CN101008710A - Illumination system and optical projection device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention discloses an illumination system, which comprises an optical element, a main light source, an auxiliary light source and a light guide element. The optical element has a light-entering end, and the main light source and the auxiliary light source are arranged beside the light-entering end of the optical element. The main light source is suitable for providing a main light beam, the auxiliary light source is suitable for providing an auxiliary light beam, and the time for the main light source to reach the maximum luminous brightness after being started is longer than that of the auxiliary light source. The light guide element is suitable for cutting in or cutting off the transmission paths of the main beam and the auxiliary beam so as to transmit the main beam or the auxiliary beam to the optical element, and the light guide element can rapidly provide the illumination beam with certain brightness when the illumination system is started. In addition, the invention also provides an optical projection device with the illumination system, so that an image can be rapidly displayed after the optical projection device is started.

Description

Lighting system and optical projection device

technical field

The invention relates to an illumination system and an optical projection device, in particular to an illumination system with an auxiliary light source and an optical projection device with the illumination system.

Background technique

Since the ultrahigh pressure mercury lamp (UHP) has the advantages of high luminous efficiency, high light collection efficiency and long service life, it is widely used in the lighting systems of projectors and rear projection televisions (RPTV) currently on the market. , mainly using ultra-high pressure mercury lamps as the lighting source.

Please refer to Figure 1, which shows the relationship between the luminescence level and time after the ultra-high pressure mercury lamp is turned on. Generally speaking, ultra-high pressure mercury lamps need a long warm-up time (idling time). It can be seen from Figure 1 that it takes at least five minutes for the ultra-high pressure mercury lamp to reach 100% luminescence (i.e. full light state). In other words, existing projectors or rear projection TVs using ultra-high pressure mercury lamps as light sources take a long time to display images on the screen after they are turned on, which will cause great inconvenience to users. In particular, since cathode ray tube (Cathode Ray Tube, CRT) TV, liquid crystal (Liquid Crystal Display, LCD) TV and plasma (Plasma Display Panel, PDP) TV can display images very quickly after starting up, so users I am used to seeing images quickly after turning on the TV, but projectors and rear projection TVs cannot meet the needs of users in this regard.

Contents of the invention

The purpose of the present invention is to provide an illumination system to solve the problem that the existing illumination system cannot quickly provide an illumination beam with a certain brightness when it is turned on.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an optical projection device to solve the problem that the existing optical projection device cannot quickly display images after being turned on.

To achieve the above purpose, the present invention provides an illumination system, which includes an optical element, a main light source, an auxiliary light source and a light guide element. Wherein, the optical element has a light incident end, and the main light source and the auxiliary light source are arranged beside the light incident end of the optical element. The main light source is suitable for providing a main light beam, and the auxiliary light source is suitable for providing an auxiliary light beam. After the main light source is turned on, it takes longer to reach the maximum brightness than the auxiliary light source. The light guide element is suitable for cutting into or out of the transmission path of the main beam and the auxiliary beam, so that the main beam or the auxiliary beam is delivered to the optical element. Wherein, the maximum luminous brightness of the main light source is higher than that of the auxiliary light source and has a light exit section opposite to the light incident end of the optical element. When the main light source and the auxiliary light source are turned on, the light guide element is adapted to cut into the transmission paths of the main light beam and the auxiliary light beam, so that the auxiliary light beam is delivered to the optical element and the main light beam deviates from the optical element. When the luminance of the main light source is greater than that of the auxiliary light source, the light guide element is adapted to cut off the transmission path of the main light beam and the auxiliary light beam, so that the main light beam is transmitted to the optical element, and at the same time, the auxiliary light source is turned off. In addition, the lighting system further includes a cooling element, which is arranged on the transmission path of the main light beam after being changed by the light guide element.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the light exit section of the auxiliary light source is opposite to the light incident end of the optical element. When the main light source and the auxiliary light source are turned on, the light guide element is adapted to cut off the transmission path of the main light beam and the auxiliary light beam, so that the auxiliary light beam is transmitted to the optical element, and the main light beam deviates from the optical element. When the luminance of the main light source is greater than that of the auxiliary light source, the light guide element is adapted to cut into the transmission path of the main light beam and the auxiliary light beam, so that the main light beam is transmitted to the optical element, and at the same time, the auxiliary light source is turned off. In addition, the lighting system further includes a heat dissipation element, and when the light guide element cuts off the transmission path of the main beam and the auxiliary beam, the heat dissipation element is located on the transmission path of the main beam.

