JP2011091396A - Laser light source unit, and image display apparatus with the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a laser light source unit that is produced at a higher production yield and has improved laser light source heat dissipation in smaller size without incurring large equipment investment, and to provide an image display apparatus with the laser light source unit. <P>SOLUTION: Of the three color laser light sources of the laser light source unit 9 in the image display apparatus 1, the blue laser LD3 is disposed in a case 91 in a state where the blue laser LD3 is installed in a CAN package, and the remaining red laser LD1 and green laser LD2 are disposed in a chip state in the case 91. The blue laser LD3 installed in the CAN package is provided at a position where a distance in which light emitted from the blue laser LD3 of the case 91 passes through a wavelength selection element 92 becomes the shortest. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a laser light source unit used for, for example, a projector and a head-up display, and an image display apparatus including the laser light source unit.

  For example, in a projector or a head-up display as an image display device, a laser light source unit using two or more types of laser light sources such as red, blue, and green as a light source is used (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  This type of laser light source unit needs to be adjusted so that the position and the light diameter of the emitted light of each laser light source are the same at the target position. Here, a method for adjusting a laser light source unit using three laser light sources each having a semiconductor laser light source attached to a CAN package will be described with reference to FIG.

  The laser light source unit 101 shown in FIG. 1 includes laser light sources LD11, LD12, and LD13, collimator lenses 102, 103, and 104, LD holders 105, 106, and 107, mirrors 108 and 109, and a case 110. I have.

  The laser light source LD11 is provided with a semiconductor laser light source G that generates green laser light in a CAN package. The laser light source LD12 has a semiconductor laser light source B that generates blue laser light attached to a CAN package. The laser light source LD13 is provided with a semiconductor laser light source R that generates red laser light in a CAN package.

  The collimator lens 102 converts the laser light emitted from the laser light source LD11 into parallel light. The collimator lens 103 makes the laser light emitted from the laser light source LD12 into parallel light. The collimator lens 104 converts the laser light emitted from the laser light source LD13 into parallel light. The parallel light is cylindrical light having a diameter that is the size of the collimator lens 102, and is substantially parallel to the optical axis that connects the focal point and the center of the collimator lens.

  The LD holder 105 is attached to the case 110 with screws. The laser light source LD11 is fixed to the LD holder 105 via an adhesive or the like. Here, the fixing direction of the laser light source LD11 can be adjusted in three axial directions (vertical, horizontal, and longitudinal directions in FIG. 1) by the screw. The LD holder 106 is attached to the case 110 with screws. The laser light source LD12 is fixed to the LD holder 106 via an adhesive or the like. Here, the fixing direction of the laser light source LD12 can be adjusted in three axial directions (vertical, horizontal, and longitudinal directions in FIG. 1) by the screw. The LD holder 107 is attached to the case 110 with screws. A laser light source LD13 is fixed to the LD holder 107 via an adhesive or the like. Here, the fixing direction of the laser light source LD13 can be adjusted in three axial directions (vertical, horizontal, and longitudinal directions in FIG. 1) by the screw.

  The mirror 108 transmits the laser light emitted from the laser light source LD11 and reflects the laser light emitted from the laser light source LD12 toward the half mirror 111 described later. Further, the mirror 108 can adjust the position of the laser light emitted from the laser light source LD12 with a screw. The mirror 109 transmits the laser light emitted from the laser light source LD11 and the laser light emitted from the laser light source LD12 reflected by the mirror 108, and transmits the laser light emitted from the laser light source LD13 toward the half mirror 111 described later. reflect. Further, the mirror 109 can adjust the position of the laser light emitted from the laser light source LD13 with a screw.

  The half mirror 111 is installed between the laser light source unit 101 and a target TG1, which will be described later, and transmits laser light emitted from the laser light source unit 101 to the target TG1 and partially reflects it to the target TG2.

  The targets TG1 and TG2 are targets (targets) for confirming the position and diameter of the emitted light of the laser light source, the target TG1 is installed at a position coaxial with the emitted light of the laser light source unit 101, and the target TG2 is a half mirror. The optical path 111 is installed at a position bent vertically. The target TG2 is installed at a position closer to the target TG1 (position where the optical path becomes shorter).

