JP2016109811A - Light source device, image display device and optical unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a light source device, an image display device and an optical unit that enable suppression of heat generation from a light emitting body emitting visible light.SOLUTION: A light source device according to one embodiment of the present art comprises one or more light sources, a light emitting body and a light shield unit. The one or more light sources emit excitation light. The light emitting body has an incidence surface upon which the excitation light from the one or more light sources is incident, and emits visible light excited by the incident excitation light. The light shield unit is arranged so as to cover a partial area of the incidence surface, and shields incidence of the excitation light upon the partial area.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

  The present technology relates to an image display device such as a projector, a light source device applicable to the image display device, and an optical unit.

  Conventionally, image display devices such as projectors have been widely used. For example, light from a light source is modulated by a light modulation element such as a liquid crystal element, and the modulated light is projected onto a screen or the like to display an image. As the light source, a mercury lamp, a xenon lamp, an LED (Light Emitting Diode), an LD (Laser Diode), or the like is used. Among these, solid-state light sources such as LEDs and LDs have the advantage that they have a long life and do not require conventional lamp replacement, and are turned on immediately upon being turned on.

  For example, Patent Document 1 describes a light source device using a plurality of laser light sources and an image display device using the same. In the light source device described in Patent Document 1, as shown in FIG. 3, the blue laser light emitted from the light source unit is collected at a predetermined spot on the phosphor provided on the phosphor wheel. The phosphor is excited by blue laser light to generate yellow fluorescence. The phosphor transmits a part of the blue laser light. Thereby, white light in which blue laser light and yellow light are synthesized is emitted from the phosphor wheel (paragraphs [0035] to [0039] and the like in Patent Document 1).

JP 2014-085623 A

  In a light source device using a solid light source as described in Patent Document 1, in order to achieve high brightness of the projector, for example, an increase in the number of solid light sources or an improvement in the brightness of the solid light source itself can be achieved. If it does so, the emitted-heat amount from the fluorescent substance which receives the light radiate | emitted from the solid light source will increase, and the reliability of a fluorescent substance wheel may fall.

  In view of the circumstances as described above, an object of the present technology is to provide a light source device, an image display device, and an optical unit capable of suppressing heat generation from a light emitter that emits visible light.

In order to achieve the above object, a light source device according to an embodiment of the present technology includes one or more light sources, a light emitter, and a light shielding unit.
The one or more light sources emit excitation light.
The light emitter has an incident surface on which excitation light from the one or more light sources is incident, and is excited by the incident excitation light to emit visible light.
The light shielding portion is disposed so as to cover a partial region of the incident surface, and shields the excitation light from entering the partial region.

  In this light source device, the light shielding portion is disposed so as to cover a partial region of the incident surface of the light emitter. This makes it possible to limit the excitation light incident on the incident surface, and to suppress the heat generation from the light emitter.

The one or more light sources may include a plurality of light sources. In this case, the light source device may further include an optical system that focuses the excitation light from each of the plurality of light sources onto a predetermined spot on the incident surface. In addition, the light shielding portion includes a first shielding portion disposed so as to cover a region excluding the irradiation region of the incident surface with a region having a predetermined size including the spot on the incident surface as an irradiation region. May be.
In this light source device, excitation light from a plurality of light sources is condensed on a predetermined spot by an optical system. By covering the area excluding the irradiation area with the light shielding portion, for example, unnecessary light that is not condensed on the spot can be sufficiently shielded.

The light source device may further include a base portion that supports the light emitter and a motor that rotates the base portion. In this case, the light shielding portion may be connected to the base portion and rotate integrally with the base portion.
Thereby, the light-shielding part can be configured easily.

The irradiation area may include a locus drawn by the rotation of the base portion by the excitation light condensed on the spot.
The position of the spot where the excitation light is condensed relatively moves as the base portion rotates. This can suppress phosphor saturation and combustion.

The light shielding part may include a second shielding part arranged to cover a part of the irradiation region.
Thus, the incidence of excitation light on the irradiation region may be limited. Thereby, the heat_generation | fever from a light-emitting body can be suppressed.

The base portion may be made of a transparent material, and may include a first surface that supports the incident surface of the light emitter, and a second surface opposite to the first surface. In this case, the light shielding part may be connected to the second surface of the base part.
In this light source device, excitation light enters the incident surface of the light emitter through the base portion. By providing the light shielding portion on the second surface of the base portion, it becomes possible to limit the excitation light incident on the incident surface with a simple configuration.

The light shielding portion may include a plate member that is bonded to the second surface of the base portion and can shield light.
In this way, the plate member may be bonded to the base portion. Thereby, a light shielding part can be easily realized.

The light shielding part may include a film that is deposited on the second surface of the base part and can shield light.
Thus, even when a film is deposited on the base portion, the light shielding portion can be easily realized.

The light emitter may have a contact surface that is a surface opposite to the incident surface. In this case, the base portion may support the contact surface of the light emitter and reflect the visible light emitted from the contact surface toward the incident surface.
Thus, the visible light emitted from the light emitter may be reflected toward the incident surface by the base portion.

The light shielding portion may be formed of a plate member that can shield light disposed on the incident surface side.
The light shielding part can be realized with a simple configuration using the plate member.

The light shielding portion may include a base material made of a transparent material and a plate member that is bonded to the base material and shields light, and may be disposed on the incident surface side.
Thus, the plate member may be bonded to the transparent base material. Even in this case, the light shielding portion can be easily realized.

The light shielding portion may include a base material made of a transparent material and a film that is deposited on the base material and can shield light, and may be disposed on the incident surface side.
Thus, a film | membrane may be vapor-deposited on a transparent base material. Even in this case, the light shielding portion can be easily realized.

