JP2018097130A - Light source device, illumination device and projector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a light source device capable of making an illuminance distribution uniform in an illuminated area, to provide an illumination device including the light source device, and to provide a projector including the light source device or the illumination device.SOLUTION: The light source device of the present invention includes: a first light source array emitting first light including first and second light beams; a second light source array emitting second light including third and fourth light beams; and a first light reflection part. The first light reflection part includes a first light reflection surface and a second light reflection surface. The first and second light beams are reflected on the first and second light reflection surfaces, respectively. The second light does not enter the first light reflection part but propagates in the same direction as the first light reflected by the first light reflection part. In a rear stage of the first light reflection part, an interval between the first and second light beams is different from an interval between the third and fourth light beams; and the first and second light is arranged in a direction intersecting the direction where the first and second light beams are arranged.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a light source device, a lighting device, and a projector.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, lighting devices used in projectors are known that excite phosphors with light emitted from a plurality of laser light sources and use fluorescent light generated by the phosphors as part of illumination light (for example, patents). Reference 1).

JP 2014-138148 A

  In the illuminating device, the light emitted from the plurality of laser light sources is uniformly irradiated onto the phosphor by the multi-lens array and the lens provided at the subsequent stage. However, further improvement in the uniformity of the illuminance distribution on the phosphor has been demanded.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a light source device that can improve the uniformity of the illuminance distribution in the illuminated area. Another object is to provide an illumination device including the light source device. Another object is to provide a projector including the light source device or the lighting device.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, a first light source array that emits first light including a first light beam and a second light beam, a third light beam, and a fourth light beam are provided. A second light source array that emits second light, a first collimating optical system on which the first light is incident, a second collimating optical system on which the second light is incident, and a first light A first light reflecting portion having a reflecting surface and a second light reflecting surface provided on a second plane different from the first plane including the first light reflecting surface. The first light beam and the second light beam that have passed through the first collimating optical system are reflected by the first light reflection surface and the second light reflection surface, respectively. The third light beam and the fourth light beam transmitted through the second collimating optical system are not incident on the first light reflecting portion, Proceeding in the same direction as the first light reflected by the first light reflecting portion, and in the subsequent stage of the first light reflecting portion, the distance between the first light beam and the second light beam is , The distance between the third light beam and the fourth light beam is different, and the first light and the second light are the first light beam and the second light beam. There is provided a light source device arranged in a direction intersecting with a direction in which the light beams are arranged.

  According to the light source device according to the first aspect, even when the first light source array and the second light source array having the same arrangement pitch of the plurality of light emitting elements are used, the first light is reflected in the subsequent stage of the first light reflecting unit. The distance between the beam and the second light beam can be made different from the distance between the third light beam and the fourth light beam. Thereby, the regularity of the spot arrangement of the light beam formed on the illuminated region can be reduced. Therefore, the uniformity of the illuminance distribution in the illuminated area can be improved.

In the first aspect, an interval between the first light beam and the second light beam in the subsequent stage of the first light reflecting unit is set so that the first light beam in the previous stage of the first light reflecting unit is And the distance between the second light beam and the second light beam.
According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent an increase in the diameter of the light beam emitted from the light source device. Thereby, it can prevent that the optical system arrange | positioned at the back | latter stage of a light source device enlarges.

In the first aspect, the first light further includes a fifth light beam and a sixth light beam, a third light reflecting surface provided on the first plane, and the second light beam. A second light reflecting portion having a fourth light reflecting surface provided on a plane, wherein the first light reflecting portion and the second light reflecting portion are the first light and the second light reflecting portion. The fifth light beam and the sixth light beam, which are arranged in a direction intersecting with the direction in which the reflection surface and the second light reflection surface are arranged, are transmitted through the first collimating optical system. Are reflected by the third light reflecting surface and the fourth light reflecting surface, respectively, and the distance between the fifth light beam and the sixth light beam in the subsequent stage of the second light reflecting portion. Is preferably different from the distance between the third light beam and the fourth light beam.
According to this configuration, since the regularity of the spot arrangement of the light beam formed on the illuminated area is further lowered, the uniformity of the illuminance distribution in the illuminated area can be further improved.

In the first aspect, the first light further includes a fifth light beam and a sixth light beam, and the third light is provided on a third plane different from the first plane. A second light reflecting portion having a reflecting surface and a fourth light reflecting surface provided on a plane different from the third plane; and the first light reflecting portion and the second light reflecting portion. The light reflecting portion is arranged in a direction intersecting the direction in which the first light reflecting surface and the second light reflecting surface are arranged, and transmits the first collimating optical system. 5 light beam and the sixth light beam are reflected by the third light reflection surface and the fourth light reflection surface, respectively, and the fifth light beam is reflected by the fifth light reflection portion at the rear stage of the second light reflection portion. The distance between the light beam and the sixth light beam is different from the distance between the third light beam and the fourth light beam. Preferred.
According to this configuration, since the regularity of the spot arrangement of the light beam formed on the illuminated area is further lowered, the uniformity of the illuminance distribution in the illuminated area can be further improved.

In the first aspect, when viewed from a direction parallel to the traveling direction of the first light, the longitudinal direction of the first light reflecting surface, the longitudinal direction of the second light reflecting surface, and the first The longitudinal direction of the spot of the first light beam on the light reflecting surface and the longitudinal direction of the spot of the second light beam on the second light reflecting surface are the first light reflecting surface and the first light beam. It is preferable to be parallel to the direction in which the two light reflecting surfaces are arranged.
According to this configuration, the first light reflecting portion can be reduced in size. Further, since the first light beam and the second light beam are favorably reflected by the light reflecting surface, the light can be used efficiently.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the light source device according to the first aspect, the homogenizing optical system on which the light emitted from the light source device is incident, and the light emitted from the uniformizing optical system are incident. An illumination device including a wavelength conversion element is provided.