  The laser light source unit 101 shown in FIG. 1 first performs three-axis adjustment of the target LD 11 so that the laser light source LD 11 is turned on and the diameter and position of the emitted light enter the target with the target TG 1. Next, the laser light source LD12 is turned on, and the three-axis adjustment of the laser light source LD12 is performed so that the laser light source LD12 coincides with the emission position of the laser light source LD11 on the target TG1 and the diameter enters the target. Thereafter, the target TG2 is confirmed, and if there is a deviation from the emission light position of the laser light source LD11, the position of the laser light source LD12 is readjusted and the emission light position of the laser light source LD11 on the targets TG1 and TG2 and the laser light source LD12. The laser light source LD12 is adjusted so that the amount of deviation from the emitted light position is approximately the same direction and the same distance.

  Then, offset adjustment is performed without changing the angle of the mirror 108 (the adjustment screws provided at both ends of the mirror 108 are moved by the same amount), and the emitted light of the laser light source LD11 and the emitted light of the laser light source LD12 on the target TG1. Then, the mirror 108 is adjusted so that both the emitted light of the laser light source LD11 and the emitted light of the laser light source LD12 on the target TG2 coincide with each other. If they do not match or if the diameter of the emitted light from the laser light source LD12 deviates from a predetermined value, the adjustment of the laser light source LD12 is repeated, and the emitted light from the laser light source LD11 and the emitted light from the laser light source LD12 coincide with each other at the targets TG1 and TG2. If the light diameter falls within the predetermined range, the laser light source LD13 and the mirror 109 are finally adjusted in the same manner as the laser light source LD12 and the mirror 108, and the adjustment of the laser light source unit 101 is completed.

  In addition to the method shown in FIG. 1, a method of fixing each laser light source after adjusting the position in a chip state, such as a semiconductor module described in Patent Document 2, has been proposed.

JP 2009-122455 A Japanese Patent No. 3914670

  Since the laser light source unit 101 described above uses a laser light source of a CAN package and further includes an adjustment mechanism using screws, there is a problem that downsizing is difficult and complicated.

  The semiconductor module described in Patent Document 2 is advantageous for miniaturization because the laser light source is mounted in a chip state, but the semiconductor laser element that is a laser light source is usually in an initial state such as burn-in in a chip state. It is difficult to perform a test for selecting defective products, and it is necessary to perform a burn-in test after assembling as a semiconductor module (laser light source unit). Therefore, if at least one defective semiconductor laser element is incorporated, even if the remaining semiconductor laser elements are non-defective, the semiconductor module itself must be defective, and the yield of the semiconductor module deteriorates. There was a problem.

  Further, the semiconductor module described in Patent Document 2 is provided with a metal plate such as a copper plate for heat dissipation of the semiconductor laser element. It becomes difficult to secure a sufficient area.

  Furthermore, the semiconductor module described in Patent Document 2 requires equipment such as an adjuster to fix the three semiconductor laser elements, which requires much capital investment.

  Accordingly, the present invention provides, for example, a laser light source unit capable of improving yield and improving heat dissipation and miniaturization of a laser light source, and can be manufactured without much capital investment, and the laser light source unit. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image display device including the above.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, a laser light source unit according to claim 1 includes a first laser light source attached to one CAN package or a frame package, and the first laser light source. A second laser light source in a chip state that emits a second laser light having a wavelength different from the first laser light emitted from the first laser light, and a third laser light having a wavelength different from that of the first and second laser lights. And a combining element that superimposes the first, second, and third laser lights, and is emitted from the first, second, and third laser light sources. The laser light source unit is arranged in a case so that the first, second, and third laser beams have a predetermined light diameter at a predetermined target position, and the combining element includes: First A first reflecting surface that reflects one of the second and third laser beams and transmits at least one of the laser beams, and a laser beam reflected by the first reflecting surface And a second reflection surface that transmits at least one of the laser beams, and the distance of the case through which the first laser beam passes through the combining element is the second reflection surface. The first laser light source is arranged at a position where the third laser light is shorter than the distance passing through the combining element.

It is a block diagram of the conventional laser light source unit. It is a block diagram of the image display apparatus concerning one Example of this invention. It is the block diagram which showed the laser light source unit of the image display apparatus shown by FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the copper sheet metal of the laser light source unit shown by FIG. FIG. 4 is a simplified diagram showing another configuration of the laser light source unit shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a simplified diagram showing another configuration of the laser light source unit shown in FIG. 3.

