Imaging system and projection device

Abstract

An imaging system includes a housing, a light splitting element, a light valve module, and a compensation module. The light valve module is configured in a transmission path of an illumination light beam for converting the illumination light beam into an image light beam. The light splitting element is configured in the transmission path of the illumination light beam for reflecting the illumination light beam and allowing the image light beam to pass through. The compensation module is configured between the light valve module and the light splitting element. The compensation module includes a carrier element and a compensation element. The carrier element includes a placement slot. The carrier element is configured to rotate around a rotation axis. The compensation element is configured in the placement slot and located in the transmission path of the illumination light beam and the image light beam, which can improve the convenience and accuracy of adjusting the angle of the compensation element.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an optical system and a display device, and more particularly to an imaging system and a projection device using the above imaging system. Background Technology

[0002] Projection devices, such as projectors, are display devices used to produce large-screen images. With the evolution and innovation of technology, they have been continuously improving. The imaging principle of a projection device is to convert the illumination beam generated by the lighting system into an image beam through a light valve, and then project the image beam through a projection lens onto the target object (such as a screen or wall) to form a projected image.

[0003] In projection devices using liquid crystal on silicon (LCoS), also known as single-crystal silicon reflective liquid crystal, the contrast and brightness often fail to meet preset requirements. When light from the light source is reflected by a polarizing beam splitter (PBS) to the LCoS, and then reflected again through the PBS before passing through the projection lens, the polarization directions of the reflected light are not perfectly aligned, resulting in insufficient brightness and contrast.

[0004] Currently, compensation plates are used to correct the inconsistent polarization of light caused by silicon-based liquid crystals in order to achieve optimal brightness, contrast, and image quality. However, in current designs, the range of adjustable polarization angles is limited after the compensation plate is assembled into the projection device. Furthermore, the method of using screws to attach a dust cover and press the compensation plate holder after adjusting the polarization angle is prone to problems such as poor fixation and misalignment. Additionally, when the phase difference angle of the compensation plate exceeds 45 degrees, it is impossible to replace it with material with the correct phase angle, resulting in an inability to adjust the polarization angle. Moreover, a single polarizer design cannot achieve optimal efficiency.

[0005] The "Background Art" paragraph is only used to help understand the content of this invention. Therefore, the content disclosed in the "Background Art" paragraph may include some known technologies that are not known to those skilled in the art. The content disclosed in the "Background Art" paragraph does not mean that the content or the problems to be solved by one or more embodiments of this invention were known or recognized by those skilled in the art before this application was filed. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present invention provides an imaging system and a projection device that can improve the convenience and accuracy of adjusting the angle of the compensation element.

[0007] Other objects and advantages of the present invention can be further understood from the technical features disclosed herein.

[0008] To achieve one, some, or all of the above objectives, or other objectives, the present invention provides an imaging system, including a housing, a beam splitter, a light valve module, and a compensation module. The light valve module is disposed in the transmission path of an illumination beam and is used to convert the illumination beam into an image beam. The beam splitter is disposed in the transmission path of the illumination beam and is used to reflect the illumination beam and allow the image beam to pass through. The compensation module is disposed between the light valve module and the beam splitter. The compensation module includes a support element and a compensation element. The support element includes a placement slot. The support element is used to rotate about a rotation axis. The compensation element is disposed in the placement slot and is located in the transmission paths of the illumination beam and the image beam.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, the placement slot includes a first space and a second space, the compensation element is disposed in the first space or the second space, and the angle of the compensation element disposed in the first space differs from the angle of the compensation element disposed in the second space by 45 degrees.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, the compensation module further includes an adjustment element, the bearing element rotates about a rotation axis according to the position of the adjustment element, and the adjustment element is used to detachably fix the bearing element, and the housing includes a limiting groove, the adjustment element is located in the limiting groove, and the adjustment element is used to change its position in the limiting groove to drive the bearing element to rotate.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, the limiting groove is arc-shaped.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present invention, the rotation angle of the bearing element is greater than 40 degrees and less than 50 degrees.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, the housing includes a limiting wall, and the adjusting element abuts against the limiting wall to fix the bearing element.

[0014] In one embodiment of the present invention, the compensation module further includes a gear turntable disposed on the bearing element, the gear turntable being used to rotate around the rotation axis to drive the bearing element to rotate.

[0015] In one embodiment of the present invention, the light valve module includes a reflective liquid crystal silicon-coated plate.

[0016] In one embodiment of the present invention, the compensation element is a quarter-wave plate.

