JP2015200807A - Projection type display device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a projection display device capable of improving the quality of an image while suppressing a decrease in the amount of display light. In a projection display device 110, a first lens array 62, a second lens array 63, a polarization conversion element 64, and a superimposing lens 65 are sequentially arranged in an optical path from a light source 611 to the electro-optical device 100. In addition, a filter 69 having at least a three-stage transmittance distribution is disposed between the second lens array 63 and the polarization conversion element 64. The filter 69 has a transmittance distribution capable of selectively reducing oblique light having a large angle with respect to the device optical axis L out of the light flux of the light source light. [Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a projection display device that projects light modulated by an electro-optical device.

  In the projection display device, light emitted from a light source is modulated by an electro-optical device such as a liquid crystal device, and then projected from a projection optical system. At that time, depending on the characteristics of the light source light reaching the electro-optical device, the quality of the projected image is deteriorated.

  For example, when images generated by a plurality of liquid crystal devices are combined and projected, a liquid crystal device having a short optical path from a light source generates an image having a higher luminance at the periphery of the image than other liquid crystal devices. , Image quality is degraded. In view of this, a configuration has been proposed in which a transmitted light amount adjusting member that uniformly blocks the outer peripheral portion of the light beam of the light source light is arranged for a liquid crystal device having a short optical path from the light source (see Patent Document 1). Specifically, it has been proposed to use a transmitted light amount adjusting member in which a central portion is a transmission region and a peripheral portion is a light-shielding region in a region where light source light is incident. It has also been proposed to use a transmitted light amount adjusting member whose transmittance continuously decreases from the central transmission region toward the outer peripheral side.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-18739

  However, it is assumed that the transmitted light amount adjusting member described in Patent Document 1 is used in a special case in which the luminance of the peripheral portion of an image generated by some of the liquid crystal devices is kept low. . For this reason, in the cited document 1, the transmitted light amount adjusting member described in Patent Document 1 is used in order to prevent the contrast from being lowered due to the influence of the oblique light traveling obliquely with respect to the device optical axis in the light source light. Then, since the outer peripheral portion of the light beam of the light source light is uniformly shielded, light that does not cause a decrease in contrast is also blocked, and there is a problem that the amount of display light is significantly reduced.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a projection display device capable of improving the quality of an image while suppressing a decrease in the amount of display light.

  In order to solve the above problems, a projection display device according to the present invention is disposed in a light source, an electro-optical device that modulates light emitted from the light source, and an optical path from the light source to the electro-optical device. And a filter having a transmittance distribution of at least three stages.

  In the present invention, a filter having a transmittance distribution of at least three stages is used to reduce the image quality of the light source light, such as oblique light traveling obliquely at a large angle with respect to the device optical axis. Reduce the causal light component. For this reason, since the light component which has a low possibility of degrading the image quality is not blocked, it is possible to improve the image quality while suppressing a decrease in the display light amount.

  In the present invention, the optical path includes a lens array, a polarization conversion element disposed between the lens array and the electro-optical device, and a superposition disposed between the polarization conversion element and the electro-optical device. A lens, and a plurality of optical elements disposed between the superimposing lens and the electro-optical device, and the filter is disposed between the lens array and the polarization conversion element, the polarization conversion element, and the It is preferable that the lens is disposed between the superimposing lens and between the superimposing lens and the optical element disposed closest to the superimposing lens among the plurality of optical elements. That is, it is preferable to arrange the filter at a position relatively close to the light source in the optical path. If comprised in this way, the diagonal light which makes a big angle with respect to an apparatus optical axis among the light beam of light source light can be selectively reduced with a filter, and the reduction | decrease of other light components can be suppressed. . Therefore, it is possible to improve the image quality while suppressing a decrease in the amount of display light.

  In the present invention, the filter is preferably disposed between the lens array and the polarization conversion element. According to such a configuration, oblique light that forms a large angle with respect to the optical axis of the device from the light source light that has passed through the lens array can be selectively reduced by the filter, and reduction of other light components can be suppressed. .

  In the present invention, the filter may employ a configuration arranged between the polarization conversion element and the superimposing lens. According to such a configuration, oblique light that forms a large angle with respect to the optical axis of the device from the light source light that has passed through the polarization conversion element can be selectively reduced by the filter, and reduction of other light components can be suppressed. it can.

  In the present invention, the filter may be configured to be disposed between the superimposing lens and the optical element disposed closest to the superimposing lens among the plurality of optical elements. According to such a configuration, oblique light that forms a large angle with respect to the optical axis of the device from the light source light that has passed through the superimposing lens can be selectively reduced by the filter, and reduction of other light components can be suppressed. . Further, since the filter is provided at a position away from the light source to some extent, the filter can be prevented from being deformed by the heat of the light source.

  In the present invention, the lens array includes a first lens array, a second lens array that is disposed between the first lens array and the polarization conversion element, and includes the same number of lenses as the first lens array; The filter may be arranged between the first lens array and the second lens array. According to such a configuration, oblique light that forms a large angle with respect to the optical axis of the device from the light source light that has passed through the first lens array can be selectively reduced by the filter, and reduction of other light components can be suppressed. Can do.

  In the present invention, when a filter is arranged immediately after the lens array or immediately after the first lens array, when n and m are integers of 2 or more, in the lens array, the lens is in the first direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the device. Are provided in the second direction orthogonal to the device optical axis and the first direction, the filter has an array in which the transmittance is set for each region. It is preferable that n rows or more are provided in the direction, and m rows or more are provided in the second direction.

