Light source device and projection device

Abstract

The present application provides a light source device capable of improving the use efficiency of the internal space of the light source device by suppressing the increase in the number of components and a projection device provided with the light source device. The light source device is provided with: a rotating wheel device (150) having a rotating wheel (151) including a reflection region that reflects blue band light and a transmission region that transmits at least red band light and green band light; and a dichroic mirror (200) that transmits blue band light and red band light and reflects green band light, the dichroic mirror (200) including an intersection portion (200a) that is crossed in a manner overlapping a portion of the rotating wheel (151) and is irradiated with blue band light and red band light and green band light.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-205385, filed on December 17, 2021, and the contents of that basic application are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to light source devices and projection devices. Background Technology

[0003] Currently, projection devices are used to project images such as computer screens, video feeds, and image data stored on memory cards onto a screen. These devices focus light emitted from a light source onto a micromirror display element, called a DMD (Digital Micromirror Device), or liquid crystal panel, to display color images on the screen.

[0004] For example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2021-139975 discloses a light source device comprising a light source emitting blue wavelength light (first wavelength light), a light source emitting red wavelength light (second wavelength light), a dichroic mirror, and a phosphor wheel emitting green wavelength light (third wavelength light) as fluorescent light. Blue wavelength light is guided to the display element side by passing through the dichroic mirror and the phosphor wheel. Red wavelength light is guided to the display element side by passing through the dichroic mirror. Furthermore, green wavelength light emitted from the phosphor wheel is reflected by the dichroic mirror and guided to the display element side.

[0005] However, in the light source device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2021-139975, the optical path of blue light is different from that of red and green light. Therefore, it is necessary to configure additional lens components to guide the blue light, which sometimes reduces the efficiency of the internal space utilization of the light source device. Furthermore, the increase in the number of components due to the additional lens components sometimes leads to increased component costs and requires higher assembly precision. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In view of the above, the present disclosure aims to provide a light source device that can improve the utilization efficiency of the internal space of the light source device by suppressing the increase in the number of components, and a projection device having the light source device.

[0007] The light source device disclosed herein comprises: a rotating wheel device having a rotating wheel including a reflective region for reflecting first-wavelength light and a transmissive region for transmitting at least second-wavelength light and third-wavelength light; a mirror component including a cross portion that intersects with a portion of the rotating wheel, for transmitting the first-wavelength light and the second-wavelength light and for reflecting the third-wavelength light; a first light source configured to emit the first-wavelength light and irradiate the first-wavelength light toward the cross portion; a second light source configured to emit the second-wavelength light and irradiate the second-wavelength light toward the cross portion; and a fluorescent light-emitting device irradiated by the first-wavelength light transmitted through the rotating wheel and emitting fluorescence containing the third-wavelength light toward the cross portion, wherein the rotating wheel device and the mirror component are configured such that the optical axis of the first-wavelength light reflected by the reflective region overlaps with the optical axis of the second-wavelength light transmitted through the rotating wheel and the mirror component and the optical axis of the third-wavelength light reflected by the mirror component.

[0008] The projection apparatus disclosed herein includes: the aforementioned light source device; a display element that generates image light; a projection optical system that projects the image light emitted from the display element onto a projected object; and a control unit that controls the aforementioned light source device and the aforementioned display element.

[0009] According to this disclosure, a light source device and a projection device having the light source device can be provided that can improve the space utilization efficiency within the light source device by suppressing the increase in the number of components. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing the functional circuit blocks of the projection device according to the first embodiment.

[0011] Figure 2 This is a top view schematic diagram showing the internal structure of the projection device according to the first embodiment.

[0012] Figure 3 (a) is a front view showing the component arrangement near the dichroic mirror in the first embodiment, and (b) is a perspective view showing the component arrangement near the dichroic mirror in the first embodiment.

[0013] Figure 4 This is a top view schematic diagram showing the rotating wheel device in the first embodiment.

[0014] Figure 5 This is a top view schematic diagram showing the situation in the first embodiment where the excitation light irradiated onto the rotating wheel device and the dichroic mirror is reflected by the rotating wheel device.