  Hereinafter, a laser light source unit according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the laser light source unit according to the embodiment of the present invention, the combining element that superimposes the first, second, and third laser beams is any one of the first, second, and third laser beams. A first reflecting surface that reflects light and transmits at least one laser beam; and a laser beam that is different from the laser beam reflected by the first reflecting surface is reflected, and at least one laser beam is reflected. At a position where the distance that the first laser beam passes through the combining element is shorter than the distance that the second and third laser beams pass through the combining element. Since the first laser light source is disposed, the influence of the CAN package or the frame package is reduced, and the laser light source unit is compared with the case where all are attached to the CAN package. It can be reliably compact the door. In addition, since the first laser light source is provided in the case in a state of being attached to the CAN package or in a state of being attached to the frame package, the remaining laser light source is provided in the case in a chip state. One becomes the laser light source of the CAN package or the frame package that has passed the burn-in test, and the yield can be improved as compared with the case where all are in the chip state. In addition, equipment such as adjusters can be reduced, and capital investment can be reduced.

  In addition, a collimator lens that converts the laser light combined by the combining element into parallel light may be provided, and the first reflection surface and the second reflection surface may reflect and transmit the laser light toward the collimator lens. By doing so, the number of parts can be reduced and the laser light source unit can be miniaturized as compared with the case where a collimator lens is provided between each laser light source and the combining element.

  The image display device may include the above-described laser light source unit and an optical scanning unit that causes the image display unit to scan the light emitted from the user light source unit. By doing so, an image display device that is small in size and excellent in heat dissipation and high in yield can be configured.

  An image display apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 2, the image display device 1 includes an image signal input unit 2, a video ASIC 3, a frame memory 4, a ROM 5, a RAM 6, a laser driver ASIC 7, a MEMS control unit 8, and a laser light source unit 9. And a MEMS mirror 10.

  The image signal input unit 2 receives an image signal input from the outside and outputs it to the video ASIC 3.

  The video ASIC 3 is a block that controls the laser driver ASIC 7 and the MEMS control unit 8 based on the image signal input from the image signal input unit 2 and the scanning position information input from the MEMS mirror 10, and is an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). ). The video ASIC 3 includes a synchronization / image separation unit 31, a bit data conversion unit 32, a light emission pattern conversion unit 33, and a timing controller 34.

  The synchronization / image separation unit 31 separates the image data displayed on the screen 11 serving as the image display unit and the synchronization signal from the image signal input from the image signal input unit 2 and writes the image data in the frame memory 4.

  The bit data converter 32 reads the image data written in the frame memory 4 and converts it into bit data.

  The light emission pattern conversion unit 33 converts the bit data converted by the bit data conversion unit 32 into a signal representing the light emission pattern of each laser.

  The timing controller 34 controls the operation timing of the synchronization / image separation unit 31 and the bit data conversion unit 32. The timing controller 34 also controls the operation timing of the MEMS control unit 8 described later.

  In the frame memory 4, the image data separated by the synchronization / image separation unit 31 is written. The ROM 5 stores a control program and data for operating the video ASIC 3. The RAM 6 sequentially reads and writes various data as a work memory when the video AISC 3 operates.

  The laser driver ASIC 7 is a block that generates a signal for driving a laser diode provided in a laser light source unit 9 described later, and is configured as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The laser driver ASIC 7 includes a red laser driving circuit 71, a green laser driving circuit 72, and a blue laser driving circuit 73.

  The red laser driving circuit 71 drives the red laser LD1 based on the signal output from the light emission pattern conversion unit 33. The green laser driving circuit 72 drives the green laser LD2 based on the signal output from the light emission pattern conversion unit 33. The blue laser drive circuit 73 drives the blue laser LD3 based on the signal output from the light emission pattern conversion unit 33.

  The MEMS control unit 8 controls the MEMS mirror 10 based on a signal output from the timing controller 34. The MEMS control unit 8 includes a servo circuit 81 and a driver circuit 82.

  The servo circuit 81 controls the operation of the MEMS mirror 10 based on a signal from the timing controller 34.

  The driver circuit 82 amplifies the control signal of the MEMS mirror 10 output from the servo circuit 81 to a predetermined level and outputs the amplified signal.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the laser light source unit 9 includes a case 91, a wavelength selective element 92, a collimator lens 93, a red laser LD1, a green laser LD2, and a blue laser LD3.

  The case 91 is formed in a substantially box shape with resin or the like, and as shown in FIG. 4, a copper sheet metal or the like is included so as to include the mounting positions of the respective lasers for heat radiation of the red laser LD1 and the green laser LD2 described later. The heat sinks 95 and 96 comprised by are inserted. Further, a part of the heat radiating plates 95 and 96 is exposed on the outer surface of the case 91.

  In addition, the case 91 is provided with a hole penetrating into the case 91 and a concave section in the CAN mounting portion 91a and a surface orthogonal to the CAN mounting portion 91a in order to mount a blue laser LD3 described later. In addition, a hole penetrating into the case 91 is provided, and a collimator mounting portion 91b having a concave cross section is formed.

