JP5282558B2 - projector - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a projector, and more particularly to a technology of a projector including a transmissive liquid crystal display panel.

  Conventionally, a projector has been developed for the purpose of improving projection performance and downsizing. As projectors, for example, projectors including transmissive liquid crystal display panels for red (R) light, green (G) light, and blue (B) light are widely used. The liquid crystal display panel and the polarizing plate provided around the liquid crystal display panel generate heat due to absorption of illumination light. A cooling structure, for example, a fan that allows air to flow, is used for heat dissipation of the liquid crystal display panel and the polarizing plate.

  As a cooling structure, a configuration in which air flows in a direction substantially perpendicular to a plane including an optical axis on which a liquid crystal display panel and a polarizing plate are arranged is known. In this case, while it is possible to supply air evenly to each liquid crystal display panel, it is difficult to reduce the thickness of the projector by disposing a fan and a duct for flowing air above and below the portion where each liquid crystal display panel is disposed. Is an issue. In order to deal with this problem, a technique has been proposed in which a flow path for allowing air to flow in a direction substantially parallel to the surface including the optical axis is provided, and air is sequentially flowed to each liquid crystal display panel and each polarizing plate. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a configuration in which each liquid crystal display panel is disposed around a cross dichroic prism that synthesizes each color light, and a flow path is provided on each of the incident side and the emission side of each liquid crystal display panel. Yes. For example, Patent Document 2 proposes a configuration in which a flow path for flowing air is provided along each liquid crystal display panel in a configuration in which each color light is separated and combined using a plurality of dichroic mirrors.

JP 2001-281613 A JP-A-5-61119

  The liquid crystal display panel performs display by changing the polarization direction of linearly polarized light. In order to improve the light utilization efficiency, illumination light converted into specific linearly polarized light is incident on the incident side polarizing plate provided on the incident surface side of the liquid crystal display panel. The exit-side polarizing plate provided on the exit surface side of the liquid crystal display panel transmits linearly polarized light whose polarization direction has been changed by the liquid crystal display panel and shields other polarized light. Usually, the emission side polarizing plate requires more efficient heat dissipation because the amount of heat generated is increased by absorbing more light than the incident side polarizing plate. In the case of the configuration of Patent Document 1, the cooling air flow path is divided between the incident side and the emission side of the liquid crystal display panel. In this case, the air that has taken a lot of heat on the emission side of the liquid crystal display panel where the cooling air reaches first flows on the emission side that requires more heat dissipation even in the liquid crystal display panel where the cooling air reaches after that. Therefore, efficient cooling becomes difficult. In the case of the configuration of Patent Document 2, in the portion where the flow path is bent, a large amount of air flows outside the bent inner side. For this reason, it is difficult to efficiently cool the liquid crystal display panel in which the supply of cooling air to the emission side is reduced. The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a projector capable of reducing the thickness of the projector and enabling efficient cooling.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, a projector according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of incident surfaces on which light is incident and an emission surface from which light is emitted, and modulates light according to an image signal. Among the spatial light modulators, the cooling fluid supply unit that supplies the cooling fluid that sequentially flows in the vicinity of the plurality of spatial light modulators, and the spatial light modulators that are adjacent to each other in the flow path of the cooling fluid, The cooling fluid that has flowed on the incident surface side of the upstream spatial light modulation device to which the cooling fluid supplied by the cooling fluid supply unit first reaches the downstream side where the cooling fluid reaches after the upstream spatial light modulation device And a cooling fluid guiding section that guides to the exit surface side of the spatial light modulator.

  By making the cooling fluid flow sequentially to a plurality of spatial light modulators, the projector can be made thinner. Cooling fluid that flows on the incident surface side of the upstream spatial light modulator that generates less heat by guiding the cooling fluid from the incident surface side of the upstream spatial light modulator to the exit surface side of the downstream spatial light modulator. The working fluid is supplied to the exit surface side of the downstream spatial light modulator that generates a large amount of heat. By allowing the cooling fluid before depriving much heat to be supplied to the emission surface side that needs more heat dissipation, efficient cooling becomes possible. As a result, the projector can be thinned and can be efficiently cooled.

  Further, as a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it has an incident side polarizing plate provided in the vicinity of the incident surface of the spatial light modulation device, and an emission side polarizing plate provided in the vicinity of the emission surface of the spatial light modulation device, The cooling fluid guiding unit is provided for the downstream spatial light modulator and the downstream spatial light modulator from between the upstream spatial light modulator and the incident-side polarizing plate provided for the upstream spatial light modulator. It is desirable to guide the cooling fluid to the exit side polarizing plate. This enables efficient cooling of the exit-side polarizing plate provided for the downstream spatial light modulator.

