JP4474901B2 - Lighting device and projector - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an illumination device for illuminating a liquid crystal light valve and other light modulation devices, and a projector incorporating the illumination device.

  As a conventional projector, a light source lamp is disposed on one end side of the rod integrator, and a polarization separating prism member is disposed on the other end side of the rod integrator, and the polarization directions of a pair of polarized light passing through the prism member are matched. Thereafter, there is a lens that illuminates by superimposing an illumination area by combining with a lens (see Patent Document 1).

Further, as another projector, a light source array is arranged facing one end side of a rectangular bar-shaped light guide, and a liquid crystal panel is arranged facing the other end side of the light guide, so that the light source light from the light source array Is directly incident on one end of the light guide and illumination light from the other end of the light guide is directly incident on the liquid crystal panel (see Patent Document 2).
JP 2002-268008 A Figures 6 and 7 of Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-112031

  However, in the projector as described above, sufficiently uniform illumination light cannot be obtained unless the length of the rod integrator is increased or the cross-sectional area of the rod integrator is decreased. Here, when the length of the rod integrator is increased, the size of the illumination device increases. Further, when the cross-sectional area of the rod integrator is reduced, the light beam cross-section of the illumination light must be enlarged again before illuminating the display element, resulting in non-uniform illumination of the display element.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an illumination device that can obtain uniform illumination light without increasing the length or reducing the cross-sectional area of the rod integrator, and a projector using the illumination device.

  In order to solve the above problems, an illumination device according to the present invention includes (a) a light source that generates light source light, and (b) provided on the incident end side, each extending by a predetermined length in the axial direction and having both ends aligned. A first portion comprising a plurality of first rod members arranged side by side and a second portion comprising an integral second rod member provided on the exit end side, and uniformizing the light source light incident on the incident end A rod integrator that emits from the exit end as illumination light. Here, the “rod integrator” is not limited to a solid rod member, but includes an integrator including a rod member in which a mirror is formed on a hollow inner surface. Further, the cross-sectional area of each rod member can be increased or decreased along the axial direction.

  In the illuminating device described above, the rod integrator has a first portion that is provided on the incident end side and includes a plurality of first rod members extending in the axial direction. Therefore, each of the first rod members arranged on the incident end side is individually provided. In addition, the light source light is uniformly made uniform. Furthermore, since the rod integrator has a second portion made of an integral second rod member provided on the exit end side, the light source light uniformed by each first rod member of the first portion is synthesized and uniformized. However, illumination light can be emitted from a relatively wide emission end. Therefore, uniform illumination light can be emitted from the emission end having a relatively large area, and for example, a liquid crystal light valve and other display elements disposed facing the emission end can be illuminated uniformly and efficiently. .

  Further, in a specific aspect of the present invention, in the lighting device, the plurality of first rod members are joined to each other in the lateral direction to form the integrated first portion, and the first portion and the second portion. The portions are arranged along the axial direction to form an integral rod member. In this case, the entire rod integrator can be formed as an integral block-like member, and can be easily incorporated into the lighting device.

  Moreover, in the specific aspect of this invention, the said 1st part and the said 2nd part are joined to the both ends of the intermediate part which has a rod-shaped external shape. In this case, the intermediate portion can have various functions as an integrator, and the uniformity of the illumination light can be further improved.

  In a specific aspect of the present invention, the first portion and the second portion are directly joined. In this case, the optical structure of the rod integrator can be simplified.

  In a specific aspect of the present invention, the light source corresponds to each of the plurality of first rod members and includes a plurality of light source portions that allow light source light to enter the respective incident ends of the plurality of first rod members. Have. In this case, for example, the intensity of the light source light incident on each first rod member can be made equal, and the uniformity of the illumination light can be further improved.

  Moreover, in a specific aspect of the present invention, the light source has a light source portion that simultaneously causes light source light to be incident on an incident end of an adjacent first rod member among the plurality of first rod members. In this case, the light source light can be incident on each first rod member with a small number of light source portions.

  A first projector according to the present invention includes (a) any one of the above-described illumination devices, and (b) a light modulation device that is illuminated by illumination light emitted from an emission end of the rod integrator. Here, “light modulation device” means a display device capable of forming a spatial light distribution by modulating the transmittance or reflectance of incident illumination light, such as a liquid crystal light valve or a digital mirror device. It shall be.

  In the projector, uniform illumination light from the exit end of the rod integrator can be directly incident on the light modulator. Therefore, it is possible to illuminate the light modulation device with the illumination light having sufficient luminance and uniformity without loss, and to project a high-luminance image.

