JP3363829B2 - Integrator lens position adjustment mechanism and projector using the position adjustment mechanism - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a position adjusting mechanism for adjusting a relative positional relationship between a pair of integrator lenses used in an optical system of a projector.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a projector, light generated by a light source is condensed by a condensing optical system, the condensed light is modulated by a light valve based on an image, and the modulated light is modulated by a projection optical system. It is a device that projects images and magnifies and displays them on a screen.
The condensing optical system includes a parabolic mirror that condenses the light generated by the light source and a condensing lens. The light from the light source is shaped to fit the light valve, and the illuminance at the light valve is substantially the same. It is equipped with a pair of integrator lenses that irradiate them uniformly.

The integrator lenses are arranged so as to face each other so that the light from the light source passes through. Each integrator lens is an array of a large number of lens elements having a shape similar to a light valve. Light incident on the lens element of one integrator lens is opposite to the lens element of the other integrator lens, and a condensing lens. The light is radiated to the entire light valve in a shape suitable for the light valve. Light incident on each lens element of the integrator lens irradiates the entire light valve,
Illuminance in the light valve becomes substantially uniform.

In order to increase the brightness of the light projected by the projector as much as possible, the area where the light from the light source is applied to the light valve through the condensing optical system is wider than the area of the light valve, and Desirably it is as close as possible to the valve area. Therefore, a position adjusting mechanism for adjusting the positions of various lenses is provided in the condensing optical system provided in the projector. The position adjustment of the irradiation area in the light valve is performed by moving the position of the other integrator lens in two directions (vertical direction and horizontal direction) perpendicular to the optical axis with respect to one integrator lens.

[0005]

A high-definition video has a conventional aspect ratio of 9:16 (vertical side length to horizontal side length) and an aspect ratio of 3: 4. It is longer than the system image. Further, as described above and shown in FIG. 4, the irradiation area (100) for the light valve has a substantially similar shape to the area (101) of the light valve. Therefore, in the case of a light valve that modulates light into a high-definition image, the light valve irradiation area
Since the margin of (100) is smaller in the vertical direction than in the horizontal direction, the position adjustment of the irradiation region needs to be performed more accurately in the vertical direction than in the horizontal direction. Therefore, in the case of a projector that projects a high-definition image, the position adjustment of the irradiation area of the light valve is performed immediately before shipping, and the vertical direction of the integrator lens is adjusted even after the shipped projector is fixed at a predetermined position. The position is being adjusted again.

In order to increase the illuminance of the image projected from the projector on the screen and to display the right-eye image and the left-eye image on the screen to obtain a stereoscopic image, as shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of projectors ( 110) and (110) are used by closely deploying them. However, since the position adjusting mechanism of the conventional integrator lens is adapted to be performed from one side surface of the projector, when the projectors are closely arranged, there are projectors that cannot execute the position adjustment of the integrator lens.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an integrator lens position adjusting mechanism capable of adjusting the position of an integrator lens even when a plurality of projectors are closely arranged.

[0008]

In order to solve the above problems, a position adjusting mechanism for an integrator lens according to the present invention is a position for adjusting a relative positional relationship between a pair of integrator lenses used in an optical system of a projector. In the adjustment mechanism, the movable frame to which one integrator lens is attached is supported so as to be vertically movable with respect to the frame to which the other integrator lens is attached,
In the position adjusting mechanism of the integrator lens, the mechanism portion that moves the movable frame in the vertical direction with respect to the frame is characterized by being operable from a plurality of different directions.

[0009]

FUNCTION AND EFFECT The position adjusting mechanism of the integrator lens having the above structure can be operated from a plurality of different directions. Therefore, by deploying multiple projectors in close proximity,
Even when the operation from one direction is not possible, the position of the integrator lens can be adjusted by operating from the other direction.

[0010]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 3 shows an outline of an optical system in a general liquid crystal projector. The LCD projector (10) includes a light source (1 halogen lamp, metal halide lamp, etc.
1), a condensing optical system (12) that condenses the light of the light source (11), a liquid crystal panel that modulates the condensed light based on image information, and a projection lens (14 that magnifies and projects the modulated light. ) Is deployed.
The condensing optical system (12) includes a parabolic mirror (15) that condenses the light generated by the light source (11) and a condensing lens (16), and collects the light from the light source (11). It is provided with a pair of integrator lenses (17) (18) having a shape suitable for the liquid crystal panel and irradiating so that the illuminance on the liquid crystal panel becomes substantially uniform.