The irradiation area may have a ring shape. In this case, the second shielding part may be arranged at equal intervals with respect to the irradiation region.
Thereby, the influence on generation | occurrence | production of visible light by a 2nd light-shielding part can be suppressed.

The second shielding part may be arranged with respect to the irradiation region with a direction different from a radial direction of the irradiation region as an extending direction.
Thereby, the incidence of excitation light on the irradiation region can be sufficiently limited, and the influence on the generation of visible light can be suppressed.

The light shielding part may reflect the excitation light.
Thereby, the temperature rise of a light-shielding part can be suppressed.

An image display device according to an embodiment of the present technology includes a light source device, an image generation system, and a projection system.
The light source device includes the one or more light sources, the light emitter, the light shielding unit, and an emission surface that emits light including visible light from the light emitter.
The image generation system includes an image generation element that generates an image based on irradiated light, and an illumination optical system that irradiates the image generation element with light from the light source device.
The projection system projects an image generated by the image generation element.

An optical unit according to an embodiment of the present technology includes a light emitter and a light shielding unit.
The light emitter has an incident surface and emits visible light when excited by excitation light incident on the incident surface.
The light shielding portion is disposed so as to cover a partial region of the incident surface, and shields the excitation light from entering the partial region.

  As described above, according to the present technology, it is possible to suppress heat generation from the light emitter that emits visible light. Note that the effects described here are not necessarily limited, and may be any of the effects described in the present disclosure.

It is the schematic which shows the structural example of the image display apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the structural example of a light source device. It is a figure of the state which removed the upper surface part of the light source part. It is the top view which looked at the light source part shown in FIG. 3 from upper direction. It is a figure for demonstrating the production | generation of the white light by a light source part. It is a perspective view which shows the specific structural example of a fluorescent substance unit. It is the figure which looked at the fluorescent substance wheel from the front side and the back side, respectively. It is an enlarged view which expands and shows a part of fluorescent substance wheel. It is a figure which shows the rear view of the fluorescent substance wheel which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which expands and shows the fluorescent substance wheel which concerns on 3rd Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present technology will be described with reference to the drawings.

[Image display device]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image display device according to an embodiment of the present technology. The image display device 500 is used as a projector for presentation or digital cinema, for example. The present technology described below can also be applied to image display devices used for other purposes.

  The image display device 500 includes a light source device 100 that can emit light, an image generation system 200 that generates an image based on light from the light source device 100, a screen (not shown) that displays an image generated by the image generation system 200, and the like. And a projection system 400 that projects onto the screen.

  The light source device 100 emits white light W including red light, green light, and blue light. The light source device 100 will be described in detail later.

  The image generation system 200 includes an image generation element 210 that generates an image based on the irradiated light, and an illumination optical system 220 that irradiates the image generation element 210 with light emitted from the light source device 100. The image generation system 200 includes an integrator element 230, a polarization conversion element 240, and a condenser lens 250.

  The integrator element 230 includes a first fly-eye lens 231 having a plurality of microlenses arranged two-dimensionally, and a second having a plurality of microlenses arranged to correspond to each of the microlenses. The fly eye lens 232 is included.

  The white light W incident on the integrator element 230 from the light source device 100 is divided into a plurality of light beams by the microlens of the first fly-eye lens 231 and imaged on the corresponding microlens in the second fly-eye lens 232, respectively. The Each of the micro lenses of the second fly-eye lens 232 functions as a secondary light source, and irradiates the polarization conversion element 240 with incident light as a plurality of parallel lights with uniform brightness.

  The integrator element 230 as a whole has a function of adjusting incident light irradiated from the light source device 100 to the polarization conversion element 240 into a uniform luminance distribution.

  The polarization conversion element 240 has a function of aligning the polarization state of incident light incident through the integrator element 230 and the like. The polarization conversion element 240 emits white light including blue light B3, green light G3, and red light R3 through, for example, a condenser lens 250 disposed on the light emission side of the light source device 100.

  The illumination optical system 220 includes dichroic mirrors 260 and 270, mirrors 280, 290 and 300, relay lenses 310 and 320, field lenses 330R, 330G and 330B, liquid crystal light valves 210R, 210G and 210B as image generating elements, and a dichroic prism. 340 is included.

  The dichroic mirrors 260 and 270 have a property of selectively reflecting color light in a predetermined wavelength range and transmitting light in other wavelength ranges. Referring to FIG. 1, for example, a dichroic mirror 260 selectively reflects green light G3 and blue light B3. The dichroic mirror 270 selectively reflects the green light G3 out of the green light G3 and the blue light B3 reflected by the dichroic mirror 260. The remaining blue light B3 passes through the dichroic mirror 270. Thereby, the light emitted from the light source device 100 is separated into a plurality of color lights of different colors. Note that the configuration for separating the light into a plurality of color lights and the device used are not limited.

  The separated red light R3 is reflected by the mirror 280, collimated by passing through the field lens 330R, and then enters the liquid crystal light valve 210R for modulating red light. The green light G3 is collimated by passing through the field lens 330G, and then enters the liquid crystal light valve 210G for green light modulation. The blue light B3 is reflected by the mirror 290 through the relay lens 310, and further reflected by the mirror 300 through the relay lens 320. The blue light B3 reflected by the mirror 300 is collimated by passing through the field lens 330B, and then enters the liquid crystal light valve 210B for modulating blue light.

  The liquid crystal light valves 210R, 210G, and 210B are electrically connected to a signal source (not shown) (such as a PC) that supplies an image signal including image information. The liquid crystal light valves 210R, 210G, and 210B modulate incident light for each pixel based on the supplied image signals of each color, and generate a red image, a green image, and a blue image, respectively. The modulated light of each color (formed image) enters the dichroic prism 340 and is synthesized. The dichroic prism 340 superimposes and synthesizes light of each color incident from three directions and emits the light toward the projection system 400.