  In a specific aspect of the invention, the projector further includes a projection optical system that projects the image light modulated by the light modulation device. In this case, the image formed by the light modulation device is projected onto a screen or the like via the projection optical system.

  The second projector according to the present invention includes: (a) a light source that generates light sources of each color; and (b) a light source provided on the incident end side that extends a predetermined length in the axial direction and is aligned at both ends. A plurality of first rod members each having a first portion formed on the emission end side and a second portion formed integrally with the second rod member, and individually supplying the light source light of each color incident on the incident end. And (b) a light transmission type light modulation device of each color disposed opposite to the exit end of each color rod integrator, respectively. And (c) a light combining optical system that combines and emits image light of each color modulated by the light modulation device of each color, and (d) projection optics that projects image light combined through the light combining optical system. With the system .

  In the projector, uniform illumination light from the exit end of each color rod integrator can be directly incident on the light modulator of each color. Therefore, it is possible to illuminate the light modulators of the respective colors with illumination light having sufficient luminance and uniformity, and project a high-luminance color image synthesized through the light combining optical system clearly by projection optical system projection. be able to.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram conceptually illustrating the structure of the projector according to the first embodiment of the invention. The projector 10 includes a lighting device 20, a light modulation device 30, a projection lens 40, and a control device 50. Here, the illumination device 20 includes a B light illumination device 21, a G light illumination device 23, an R light illumination device 25, and a light source driving device 27. The light modulation device 30 outputs drive signals to the three liquid crystal light valves 31, 33, and 35 that are light modulation devices, the cross dichroic prism 37 that is a light combining optical system, and the liquid crystal light valves 31, 33, and 35. And an element driving device 38.

  2A is a plan view showing a state in which the projector 10 shown in FIG. 1 is incorporated in the chassis 61, and FIG. 2B is a side view thereof. Each color light illuminating device 21, 23, 25 and the liquid crystal light valves 31, 33, 35 are arranged and fixed at appropriate positions in the chassis 61, and the projection lens 40 is fixed so as to be embedded in one side surface of the chassis 61. Yes. In addition, the light source driving device 27, the element driving device 38, and the control device 50 shown in FIG. 1 are mounted on a circuit board 62 provided to face the upper surface of the chassis 61. 3A is a plan view for explaining the external appearance of the projector 10 shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3B is a side view thereof. As is apparent from the drawing, the projector 10 is obtained by housing the chassis 61 and the circuit board 62 shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B in a suitable case 63.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the B light illumination device 21 includes a B light source unit 21 a and a rod integrator 21 c. Among these, the light source unit 21a for B light is composed of a plurality of LEDs 21f, which are light source portions called solid light sources, mounted on the circuit board 21g in an appropriate two-dimensional arrangement (for example, a matrix arrangement). A condensing lens array 21b in which lens elements for beam shaping are individually arranged on the front is provided. Each LED 21f generates B light included in the category of blue (B) among the three primary colors. The B light extracted from the LED 21f, that is, the first light source light LB passes through the condenser lens array 21b and then enters the incident end, that is, the incident port IP of the rod integrator 21c that is a light uniformizing unit. At this time, the B light from each LED 21f is appropriately diverged by each lens element constituting the condenser lens array 21b, and is converted into an elliptical or rectangular cross-section beam gathered at a predetermined position. That is, the B light from each LED 21f is collected as a whole at a rectangular incident port IP provided in the rod integrator 21c, and is incident on the incident port IP without leaking. The first illumination light emitted from the exit port OP which is the exit end via the rod integrator 21c is liquid crystal for B light in the light modulation device 30 through the first polarizing filter 26a arranged to face the exit port OP. The light enters the light valve 31. Thereby, the irradiated area (effective pixel area in which image information is formed) on the liquid crystal light valve 31 is uniformly illuminated by the B light. In the above, the top lens of the LED 21f and the condensing lens array 21b constitute a light source optical system that condenses the first light source light LB and makes it incident on the rod integrator 21c.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view for explaining the structure of the rod integrator 21c provided in the B light illumination device 21 of FIG. As is apparent from the drawing, the rod integrator 21c has a quadrangular prism shape as a whole, and has a three-stage structure in which an intermediate portion 43 is sandwiched between the first portion 41 and the second portion 42 at both ends. ing. These portions 41, 42, and 43 are bonded to each other at the end faces by an adhesive that is substantially equal to the refractive index of each member, and are arranged in a line along the axial direction AX.

