JP2003029332A - projector - Google Patents

Abstract

[PROBLEMS] To use a retractable projection lens which is excellent in portability and storability when using a projector using a retractable lens with a simple operation. SOLUTION: A liquid crystal projector is illuminated with light from a light source, and an image formed by the liquid crystal projector is projected by a collapsible projection lens capable of extending and retracting a lens through a front wall of an exterior case. In the projector to be provided with a lens cover that is slidably attached to the outer case and that opens and closes the tip of the retractable projection lens
In association with the opening operation of the collapsible projection lens by the lens cover, the collapsible projection lens is extended.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a projector provided with a projection lens having a lens feeding / retracting mechanism for moving the lens back and forth for focus adjustment, and a lens cover for protecting the projection lens.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a projector used for presentations, etc., if the projection lens of the projector always projects to the outside of the case, it may be damaged during carrying, and it may be damaged during storage. May get in the way. For these reasons, projectors that use a retractable projection lens as the projection lens have already been adopted.

[0003]

However, in the case of the collapsible projection lens, in order to change the lens retracted state when the projector is not used to the lens retracted state when used,
Some operation is required, and it is difficult for a person who is unfamiliar with the device to understand the operation. Further, in the case of a retractable projection lens, a cap is attached to the tip end for the purpose of protecting the lens, but there is a risk that the cap may be forgotten or lost.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and in a projector using a projection lens such as a collapsible type, which can be extended and retracted, the projection lens can be extended by a simple operation when the projector is used. It is an object of the present invention to provide a projector that is executed and can easily perform lens protection, and that has excellent portability and storability. Further, since the projector has a high illumination brightness, if the projector is operated while the projection lens is covered with a protective cap or the like, the cap itself used for protection will be damaged by light heat. An object of the present invention is to provide a projector that solves this problem as well.

[0005]

A projector of the present invention illuminates a light modulator with light from a light source, and an image formed by the light modulator passes through a front side wall of an exterior case to form a lens. In a projector that projects with a retractable projection lens, for example, a projector that is movably attached to the outer case and that opens and closes the tip of the projection lens is provided, and It is characterized in that the lens extension of the projection lens is performed in association with the opening operation of the tip end portion of the projection lens. According to this, the amount of projection of the projection lens to the outside of the outer case can be minimized, and the lens extension of the projection lens can also be completed by the extremely normal operation of opening the lens cover.

Further, in the above projector, the lens cover basically has a flat plate shape, and slides or rotates in parallel with the most distal end surface of the front side wall. According to this, when the projector is not used, the front side wall of the projector can be made substantially flat, and portability and storability can be improved.

Further, in the above projector, when the projection lens tip portion is closed by the lens cover, the tip portion is positioned inside the tip end surface of the front side wall and the projection lens tip portion is When the lens cover is released, the front end portion is located outside the most distal surface of the front side wall. This makes it possible to reliably prevent the projection lens from protruding from the front wall of the projector when the projector is carried or stored, and when using the projector, focus adjustment is performed using the tip protruding from the front wall of the outer case. be able to.

Further, in the above projector, a motor is provided as a power source for the lens feeding-out and feeding-in operation of the projection lens, and the motor is driven when the lens cover reaches a position where the projection lens tip end portion is fully opened. It is characterized by As a result, the lens extension of the projection lens can be reliably performed without colliding with the lens cover.

Further, in the above projector, while the front end of the projection lens is closed by the lens cover, a lens feeding force is applied to the projection lens and the feeding operation is stopped, The stop of the feeding operation is released when the cover comes to a position where the tip of the projection lens is completely opened. Also by this, the lens extension of the projection lens can be surely performed without colliding with the lens cover.

In the projector, a power switch for turning on and off the power is provided, and the power switch is turned on in association with the opening operation of the lens cover. Thus, the power switch can be always turned on when the lens cover is opened.

Further, in the above projector, a power switch for turning on / off the power and a cover motor for moving the lens cover are provided, and the cover motor is driven in association with the ON operation of the power switch. Is characterized by. As a result, when the power switch is turned on, the lens cover opening operation is always performed.

In the projector, the light source is turned on in association with the opening operation of the lens cover. As a result, when the light source of the projector is turned on, the lens cover is always located away from the tip of the lens, so that damage to the lens cover due to light heat can be avoided.

