JPH10253923A - Illuminator, and projector device and display device using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To lower the cost of a lens barrel and to facilitate managements of dies of the lens barrel and lenses, by supporting a rod integrator and a masking means with the supporting member formed as a body other than the lens barrel. SOLUTION: A glass rod integrator 120 is engaged with notches 163, 164 formed on the upper faces of the first surface crossing optical axis orthogonally 161 and the second surface crossing optical axis orthogonally 162 of a supporting member 160. The rod integrator 120 is positioned in the optical direction because it is pressurizingly energized to the butting part of the surface of the difference in level at the notched part 163 of the orthogonally 163 side by a pressing spring 150 and the optical arrangement accuracy of the rod integrator with relay lenses 121 is held because it is pressurizingly energized to bottom surfaces of the notches 163, 164 by a pressing spring 170. In the glass rod integrator supporting member 160 made of sheet metal, a third surface crossing optical axis orthogonally 165 is provided with a connecting part 167 prolonging from the second surface crossing optical axis orthogonally 162. Moreover, an opening 166 is formed in the third axis orthogonally 165 and the surrounding part of the opening 166 fulfills a function equivalent to an incident mask.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an illumination system optical system having a rod type integrator used for a liquid crystal projector or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An illumination optical system used in a liquid crystal projector used for watching television / video images has a glass rod integrator arranged and held together with a relay lens in a resin lens barrel, and an LCD in the image projection optical system. It is configured to illuminate a transmissive or reflective display element such as a DMD or a DMD, and to enlarge and project an image modulated and formed by the element on a screen by a projection lens.

[0003] Specifically, it is configured as shown in FIG.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 210 denotes a light valve;
1 is an elliptical reflecting mirror, 220 is a glass rod integrator
221 is a relay lens, 222 is an optical axis, 230 is a lens barrel made of heat-resistant resin, 240 is an incident mask made of a metal plate, 25
Reference numeral 0 denotes a glass rod integrator pressing spring made of a spring plate material.

The light flux of the light valve 210 disposed at the first focal point of the elliptical reflecting mirror 211 is reflected and condensed by the elliptical reflecting mirror 211, and is incident on the glass rod integrator 220 having the incident surface disposed at the second focal position. The light is totally reflected by the inner surface of the rod and is emitted to the relay lens 121 as a uniform light beam having a uniform angle condition.

The glass rod integrator 220 fits into notches provided in the internal ribs 231 and 232 of the lens barrel 230, and pushes the pressing spring 2 against the abutting portion 233 of the rib 232.
Positioning is performed by being urged by 41, and the optical arrangement accuracy with the relay lens 221 is maintained.

The incidence mask 240 masks a light beam outside the angle range of the glass rod integrator 220 and an unnecessary direct light beam from the light valve 210 to prevent the temperature of the lens barrel from rising.

The pressing spring 250 has an opening having the same shape as the shape of the incident surface of the glass rod integrator 220, and has a function as a mask means for masking other than the effective light beam, similarly to the incident mask 240, and the rod integrator.
And has a function of urging the light source 220 in the light beam emission direction to elastically position the light. Since these masking means are arranged in the vicinity of the condensing part, the temperature rise is most remarkable.

[0009]

In such an illumination optical system, there is a problem that the temperature rise is remarkable because the incident mask 240 and the pressing spring 250 are arranged near the light collecting portion.

For this reason, it is necessary to make a resin lens barrel for holding the two mask means 240 and 250 in the vicinity of the entrance surface in a high temperature state in actual use with a high-cost and high-heat-resistant resin (PPS, PBT or the like). .

When a high heat-resistant resin is used for the lens barrel, the amount of heat required to heat the lens and the like is large (the melting point is high), and the operation is difficult or impossible. It is necessary to hold the lens as a lens barrel.

As a result, the number of molds increases, and the lens barrel cannot be manufactured at low cost. Further, in order to hold the glass in the space with high precision without looseness, the thickness of the glass must be controlled more strictly than in the normal caulking configuration.