  Among these, the first portion 41 is provided on the incident port IP side and has a rod-shaped outer shape, and is formed by joining a large number of first rod members 41a extending in the axial direction AX in a matrix. . These first rod members 41a are quadrangular prism-shaped transparent blocks made of glass having the same shape, and are arranged in a 4 × 4 array with both ends aligned. It is joined and integrated with a rate adhesive. For this reason, the light source light incident on one end of each first rod member 41a travels while being totally reflected by each of the four side surfaces, and is emitted from the other end. At this time, light uniformity is achieved by dividing and superimposing the wavefront. In addition, when mirror material was vapor-deposited in advance on the side surface of each first rod member 41a, it was incident on the side surface of each first rod member 41a regardless of the presence or absence of the refractive index of the adhesive that bonds these members to each other. All the light from the light source can be reflected, and light leakage from the side surface can be prevented.

  The second portion 42 is formed of a single second rod member that is provided on the injection port OP side and has a quadrangular prism shape that extends in the axial direction AX. The light source light that has entered one end of the second portion 42 travels while being totally reflected on its four side surfaces and is emitted from the other end. At this time, light uniformity is achieved by dividing and superimposing the wavefront. In addition, when a mirror material is vapor-deposited on the side surface of the second portion 42, all light source light incident on the side surface of the second portion 42 can be reflected, and light leakage from the side surface can be prevented without using total reflection. Can do.

  The intermediate portion 43 sandwiched between the two portions 41 and 42 has a rod-like outer shape, and is formed by joining four third rod members 43a extending in the axial direction AX in a matrix. These third rod members 43a are quadrangular prism-shaped transparent blocks made of glass having the same shape, and are arranged in a 2 × 2 array with both ends aligned, and the opposing side surfaces have relatively low refraction. It is joined and integrated with a rate adhesive. For this reason, the light source light incident on one end of each third rod member 43a travels while being totally reflected by each of the four side surfaces and is emitted from the other end. At this time, light uniformity is achieved by dividing and superimposing the wavefront. In addition, when mirror material was vapor-deposited in advance on the side surface of each third rod member 43a, it was incident on the side surface of each third rod member 43a regardless of the presence or absence of the refractive index of the adhesive that bonds these members to each other. All the light from the light source can be reflected, and light leakage from the side surface can be prevented.

  FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating a state of the incident end of the first portion 41 constituting the rod integrator 21c, and FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating a state of the incident end of the intermediate portion 43. FIG. 5C is a diagram illustrating a state of the incident end of the second portion 42. As shown in FIG. 5A, the first portion 41 is formed by joining 16 first rod members 41a having the same shape side by side. Moreover, as shown in FIG.5 (b), the intermediate part 43 arranges and joins the 4th 3rd rod member 43a of the same shape. 5A corresponds to the incident port IP of the rod integrator 21c shown in FIG. 4, and the end face of the second portion 42 shown in FIG. 5C corresponds to the rod integrator 21c. Corresponds to the injection port OP. In a specific manufacturing example, the axial lengths of the first portion 41, the intermediate portion 43, and the second portion 42 are 15 mm, 15 mm, and 15 mm, respectively, and the cross-sectional dimensions are 10.83 × 10.83 mm, respectively. did.

  In the rod integrator 21 c as described above, the light source light incident on the incident port IP is individually made uniform by each first rod member 41 a provided in the first portion 41 and enters the intermediate portion 43. At this time, the adjacent first rod members 41a in a set of four are connected to the single third rod member 43a as a unit, so that from the injection end of the first rod member 41a in a set of four The emitted light source light enters one opposing third rod member 43a, and is mixed and uniformed inside the third rod member 43a. The light source light individually made uniform by each third rod member 43 a provided in the intermediate portion 43 in this way enters the second portion 42. At this time, since the set of four third rod members 43a is connected as a unit to the single second portion 42, that is, the rod member, from the injection end of the set of four third rod members 43a. The emitted light source light enters the opposing second portion 42 and is mixed and uniformed in the second portion 42. Therefore, as a result, the illumination light emitted from the exit end of the second portion 42, that is, the exit port OP of the rod integrator 21c, is extremely uniform for the axial dimension and equal to the cross section of the rod integrator 21c. A relatively wide area can be illuminated.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the G light illumination device 23 includes a G light source unit 23 a and a rod integrator 23 c. Among these, the G light source unit 23a has the same structure as the B light source unit 21a, but each LED 23f on the circuit board 23g emits G light included in the green (G) category of the three primary colors. The second light source light LG generated by the G light is incident on the incident port IP of the rod integrator 23c without being leaked through the condenser lens array 23b. The second illumination light LG that has passed through the rod integrator 23c is uniformized without loss by wavefront division and superposition, and the light modulator G of the light modulation device 30 passes through the first polarizing filter 26b that is disposed opposite to the emission port OP. The light enters the liquid crystal light valve 33 for light. Thereby, the irradiated area on the liquid crystal light valve 33 is uniformly illuminated by the G light. The rod integrator 23c for G light has the same structure and shape as the rod integrator 21c for B light, and the illumination light emitted from the injection port OP of the rod integrator 23c is in the axial direction. It is extremely uniform for the size.