  Since the illumination device according to the second aspect includes the light source device according to the first aspect, the illuminance distribution on the wavelength conversion element is highly uniform. Therefore, illumination light can be generated with high efficiency.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the illumination device according to the second aspect, a light modulation device that modulates light from the illumination device according to image information to form image light, and the image light is projected. A projection optical system is provided.

  Since the projector according to the third aspect includes the illumination device according to the second aspect, it is possible to display an image with high efficiency.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the light source device according to the first aspect, the homogenizing optical system on which the light from the light source device is incident, and the light emitted from the homogenizing optical system according to image information A projector is provided that includes a light modulation device that modulates the light and forms image light, and a projection optical system that projects the image light.

  Since the projector according to the fourth aspect includes the light source device according to the first aspect, it can display an image with high efficiency.

1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a projector according to a first embodiment. The figure which shows the structure of an illuminating device. The figure which shows the principal part structure of a light emitting element. The top view which looked at the photosynthesis part from the optical axis direction. The perspective view of a photosynthesis part. Sectional drawing of a photosynthesis part. The figure which shows the incident position of the excitation light with respect to a homogenizer optical system. The figure which shows the incident position of the excitation light with respect to the homogenizer optical system in a comparative example. Sectional drawing which showed the principal part structure of the photosynthesis part which concerns on a 1st modification. Sectional drawing which showed the principal part structure of the photosynthesis part which concerns on a 2nd modification. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a projector according to a second embodiment. The figure which shows schematic structure of the illuminating device for blue light.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, in the drawings used in the following description, in order to make the features easy to understand, there are cases where the portions that become the features are enlarged for the sake of convenience, and the dimensional ratios of the respective components are not always the same as the actual ones. Absent.

(First embodiment)
First, the projector according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a projector 1 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the projector 1 includes an illumination device 100, a color separation light guide optical system 200, light modulation devices 400R, 400G, and 400B, a cross dichroic prism 500, and a projection optical system 600.

  In the present embodiment, the illumination device 100 emits white illumination light W including red light, green light, and blue light.

  The color separation light guide optical system 200 includes dichroic mirrors 210 and 220, reflection mirrors 230, 240 and 250, and relay lenses 260 and 270. The color separation light guide optical system 200 separates the white illumination light W from the illumination device 100 into a red light LR, a green light LG, and a blue light LB, and each corresponds to the red light LR, the green light LG, and the blue light LB. To the light modulation devices 400R, 400G, and 400B.

  Field lenses 300R, 300G, and 300B are disposed between the color separation light guide optical system 200 and the light modulation devices 400R, 400G, and 400B.

  The dichroic mirror 210 is a dichroic mirror that transmits a red light component and reflects a green light component and a blue light component. The dichroic mirror 220 is a dichroic mirror that reflects a green light component and transmits a blue light component. The reflection mirror 230 is a reflection mirror that reflects a red light component. The reflection mirrors 240 and 250 are reflection mirrors that reflect blue light components.

  The light modulation devices 400R, 400G, and 400B include a liquid crystal panel that modulates incident color light according to image information to form a color image. The operation mode of the liquid crystal panel is not particularly limited, such as a TN mode, a VA mode, and a horizontal electric field mode.

  Although not shown, an incident-side polarizing plate is disposed between each field lens 300R, 300G, 300B and each light modulator 400R, 400G, 400B, and each light modulator 400R, 400G, 400B. And the cross dichroic prism 500 are each provided with an exit-side polarizing plate.

  The cross dichroic prism 500 combines the image lights emitted from the light modulation devices 400R, 400G, and 400B to form a color image.

  The cross dichroic prism 500 has a substantially square shape in plan view in which four right-angle prisms are bonded together, and a dielectric multilayer film is formed on a substantially X-shaped interface in which the right-angle prisms are bonded together.

  The color image emitted from the cross dichroic prism 500 is enlarged and projected by the projection optical system 600 to form an image on the screen SCR.

(Lighting device)
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the illumination device 100. As shown in FIG. 2, the illumination device 100 includes a first light source device 5, a homogenizer optical system 6, a dichroic mirror 7, a condensing optical system 8, a rotating fluorescent plate 30, and a second light source device 9. And illuminating means 14. In the present embodiment, the first light source device 5 corresponds to a “light source device” recited in the claims.

Hereinafter, the XYZ coordinate system may be used in the drawings.
In FIG. 2, the X direction is a direction parallel to the optical axis (illumination optical axis) 100ax of the light emitted from the illumination device 100, the Y direction is a direction parallel to the optical axis ax1 of the first light source device 5, The Z direction is a direction orthogonal to the X direction and the Y direction. The optical axis of the second light source device 9 coincides with the optical axis ax1 of the first light source device 5.

  The first light source device 5 includes a first light source array 21, a second light source array 22, a first collimating optical system 23, a second collimating optical system 24, and a light combining unit 25. The 1st light source device 5 is for irradiating excitation light with respect to the fluorescent substance layer 33 of the rotating fluorescent plate 30 mentioned later.

The first light source array 21 has a plurality of light emitting elements 40 arranged two-dimensionally. In the first light source array 21, for example, four light emitting elements 40 are arranged in the Y direction and five in the Z direction, that is, 20 in a plane parallel to the YZ plane. The light emitting element 40 is composed of a semiconductor laser. The light emitting element 40 emits a light beam B1. The light beam B1 is laser light having a peak wavelength of, for example, 445 nm. The number and arrangement of the light emitting elements 40 are not limited to the above.
The first light source array 21 emits a light bundle K1 composed of a plurality of light beams B1. In the present embodiment, the light beam K1 corresponds to “first light” in the claims.

  In the present embodiment, the plurality of light emitting elements 40 are two-dimensionally arranged on the mounting surface of the support member 41. The support member 41 is made of a metal material having excellent heat dissipation, such as aluminum or copper. Thereby, the heat of the light emitting element 40 can be efficiently released.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a main part of the light emitting element 40 included in the first light source array 21.
As shown in FIG. 3, the light emitting element 40 has a light exit surface 40a for emitting the light beam B1. The light exit surface 40a has a substantially rectangular planar shape having a longitudinal direction W1 and a short direction W2 when viewed from the direction of the principal ray O of the ray B1.
In the present embodiment, the longitudinal direction W1 is parallel to the Z direction, and the short direction W2 is parallel to the Y direction.