Further, since the transmission of the heat by the masked condensed light is stopped between the metal mask and the resin lens barrel, the heat radiation is substantially completed in each of the mask plate portions, and the temperature of the contact portion between the resin and the mask is lowered. Since it is necessary to enlarge the mask and enlarge the lens barrel in that part, it is difficult to increase the heat-resistant margin of the equipment for use under bad temperature conditions.

That is, the conventional illumination optical system has problems in optical accuracy, glass assemblability, temperature margin, and price.

[0015]

According to the present invention, there is provided a rod integrator for equalizing a converged light source light beam, a mask means for masking a light incident surface of the rod integrator, A lens barrel provided on the light exit surface side of the rod integrator, wherein the rod integrator and the mask means are supported by a support member formed separately from the lens barrel by a metal plate such as a copper-based alloy plate.

That is, the member for supporting the mask means, which is in a high temperature state, is made of a relatively inexpensive metal plate and is provided separately from the lens barrel, so that the lens barrel does not need to be made of a high heat-resistant resin. The lens may be held in the lens barrel by crimping, and the need for the lens barrel to be divided into two parts is eliminated. In addition, since a long metal plate is formed by bending to use the member for supporting the mask means also as a member for supporting the rod integrator, the heat transfer path (radiation area) of the support member can be increased, and the exclusive use for the mask means can be achieved. The apparatus can be made more compact as compared with a case where the supporting member is enlarged.

More specifically, the supporting member includes at least two orthogonal portions extending in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis and holding the rod integrator or the mask means, and a parallel portion extending in the optical axis direction between the orthogonal portions. What is necessary is just to make it the shape which has, and to fix the said parallel part to a metal base member. More specifically, the supporting member may have two orthogonal portions for rod supporting the rod integrator and an orthogonal portion for mask for supporting the mask means and masking the light incident surface of the rod integrator. What is necessary is just to make it the shape which has the orthogonal part for rods which supports the light exit surface side of the integrator, and the orthogonal part for masks which supports the light incident surface side of the rod integrator and supports a mask means.

Further, the rod integrator is brought into contact with the contact surface in the optical axis direction of the orthogonal portion holding the rod integrator, and the rod integrator is pressed against the contact surface in the optical axis direction by an elastic mask means. It is desirable to perform the positioning in the optical axis direction with a simple configuration.

The rod integrator according to the present invention may be a glass rod or a mirror rod.

[0020]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 shows a lighting device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that the section other than the glass rod integrator and the holding spring portion is shown in a cross section on the optical axis.

In the figure, 110 is a light valve, 11
1 is an elliptical mirror, 120 is a glass rod integrator
Reference numeral 121 denotes a relay lens, 122 denotes an optical axis, 130 denotes a lens barrel made of a general resin, 150 denotes a glass rod integrator pressing spring (also a mask member) made of a plate material for a spring, and 160 denotes a glass rod integrator made of a sheet metal. 170 is a holding spring of a glass rod integrator, 180 is a stop screw, and 190 is an external member of an illumination system (unit).

The optical path will be described below. Elliptical reflector 111
The light flux of the light valve 110 disposed at the first focal point is reflected and condensed by the elliptical reflecting mirror 111, enters the glass rod integrator 120 having the incident surface disposed at the second focal position, and is then totally reflected by the inner surface of the rod. Then, the light beam is emitted to the relay lens 121 as a uniform light beam having the same angle condition.

As shown in FIG. 2, the glass rod integrator 120 is made of a polished glass material having a quadrangular prism shape, and the input and output surfaces are perpendicular to the optical axis, and the other four surfaces are in accordance with the light beam output angle. The planes are set to be parallel or tapered (the figure shows the case of parallel).

The glass rod integrator 120 fits into notches 163 and 164 formed on the upper surface of the first optical axis orthogonal surface 161 and the second optical axis orthogonal surface 162 of the support member 160, and is connected to the orthogonal surface 161 side. The pressing spring 150 presses and presses against the abutting portion of the step surface in the notch portion 163 of FIG.
The optical arrangement accuracy with respect to the relay lens 121 is maintained by pressing and pressing the bottom surfaces of the notches 163 and 164 by 70. Since the abutting portion serves as a light shielding portion and generates heat, it is desirable to set the abutting area as small as possible.

