 can be formed.

  The configuration of the optical system 3 of the projector 92 of the present embodiment is the same as that of the second embodiment except that the first projection optical system 50 includes a lens shift mechanism. Therefore, in addition to having the corresponding effect as it is among the effects of the optical system 2 and the projector 91 according to the second embodiment, the following effects are obtained.

According to the projector 92 of the present embodiment, since the first projection optical system 50 includes the lens shift mechanism, the projection position of the first projection image 61 can be freely set within the projection area 68, so that the projection position More freedom of setting.
(Fourth embodiment)

  FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of an optical system in the projector of the fourth embodiment. The configuration and operation of the optical system 4 in the projector 93 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The optical system 4 of the present embodiment is configured in substantially the same manner as the optical system 2 of the second embodiment shown in FIG. A different point is that the light source 15 is composed of a light-emitting lamp 16 composed of a light-emitting tube 17 and a reflector 18, and other configurations are the same. Accordingly, in FIG. 6, the same components as those in the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Further, the optical system 4 of the present embodiment is different from the optical system 2 of the second embodiment in the arrangement position of the optical system 4. Specifically, the optical system 2 according to the second embodiment illuminates in the left direction (+ Y direction) of the polarization separation optical element 21, the first light modulation optical system 30, and the first projection optical system 50 of the illumination optical system 20. Whereas the reflection mirror 22, the second light modulation optical system 35, and the third projection optical system 54 of the optical system 20 are disposed, the optical system 4 of the present embodiment is the polarization separation optical of the illumination optical system 20. In the upward direction (+ Z direction) of the element 21, the first light modulation optical system 30, and the first projection optical system 50, the reflection mirror 22, the second light modulation optical system 35, and the third projection optical system of the illumination optical system 20 54 is disposed.

  The optical elements constituting the first light modulation optical system 30 and the second light modulation optical system 35 are optical elements having the same function as each other in the gravitational direction (−Z axis direction), in other words, the vertical direction (Z axis direction). Are arranged in a stacked form. For example, the 1st incident side polarizing plate 32 and the 2nd incident side polarizing plate 37 are arrange | positioned with the form piled up in the gravity direction. Or the 1st liquid crystal panel 31 and the 2nd liquid crystal panel 36 are arrange | positioned in the form piled up in the gravity direction.

  Further, in the optical system 4 of the present embodiment, the projection optical system (first projection optical system 50, third projection optical system 54) from the illumination optical system 20 disposed in the subsequent stage after the light beam from the light source 15 is separated. In addition to arranging the optical elements having the same function in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction), the optical elements up to and including the optical elements are arranged so that the distance between the optical elements is shortened (adjacent). ing.

  The light-emitting lamp 16 emits light by discharge inside the light-emitting tube 17, and the light beam emitted from the light-emitting tube 17 is reflected by the reflector 18, so that the rear side (the polarization separation optical element of the illumination optical system 20) 21 side).

  The optical system 4 of the present embodiment includes a first light modulation optical system among the optical elements from the illumination optical system 20 to the projection optical system (the first projection optical system 50 and the third projection optical system 54) by the light emitting lamp 16. 30 and the optical elements constituting the second light modulation optical system 35 generate heat. The optical elements constituting the first light modulation optical system 30 and the second light modulation optical system 35 that generate heat are, in detail, the first incident side polarizing plate 32, the second incident side polarizing plate 37, and the first liquid crystal panel. 31 and the second liquid crystal panel 36, and the first emission side polarizing plate 33 and the second emission side polarizing plate 38.

  In contrast to the optical system 4 arranged as described above, the projector 93 of this embodiment includes a cooling fan 600 for cooling the optical elements that generate heat in the optical system 4. In addition, the cooling fan 600 is arrange | positioned in the downward direction (-Z direction) of the 1st light modulation optical system 30, as shown in FIG. The cooling fan 600 blows cooling air upward (+ Z direction).

  By driving the cooling fan 600, the cooling air is first optical elements (the first incident-side polarizing plate 32, the first liquid crystal) that constitute the first light modulation optical system 30 disposed in the upward direction of the cooling fan 600. The panel 31 and the first emission side polarizing plate 33) are cooled. Next, the cooling air is supplied to the optical elements (second incident side polarizing plate 37, second liquid crystal panel 36, and second optical element) constituting the second light modulation optical system 35 disposed above the first light modulation optical system 30. The two exit side polarizing plates 38) are cooled and flow upward. By this operation, the heat generating optical element is efficiently cooled.