  Since the short direction W2 is the fast axis direction of the light emitting element 40, and the long direction W1 is the slow axis direction of the light emitting element 40, the spread of the light beam B1 in the short direction W2 extends to the long direction W1 of the light beam B1. Greater than spread. Therefore, the cross-sectional shape BS of the light beam B1 has an elliptical shape with the longitudinal direction W1 as the short axis direction and the short direction W2 as the long axis.

Returning to FIG. 2, in this embodiment, the light emitted from the first light source array 21 (the plurality of light emitting elements 40) enters the first collimating optical system 23.
The first collimating optical system 23 includes a plurality of collimator lenses 43. Each collimator lens 43 is two-dimensionally arranged corresponding to each light emitting element 40. That is, each collimator lens 43 converts each light beam B1 emitted from the corresponding light emitting element 40 into parallel light. The light beam K1 enters the light combining unit 25.

  The second light source array 22 also has a plurality of light emitting elements 40 arranged two-dimensionally. The standard of the second light source array 22 is the same as the standard of the first light source array 21. Here, the standard means the arrangement of the light emitting elements 40 and the pitch thereof.

  That is, in the second light source array 22, four light emitting elements 40 are arranged in the X direction and five in the Z direction, that is, 20 in a plane parallel to the XZ plane. Thereby, the light emitting element 40 emits the light beam B2 in the Y direction. The light beam B2 is a laser beam having a peak wavelength of, for example, 445 nm. The cross-sectional shape of the light beam B2 is an elliptical shape in which the Z direction is the minor axis direction and the X direction is the major axis direction. The second light source array 22 emits a light bundle K2 composed of a plurality of light beams B2. In the present embodiment, the light beam K2 corresponds to “second light” in the claims.

  The second collimating optical system 24 has the same configuration as the first collimating optical system 23 and includes a plurality of collimator lenses 43. Each light beam B <b> 2 is converted into parallel light by the second collimating optical system 24. The light beam K2 enters the light combining unit 25. The light combiner 25 generates the excitation light KG by combining the light bundles K1 and K2.

  4A is a perspective view of the photosynthesis unit 25, and FIG. 4B is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. 4A.

  As illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the light combining unit 25 includes a plurality of light reflecting units 55 and a plurality of light transmitting units 56. One light reflecting portion 55 has a plurality of mirrors 50 arranged substantially parallel to the XY plane. A gap between two light reflecting portions 55 adjacent to each other in the Z direction functions as the light transmitting portion 56. That is, the light reflecting portions 55 and the light transmitting portions 56 are alternately arranged in the Z direction.

  A plurality of light beams B1 transmitted through the first collimating optical system 23 are incident on the plurality of light reflecting portions 55. A plurality of light beams B <b> 2 transmitted through the second collimating optical system 24 are incident on the plurality of light transmission portions 56.

  In the present embodiment, each mirror 50 is arranged in parallel with the reference plane M. The reference plane M is a plane that forms an angle of 45 degrees with the optical axis of the light beam K1 (see FIG. 2).

  Thus, by arranging the plurality of mirrors 50 in parallel with each other, the plurality of light beams B1 can be reflected in a predetermined direction. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently use the plurality of light beams B1 emitted from the first light source array 21 when generating the excitation light KG (see FIG. 2).

  The same number of mirrors 50 as the light emitting elements 40 of the first light source array 21 are provided. That is, the plurality of mirrors 50 are provided in five stages in the Z direction, and each stage includes four mirrors 50. Each mirror 50 has a light reflection surface 51 having a rectangular shape having a longitudinal direction, and reflects a plurality of light beams B1 emitted from the first light source array 21 in the Y direction (optical axis ax1 direction). The first light source array 21 is positioned so that each light beam B1 is incident on any one of the corresponding mirrors 50.

  The light transmitting portion 56 is set to a size that can sufficiently transmit the light beam B2. The second light source array 22 is positioned so that each light beam B <b> 2 passes through the corresponding light transmission portion 56.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, the plurality of mirrors 50 are positioned at the uppermost stage (fifth stage) in the Z direction and adjacent to each other, below the mirrors 50a and 50b (in the −Z direction). Mirrors 50c and 50d. Each mirror 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d has a light reflecting surface 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d, respectively.

  The plurality of light beams B1 constituting the light beam K1 are incident on the light beam B1a incident on the light reflecting surface 51a of the mirror 50a, the light beam B1b incident on the light reflecting surface 51b of the mirror 50b, and the light reflecting surface 51c of the mirror 50c. The light beam B1c and the light beam B1d incident on the light reflecting surface 51d of the mirror 50d are included.

  The light reflecting surface 51a corresponds to the “first light reflecting surface” described in the claims, and the light reflecting surface 51b corresponds to the “second light reflecting surface” described in the claims. The surface 51c corresponds to a “third light reflecting surface” recited in the claims, and the light reflecting surface 51d corresponds to a “fourth light reflecting surface” recited in the claims.

  The light beam B1a corresponds to the “first light beam” described in the claims, the light beam B1b corresponds to the “second light beam” described in the claims, and the light beam B1c corresponds to the claims. The light beam B1d corresponds to the “sixth light beam” described in the claims.

  The plurality of light beams B2 emitted from the second light source array 22 include a light beam B2a that passes through the gap between the mirror 50a and the mirror 50c, and a light beam B2b that passes through the gap between the mirror 50b and the mirror 50d. including. Thus, the light beam B1a and the light beam B2a are arranged in a direction intersecting the direction in which the light beam B1a and the light beam B1b are arranged, and the light beam B1b and the light beam B2b are arranged in the light beam B1a and the light beam B1b. It is lined up in the direction that intersects with the direction. In other words, the light beam B1a and the light beam B2a are arranged in a direction intersecting with the XY plane, and the light beam B1b and the light beam B2b are arranged in a direction intersecting with the XY plane. The light beam B2a corresponds to a “third light beam” recited in the claims, and the light beam B2b corresponds to a “fourth light beam” recited in the claims.

  FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view of the light reflecting portion 55 located at the uppermost stage on a plane parallel to the XY plane. As shown in FIG. 4C, the mirror 50a is arranged at a position further away from the reference plane M in the + X direction than the mirror 50b. That is, the mirror 50a and the mirror 50b are disposed on different planes. In the present embodiment, the mirror 50a and the mirror 50b are disposed at the same height in the Z direction and are disposed at different positions in the X direction and the Y direction.

  The light reflecting surface 51a of the mirror 50a is provided on a plane M1 parallel to the reference plane M, and the light reflecting surface 51b of the mirror 50b is provided on a plane M2 parallel to the reference plane M, unlike the plane M1. The plane M1 corresponds to a “first plane” recited in the claims, and the plane M2 corresponds to a “second plane” recited in the claims.

  In the present embodiment, the plurality of light reflecting portions 55 includes a first light reflecting portion 55A and a second light reflecting portion 55B. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the first light reflecting portion 55 includes a mirror 50a (light reflecting surface 51a) and a mirror 50b (light reflecting surface 51b). The second light reflecting portion 55B includes a mirror 50c (light reflecting surface 51c) and a mirror 50d (light reflecting surface 51d). Here, a direction parallel to the projection of the optical axis of the light beam K1 onto the reference plane M is defined as a first direction A. The first light reflecting portion 55A and the second light reflecting portion 55B are arranged in a direction (Z direction) intersecting the first direction A (see FIG. 4B).

  The mirror 50c and the mirror 50a are disposed at different heights in the Z direction, and are disposed at the same position in the X direction and the Y direction. The mirror 50d and the mirror 50b are disposed at different heights in the Z direction and are disposed at the same position in the X direction and the Y direction. That is, in the present embodiment, the light reflecting surface 51c of the mirror 50c is provided on the plane M1, and the light reflecting surface 51d of the mirror 50d is provided on the plane M2 (see FIG. 4C).

  The plurality of mirrors 50 included in one light reflecting portion 55 are different from each other in the distance from the reference plane M (see FIG. 4C). In other words, the mirrors 50 arranged substantially along the first direction A are located on different surfaces. Each mirror 50 (for example, mirrors 50a and 50c or mirrors 50b and 50d) arranged along the Z direction is located on the same plane (same distance from the reference plane M).

  The light combining unit 25 varies the interval between the plurality of light beams B1 emitted from the first light source array 21 between the front stage and the rear stage of the light combining unit 25. In this embodiment, as will be described later, the reference planes of the plurality of mirrors 50 are set so that the light flux width of the light beam K1 at the subsequent stage of the light combining unit 25 is smaller than the light beam width of the light beam K1 at the previous stage of the light combining unit 25. Each position for M was set.

  The plurality of light beams B1 are reflected by the corresponding light reflecting surfaces 51, respectively. Specifically, the light beam B1a and the light beam B1b are reflected by the light reflecting surface 51a and the light reflecting surface 51b, respectively, and the light beam B1c and the light beam B1d are reflected by the light reflecting surface 51c and the light reflecting surface 51d, respectively. The

  The plurality of light beams B2 including the light beams B2a and B2b pass through the plurality of light transmission units 56 without entering any of the light reflection units, and are reflected by the light combining unit 25 (the light beams B1a, B1b, and B1c). , B1d) in the same Y direction (optical axis ax1 direction).

  Here, if the light beams B1a and B1b are reflected by the light reflecting surfaces 51a and 51b arranged on the reference plane M (that is, the same plane), the distance between the light beams B1a and B1b changes before and after the reflection. do not do. Therefore, in the subsequent stage of the first light reflecting portion 55A, the interval between the light beams B1a and B1b is equal to the interval between the light beams B2a and B2b.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, since the light beams B1a and B1b are reflected by the light reflecting surfaces 51a and 51b respectively arranged on the different planes M1 and M2, the distance between the light beam B1a and the light beam B1b is as follows. Different before and after reflection. Similarly, since the light beams B1c and B1d are reflected by the light reflecting surfaces 51c and 51d, the interval between the light beams B1c and B1d is also different before and after the reflection.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, since the light beam B2a and the light beam B2b do not enter the first light reflection unit 55A, the distance between the light beams B2a and B2b is the same before and after the light combining unit 25.

  According to the light combining unit 25 of the present embodiment, the distance D1 between the light beam B1a and the light beam B1b is different from the distance D2 between the light beam B2a and the light beam B2b in the subsequent stage of the first light reflecting unit 55A. Further, in the subsequent stage of the second light reflecting portion 55B, the distance D3 between the light beams B1c and B1d is different from the distance D2 between the light beams B2a and B2b. However, the interval D1 is equal to the interval D3.

  In the present embodiment, the mirror is arranged such that the distance D1 is reduced by the first light reflecting portion 55A, the distance D3 is reduced by the second light reflecting portion 55B, and the distance D1 and the distance D3 are smaller than the distance D2. 50a, 50b, 50c and 50d are arranged. When viewed from a direction parallel to the Z direction, the light beam diameter of the light bundle K1 composed of a plurality of light beams B1 including the light beams B1a, B1b, B1c, and B1d is reduced by the light combining unit 25.

  As described above, when the light combining unit 25 generates the excitation light KG by combining the light beam K1 and the light beam K2, the light combining unit 25 reduces the light flux width of the light beam K1. According to the present embodiment, since the excitation light KG is generated using the light beam K1 with a reduced light beam width, it is possible to prevent the diameter of the excitation light KG from increasing. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the subsequent optical system (for example, the homogenizer optical system 6) on which the excitation light KG is incident from increasing in size.