[0015] Figure 6This is a top view schematic diagram showing the situation in the first embodiment where the excitation light behind the transmission rotating wheel device and the dichroic mirror irradiates the fluorescent emitting region of the fluorescent emitting device, and the fluorescence emitted in the fluorescent emitting region is reflected by the dichroic mirror.

[0016] Figure 7 This is a top view schematic diagram showing the case where red band light irradiating the rotating wheel device and the dichroic mirror is transmitted through the rotating wheel device and the dichroic mirror in the first embodiment.

[0017] Figure 8 (a) is a front view showing the component configuration near the dichroic mirror in the second embodiment, and (b) is a perspective view showing the component configuration near the dichroic mirror in the second embodiment.

[0018] Figure 9 This is a top view schematic diagram showing the internal structure of the projection device according to the third embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0019] (First Implementation)

[0020] The following is for reference Figures 1 to 7 The first embodiment of this disclosure will be described. Figure 1 This is a functional circuit block diagram of the projection device 10. The projection device control unit consists of a CPU including an image conversion unit 23 and a control unit 38, a front-end unit including an input / output interface 22, a display encoder 24, and a display driver unit 26. Image signals of various specifications input from the input / output connector unit 21 are converted by the image conversion unit 23 into image signals of a predetermined format suitable for display via the input / output interface 22 and the system bus SB, and then output to the display encoder 24.

[0021] Furthermore, after the display encoder 24 expands the input image signal and stores it in the video RAM 25, it generates a video signal based on the stored content of the video RAM 25 and outputs it to the display driver 26.

[0022] The display driving unit 26 drives the display element 51, which is a spatial light modulation element (SOM), at an appropriate frame rate in accordance with the image signal output from the display encoder 24. In one embodiment, the display element 51 is a DMD (Digital Micromirror Device). The projection device 10 illuminates the display element 51 with a light beam emitted from the light source device 60 via the light guiding optical system 180, thereby forming a light image from the reflected light of the display element 51, and then projecting the image through the projection optical system 220 (see reference 220). Figure 2 The projection optical system 220 projects an image onto a screen or other projection surface (not shown). Furthermore, the movable lens group 235 of the projection optical system 220 can be driven by the lens motor 45 for scaling and focus adjustments.

[0023] Furthermore, the image compression / decompression unit 31 performs recording processing, that is, it compresses the luminance and chrominance signals of the image signal using ADCT and Huffman coding, and sequentially writes them to the memory card 32, which is a removable recording medium. In playback mode, the image compression / decompression unit 31 reads the image data recorded on the memory card 32, decompresses each image data constituting a series of videos frame by frame, and outputs it to the display encoder 24 via the image conversion unit 23. Therefore, the image compression / decompression unit 31 can output video and the like based on the image data stored on the memory card 32.

[0024] The control unit 38 manages the operation control of each circuit in the projection device 10, and consists of a ROM that stores the operation program of the CPU and various settings, and RAM used as working memory.

[0025] The button / indicator unit 37 consists of a main button and an indicator located in the housing. Operation signals from the button / indicator unit 37 are directly sent to the control unit 38. Furthermore, the Ir receiving unit 35 receives button operation signals from the remote control, and the Ir processing unit 36 ​​demodulates them into code signals and outputs them to the control unit 38.

[0026] The control unit 38 is connected to the sound processing unit 47 via the system bus SB. The sound processing unit 47 has sound source circuits such as PCM sound source, and converts sound data into analog in projection mode and playback mode to drive the speaker 48 for sound amplification and playback.

[0027] The control unit 38 controls the light source control circuit 41. The light source control circuit 41 separately controls the excitation light irradiation device 70, the red light source device 80, the fluorescent wheel device 100, and the rotating wheel device 150 (see reference). Figure 2 The operation is such that light of a predetermined wavelength required for image generation is emitted from the light source device 60.

[0028] Furthermore, the control unit 38 enables the cooling fan drive control circuit 43 to detect the temperature using multiple temperature sensors provided on the light source device 60, etc., and controls the rotation speed of the cooling fan (not shown) based on the temperature detection results. The control unit 38 also performs the following controls: the cooling fan drive control circuit 43 continues to rotate the cooling fan even after the power to the main body of the projection device 10 is turned off using a timer or the like; or the power to the main body of the projection device 10 is turned off based on the temperature detection results from the temperature sensors.