The present invention further provides an optical projection device, which includes a light valve, an imaging system, and the above-mentioned lighting system. Wherein, the light valve is arranged behind the optical element of the illumination system, and the light valve is suitable for converting the main light beam or the auxiliary light beam incident on it into an image light beam, and the imaging system is arranged on the transmission path of the image light beam, so as to The image light beam is projected on the screen to form an image frame. The auxiliary light source of the present invention can provide an illumination beam with a certain brightness when the illumination system is just turned on, so it can improve the defect that the existing optical projection device cannot quickly display images after it is turned on.

In order to make the above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention more comprehensible, preferred embodiments will be described in detail below together with the accompanying drawings.

Description of drawings

Figure 1 is a graph showing the relationship between the luminous degree and time after the ultra-high pressure mercury lamp is turned on;

2A and 2B are schematic structural views of an optical projection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

3 is a graph showing the relationship between the luminescence level of the illumination source and time after the optical projection device is turned on according to an embodiment of the present invention;

4A and 4B are schematic structural views of another optical projection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

5A and 5B are schematic structural views of an optical projection device according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of another optical projection device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

Description of main component symbols:

100, 100a, 100b, 100c: optical projection device

110: light valve

112: image beam

120: Imaging system

200, 200a, 200b, 200c: lighting system

212: Color Wheel

214: Light integrating column

216: lens

220: main light source

221, 231: light exit section

222: main beam

230: auxiliary light source

232: auxiliary beam

240: light guide element

250: cooling element

C1: first axis

C2: Second Axis

C3: Third Axis

Detailed ways

first embodiment

Please refer to FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B , which are schematic structural diagrams of the first embodiment of the optical projection device of the present invention. The optical projection device 100 of this embodiment includes a light valve 110 , an imaging system 120 and an illumination system 200 , wherein the light valve 110 is disposed between the imaging system 120 and the illumination system 200 . The lighting system 200 includes a main light source 220 , an auxiliary light source 230 , a light guide element 240 and at least one optical element (such as a color wheel 212 , a light integrating rod 214 , a lens 216 or a combination thereof). Wherein, each optical element has a light incident end respectively, and the main light source 220 and the auxiliary light source 230 are disposed beside the light incident end of the optical element closest to them, such as disposed beside the light incident end of the color wheel 212 . The main light source 220 has a light exit section 221 opposite to the light incident end of the color wheel 212 , and the main light source 220 is adapted to provide a main light beam 222 delivered to the color wheel 212 . The auxiliary light source 230 is adapted to provide an auxiliary light beam 232 . The light guide element 240 is adapted to cut into or out of the transmission path of the main beam 222 and the auxiliary beam 232 , so that the main beam 222 or the auxiliary beam 232 is delivered to the optical element. When the light guide element 240 cuts into the transmission path of the main beam 222 and the auxiliary beam 232 (as shown in FIG. 2B ), the light guide element 240 makes the main beam 222 deviate from the optical element, and makes the auxiliary beam 232 pass to the optical element, and acts as a light guide The element 240 cuts off the transmission paths of the main beam 222 and the auxiliary light beam 232 (as shown in FIG. 2A ). The light guide element 240 enables the main beam 222 to pass to the optical element while turning off the auxiliary light source 230 . In addition, the time for the main light source 220 to reach the maximum luminous brightness after being turned on is longer than that of the auxiliary light source 230 . The light valve 110 is adapted to convert the incident main beam 222 or auxiliary beam 232 into an image beam 112, and the imaging system 120 is arranged on the transmission path of the image beam 112 to project the image beam on the screen to form an image frame. .