  In this case, the filter may employ a configuration in which the array is provided in n rows in the first direction and m rows are provided in the first direction. According to such a configuration, since the array is provided at a position corresponding to the lens of the lens array, it is possible to easily determine which transmittance is set for the array.

  In the present invention, when the filter is provided immediately before or after the superimposing lens, in the lens array, the lens is provided in n rows in a first direction orthogonal to the device optical axis, and the device optical axis and the first lens are arranged. The filter is provided with m columns in a second direction orthogonal to one direction, and the filter has an array in which transmittance is set for each region provided in n × 2 rows or more in the first direction, and the first It is preferable that m or more rows are provided in the direction.

  In this case, it is preferable that the filter is provided with n × 2 columns in the first direction and m columns in the first direction. According to such a configuration, since the array is provided at a position corresponding to the exit portion of the polarization conversion element, it is possible to easily determine which transmittance is set for the array.

  In the present invention, in the filter, a part of a portion located on the outer periphery in a region irradiated with light may have a transmittance higher than a lowest transmittance in the transmittance distribution. preferable. According to such a configuration, even in the outer peripheral portion of the light beam of the light source light, a light component that is unlikely to deteriorate the image quality can be used as display light without being blocked. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the amount of display light.

  In the present invention, when the filter is centered on the optical axis of the device, the transmittance distribution is preferably neither point-symmetric nor line-symmetric. That is, in the present invention, among the light source light, a light component that causes a reduction in display quality is effectively reduced, and a light component that does not cause a reduction in display quality is used as display light. As a result, it is preferable that the transmittance distribution does not have a simple configuration such as point symmetry or line symmetry.

  The present invention is effective when the electro-optical device is a liquid crystal device including a liquid crystal layer between a first substrate and a second substrate. In the case of a liquid crystal device, since the retardation is different for light incident from an oblique direction, the contrast is likely to be lowered. However, according to the present invention, oblique light that causes a decrease in contrast can be effectively reduced.

It is a schematic block diagram of the projection type display apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the liquid crystal panel used for the projection type display apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. In the illuminating device used for the projection type display apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention, it is explanatory drawing which shows the characteristic of the light source light in the state which does not provide a filter. In the projection display device according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, it is an explanatory diagram showing an angle distribution of light source light incident on an electro-optical device without providing a filter in the illumination device. It is explanatory drawing of the filter used for the projection type display apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram of the illuminating device used for the projection type display apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram of the illuminating device used for the projection type display apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram of the illuminating device used for the projection type display apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the filter used for the illuminating device of the projection type display apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 5 of this invention.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings to be referred to in the following description, the scales are different for each layer and each member so that each layer and each member have a size that can be recognized on the drawing. In the following description, three liquid crystal panels on which red light, green light, and blue light are incident are used as a plurality of liquid crystal panels to which light in different wavelength ranges is supplied, and red light, green light, The wavelength ranges corresponding to each of blue light are 620 to 740 nm, 500 to 570 nm, and 430 to 500 nm. In the following description, regarding the liquid crystal panel, the electro-optical device 100 is used when describing a common configuration and the like, and the individual configurations of the plurality of electro-optical devices 100 are described as follows. ,
Red electro-optical device 100R
Green electro-optical device 100G
Blue electro-optical device 100B
In the following description, R (for red), G (for green), and B (for blue) are attached according to the wavelength range of light to be modulated.

[Embodiment 1]
(Configuration example of a projection display device)
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a projection display apparatus 110 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 1A is a schematic configuration diagram of the entire projection display device 110, and FIG. 1B is a schematic configuration diagram of the illumination device 60 used in the projection display device 110.

  A projection display device 110 shown in FIG. 1 is a liquid crystal projector using a transmissive electro-optical device 100, and irradiates light on a projection member 111 made of a screen or the like to display an image. The projection display device 110 includes, along the device optical axis L, an illumination device 60, a plurality of electro-optical devices 100 (liquid crystal light valves 115 to 117) to which light emitted from the illumination device 60 is supplied, and a plurality of A cross dichroic prism 119 (light combining optical system) that combines and emits light emitted from the electro-optical device 100 and a projection optical system 118 that projects light combined by the cross dichroic prism 119 are provided. The projection display device 110 includes a field lens 112, dichroic mirrors 113 and 114, and a relay system 120. In the projection display device 110, the electro-optical device 100 and the cross dichroic prism 119 constitute an optical unit 200.

  In the illumination device 60, a light source unit 61, a lens array 66 (integrator lens) such as a fly-eye lens, a polarization conversion element 64, and a superimposing lens 65 are sequentially arranged along the device optical axis L. Accordingly, in the optical path from the light source unit 61 to the electro-optical device 100, the lens array 66, the polarization conversion element 64 disposed between the lens array 66 and the electro-optical device 100, the polarization conversion element 64, and the electro-optical device. A superimposing lens 65 disposed between the apparatus 100 and a plurality of optical elements such as a field lens 112 disposed between the superimposing lens 65 and the electro-optical device 100 are provided. In the present embodiment, the lens array 66 includes a first lens array 62 disposed between the light source unit 61 and the polarization conversion element 64, and a second lens array disposed between the first lens array 62 and the polarization conversion element 64. And a lens array 63.

  The light source unit 61 includes a light source 611 that emits white light including red light R, green light G, and blue light B, and a reflector 612. The light source 611 is configured by an ultrahigh pressure mercury lamp or the like, and the reflector 612 has a parabolic cross section.