[0013]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a projector 1 according to this embodiment, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an inner upper portion of the projector 1, FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an arrangement of an optical system of the projector 1, and FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of an optical system. The main parts of the projector 1 are housed inside an exterior case 2 including an upper case 3 that covers the upper surface of the device, a lower case 4 that forms the bottom face of the device, and a front case 5 that forms the front side wall of the device. Further, the projection lens (here, the collapsible projection lens 600) equipped with a lens pay-out and pay-in mechanism is used as the front case 5.
It is arranged so that it can penetrate.

An air inlet 240 covered with a resin filter replacement lid 241 is provided on the right side of the upper surface of the upper case 3 (right side when viewed from the front). The filter replacement lid 241 has a slit-shaped opening 241 for introducing air taken from the outside into the apparatus as cooling air.
A is formed, and inside the filter replacement lid 241 is
An air filter (not shown) is provided.

On the upper surface of the upper case 3,
A large number of communication holes 251 for speakers (not shown) are formed in front of the filter replacement lid 241. An operation panel 60 for adjusting the image quality and the like of the projector 1 is provided on the side of the communication hole 251. These filter replacement lid 241, communication hole 251, and operation panel 60
The portion provided with is a bulging portion 3A in which a part of the upper case 3 bulges upward.
In the internal space formed by the air filter,
A speaker, a circuit board for the operation panel 60, and the like are housed.

On the other hand, the inside of the projector 1 has a structure as shown in FIG. That is, inside the outer case 2, a light source lamp unit 8, a power source unit 9, an optical unit (an optical system excluding the light source lamp unit 8), a driver board 11 for driving and controlling a liquid crystal panel described later, a main control Main board 12, which is a circuit board,
An AV board 13, which is a video / audio circuit board, is arranged. Then, the light source lamp unit 8, the optical unit,
The retractable projection lens 600 described above constitutes a U-shaped optical system, and the boards 11, 12 and 13 constitute an electronic control system.

The power supply unit 9 is the projection lens 6 of the optical system.
00A side power source block 9A disposed on the side, a second power source block 9B disposed in the central space 14 of the planar U-shaped optical system, that is, between the projection lens 600 and the light source lamp unit 8, It is composed of a third power supply block 9C arranged on the side of the optical system on the light source lamp unit 8 side.

The first power supply block 9A is provided with an AC inlet 50, and the power from the external power supply obtained through the AC inlet 50 is distributed and supplied to the second power supply block 9B and the third power supply block 9C.

The second power supply block 9B transforms the electric power obtained from the first power supply block 9A and supplies it to the main board 12 which mainly constitutes the control system. An auxiliary exhaust fan 15 driven by the electric power from the second power supply block 9B is attached to the exhaust port 160 side of the second power supply block 9B.

The third power supply block 9C transforms the electric power obtained from the first power supply block 9A and supplies it to the light source lamp unit 8.

The light source lamp unit 8 is for illuminating a liquid crystal panel as a light modulation device, and the light source lamp 1
81 and a concave mirror 182.

The optical unit is a unit for optically processing the light beam emitted from the light source lamp unit 8 to form an optical image corresponding to image information, and one surface thereof is open as shown in FIG. It is mounted on a box-shaped light guide 900.

The light guide 900 is a housing for mounting each optical component constituting the optical system at a predetermined position.
A cross dichroic prism 910 made of resin or metal, to which an illumination optical system 923, a color light separation optical system 924, a relay optical system 927, and liquid crystal panels 925R, 925G, 925B (see FIG. 4) corresponding to each color light are fixed.
And are stored inside.

The cross dichroic prism 91
0 means that the dielectric multilayer film reflecting red light and the dielectric multilayer film reflecting blue light are approximately X along the interface of the four rectangular prisms.
It is a prism for color light synthesis formed in a letter shape.

The light guide 900 is further provided with a vertical head plate 9002 on the light emitting side of the cross dichroic prism 910, and the collapsible projection lens 600 is fixed thereto by screws or the like via a flange.

The collapsible projection lens 600 has a plurality of lenses including a front lens 602 held by a front lens barrel 601. A helicoid mechanism, a cam mechanism, or a combination thereof is used to linearly rotate the rotational force. By converting the force into a force or using the straight-ahead force as it is, a plurality of lenses including the front lens 602 are moved in the optical axis direction to enable focus adjustment. In addition, here
Moving the lens in the extending direction is called lens extension, and moving the extended lens in the shortening direction is called lens retracting.

The collapsible projection lens 600 can also be used for focus adjustment using the front lens barrel 601, but in this embodiment, the collapsible projection lens 600 is provided with a knob at the tip of the outermost shell. A possible focus adjustment unit 605 is provided so that the focus adjustment can be performed by whichever is easier to operate.