[0017] In one embodiment of the present invention, the imaging system further includes a first polarizing element and a second polarizing element, wherein the first polarizing element is disposed on the transmission path of the illumination beam, and the illumination beam is sequentially transmitted to the first polarizing element, the beam splitter, the compensation module and the light valve module; and the second polarizing element is disposed on the transmission path of the image beam, and the image beam is sequentially transmitted by the light valve module to the compensation module, the beam splitter and the second polarizing element.

[0018] To achieve one, some, or all of the above objectives, or other objectives, the present invention further provides a projection device, including an illumination system, an imaging system, and a projection lens. The illumination system provides an illumination beam. The imaging system includes a housing, a beam splitter, a light valve module, and a compensation module. The light valve module is disposed in the transmission path of the illumination beam and is used to convert the illumination beam into an image beam. The beam splitter is disposed in the transmission path of the illumination beam and is used to reflect the illumination beam and allow the image beam to pass through. The compensation module is disposed between the light valve module and the beam splitter. The compensation module includes a support element and a compensation element. The support element includes a placement slot. The support element is used to rotate about a rotation axis. The compensation element is disposed in the placement slot and is located in the transmission paths of the illumination beam and the image beam. The projection lens is disposed in the transmission path of the image beam and is used to project the image beam out of the projection device.

[0019] Based on the above, the embodiments of the present invention have at least one of the following advantages or effects. In the imaging system and projection device of the present invention, the imaging system includes a compensation module disposed between the light valve module and the beam splitter. The compensation module includes a carrier element and a compensation element, the compensation element being disposed in a placement slot of the carrier element, and an adjustment element detachably fixing the carrier element. The carrier element is rotatable about a rotation axis. Therefore, the user can adjust the rotation angle of the compensation element. In this way, it is not necessary to adjust the angle of the compensation element by disassembling the housing, further avoiding errors caused by disassembling or assembling the housing, and simultaneously improving the convenience and accuracy of adjusting the compensation element.

[0020] To make the above features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, specific embodiments are described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a projection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a portion of a projection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A three-dimensional exploded view of part of the projection device.

[0024] Figure 4 for Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the light path of a portion of the projection device.

[0025] Figure 5 and Figure 6 They are respectively Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the compensation module in the projection device under different configurations.

[0026] Figure 7 for Figure 2 A rear view diagram of part of the projection device.

[0027] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of a compensation module according to another embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0028] The foregoing and other technical contents, features, and effects of the present invention will be clearly presented in the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings. The directional terms mentioned in the following embodiments, such as up, down, left, right, front, or back, are merely for reference to the accompanying drawings. Therefore, the directional terms used are for illustrative purposes and not for limiting the present invention.

[0029] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a projection device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Please refer to... Figure 1 This embodiment provides a projection device 10, including an illumination system 50, an imaging system 100, and a projection lens 70. The illumination system 50 provides an illumination beam LB. The imaging system 100 is disposed in the transmission path of the illumination beam LB and converts the illumination beam LB into an image beam LI. The projection lens 70 is disposed in the transmission path of the image beam LI and projects the image beam LI from the projection device 10 onto a projection target (not shown), such as a screen or wall.

[0030] For example, the lighting system 50 may have multiple light-emitting diodes (LEDs), laser light sources, or bulbs as light sources, and may be combined with other optical elements such as wavelength conversion elements, light-diffusing elements, light-filtering elements, or multiple light-splitting elements, depending on the light source, to provide light beams of different wavelengths (colors) as the source of the illumination beam LB. However, the present invention does not limit the type or form of the lighting system 50 in the projection device 10, and its detailed structure and implementation can be designed by the manufacturer, and therefore will not be described in detail.

[0031] The projection lens 70 may include, for example, a combination of one or more optical lenses with refractive power, such as various combinations of non-planar lenses including biconcave lenses, biconvex lenses, concave-convex lenses, convex-concave lenses, plano-convex lenses, and plano-concave lenses. In one embodiment, the projection lens 70 may also include planar optical lenses to reflectively project the image beam L1 from the imaging system 100 onto the projection target. The present invention does not limit the type or form of the projection lens 70.

[0032] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a portion of a projection device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 for Figure 2 A three-dimensional exploded view of part of the projection device. Figure 4 for Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the light path of a portion of the projection device. Please refer to... Figures 2 to 4 . Figure 2 The portion of the projection device 10 shown is applied to Figure 1 The projection device 10. The imaging system 100 includes a housing 110, a beam splitter 120, a light valve module 130, and a compensation module 140. The housing 110 is used to house the beam splitter 120, the light valve module 130, and the compensation module 140. The housing 110 is connected to the illumination system 50 and the projection lens 70 (not shown).