  The projection system 400 projects the image generated by the image generation element 210. The projection system 400 includes a plurality of lenses 410 and the like, and irradiates a screen or the like (not shown) with light synthesized by the dichroic prism 340. As a result, a full color image is displayed.

[Light source device]
FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration example of the light source device 100. The light source device 100 includes a light source unit 110 that emits white light and a heat sink 120 attached to the light source unit 110. When the side from which the white light is emitted is the front side 5 and the opposite side is the rear side 6, the heat sink 120 is attached to the rear side 6 of the light source unit 110.

  The light source unit 110 includes a base unit 1 provided at the bottom and a housing unit 3 supported by the base unit 1. The base portion 1 has an elongated shape extending in one direction. The long and elongated longitudinal direction of the base portion 1 is the left-right direction (x-axis direction) of the light source device 100, and the short direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is the front-rear direction (y-axis direction). Further, the direction orthogonal to both the long direction and the short direction is the height direction (z-axis direction) of the light source device 100.

  The base unit 1 is mounted with a light source unit 30 having one or more solid light sources and a phosphor unit 40 that receives the light from the light source unit 30 to generate and emit white light. Inside the housing 3, laser light emitted from one or more solid light sources is guided to the phosphor unit 40. Then, white light is generated by the phosphor unit 40, and the white light is emitted along the optical axis L.

  With reference to FIGS. 3-5, the example of a structure inside the light source part 110 and the example of a production | generation of white light are demonstrated. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state in which the upper surface portion of the light source unit 110 is removed. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the light source unit 110 shown in FIG. 3 as viewed from above.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, two light source units 30 are arranged on the rear side 6 of the base portion 1 so as to be aligned in the longitudinal direction. Each light source unit 30 has a plurality of laser light sources (laser diodes) 31 mounted on a mounting substrate 31. The plurality of laser light sources 32 are arranged to emit light toward the front side 5 with the front-rear direction as the optical axis direction.

  In the present embodiment, the plurality of laser light sources 32 are blue laser light sources that can oscillate blue laser light B1 having a peak wavelength of emission intensity within a wavelength range of, for example, 400 nm to 500 nm. Instead of the laser light source, another solid light source such as an LED may be used. Further, the present technology can be applied even when a mercury lamp, a xenon lamp, or the like is used instead of the solid light source.

  A condensing optical system 34 is disposed in front of the two light source units 30, respectively. The condensing optical system 34 condenses the blue laser light B <b> 1 from the plurality of laser light sources 32 on a predetermined spot S of the phosphor unit 40. FIG. 3 shows a frame 33 that supports the light source unit 30 and the condensing optical system 34 as one unit. In FIG. 4, the frame 33 is not shown so that the condensing optical system 34 can be seen.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the condensing optical system 34 includes an aspheric reflecting surface 35 and a planar reflecting portion 36. The aspheric reflecting surface 35 reflects and collects the light emitted from the plurality of laser light sources 32. The plane reflecting unit 36 focuses the light reflected by the aspheric reflecting surface 35 onto a predetermined spot S on the phosphor layer.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the direction of the optical axis L of white light and the optical axis direction of the blue laser light B <b> 1 from the plurality of laser light sources 32 are set in the same direction. Thereby, the space for arrange | positioning the heat sink 120 can be easily ensured in the back side 6 of the light source part 110. FIG. The plurality of laser light sources 32 can be efficiently cooled from the rear side 6.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the generation of white light by the light source unit 110. In FIG. 5, the phosphor wheel and the motor provided in the phosphor unit 40 are schematically illustrated.
In addition, although the light-shielding part is provided in the fluorescent substance wheel which concerns on this technique, the illustration is abbreviate | omitted in FIG. The light shielding part will be described in detail later.

  The phosphor wheel 42 includes a disk-shaped substrate 43 that transmits the blue laser light B <b> 1 and a phosphor layer 41 provided on the substrate 43. As the substrate 43, for example, a crystalline member such as quartz or sapphire is used. In addition, any transparent material capable of transmitting the blue laser light B1 may be used as the substrate 43. In the present disclosure, a translucent material is also included in the transparent material as long as the material can transmit the blue laser light B1.

  A motor 45 that drives the phosphor wheel 42 is connected to the center of the substrate 43. As the motor 45 operates, the phosphor wheel 42 rotates around the rotation shaft 46. The rotation axis 46 is arranged such that a predetermined spot S of the phosphor layer 41 is positioned on the optical axis L shown in FIG.

  The phosphor layer 41 includes a fluorescent material that emits fluorescence when excited by the blue laser light B1. The phosphor layer 41 converts a part of the blue laser light B1 emitted from the plurality of laser light sources 32 into light in a wavelength region including the red wavelength region to the green wavelength region (that is, yellow light) and emits it. In the present disclosure, visible light generated by excitation is referred to as fluorescent light GR.

  For example, a YAG (yttrium, aluminum, garnet) phosphor is used as the phosphor contained in the phosphor layer 41. In addition, the kind of fluorescent substance, the wavelength range of excitation light, and the wavelength range of visible light generated by excitation are not limited.

  The phosphor layer 41 can also transmit a part of the blue laser light B1 that is excitation light and emit it. Therefore, the light emitted from the phosphor layer 41 becomes white light W including the blue transmitted light B transmitted through the phosphor layer 41 and the yellow fluorescent light GR that is visible light from the phosphor layer 41.

  The blue laser beam B1 is emitted from the laser light source 32 while the substrate 43 is rotated by the motor 45. The blue laser light B <b> 1 is applied to the phosphor layer 41 so as to draw a circle relatively with the rotation of the substrate 43. That is, the position of the spot S where the excitation light is condensed in the phosphor layer 41 relatively moves. As a result, it is possible to suppress phosphor saturation and combustion.