  The first lens array 62 and the second lens array 63 make the illuminance distribution of the light emitted from the light source unit 61 uniform. Here, each of the first lens array 62 and the second lens array 63 has a plurality of lenses 622 and 632. The number of lenses 622 and 632 is the same, and the lenses 622 and 632 are provided at positions facing each other in the Z direction in which the device optical axis L extends.

  The lenses 622 and 632 are provided in n rows in the first direction X orthogonal to the device optical axis L, and in m rows in the second direction Y orthogonal to the device optical axis L and the first direction X. . In this embodiment, the lenses 622 and 632 are provided in four rows in the first direction X and in six rows in the second direction Y.

  The polarization conversion element 64 converts the light emitted from the light source unit 61 into polarized light having a specific vibration direction such as s-polarized light. More specifically, the polarization conversion element 64 includes a polarization separation film 641 formed of a dielectric multilayer film and a reflection surface 642. The polarization separation film 641 reflects s-polarized light and p-polarized light. Transparent. A light shielding layer 643 is provided on the incident side surface of the polarization conversion element 64 other than the entrance to the polarization separation film 641. In addition, a half-wave plate 644 is disposed at the exit of light transmitted through the polarization separation film 641 on the exit-side surface. A polarization conversion cell is configured by the polarization separation film 641, the reflection plate 642, the light shielding layer 643, and the half-wave plate 644, and the polarization conversion cell is arranged corresponding to the lens cell row of the second lens array 63. Thus, the polarization conversion element 64 is configured.

  In such a configuration, the light beam that has entered the polarization conversion element 64 is emitted in two parts: light that has passed through the polarization separation film 641 and light that has been reflected by the polarization separation film 641. Therefore, in the polarization conversion element 64, the light emitting portions are provided in n × 2 rows in the first direction X and m rows are provided in the second direction Y. In this embodiment, in the first lens array 62 and the second lens array 63, the lenses 622 and 632 are provided in four rows in the first direction X and in six rows in the second direction Y. Therefore, the polarization conversion element 64 is provided. Then, eight rows of light emitting portions are provided in the first direction X, and six rows are provided in the second direction Y.

  The dichroic mirror 113 transmits the red light R included in the light emitted from the illumination device 60 and reflects the green light G and the blue light B. The dichroic mirror 114 transmits the blue light B and reflects the green light G out of the green light G and the blue light B reflected by the dichroic mirror 113. As described above, the dichroic mirrors 113 and 114 constitute a color separation optical system that separates the light emitted from the illumination device 60 into red light R, green light G, and blue light B.

  The liquid crystal light valve 115 is a transmissive liquid crystal device that modulates the red light R transmitted through the dichroic mirror 113 and reflected by the reflection mirror 123 in accordance with an image signal. The liquid crystal light valve 115 includes a λ / 2 retardation plate 115a, a first polarizing plate 115b, an electro-optical device 100 (red electro-optical device 100R), and a second polarizing plate 115d. Here, the red light R incident on the liquid crystal light valve 115 remains as s-polarized light because the polarization of the light does not change even if it passes through the dichroic mirror 113.

  The λ / 2 phase difference plate 115a is an optical element that converts s-polarized light incident on the liquid crystal light valve 115 into p-polarized light. The first polarizing plate 115b is a polarizing plate that blocks s-polarized light and transmits p-polarized light. The electro-optical device 100 (red electro-optical device 100R) is configured to convert p-polarized light into s-polarized light (circularly polarized light or elliptically polarized light in the case of halftone) by modulation according to an image signal. The second polarizing plate 115d is a polarizing plate that blocks p-polarized light and transmits s-polarized light. Accordingly, the liquid crystal light valve 115 modulates the red light R according to the image signal, and emits the modulated red light R toward the cross dichroic prism 119. The λ / 2 phase difference plate 115a and the first polarizing plate 115b are arranged in contact with a light-transmitting glass plate 115e that does not convert the polarization, and the λ / 2 phase difference plate 115a and the first polarizing plate 115b are arranged. Distortion due to heat generation can be avoided.

  The liquid crystal light valve 116 is a transmissive liquid crystal device that modulates green light G reflected by the dichroic mirror 114 after being reflected by the dichroic mirror 113 in accordance with an image signal. As with the liquid crystal light valve 115, the liquid crystal light valve 116 includes a first polarizing plate 116b, an electro-optical device 100 (green electro-optical device 100G), and a second polarizing plate 116d. Green light G incident on the liquid crystal light valve 116 is s-polarized light that is reflected by the dichroic mirrors 113 and 114 and then incident. The first polarizing plate 116b is a polarizing plate that blocks p-polarized light and transmits s-polarized light. The electro-optical device 100 (green electro-optical device 100G) is configured to convert s-polarized light into p-polarized light (circularly polarized light or elliptically polarized light in the case of halftone) by modulation according to an image signal. The second polarizing plate 116d is a polarizing plate that blocks s-polarized light and transmits p-polarized light. Therefore, the liquid crystal light valve 116 modulates the green light G according to the image signal, and emits the modulated green light G toward the cross dichroic prism 119.

  The liquid crystal light valve 117 is a transmissive liquid crystal device that modulates the blue light B reflected by the dichroic mirror 113, transmitted through the dichroic mirror 114, and then passed through the relay system 120 in accordance with an image signal. Similarly to the liquid crystal light valves 115 and 116, the liquid crystal light valve 117 includes a λ / 2 phase difference plate 117a, a first polarizing plate 117b, an electro-optical device 100 (blue electro-optical device 100B), and a second polarizing plate 117d. I have. Since the blue light B incident on the liquid crystal light valve 117 is reflected by the dichroic mirror 113 and transmitted through the dichroic mirror 114 and then reflected by the two reflection mirrors 125a and 125b of the relay system 120, it is s-polarized light.