  The projector 93 of the present embodiment is the same as that of the second embodiment except that the cooling fan 600 is provided and the optical system 4 is provided with the light emitting lamp 16 in the light source 15. Therefore, in addition to having the corresponding effect as it is among the effects of the optical system 2 and the projector 91 according to the second embodiment, the following effects are obtained.

  According to the optical system 4 of the projector 93 of the present embodiment, the projection optical system (the first projection optical system 50 and the third projection optical system) is arranged from the illumination optical system 20 disposed in the subsequent stage after separating the light flux from the light source 15. The optical elements up to the system 54) are arranged such that optical elements having the same functions are stacked in the direction of gravity (vertical direction: Z-axis direction), and the distance between the optical elements is shortened (adjacent to each other). Arranged). Thereby, by disposing the cooling fan 600 in the downward direction (−Z direction), the heat generating optical element can be efficiently cooled. Further, by arranging them in an overlapping manner, efficient cooling with a minimum number of fans can be performed. In addition, the cooling structure can be simplified by stacking optical elements that require cooling.

In the optical system 4 of the present embodiment, the light source 15 uses a discharge type light emitting lamp 16. When the light-emitting lamp 16 is separated into P-polarized light and S-polarized light by the polarization separating optical element 21, the intensities of the P-polarized light and S-polarized light are substantially equal to each other. Therefore, the intensity of incident light amounts incident on the first projection optical system 50 and the third projection optical system 54 are substantially equal to each other. As a result, when a stereoscopic image is projected, the brightness of the projected image is not biased, and a realistic image expression without a sense of incongruity becomes possible.
(Fifth embodiment)

  FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of an optical system in the projector according to the fifth embodiment. The configuration and operation of the optical system 5 in the projector 94 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The optical system 5 of the projector 94 employs a so-called three-plate method in which three liquid crystal panels are used as light modulation elements corresponding to red light, green light, and blue light. The basic configuration of the optical system 5 is the same as that of the first embodiment. The optical system 5 includes a color synthesis optical system that synthesizes light beams (optical images) of red light, green light, and blue light modulated by the liquid crystal panel by using three liquid crystal panels. Details of the optical system 5 will be described below.

  The optical system 5 includes three optical systems: an optical system for red light (red optical system 5R), an optical system for green light (green optical system 5G), and an optical system for blue light (blue optical system 5B). It has an optical system that matches the color light. Each optical system (red optical system 5R, green optical system 5G, blue optical system 5B) includes a light source 100, an illumination optical system 200, and a light modulation optical system (first light modulation optical system 300, second light modulation). And an optical system 350). The optical system 5 includes a color synthesis optical system (first color synthesis optical system 700, second color synthesis optical system 750), a projection optical system (first projection optical system 500, second projection optical system 550), and the like. Configured.

  The red optical system 5 </ b> R includes, as the light source 100, an LED light source that emits red light (hereinafter, a red LED light source 101). The illumination optical system 200 includes a polarization separation optical element 201 and a reflection mirror 202. The first light modulation optical system 300 includes a first liquid crystal panel 301 as a light modulation element, a first incident side polarizing plate 302, and a first emission side polarizing plate 303. The second light modulation optical system 350 includes a second liquid crystal panel 351 as a light modulation element, a second incident side polarizing plate 352, and a second emission side polarizing plate 353.

  The green optical system 5G includes, as the light source 100, an LED light source that emits green light (hereinafter, green LED light source 102). The illumination optical system 200 includes a polarization separation optical element 203 and a reflection mirror 204. The first light modulation optical system 300 includes a first liquid crystal panel 304 as a light modulation element, a first incident side polarizing plate 305, and a first emission side polarizing plate 306. The second light modulation optical system 350 includes a second liquid crystal panel 354 as a light modulation element, a second incident-side polarizing plate 355, and a second emission-side polarizing plate 356.

  The blue optical system 5B includes, as the light source 100, an LED light source that emits blue light (hereinafter, blue LED light source 103). The illumination optical system 200 includes a polarization separation optical element 205 and a reflection mirror 206. The first light modulation optical system 300 includes a first liquid crystal panel 307 as a light modulation element, a first incident side polarizing plate 308, and a first emission side polarizing plate 309. The second light modulation optical system 350 includes a second liquid crystal panel 357 as a light modulation element, a second incident side polarizing plate 358, and a second emission side polarizing plate 359.