The pressing spring 170 has a first optical axis orthogonal surface 161.
To the holding spring 17
An opening (not shown) having a shape conforming to the shape of the exit surface of the glass rod integrator 120 is provided in the fixed portion of No. 0.

The glass rod integrator supporting member 160 made of sheet metal is provided with a third optical axis orthogonal surface 165 via a connecting portion 167 extending from the second optical axis orthogonal surface 162, and is subjected to a total of four bending operations. It is formed in a sideways S-shape.

An opening 166 is formed in the third optical axis orthogonal plane 165, and a portion around the opening 166 performs a function corresponding to the incident mask 240 shown in FIG.

That is, the third optical axis orthogonal surface 165 masks the light beam outside the angle range of taking in the glass rod integrator 120 and the unnecessary direct light beam from the light valve 110, and is used for the adjacent members such as the lens barrel 120. Prevent temperature rise,
Reduce stray light.

The third optical axis orthogonal surface 165 is provided with two cutouts 168 from the upper surface with the optical axis interposed therebetween. The cutouts 168 have ends of the pressing spring 150 inserted from above. Engage.

As shown in FIG. 3, the pressing spring 150 has an opening substantially conforming to the shape of the incident surface of the glass rod integrator 120 and having four corners left as abutting portions 151. The provided bent portion 152 holds the glass rod integrator 120 and urges the rod integrator 120 in the light beam emitting direction to elastically position the rod integrator 120. The bent portion 152 also has a role of masking portions other than the effective light flux and preventing breakage of the glass in a heat cycle by turning off and on the light valve 110.

As described above, the three optical axis orthogonal planes 161, 162, and 165 are formed as a single component obtained by bending an integrated plate into an S-shape, and the third optical axis orthogonal plane 165 is formed. Since the light is suspended in the form of being suspended at the upper connecting portion 167, the heat generated by the masked light flux is successively transmitted through the three optical axis orthogonal surfaces 165, 162, and 161 of the support member 160 and is radiated. The fixing surface of the supporting member 160 itself to the appearance member 190 is sufficiently secured from the third optical axis orthogonal surface 165 where the temperature is the highest, and the first optical axis orthogonal surface 161 where the temperature is the second highest. By making the optical axis parallel surface between the first optical axis orthogonal surface 161 and the second optical axis orthogonal surface 162 which is sufficient in distance, the temperature of the fixed surface can be reduced. The balance in strength in the state of being fixed to the appearance member 190 is also maintained.

Since the support member 160 needs to have a certain thickness to provide the cutouts 163 and 164 of the optical axis orthogonal surfaces 161 and 162 for supporting the glass rod integrator 120, the strength and bending workability are required. It is desirable to use a Bs material because of its good balance and thermal conductivity. Also,
Bending is slightly difficult when the thickness is about 1 mm, but SUS may be used if there is no problem in processing equipment.

The support member 160 is fixed to the external member 190 by screws (not shown), and heat is efficiently radiated through the external portion 190 by selecting a metal member having a large surface area for the external member 190.

In an illumination system that generates a large amount of heat, forced air cooling is performed by a fan. However, if the heat transfer system up to the exterior system is formed by a long transfer path as in the above-described embodiment, the resin portion melts even when the fan stops abnormally. Can be prevented. In this embodiment, the case where the glass rod integrator is used has been described, but a mirror rod integrator 120 'shown in FIG. 4 may be used instead. The mirror rod integrator 120 'forms a mirror on four sides with a heat-resistant adhesive or an external fixing member (not shown), and obtains the same effect as the glass rod integrator by reflection on the inner surface. When the glass rod integrator is replaced, the setting of the angle and the like becomes different in usage without refraction at the input and output, but the heat radiation effect and the like related to the present invention are similarly applied.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the present invention.
1 illustrates an illumination optical device according to an embodiment.