In the above optical projection device 100 , the maximum luminance of the main light source 220 is higher than that of the auxiliary light source 230 , for example. The main light source 220, the color wheel 212, the light integrating rod 214, the lens 216, and the light valve 110 are, for example, located on the first axis C1, and the auxiliary light source 230 is, for example, located on the second axis C2, wherein the first axis C1 is, for example, perpendicular to Second axis C2. In addition, the light guide element 240 moves along the second axis C2 to cut into or out of the transmission path of the main beam 222 and the auxiliary beam 232 , for example.

The main light source 220 in this embodiment is a light source that requires a long warm-up time, such as an ultra-high pressure mercury lamp or a xenon lamp. The auxiliary light source 230 is a light source that does not require a warm-up time or a short warm-up time, such as a light-emitting diode, a halogen lamp, a metal halide lamp, or a laser diode. In addition, the light guide element 240 is, for example, a reflection mirror, a color splitter, a prism or a lens group, which is, for example, connected with a braking element (not shown). This braking element is used to move the light guide element 240 to a first position (as shown in FIG. 2A ) or a second position (as shown in FIG. 2B ), and the second position is located at the transmission of the main beam 222 and the auxiliary beam 232. on the path. The braking element is, for example, a motor. In addition, although the light valve 110 shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B is a reflective light valve (such as a reflective single crystal silicon liquid crystal panel or a digital micromirror device), the light valve of the present invention can also be a transmissive light valve. valves (such as liquid crystal display panels). The imaging system 120 is, for example, a projection lens.

In this embodiment, the light guide element 240 is a reflector. When the optical projection device 100 is first turned on, the main light source 220 and the auxiliary light source 230 are turned on simultaneously. At this time, because the luminance of the main light source 220 is insufficient when it is just turned on, the light guide element 240 is located at the second position (as shown in FIG. 2B ), so that the main light beam 222 deviates from the color wheel 212, Optical elements such as the light integrating cylinder 214 and the lens 216 , and the auxiliary light beam 232 is also transmitted to the color wheel 212 , the light integrating cylinder 214 , the lens 216 and other optical elements through the reflection of the light guide element 240 . Since the auxiliary light source 230 will reach the maximum luminous brightness within a short time (such as within one second) after being turned on, the auxiliary light beam 232 provided by the auxiliary light source 230 is guided to the color wheel 212 and the light integrating column 214 through the light guide element 240 , lens 216 and other optical elements. Afterwards, the auxiliary beam 232 is converted into the image beam 112 by the light valve 110 , and the imaging system 120 projects the image beam 112 on a screen (not shown). In other words, when the optical projection device 100 is just turned on, the auxiliary light source 230 provides the illumination beam required by the optical projection device 100 .

Afterwards, when the luminance of the main light source 220 gradually increases to be greater than the luminance of the auxiliary light source 230 or reaches a certain brightness (such as reaching 80% of the maximum luminance), the braking element will move the light guide element 240 to the first position. position (as shown in FIG. 2A ), so that the main light beam 222 is transmitted to the optical elements such as the color wheel 212 , the light integrating cylinder 214 , and the lens 216 . After that, the main beam 222 is converted into the image beam 112 by the light valve 110 , and the imaging system 120 projects the image beam 112 on the screen. That is, after the optical projection device 100 is turned on for a period of time (such as tens of seconds), the main light source 220 provides the illumination beam required by the optical projection device 100 . In addition, when the brake element moves the light guide element 240 to the first position, the auxiliary light source 230 can be turned off.