  The R light illumination device 25 includes an R light source unit 25a and a rod integrator 25c. Among these, the R light source unit 25a has the same structure as the R light source unit 21a, but each LED 25f on the circuit board 25g emits R light included in the red (R) category of the three primary colors. The third light source light LR generated by the R light is incident on the incident port IP of the rod integrator 25c without being leaked through the condenser lens array 25b. The third illumination light LR that has passed through the rod integrator 25c is uniformized without loss by wavefront division and superposition, and R of the light modulation device 30 passes through the first polarizing filter 26c that is disposed opposite to the emission port OP. The light enters the liquid crystal light valve 35 for light. Thereby, the irradiated area on the liquid crystal light valve 35 is illuminated uniformly with the R light. The rod integrator 25c for R light has the same structure and shape as the rod integrator 21c for B light, and the illumination light emitted from the emission port OP of the rod integrator 25c is in the axial direction. It is extremely uniform for the size.

  Each of the liquid crystal light valves 31, 33, and 35 is a light transmission type light modulation device. By switching the polarization direction of illumination light in units of pixels in accordance with an image signal input from the outside, each of the liquid crystal light valves 31, Illumination light from each of the color light illumination devices 21, 23, 25 incident on 33, 35 is two-dimensionally modulated. On the incident side of each liquid crystal light valve 31, 33, 35, first polarizing filters 26a, 26b, 26c are arranged facing the incident surface, and each liquid crystal light valve 31, 33, 35 is placed in a specific direction. It can be illuminated by a polarized component. In addition, second polarizing filters 36a, 36b, and 36c are arranged on the exit side of the liquid crystal light valves 31, 33, and 35 so as to face the exit surfaces, and pass through the liquid crystal light valves 31, 33, and 35. Only the polarization component in the direction orthogonal to the specific direction can be read out. Illumination light from the color light illuminators 21, 23, and 25 incident on the liquid crystal light valves 31, 33, and 35 is modulated two-dimensionally by the liquid crystal light valves 31, 33, and 35, respectively. The image lights of the respective colors that have passed through the liquid crystal light valves 31, 33, and 35 are combined by the cross dichroic prism 37 and emitted from one side surface thereof. The image of the combined light emitted from the cross dichroic prism 37 is incident on the projection lens 40 which is a projection optical system, and is projected on a screen (not shown) at an appropriate magnification. That is, the projector 10 projects a color image obtained by combining the images of the colors B, G, and R formed on the liquid crystal light valves 31, 33, and 35 onto the screen as a moving image or a still image.

  FIG. 6 is a front view of the liquid crystal light valve 31 for B light. The liquid crystal light valve 31 has a main body portion 31a fitted and fixed to a frame body 31b, and a cable CA for sending an image signal to the main body portion 31a extends from the upper portion of the frame body 31b. A protruding edge portion 31c is provided around the main body portion 31a exposed to the front surface, and the first polarizing filter 26a can be fixed by an adhesive or an adhesive. Although not shown, the second polarizing filter 36a (see FIG. 1) can be similarly attached to the back side of the liquid crystal light valve 31. The first polarizing filter 26a, the second polarizing filter 36a, and the like can be directly attached to the surface of the main body portion 31a. Although not described here, the liquid crystal light valves 33 and 35 for other colors also have the same structure as the liquid crystal light valve 31 for the B light.