[0029] Next, the internal structure of the projection device 10 will be described. Figure 2This is a top view schematic diagram showing the internal structure of the projection device 10. Here, the housing of the projection device 10 is generally box-shaped, and includes a top panel and a bottom panel (not shown), a front panel 12, a rear panel 13, a right side panel 14, and a left side panel 15. Furthermore, the projection device 10 has a projection opening 12a on the front side. In the following description, "left and right" in the projection device 10 refers to the left-right direction relative to the projection direction from the projection opening 12a, and "front and back" refers to the front-back direction relative to the direction of the projected object and the direction of the beam's propagation.

[0030] The projection device 10 has a light source device 60 in the approximately central part of its internal space. A light guiding optical system 180 and a projection optical system 220 are arranged between the light source device 60 and the left side panel 15. Heat sinks 79, 86, etc. are arranged between the light source device 60 and the right side panel 14.

[0031] The light source device 60 includes an excitation light irradiation device (first-band light irradiation device) 70 that serves as both a light source for blue wavelength light (first-band light) and an excitation light source; a red light source device (second-band light irradiation device) 80 that serves as a light source for red wavelength light (second-band light); and a green light source device 90 that serves as a light source for green wavelength light (third-band light). The green light source device 90 is composed of the excitation light irradiation device 70 and a fluorescent wheel device (fluorescent light emission device) 100. Furthermore, the light source device 60 is equipped with a light source optical system 140 for guiding blue wavelength light, red wavelength light, and green wavelength light.

[0032] The light source optical system 140 includes a phosphor wheel device 100, a rotating wheel device 150, and a dichroic mirror (mirror component) 200. Furthermore, the light source optical system 140 includes a first reflecting mirror 144, a second reflecting mirror 145, a first condenser lens 148, and a second condenser lens 149. The first reflecting mirror 144 and the second reflecting mirror 145 reflect blue-band light, red-band light, and green-band light, respectively. The light source optical system 140 focuses the light beams emitted from various light source devices (excitation light irradiation device 70, red light source device 80, and green light source device 90) onto the incident surface of the microlens array 91 described below.

[0033] The excitation light irradiation device 70 is positioned approximately at the center of the housing of the projection device 10 in the left-right direction, near the rear panel 13. The excitation light irradiation device 70 includes a light source group of blue laser diodes (first light source) 71, a reflector group (reflective component) 75, an excitation light path side focusing lens 77, and a diffuser plate 78. The light source group is formed by multiple blue laser diodes 71, which are semiconductor light-emitting elements, arranged with their optical axes parallel to the rear panel 13. The blue laser diodes 71 constituting the light source group are arranged in a matrix of two rows and four columns. The excitation light irradiation device 70 is cooled by connecting to a heat sink 79 via heat pipes.

[0034] The mirror assembly 75 has multiple mirrors arranged in a stepped manner, which reduces the effective diameter of the beam emitted by the blue laser diode 71 in one direction. The mirror assembly 75 changes the optical axis of the emitted light from each blue laser diode 71 by approximately 90° towards the front panel 12. Therefore, the emitted light from each blue laser diode 71 is reflected by the mirror assembly 75 towards the excitation light path side focusing lens 77.

[0035] Furthermore, in this embodiment, an example is shown where a mirror assembly 75 is arranged on the optical axis of the blue laser diode 71. However, collimating lenses, optical fibers, etc., can also be arranged on the optical axis of the blue laser diode 71. When optical fibers are arranged, the excitation light irradiation device 70 further includes optical fibers, with the incident portion of the optical fiber arranged on the optical axis of each blue laser diode 71, and the exit portion of the optical fiber arranged towards the excitation light path side focusing lens 77. When using the aforementioned optical fibers, the arrangement of each blue laser diode 71 is not limited to... Figure 2 The location of each blue laser diode 71. In one embodiment, each blue laser diode 71 may also be disposed on the outside of the housing of the projection device 10. Furthermore, in this embodiment, an example with multiple blue laser diodes 71 is shown, but a single blue laser diode 71 may also be disposed as the excitation light source. The excitation light source can be any light source emitting light in the first wavelength band, and is not limited to a blue laser diode. In one embodiment, a blue LED (Light Emitting Diode) may also be used as the excitation light source.