In addition, when the optical projection device 100 is turned off, the brake element can be used to move the light guide element 240 to the second position (as shown in FIG. The main light beam 222 provided by the main light source 220 deviates from the optical element, and guides the auxiliary light beam 232 provided by the auxiliary light source 230 to the optical element.

In a preferred embodiment, a heat dissipation element 250 may be provided on the transmission path of the main beam 222 changed by the light guide element 240 to absorb the heat energy of the main beam 222 , thereby reducing the temperature inside the optical projection device 100 . The heat dissipation element 250 is, for example, a heat sink.

Please refer to FIG. 3 , which is a graph showing the relationship between the light intensity of the illumination source and time after the optical projection device is turned on according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the present invention, the auxiliary light source 230 is used as the illumination source for a period of time (for example, within the first 50 seconds) after the optical projection device 100 is turned on. Although the maximum luminous brightness of the auxiliary light source 230 is smaller than the maximum luminous brightness of the main light source 220, it can provide an illuminating light beam with a certain brightness immediately after the optical projection device 100 is turned on, so that the user can quickly turn on the optical projection device 100. See image. On the other hand, when the luminance of the main light source 220 reaches a certain level (for example, when it reaches 80% of the maximum luminance), the main light source 220 provides an illumination light beam to allow the optical projection device 100 to project a brighter image.

It should be noted that since the auxiliary light source 230 only emits light for a period of time when the optical projection device 100 is turned on, even if the service life of the auxiliary light source 230 is short, it is still not prone to failure. For example, if the average service life of the auxiliary light source 230 is 500 hours, if the optical projection device 100 is turned on 5 times a day and the auxiliary light source 230 emits light for 60 seconds each time it is turned on, then the auxiliary light source 230 can be used for 6000 days. That is to say, the auxiliary light source 230 can be used for more than 10 years.

Please refer to FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B , which are schematic structural diagrams of another optical projection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The optical projection device 100 a of this embodiment is similar to the optical projection device 100 shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B , except that the illumination system 200 a of the optical projection device 100 a has two color wheels 212 and two light integrating rods 214 . The main light beam 222 provided by the main light source 220 passes through a set of color wheels 212 and light integrating rods 214 first, and the auxiliary light beam 232 provided by the auxiliary light source 230 passes through another set of color wheels 212 and light integrating rods 214 . The light guide element 240 is arranged at the light output end of the light integrating column 214 . The main beam 222 and the auxiliary beam 232 respectively pass through the color wheel 212 and the light integrating column 214 before being processed by the light guide element 240 .

second embodiment

5A and 5B are schematic structural views of an optical projection device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 2A , FIG. 2B , FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B , the optical projection device 100 b of this embodiment is similar to the optical projection device 100 of the first embodiment, and only the differences will be described below. In the lighting system 200b of the optical projection device 100b of the present embodiment, the positions of the main light source 220 and the auxiliary light source 230 of the lighting system 200 of the first embodiment are exchanged. In other words, in the lighting system 200b of this embodiment, the main light source 220 is arranged on the second axis C2, and the auxiliary light source 230 is arranged on the first axis C1, and the auxiliary light source 230 has a light exit section 231, which is the same as The light incident ends of the color wheel 212 are opposite to each other. In addition, the light guide element 240 moves, for example, along the third axis C3 to cut into or out of the transmission path of the main beam 222 and the auxiliary beam 232 .

Please refer to FIG. 5A , when the optical projection device 100b is just turned on, the main light source 220 and the auxiliary light source 230 are turned on at the same time. At this time, because the light brightness of the main light source 220 is insufficient when it is just turned on, the auxiliary light source 230 needs to provide the illumination beam required by the optical projection device 100b. Therefore, the braking element will cut the light guide element 240 away from the transmission path of the main beam 222 and the auxiliary beam 232 , so that the auxiliary beam 232 is transmitted to the optical elements such as the color wheel 212 , the light integrating cylinder 214 , and the lens 216 . That is, the auxiliary light source 230 provides the illumination beam required by the optical projection device 100 b. In addition, a heat dissipation element 250 can be arranged on the transmission path of the main beam 222 to absorb the energy of the main beam 222 to reduce the temperature inside the optical projection device 100b.