  FIG. 7 is a view for explaining the positional relationship between the liquid crystal light valve 31 and the rod integrator 21c shown in FIG. In the main body part 31a of the liquid crystal light valve 31, not all the exposed parts are display areas, and the central part excluding the edge part of about 10% of the vertical dimension is an effective pixel area 31f. That is, since only the illumination light incident on the central effective pixel region 31f is modulated, the illumination light incident on the outside thereof is wasted. On the other hand, it is difficult to make illumination light enter only the effective pixel region 31f, and the burden of alignment work of the rod integrator 21c with respect to the liquid crystal light valve 31 also increases. Therefore, the shape of the injection port OP of the rod integrator 21c is made substantially the same as that of the effective pixel region 31f, and the size of the injection port OP of the rod integrator 21c is made slightly larger than that of the effective pixel region 31f. However, in order to reduce the waste of illumination light as much as possible, the size of the injection port OP is made smaller than the size of the exposed portion of the main body portion 31a. Note that the exit port OP at the tip of the rod integrator 21c is disposed through the first polarizing filter 26a but very close to the main body portion 31a, so that almost no illumination light is emitted from the exit port OP. The light can enter the main body portion 31a without being diffused, and the effective pixel region 31f can be efficiently and uniformly illuminated. In a specific manufacturing example, the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the exposed portion of the main body portion 31a are 12.8 mm × 16.4 mm, the effective pixel region 31f is 10.8 mm × 14.4 mm, and the injection port OP of the rod integrator 21c The dimension was 10.83 mm × 14.43 mm. The distance between the injection port OP of the rod integrator 21c and the surface of the main body portion 31a was 0.5 mm. The above is the description of the size and arrangement of the rod integrator 21c with respect to the liquid crystal light valve 31, but the size and arrangement of the rod integrators 23c and 25c with respect to the other liquid crystal light valves 33 and 35 are the same as described above. The illumination light emitted from 23c and 25c can be incident on the effective pixel areas of both liquid crystal light valves 33 and 35 with little waste, and these can be illuminated uniformly.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the projector 10 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. The illumination lights of the respective colors from the BGR light illumination devices 21, 23, and 25 provided in the illumination device 20 are incident on the corresponding liquid crystal light valves 31, 33, and 35, respectively. Each of the liquid crystal light valves 31, 33, and 35 has a two-dimensional refractive index distribution modulated by an element driving device 38 that operates according to an image signal from the outside, and two-dimensional spatial distribution of illumination light of each color. Is modulated in units of pixels. As described above, the illumination light, that is, the image light modulated by the liquid crystal light valves 31, 33, and 35 is combined by the cross dichroic prism 37 and then enters the projection lens 40 which is a projection optical system and is projected onto the screen. . In this case, the rod integrators 21c, 23c, and 25c for each color are composed of three stages 41, 42, and 43 arranged along the axial direction AX. That is, the first stage first portion 41 is a first rod member 41a divided into 16 extending along the axial direction AX, and the second stage intermediate portion 43 is divided into four divided along the axial direction AX. Since the rod member 43a is used, extremely uniform illumination light can be emitted from the emission ports OP of the rod integrators 21c, 23c, and 25c, and the liquid crystal light valves 31, 33, and 35 of the respective colors can be emitted without impairing the uniformity. The light can enter the effective pixel region 31f. That is, the liquid crystal light valves 31, 33, and 35 can be illuminated with illumination light having sufficient luminance and uniformity, and a high-luminance image can be projected.

[Second Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a projector according to a second embodiment of the invention will be described. Since the projector according to the second embodiment is a modification of the projector according to the first embodiment, description of common parts is omitted, and only different parts are described.

  FIGS. 8A to 8D are diagrams for explaining each part of the rod integrator for B light incorporated in the projector of the second embodiment. This rod integrator has a quadrangular prism-like outer shape as a whole, and includes a first unit 140A including a first portion 141 and a second portion 142, and a second unit 140B including a first portion 141 and a second portion 142. The structure is connected in the axial direction.

  8A, the first portion 141 of the first unit 140A shown in FIG. 8A is provided on the incident port side and has a rod-shaped outer shape, and four first rod members 141a extending in the axial direction. Are arranged in a matrix and joined together. Further, the first portion 141 of the first unit 140B shown in FIG. 8C also has a rod-shaped outer shape, and four rod members 141a extending in the axial direction are aligned and joined in a matrix. Is. On the other hand, the second portion 142 of the first unit 140A shown in FIG. 8B is composed of a single second rod member having a quadrangular prism-like outer shape extending in the axial direction. Further, the second portion 142 of the second unit 140B shown in FIG. 8D is also composed of a single second rod member having a quadrangular prism-like outer shape extending in the axial direction.