  Further, as a preferred aspect of the present invention, a rectifying plate that functions as a cooling fluid guiding unit is provided, and an end of the rectifying plate on the upstream spatial light modulation device side is an incident surface of the upstream spatial light modulation device or It is desirable to be at a position closer to the incident side polarizing plate than the extended surface. Thereby, the cooling fluid which has flowed on the incident surface side of the upstream spatial light modulation device can be guided to the emission surface side of the downstream spatial light modulation device.

  Further, as a preferable aspect of the present invention, a frame provided around the spatial light modulator is provided, and the frame provided around the downstream spatial light modulator is an end portion on the upstream spatial light modulator side. However, it is desirable that it is located on the incident side polarizing plate side with respect to the extended surface of the incident surface of the upstream spatial light modulator and functions as a cooling fluid guiding portion. Thereby, the cooling fluid which has flowed on the incident surface side of the upstream spatial light modulation device can be guided to the emission surface side of the downstream spatial light modulation device.

  Further, as a preferred aspect of the present invention, the frame provided around the upstream spatial light modulator extends a portion that becomes the cooling fluid supply unit side with respect to a portion that becomes the downstream spatial light modulator side. It is desirable to make the shape. Thereby, about an upstream spatial light modulation device, a heat radiation area is ensured widely and efficient cooling becomes possible.

  Moreover, as a preferable aspect of the present invention, a first emission-side polarization plate that is an emission-side polarization plate, and a second emission layer provided between the emission surface of the spatial light modulator and the first emission-side polarization plate. A second exit-side polarizing plate provided for the downstream spatial light modulator, the end on the upstream spatial light modulator side being the entrance surface of the upstream spatial light modulator It is desirable that it is located on the incident side polarizing plate side with respect to the extended surface and functions as a cooling fluid guiding portion. Thereby, the cooling fluid which has flowed on the incident surface side of the upstream spatial light modulation device can be guided to the emission surface side of the downstream spatial light modulation device.

  Moreover, as a preferable aspect of the present invention, the second emission side polarizing plate provided for the upstream spatial light modulation device is on the cooling fluid supply unit side with respect to the portion on the downstream spatial light modulation device side. It is desirable to make the shape which extended the part. Thereby, about the 2nd emission side polarizing plate provided about the upstream spatial light modulation device, a wide thermal radiation area is secured and efficient cooling becomes possible.

  Moreover, as a preferable aspect of the present invention, it is desirable that the flow path is bent between the upstream spatial light modulator and the downstream spatial light modulator. Thereby, about the several spatial light modulation apparatus arrange | positioned so that each color light may be synthesize | combined, it can be set as the structure which flows the cooling fluid sequentially.

  Moreover, as a preferable aspect of the present invention, the incident-side polarizing plate provided for the upstream spatial light modulation device and the incident-side polarizing plate provided for the downstream spatial light modulation device are connected by a duct. Is desirable. Accordingly, the outer wall of the flow path is configured by the incident-side polarizing plate and the duct, so that the cooling fluid can be efficiently flowed in the flow path.

  As a preferred aspect of the present invention, the plurality of spatial light modulators modulate the first color light according to the image signal and the second color light according to the image signal. A spatial light modulator for the second color light and a spatial light modulator for the third color light that modulates the third color light according to the image signal, and the cooling fluid is in the vicinity of the spatial light modulator for the first color light The second color light spatial light modulation device and the third color light spatial light modulation device are sequentially flowed, and the cooling fluid guiding section includes the first color light spatial light modulation device and the second color light in the flow path. It is desirable to be provided between at least one of the color light spatial light modulators and between the second color light spatial light modulator and the third color light spatial light modulator. Accordingly, it is possible to effectively cool at least one of the second color light spatial light modulation device and the third color light spatial light modulation device.

  As a preferred aspect of the present invention, the first color light modulated by the first color light spatial light modulation device, the second color light modulated by the second color light spatial light modulation device, and the third color light spatial light. A color synthesizing optical system that synthesizes the third color light modulated by the modulation device, and the flow path includes an incident surface on which the first color light is incident, an incident surface on which the second color light is incident, Between the spatial light modulation device for the first color light and the spatial light modulation device for the second color light, and the spatial light modulation device for the second color light and the spatial light modulation device for the third color light so as to be along the incident surface on which the three color light is incident. It is desirable to be bent between and between. Thereby, about each spatial light modulator for color lights, it can be set as the structure which flows the cooling fluid sequentially.