  The first color synthesis optical system 700 includes a first cross dichroic prism 701. In the first cross dichroic prism 701, a dielectric multilayer film that reflects red light and a dielectric multilayer film that reflects blue light are provided in an approximately X shape along the interface of four right-angle prisms. The three color lights are synthesized by these dielectric multilayer films. The second color synthesis optical system 750 includes a second cross dichroic prism 751. The second cross dichroic prism 751 is configured in the same manner as the first cross dichroic prism 701 described above, and performs the same operation.

  The first projection optical system 500 includes a first projection lens 501 and projects an optical image synthesized by the first cross dichroic prism 701 onto a screen (not shown). The second projection optical system 550 includes a second projection lens 551, and projects the optical image synthesized by the second cross dichroic prism 751 onto the screen. It should be noted that the first projection optical system 500 and the second projection optical system 550 of the present embodiment are configured to be superimposed projection images, and are projected as stereoscopic images as in the first embodiment.

  Here, in FIG. 7 illustrating the present embodiment, the direction of the light beam emitted from the color synthesis optical system (first color synthesis optical system 700) is orthogonal to the X-axis direction and the X-axis direction. An XYZ orthogonal coordinate system in which the vertical direction is orthogonal to the Z-axis direction and the horizontal direction in FIG. The traveling direction of the light beam is defined as + X direction, the upward direction along + X direction is defined as + Z direction, and the substantially left direction along + X direction is defined as + Y direction. In the optical system 5 of this embodiment, the illumination optical system 200 separates the light beam in the vertical direction (when the direction of gravity is the downward direction).

  In the optical system 5 of the present embodiment, optical elements from the illumination optical system 200 to the projection optical system (the first projection optical system 500 and the second projection optical system 550) are optical elements having the same function as each other in the direction of gravity. They are arranged so as to overlap in the (−Z direction). For example, the first incident side polarizing plate 302 and the second incident side polarizing plate 352 are disposed so as to overlap in the direction of gravity. Alternatively, the first liquid crystal panel 301 and the second liquid crystal panel 351 are arranged so as to overlap in the direction of gravity.

  As described above, the optical system 5 is configured by arranging optical elements having the same function in the gravity direction (−Z direction) so as to constitute the first light modulation optical system 300 and the second light modulation optical system 350. The optical elements to be overlapped are also arranged. In the present embodiment, the second light modulation optical system 350 is disposed above the first light modulation optical system 300.

  Further, in the optical system 5, the optical elements from the illumination optical system 200 to the projection optical system (the first projection optical system 500 and the second projection optical system 550) disposed in the subsequent stage after separating the light flux from the light source 100. The elements are arranged such that optical elements having the same function are stacked in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) and the distance between the optical elements is shortened (adjacent).

  In the optical system 5 of this embodiment, the illumination optical system 200 separates the light beam in the vertical direction (when the direction of gravity is the downward direction). The second light modulation optical system 350, the second color synthesis optical system 750, and the second projection optical system 550 constituting the red optical system 5R, the green optical system 5G, and the blue optical system 5B are the first light. The modulation optical system 300, the first color synthesis optical system 700, and the first projection optical system 500 are positioned above (+ Z direction).

  The operations of the red optical system 5R, the green optical system 5G, and the blue optical system 5B differ only in the color light, and the configuration and operation are the same. Therefore, the red optical system 5R will be mainly described and described, and the green optical system 5G and the blue optical system 5B simplify the description. The operations of the light source 100, the illumination optical system 200, the first light modulation optical system 300, and the second light modulation optical system 350 of the present embodiment are the same as those of the light source 10, the illumination optical system 20, and the first light modulation of the first embodiment. Since the operations are the same as those of the optical system 30 and the second light modulation optical system 35, they will be briefly described.

  In the red optical system 5R, the red light beam emitted from the red LED light source 101 is transmitted through the polarization separation optical element 201, and the P-polarized light is transmitted and the S-polarized light is reflected. Separated.

  The P-polarized light that has passed through the polarization separation optical element 201 enters the first incident-side polarizing plate 302 and passes through the first incident-side polarizing plate 302. The first incident-side polarizing plate 302 transmits the P-polarized light having a more aligned axial direction. The first liquid crystal panel 301 is a normally black TN liquid crystal, and is driven by an image signal for red light for the right eye. Then, the P-polarized light incident on the first liquid crystal panel 301 is output by the first liquid crystal panel 301 with the polarization axis converted by 90 °.