  In the illustrated rod integrator, the light source light is individually made uniform by each first rod member 141a provided in the first portion 141 of the first unit 140A, and emitted from each first rod member 141a by the second portion 142 in the next stage. The emitted light source light is mixed relatively uniformly. Further, the light source lights are individually made uniform by the rod members 141a provided in the first part 141 of the second unit 140B, and the light source lights emitted from the rod members 141a by the second part 142 in the next stage are made extremely uniform. Mixed.

  Although the above description is about the B light rod integrator, other G light and R light rod integrators have the same structure.

  In the rod integrator, the first portion 141 of the first unit 140A can be omitted. In this case, the illumination light emitted from the second unit 140B is relatively uniform.

[Third Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a projector according to a third embodiment of the invention will be described. The projector according to the third embodiment is a modification of the projector according to the first embodiment.

  FIGS. 9A to 9C are diagrams for explaining each part of the rod integrator for the B light incorporated in the projector according to the third embodiment. This rod integrator has a quadrangular prism-like outer shape as a whole, and has a structure in which a two-stage intermediate portion 243 is sandwiched between a first portion 241 and a second portion 242 at both ends. The basic structure is the same as that of the form.

  Among these, the first portion 241 shown in FIG. 9A is provided on the incident port side and has a rod-shaped outer shape, and four first rod members 241a extending in the axial direction are arranged in a matrix. It is joined and integrated. Further, the intermediate portion 243 shown in FIG. 9B also has a rod-like outer shape, and is formed by integrally joining four triangular prism-shaped third rod members 243a extending in the axial direction. is there. On the other hand, the 2nd part 242 shown in FIG.9 (c) consists of a single 2nd rod member which has a quadrangular prism-shaped external shape extended in an axial center direction.

  In the illustrated rod integrator, the light source light is uniformly made uniform by each first rod member 241a provided in the first portion 241, and each first rod member 241a is provided by each third rod member 241a provided in the next intermediate portion 243. The light source light emitted from the light source is split and combined and further individually made uniform. And the light source light inject | emitted from each 3rd rod member 241a is mixed uniformly by the 2nd part 242 of the next step.

  Although the above description is about the B light rod integrator, other G light and R light rod integrators have the same structure.

[Fourth Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a projector according to a fourth embodiment of the invention will be described. The projector according to the fourth embodiment is a modification of the projector according to the first embodiment.

  FIGS. 10A to 10C are diagrams for explaining each part of the B light rod integrator incorporated in the projector of the fourth embodiment. This rod integrator has a square columnar outer shape as a whole, and has a structure in which a two-stage intermediate portion 343 is sandwiched between a first portion 341 and a second portion 342 at both ends. The basic structure is the same as that of the form.

  Of these, the first portion 341 shown in FIG. 10A is provided on the incident port side and has a rod-shaped outer shape, and 16 first rod members 341a extending in the axial direction are arranged in a matrix. It is joined and integrated. Further, the intermediate portion 343 shown in FIG. 10B also has a rod-shaped outer shape, and is formed by arranging and joining nine third rod members 343a extending in the axial direction in a matrix. On the other hand, the 2nd part 342 shown in FIG.10 (c) consists of a single 2nd rod member which has a quadrangular prism-shaped external shape extended in an axial center direction.

  In the illustrated rod integrator, the light source light is uniformly made uniform by each first rod member 341a provided in the first portion 341, and each first rod member 341a is provided by each third rod member 341a provided in the next intermediate portion 343. The light source light emitted from the light source is split and combined and further individually made uniform. And the light source light inject | emitted from each 3rd rod member 341a by the 2nd part 342 of the next stage is mixed uniformly.

  Although the above description is about the B light rod integrator, other G light and R light rod integrators have the same structure.

[Fifth Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a projector according to a fifth embodiment of the invention will be described. The projector according to the fifth embodiment is a modification of the projector according to the first embodiment.

  FIG. 11 is a block diagram conceptually illustrating the structure of the projector 410 according to the fifth embodiment. For example, the B light illumination device 421 includes a B light source unit 421a and a rod integrator 21c. Among them, the B light source unit 421a is a condensing lens in which LEDs 21f are arranged in a 4 × 4 matrix on a circuit board 21g, and beam shaping lens elements are individually arranged in front of each LED 21f. It has an array 421b. The first light source light LB emitted from each LED 21f that is a light source portion passes through the condenser lens array 421b and then enters the incident port IP of the rod integrator 21c.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram for conceptually explaining the positional relationship between each LED 21f and the rod integrator 21c. As is apparent from the drawing, each LED 21f and each first rod member 41a (see FIG. 4) exposed to the incident port IP of the rod integrator 21c have a one-to-one correspondence.