  As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is desirable that the first color light is blue light. When the light from the light source contains ultraviolet rays, the ultraviolet rays may travel together with the blue light in the color separation optical system. By first supplying the cooling fluid to the blue light spatial light modulator among the color light spatial light modulators, deterioration due to absorption of ultraviolet rays can be effectively reduced.

  As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is desirable that the second color light is green light. Since green light has higher visibility than other color lights, high output is required. Emission-side polarization for green light that generates a large amount of heat due to light absorption by guiding a cooling fluid from the incident surface side of the spatial light modulation device for first color light to the emission surface side of the spatial light modulation device for green light About a board, efficient cooling is enabled and deterioration by heat can be reduced effectively.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a projector 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The projector 1 is a front projection type projector that projects projection light onto a screen 32 and observes an image by observing light reflected by the screen 32. The light source 10 is a lamp that emits light including red (R) light, green (G) light, and blue (B) light, for example, an ultra-high pressure mercury lamp. The first integrator lens 11 and the second integrator lens 12 have a plurality of lens elements arranged in an array. The first integrator lens 11 splits the light flux from the light source 10 into a plurality of parts. Each lens element of the first integrator lens 11 condenses the light beam from the light source 10 in the vicinity of the lens element of the second integrator lens 12. The lens element of the second integrator lens 12 forms an image of the lens element of the first integrator lens 11 on the spatial light modulator.

  The light that has passed through the two integrator lenses 11 and 12 is converted into a specific linearly polarized light, for example, s-polarized light by the polarization conversion element 13. The superimposing lens 14 superimposes the image of each lens element of the first integrator lens 11 on the spatial light modulator. The first integrator lens 11, the second integrator lens 12 and the superimposing lens 14 make the light intensity distribution from the light source 10 uniform on the spatial light modulator. The reflection mirror 15 reflects the light from the superimposing lens 14 to bend the optical path by approximately 90 degrees. The first dichroic mirror 16 reflects the B light that is the first color light among the light incident from the reflection mirror 15 and transmits the G light that is the second color light and the R light that is the third color light. The first dichroic mirror 16 bends the optical path of the B light by approximately 90 degrees by reflection.

  The reflection mirror 17 reflects the B light from the first dichroic mirror 16 and bends the optical path by approximately 90 degrees. The B light field lens 18 </ b> B collimates the B light from the reflection mirror 17. The λ / 2 phase difference plate 19B converts s-polarized light from the B-light field lens 18B into p-polarized light. The B light incident side polarizing plate 20B is provided in the vicinity of the incident surface of the B light spatial light modulator 21B. The incident light polarizing plate 20B for B light transmits p-polarized light.

  The B light spatial light modulation device 21B is a first color light spatial light modulation device that modulates B light according to an image signal, and is a transmissive liquid crystal display device. The spatial light modulation device 21B for B light includes an incident surface on which light is incident and an emission surface on which light is emitted. The B-light exit-side polarizing plate 22B is provided on one surface of the cross dichroic prism 23 in the vicinity of the exit surface of the B-light spatial light modulator 21B. The emission side polarizing plate 22B for B light transmits s-polarized light. The s-polarized light converted from the p-polarized light by the modulation with the B-light spatial light modulator 21B passes through the B-light exit-side polarizing plate 22B and enters the cross dichroic prism 23.

  The second dichroic mirror 24 reflects the G light from the first dichroic mirror 16 and transmits the R light. The second dichroic mirror 24 bends the optical path of the G light by approximately 90 degrees by reflection. The G light field lens 18G collimates the G light from the second dichroic mirror 24. The G light incident side polarizing plate 20G is provided in the vicinity of the incident surface of the G light spatial light modulator 21G. The incident light polarizing plate 20G for G light transmits s-polarized light.

  The G light spatial light modulation device 21G is a second color light spatial light modulation device that modulates the G light according to an image signal, and is a transmissive liquid crystal display device. The spatial light modulation device 21G for G light includes an incident surface on which light enters and an exit surface on which light exits. The G light exit-side polarizing plate 22G is provided in the vicinity of the exit surface of the G light spatial light modulator 21G and on the surface of the cross dichroic prism 23 adjacent to the B light incident surface. The exit side polarizing plate 22G for G light transmits p-polarized light. The p-polarized light converted from the s-polarized light by the modulation by the G light spatial light modulator 21G is transmitted through the G light exit-side polarizing plate 22G and enters the cross dichroic prism 23.