  The P-polarized light incident on the first liquid crystal panel 301 has its polarization axis converted by 90 ° (converted into so-called S-polarized light), is incident on the first exit-side polarizing plate 303, and is transmitted through the first exit-side polarizing plate 303. To do. Then, the polarized light (the optical image formed by being modulated by the first liquid crystal panel 301) transmitted through the first emission side polarizing plate 303 is applied to one side surface (the side surface in the −Y direction) of the first cross dichroic prism 701. Incident.

  On the other hand, the S-polarized light reflected and separated by the polarization separation optical element 201 is totally reflected by the reflection mirror 202, enters the second incident side polarizing plate 352, and passes through the second incident side polarizing plate 352. The second incident-side polarizing plate 352 transmits S-polarized light having a more aligned axial direction. Similarly to the first liquid crystal panel 301, the second liquid crystal panel 351 is composed of normally black TN liquid crystal, and is driven by an image signal for red light for the left eye. The S-polarized light incident on the second liquid crystal panel 351 is output by the second liquid crystal panel 351 with the polarization axis converted by 90 °.

  The S-polarized light incident on the second liquid crystal panel 351 has a polarization axis converted by 90 ° (converted into so-called P-polarized light), is incident on the second exit-side polarizing plate 353, and is transmitted through the second exit-side polarizing plate 353. To do. Then, the polarized light (optical image formed by being modulated by the second liquid crystal panel 351) transmitted through the second emission side polarizing plate 353 is applied to one side surface (side surface in the −Y direction) of the second cross dichroic prism 751. Incident.

The green optical system 5G operates in the same manner as the red optical system 5R.
The green light beam emitted from the green LED light source 102 is transmitted through the polarization separation optical element 203 so that the P-polarized light is transmitted and the S-polarized light is reflected, whereby the light beam is separated into two polarized lights. The separated P-polarized light is incident on the first incident-side polarizing plate 305, and then passes through the first liquid crystal panel 304 and the first emission-side polarizing plate 306, and then is polarized light (formed by the first liquid crystal panel 304 to be modulated). The optical image for the right eye and green light that has been made is incident on one side surface (side surface in the −X direction) of the first cross dichroic prism 701.

  On the other hand, the S-polarized light reflected and separated by the polarization separation optical element 203 is totally reflected by the reflection mirror 204 and enters the second incident side polarizing plate 355, and then the second liquid crystal panel 354 and the second emission side. Through the polarizing plate 356, the polarized light (the optical image for green light for the left eye formed by modulation by the second liquid crystal panel 354) is one side surface (side surface in the −X direction) of the second cross dichroic prism 751. Is incident on.

The blue optical system 5B operates in the same manner as the red optical system 5R.
The blue light beam emitted from the blue LED light source 103 is transmitted by the polarization separation optical element 205, and the P-polarized light is transmitted and the S-polarized light is reflected, so that the light beam is separated into two polarized light. The separated P-polarized light is incident on the first incident-side polarizing plate 308, and then passes through the first liquid crystal panel 307 and the first emission-side polarizing plate 309, and is then polarized by the first liquid crystal panel 307. The right-eye optical image for blue light) is incident on one side surface (the side surface in the + Y direction) of the first cross dichroic prism 701.

  On the other hand, the S-polarized light reflected and separated by the polarization separation optical element 205 is totally reflected by the reflection mirror 206 and enters the second incident side polarizing plate 358, and then the second liquid crystal panel 357, the second emission side. Through the polarizing plate 359, the polarized light (the optical image for the blue light for the left eye formed by being modulated by the second liquid crystal panel 357) is applied to one side surface (the side surface in the + Y direction) of the second cross dichroic prism 751. Incident.

  The optical images for the right eye, red light, green light, and blue light incident on the three side surfaces of the first cross dichroic prism 701 are combined and projected via the first projection lens 501. Similarly, the optical images for the left eye, for red light, for green light, and for blue light incident on the three side surfaces of the second cross dichroic prism 751 are combined and projected via the second projection lens 551. Is done.