  Returning to FIG. 11, the G light illumination device 423 includes a G light source unit 423a and a rod integrator 23c. Among these, the G light source unit 423a is a condensing lens in which LEDs 23f are arranged in a 4 × 4 matrix on a circuit board 23g, and beam shaping lens elements are individually arranged in front of each LED 23f. It has an array 423b. The second light source light LG emitted from each LED 23f passes through the condensing lens array 423b and then individually enters each first rod member in a 4 × 4 matrix array exposed to the incident port IP of the rod integrator 23c. .

  The R light illumination device 425 includes an R light source unit 425a and a rod integrator 25c. Among them, the R light source unit 425a is a condensing lens in which LEDs 25f are arranged in a 4 × 4 matrix on a circuit board 25g, and beam shaping lens elements are individually arranged in front of each LED 25f. It has an array 425b. The third light source light LR emitted from each LED 25f passes through the condenser lens array 425b, and then individually enters each first rod member in a 4 × 4 matrix array exposed to the entrance port IP of the rod integrator 25c. .

[Sixth Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a projector according to a sixth embodiment of the invention will be described. The projector according to the sixth embodiment is a modification of the projector according to the first embodiment.

  13A and 13B are a partially broken front view and a side view for explaining the structure of the projector according to the sixth embodiment. The projector 510 is a rear projection type device that displays an image by rear projection, and includes a projector main body 14 at the bottom of the case 12 that is a casing, and a reflection mirror 16 at the upper rear side in the case 12. 12 A transmission screen member 18 is provided on the front surface. The image light emitted from the projector main body 14 travels rearward and upward with the optical axis OA1 as the center, is bent to the front side by the reflection mirror 16 with the optical axis OA2 as the center, and enters the transmissive screen member 18. The projector main body 14, the reflection mirror 16, and the transmissive screen member 18 are positioned and fixed in the case 12 by means not shown.

  Here, the projector main body 14 corresponds to the projector 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and includes a chassis 61 in which the color light illumination devices 21 to 25 and the liquid crystal light valves 31 to 35 are incorporated and the projection lens 40 is embedded. And a circuit board 62 on which the light source driving device 27, the element driving device 38, and the control device 50 shown in FIG. 1 are mounted.

  Also in the case of the sixth embodiment, the rod integrators 21c, 23c, and 25c of the respective colors including the first portion 41, the intermediate portion 43, and the second portion 42 shown in FIG. It is possible to emit extremely uniform illumination light from the exit ports 23c and 25c and to enter the liquid crystal light valves 31, 33 and 35 of each color without impairing the uniformity. That is, the liquid crystal light valves 31, 33, and 35 can be illuminated with illumination light having sufficient luminance and uniformity, and a high-luminance image can be projected.

  As described above, the present invention has been described according to the embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the rod integrators 21c, 23c, and 25c need not be limited to two or three stages with respect to the axial direction AX, and can be configured to have four or more stages.

  Also, the number of vertically divided sections and the cross-sectional shape along the axial direction AX of the first portion 41 and the intermediate portion 43 should be changed as appropriate according to the performance and specifications required for the rod integrators 21c, 23c, 25c. Can do.

  In the fifth embodiment, the LEDs 21f are arranged so as to correspond to the first rod members 41a of the rod integrator 21c on a one-to-one basis. However, the light source light from the single LED 21f is used as a plurality of first rods. It can also be made incident on the member 41a.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, the 1st rod member 41a, the 3rd rod member 43a, etc. which comprise the rod integrators 21c, 23c, and 25c are not limited to solid prisms, and have a mirror formed on the inner surface of a hollow cylinder. can do.

  Further, in the first embodiment and the like, the number, arrangement, interval, and the like of the LEDs 21f, 23f, 25f in the respective color light illumination devices 21, 23, 25 can be appropriately changed according to the specifications of the projector. In a specific example, four LEDs 21f for B light, seven LEDs 23f for G light, and seven LEDs 25f for R light are used.

  In addition, the shape and structure of the condenser lens arrays 21b, 23b, and 25b in the color light illuminating devices 21, 23, and 25 can be appropriately changed according to the specifications of the projector. As a result, the incident angle range of the illumination light incident on the rod integrators 21c, 23c, and 25c of each color can be adjusted. As a result, the viewing angle of the illumination light incident on the liquid crystal light valves 31, 33, and 35 of each color is adjusted. The range can be freely controlled to some extent.