  Incidentally, as described above, the cross-sectional shapes of the light beams B1 and B2 are all elliptical with the Z direction as the minor axis. In the present embodiment, the slow axis direction (corresponding to the longitudinal direction W1 shown in FIG. 3) of each of the plurality of light emitting elements 40 is parallel to the arrangement direction (Z direction) of the mirrors 50. That is, the light beams B1 and B2 are in a state in which the short axis direction of the mirror 50 is aligned with the short axis direction. Thereby, the light beam B1a forms an elliptical spot having a major axis in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the light reflecting surface 51a on the light reflecting surface 51a. The light beam B2a forms an elliptical spot having a major axis in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the light reflecting surface 51b on the light reflecting surface 51b.

  On the other hand, when the major axis direction of each of the light beams B1 and B2 coincides with the short side direction of the mirror 50, for example, a part of the light beam B2 is reflected by the mirror 50 and cannot be emitted to the optical axis ax1 side. That is, a loss occurs when the plurality of rays B1 and B2 are combined to generate the excitation light KG. In order to prevent the loss, it is necessary to increase the interval between two light beams adjacent to each other in the Z direction so that the light beam B1 does not enter the light transmission unit 56 and the light beam B2 does not enter the light reflection unit 55. That is, as the interval between the light reflecting portions 55 is increased, the light combining portion 25 itself is also increased in size.

  On the other hand, according to the light combining unit 25 of the present embodiment, the short axis direction of each of the light beams B1 and B2 is matched with the short side direction of the mirror 50 as described above. That is, in this embodiment, when viewed from the direction parallel to the traveling direction of the light bundle K1, the longitudinal direction of the light reflecting surface 51a, the longitudinal direction of the light reflecting surface 51b, and the spot of the light beam B1a on the light reflecting surface 51a. The longitudinal direction and the longitudinal direction of the spot of the light beam B1b on the light reflecting surface 51b are parallel to the direction in which the light reflecting surface 51a and the light reflecting surface 51b are arranged. Thereby, since the space | interval of the light reflection part 55 can be made small, the photosynthesis part 25 can be reduced in size as a result.

  Therefore, there is a low possibility that a loss occurs when the excitation light KG is generated. Therefore, according to the first light source device 5 of the present embodiment, the excitation light KG can be generated by efficiently using the light beams B1 and B2. The excitation light KG emitted from the first light source device 5 enters the homogenizer optical system 6.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the homogenizer optical system 6 includes, for example, a pair of lens array 6a and lens array 6b. The lens array 6a includes a plurality of small lenses 6am, and the lens array 6b includes a plurality of small lenses 6bm. The plurality of small lenses 6bm correspond to the plurality of small lenses 6am, respectively. The small lenses 6am and 6bm are arranged in a lattice pattern in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis ax1.

  The homogenizer optical system 6 converts the light intensity distribution in the phosphor layer 33 of the rotating fluorescent plate 30 that is the illuminated area of the excitation light KG into a uniform state (so-called top hat distribution). That is, the homogenizer optical system 6 corresponds to a “homogenizing optical system” recited in the claims.

  Excitation light that has passed through the homogenizer optical system 6 enters the dichroic mirror 7. The dichroic mirror 7 has a characteristic of reflecting the excitation light and transmitting the fluorescence generated by the phosphor layer 33.

  In this embodiment, the dichroic mirror 7 is 45 with respect to each of the optical axis ax1 of the first light source device 5 and the illumination optical axis 100ax of the illumination device 100 in the optical path from the homogenizer optical system 6 to the condensing optical system 8. It is arranged to intersect at an angle of °. Thereby, the dichroic mirror 7 reflects the excitation light toward the condensing optical system 8.

  The condensing optical system 8 has a function of condensing excitation light toward the phosphor layer 33 of the rotating phosphor plate 30 and a function of making the fluorescence Y emitted from the phosphor layer 33 substantially parallel. The condensing optical system 8 includes a first lens 8a and a second lens 8b. The first lens 8a and the second lens 8b are convex lenses.

The rotating fluorescent plate 30 includes a ring-shaped phosphor layer 33 on a disc 32 that can be rotated by a motor 31. The phosphor layer 33 is excited by the excitation light KG and emits fluorescence Y including red light and green light. The phosphor layer 33 is composed of, for example, a layer containing (Y, Gd) ₃ (Al, Ga) ₅ O ₁₂ : Ce, which is a YAG phosphor.

  The disc 32 is made of a metal disc having excellent heat dissipation, such as aluminum or copper. A dielectric multilayer film 34 is provided between the disc 32 and the phosphor layer 33. The dielectric multilayer film 34 reflects the incident fluorescence Y toward the side opposite to the disk 32. Therefore, the rotating fluorescent plate 30 emits the fluorescence Y toward the same side as the side on which the excitation light is incident.

  In the homogenizer optical system 6, the lens array 6a divides the excitation light KG into a plurality of lights by a plurality of small lenses 6am. And each small lens 6bm of the lens array 6b cooperates with the condensing optical system 8, and superimposes on the fluorescent substance layer 33 the some light divided | segmented by small lens 6am. Thereby, the uniformity of the illuminance distribution of the excitation light KG in the phosphor layer 33 that is the illuminated region is improved.

  By the way, in order to obtain bright fluorescence Y as the illumination light W, it is necessary to improve the uniformity of the illuminance distribution of the excitation light KG in the phosphor layer 33. In order to improve the uniformity of the illuminance distribution of the excitation light KG, the incident position of the excitation light KG with respect to the light incidence area of the homogenizer optical system 6 is important.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the incident position of the excitation light KG with respect to the homogenizer optical system 6. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an incident position of the excitation light KG1 with respect to the homogenizer optical system 6 as a comparative example. The excitation light KG1 is light synthesized by the light synthesis unit 251 in which all the plurality of mirrors 50 are arranged on the reference plane M. 5 and 6, only the outermost shape of the lens array 6a is shown as the light incident area of the homogenizer optical system 6.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the excitation light KG has a plurality of light beams B1 and a plurality of light beams B2 arranged at different pitches. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, the excitation light KG1 includes a plurality of light beams B1 and a plurality of light beams B2 arranged at the same pitch.