  In the present embodiment, the phosphor layer 41 corresponds to a light emitter and serves as a heat source that generates heat when irradiated with excitation light. The substrate 43 corresponds to the base portion. The configuration of the light source unit 110 is not limited and may be designed as appropriate.

[Phosphor unit]
FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a specific configuration example of the phosphor unit 40 according to the present embodiment. The phosphor unit 40 includes a wheel unit 51, a lens unit 52, and a holder unit 53 that supports the wheel unit 51 and the lens unit 52 as one unit.

  The wheel unit 51 includes a phosphor wheel 42 and a motor 45. The phosphor wheel 42 has a substrate 43, and the substrate 43 has a first surface 43a and a second surface 43b opposite to the first surface 43a. In the present embodiment, the first surface 43 a is the front side 5 surface, and the second surface 43 b is the rear side 6 surface.

  The phosphor layer 41 is supported by the first surface 43 a of the substrate 43. A light shielding part 70 is provided on the second surface 43 b of the substrate 43. The phosphor wheel 42 corresponds to an optical unit in the present embodiment.

  The motor 45 is an outer rotor type motor, and includes a stator (stator) 47 and a rotor (rotor) 48 provided so as to cover the stator 47. When electric power is supplied to the motor 45, the rotor 48 rotates with respect to the stator 47. The specific configuration of the motor 45 is not limited, and an inner rotor type motor may be used.

  The lens unit 52 includes one or more lenses that collect the white light emitted from the wheel unit 51 and an emission surface 54 (see FIG. 2 and the like) that emits the collected white light. For example, one or more lenses have an exit lens 55 that constitutes the exit surface 54. The number, size, type of lens, etc. of the lens are not limited.

  The holder unit 53 includes a lens holding unit 56 that holds the lens and a wheel holding unit 57 that holds the wheel unit 51. The lens holding part 56 has a substantially cylindrical shape extending to the rear side 6 and accommodates the lens therein.

  The wheel holding part 57 is connected to the rear side 6 of the lens holding part 56. The wheel holding portion 57 extends downward along the z-axis direction, and a metal plate 59 is attached to the tip of the wheel holding portion 57 via a screw 58. A stator 47 of the motor 45 is attached to the sheet metal 59 via screws 60. When the motor 45 is attached to the wheel holding portion 57, the phosphor wheel 42 is inserted into a space 61 formed between the rear surface of the lens holding portion 56 and the wheel holding portion 57.

  As shown in FIG. 6, an opening 62 is formed in the wheel holding portion 57. The blue laser light B <b> 1 emitted from the laser light source 32 is focused on a predetermined spot S on the phosphor layer 41 through the opening 62. Although not visible in FIG. 6, an opening is also formed on the rear surface of the lens holding portion 56, and white light is emitted from the phosphor wheel 42 to the lens portion 52 through this opening.

  In the present embodiment, the phosphor unit 40 is configured as one unit and is fixed to the base unit 1. Thereby, in the fluorescent substance unit 40, it becomes possible to implement | achieve the alignment of the lens for condensing, and the wheel which has a light-emitting body easily with high precision. In the present embodiment, the center of the phosphor wheel 42 is held from above by the wheel holding unit 57. As a result, it is possible to increase the exposed portion of the phosphor wheel 42 in the light source device 100. As a result, heat from the phosphor layer 41 can be effectively cooled by cooling air or the like.

[Phosphor wheel]
FIG. 7 is a view of the phosphor wheel 42 as viewed from the front side and the rear side. FIG. 7A is a front view, and FIG. 7B is a rear view. FIG. 8 is an enlarged view showing a part of the phosphor wheel 42 in an enlarged manner. FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view taken along a line (a line along the diameter) passing through the center of the phosphor wheel 42, and is a diagram of a portion where the phosphor layer 41 is formed. FIG. 8B is an enlarged view of the rear view of FIG. 7B and is a view in the vicinity of the spot S where the blue laser light B1 is collected.

  As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, an insertion hole 49 is formed in the center of the substrate 43. A projection (not shown) provided at the tip of the rotor 48 of the motor 45 is inserted into the insertion hole 49. Thereby, the phosphor wheel 42 and the motor 45 are connected to each other.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, the phosphor layer 41 is formed in a ring shape on the peripheral portion (the inner region near the peripheral portion) of the first surface 43 a of the substrate 43. As shown in the sectional view of FIG. 8A, the phosphor layer 41 has an incident surface 41a on which the blue laser light B1 that is excitation light is incident, and an output surface 41b that emits the transmitted light B and the fluorescent light GR. The first surface 43 a of the substrate 43 supports the incident surface 41 a of the phosphor layer 41. Therefore, in this embodiment, the blue laser light B1 is incident on the incident surface 41a of the phosphor layer 41 via the substrate 43 made of a transparent material.

  As shown in FIGS. 7B and 8, a light shielding portion 70 is provided on the second surface 43 b of the substrate 43. The light shielding unit 70 is disposed so as to cover a partial region of the incident surface 41a, and shields the blue laser light B1 from entering the partial region.

  7B and 8B, the phosphor layer 41 formed on the first surface 43a is illustrated by a broken line. A region surrounded by the broken line corresponds to the incident surface 41a, and the spot S is set at a predetermined position on the incident surface 41a. In the present embodiment, the spot S is set at the approximate center of the upper part (substantially the center position in the width direction) of the upper and lower parts where the diameter extending in the z-axis direction and the incident surface 41a intersect.

  Since the phosphor wheel 42 rotates as described above, the position of the spot S on the incident surface 41a moves relatively. That is, as shown in FIG. 7B, the locus F of the blue laser light B1 condensed on the spot S draws a circle at the approximate center in the width direction of the incident surface 41a.