  The R light transmitted through the second dichroic mirror 24 is transmitted through the relay lens 25, and then the optical path is bent by reflection at the reflection mirror 26. The R light from the reflection mirror 26 further passes through the relay lens 27, and then the optical path is bent by reflection at the reflection mirror 28. Since the optical path of the R light is longer than the optical path of the B light and the optical path of the G light, relay lenses 25 and 27 are provided in the optical path of the R light in order to make the illumination magnification in the spatial light modulation device equal to that of other color lights. The relay optical system to be used is adopted. The R light field lens 18R collimates the R light from the reflection mirror 28. The λ / 2 phase difference plate 19R converts the s-polarized light from the R light field lens 18R into p-polarized light. The R light incident side polarizing plate 20R is provided in the vicinity of the incident side of the R light spatial light modulator 21R. The R light incident side polarizing plate 20R transmits p-polarized light.

  The R light spatial light modulator 21R is a third color light spatial light modulator that modulates R light according to an image signal, and is a transmissive liquid crystal display device. The spatial light modulation device 21R for R light includes an incident surface on which light enters and an exit surface on which light exits. The R-light exit-side polarizing plate 22R is provided in the vicinity of the exit surface of the R-light spatial light modulator 21R and on the surface of the cross dichroic prism 23 adjacent to the G-light incident surface. The R light exit-side polarizing plate 22R transmits s-polarized light. The s-polarized light converted from the p-polarized light by the modulation by the R light spatial light modulator 21R is transmitted through the R light emission-side polarizing plate 22R and enters the cross dichroic prism 23.

  The cross dichroic prism 23 is modulated by the B light modulated by the B light spatial light modulation device 21B, the G light modulated by the G light spatial light modulation device 21G, and the R light spatial light modulation device 21R. It functions as a color combining optical system that combines R light. The cross dichroic prism 23 has two dichroic films 29 and 30 arranged so as to be substantially orthogonal to each other. The first dichroic film 29 reflects B light and transmits G light and R light. The second dichroic film 30 reflects R light and transmits B light and G light. The projection lens 31 projects the light combined by the cross dichroic prism 23 toward the screen 32. In addition, the emission side polarizing plates 22B, 22G, and 22R for each color light may be provided on the incident surface of the cross dichroic prism 23, or may be disposed with a gap between the incident surfaces of the cross dichroic prism 23.

  FIG. 2 shows a cooling structure for cooling each color light spatial light modulator 21B, 21G, 21R, each color light incident side polarizing plate 20B, 20G, 20R, and each color light emitting side polarizing plate 22B, 22G, 22R. Show. The fan 40 is a cooling fluid supply unit that supplies a cooling fluid, and is, for example, a sirocco fan. The fan 40 takes in air, which is a cooling fluid, from the outside of the housing of the projector 1, and spatial light modulators 21 B, 21 G, and 21 R for each color light, incident-side polarizing plates 20 B, 20 G, and 20 R for each color light, and emission for each color light. Air is caused to flow in a direction substantially parallel to a plane including the optical axis on which the side polarizing plates 22B, 22G, and 22R are disposed. Any cooling fluid supply unit may be used as long as the cooling fluid can be supplied.

  The incident side polarizing plate 20B for B light, the incident side polarizing plate 20G for G light, and the incident side polarizing plate 20R for R light are connected by a duct 41. Between the incident surface of each color light spatial light modulator 21B, 21G, 21R and each color light incident side polarizing plate 20B, 20G, 20R, the exit surface of each color light spatial light modulator 21B, 21G, 21R and each color light. Between the emission side polarizing plates 22B, 22G, and 22R, a flow path for allowing air to flow is formed. The B light spatial light modulator 21 </ b> B and the G light are arranged so that the flow path extends along the incident surface on which the B light is incident, the incident surface on which the G light is incident, and the incident surface on which the R light is incident. It is bent approximately 90 degrees between the spatial light modulation device 21G and between the spatial light modulation device 21G for G light and the spatial light modulation device 21R for R light.

  The rectifying plate 42 is provided in a bent portion of the flow path between the B light spatial light modulator 21B and the G light spatial light modulator 21G. Each of the duct 41 and the current plate 42 has a shape obtained by bending a plate-like member. The air is taken in from outside the housing of the projector 1 by driving the fan 40, and in the vicinity of the B light spatial light modulation device 21B, the G light spatial light modulation device 21G, and the R light spatial light modulation device. It flows in the vicinity of 21R sequentially and is discharged to the outside of the projector 1 casing. In order to cause air to flow sequentially to the vicinity of the spatial light modulators 21B, 21G, and 21R for each color light, the projector 1 can be thinned by adopting a configuration in which the fan 40 and the duct 41 are arranged in parallel in the plane direction including the optical axis. It becomes possible.

  FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion where the rectifying plate 42 is provided in the configuration shown in FIG. Of the spatial light modulation device 21B for B light and the spatial light modulation device 21G for G light that are adjacent to each other in the flow path, the spatial light modulation device 21B for B light is the upstream side where the air supplied by the fan 40 reaches first. It corresponds to a spatial light modulator. The spatial light modulation device 21G for G light corresponds to a downstream spatial light modulation device in which air reaches after the upstream spatial light modulation device.

  The end 43 on the B light spatial light modulation device 21B side of the rectifying plate 42 is closer to the B light incident-side polarizing plate 20B side than the incident surface S1 of the B light spatial light modulation device 21B or its extended surface S1 ′. In position. Part of the air flowing between the B-light incident side polarizing plate 20B and the incident surface S1 hits the rectifying plate 42, and the emission surface S4 of the G light spatial light modulator 21G and the G light emission-side polarizing plate 22G. Progress between. The rectifying plate 42 functions as a cooling fluid guiding unit that guides the cooling fluid that has flowed on the incident surface side of the upstream spatial light modulator to the emission side of the downstream spatial light modulator.

  The air traveling from between the incident surface S1 of the B light incident side polarizing plate 20B and the B light spatial light modulator 21B to between the duct 41 and the rectifying plate 42 is used for the G light incident side polarizing plate 20G and the G light. It progresses between the incident surfaces S3 of the spatial light modulator 21G. The air traveling between the exit surface S2 of the B light spatial light modulator 21B and the B light exit side polarizing plate 22B becomes the exit surface S4 of the G light spatial light modulator 21G and the G light exit side polarizing plate 22G. Proceed between.

  The linearly polarized light whose polarization direction is aligned by the polarization conversion element 13 is incident on the incident-side polarizing plates 20B, 20G, and 20R for each color light, whereas the incident-side polarizing plates 22B, 22G, and 22R for each colored light are incident The linearly polarized light whose polarization direction is converted by the spatial light modulators 21B, 21G, and 21R for each color light and the linearly polarized light whose polarization direction is not converted are incident. Each color light exit side polarizing plate 22B, 22G, 22R absorbs more light and generates more heat than each color light incident side polarizing plate 20B, 20G, 20R.

  If the rectifying plate 42 is not provided in the configuration shown in FIG. 3, in the portion of the flow path that is bent approximately 90 degrees between the B light spatial light modulator 21 </ b> B and the G light spatial light modulator 21 </ b> G. More air flows to the incident surface S3 side, which is the outer side, than to the exit surface S4 side, which is the bent inner side. The rectifying plate 42 plays a role of adjusting the flow rate of the air flowing on the incident surface S3 side and the exit surface S4 side. The rectifying plate 42 guides the air flowing on the incident surface S1 side where the amount of heat generation is small in the spatial light modulation device 21B for B light to the emission surface S4 side where the amount of heat generation is large in the spatial light modulation device 21G for G light. . Efficient cooling is possible by allowing the air before depriving much heat to be supplied to the exit surface S4 side that requires more heat dissipation.

  When the light from the light source 10 contains ultraviolet rays, the ultraviolet rays may travel together with the B light in the optical path shown in FIG. By supplying the air from the fan 40 to the spatial light modulator 21B for B light first among the spatial light modulators 21B, 21G, and 21R for each color light, deterioration due to absorption of ultraviolet rays can be effectively reduced. .

  G light is required to have high output because it has higher visibility than B light and R light which are other color lights. G-light emission side polarization that generates a large amount of heat due to light absorption by guiding air from the incident surface S1 side of the B light spatial light modulation device 21B to the emission surface S4 side of the G light spatial light modulation device 21G. The plate 22G can be efficiently cooled, and deterioration due to heat can be effectively reduced. As a result, the projector 1 can be thinned and the cooling can be efficiently performed.

  The rectifying plate 42 may be provided in a bent portion of the flow path between the G light spatial light modulator 21G and the R light spatial light modulator 21R. Of the spatial light modulation device 21G for G light and the spatial light modulation device 21R for R light that are adjacent to each other in the flow path, the spatial light modulation device 21G for G light has an upstream side where the air supplied by the fan 40 reaches first. It corresponds to a spatial light modulator. The spatial light modulation device 21R for R light corresponds to a downstream spatial light modulation device in which air reaches after the upstream spatial light modulation device. Among the flow paths, the rectifying plate 42 is between the B light spatial light modulation device 21B and the G light spatial light modulation device 21G, and between the G light spatial light modulation device 21G and the R light spatial light modulation device 21R. And at least one of them.