  The λ / 2 phase difference plate 117a is an optical element that converts s-polarized light incident on the liquid crystal light valve 117 into p-polarized light. The first polarizing plate 117b is a polarizing plate that blocks s-polarized light and transmits p-polarized light. The electro-optical device 100 (blue electro-optical device 100B) is configured to convert p-polarized light into s-polarized light (circularly polarized light or elliptically polarized light in the case of halftone) by modulation according to an image signal. The second polarizing plate 117d is a polarizing plate that blocks p-polarized light and transmits s-polarized light. Accordingly, the liquid crystal light valve 117 modulates the blue light B according to the image signal, and emits the modulated blue light B toward the cross dichroic prism 119. The λ / 2 phase difference plate 117a and the first polarizing plate 117b are arranged in contact with the glass plate 117e.

  The relay system 120 includes relay lenses 124a and 124b and reflection mirrors 125a and 125b. The relay lenses 124a and 124b are provided to prevent light loss due to the long optical path of the blue light B. The relay lens 124a is disposed between the dichroic mirror 114 and the reflection mirror 125a. The relay lens 124b is disposed between the reflection mirrors 125a and 125b. The reflection mirror 125a reflects the blue light B transmitted through the dichroic mirror 114 and emitted from the relay lens 124a toward the relay lens 124b. The reflection mirror 125b reflects the blue light B emitted from the relay lens 124b toward the liquid crystal light valve 117.

  The cross dichroic prism 119 is a color combining optical system in which two dichroic films 119a and 119b are arranged orthogonally in an X shape. The dichroic film 119a is a film that reflects blue light B and transmits green light G, and the dichroic film 119b is a film that reflects red light R and transmits green light G. Accordingly, the cross dichroic prism 119 combines the red light R, the green light G, and the blue light B that are modulated by the liquid crystal light valves 115 to 117, and emits the resultant light toward the projection optical system 118.

  Note that light incident on the cross dichroic prism 119 from the liquid crystal light valves 115 and 117 is s-polarized light, and light incident on the cross dichroic prism 119 from the liquid crystal light valve 116 is p-polarized light. Thus, by making the light incident on the cross dichroic prism 119 into different types of polarized light, the light incident from the liquid crystal light valves 115 to 117 can be synthesized in the cross dichroic prism 119. Here, in general, the dichroic films 119a and 119b are excellent in the reflection characteristics of s-polarized light. For this reason, red light R and blue light B reflected by the dichroic films 119a and 119b are s-polarized light, and green light G transmitted through the dichroic films 119a and 119b is p-polarized light. The projection optical system 118 has a projection lens (not shown), and projects the light combined by the cross dichroic prism 119 onto a projection target 111 such as a screen.

(Configuration of electro-optical device 100)
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the electro-optical device 100 used in the projection display device 110 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2A is a plan view of the electro-optical device 100 viewed from the second substrate side together with each component, and FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line H-H ′.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in the electro-optical device 100 (the red electro-optical device 100R, the green electro-optical device 100G, and the blue electro-optical device 100B), the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20 have a predetermined gap. The sealing material 107 is attached in a frame shape along the outer edge of the second substrate 20. The electro-optical device 100 is configured as a liquid crystal panel in a TN (Twisted Nematic) mode or a VA (Vertical Alignment) mode. In the electro-optical device 100, the sealing material 107 is an adhesive made of a photo-curing resin, a thermosetting resin, or the like, and a gap material such as glass fiber or glass beads for setting the distance between the two substrates to a predetermined value. It is blended. In the electro-optical device 100 having such a configuration, the liquid crystal layer 50 is held in a region surrounded by the sealing material 107 between the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20. For the liquid crystal layer 50, a biphenyl liquid crystal material, a phenylcyclohexane liquid crystal material, a cyclohexane liquid crystal material, a phenyl pyridimine liquid crystal material, an ester liquid crystal material, a dioxane liquid crystal material, or the like is used. Here, in the liquid crystal layer 50, the above liquid crystal material may be used alone, or a plurality of liquid crystal materials may be blended and used in order to satisfy performance required for driving voltage reduction, heat resistance, viscosity, and the like. There is.

  In the present embodiment, both the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20 are quadrangular, and the display region 10 a is provided as a quadrangular region in the approximate center of the electro-optical device 100. Corresponding to this shape, the sealing material 107 is also provided in a substantially square shape, and a substantially rectangular peripheral region 10b is provided in a frame shape between the inner peripheral edge of the sealing material 107 and the outer peripheral edge of the display region 10a. . In the first substrate 10, the data line driving circuit 101 and the plurality of terminals 102 are formed along one side of the first substrate 10 outside the display region 10 a, and scanning is performed along another side adjacent to the one side. A line driving circuit 104 is formed. Note that a flexible wiring substrate (not shown) is connected to the terminal 102, and various potentials and various signals are input to the first substrate 10 through the flexible wiring substrate.

On the surface of the first substrate 10 on the liquid crystal layer 50 side, a pixel transistor (not shown) and pixel electrodes 9a electrically connected to the pixel transistor are formed in a matrix in the display region 10a. A first alignment film 16 is formed on the upper layer side of the electrode 9a. The first alignment film 16 is made of a resin film such as polyimide or an oblique deposition film such as a silicon oxide film. In the present embodiment, the first alignment film 16 is formed of an oblique layer such as SiO _x (x <2), SiO ₂ , TiO ₂ , MgO, Al ₂ O ₃ , In ₂ O ₃ , Sb ₂ O ₃ , Ta ₂ O _5, etc. It is the 1st inorganic alignment film which consists of a vapor deposition film. Note that on one side of the first substrate 10, a dummy pixel electrode 9b that is formed simultaneously with the pixel electrode 9a is formed in the peripheral region 10b.