    In the example shown in FIG. 6, the regularity of the arrangement of the plurality of spots formed by the plurality of light beams B1 and B2 is high. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the arrangement of the plurality of spots formed by the plurality of light beams B1 and B2. The regularity of is low. That is, the excitation light KG distributes a plurality of spots more uniformly on the light incident area of the homogenizer optical system 6 than the excitation light KG1.

  Therefore, according to the 1st light source device 5 of this embodiment, the uniformity of the illumination distribution by the excitation light KG in the fluorescent substance layer 33 can be improved. Therefore, bright fluorescence Y can be obtained as illumination light by illuminating the phosphor layer 33 of the rotating fluorescent plate 30 with highly uniform light.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the second light source device 9 includes a second light source 60, a second condensing optical system 61, a scattering plate 62, and a collimating optical system 63.

The second light source 60 has the same configuration as the first light source array 21.
The second condensing optical system 61 includes a first lens 61a and a second lens 61b. The second condensing optical system 61 condenses the blue light B from the second light source 60 in the vicinity of the scattering plate 62. The first lens 61a and the second lens 61b are convex lenses.

  The scattering plate 62 scatters the blue light B from the second light source 60 to obtain blue light B having a light distribution similar to the light distribution of the fluorescence Y emitted from the rotating fluorescent plate 30. As the scattering plate 62, for example, polished glass made of optical glass can be used.

  The collimating optical system 63 includes a first lens 63a and a second lens 63b, and makes the light from the scattering plate 62 substantially parallel. The first lens 63a and the second lens 63b are convex lenses.

  In the present embodiment, the blue light B from the second light source device 9 is reflected by the dichroic mirror 7 and is combined with the fluorescence Y emitted from the rotating fluorescent plate 30 and transmitted through the dichroic mirror 7 to generate white illumination light W. The illumination light W is incident on the uniform illumination means 14.

  The uniform illumination unit 14 includes a first lens array 125, a second lens array 130, a polarization conversion element 140, and a superimposing lens 150.

  The first lens array 125 includes a plurality of first small lenses 125a for dividing the light from the dichroic mirror 7 into a plurality of partial light beams. The plurality of first small lenses 125a are arranged in a matrix in a plane orthogonal to the illumination optical axis 100ax.

  The second lens array 130 has a plurality of second small lenses 132 corresponding to the plurality of first small lenses 125 a of the first lens array 125. The second lens array 130 forms an image of each first small lens 125a of the first lens array 125 together with the superimposing lens 150 in the vicinity of the image forming area of the light modulators 400R, 400G, and 400B. The plurality of second small lenses 132 are arranged in a matrix in a plane orthogonal to the illumination optical axis 100ax.

  The polarization conversion element 140 aligns the polarization direction of the illumination light W. The polarization conversion element 140 includes, for example, a polarization separation film, a phase difference plate, and a mirror. The polarization conversion element 140 converts the polarization direction of the non-polarized fluorescence Y and the polarization direction of the blue light B, so that the other polarization component is converted into one polarization component, for example, the P polarization component is converted into an S polarization component.

  The superimposing lens 150 condenses the partial light beams from the polarization conversion element 140 and superimposes them on each other in the vicinity of the image forming regions of the light modulation devices 400R, 400G, and 400B. The first lens array 125, the second lens array 130, and the superimposing lens 150 constitute an integrator optical system that makes the in-plane light intensity distribution of the illumination light W uniform.

  As described above, according to the projector 1 of the present embodiment, the projector 1 includes the first light source device 5 that obtains the bright fluorescence Y by illuminating the phosphor layer 33 with high uniformity. Can be displayed.

(First modification)
Then, the 1st modification of a 1st light source device is demonstrated. The difference between the present modification and the first light source device 5 of the first embodiment is the configuration of the light combining unit 25, and the other configurations are common. Below, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the same structure and member as 1st Embodiment, and the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

In the light combining unit 25 of the first embodiment, the mirror 50a and the mirror 50c are arranged on the same plane M1, and the mirror 50b and the mirror 50d are arranged on the same plane M2. That is, the mirror 50 arranged along the Z direction is arranged on the same plane.
On the other hand, in this modification, at least one of the plurality of mirrors 50 arranged along the Z direction is arranged on different planes.

  FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the light combining unit 25A according to the present modification, taken along a plane parallel to the XY plane that passes through the first light reflecting unit 55A. In FIG. 7, a first light reflecting portion 55A and a second light reflecting portion 55B are depicted.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in this modification, the light reflecting surface 51a of the mirror 50a is provided on a plane M1 parallel to the reference plane M, and the light reflecting surface 51b of the mirror 50b is different from the plane M1 with the reference plane M. It is provided on a parallel plane M2. The light reflecting surface 51c of the mirror 50c is provided on a plane M3 parallel to the reference plane M, unlike the plane M1, and the light reflecting surface 51d of the mirror 50d is provided on a plane M4 parallel to the reference plane M, unlike the plane M3. It has been. In this modification, the planes M1, M2, M3, and M4 are all different planes.

  In the present modification, the plane M3 corresponds to the “third plane” recited in the claims, and the plane M4 corresponds to the “fourth plane” recited in the claims.

  That is, in this modification, the mirror 50c and the mirror 50a are arranged at different heights in the Z direction and are arranged at different positions in the X direction. Further, the mirror 50d and the mirror 50b are disposed at different heights in the Z direction and are disposed at different positions in the X direction.

  Of the mirrors 50 provided in the first light reflecting section 55A, the mirror 50e is disposed on the same plane as the mirror 50e arranged in the Z direction in the mirror 50 provided in the second light reflecting section 55B. . Of the mirrors 50 provided in the first light reflecting portion 55A, the mirror 50f is disposed on the same plane as the mirror 50f arranged in the Z direction in the mirror 50 provided in the second light reflecting portion 55B. ing.