A specific mechanism for retracting and retracting the retractable projection lens 600 is not specifically described, but a known mechanism can be used as it is. At this time, elastic pressure or fluid pressure can be used as the power source (mechanical type), or a motor can be used (electric type).

In this retractable projection lens 600, the front lens barrel 601 is located inside the front case 5 when the lens is in the completely retracted state, and when the lens is extended, the front case The front lens barrel 601 is projected to the outside of the front case 5 through the projection lens through hole 5A.

A projection lens such as the retractable projection lens 600, when the lens is in a completely extended state,
It is not always necessary to completely store the whole inside the outer case 2. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a cutout 5B is formed in a part of the outer case 2 and the collapsible projection is formed from the notch 5B. The focus adjustment unit 605 of the lens 600 may be exposed. Further, if the lens of the projection lens such as the collapsible projection lens 600 is in a completely extended state as long as it does not hinder the sliding operation of the lens cover 20 described below, the front lens barrel 601.
May be projected to the outside of the front case 5.

Lens protection of the retractable projection lens 600 is performed by a lens cover 20 slidably arranged on the front case 5. The lens cover 20 basically has a flat plate shape, and is guided by a slide groove or the like formed on the front end surface of the front case 5 to slide in parallel with the front end surface of the front case 5. The lens protection cover 20 should be manually slid.
In addition, using a motor etc.
Either can be adopted.

The lens cover 20 is attached to the retractable projection lens 60.
When it is placed at a position facing the front lens 602 of 0, the tip of the retractable projection lens 600 (including the tip of the front lens barrel 601) is closed and the lens is protected.
When the lens cover 20 is positioned so as to be completely displaced from the position facing the front lens 602, the retractable projection lens 60
The front end portion of 0 is opened from the lens cover 20 and the front lens barrel 601 is projected from the front case 5, so that an image can be projected on the screen. In addition, in this embodiment, the lens cover 20 is slid to the right when the tip end 601 is opened in consideration of the existence of the exhaust port 160, but the sliding direction may be left. Is.

Opening or closing of the tip of the collapsible projection lens 600 by sliding the lens cover 20 can be detected by a switch or a sensor. Here, the limit switch 30 is arranged for that purpose, and when the lens cover 20 closes the tip of the retractable projection lens 600,
The lens cover 20 presses the limit switch 30 to turn it on. However, when the lens cover 20 completely opens the tip of the retractable projection lens 600, the pressing of the limit switch 30 is released and the switch is turned off. Therefore, limit switch 3
By detecting the state of 0, the retractable projection lens 6
It is possible to detect the open / closed state of the end portion of 00.

Further, the retractable projection lens 600 is extended by the retractable projection lens 60 by the lens cover 20.
It is performed in conjunction with the opening operation of the tip portion of 0. In this embodiment, the lens cover 20 is a retractable projection lens 6
When the leading end of 00 is opened, the limit switch 30 is turned off, and the lens is extended based on the off signal. Various aspects of the lens feeding operation of the retractable projection lens 600 will be described below with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing an example of the lens extending operation of the retractable projection lens when the sliding movement of the lens cover 20 is performed electrically.

Since the projector 1 is usually provided with a power switch as a main switch, the lens cover 20 is automatically slid in association with the ON operation (S1) of the power switch, and the tip of the retractable projection lens 600 is moved. The part can be opened (S2).

When the limit switch 30 detects that the lens cover 20 is completely opened, the light source lamp 181 is turned on (active) accordingly (S3). As a result, the lens cover 20 is retractable projection lens 60.
It is guaranteed that no projection will occur unless the zero tip is opened.

Further, based on a signal indicating that the light source lamp 181 is turned on, a motor arranged as a power source for extending the retractable projection lens 600 is operated (S4) to extend the lens of the retractable projection lens 600. (S5).

Even when the retracting projection lens 600 is fed out not by the motor but by the compression spring or the mechanical pressure of the fluid, the light source lamp 181 is turned on, or Based on a signal for opening the lens cover 20 from the limit switch 30, the stop of the feeding operation can be released, and the retractable projection lens 600 can be extended (S6 to 7, S8 to 9).