  By this projection, the projection image for the right eye (not shown) projected through the first projection lens 501 and the projection image for the left eye (not shown) projected through the second projection lens 551 overlap, One projected image (not shown) is projected on the screen. As in the first embodiment, the user can use a polarizing element having the same polarization axis as that of the first exit-side polarizing plates 303, 306, and 309 for the right eye, and the second exit-side polarizing plates 353, 356, and 359, A stereoscopic image can be recognized by wearing glasses 9 having polarizing elements having the same polarization axis arranged for the left eye and viewing the superimposed projected images.

  The optical system 5 according to the fifth embodiment has three liquid crystal panels (first liquid crystal panels 301, 304, 307, and second liquid crystal panel 351) corresponding to red light, green light, and blue light as light modulation elements. , 354, 357) is a main part different from the first embodiment. The rest is the same as in the first embodiment. Therefore, in addition to having the corresponding effect as it is among the effects of the optical system 1 and the projector 90 according to the first embodiment, the following effects are obtained.

  According to the projector 94 of the present embodiment, even if the three-plate method is adopted, a stereoscopic image can be obtained by using the color synthesis optical system (first color synthesis optical system 700, second color synthesis optical system 750). Can do.

According to the optical system 5 of the projector 94 of the present embodiment, the projection optical system (the first projection optical system 500 and the second projection optical system) is arranged from the illumination optical system 200 disposed in the subsequent stage after the light flux from the light source 100 is separated. The optical elements up to the system 550) are arranged in such a manner that optical elements having the same function are stacked in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction), and the distance between the optical elements is shortened (adjacent). It is arranged. As a result, even if the three-plate method is adopted, an efficient arrangement with reduced useless space area can be performed, so that the optical system 5 can be configured as a miniaturized unit.
(Sixth embodiment)

  FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view of an optical system in the projector of the sixth embodiment. The configuration and operation of the optical system 6 in the projector 95 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The optical system 6 of the projector 95 is a color combining optical system including a first color combining optical system 700 and a second color combining optical system 750 constituting the optical system 5 of the projector 94 of the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. The difference is that the two color synthesis optical systems 760 are configured. Others are the same as the configuration of the fifth embodiment. Accordingly, the same components as those in the fifth embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The color synthesizing optical system 760 of the optical system 6 of this embodiment is configured by one cross dichroic prism 761. The cross dichroic prism 761 is the same as the first cross dichroic prism 701 of the first color combining optical system 700 in the fifth embodiment (shown in FIG. 7), and the second cross dichroic prism 751 of the second color combining optical system 750. It is configured as a shared form.

  Since the first cross dichroic prism 701 and the second cross dichroic prism 751 have the same configuration and function as described in the fifth embodiment, one cross dichroic prism 761 is not provided separately. It arranges and arranges as. Accordingly, the respective color lights emitted from the first light modulation optical system 300 are synthesized and emitted in the lower region (−Z direction side) of the cross dichroic prism 761 and are incident on the first projection lens 501. In addition, the respective color lights emitted from the second light modulation optical system 350 are combined in an area on the upper side (+ Z direction side) of the cross dichroic prism 761 and are incident on the second projection lens 551.

According to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
The color synthesis optical system 760 of the optical system 6 shares the first cross dichroic prism 701 of the first color synthesis optical system 700 and the second cross dichroic prism 751 of the second color synthesis optical system 750 shown in the fifth embodiment. The cross dichroic prism 761 is a single unit. As a result, the number of the two cross dichroic prisms (first cross dichroic prism 701 and second cross dichroic prism 751) shown in the fifth embodiment can be reduced, and the structure of the optical system 6 can be simplified. Can do. In addition, the fixing structure of the optical element constituting the optical system 6 can be simplified.

  In addition, it is not limited to the 1st-6th embodiment mentioned above, It is possible to add and implement various changes, improvements, etc. in the range which does not deviate from the summary. A modification will be described below.

  In the first embodiment, the optical axes 51a and 53a of the first projection lens 51 and the second projection lens 53 are aligned with the optical axes 30a and 35a of the light beams incident on the first projection lens 51 and the second projection lens 53, respectively. In comparison, the first projected image 61 and the second projected image 62 are shifted from each other in the center direction of the projected image 60 formed by overlapping. Thereby, the overlapping projected image 60 is configured. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the optical axes 51a and 53a of the first projection lens 51 and the second projection lens 53 are aligned with the optical axes 30a and 35a of the light beams incident on the first projection lens 51 and the second projection lens 53, respectively. By shifting the configuration, the first projection image 61 and the second projection image 62 can be favorably projected as independent projection images.