  In this modification, the light beam B1a is reflected by the light reflecting surface 51a disposed on the plane M1, and the light beam B1b is reflected by the light reflecting surface 51b disposed on the plane M2. The light beam B1c is reflected by the light reflecting surface 51c disposed on the plane M3, and the light beam B1d is reflected by the light reflecting surface 51d disposed on the plane M4.

  In this way, the light beams B1a, B1b, B1c, and B1d are reflected by the light reflecting surfaces arranged on different planes. Therefore, in the subsequent stage of the light combining unit 25A, the positions of the light beams B1a, B1b, B1c, and B1d in the X direction are different when viewed in plan from the Z direction.

  As described above, according to the light combining unit 25A of the present modification, the mirrors 50a, 50c, 50b, and 50d are arranged on different surfaces, so that the light of the homogenizer optical system 6 is compared with the configuration of the first embodiment. The regularity of the arrangement of the plurality of spots formed on the incident region can be further reduced. Therefore, brighter fluorescence Y can be obtained by illuminating the phosphor layer 33 of the rotating fluorescent plate 30 with more uniform light.

  In the present modification, the plane M4 and the plane M2 are different from each other, but the present invention is not limited to this. As long as the plane M1 is a plane different from the plane M3, the plane M4 may be the same plane as the plane M2. Further, if the plane M2 is a plane different from the plane M4, the plane M1 may be the same plane as the plane M3.

(Second modification)
Then, the 2nd modification of a 1st light source device is demonstrated. The difference between the present modification and the first light source device 5 of the first embodiment is the configuration of the light combining unit 25, and the other configurations are common. Below, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the same structure and member as 1st Embodiment, and the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the first embodiment, the light reflecting section 55 has the plurality of mirrors 50 arranged so as to reduce the interval between the plurality of light beams B1, but the present invention is not limited to this.

  FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the main configuration of the photosynthesis unit 25B according to this modification. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along a plane parallel to the XY plane passing through the first light reflecting portion 55A of the light combining portion 25. In FIG. 8, only the light ray B1 is shown and the light ray B2 is not shown for easy understanding of the drawing.

  As shown in FIG. 8, at least one of the plurality of mirrors 50 arranged substantially in the first direction A is arranged so as to widen the interval between the plurality of light beams B1.

  As described above, also in the light combining unit 25B of the present modification, the intervals between the plurality of light rays B1 and the intervals between the plurality of light rays B2 can be made different. Therefore, the regularity of the arrangement of the plurality of spots formed on the light incident area of the homogenizer optical system 6 can be further reduced, and the phosphor layer 33 of the rotating fluorescent plate 30 is illuminated with highly uniform light. Bright fluorescence Y can be obtained.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, the projector according to the second embodiment will be described. The structure around the projection optical system of the projector according to the second embodiment is substantially the same as that of the projector according to the first embodiment, but the configuration of the illumination device is different. Therefore, in the following description, differences from the first embodiment will be described in detail. Moreover, below, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the same structure and member as 1st Embodiment, and the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating the projector according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 9, the projector 1A includes a red light illumination device 101R, a green light illumination device 101G, a blue light illumination device 101B, light modulation devices 400R, 400G, and 400B, and field lenses 300R and 300G. , 300B, a cross dichroic prism 500, and a projection optical system 600.

  In the present embodiment, each of the red light illumination device 101R, the green light illumination device 101G, and the blue light illumination device 101B corresponds to an “illumination device” in the claims.

The projector 1A generally operates as follows.
The red light LR made of red laser light emitted from the red light illumination device 101R is incident on the light modulation device 400R through the field lens 300R and modulated. Similarly, green light LG made of green laser light emitted from the green light illuminating device 101G enters the light modulation device 400G via the field lens 300G and is modulated. Blue light LB composed of blue laser light emitted from the blue light illumination device 101B is incident on the light modulation device 400B through the field lens 300B and modulated.

Hereinafter, each component of the projector 1A will be described.
The red light illuminating device 101R, the green light illuminating device 101G, and the blue light illuminating device 101B differ only in the color of the emitted light, and have the same device configuration.

  As an example, a laser light source for red light emits red light LR composed of laser light having a peak wavelength in a wavelength range of approximately 585 nm to 720 nm. The laser light source for green light emits green light LG composed of laser light having a peak wavelength in a wavelength range of approximately 495 nm to 585 nm. The laser light source for blue light emits blue light LB composed of laser light having a peak wavelength in a wavelength range of approximately 380 nm to 495 nm.

  Accordingly, only the blue light illumination device 101B will be described below, and the description of the red light illumination device 101R and the green light illumination device 101G will be omitted.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the blue light illumination device 101B. In FIG. 10, the field lens 300B and the light modulation device 400B are also shown for convenience of explanation.
As shown in FIG. 10, the blue light illumination device 101 </ b> B includes a light source device 10, a homogenizer optical system 12, and a superimposing optical system 13.

  The light source device 10 has the same configuration as the first light source device 5 according to the first embodiment or the modification.

  The homogenizer optical system 12 has the same configuration as the homogenizer optical system 6 of the first embodiment. That is, the homogenizer optical system 12 has lens arrays 6a and 6b.

  The superimposing optical system 13 is composed of, for example, a superimposing lens, and superimposes the blue light LB emitted from the light source device 10 on the light modulation device 400B that is an illuminated region in cooperation with the field lens 300B.

  According to the blue light illumination device 101B of the present embodiment, it is possible to improve the uniformity of the illuminance distribution of the blue light LB on the light modulation device 400B that is the illuminated region. Similarly, for the red light illumination device 101R and the green light illumination device 101G, the uniformity of the illuminance distribution in the image forming area of the light modulation device 400R or the light modulation device 400B can be improved.