[0033] The beam splitter 120 is disposed on the transmission path of the illumination beam LB and the transmission path of the image beam LI, for reflecting the illumination beam LB and allowing the image beam LI to pass through. In this embodiment, the beam splitter 120 is, for example, a polarizing beam splitter (PBS).

[0034] The light valve module 130 is disposed in the transmission path of the illumination beam LB and is used to convert the illumination beam LB into an image beam LI. In this embodiment, the light valve module 130 includes, for example, a liquid crystal on silicon panel (LCOS panel) and its control circuitry.

[0035] Figure 5 and Figure 6 They are respectively Figure 2 The diagram shows the compensation module in the projection device under different configurations. Please also refer to... Figures 2 to 5The compensation module 140 is disposed between the light valve module 130 and the beam splitter 120. In this embodiment, the housing 110 includes a mounting slot for inserting the compensation module 140 into the housing 110. The compensation module 140 includes a carrier element 142, a compensation element 144, and an adjustment element 146. The carrier element 142 includes a placement slot C, in which the compensation element 144 is disposed. The compensation element 144 is located on the transmission path of the illumination beam LB and the image beam LI. The compensation element 144 is used to adjust the linear polarization direction of the beams, such as the polarization direction of the illumination beam LB and the image beam LI. In this embodiment, the compensation element 144 is, for example, a quarter-wave plate. Therefore, when the illumination beam LB is transmitted to the beam splitter 120, it is reflected by the beam splitter 120 and sequentially transmitted to the compensation element 144 and the light valve module 130 to form the image beam LI. The image beam LI is emitted by the light valve module 130. The image beam LI passes through the compensation element 144 and the beam splitter 120 in sequence. The linear polarization direction of the beam can be adjusted by passing through the compensation element 144 twice.

[0036] Adjusting element 146 is used to detachably secure carrier element 142, which is used to rotate about rotation axis A according to the position of adjusting element 146. Rotation axis A is located at the center of compensating element 144 and perpendicular to the light-emitting surface of compensating element 144. Adjusting element 146 is, for example, a locking screw. In other words, when adjusting element 146 is removed or loosened, the user moves the position of carrier element 142, rotating it left or right, causing carrier element 142 to rotate about rotation axis A, thereby adjusting the angle of compensating element 144. For example, in this embodiment, adjusting element 146 is detachably locked to a protruding structure in carrier element 142, such as... Figure 5 As shown. In this way, it is not necessary to adjust the angle of the compensation element 144 by disassembling the housing 110, further avoiding the error of the bearing element 142 caused by disassembling or assembling the housing 110, and improving the convenience and accuracy of adjusting the bearing element 144 at the same time.

[0037] Please also refer to Figure 5 and Figure 6 In detail, in this embodiment, the placement slot C of the supporting element 142 further includes a first space E1 and a second space E2, and the compensation element 144 can be configured in the first space E1 as needed (e.g., Figure 5 ) or configured in the second space E2 (such as Figure 6Furthermore, the angle at which the compensation element 144 is positioned in the first space E1 differs from the angle at which it is positioned in the second space E2 by 45 degrees. In other words, when the phase difference angle of the compensation element 144 exceeds a certain threshold, the assembly position of the compensation element 144 can be changed, and then it can be fixed to the support element 142 to satisfy the change in phase angle. In addition, the rotation angle of the support element 142 can be further designed to be greater than 40 degrees and less than 50 degrees. In a preferred embodiment, the rotation angle of the support element 142 is 46 degrees (that is, it can rotate ±23 degrees).

[0038] Figure 7 for Figure 2 A rear view diagram of part of the projection device. Please also refer to... Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 5 as well as Figure 7 More specifically, in this embodiment, the housing 110 further includes a limiting groove 112 (located in the second portion 110_2 of the housing 110) and a limiting wall 114 (located in the first portion 110_1 of the housing 110). The protruding structure in the bearing element 142 of the compensation module 140 is located in the limiting groove 112. The adjusting element 146 of the compensation module 140 is located in the limiting groove 112 and is used to change its position in the limiting groove 112 to rotate the bearing element 142. For example, in this embodiment, the limiting groove 112 is arc-shaped, such as... Figure 7 As shown. Therefore, the user can move the adjustment element 146 to the position of the limiting groove 112 to adjust the rotation angle of the compensation element 144. On the other hand, the adjustment element 146 of the compensation module 140 abuts against the limiting wall 114 to fix the bearing element 142. Specifically, when the user wants to fix the rotation angle of the compensation element 144, the user can lock the adjustment element 146, thereby clamping the bearing element 142 with the adjustment element 146 and the limiting wall 114. When the user wants to adjust the rotation angle of the compensation element 144, the user can release the adjustment element 146 to make the adjustment. In this way, the rotation angle of the compensation element 144 can be adjusted without disassembling the housing 110, further avoiding errors caused by disassembling or assembling the housing 110, and improving the convenience and accuracy of adjusting the compensation element 144.