  The order in which air flows in the spatial light modulator for B light 21B, the spatial light modulator for G light 21G, and the spatial light modulator for R light 21R is not limited to the case described in this embodiment. For example, the G light spatial light modulation device 21G and the R light spatial light modulation device 21R are switched from the arrangement shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and the G light spatial light modulation device 21G and the R light spatial light modulation device 21R are replaced. The order of flowing the air may be changed. The order in which the air from the fan 40 is allowed to flow may be changed as appropriate as long as it is possible to cool the respective color light spatial light modulators 21B, 21G, and 21R to an allowable temperature.

  FIG. 4 shows a characteristic part of the projector according to the second embodiment of the invention. The present embodiment is characterized in that the frame of the spatial light modulation device functions as a cooling fluid guiding portion. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted. The B light frame 50B is provided around the B light spatial light modulator 21B. The B light frame 50B houses and holds the B light spatial light modulator 21B. The G light frame 50G is provided around the G light spatial light modulator 21G. The G light frame 50G houses and holds the G light spatial light modulator 21G. The R light frame 50R is provided around the R light spatial light modulator 21R. The R light frame 50R houses and holds the R light spatial light modulator 21R. In FIG. 4, the color light frames 50B, 50G, and 50R and the color light spatial light modulators 21B, 21G, and 21R are represented by cross sections parallel to the paper surface.

  FIG. 5 shows a planar configuration on the incident side of the G light frame 50G and the G light spatial light modulator 21G. The G light frame 50G is provided around the G light spatial light modulation device 21G, which is a downstream spatial light modulation device to which the air from the fan 40 reaches after the B light spatial light modulation device 21B. The end 51 on the B light spatial light modulator 21B side of the G light frame 50G is positioned on the B light incident-side polarizing plate 20B side from the extended surface S1 ′ of the incident surface of the B light spatial light modulator 21B. It is in. The G light frame 50G has a shape in which a portion on the B light spatial light modulation device 21B side is extended from a portion on the R light spatial light modulation device 21R side.

  Part of the air flowing between the incident surfaces of the B-light incident side polarizing plate 20B and the B-light spatial light modulator 21B hits the G-light frame 50G, and the emission surface of the G-light spatial light modulator 21G and It progresses between the exit side polarizing plates 22G for G light. The G light frame 50G functions as a cooling fluid guiding unit that guides the cooling fluid that has flowed on the incident surface side of the upstream spatial light modulation device to the emission surface side of the downstream spatial light modulation device. In the case of the present embodiment as well, the projector can be made thin and efficient cooling can be achieved.

  FIG. 6 shows a characteristic part of a projector according to a modification of the present embodiment. This modification is characterized by including a G light frame 50G and an R light frame 53R that function as a cooling fluid guiding portion. The R light frame 53R is provided around the R light spatial light modulation device 21R, which is a downstream spatial light modulation device to which the air from the fan 40 reaches after the G light spatial light modulation device 21G. The end 54 on the G light spatial light modulation device 21G side of the R light frame 53R is positioned on the G light incident-side polarizing plate 20G side from the extended surface S3 ′ of the incident surface of the G light spatial light modulation device 21G. It is in. Similarly to the G light frame 50G, the R light frame 53R has a shape in which a portion on the G light spatial light modulator 21G side is extended.

  Part of the air flowing between the incident surfaces of the G light incident side polarizing plate 20G and the G light spatial light modulator 21G hits the R light frame 53R, and the emission surface of the R light spatial light modulator 21R and It proceeds between the R light exit side polarizing plates 22R. The R light frame 53R functions as a cooling fluid guiding unit that guides the cooling fluid that has flowed on the incident surface side of the upstream spatial light modulation device to the emission side of the downstream spatial light modulation device.

  The B light frame 53B has a shape in which a portion on the fan 40 side is extended from a portion on the G light spatial light modulation device 21G side. The B light frame 53B also has a partially elongated shape, so that a wide heat dissipation area can be secured for the B light spatial light modulator 21B, and efficient cooling can be achieved. The G light frame 50G and the R light frame 53R are also partially extended to ensure a wide heat radiation area for the G light spatial light modulator 21G and the R light spatial light modulator 21R. The effect that efficient cooling becomes possible can be obtained. As described above, effective cooling is also possible in the case of this modification. The projector according to the present embodiment may be any projector as long as it allows at least one of the G light frame 50G and the R light frames 50R and 53R to function as a cooling fluid guiding unit.