The configuration of this embodiment is almost the same as that of the first embodiment, and the common components are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment, and the description will not be repeated. Also, the section other than the glass rod integrator 120 and the holding spring portion is shown in a cross section on the optical axis.

The present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the shape of the support member 160 'is U-shaped, and a one-stage mask configuration in which the third optical axis is not orthogonal is omitted. For this reason, the glass rod integrator pressing spring 150 'made of a spring plate material is the first type.
By mounting the glass rod integrator 120 in the opposite direction to that of the embodiment, the glass rod integrator 120 is urged toward the emission side.

In this embodiment, due to the heat radiation effect of the support member 160 ', even if the mask using the third optical axis orthogonal plane in the first embodiment is omitted, if the output of the light source is small, the third embodiment will be described. The configuration provides a sufficient temperature margin.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 6 shows a third embodiment of the present invention.
1 illustrates a projector display device according to an embodiment.
This device separates a light beam emitted from the relay lens 121 of the lighting device of the above-described first and second embodiments into R, G, and B primary color light by a G reflection mirror 50, an R reflection mirror 51, and a B reflection mirror 52. To the liquid crystal panel 55. The image light transmitted through the liquid crystal panel 55 is projected on a screen 60 by a projection lens 57.

[0040]

As described above, according to the present invention, the member for supporting the mask means in a high temperature state can be made of a relatively inexpensive metal plate and can be provided separately from the lens barrel. The cost can be reduced by eliminating the need to make the cylinder with high heat-resistant resin, and the lens can be held in the lens barrel by general heat crimping, eliminating the need for the lens barrel to have a two-part structure. Management of molds and lenses can be facilitated.

Further, by forming the support member by bending a long metal plate or the like, the heat transfer path (radiation area) of the support member can be increased to increase the heat resistance margin of the lighting device, and to increase the mask means. The apparatus can be made more compact as compared with a case where a dedicated support member is enlarged.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view and a side view showing a lighting device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a glass rod integrator used in the lighting device.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a glass rod integrator pressing spring used in the lighting device.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a mirror-glass rod integrator used in the lighting device.

FIG. 5 is a plan view and a side view showing a lighting device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a projector display device according to a third embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a conventional lighting device.

[Explanation of symbols]

110: light valve 111: elliptical reflecting mirror 120: glass rod integrator 121: relay lens 122: optical axis 130: lens barrel made of heat resistant resin 140: incidence mask made of metal plate 150: field glass rod integrator made of spring plate -Taper spring 160: Glass rod integrator support member made of sheet metal 170: Presser spring of glass rod integrator 180: Stop screw

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A rod integrator for equalizing a condensed light source light beam, a mask means for masking a light incident surface of the rod integrator, and a lens barrel provided on a light exit surface side of the rod integrator. An illumination device, wherein the rod integrator and the masking means are supported by a supporting member formed separately from the lens barrel by a metal plate. 2. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the support member is formed of a copper-based alloy plate. 3. The support member has at least two orthogonal portions extending in a direction orthogonal to an optical axis and holding the rod integrator or the mask means, and a parallel portion extending in the optical axis direction between the orthogonal portions. 3. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the parallel portion is fixed to a metal base member. 4. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the support member has two orthogonal portions for the rod that hold the rod integrator, and an orthogonal portion for the mask that holds the masking means and masks a light incident surface of the rod integrator. The lighting device according to claim 3, wherein: 5. A rod orthogonal portion for holding a light exit surface side of the rod integrator, and a mask orthogonal portion for holding the mask means while holding a light incident surface side of the rod integrator. The lighting device according to claim 3, comprising: 6. The lighting device according to claim 3, wherein the orthogonal portion that holds the rod integrator has a concave portion that fits and holds the rod integrator. 7. The rod integrator is in contact with an optical axis direction contact surface of an orthogonal portion holding the rod integrator, and the mask unit presses the rod integrator against the optical axis direction contact surface. The lighting device according to claim 3, wherein: 8. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the rod integrator is made of a glass rod. 9. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the rod integrator is formed of a mirror rod. 10. A projector device using the lighting device according to claim 1. Description: 11. A display device using the projector device according to claim 10.