  The light sources 10 and 100 of the first to third embodiments and the fifth and sixth embodiments use LED light sources 11 and 101 to 103, respectively. The light source 15 of the fourth embodiment uses a discharge type light emitting lamp 16. Such light sources such as the LED light sources 11, 101 to 103 and the light-emitting lamp 16 have P-polarized light and S-polarized light having substantially the same intensity (polarization ratios are equal). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to use an LD light source or an SLD light source that is a light source in which the light intensity of P-polarized light and S-polarized light is biased (different polarization ratios). When such an LD light source or SLD light source as a solid light source is used, the light source is configured as a plurality of light source arrays, or the light source is disposed at an inclination angle with respect to the polarization separation axis. By adjusting the light intensity, it becomes possible to adjust the light intensity after polarization separation, and the light intensity of P-polarized light and S-polarized light can be made substantially equal. Thus, even when an LD light source or an SLD light source is used, for example, the intensity of incident light amounts incident on the first projection optical system 50 and the second projection optical system 52 are substantially equal to each other. Therefore, it is possible to express a realistic image without a sense of incongruity.

  When an LD light source or an SLD light source is used as the light source, the LD light source or the SLD light source has a high directivity, and thus a light source with a low directivity (for example, a light source such as the LED light sources 11, 101 to 103 and the light-emitting lamp 16). Compared to the above, there are many parallel light components in the light distribution of the luminous flux, and the included angle defined by the F number of the projection lens can be reduced. Thereby, compared with the projection lens (the 1st projection lens 51,501, the 2nd projection lens 53,551, the 3rd projection lens 55) used for the light source with weak directivity used in the said 1st-6th embodiment. The aperture of the projection lens can be reduced. In addition, when the lens shift mechanism is used, the shift range can be set wider than when the lens shift mechanism is used for a light source with low directivity. Thereby, the projection optical system including the projection lens can be reduced in size as compared with the projection optical system used in the first to sixth embodiments.

  When an LD light source or an SLD light source is used as the light source, the LD light source or SLD light source has a large etendue. However, as in the configurations of the first to sixth embodiments, in one projector, the polarization separation optical element separates the optical path system by P-polarized light and the optical path system by S-polarized light into two optical path systems, In the case of a configuration in which an image is projected by having two projection optical systems corresponding to the two optical path systems, a change in etendue can be suppressed, and a projected image that does not reduce the light utilization efficiency can be realized.

  The projector 91 according to the second embodiment can separately project the first projection image 61 and the third projection image 63 onto the screen S configured by one plane. However, by projecting a projected image having a depth by changing the focal length of either the first projection optical system 50 or the third projection optical system 54 and installing another screen according to the different focal length. This also makes it possible to improve the effect of rendering the projected image. This effect can also be applied to the embodiments other than the second embodiment.

  In the optical system 1 of the projector 90 according to the first embodiment, a plurality of optical elements (the first incident-side polarizing plate 32 and the second incident light) disposed in the subsequent stage after separating the light flux from the light source 10 and having the same function. At least one of the incident side polarizing plate 37, the first liquid crystal panel 31, the second liquid crystal panel 36, the first emission side polarizing plate 33, and the second emission side polarizing plate 38) may be integrated. Specifically, the first incident-side polarizing plate 32 and the second incident-side polarizing plate 37 have the same function although they have different polarization axis directions, and are configured separately. However, it may be integrated. Further, the first liquid crystal panel 31, the second liquid crystal panel 36, the first emission side polarizing plate 33, and the second emission side polarizing plate 38 may be similarly integrated. Thereby, the optical system 1 can be configured as a further miniaturized unit. This can also be applied to the embodiments other than the first embodiment.

  In the optical system 1 of the projector 90 according to the first embodiment, the projection optical system (the first projection optical system 50 and the second projection optical system) is arranged from the illumination optical system 20 disposed in the subsequent stage after separating the light beam from the light source 10. The optical elements up to the system 52) are arranged such that optical elements having the same function are overlapped in the horizontal direction and the distance between the optical elements is shortened (adjacent). . However, even if all the optical elements are not adjacent to each other, it is effective to reduce the size of the optical system 1 even if at least one optical element is adjacent. This also applies to the above-described embodiments other than the first embodiment.

  In the first, fifth, and sixth embodiments, two projected images are superimposed (matched), but the two projected images are projected at different positions with respect to the screen without matching. It is also possible to use an optical system. Thereby, a plurality of projected images can be realized by one projector, and the convenience of the projector can be improved.