The collapsible projection lens 6 utilizing mechanical pressure
For example, a retractable projection lens 60
While the front end portion of 0 is closed by the lens cover 20, the feeding force of the lens is urged to the feeding helicoid mechanism of the retractable projection lens 600 by using the pressure of the compression spring or the fluid, and the feeding is performed. Stop the operation,
When the lens cover 20 reaches the position where the tip end of the retractable projection lens 600 is completely opened, the stop of the feeding operation can be released.

On the other hand, FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing an example of the lens extending operation of the retractable projection lens when the sliding operation of the lens cover 20 is performed manually.

In this case, first, the lens cover 20 is opened to open the tip of the retractable projection lens 600 (S1).
1), the power switch is turned on (S12).

Subsequently, when the limit switch 30 detects that the lens cover 20 is completely opened, the light source lamp 181 is turned on (active) accordingly (S13).

Further, based on a signal indicating that the light source lamp 181 is turned on, a motor arranged as a power source for feeding the retractable projection lens 600 is operated (S14) to extend the lens of the retractable projection lens 600. (S15).

Even when the retracting type projection lens 600 is not moved by the motor but by using the compression spring or the pressure of the fluid, the light source lamp 181 is turned on or the limit switch is used. Based on the lens cover 20 opening signal from 30, the stop of the feeding operation can be released, and the retractable projection lens 600 can be extended. (S16-17, S18-19).

In addition to the lens cover 20 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a slide type lens cover 21 as shown in FIG. 7 which slides rightward to open the tip of the retractable projection lens 600. (The arrow A indicates the sliding direction) and the rotary lens cover 22 that rotates about the axis 23 (arrow B indicates the rotating direction) as shown in FIG. The tip can be opened / closed. Even in these cases,
The limit switch 30 operates in the same manner as that described above.

In the case of a projector in which the lens cover 20 and the collapsible projection lens 600 are combined as described above, when the projector is not used, the tip of the projection lens 600 is set to the surface position of the front case or the inner position of the front case. Incidentally, at the time of use, the front end portion of the projection lens 600 can be projected to the outside of the front case 5 simply by opening the lens cover 20.

Next, the operation of the optical system when projecting an image by using the retractable projection lens 600 after the lens is extended as described above will be described.

The substantially parallel luminous flux emitted from the light source lamp unit 8 is an integrator optical system (illumination optical system 92).
3) the first and second lens arrays 921, 9
It is divided into a plurality of partial light beams by 22. The partial luminous fluxes emitted from these lens arrays 921 and 922 are almost superposed by the superposing lens 932 on the image forming areas of the liquid crystal panels 925R, 925G and 925B corresponding to the respective color lights. As a result, each liquid crystal panel 925R,
The 925G and 925B are illuminated with illumination light having a substantially uniform in-plane distribution.

At this time, the first dichroic mirror 941 of the color light separation optical system 924 reflects the red light component of the luminous flux emitted from the illumination optical system 923 and transmits the blue light component and the green light component. The red light reflected by the first dichroic mirror 941 is reflected by the reflection mirror 943, passes through the field lens 951, and reaches the red liquid crystal panel 925R. The field lens 951 converts each partial light flux emitted from the second lens array 922 into a light flux parallel to the central axis (chief ray) thereof. The same applies to the field lenses 952 and 953 provided in front of the other liquid crystal panels 925G and 925B.

Of the blue light and green light transmitted through the first dichroic mirror 941, green light is reflected by the second dichroic mirror 942, passes through the field lens 952, and reaches the liquid crystal panel 925G for green.
On the other hand, the blue light passes through the second dichroic mirror 942, passes through the relay optical system 927, and further passes through the field lens 953 to reach the liquid crystal panel 925B for blue light. Note that the relay optical system 927 is used for blue light because the optical path of blue light is longer than the optical paths of other color lights, so that the reduction of light utilization efficiency due to light diffusion is prevented. This is because That is, the incident side lens 954
The partial light flux incident on the field lens 95
This is to convey to 3.

The red, green, and blue lights are emitted from the liquid crystal panel 925.
Upon entering the R, 925G, 925B, only specific polarized light is made by the incident side polarization plates 960R, 960G, 960B. Then, each polarized light is transmitted to each liquid crystal panel 925.
R, 925G, and 925B are modulated in accordance with the image information given thereto, and the outgoing-side polarizing plate 961R,
It is ejected to 961G and 961B. Then, in the exit-side polarization plates 961R, 961G, and 961B, only specific polarized light of the modulated light is transmitted and emitted to the cross dichroic prism 910. The emitted polarized lights of the respective color lights are combined by the cross dichroic prism 910 to be combined light, which is emitted toward the projection lens 600. The combined light is projected as a color image on the projection screen by the collapsible projection lens 600.