The light from the condensing optical system (12) is applied to the liquid crystal panel. The liquid crystal projector (10) shown in FIG. 3 is a color liquid crystal projector, and includes red (R), green (G), and blue.
Liquid crystal panels (20) and (21) for the three primary colors of (B)
(22) is a three-plate type and each liquid crystal panel (2
This is a mirror method in which two dichroic mirrors are used to combine the lights modulated in (0), (21), and (22). The light from the condensing optical system (12) is transmitted through the dichroic mirror (23) in one of the three primary colors (here, red (R)), and the remaining two colors are reflected. Red light transmitted (R)
Is reflected by the total reflection mirror (24), and the liquid crystal panel (20)
Incident on. On the other hand, the remaining two colors of light reflected by the dichroic mirror (25) are of one color (here, green).
(G)) light is reflected, and the other color (here, blue (B))
Is transparent. The reflected green light (G) enters the liquid crystal panel (21), and the transmitted blue light (B) enters the liquid crystal panel (22).

Red light (R) modulated by the liquid crystal panel (20)
Then, the green light (G) modulated by the liquid crystal panel (21) is combined by the dichroic mirror (26). On the other hand, the blue light (B) modulated by the liquid crystal panel (22) is a total reflection mirror.
Reflected at (27). The red light (R) and green light (G) from the dichroic mirror (26) and the blue light (B) from the total reflection mirror (27) are combined in the dichroic mirror (28). The combined red light (R), green light (G) and blue light (B) are projected by the projection lens (14) and projected on a screen (not shown).

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a condensing optical unit having a position adjusting mechanism for an integrator lens according to the present invention. Light from the light source (11) travels in the direction of arrow A in the figure. In the liquid crystal projector (10) shown in FIG. 3, the side on which the image is projected from the projection lens (14) (the left side in the case shown) is the front side. In line with this, Figure 1
In FIG. 2 and FIG. 2, the front end side of the arrow A is the front side and the base end side is the rear side. In the condensing optical unit (19), from the rear,
A first integrator lens frame (30) to which the first integrator lens (17) is attached, a second integrator lens frame (40) to which the second integrator lens (18) is attached, and a condenser lens (16) are attached. The condensing lens frame bodies (50) are arranged in parallel. Also, a condensing optical unit
A frame (60) to which the frame bodies (30), (40) and (50) are attached is provided in (19).

The openings (31) (41) (5) are formed in each frame (30) (40) (50).
1) is opened, and the corresponding lenses are attached so as to cover the openings (31) (41) (51). In addition, each frame (30) (40) (5
On both sides of (0), mounting plates (32) (42) (52) for mounting each frame (30) (40) (50) to the frame (60) are attached to the side wall (62) of the frame (60). It projects rearward so as to be adjacent to (62). Screw holes into which fixing screws are screwed are formed in the upper and lower portions of each mounting plate (32) (42) (52). A pin hole (3) in which the mounting portion of the eccentric shaft (80) is rotatably disposed is provided at substantially the center of one mounting plate (32) of the first integrator lens frame (30).
6) is opened. Also, the first integrator lens frame body
An upper projecting plate (34) and a lower projecting plate (35) project outward from the upper part and the lower part on one side of the (30), respectively. The upper projecting plate (34) has a pin hole (39) in which the mounting portion of the eccentric shaft (81) is rotatably arranged, and a screw hole (37) into which a fixing screw (83) is screwed. Has been done. The lower projecting plate (35) has a screw hole (37) into which a fixing screw (83) is screwed.

The frame (60) includes a front wall (61) and side walls (62) (6).
Have 2). The front wall (61) is an integrator lens (1
7) (18) and an opening (not shown) through which the light passing through the condenser lens (16) passes is opened, and the condenser lens frame (5
0) is in contact. Each side wall (62) (62) has a frame (30) (4
Long holes (63), (64) and (65) into which the fixing screws (82) are fitted are opened at the upper and lower portions of the area where the 0) and (50) are attached. The long hole (63) for the first integrator lens and the long hole (65) for the condenser lens are long in the vertical direction, and the long hole (64) for the second integrator lens is long in the front-rear direction. There is.