  In the present embodiment, a region having a predetermined size including the spot S where the blue laser beam B1 is collected and the locus F is set as the irradiation region 65. As shown in FIG. 8A, in the present embodiment, the regions that extend to the outer periphery 66a side and the inner periphery 66b side of the incident surface 41a around the spot S set at the substantially center in the width direction on the incident surface 41a are irradiated. The area 65 is set.

  The size t1 of the irradiation region 65 is larger than the size of the spot S (the size of the trajectory F) t2, and smaller than the size t3 in the width direction of the incident surface 41a. The light shielding unit 70 is formed on the second surface 43b of the substrate 43 so as to cover the non-irradiation regions 67a and 67b excluding the irradiation region 65 of the incident surface 41a.

  For example, the size t3 of the phosphor layer 41 is about 5 mm, and the size (also referred to as spot diameter) t2 of the spot S is about 1.5 mm. The size t1 of the irradiation region 65 is set to about 4 mm. These specific sizes are not limited and may be appropriately designed.

  As shown in FIGS. 7B and 8B, the light shielding part 70 includes an outer part 70a and an inner part 70b that function as a first shielding part. The outer portion 70 a is formed along the periphery of the substrate 43 in a ring shape with a small width. The outer portion 70 a is formed so as to cover the non-irradiation region 67 a including the outer periphery 66 a of the incident surface 41 a of the phosphor layer 41.

  The inner portion 70b is formed over a portion from the insertion hole 49 of the substrate 43 to the irradiation region 65 of the incident surface 41a. The inner part 70b is formed so as to cover the non-irradiation region 67b including the inner periphery 66b of the incident surface 41a of the phosphor layer 41. The shape of the outer portion 70a and the inner portion 70b is not limited as long as the blue laser light B1 can be blocked from entering the non-irradiated regions 67a and 67b. In particular, the inner portion 67b may be formed in a ring shape with a small width.

  As the light shielding part 70, a material capable of shielding the blue laser light B1 that is excitation light is used. Typically, such materials include, but are not limited to, metal materials such as copper and aluminum.

  The method for forming the light shielding part 70 on the substrate 43 is not limited, and for example, a plate member made of a metal material is attached to the second surface 43b of the substrate 43 via an adhesive or the like. Alternatively, a metal thin film or the like may be formed on the second surface 43b of the substrate 43 by vapor deposition or the like. In addition, any method may be used as a method of forming the light shielding unit 70. In any case, the light shielding unit 70 can be easily realized without going through a complicated process.

  Further, as the light shielding unit 70, a material that shields the blue laser light B1 and reflects the blue laser light B1 may be used. By allowing the blue laser beam B1 to be reflected, the temperature rise of the light shielding unit 70 can be suppressed. As a result, it is possible to suppress the temperature rise of the phosphor wheel 42 and prevent the reliability from being lowered.

  Further, a material having thermal conductivity may be used as the light shielding unit 70. As a result, the heat generated from the phosphor layer 41 can be radiated into the air via the light shielding portion 70 or guided to a predetermined cooling device or the like. As a result, the temperature rise of the phosphor wheel 42 can be suppressed, and the reliability can be maintained high.

  As described above, in the light source device 100 according to the present embodiment, the light shielding unit 70 is disposed so as to cover a partial region of the incident surface 41 a of the phosphor layer 41. As a result, the blue laser light B1 incident on the incident surface 41a can be restricted, and heat generation from the phosphor layer 41a can be suppressed.

  In the future, higher brightness and smaller size of the projector will be further demanded, and it is considered that the density of the light source block using the condensed light beam from the blue laser light source as excitation light will increase. Then, the heat load on the phosphor layer that emits visible light becomes more severe, and a temperature reduction technique from an optical viewpoint becomes necessary. For example, it is conceivable to provide fins, fans or the like on the phosphor wheel. In this case, however, the structure becomes complicated, and it is very difficult to reduce the size of the apparatus.

  As described above, in the phosphor wheel 42 according to the present embodiment, the light shielding portion 70 is formed on the substrate 43 that supports the phosphor layer 41. The light shielding unit 70 can sufficiently shield unnecessary light that is not condensed on the spot S by the condensing optical system 34, for example. Thereby, the thermal load on the phosphor layer 41 can be reduced, and the light source device 100 can be downsized.

  The light shielding unit 70 described in the present embodiment can be said to be a light shielding mechanism that shields unnecessary light from entering the phosphor layer 41, and can also be said to be an aperture mechanism in which an opening is formed at an appropriate position.

<Second Embodiment>
A phosphor wheel according to a second embodiment of the present technology will be described. In the following description, the description of the same part as the configuration and operation of the phosphor wheel 42 described in the above embodiment will be omitted or simplified.

  FIG. 9 is a view showing a rear view of the phosphor wheel according to the present embodiment. Each phosphor wheel 80 shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B has a light shielding portion 81. The light shielding portion 81 includes an outer portion 81a and an inner portion 81b that function as the first shielding portion described in the first embodiment.

  The light shielding portion 81 is disposed so as to cover a part of the irradiation region 65 set on the incident surface 41a of the phosphor layer 41, and shields the blue laser light B1 from entering the partial region. (Second shielding portion) 85 is provided. As shown in FIGS. 9A and B, the shielding grid 85 is formed between the outer portion 81a and the inner portion 81b so as to be connected thereto.

  The shield grid 85a shown in FIG. 9A is arranged at equal intervals with respect to the irradiation region 65 having a ring shape. In the present embodiment, four shielding grids 85a are arranged every about 90 degrees. In FIG. 9A, shielding grids 85a are illustrated at four positions that face each other in the z-axis direction and the x-axis direction. The positions of these shielding grids 85 a move according to the rotation of the phosphor wheel 80.