A common electrode 21 is formed on the surface of the second substrate 20 on the liquid crystal layer 50 side, and a second alignment film 26 is formed on the common electrode 21. Similar to the first alignment film 16, the second alignment film 26 is made of a resin film such as polyimide or an oblique deposition film such as a silicon oxide film. In this embodiment, the second alignment film _{26, SiO X (x <2)} , SiO 2, TiO 2, MgO, Al 2 O 3, In 2 O 3, Sb 2 O 3, Ta 2 O oblique such ₅ It is the 2nd inorganic alignment film which consists of a vapor deposition film. The first alignment film 16 and the second alignment film 26 operate, for example, by vertically aligning a nematic liquid crystal compound having a negative dielectric anisotropy used for the liquid crystal layer 50 and setting the electro-optical device 100 as a normally black VA mode. Let The common electrode 21 is formed on substantially the entire surface of the second substrate 20. A light shielding layer 108 is formed on the lower layer side of the common electrode 21 on the surface of the second substrate 20 on the liquid crystal layer 50 side. In this embodiment, the light shielding layer 108 is formed in a frame shape extending along the outer peripheral edge of the display region 10a and functions as a parting. The outer peripheral edge of the light shielding layer 108 is located with a gap between the inner peripheral edge of the sealing material 107 and the light shielding layer 108 and the sealing material 107 do not overlap. In the second substrate 20, the light shielding layer 108 may be formed in a region that overlaps with a region sandwiched between adjacent pixel electrodes 9a.

  In the electro-optical device 100 configured as described above, the first substrate 10 is electrically connected between the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20 in a region overlapping the corner portion of the second substrate 20 outside the sealing material 107. A substrate-to-substrate electrode 109 is formed to achieve electrical continuity. The inter-substrate conducting electrode 109 is provided with an inter-substrate conducting material 109 a containing conductive particles, and the common electrode 21 of the second substrate 20 is interposed between the inter-substrate conducting material 109 a and the inter-substrate conducting electrode 109. Thus, it is electrically connected to the first substrate 10 side. For this reason, a common potential is applied to the common electrode 21 from the first substrate 10 side.

  The sealing material 107 is provided along the outer peripheral edge of the second substrate 20 with substantially the same width dimension. For this reason, the sealing material 107 is substantially rectangular. However, the sealing material 107 is provided so as to pass inside avoiding the inter-substrate conduction electrode 109 in a region overlapping with the corner portion of the second substrate 20, and the corner portion of the sealing material 107 has a substantially arc shape.

  In the electro-optical device 100 having such a configuration, if the pixel electrode 9a and the common electrode 21 are formed of a light-transmitting conductive film such as an ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) film or an IZO (Indium Zinc Oxide) film, the transmission type electro-optical device. 100 can be configured. In the transmissive electro-optical device 100, light incident from the second substrate 20 side is modulated while being transmitted through the first substrate 10 and emitted. On the other hand, of the pixel electrode 9a and the common electrode 21, for example, if the common electrode 21 is formed of a translucent conductive film and the pixel electrode 9a is formed of a reflective conductive film such as an aluminum film, a reflective type The electro-optical device 100 can be configured. In the reflective electro-optical device 100, light incident from the second substrate 20 side is modulated while being reflected by the first substrate 10 and emitted.

(Detailed configuration of lighting device 60)
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the characteristics of the light source light in a state where the filter 69 is not provided in the illumination device 60 used in the projection display device 110 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 3A is an explanatory diagram showing the characteristics of the light source light immediately after passing through the lens array 66, and shows the light intensity distribution when the light source light just after passing through the lens array 66 is viewed from the direction of the optical axis L of the apparatus. It is shown. FIG. 3B is an explanatory diagram showing the characteristics of the light source light immediately after passing through the superimposing lens 65, and shows the light intensity distribution when the light source light just after passing through the superimposing lens 65 is viewed from the device optical axis L direction. It is shown. The results shown in FIG. 3 indicate that in the first lens array 62 and the second lens array 63, the lenses 622 and 632 are provided in four rows in the first direction X and six rows in the second direction Y. This is data in the case where the light emitting portions are provided in 8 rows in the first direction X and 6 rows in the second direction Y.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the angular distribution of light source light incident on the electro-optical device 100 in a state where the filter 69 is not provided in the illumination device 60 in the projection display device 110 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The relationship between the angle formed with respect to the device optical axis L and the light intensity is shown.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the filter 69 used in the projection display device 110 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5A is an explanatory diagram illustrating a region in which the amount of light of the light source light is reduced by the filter 69. FIG. 5B is an explanatory diagram illustrating a first configuration example of the filter 69. FIG. 5C is an explanatory diagram illustrating a second configuration example of the filter 69.

  In the illumination device 60 shown in FIG. 1, a filter 69 is disposed in the optical path from the light source 611 to the electro-optical device 100 for the reason described below.