  In the optical system 1 of the projector 90 of the first embodiment, the first liquid crystal panel 31 and the second liquid crystal panel 36 as light modulation elements of the first light modulation optical system 30 and the second light modulation optical system 35 are transmissive. However, it is also possible to use a reflection type light modulation element such as a reflection type liquid crystal panel. This can also be applied to the embodiments other than the first embodiment.

  In the optical system 1 of the projector 90 of the first embodiment, the first liquid crystal panel 31 and the second liquid crystal panel 36 are employed as the light modulation elements of the first light modulation optical system 30 and the second light modulation optical system 35. Yes. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In general, any device that modulates an incident light beam based on an image signal may be used, and a micromirror light modulator or the like may be employed. For example, a DMD (Digital Micromirror Device) can be used as the micromirror type light modulation element. This can also be applied to the embodiments other than the first embodiment.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1-6 ... Optical system 10, 15 ... Light source, 20 ... Illumination optical system, 21 ... Polarization separation optical element, 30 ... 1st light modulation optical system, 31 ... 1st liquid crystal panel, 32 ... 1st incident side polarizing plate , 33... First emission side polarizing plate, 35... Second light modulation optical system, 36... Second liquid crystal panel, 37. System 51, first projection lens 52, second projection optical system 53, second projection lens 54, third projection optical system 60, projection image 61, first projection image 62, second projection image , 90 to 95 ... projector, 100 ... light source, 200 ... illumination optical system, 300 ... first light modulation optical system, 350 ... second light modulation optical system, 500 ... first projection optical system, 550 ... second projection optical system , 600 ... Cooling fan, 700 ... First color synthesis optical system, 750 ... Second color synthesis optical system, 7 0 ... color synthesis optical system.

Claims (13)

A light source;
An illumination optical system that separates the luminous flux emitted from the light source and causes each of the separated luminous flux to enter an optical element disposed in a subsequent stage;
A plurality of light modulation optical systems that correspond to the illumination optical system and modulate the light beams incident from the illumination optical system;
A projector comprising: a plurality of projection optical systems that correspond to the plurality of light modulation optical systems and that project optical images formed by being modulated by the plurality of light modulation optical systems, respectively. The projector according to claim 1,
The projection area of the plurality of projection optical systems overlaps at least partly. The projector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein
A projector characterized in that the projection areas of the plurality of projection optical systems can obtain independent projection images without overlapping. It is a projector as described in any one of Claims 1-3, Comprising:
An optical axis of each of projection lenses constituting the plurality of projection optical systems is deviated from an optical axis of a light beam incident on each of the projection lenses. It is a projector as described in any one of Claims 1-4, Comprising:
The illumination optical system includes a polarization separation optical element that separates a light beam from the light source,
The projector according to claim 1, wherein the polarization separation optical element transmits P-polarized light and reflects S-polarized light. It is a projector as described in any one of Claims 1-5, Comprising:
At least one of the plurality of projection optical systems includes a lens shift mechanism that can move a projection lens constituting the projection optical system. The projector according to claim 6, wherein
The projector according to claim 1, wherein the projection lens of the projection optical system including the lens shift mechanism includes a lens having a larger aperture than the projection lens of the other projection optical system. It is a projector as described in any one of Claims 1-7, Comprising:
The projection optical system includes a first projection optical system and a second projection optical system,
The projector according to claim 1, wherein the intensity of incident light amounts incident on the first projection optical system and the second projection optical system are equal to each other. It is a projector as described in any one of Claims 1-8, Comprising:
Of the optical elements from the illumination optical system to the projection optical system, at least the optical elements having the same function and generating heat are arranged to overlap each other in the direction of gravity. It is a projector as described in any one of Claims 1-9, Comprising:
The projector according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of optical elements that are disposed in a subsequent stage after separating the light flux from the light source and have the same function is disposed adjacent to each other. It is a projector as described in any one of Claims 1-10, Comprising:
The projector according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of optical elements that are arranged in a subsequent stage after separating the light flux from the light source and have the same function is shared. It is a projector as described in any one of Claims 1-11, Comprising:
A projector characterized in that at least one of the plurality of optical elements that are arranged in a subsequent stage after separating a light beam from the light source and have the same function is integrated. It is a projector as described in any one of Claims 1-12, Comprising:
The projector is characterized in that the light source is a highly directional light source.

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