  The shielding grid 85a is formed with the radial direction of the irradiation region 65 as the extending direction. The radial direction of the irradiation region 65 corresponds to the radial direction of the substrate 43 and is the same direction as the rotation radius. Let the magnitude | size of the direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the shielding grid 85a be the width | variety of the shielding grid 85a. Then, although the specific numerical value is not limited, the width of the shielding grid 85a is set small.

  When the shielding grid 85a is formed, the incidence of excitation light on the irradiation region 65 is restricted, which may affect the brightness of the white light W emitted from the light source device and the quality of the projected image (video). . If the width of the shielding grid 85a is too large, there is a possibility that the brightness of the white light is insufficient or the projected image flickers. The width of the shielding grid 85a may be appropriately designed within a range where such influence does not occur or is allowed.

  For example, the rotational speed of the phosphor wheel 80 and the brightness of the excitation light can be important factors when designing the width of the shielding grid 85a. In addition, the image display without a problem is realizable by designing the width | variety of the shielding grid 85a appropriately.

  The shielding grid 85b shown in FIG. 9B is also arranged at equal intervals with respect to the irradiation region 65 having a ring shape. In the present embodiment, eight shielding grids 85b are arranged every about 45 degrees. The shielding grid 85b is formed with the direction different from the radial direction of the irradiation region 65 as the extending direction. That is, the shielding grid 85b is formed to extend in an oblique direction having a predetermined angle with respect to the radial direction. The angle at which the extending direction is set with respect to the radial direction is not limited.

  As described above, the spiral structure having a certain angle with respect to the radial direction of the irradiation region 65 can sufficiently prevent the blue laser light from entering the phosphor layer 41 while suppressing the influence on luminance and image quality. Can be limited to. Further, the width of the shielding grid 85b (the size in the direction orthogonal to the extending direction) may be appropriately designed as described above.

  The method for forming the shielding grid 85 on the substrate 43 is not limited. For example, a method of bonding a thin plate made of a metal material or a method of forming a metal thin film by vapor deposition or the like is used. Typically, the shielding grid 85 is formed with the outer side part 81a and the inner side part 81b. As the material of the shielding grid 85, the same material as that of the outer portion 81a and the inner portion 81b may be used.

  Thus, in the phosphor wheel 80 according to the present embodiment, the shielding grid 85 is arranged so as to cover a part of the irradiation region 65. This makes it possible to limit the incidence of excitation light on the irradiation region 65 and suppress the heat generation from the phosphor layer 41. Further, by arranging the shielding grid 85 at equal intervals with respect to the irradiation region 65, it becomes possible to cut the excitation light periodically. Thereby, the heat generation from the phosphor layer 41 can be suppressed while suppressing the influence on the luminance and the image quality.

  The number, size, and shape of the light shielding grid 85 may be designed arbitrarily. Even with a configuration in which the shielding grids are not arranged at equal intervals with respect to the irradiation region 65, heat generation from the phosphor layer 41 can be suppressed. Moreover, the shielding grid 85 which has a mutually different shape may each be arrange | positioned. The shielding grid 85 can also be said to be a spoke mechanism that connects the outer side portion 81 a and the inner side portion 81 b in the light shielding portion 81.

<Third Embodiment>
A phosphor wheel according to a third embodiment of the present technology will be described. In the first and second embodiments described above, a transmission type phosphor wheel that is excited by excitation light incident on the incident surface 41a and emits fluorescent light from the exit surface 41b opposite to the incident surface 41a is taken as an example. I explained. On the other hand, this technique is applicable also to a reflection type phosphor wheel.

  FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the phosphor wheel according to the present embodiment. The phosphor wheel 90 in FIGS. 10A to 10C is a reflective phosphor wheel, and includes a substrate 91, a phosphor layer 92, and a light shielding portion 93. The substrate 91 has a support surface 91 a that supports the phosphor layer 92.

  The phosphor layer 92 has an incident surface 92a on which the blue laser light B1 that is excitation light is incident, and an abutting surface 92b that is a surface opposite to the incident surface 92a. The contact surface 92 b of the phosphor layer 92 is supported by the support surface 91 a of the substrate 91.

  During the operation of the light source device, the blue laser light B1 is incident on the incident surface 92a, and fluorescent light GR is generated by excitation. The support surface 91a of the substrate 91 reflects the fluorescent light GR emitted from the contact surface 92b toward the incident surface 92a. Accordingly, in the reflective phosphor wheel 90, the incident surface 92a on which the blue laser light B1 is incident also functions as an exit surface that emits the fluorescent light GR.

  As the generation of white light, for example, a part of the blue laser beam B1 is reflected from the support surface 91a to the incident surface 92a. Then, the fluorescent light GR and the blue laser light B1 are emitted from the incident surface 92a, and white light that is the combined light is generated. Alternatively, the fluorescent light GR emitted from the phosphor wheel 90 may be combined with blue light through another optical path (not shown) to generate white light.

  The light shielding portion 93 limits the incidence of the blue laser light B1 on the incident surface 92a. The light shielding portion 93a shown in FIG. 10A includes a plate member 94 capable of shielding light, and is disposed on the incident surface 92a side. About the material, shape, etc. of the plate member 94, the structure demonstrated in 1st Embodiment may be used.

  That is, for example, the first plate member 94a and the second plate member 94b having substantially the same shape as the outer portion 70a and the inner portion 70b shown in FIG. 7B are arranged on the incident surface 92a side. The first and second plate members 94a and 94b are connected to the substrate 91 by a connecting member 95, respectively. Therefore, when the substrate 91 rotates, the first and second plate members 94a and 94b also rotate. The method of connecting the first and second plate members 94a and 94b to the substrate 91 is not limited, and the position where the connecting member 95 is attached may be arbitrarily designed.