  Therefore, according to the projector 1A of the present embodiment, since the illumination device for red light 101R, the illumination device for green light 101G, and the illumination device for blue light 101B are provided, a bright color image can be displayed.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the content of the said embodiment, In the range which does not deviate from the main point of invention, it can change suitably.

  For example, in the above embodiment and the modification, the case where the plurality of mirrors 50 are arranged in parallel to the reference plane M has been described as an example. That is, the case where the plurality of mirrors 50 are arranged in parallel to each other has been described as an example, but the plurality of mirrors 50 may not necessarily be arranged in parallel to each other. That is, at least one of the plurality of mirrors 50 may not be arranged in parallel with the reference plane M.

  In the above-described embodiment, the projector including the three light modulation devices 400R, 400G, and 400B is exemplified. However, the present invention can be applied to a projector that displays a color image with one light modulation device. A digital mirror device may be used as the light modulation device.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the example which applies the illuminating device by this invention to a projector was shown, it is not restricted to this. The lighting device according to the present invention can also be applied to lighting fixtures such as automobile headlights.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,1A ... Projector, 5 ... 1st light source device, 6 ... Homogenizer optical system, 10 ... Light source device, 12 ... Homogenizer optical system, 21 ... 1st light source array, 22 ... 2nd light source array,
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 23 ... 1st collimating optical system, 24 ... 2nd collimating optical system, 25, 25A, 25B ... Photosynthesis part, 33 ... Phosphor layer (wavelength conversion element), 51a ... Light reflection surface (1st light reflection surface) ), 51b: Light reflecting surface (second light reflecting surface), 51c: Light reflecting surface (third light reflecting surface), 51d: Light reflecting surface (fourth light reflecting surface), 55A: First light Reflector, 55B ... second light reflector, 100 ... illumination device, 101B ... blue light illumination device, 101G ... green light illumination device, 101R ... red light illumination device, 400B, 400G, 400R ... light modulation device , 600 ... projection optical system, B1a ... light beam (first light beam), B1b ... light beam (second light beam), B1c ... light beam (fifth light beam), B1d ... light beam (sixth light beam) , B2a ... rays (third light beam), B2b ... rays (fourth light beam) ), D1... Interval (interval between the first light beam and the second light beam), D2, D3, D4... Interval (interval between the third light beam and the fourth light beam), K1. (First light), K2 ... light beam (second light), LB ... blue light (light emitted from the illumination device), LG ... green light (light emitted from the illumination device), LR ... red light (illumination) Light emitted from the apparatus), M1 plane (first plane), M2 plane (second plane), M3 plane (third plane), M4 plane (fourth plane).

Claims (8)

A first light source array for emitting a first light including a first light beam and a second light beam;
A second light source array that emits second light including a third light beam and a fourth light beam;
A first collimating optical system on which the first light is incident;
A second collimating optical system on which the second light is incident;
A first light reflecting portion having a first light reflecting surface and a second light reflecting surface provided on a second plane different from the first plane including the first light reflecting surface And comprising
The first light beam and the second light beam that have passed through the first collimating optical system are reflected by the first light reflection surface and the second light reflection surface, respectively.
The third light beam and the fourth light beam transmitted through the second collimating optical system are not incident on the first light reflecting portion and are reflected by the first light reflecting portion. Traveling in the same direction as the first light,
In the subsequent stage of the first light reflecting portion, the distance between the first light beam and the second light beam is different from the distance between the third light beam and the fourth light beam. In addition, the first light and the second light are arranged in a direction intersecting with a direction in which the first light beam and the second light beam are arranged. Light source device. The interval between the first light beam and the second light beam in the subsequent stage of the first light reflecting unit is set so that the first light beam and the second light in the previous stage of the first light reflecting unit are separated. It is smaller than the space | interval with a beam. The light source device of Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned. The first light further includes a fifth light beam and a sixth light beam;
A second light reflecting portion having a third light reflecting surface provided on the first plane and a fourth light reflecting surface provided on the second plane;
The first light reflecting portion and the second light reflecting portion are arranged in a direction intersecting with the direction in which the first light reflecting surface and the second light reflecting surface are arranged,
The fifth light beam and the sixth light beam transmitted through the first collimating optical system are reflected by the third light reflection surface and the fourth light reflection surface, respectively.
In the subsequent stage of the second light reflecting portion, the distance between the fifth light beam and the sixth light beam is different from the distance between the third light beam and the fourth light beam. The light source device according to claim 1, wherein: The first light further includes a fifth light beam and a sixth light beam;
A third light reflecting surface provided on a third plane different from the first plane; and a fourth light reflecting surface provided on a plane different from the third plane. A second light reflecting portion,
The first light reflecting portion and the second light reflecting portion are arranged in a direction intersecting with the direction in which the first light reflecting surface and the second light reflecting surface are arranged,
The fifth light beam and the sixth light beam transmitted through the first collimating optical system are reflected by the third light reflection surface and the fourth light reflection surface, respectively.
In the subsequent stage of the second light reflecting portion, the distance between the fifth light beam and the sixth light beam is different from the distance between the third light beam and the fourth light beam. The light source device according to claim 1, wherein: When viewed from a direction parallel to the traveling direction of the first light, the longitudinal direction of the first light reflecting surface, the longitudinal direction of the second light reflecting surface, and the first light reflecting surface The longitudinal direction of the first light beam spot and the longitudinal direction of the second light beam spot on the second light reflecting surface are the first light reflecting surface and the second light reflecting surface, respectively. The light source device according to claim 1, wherein the light source device is parallel to a direction in which the light sources are arranged. A light source device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A homogenizing optical system on which light emitted from the light source device is incident;
And a wavelength conversion element on which the light emitted from the homogenizing optical system is incident. A lighting device according to claim 6;
A light modulation device that modulates light from the illumination device according to image information to form image light; and
A projection optical system for projecting the image light. A light source device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A homogenizing optical system on which light emitted from the light source device is incident;
A light modulation device that modulates light from the uniformizing optical system according to image information to form image light;
A projection optical system for projecting the image light.

Images