  The wavelength selective element 92 as a synthesizing element is composed of, for example, a trichromic prism, and transmits the laser light emitted from the red laser LD1 toward the collimator lens 93 and reflects the laser light emitted from the green laser LD2. The surface 92a is reflected toward the collimator lens 93, and the laser light emitted from the blue laser LD3 is reflected at the reflection surface 92b toward the collimator lens 93. By doing in this way, the emitted light from each laser is superimposed. The wavelength selective element 92 is provided in the vicinity of the collimator mounting portion 91 b in the case 91.

  The collimator lens 93 converts the laser light incident from the wavelength selective element 92 into parallel light and emits it to the MEMS mirror 10. The collimator lens 93 is fixed to the collimator mounting portion 91b of the case 91 with an UV-based adhesive 94 or the like after adjustment described later. That is, the collimator lens 93 is provided after the synthesis element.

  A red laser LD1 as a laser light source in a chip state emits red laser light. The red laser LD1 is fixed at a position on the heat radiating plate 95 that is coaxial with the wavelength selective element 92 and the collimator lens 93 in the case 91 while the semiconductor laser light source is in a chip state or the chip is mounted on a submount or the like. ing.

  A green laser LD2 serving as a laser light source in a chip state emits green laser light. The green laser LD2 has a semiconductor laser light source in a chip state, or the chip is mounted on a submount and the laser beam emitted from the case 91 can be reflected toward the collimator lens 93 by the reflecting surface 92a. Fixed in position. The positions of the red laser LD1 and the green laser LD2 may be switched. The chip state in the claims includes not only the die itself from which the semiconductor laser light source is separated from the wafer but also the state in which the die is placed on the submount as described above.

  The blue laser LD3 as a laser light source attached to the CAN package or attached to the frame package emits blue laser light. In this embodiment, the blue laser LD 3 has a semiconductor laser light source chip B for generating blue laser light mounted in a CAN package, and is fixed to the CAN mounting portion 91 a of the case 91. The blue laser LD3 mounting position (CAN mounting portion 91a) is provided at a position where the distance through which the laser light emitted from the blue laser LD3 passes through the wavelength selective element 92 is the shortest. Needless to say, the laser light source attached to the CAN package or attached to the frame package is not limited to the blue laser light source.

  The red laser LD1, the green laser LD2, and the blue laser LD3 need to have substantially the same optical distance from the emission position of each laser beam to the collimator lens 93 although there is a slight difference depending on the wavelength. In order to reduce the size of the laser light source unit 9, it is necessary to shorten this distance. However, since the blue laser LD3 is attached to the CAN package, the distance L from the semiconductor laser light source B to the outer edge of the CAN package is small. For this reason, it is not easy to bring the laser beam emission position close to the wavelength selective element 92 as in the red laser LD1 and the green laser LD2. Therefore, the distance that the emitted light of the blue laser LD3 passes through the wavelength selective element 92 is made shorter than the distance that the emitted light of the red laser LD1 and the green laser LD2 passes through the wavelength selective element 92, thereby emitting the laser light. The distance from the position to the collimator lens 93 is shortened to reduce the size of the laser light source unit 9. Of course, the shorter the distance that the emitted light of the blue laser LD3 passes through the wavelength selective element 92, the smaller the laser light source unit 9 contributes to the miniaturization of the laser light source unit 9, so that the configuration (collimator lens 93 is minimized) as shown in FIG. If the reflecting surface 92b is provided at the end portion on the side), the influence of the CAN package can be minimized.

  The MEMS mirror 10 as scanning means reflects the laser light emitted from the laser light source unit 9 toward the screen 11. Further, in order to display an image input to the image signal input unit 2, it is movable so as to scan the screen 11 under the control of the MEMS control unit 8, and scanning position information at that time (for example, information such as a mirror angle) ) To the video ASIC 3.

  According to the present embodiment, in the laser light source unit 9 provided in the image display device 1, among the three color laser light sources, the blue laser LD 3 is provided in the case 91 with being attached to the CAN package. The red laser LD1 and the green laser LD2 are provided in the case 91 in a chip state, and the blue laser LD3 attached to the CAN package is a distance through which the light emitted from the blue laser LD3 in the case 91 passes through the wavelength selective element 92 Is provided at the shortest position, the laser light source unit 9 can be surely downsized as compared with the case where all the three colors are attached to the CAN package. Further, since the blue laser LD3 is composed of a CAN package product that has passed the burn-in test, the yield can be improved as compared with the case where all are in a chip state. Further, for heat dissipation, it is sufficient to provide two heat dissipation plates 95 and 96, and the area per one heat dissipation plate (copper sheet metal) can be widened as compared with the case of three chips. In addition, equipment such as adjusters can be reduced, and capital investment can be reduced.