[0039] Please refer to Figure 3In other embodiments, the first portion 110_1 of the housing 110 has an opening (not shown). A support element 142 is located in a limiting groove 112. Through this opening, the user can release the adjusting element 146 downwards in the negative Z direction and move the support element 142 in the limiting groove 112 to adjust the rotation angle of the compensation element 144. This eliminates the need to disassemble the housing 110 to adjust the rotation angle of the compensation element 144, further avoiding errors caused by disassembling or assembling the housing 110, and simultaneously improving the convenience and accuracy of adjusting the compensation element 144.

[0040] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of a compensation module according to another embodiment. Please refer to... Figure 8 The compensation module 140A shown in this embodiment is similar to Figure 5 The compensation module 140 is shown. The difference between the two is that, in this embodiment, the compensation module 140A further includes a gear disk 148, disposed on the support element 142. The gear disk 148 is used to rotate about the rotation axis A to drive the support element 142 to rotate. Therefore, using the gear disk 148 allows the rotation angle of the support element 142 to be increased to 360 degrees, thereby adjusting the angle of the compensation element 144, while improving the convenience and accuracy of adjusting the compensation element 144. Furthermore, it can further save volume to increase usable space.

[0041] Refer again Figure 4 In this embodiment, the imaging system 100 further includes a first polarizing element 150 and a second polarizing element 160. The first polarizing element 150 is disposed on the transmission path of the illumination beam LB. The second polarizing element 160 is disposed on the transmission path of the image beam LI. The illumination beam LB is sequentially transmitted to the first polarizing element 150, the beam splitter 120, the compensation module 140, and the light valve module 130, while the image beam LI is sequentially transmitted from the light valve module 130 to the compensation module 140, the beam splitter 120, and the second polarizing element 160. The first polarizing element 150 and the second polarizing element 160 are, for example, linear polarizers, used to ensure that the polarization state of the transmitted beams is consistent. Therefore, by using two polarizers, the luminous efficiency can be further improved, thereby improving the optimal measurement, contrast, and image quality.

[0042] In summary, in the imaging system and projection device of the present invention, the imaging system includes a compensation module disposed between the light valve module and the beam splitter. The compensation module includes a support element, a compensation element, and an adjustment element. The compensation element is disposed in a placement slot of the support element, while the adjustment element detachably fixes the support element. The support element can rotate about a rotation axis depending on the position of the adjustment element. Therefore, the user can adjust the rotation angle of the compensation element by moving the position of the adjustment element. In this way, the angle of the compensation element can be adjusted without disassembling the housing, further avoiding errors caused by disassembling or assembling the housing, and simultaneously improving both the convenience and accuracy of adjustment.

[0043] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. All simple equivalent changes and modifications made in accordance with the claims and specification of the present invention are still within the scope of the patent coverage of the present invention. Furthermore, no embodiment or claim of the present invention needs to achieve all the objectives, advantages, or features disclosed in the present invention. In addition, the abstract and title are only used to assist in patent document retrieval and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," etc., mentioned in this specification or claims are only used to name elements or distinguish different embodiments or scopes, and are not used to limit the upper or lower limit of the number of elements.

[0044] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0045] 10: Projection device

[0046] 50: Lighting System

[0047] 70: Projection lens

[0048] 100: Imaging System

[0049] 110: Shell

[0050] 110_1: Part One

[0051] 110_2: Part Two

[0052] 112: Limiting groove

[0053] 114: Limiting wall

[0054] 120: Spectrometer

[0055] 130: Light valve module

[0056] 140, 140A: Compensation Module

[0057] 142: Load-bearing element

[0058] 144: Compensation element

[0059] 146: Adjustment element

[0060] 148: Gear Turntable

[0061] 150: First polarization element

[0062] 160: Second polarization element

[0063] A: Rotation axis

[0064] C: Placement slot

[0065] E1: First Space

[0066] E2: Second Space

[0067] LB: Illumination beam

[0068] LI: Image beam.