  Similar to the above embodiment, the size t1 of the irradiation area 65 is larger than the size t2 of the spot S (trajectory F) and smaller than the width t3 of the incident surface 92a. In the present embodiment, since the incident surface 92a also functions as an output surface, the size t1 of the irradiation region is appropriately set so that the fluorescent light GR generated by excitation is appropriately output.

  For example, the size t1 of the irradiation region 65 is set based on the size of the effective range for emitting the fluorescent light GR on the incident surface 92a, the emission angle of the fluorescent light GR, and the like. Alternatively, the size t1 of the irradiation region 65 is set based on the optical conditions (such as the effective diameter of the lens) of the optical system that receives the fluorescent light GR emitted from the incident surface 72a. The setting of the size t1 of the irradiation region is also applied to the light shielding portions 93b and 93c shown in FIGS. 10B and 10C.

  A plate member (hereinafter referred to as a grid member) having the same configuration as that of the light shielding grid 85 (see FIG. 9) described in the second embodiment may be arranged on the incident surface 92a side. In this case, the grid member may be formed so as to connect the first and second plate members 94a and 94b. The number, shape, size, etc. of the grid members may be arbitrarily designed. As shown in FIG. 10A, the light shielding portion 93 can be easily realized by using a plate member.

  The light shielding portions 93b and 93c shown in FIGS. 10B and 10C have a base material 96 made of a transparent material and a light shielding layer (first light shielding portion) 97 formed on the base material 96. The material of the base material 96 is not limited, For example, similarly to the board | substrate 91, crystalline members, such as a crystal | crystallization and a sapphire, may be used. Of course, other transparent materials may be used.

  The light shielding layer 97 is a material capable of shielding the blue laser light B1 that is excitation light. For example, the outer light-shielding layer 97a and the inner light-shielding layer 97b are formed on the base member 96 in the same manner as the configuration in which the outer portion 70a and the inner portion 70b are formed on the substrate 43 shown in FIG. As the formation method, a plate member made of a metal material may be bonded to the base material 96 via an adhesive or the like, or a metal thin film may be formed on the base material 96 by vapor deposition or the like.

  In addition, the characteristic part regarding the outer side view 70a and the inner side part 70b described above can be applied to the outer side light shielding layer 97a and the inner side light shielding layer 97b shown in FIGS. 10B and 10C as they are. By forming the light shielding layer 97 on the transparent base material 96 in this way, the light shielding portion 93 can be easily realized. Further, the light shielding grid 85 (see FIG. 9) described in the second embodiment may be formed on the base material 96 together with the light shielding layer 97.

  In FIG. 10B, the base material 96 is arrange | positioned so that the light shielding layer 97 may oppose the entrance plane 92a. In FIG. 10C, the base material 96 is disposed so that the surface 98 opposite to the surface on which the light shielding layer 97 is formed faces the incident surface 92a. Thus, the direction of the base material 96 may be set arbitrarily. Further, the light shielding layers 97 may be formed on both sides of the substrate 96, respectively. The base material 96 is connected to the substrate 91 by a connection member (not shown).

  10A to 10C, the blue laser light B1 incident on the incident surface 92a can be restricted, and heat generation from the phosphor layer 92 can be suppressed.

<Other embodiments>
The present technology is not limited to the embodiments described above, and other various embodiments can be realized.

  In the above, the phosphor layer is irradiated with excitation light while the phosphor wheel is rotated. However, the present technology is not limited to this, and the present technology can also be applied to the case where excitation light is irradiated to the phosphor layer fixed to the holding unit or the like. That is, the heat generation from the phosphor layer can be suppressed by arranging the light shielding portion so as to cover a part of the incident surface of the phosphor layer.

  In the above, the light shielding part is connected to the substrate that supports the phosphor layer. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and in the light source device, a light shielding part may be appropriately disposed separately from the substrate. In this case, the light shielding portion may be fixed at a predetermined position without rotating. In the case of such a configuration, the light-shielding portion is not a new element constituting the phosphor wheel, but a new configuration arranged in the light source device.

  In the image display device 500 shown in FIG. 1, a transmissive liquid crystal panel is used as an image generating element. Instead, a reflective liquid crystal panel, a digital micromirror device (DMD), or the like may be used. In addition, the configuration of the image display device may be set as appropriate.

  The present technology can also be applied to other image display devices such as a display device other than the projector. Further, the light source device according to the present technology may be used for a device that is not an image display device.

  Of the characteristic portions according to the present technology described above, it is possible to combine at least two characteristic portions. That is, the various characteristic parts described in each embodiment may be arbitrarily combined without distinction between the embodiments. The various effects described above are merely examples and are not limited, and other effects may be exhibited.