  In the state where the filter 69 is not provided in the illumination device 60 shown in FIG. 1, the light source light immediately after passing through the lens array 66 has the intensity distribution shown in FIG. The light source light has an intensity distribution shown in FIG. In the data shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, there are a plurality of spots S1 and S2 from the luminous flux of the light source light, and in the spots S1 and S2, the light intensity decreases from the center side toward the outer peripheral side. It shows that. Further, when the light intensity distribution is concentric from the center side toward the outer peripheral side as in the spot S2a illustrated in FIG. 3B, it means that there is a lot of light parallel to the device optical axis L. On the other hand, when the shape is elongated like the spot S2b illustrated in FIG. 3B, it means that oblique light traveling obliquely with respect to the device optical axis L is included. . Therefore, the narrower and longer the shapes of the spots S1 and S2, the more oblique light is contained, and the closer the shape is to a circular shape, the smaller the oblique light.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3A, in the light source light beam immediately after passing through the lens array 66, the light source light that has passed through the outer peripheral side and the corner side of the lens array 66 is oblique to the device optical axis L. It can be said that it contains a lot of components of oblique light that travels forward. Further, as shown in FIG. 3B, even in the light beam of the light source light immediately after passing through the superimposing lens 65, the light source light that has passed the outer peripheral side and the corner side of the lens array 66 is relative to the device optical axis L. It can be said that it contains many components of oblique light traveling diagonally. Therefore, in a state where the filter 69 is not provided, the light source light incident on the electro-optical device 100 is oblique to the device optical axis L (normal direction with respect to the incident surface of the electro-optical device 100) as shown in FIG. It can be seen that there are many components of the oblique light that travels in the direction. In FIG. 4, the intensity peak is divided on both sides of 0 ° because the lens array 66 is used.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, a filter 69 is disposed in the optical path from the light source 611 to the electro-optical device 100. In this embodiment, the filter 69 is disposed between the lens array 66 (second lens array 63) and the polarization conversion element 64.

Here, the filter 69 has the configuration shown in FIG. 5B or the configuration shown in FIG. 5C, and in any case, at least three levels of transmittance distribution in the incident region 690 of the light source light. have. In this embodiment, the filter 69 has a six-stage transmittance distribution from level TA to level TF. Levels TA to TF have the following transmittance: level TA> level TB> level TC> level TD> level TE> level TF
have.

  Here, the filter 69 has a configuration in which a light-shielding layer is formed on a light-transmitting substrate, and the transmittance is defined by the density of dot-like openings formed in the light-shielding layer. The filter 69 has a configuration in which a light-shielding layer is formed on a light-transmitting substrate, and the transmittance may be defined by the thickness of the light-shielding layer.

  5B and 5C, the array 691 in which the transmittance is set for each region is provided in five rows in the first direction X, and 9 in the second direction Y. A column is provided. Here, in the first lens array 62 and the second lens array 63, the lenses 622 and 632 are provided in four rows (n rows) in the first direction X and six rows (m rows) in the second direction Y. The filter 69 has a configuration in which the array 691 is provided in n or more columns in the first direction X and m or more in the second direction Y.

  Further, in the filter 69, the transmittance of each array 691 is set as follows corresponding to the result shown in FIG. 3A (result shown in FIG. 5A).

  First, since the central portion of the light beam corresponding to the central region Ga in FIG. 5A has little oblique light, the filter 69 shown in FIG. 5B has an array 691a located in the central region of the array 691. The transmittance is level TA or level TB. On the other hand, the angle portion of the light beam corresponding to the angle Gb in FIG. 5A has a large amount of oblique light. Therefore, in the filter 69 shown in FIG. 5B, the array 691b located at the corner of the array 691. The transparency of is level TF. Note that the corner portion of the light beam corresponding to the side Gc in FIG. 5A has less oblique light than the angle Gb but more oblique light than the central region Ga. Therefore, the filter 69 shown in FIG. Out of 691, the transmittance of the array 691c located on the side is level TC or level TD.

  As a result of setting the transmittance distribution in this way, in the filter 69 shown in FIG. 5B, a part of the array 691 located on the outer periphery of the incident region 690 has the lowest transmittance in the transmittance distribution. Levels TC, TD, and TE are higher in transmittance than level TF.

  Here, in the electro-optical device 100 shown in FIG. 2, depending on the pretilt direction of the liquid crystal molecules used in the liquid crystal layer 50, the oblique distribution included in the portion located in a specific direction in the distribution shown in FIG. May be susceptible to light. Therefore, in the filter 69 shown in FIG. 5C, a part of the side located on one side in the X direction among the array 691c arranged along the four sides is the same as the array 691b located at the corner. , Level TF. As a result, in the filter 69 shown in FIG. 5C, when the device optical axis L is the center, the transmittance distribution is neither point symmetric nor line symmetric.

(Main effects of this form)
As described above, in the projection display device 110 of the present embodiment, the filter 69 is disposed in the optical path from the light source 611 to the electro-optical device 100, and the device optical axis L of the light source light is provided by the filter 69. Oblique light traveling obliquely at a large angle is reduced. Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, the range of the incident angle with respect to the electro-optical device 100 can be limited to the range indicated by the arrow W, so that the contrast and the like can be improved. Further, since the filter 69 has a transmittance distribution of at least three levels, it does not block light components that are unlikely to reduce contrast and the like, so that the image quality is improved while suppressing a decrease in the amount of display light. can do. In particular, when the electro-optical device 100 is a liquid crystal device, with respect to oblique light, the retardation is different from the design value, and thus it is easy to reduce the contrast. However, according to this embodiment, the electro-optical device 100 is a liquid crystal device. Even in some cases, the contrast can be improved.

  In this embodiment, the filter 69 is disposed between the lens array 66 (second lens array 63) and the polarization conversion element 64. That is, the filter 69 is disposed at a position relatively close to the light source 611 in the optical path. For this reason, the oblique light which makes a big angle with respect to the apparatus optical axis L among the light fluxes of the light source light can be selectively reduced by the filter 69, and the reduction of other light components can be suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to improve the image quality while suppressing a decrease in the amount of display light.