  Further, since the collimator lens 93 is provided after the wavelength selective element 92, the laser light source unit 9 can be made smaller than the collimator lens 93 provided between each laser light source and the wavelength selective element 92. it can.

  In the embodiment, the blue laser light source is provided in the case 91 in a state of being attached to the CAN package. However, the case 91 is not limited to the CAN package and is attached to the case 91 in a state of being attached to a resin-molded frame package. It may be provided.

  Further, the arrangement of the red laser LD1, the green laser LD2, and the blue laser LD3 in the laser light source unit 9 is not limited to that shown in the above-described embodiment, and may be configured as shown in FIGS. 5 to 6 show only the red laser LD1, the green laser LD2, the blue laser LD3, the wavelength selective element 92, and the collimator lens 93, and simplify the drawings. For example, in the case of the configuration of FIG. 5, the green laser LD2 and the blue laser LD3 are disposed at point-symmetric positions with the wavelength selective element 92 as the center, so that the projection area can be minimized.

  According to the embodiment described above, the following laser light source unit 9 is obtained.

(Supplementary note 1) Blue laser LD3 attached to one CAN package or attached to a frame package and red laser light having a wavelength different from that of the blue laser light emitted from blue laser LD3 are emitted. A red laser LD1 in a chip state, a green laser LD2 that emits green laser light having a wavelength different from that of blue and red laser light, and a wavelength selective element 92 that superimposes blue, red, and green laser light The blue, red and green laser beams emitted from the blue, red and green laser light sources are arranged in the case 91 so as to have a predetermined diameter at a predetermined target position. A light source unit 9,
The wavelength selective element 92 reflects one of the blue, red, and green laser beams and reflects at least one of the laser beams, and is reflected by the reflection surface 92a. A reflecting surface 92b that reflects a laser beam different from the laser beam and transmits at least one of the laser beams,
The blue laser LD3 is disposed at a position of the case 91 where the distance that the blue laser light passes through the wavelength selective element 92 is shorter than the distance that the red and green laser light passes through the wavelength selective element 92. A laser light source unit 9.

  According to the laser light source unit 9, the influence of the CAN package or the frame package can be reduced, and the laser light source unit 9 can be surely reduced in size as compared with the case where all are attached to the CAN package. In addition, the blue laser LD3 is provided in the case 91 in a state of being attached to the CAN package or in a state of being attached to the frame package, and the remaining laser light source is provided in the case 91 in a chip state. One becomes the laser light source of the CAN package or the frame package that has passed the burn-in test, and the yield can be improved as compared with the case where all are in the chip state. In addition, equipment such as adjusters can be reduced, and capital investment can be reduced.

  In addition, the Example mentioned above only showed the typical form of this invention, and this invention is not limited to an Example. That is, various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image display apparatus 9 Laser light source unit 10 MEMS mirror (scanning means)
11 Screen (image display part)
91 Case 92 Wavelength selective element (synthetic element)
93 Collimator lens LD1 Red laser (second laser light source)
LD2 Green laser (third laser light source)
LD3 Blue laser (first laser light source)

Claims (3)

A first laser light source attached to one CAN package or attached to a frame package, and a second laser having a wavelength different from the first laser light emitted from the first laser light source A second laser light source in a chip state that emits light; a third laser light source that emits a third laser light having a wavelength different from that of the first and second laser lights; and the first and second laser light sources. And a combining element that superimposes the third laser light, and the first, second, and third laser light emitted from the first, second, and third laser light sources are predetermined target positions. A laser light source unit disposed in the case so as to have a predetermined light diameter,
The combining element reflects a first reflecting surface that reflects any one of the first, second, and third laser beams and transmits at least one of the laser beams; A second reflecting surface that reflects a laser beam different from the laser beam reflected by the reflecting surface and transmits at least one of the laser beams;
The first laser light source is disposed at a position of the case where the distance that the first laser light passes through the combining element is shorter than the distance that the second and third laser lights pass through the combining element. A laser light source unit. A collimator lens that converts the laser light combined by the combining element into parallel light;
The laser light source unit according to claim 1, wherein the first reflection surface and the second reflection surface reflect and transmit laser light toward the collimator lens.   An image display comprising: the laser light source unit according to claim 1; and an optical scanning unit that causes the image display unit to scan the laser light emitted from the laser light source unit. apparatus.

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