By the way, in the above embodiment, the three-plate type projector using three liquid crystal panels has been described as an example, but the present invention is also applied to a single-plate type projector using only one liquid crystal panel. It is possible. Also,
The liquid crystal panel is not limited to the light transmission type as in the above embodiment, but may be a light reflection type.

Further, the liquid crystal panel may be one in which a microlens is arranged for each pixel in order to substantially improve the aperture ratio. The light modulation device is not limited to the liquid crystal panel, and may be a device using a micromirror, for example.

Also, the prism which is the color light combining optical system,
Not limited to a dichroic prism in which two types of color selection surfaces are formed along the bonding surface of four triangular prisms,
A dichroic prism having a single color selection surface or a polarization beam splitter may be used. In addition, the prism is
It is also possible to arrange a light selection surface in a substantially hexahedral light-transmitting box and fill it with a liquid.

Further, the present invention can be applied to a front projection type projector which projects from a direction in which a projected image is observed and a rear projection type projector which projects from a side opposite to a direction in which a projected image is observed. Is.

[0058]

According to the present invention configured as described above, in a projector using a projection lens in which the lens can be extended, the lens extension of the projection lens can be performed only by a basic operation when the projector is used. Is
The lens can be easily protected. Further, since the projection lens can be completely housed in the outer case, it can be easily carried and stored, and the focus can be adjusted by using the tip portion protruding to the outside of the outer case when used. Furthermore, since the light source is turned on in conjunction with the opening operation of the lens cover, damage to the lens cover due to projection light is also avoided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a projector according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an inner upper portion of the projector shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an arrangement of optical systems of the projector shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of an optical system of the projector shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a lens feeding operation of the collapsible projection lens when the lens cover is slid electrically.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a lens feeding operation of the retractable projection lens when manually sliding the lens cover.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation example of a lens cover.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing another operation example of the lens cover.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Projector 2 ... Case 3 ... Upper case 4 ... Lower case 5 ... Front case 5A ... Front case through hole 5B ... Notch on front case 20, 21, 22 ... Lens cover 30 ... Limit switch 600 ... Retractable projection lens 601 ... Front lens barrel 602 ... Front lens 605 ... Focus adjustment unit

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A collapsible projection system capable of illuminating a light modulation device with light from a light source and projecting an image formed by the light modulation device through a front side wall of an exterior case to extend and retract a lens. A projector for projecting with a lens, comprising a lens cover movably attached to the outer case to open and close the tip of the projection lens, and the projection is performed in conjunction with the opening operation of the tip of the projection lens by the lens cover. A projector characterized in that the lens is extended. 2. The projector according to claim 1, wherein the lens cover is basically in the shape of a flat plate, and slides or rotates in parallel with the frontmost surface of the front side wall. 3. When the front end of the projection lens is closed by the lens cover, the front end of the projection lens is located inside the most distal end surface of the front side wall, and the front end of the projection lens is released from the lens cover. The projector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the front end portion is located outside the most distal end surface of the front side wall when it is turned on. 4. A motor is provided as a power source for a lens feeding-out operation of the projection lens, and the motor is driven when the lens cover reaches a position where the projection lens tip end portion is fully opened. The projector according to any one of claims 1 to 3. 5. A lens feeding force is applied to the projection lens and the feeding operation is stopped while the tip of the projection lens is closed by the lens cover. The projector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the stop of the feeding operation is released when the front end of the lens is completely opened. 6. The projector according to claim 1, further comprising a power switch for turning on / off a power supply, wherein the power switch is turned on in association with an opening operation of the lens cover. 7. A power supply switch for turning on and off a power supply, and a cover motor for moving the lens cover are provided, and the cover motor is driven in conjunction with an ON operation of the power supply switch. The projector according to claim 1. 8. The projector according to claim 1, wherein the light source is turned on in association with an opening operation of the lens cover. 9. A projection lens capable of illuminating a light modulation device with light from a light source, and projecting an image formed by the light modulation device through a front side wall of an exterior case to extend and retract the lens. A projector for projecting comprises a lens cover movably attached to the outer case to open and close the tip of the projection lens, and the projection lens is interlocked with the opening operation of the tip of the projection lens by the lens cover. A projector characterized in that the lens is extended. 10. The light source is turned on in association with the opening operation of the lens cover.
The projector described in.