  The first polarizing filters 26a, 26b and 26c are arranged between the emission ports OP of the rod integrators 21c, 23c and 25c for the respective colors and the liquid crystal light valves 31, 33 and 35 for the respective colors. Further, it can be arranged on the incident port IP side or in the rod integrators 21c, 23c, 25c.

  Further, as the projector 10, the light source light from the white light source is collected by a mirror or the like and incident on the incident end of the rod integrator to obtain uniform illumination light at the exit end of the rod integrator. It is also possible to directly illuminate a single color display type liquid crystal light valve disposed facing the integrator's exit end. Also in this case, by using the rod integrator 21c or the like as in the above embodiment, the light source light from the white light source can be used efficiently, and the effective pixel area of the liquid crystal light valve can be illuminated uniformly and efficiently. can do.

It is a block diagram which illustrates notionally the structure of the projector of 1st Embodiment. (A), (b) is the top view and side view of the main-body part of a projector. (A), (b) is the top view and side view of a projector. It is a perspective view of the rod integrator integrated in a light source device. (A)-(c) is a figure explaining the structure of a rod integrator. It is a front view of a liquid crystal light valve. It is a figure explaining the arrangement | positioning relationship between a liquid crystal light valve and a rod integrator. (A)-(d) is a figure of the rod integrator of 2nd Embodiment. (A)-(c) is a figure of the rod integrator of a 3rd embodiment. (A)-(c) is a figure of the rod integrator of 4th Embodiment. It is a block diagram which illustrates notionally the structure of the projector of 5th Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the arrangement | positioning relationship between each LED and a rod integrator. (A), (b) is a figure explaining the projector of 6th Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Projector, 20 ... Illuminating device, 21, 23, 25 ... Each color light illuminating device, 21a ... Light source unit for B light, 21c, 23c, 25c ... Rod integrator, 23a ... Light source unit for G light, 25a ... For B light Light source unit, 26a, 26b, 26c ... 1st polarizing filter, 27 ... Light source driving device, 30 ... Light modulation device, 31, 33, 35 ... Liquid crystal light valve, 41 ... 1st part, 42 ... 2nd part, 43 ... Intermediate part, 36a, 36b, 36c ... 2nd polarizing filter, 37 ... Cross dichroic prism, 38 ... Element drive device, 40 ... Projection lens, 41a ... 1st rod member, 43a ... 3rd rod member, 50 ... Control device

Claims (7)

A light source that generates source light;
A first portion formed of a plurality of first rod members provided on the incident end side and extending in the axial direction by a predetermined length and aligned at both ends, and a single second rod member provided on the emission end side And a middle portion comprising a plurality of third rod members provided between the first portion and the second portion, each extending a predetermined length in the axial direction and aligned at both ends. The first portion and the second portion are joined to both ends of the intermediate portion, and a plurality of sets of adjacent first rod members are united as a single third rod member. And a rod integrator that makes the light source light incident on the incident end uniform and emits it from the exit end as illumination light. Wherein the plurality of first rod members, laterally joined to each other illumination device according to claim 1, characterized in that it forms a first portion of the integral. The light source includes a plurality of light source portions respectively corresponding to the plurality of first rod members and allowing light source light to be incident on respective incident ends of the plurality of first rod members. Item 3. The lighting device according to any one of Items 2 to 3. The light source, any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises a light source portion for the incident source light simultaneously incident end of the first rod member adjacent one of the plurality of first rod member The lighting device described. The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ,
A projector comprising: a light modulation device illuminated by illumination light emitted from an exit end of the rod integrator. The projector according to claim 5 , further comprising a projection optical system that projects image light modulated by the light modulation device. A light source that generates light of each color;
A first portion comprising a plurality of first rod members provided on the incident end side and extending in the axial direction by a predetermined length and aligned at both ends, and a single second rod member provided on the emission end side And a middle portion comprising a plurality of third rod members provided between the first portion and the second portion, each extending a predetermined length in the axial direction and aligned at both ends. It has the door, wherein the first portion and the second portion is joined to both ends of said intermediate portion, a single of the third rod member adjacent a plurality pair of the first rod member as a unit is connected to a respective color rod integrator respectively emitted individually from the exit end of the light source light for each incident color as the illuminating light individually equalized to the entrance end,
A light transmissive light modulation device for each color disposed opposite to the exit end of each color rod integrator;
A light combining optical system for combining and emitting image light of each color modulated by the light modulation device of each color;
A projection optical system for projecting the image light combined through the light combining optical system;
A projector comprising:

Images