Claims

1. An imaging system, characterized in that, The imaging system includes a housing, a beam splitter, a light valve module, and a compensation module. The light valve module is configured on the transmission path of the illumination beam and is used to convert the illumination beam into an image beam. The beam splitter is positioned in the transmission path of the illumination beam to reflect the illumination beam and allow the image beam to pass through; as well as The compensation module is disposed between the optical valve module and the beam splitter. The compensation module includes a carrier element and a compensation element, wherein: The carrier element includes a placement slot, and the carrier element is used to rotate about a rotation axis; and The compensation element is disposed in the placement slot and is located on the transmission path of the illumination beam and the image beam. The compensation module further includes an adjustment element for detachably fixing the bearing element, and the housing includes a limiting groove in which the adjustment element is located, and the adjustment element is used to change position in the limiting groove to drive the bearing element to rotate around the rotation axis.

2. The imaging system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The placement slot includes a first space and a second space. The compensation element is disposed in the first space or the second space, and the angle of the compensation element disposed in the first space differs from the angle of the compensation element disposed in the second space by 45 degrees.

3. The imaging system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The limiting groove is arc-shaped.

4. The imaging system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The rotation angle of the bearing element is greater than 40 degrees and less than 50 degrees.

5. The imaging system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The housing includes a limiting wall, and the adjusting element abuts against the limiting wall to fix the bearing element.

6. The imaging system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The compensation module also includes a gear turntable disposed on the bearing element, the gear turntable being used to rotate around the rotation axis to drive the bearing element to rotate.

7. The imaging system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The light valve module includes a reflective liquid crystal silicon-coated plate.

8. The imaging system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The compensation element is a quarter-wave plate.

9. The imaging system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The imaging system further includes a first polarization element and a second polarization element, wherein: The first polarizing element is disposed on the transmission path of the illumination beam, and the illumination beam is sequentially transmitted to the first polarizing element, the beam splitter, the compensation module, and the light valve module; and The second polarization element is disposed on the transmission path of the image beam, and the image beam is sequentially transmitted by the optical valve module to the compensation module, the beam splitter and the second polarization element.

10. A projection device, characterized in that, The projection device includes an illumination system, an imaging system, and a projection lens: The lighting system is used to provide a beam of light; The imaging system includes a housing, a beam splitter, a light valve module, and a compensation module, wherein: The light valve module is configured on the transmission path of the illumination beam and is used to convert the illumination beam into an image beam; The beam splitter is positioned in the transmission path of the illumination beam to reflect the illumination beam and allow the image beam to pass through; The compensation module is disposed between the optical valve module and the beam splitter. The compensation module includes a carrier element and a compensation element, wherein: The supporting element includes a placement groove, and the supporting element is used to rotate about a rotation axis; The compensation element is disposed in the placement slot and is located on the transmission path of the illumination beam and the image beam. The compensation module further includes an adjustment element for detachably fixing the bearing element, and the housing includes a limiting groove in which the adjustment element is located, the adjustment element being used to change position within the limiting groove to drive the bearing element to rotate about the rotation axis; and The projection lens is positioned on the transmission path of the image beam and is used to project the image beam out of the projection device.

11. The projection device according to claim 10, characterized in that, The placement slot includes a first space and a second space. The compensation element is disposed in the first space or the second space, and the angle of the compensation element disposed in the first space differs from the angle of the compensation element disposed in the second space by 45 degrees.

12. The projection device according to claim 10, characterized in that, The limiting groove is arc-shaped.

13. The projection device according to claim 10, characterized in that, The rotation angle of the bearing element is greater than 40 degrees and less than 50 degrees.

14. The projection device according to claim 10, characterized in that, The housing includes a limiting wall, and the adjusting element abuts against the limiting wall to fix the bearing element.

15. The projection device according to claim 10, characterized in that, The compensation module also includes a gear turntable disposed on the bearing element, the gear turntable being used to rotate around the rotation axis to drive the bearing element to rotate.

16. The projection device according to claim 10, characterized in that, The light valve module includes a reflective liquid crystal silicon-coated plate.

17. The projection device according to claim 10, characterized in that, The compensation element is a quarter-wave plate.

18. The projection device according to claim 10, characterized in that, The imaging system further includes a first polarization element and a second polarization element, wherein: The first polarizing element is disposed on the transmission path of the illumination beam, and the illumination beam is sequentially transmitted to the first polarizing element, the beam splitter, the compensation module, and the light valve module; and The second polarization element is disposed on the transmission path of the image beam, and the image beam is sequentially transmitted by the optical valve module to the compensation module, the beam splitter and the second polarization element.

Images