  In the first lens array 62 and the second lens array 63, the lenses 622 and 632 are provided in four rows (n rows) in the first direction X and six rows (m rows) in the second direction Y. The filter 69 has a configuration in which the array 691 is provided in n or more rows in the first direction X and m or more in the second direction Y. Therefore, the transmittance distribution of the filter 69 can be set finely and optimally.

  Further, in the filter 69 shown in FIGS. 5B and 5C, even in the array 691 located on the outer periphery of the incident region 690, a part of the array has the lowest transmittance in the transmittance distribution. Levels TC and TD are higher in transmittance than TF. Therefore, even in the outer peripheral portion of the light beam of the light source light, a light component that is unlikely to deteriorate the quality of the image can be used as display light without being blocked. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the amount of display light.

  In addition, in the filter 69 shown in FIG. 5C, in consideration of the direction of the pretilt of the liquid crystal molecules used in the liquid crystal layer 50 and the like, as a result of blocking the oblique light included in the portion located in a specific orientation, the device light When the axis L is the center, the transmittance distribution is neither point symmetric nor line symmetric. In other words, in this embodiment, the transmittance distribution of the filter 69 is set in consideration of the characteristics of the electro-optical device 100 instead of uniformly blocking the light beam of the light source light depending on the position. For this reason, it is possible to improve image quality while suppressing a decrease in the amount of display light.

[Embodiment 2]
FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of the illumination device 60 used in the projection display device 110 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In addition, since the basic configuration of the present embodiment and later-described third, fourth, and fifth embodiments is common to the first embodiment, common portions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. .

  In the first embodiment, the filter 69 is disposed between the second lens array 63 and the polarization conversion element 64. However, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the first lens array 62 and the second lens array are arranged. The filter 69 described with reference to FIG. Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment. Even with such a configuration, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be achieved, such as the improvement in image quality while suppressing a decrease in the amount of display light.

[Modifications of Embodiments 1 and 2]
In the first and second embodiments, in the first lens array 62 and the second lens array 63, the lenses 622 and 632 are provided in four rows (n rows) in the first direction X and six rows (m rows) in the second direction Y. On the other hand, the filter 69 has a configuration in which the array 691 is provided in the first direction X by n columns or more and the second direction Y is provided by m columns or more. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the filter 69 includes n rows of arrays 691 in the first direction X and m rows in the second direction Y. Therefore, in the filter 69, the array 691 is provided in a one-to-one relationship with the lenses 622 and 632 of the first lens array 62 and the second lens array 63. Accordingly, in the filter 69, it is possible to easily determine which transmittance the array 691 is set to.

[Embodiment 3]
FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram of the illumination device 60 used in the projection display device 110 according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. In the first embodiment, the filter 69 is disposed between the lens array 66 and the polarization conversion element 64. However, in this embodiment, the filter 69 is disposed between the polarization conversion element 64 and the superimposing lens 65 as shown in FIG. The filter 69 described with reference to FIGS. 5B and 5C is disposed. Here, in the polarization conversion element 64, there are four rows (n × 2 rows) in the first direction X and six rows (m rows) in the second direction Y. The array 691 is provided in the first direction X by 8 columns (n × 2 columns or more) and in the second direction Y by 6 columns (m columns or more). Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  Even in such a configuration, since the oblique light of the light source light is effectively blocked by the filter 69 having at least three levels of transmittance distribution, it is possible to improve the image quality while suppressing a decrease in the amount of display light. In addition, since the filter 69 is disposed at a position relatively close to the light source 611 in the optical path, oblique light having a large angle with respect to the device optical axis L is selectively selected by the filter 69 from the light flux of the light source light. It is possible to suppress the decrease of other light components. Therefore, it is possible to improve the image quality while suppressing a decrease in the amount of display light.

  Further, in the polarization conversion element 64, there are four rows (n × 2 rows) in the first direction X, and six rows (m rows) in the second direction Y. Therefore, in the filter 69, The array 691 is provided in the first direction X by 8 columns or more (n × 2 columns or more), and in the second direction Y by 6 columns or more (m columns or more). Therefore, the transmittance distribution of the filter 69 can be set finely and optimally.

[Embodiment 4]
FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram of the illumination device 60 used in the projection display device 110 according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 8, in this embodiment, among the plurality of optical elements arranged between the superimposing lens 65 and the electro-optical device 100, the field lens 112 and the superimposing lens 65 that are arranged closest to the superimposing lens 65. Between these, the filter 69 described with reference to FIGS. 5B and 5C is arranged. That is, the filter 69 is disposed immediately after the superimposing lens 65. Here, in the polarization conversion element 64, there are four rows (n × 2 rows) in the first direction X and six rows (m rows) in the second direction Y. The array 691 is provided in the first direction X by 8 columns (n × 2 columns or more) and in the second direction Y by 6 columns (m columns or more). Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  Even in such a configuration, since the oblique light of the light source light is effectively blocked by the filter 69 having at least three levels of transmittance distribution, it is possible to improve the image quality while suppressing a decrease in the amount of display light. In addition, since the filter 69 is disposed at a position relatively close to the light source 611 in the optical path, oblique light having a large angle with respect to the device optical axis L is selectively selected by the filter 69 from the light flux of the light source light. It is possible to suppress the decrease of other light components. Therefore, it is possible to improve the image quality while suppressing a decrease in the amount of display light.