  FIG. 7 shows a characteristic part of the projector according to the third embodiment of the invention. The present embodiment is characterized in that the prepolarizer functions as a cooling fluid guiding section. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted. The B light pre-polarizer 60B provided for the B light is provided between the exit surface of the B light spatial light modulator 21B and the B light exit side polarizing plate 22B which is the first exit side polarizing plate. The second exit side polarizing plate. The B light pre-polarizer 60B has the same polarization characteristics as the B light emission-side polarizing plate 22B.

  The G light pre-polarizer 60G provided for the G light is provided between the exit surface of the G light spatial light modulator 21G and the G light exit side polarizing plate 22G which is the first exit side polarizing plate. The second exit side polarizing plate. The G light pre-polarizer 60G has the same polarization characteristics as the G light emission-side polarizing plate 22G. The R light pre-polarizer 60R provided for the R light is provided between the emission surface of the R light spatial light modulator 21R and the R light emission side polarizing plate 22R which is the first emission side polarizing plate. The second exit side polarizing plate. The R light pre-polarizer 60R has the same polarization characteristics as the R light emission-side polarizing plate 22R.

  The linearly polarized light shielded by the color light exit side polarizing plates 22B, 22G, and 22R is absorbed by the color light exit side polarizing plates 22B, 22G, and 22R and the color light prepolarizers 60B, 60G, and 60R. Efficient cooling is possible by dispersing the amount of heat generated in each color light pre-polarizer 60B, 60G, 60R and each color light exit side polarizing plate 22B, 22G, 22R.

  The G light pre-polarizer 60G is provided for the G light spatial light modulation device 21G, which is a downstream spatial light modulation device to which the air from the fan 40 reaches after the B light spatial light modulation device 21B. The end 61 on the B light spatial light modulator 21B side of the G light pre-polarizer 60G is closer to the B light incident side polarizing plate 20B side than the extended surface S1 ′ of the incident surface of the B light spatial light modulator 21B. In position. The G light pre-polarizer 60G has a shape in which a portion on the B light spatial light modulator 21B side is extended from a portion on the R light spatial light modulator 21R side.

  A part of the air flowing between the incident surfaces of the B light incident-side polarizing plate 20B and the B light spatial light modulator 21B hits the G light prepolarizer 60G, so that the G light prepolarizer 60G and the G light emission are emitted. It progresses between the side polarizing plates 22G. The G light pre-polarizer 60G functions as a cooling fluid guiding unit that guides the cooling fluid that has flowed on the incident surface side of the upstream spatial light modulation device to the emission surface side of the downstream spatial light modulation device.

  The R light pre-polarizer 60R is provided for the R light spatial light modulation device 21R, which is a downstream spatial light modulation device to which the air from the fan 40 reaches after the G light spatial light modulation device 21G. The end 62 on the G light spatial light modulator 21G side of the R light pre-polarizer 60R is closer to the G light incident side polarizing plate 20G side than the extended surface S3 ′ of the incident surface of the G light spatial light modulator 21G. In position. Similarly to the G light pre-polarizer 60G, the R light pre-polarizer 60R has a shape in which a portion on the G light spatial light modulator 21G side is extended.

  A part of the air flowing between the incident surfaces of the G light incident side polarizing plate 20G and the G light spatial light modulator 21G hits the R light prepolarizer 60R, and the R light prepolarizer 60R and the R light emission. It progresses between the side polarizing plates 22R. The R light pre-polarizer 60R functions as a cooling fluid guiding unit that guides the cooling fluid that has flowed on the incident surface side of the upstream spatial light modulation device to the emission surface side of the downstream spatial light modulation device.

  The B light pre-polarizer 60B has a shape in which a portion on the fan 40 side is extended from a portion on the G light spatial light modulator 21G side. The B light prepolarizer 60B also has a partially elongated shape, so that a wide heat radiation area can be secured and efficient cooling can be achieved. The G light pre-polarizer 60G and the R light pre-polarizer 60R are also formed in a partially extended shape, so that an effect of ensuring a wide heat radiation area and enabling efficient cooling can be obtained. As described above, effective cooling is also possible in the case of the present embodiment. The projector according to the present embodiment may be any projector as long as at least one of the G light pre-polarizer 60G and the R light pre-polarizer 60R functions as a cooling fluid guiding unit.