An adjusting hole (70) having a width substantially equal to the diameter of the eccentric shaft (80) attached to the first integrator lens frame (30) is provided at the center of the rear part of the side wall (62) in the front-rear direction. Has been open for a long time. In addition, the upper projecting plate (3) of the first integrator lens frame (30) is provided at a substantially central portion of the side wall (62).
An opening (71) through which 4) penetrates is opened, and a cut-and-raised adjusting plate (72) is projected at the rear edge of the opening (71) so as to be adjacent to the upper projecting plate (34). ing. On the adjusting plate (72),
An adjustment hole (73) having a width substantially equal to the diameter of the eccentric shaft (80) attached to the first integrator lens frame (30) is opened long in the left-right direction, and at the same time, in the first integrator lens frame (30). Long hole (74) into which the screw (83) to be screwed fits
Has been opened long vertically. Also, the side wall (62)
A notch (75) through which a lower projecting plate (35) of a first integrator lens frame (30) described later penetrates is formed in the center of the lower part of the notch (75), and a notch (75) is formed at the rear edge of the notch (75). Fixed plate
(76) projects outward so as to be adjacent to the lower projecting plate (35). A long hole (77) into which a fixing screw (83) described later is fitted is formed in the fixing plate (76) so as to extend vertically.

The frame (60) and the frame body (30) (4) having the above structure
Both 0) and (50) are formed by punching and bending a metal plate. The first integrator lens frame body 30 and the frame 60 may be provided with an adjusting mechanism for adjusting the first integrator lens 30 in the left-right direction.

Next, an assembling method for attaching the frame bodies (30), (40) and (50) to the frame (60) to form the condensing optical unit (19) will be described. First, the openings (31) (41) (5) of each frame (30) (40) (50)
Attach the corresponding lens to 1). Next, insert the condenser lens frame () from behind or above the frame (60),
Touch the front wall (61). Next, from the outside of the frame (60), through the long hole (65) of the frame (60), the condenser lens frame body (19)
The condenser lens frame body (19) is attached to the frame (60) by screwing the fixing screw (82) into the screw hole. next,
The second integrator lens frame (40) is inserted from behind or above the frame (60) so as to face the condenser lens frame (50). Next, the fixing screw (82) is screwed into the screw hole (43) of the second integrator lens frame body (40) from the outside of the frame (60) through the elongated hole (64) of the frame (60). Thus, the second integrator lens frame body (40) is attached to the frame (60).

Next, the first integrator lens frame body (30)
Install on the frame (60). First, the eccentric shaft (80) is inserted into the pin holes (36) (39) of the first integrator lens frame (30).
Install (81) respectively. Next, the first integrator lens frame body (30) is tilted and inserted from the rear or the upper side of the frame (60). Next, the upper projecting plate (34) is passed through the opening (71), the lower projecting plate (35) is passed through the notch (75), and the eccentric shafts (80) (81) are connected to the side wall (62) of the frame (60). And adjusting plate
The adjustment holes (70) and (73) formed in (72) are respectively fitted and arranged so as to face the second integrator lens frame (40). Next, the fixing screw (82) is screwed into the screw hole (33) of the first integrator lens frame body (30) from the outside of the frame (60) through the elongated hole (63) of the frame (60), Frame from the back
Adjusting plate (72) long hole (74) and fixing plate (76) long hole (7)
By passing through 7) and screwing fixing screws (83) and (83) into the screw holes (37) and (38) of the first integrator lens frame (30), respectively, the first integrator lens frame (30) Frame
It is attached to (60) to complete the condensing optical unit (19) as shown in FIG.