[0036] The red light source device 80 includes a red light-emitting diode (second light source) 81 with its optical axis arranged parallel to the blue laser diode 71, and a red-side focusing lens group 85 that focuses the light emitted from the red light-emitting diode 81. The red-side focusing lens group 85 consists of two focusing lenses of different sizes. The red light-emitting diode 81 is a semiconductor light-emitting element that emits red-band light. Furthermore, the red light source device 80 is configured such that the optical axis of the red-band light emitted from the red light source device 80 intersects the optical axis of the blue-band light emitted from the excitation light irradiation device 70 and the optical axis of the green-band light emitted from the phosphor wheel 101. The red light source device 80 is cooled by being connected to a heat sink 86 via a heat pipe. In one embodiment, an optical fiber may also be arranged on the optical axis of the red light-emitting diode 81. When an optical fiber is arranged, the red light source device 80 further includes an optical fiber with an incident portion arranged on the optical axis of the red light-emitting diode 81 and an exit portion arranged toward the red-side focusing lens group 85.

[0037] The phosphor wheel device 100 constituting the green light source device 90 is positioned on the optical path of the blue wavelength light emitted from the excitation light irradiation device 70 and is located near the front panel 12. The phosphor wheel device 100 includes a phosphor wheel 101 arranged parallel to the front panel 12 (in other words, orthogonal to the optical axis of the light emitted from the excitation light irradiation device 70), a motor 110 that drives the phosphor wheel 101, and a drive control device (not shown) that controls the drive of the motor 110. The drive control device is controlled by the aforementioned light source control circuit 41. Furthermore, a phosphor-side condenser lens group 111 is disposed on the rear panel 13 side of the phosphor wheel device 100. This phosphor-side condenser lens group 111 focuses the beam of excitation light emitted from the excitation light irradiation device 70 onto the phosphor wheel 101 and focuses the beam of green wavelength light emitted from the phosphor wheel 101 toward the rear panel 13. The phosphor-side condenser lens group 111 consists of two condenser lenses of different sizes.

[0038] Figure 3 The fluorescent wheel 101 shown in (a) and (b) is formed in the shape of a circular plate or a ring, and is rotatably connected to the shaft of the motor 110 via the opening 114 side of the fluorescent wheel. The substrate 102 of the fluorescent wheel 101 can be formed of a metal such as copper or aluminum. The surface 102a of the substrate 102 on the side of the excitation light irradiation device 70 is mirror-finished by silver evaporation or the like. A green phosphor layer is provided on the mirror-finished surface of the approximately C-shaped fluorescent emitting region 116. The fluorescent emitting region 116 receives blue wavelength light emitted from the excitation light irradiation device 70 as excitation light and emits green wavelength fluorescence (green wavelength light) in all directions.

[0039] Green-band fluorescence emitted from the fluorescent luminescent region 116 is emitted from the fluorescent wheel device 100 and enters the fluorescent-side condenser lens group 111, which is disposed on the side of the rotating wheel device 150 and the dichroic mirror 200. The green-band light entering the fluorescent-side condenser lens group 111 has its focusing diameter reduced by the fluorescent-side condenser lens group 111 and is emitted towards the rotating wheel device 150 and the dichroic mirror 200.

[0040] The rotating wheel device 150 and the dichroic mirror 200 are positioned at the intersection of the blue light emitted from the excitation light irradiation device 70, the green light emitted from the fluorescent wheel device 100, and the red light emitted from the red light source device 80. Specifically, this intersection of the rotating wheel device 150 and the dichroic mirror 200 is arranged in a vertically overlapping manner on the projection device 10. Furthermore, a portion of the rotating wheel device 150 overlaps with the dichroic mirror 200 in the optical axis directions of the blue light emitted from the excitation light irradiation device 70, the green light emitted from the fluorescent wheel device 100, and the red light emitted from the red light source device 80 (see reference). Figure 3 (a) and (b)).