Please refer to FIG. 5B , when the luminance of the main light source 220 gradually increases to be greater than the luminance of the auxiliary light source 230 or reaches a certain brightness (such as reaching 80% of the maximum luminance), the braking element will move the light guide element 240 The transmission path to the main beam 222 and the auxiliary beam 232 is such that the main beam 222 is delivered to the optical elements such as the color wheel 212 , the light integrating cylinder 214 , and the lens 216 . That is, the main light source 220 provides the illumination beam required by the optical projection device 100 b.

In this embodiment, when the braking element moves the light guide element 240 to the transmission path of the main light beam 222 and the auxiliary light beam 232, the auxiliary light source 230 can be turned off, or the auxiliary light beam 232 can be guided to the heat sink through the light guide element 240. Element 250.

Please refer to FIG. 6 , which is a schematic structural diagram of another optical projection device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Different from the lighting system 200b of the optical projection device 100b shown in FIG. 5A, in the lighting system 200c of the optical projection device of this embodiment, the light guide element 240 moves along the second axis C2 to cut in or out Transmission paths of the main beam 222 and the auxiliary beam 232 . When the light guide element 240 is cut off from the transmission path of the main beam 222 and the auxiliary beam 232 , the light guide element 240 is located on the transmission path of the main beam 222 to guide the main beam 222 to the heat dissipation element 250 .

In summary, the optical projection device and its lighting system of the present invention have at least the following advantages:

1. The present invention uses an auxiliary light source that can quickly reach the maximum luminous brightness to provide a certain brightness of the lighting beam when the lighting system is just turned on, so it can improve the shortcomings of existing optical projection devices that cannot quickly display images after turning on.

2. When the luminous brightness of the main light source reaches a certain level, the main light source will provide the required illumination light beam instead, so that the optical projection device can project images with higher brightness.

3. Since the auxiliary light source is only used for a short period of time each time the optical projection device is turned on, it is not easily damaged even if the auxiliary light source has a short service life.

Although the present invention has been disclosed in conjunction with the above preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any skilled person can make some changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention The scope of protection should be defined by the claims.

Claims (17)