In addition, this technique can also take the following structures.
(1) one or more light sources that emit excitation light;
A light emitter that has an incident surface on which excitation light from the one or more light sources is incident, and that emits visible light when excited by the incident excitation light;
A light source device comprising: a light shielding unit that is disposed so as to cover a partial region of the incident surface and shields the excitation light from entering the partial region.
(2) The light source device according to (1),
The one or more light sources include a plurality of light sources;
The light source device further includes an optical system for condensing excitation light from each of the plurality of light sources at a predetermined spot on the incident surface,
The light shielding unit includes a first shielding unit disposed so as to cover a region excluding the irradiation region of the incident surface with a region having a predetermined size including the spot on the incident surface as an irradiation region. .
(3) The light source device according to (1) or (2),
A base portion that supports the light emitter, and a motor that rotates the base portion;
The light shielding unit is connected to the base unit and rotates integrally with the base unit.
(4) The light source device according to (3),
The irradiation area includes a locus drawn by rotation of the base portion by the excitation light condensed on the spot.
(5) The light source device according to any one of (2) to (4),
The light-shielding unit includes a second shielding unit arranged to cover a part of the irradiation region.
(6) The light source device according to any one of (3) to (5),
The base portion is made of a transparent material, and has a first surface that supports the incident surface of the light emitter, and a second surface opposite to the first surface,
The light shielding unit is connected to the second surface of the base body.
(7) The light source device according to (6),
The light shielding unit includes a plate member that is bonded to the second surface of the base body and can shield light.
(8) The light source device according to (6),
The light-shielding unit has a film that is deposited on the second surface of the base body and can shield light.
(9) The light source device according to any one of (3) to (5),
The light emitter has a contact surface which is a surface opposite to the incident surface,
The base portion supports the contact surface of the light emitter, and reflects the visible light emitted from the contact surface toward the incident surface.
(10) The light source device according to (9),
The light shielding unit is a light source device including a plate member capable of shielding light disposed on the incident surface side.
(11) The light source device according to (9),
The light shielding unit includes a base material made of a transparent material and a plate member that is bonded to the base material and can shield light, and is disposed on the incident surface side.
(12) The light source device according to (9),
The light shielding unit includes a base material made of a transparent material and a film deposited on the base material and capable of shielding light, and is disposed on the incident surface side.
(13) The light source device according to any one of (5) to (12),
The irradiation area has a ring shape;
The second shielding part is a light source device arranged at equal intervals with respect to the irradiation region.
(14) The light source device according to any one of (5) to (13),
The irradiation area has a ring shape;
The second shielding unit is arranged with respect to the irradiation region with a direction different from a radial direction of the irradiation region as an extending direction.
(15) The light source device according to any one of (1) to (14),
The light shielding unit is a light source device that reflects the excitation light.

B1 ... Blue laser light GR ... Fluorescent light S ... Spot W ... White light 32 ... Laser light source 34 ... Condensing optical system 41, 92 ... Phosphor layer 41a, 92a ... Incident surface 42, 80, 90 ... Phosphor wheel 43, 91 ... Substrate 43a ... First surface 43b ... Second surface 45 ... Motor 54 ... Emission surface 65 ... Irradiation region 67a, 67b ... Non-irradiation region 70, 81, 93 ... Light shielding part 85 ... Shielding grid 92b ... Contact surface 94: plate member 96 ... base material 97 ... light shielding layer 100 ... light source device 200 ... image generation system 210 ... image generation element 400 ... projection system 500 ... image display device

Claims (17)

One or more light sources that emit excitation light;
A light emitter that has an incident surface on which excitation light from the one or more light sources is incident, and that emits visible light when excited by the incident excitation light;
A light source device comprising: a light shielding unit that is disposed so as to cover a partial region of the incident surface and shields the excitation light from entering the partial region. The light source device according to claim 1,
The one or more light sources include a plurality of light sources;
The light source device further includes an optical system for condensing excitation light from each of the plurality of light sources at a predetermined spot on the incident surface,
The light shielding unit includes a first shielding unit disposed so as to cover a region excluding the irradiation region of the incident surface with a region having a predetermined size including the spot on the incident surface as an irradiation region. . The light source device according to claim 1, further comprising:
A base portion that supports the light emitter, and a motor that rotates the base portion;
The light shielding unit is connected to the base unit and rotates integrally with the base unit. The light source device according to claim 3,
The irradiation area includes a locus drawn by rotation of the base portion by the excitation light condensed on the spot. The light source device according to claim 2,
The light-shielding unit includes a second shielding unit arranged to cover a part of the irradiation region. The light source device according to claim 3,
The base portion is made of a transparent material, and has a first surface that supports the incident surface of the light emitter, and a second surface opposite to the first surface,
The light shielding unit is connected to the second surface of the base body. The light source device according to claim 6,
The light shielding unit includes a plate member that is bonded to the second surface of the base body and can shield light. The light source device according to claim 6,
The light-shielding unit has a film that is deposited on the second surface of the base body and can shield light. The light source device according to claim 3,
The light emitter has a contact surface which is a surface opposite to the incident surface,
The base portion supports the contact surface of the light emitter, and reflects the visible light emitted from the contact surface toward the incident surface. The light source device according to claim 9,
The light shielding unit is a light source device including a plate member capable of shielding light disposed on the incident surface side. The light source device according to claim 9,
The light shielding unit includes a base material made of a transparent material and a plate member that is bonded to the base material and can shield light, and is disposed on the incident surface side. The light source device according to claim 9,
The light shielding unit includes a base material made of a transparent material and a film deposited on the base material and capable of shielding light, and is disposed on the incident surface side. The light source device according to claim 5,
The irradiation area has a ring shape;
The second shielding part is a light source device arranged at equal intervals with respect to the irradiation region. The light source device according to claim 5,
The irradiation area has a ring shape;
The second shielding unit is arranged with respect to the irradiation region with a direction different from a radial direction of the irradiation region as an extending direction. The light source device according to claim 1,
The light shielding unit is a light source device that reflects the excitation light. (A) one or more light sources that emit excitation light;
A light emitter that has an incident surface on which excitation light from the one or more light sources is incident, and that emits visible light when excited by the incident excitation light;
A light-shielding portion that is arranged so as to cover a partial region of the incident surface and shields the excitation light from being incident on the partial region; and an emission surface that emits light including visible light from the light emitter. A light source device having
(B) an image generation system including an image generation element that generates an image based on irradiated light, and an illumination optical system that irradiates the image generation element with light from the light source device;
(C) An image display apparatus comprising: a projection system that projects an image generated by the image generation element. A light emitting body that has an incident surface and emits visible light when excited by excitation light incident on the incident surface;
An optical unit comprising: a light shielding portion that is disposed so as to cover a partial region of the incident surface and shields the excitation light from entering the partial region.