  Further, in the polarization conversion element 64, there are four rows (n × 2 rows) in the first direction X, and six rows (m rows) in the second direction Y. Therefore, in the filter 69, The array 691 is provided in the first direction X by 8 columns or more (n × 2 columns or more), and in the second direction Y by 6 columns or more (m columns or more). Therefore, the transmittance distribution of the filter 69 can be set finely and optimally.

  Further, since the filter 69 is provided at a position away from the light source 611 to some extent, the filter 69 can be prevented from being deformed by the heat of the light source 611.

[Modifications of Embodiments 3 and 4]
In the third and fourth embodiments, the polarization conversion element 64 is provided with 8 rows (n × 5 rows) of light emitting portions in the first direction X and 6 rows (m rows) in the second direction Y. On the other hand, the filter 69 has a configuration in which the array 691 is provided in n × 2 columns or more in the first direction X and m columns or more in the second direction Y. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the filter 69 includes n × 2 arrays 691 in the first direction X and m arrays in the second direction Y. For this reason, in the filter 69, the array 691 is provided in a one-to-one relationship with the light emitting part of the polarization conversion element 64. Accordingly, in the filter 69, it is possible to easily determine which transmittance the array 691 is set to.

[Embodiment 5]
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the filter 69 used in the illumination device 60 of the projection display device 110 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, the filter 69 having a six-stage transmittance distribution is used. However, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the filter 69 having a five-stage transmittance distribution of levels TA to TE. Is used. In this embodiment, the transmittance is switched stepwise from the center to the outer periphery without setting the array 691 in the filter 69. Even in such a configuration, since the oblique light of the light source light is effectively blocked by the filter 69 having at least three levels of transmittance distribution, it is possible to improve the image quality while suppressing a decrease in the amount of display light.

[Other embodiments]
In the above embodiment, an example using three electro-optical devices 100 of red light R, green light G, and blue light B has been described. However, one electro-optical device 100 and two electro-optical devices corresponding to different colors are used. 100 or four or more electro-optical devices 100 may be used.

  In the above embodiment, an example using the transmission type electro-optical device 100 has been described. However, the present invention may be applied to a projection display device using the reflection type electro-optical device 100.

  In the above embodiment, a liquid crystal device is used as the electro-optical device 100. However, the present invention may be applied to a projection display device using a micromirror device as the electro-optical device 100.

10 .... first substrate, 20 .... second substrate, 50 ... liquid crystal layer, 60 ... illuminating device, 61 ... light source, 62 ... first lens array, 63 ... second lens array, ... ..Polarization conversion element, 65..Superimposing lens, 66..Lens array, 69..Filter, 100..Electro-optical device, 110 ... Projection type display device, 118..Projection optical system, 200..Optical unit 611... Light source 622... First lens array lens 632. Second lens array lens 690... Filter incident area 691.

Claims (13)

A light source;
An electro-optical device that modulates the light emitted from the light source;
A filter disposed in an optical path from the light source to the electro-optical device, and having a transmittance distribution of at least three stages;
A projection type display device comprising: The optical path includes a lens array, a polarization conversion element disposed between the lens array and the electro-optical device, a superimposing lens disposed between the polarization conversion element and the electro-optical device, A plurality of optical elements disposed between a superimposing lens and the electro-optical device, and
The filter is disposed between the lens array and the polarization conversion element, between the polarization conversion element and the superimposing lens, and closest to the superimposing lens among the superimposing lens and the plurality of optical elements. The projection display device according to claim 1, wherein the projection display device is disposed between the optical element and the optical element.   The projection display device according to claim 2, wherein the filter is disposed between the lens array and the polarization conversion element.   The projection display device according to claim 2, wherein the filter is disposed between the polarization conversion element and the superimposing lens.   3. The projection display device according to claim 2, wherein the filter is disposed between the superimposing lens and an optical element disposed closest to the superimposing lens among the plurality of optical elements. . The lens array includes a first lens array, and a second lens array that is disposed between the first lens array and the polarization conversion element and includes the same number of lenses as the first lens array,
The projection display device according to claim 1, wherein the filter is disposed between the first lens array and the second lens array. When n and m are integers of 2 or more,
In the lens array, lenses are provided in n rows in a first direction orthogonal to the device optical axis, and m rows are provided in a second direction orthogonal to the device optical axis and the first direction.
4. The filter according to claim 3, wherein an array in which transmittance is set for each region is provided in n or more columns in the first direction, and m or more columns are provided in the first direction. 6. The projection display device according to 6.   8. The projection type display device according to claim 7, wherein the filter is provided with n columns of the array in the first direction and m columns in the first direction. In the lens array, lenses are provided in n rows in a first direction orthogonal to the device optical axis, and m rows are provided in a second direction orthogonal to the device optical axis and the first direction.
2. The filter according to claim 1, wherein an array in which transmittance is set for each region is provided in n × 2 columns or more in the first direction and m columns or more in the first direction. The projection display device according to 4 or 5.   10. The projection display device according to claim 9, wherein the filter includes n × 2 columns in the first direction and m columns in the first direction. 11.   The filter is characterized in that a part of a portion located on the outer periphery in a region irradiated with light has a higher transmittance than a level having the lowest transmittance in the transmittance distribution. Item 11. The projection display device according to any one of Items 1 to 10.   The projection type according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein when the filter is centered on the optical axis of the device, the transmittance distribution is neither point-symmetric nor line-symmetric. Display device.   The projection display device according to claim 1, wherein the electro-optical device is a liquid crystal device including a liquid crystal layer between a first substrate and a second substrate.