1. A lighting system comprising: An optical element having a light incident end; a main light source, arranged next to the light incident end of the optical element, the main light source is suitable for providing a main light beam; An auxiliary light source, arranged beside the light incident end of the optical element, the auxiliary light source is suitable for providing an auxiliary light beam, wherein the time for the main light source to reach the maximum luminous brightness after being turned on is longer than that of the auxiliary light source; and A light guide element is adapted to cut into or out of the transmission path of the main beam and the auxiliary beam, so that the main beam or the auxiliary beam is delivered to the optical element. 2. The lighting system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the maximum luminance of the main light source is higher than that of the auxiliary light source. 3. The lighting system according to claim 2, wherein the main light source has a light exit section, and the light exit section of the main light source is opposite to the light incident end of the optical element, when the main light source and the auxiliary light source just When turned on, the light guide element is suitable for cutting into the transmission path of the main light beam and the auxiliary light beam, so that the auxiliary light beam is transmitted to the optical element, and the main light beam deviates from the optical element, and when the luminous brightness of the main light source After being larger than the auxiliary light source, the light guide element is adapted to cut off the transmission path of the main light beam and the auxiliary light beam, so that the main light beam is delivered to the optical element while the auxiliary light source is in a closed state. 4. The lighting system according to claim 2, wherein the auxiliary light source has a light exit section, and the light exit section of the auxiliary light source is opposite to the light incident end of the optical element, when the main light source and the auxiliary light source just When turned on, the light guide element is adapted to cut off the transmission path of the main light beam and the auxiliary light beam, so that the auxiliary light beam is transmitted to the optical element, and when the luminance of the main light source is greater than that of the auxiliary light source, the light guide The element is adapted to cut into the transmission paths of the main light beam and the auxiliary light beam, so that the main light beam is delivered to the optical element while the auxiliary light source is in a closed state. 5. The lighting system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a brake element connected to the light guide element so that the light guide element cuts into or out of the transmission path of the main light beam and the auxiliary light beam. 6. The lighting system according to claim 1, wherein the main light source is an ultra-high pressure mercury lamp or a xenon lamp, and the auxiliary light source is a light emitting diode, a halogen lamp, a metal halide lamp or a laser diode. 7. The lighting system according to claim 1, wherein the light guiding element is a reflector, a color beam splitter, a prism or a lens group. 8. The illumination system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the optical element comprises at least one of a color wheel, a light integrating cylinder and a lens. 9. An optical projection device comprising: A lighting system comprising: An optical element having a light incident end; a main light source, arranged next to the light incident end of the optical element, the main light source is suitable for providing a main light beam; An auxiliary light source, arranged next to the light incident end of the optical element, the auxiliary light source is suitable for providing an auxiliary light beam, wherein the maximum luminous brightness of the main light source is higher than that of the auxiliary light source, and the main light source reaches the maximum luminous brightness after being turned on longer than the auxiliary light source; a light guide element adapted to cut into or out of the transmission path of the main beam and the auxiliary beam, so that the main beam or the auxiliary beam is delivered to the optical element; a light valve, disposed behind the optical element, adapted to convert the main beam or the auxiliary beam incident thereon into an image beam; and An imaging system is arranged on the transmission path of the image light beam. 10. The optical projection device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the main light source has a light exit section, and the light exit section of the main light source is opposite to the light incident end of the optical element, when the main light source and the auxiliary light source When just turned on, the light guide element is suitable for cutting into the transmission path of the main light beam and the auxiliary light beam, so that the auxiliary light beam is delivered to the optical element, and the main light beam deviates from the optical element, and when the main light source emits light After the brightness is greater than the auxiliary light source, the light guide element is adapted to cut off the transmission paths of the main light beam and the auxiliary light beam, so that the main light beam is delivered to the optical element while the auxiliary light source is in a closed state. 11. The optical projection device as claimed in claim 9, further comprising a heat dissipation element disposed on the transmission path of the main light beam after being changed by the light guide element. 12. The optical projection device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the auxiliary light source has a light exit section, and the light exit section of the auxiliary light source is opposite to the light incident end of the optical element, when the main light source and the auxiliary light source When just turned on, the light guide element is adapted to cut off the transmission paths of the main light beam and the auxiliary light beam, so that the auxiliary light beam is transmitted to the optical element, and when the luminance of the main light source is greater than that of the auxiliary light source, the guide light The optical element is adapted to cut into the transmission path of the main light beam and the auxiliary light beam, so that the main light beam is delivered to the optical element while the auxiliary light source is in a closed state. 13. The optical projection device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the lighting system further comprises a heat dissipation element, wherein when the light guide element cuts off the transmission path of the main light beam and the auxiliary light beam, the heat dissipation element is located at the main light beam and the auxiliary light beam. on the transmission path of the beam. 14. The optical projection device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the illumination system further comprises a braking element connected to the light guide element so that the light guide element cuts into or out of the transmission path of the main beam and the auxiliary beam . 15. The optical projection device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the main light source is an ultra-high pressure mercury lamp or a xenon lamp, and the auxiliary light source is a light emitting diode, a halogen lamp, a metal halide lamp or a laser diode. 16. The optical projection device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the light guiding element is a mirror, a color beam splitter, a prism or a lens group. 17. The optical projection device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the optical element comprises at least one of a color wheel, an optical integrating cylinder and a lens.

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