The completed condensing optical unit (19) is arranged at a proper position between the light source (11) and the dichroic mirror (23) in the liquid crystal projector (10), and immediately before shipping, the first integrator lens frame body is provided. (30) and condenser lens frame (50)
After adjusting the vertical position of the second integrator lens frame body (40) and adjusting the position of the second integrator lens frame body (40) in the front-back direction,
2) Fasten (83) and fix to the frame (60). After the shipped liquid crystal projector (10) is fixed at a predetermined position, the eccentric shaft (80) is moved from the side surface of the liquid crystal projector (10).
Alternatively, the eccentric shaft (81) is rotated from the rear surface to vertically adjust the first integrator lens frame body (30). Before shipment, if the adjustment direction after fixing the liquid crystal projector (10) has already been determined to be either the side surface or the rear surface, in order to perform the adjustment smoothly, the other eccentric shaft and the fixing screw It is desirable that the liquid crystal projector (10) is shipped after removing the.

Therefore, the liquid crystal projector (1
In 0), when the vertical adjustment of the first integrator lens frame (30) cannot be performed from the side by closely disposing a plurality of liquid crystal projectors (10) and (10) as shown in FIG. Even you can do it from the back. further,
Even when the liquid crystal projectors (10) are stacked and used, the vertical adjustment of the first integrator lens frame (30) can be performed. Note that a projector usually has a light source (11) arranged at the rear, and an integrator lens (17) (1
8) is arranged near the light source (11), the adjusting mechanism for adjusting the integrator lens (17) (18) in the vertical direction, as in the above embodiment, the integrator lens (17) (18) It is desirable to be able to operate from the near side and the back.

The above description of the embodiments is for explaining the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention or limiting the scope of the invention.
The configuration of each part of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made within the technical scope described in the claims. For example, in FIG. 3, a three-plate mirror type liquid crystal projector (10) is shown, but if it is a projector using an integrator lens, a single plate type,
It can be applied to any method such as a three-plate prism method.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a condensing optical unit of a liquid crystal projector in the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a first integrator lens frame body from the condensing optical unit of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view showing an outline of an optical system in a general liquid crystal projector.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a region where a light valve is irradiated with light from a condensing optical system including an integrator lens.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which a plurality of projectors are closely arranged.

[Explanation of symbols]

(10) LCD projector (17) (18) Integrator lens (30) (40) First integrator lens frame (60) Frame (70) (73) Adjustment hole (80) (81) Eccentric shaft

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) Reference JP 2000-304905 (JP, A) JP 11-102015 (JP, A) JP 9-120046 (JP, A) JP 9-54369 (JP, A) JP-A-8-254641 (JP, A) JP-A-5-19346 (JP, A) JP-A-5-4149 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷⁾ , DB name) G03B 21/00-21/30

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A position adjusting mechanism for adjusting a relative positional relationship between a pair of integrator lenses used in an optical system of a projector, wherein a movable frame to which one integrator lens is attached and another integrator lens to which the other integrator lens is attached. In the position adjustment mechanism of the integrator lens, which is movably supported in the vertical direction with respect to the frame, the mechanism that moves the movable frame in the vertical direction with respect to the frame can be operated from different directions. A position adjusting mechanism for an integrator lens, characterized in that 2. The position adjusting mechanism for an integrator lens according to claim 1, wherein one of the directions that can be operated in the mechanism section is a direction that substantially coincides with the optical axis direction. 3. A projector in which light from a light source is condensed by a condensing optical system, the condensed light is modulated by a light valve, and the modulated light is projected by a projection optical system. The optical system irradiates the light from the light source in a shape that substantially matches the aspect ratio of the light valve, and a pair of integrator lenses that irradiate the light valve so that the illuminance of the light is substantially uniform, and It is equipped with a position adjustment mechanism that adjusts the relative positional relationship of the pair of integrator lenses, and the position adjustment mechanism is such that the movable frame to which one integrator lens is attached moves up and down with respect to the frame to which the other integrator lens is attached. In the projector that is supported so as to be movable in any direction, in the position adjustment mechanism, the mechanism unit that moves the movable frame in the vertical direction with respect to the frame is Wherein the operations from a plurality of directions comprising are possible, the position adjusting mechanism of the integrator lens. 4. The projector according to claim 3, wherein the projector has a light source arranged in the rear and projects light from the front surface, and the mechanism portion of the position adjusting mechanism can be operated from the side surface and the rear surface. Projector.