  The projectors of the above embodiments are not limited to the configuration using an ultrahigh pressure mercury lamp as the light source 10. The light source 10 may be configured to use a lamp other than an ultra-high pressure mercury lamp, a light emitting diode element (LED), a laser light source, or the like. The projector is not limited to a configuration including a spatial light modulation device for each color light, and may be configured to modulate two or three or more color lights by one spatial light modulation device. The projector may be a so-called rear projector that supplies light to one surface of the screen and observes an image by observing light emitted from the other surface of the screen.

1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a projector according to a first embodiment of the invention. The figure which shows the cooling structure for cooling the spatial light modulator for each color light. The figure which expands and shows the part in which the baffle plate was provided among the structures shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a characteristic part of a projector according to a second embodiment of the invention. The figure which shows the plane structure of the flame | frame for G lights, and the spatial light modulation apparatus for G lights. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a characteristic part of a projector according to a modification of the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a characteristic part of a projector according to a third embodiment of the invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Projector, 10 Light source, 11 1st integrator lens, 12 2nd integrator lens, 13 Polarization conversion element, 14 Superimposing lens, 15 Reflecting mirror, 16 1st dichroic mirror, 17 Reflecting mirror, 18B B light field lens, 18G G Field lens for light, 18R R light field lens, 19B, 19R λ / 2 phase difference plate, 20B light incident side polarizing plate, 20G G light incident side polarizing plate, 20R R light incident side polarizing plate, 21B B light spatial light modulation device, 21G G light spatial light modulation device, 21R R light spatial light modulation device, 22B B light emission side polarizing plate, 22G G light emission side polarizing plate, 22R R light emission side Polarizing plate, 23 Cross dichroic prism, 24 Second dichroic mirror, 25, 27 Relay lens, 26 , 28 Reflection mirror, 29 First dichroic film, 30 Second dichroic film, 31 Projection lens, 32 Screen, 40 Fan, 41 Duct, 42 Current plate, 43 End, S1, S3 Incident surface, S2, S4 Ejection surface, S1 'extended surface, 50B, 53B B light frame, 50G G light frame, 50R, 53R R light frame, 51, 54 end, S3' extended surface, 60B B light pre-polarizer, 60G G light pre Polarizer, 60R R light prepolarizer, 61, 62 end

Claims (6)

A plurality of spatial light modulators that include an incident surface on which light is incident and an exit surface from which light is emitted, and modulates light according to an image signal;
A cooling fluid supply unit that supplies a cooling fluid that sequentially flows in the vicinity of the plurality of spatial light modulators;
An incident-side polarizing plate provided in the vicinity of the incident surface of the spatial light modulator;
An exit-side polarizing plate provided in the vicinity of the exit surface of the spatial light modulator;
Among the spatial light modulators adjacent to each other in the cooling fluid flow path, the upstream spatial light modulator to which the cooling fluid supplied by the cooling fluid supply unit reaches first, and the upstream space The downstream spatial light modulator that the cooling fluid reaches after the upstream spatial light modulator, the downstream fluid that flows between the incident-side polarizing plate provided for the light modulator, and the downstream A rectifying plate that leads to the exit side polarizing plate provided for the spatial light modulator, and
An end of the rectifying plate on the upstream spatial light modulator side is located on the incident side polarizing plate side with respect to the incident surface of the upstream spatial light modulator or an extended surface thereof. projector. The projector according to claim 1,
The projector, wherein the flow path is bent between the upstream spatial light modulator and the downstream spatial light modulator. The projector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein
The plurality of spatial light modulators are:
A spatial light modulator for first color light that modulates the first color light;
A spatial light modulator for second color light that modulates second color light;
A spatial light modulator for third color light that modulates the third color light,
The cooling fluid sequentially flows through the first color light spatial light modulator, the second color light spatial light modulator, and the third color light spatial light modulator,
The rectifying plate is between the first color light spatial light modulator and the second color light spatial light modulator, and between the second color light spatial light modulator and the third color light spatial light modulator. A projector provided on at least one of the above. The projector according to claim 3 , wherein
The first color light modulated by the first color light spatial light modulation device, the second color light modulated by the second color light spatial light modulation device, and the third color light spatial light modulation device A color combining optical system for combining the third color light,
The first color light is arranged such that the flow path is along an incident surface on which the first color light is incident, an incident surface on which the second color light is incident, and an incident surface on which the third color light is incident. And the second color light spatial light modulation device and the second color light spatial light modulation device and the third color light spatial light modulation device, respectively. Projector. The projector according to claim 3 or 4, wherein
The projector according to claim 1, wherein the first color light is blue light. A projector according to any one of claims 3 to 5,
The projector according to claim 2, wherein the second color light is green light.

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