[0041] Here, the structure of the rotating wheel device 150 and the dichroic mirror 200 will be described. The rotating wheel device 150 includes a rotating wheel 151 formed in the shape of a circular plate, a motor 160 that drives the rotating wheel 151, and a drive control device (not shown) that drives and controls the motor 160. The rotating wheel 151 is arranged at an angle that is inclined relative to the plate surface (surface) of the rotating wheel 151, with blue light emitted from the excitation light irradiation device 70, red light emitted from the red light source device 80, and green light emitted from the fluorescent light emission region 116 of the fluorescent wheel device 100. Specifically, the rotating wheel device 150 is inclined relative to each optical axis such that the optical axes of the blue light, red light, and green light irradiating the rotating wheel 151 are each at an angle of 45 degrees relative to the plate surface of the rotating wheel 151 (see reference). Figures 5-7 (as shown by α1~α3).

[0042] like Figure 4As shown, the rotating wheel 151 is formed of a transparent material such as transmissive glass or resin, and is a color wheel having a transmissive region 154 and a reflective region 156. The transmissive region 154 is configured to transmit light. Therefore, the transmissive region 154 transmits red-band light emitted from the red light source device 80 and green-band light emitted from the fluorescent light-emitting region 116 of the fluorescent wheel device 100. The reflective region 156 is mirror-finished to reflect blue-band light emitted from the excitation light irradiation device 70, while transmitting red-band and green-band light. Furthermore, the reflective region 156 may also be dichroic. The transmissive region 154 and the reflective region 156 are arranged side-by-side in the circumferential direction of the rotating wheel 151. Figure 4 In the example shown, the transmission region 154 is configured with an angle range of approximately 240 degrees, and the reflection region 156 is configured with an angle range of approximately 120 degrees. Furthermore, the proportions of each region in the transmission region 154 and the reflection region 156 are not limited to the aforementioned angle range and can be appropriately varied.

[0043] In this embodiment, the dichroic mirror 200 is a rectangular plate-shaped mirror component with a relatively long horizontal direction, which transmits blue and red light and reflects green light. Furthermore, the dichroic mirror 200 is tilted relative to each optical axis such that the optical axes of the blue, red, and green light incident on the dichroic mirror 200 are each at a 45-degree angle relative to the mirror surface of the dichroic mirror 200 (see reference). Figures 5-7 (as shown in β1 to β3). Therefore, the optical axis of the green band light emitted from the fluorescent light-emitting region 116 of the fluorescent wheel device 100 is shifted by 90 degrees from the dichroic mirror 200 to the side of the first condenser lens 148.

[0044] Next, the configuration of the rotating wheel device 150 and the dichroic mirror 200 will be explained. For example... Figure 3 As shown in (a) and (b), the rotating wheel device 150 is configured to overlap with the dichroic mirror 200 in the vertical direction above the dichroic mirror 200. In the horizontal direction of the mirror surface of the dichroic mirror 200... Figure 3 In (a) in the left-right direction, there is a longitudinally elongated rectangular slit S1 that opens upward. The rotating wheel device 150 is arranged such that a part of the rotating wheel 151 enters the slit S1 and the motor 160 is positioned above and close to the dichroic mirror 200.

[0045] Thus, a portion of the rotating wheel 151 enters the slit S1 of the dichroic mirror 200, causing the dichroic mirror 200 to intersect with a portion of the rotating wheel 151 (hereinafter, this intersecting portion is referred to as "intersection 200a"). That is, the rotating wheel device 150 is configured such that a portion of the rotating wheel 151 and the dichroic mirror 200 overlap at the intersection 200a in the horizontal direction of the projection device 10. Furthermore, the rotating wheel device 150 is configured such that the center C of the rotation axis of the rotating wheel 151 (refer to...) Figure 3 (b) Figure 4 The intersection 200a described in this specification includes the slit S1, the portion of the rotating wheel 151 located near the slit S1, and the portion of the dichroic mirror 200.

[0046] Furthermore, the rotating wheel device 150 and the dichroic mirror 200 are configured such that the plate surface of the rotating wheel 151 and the mirror surface of the dichroic mirror 200 are orthogonal at the intersection 200a. That is, the angle θ1 formed by the plate surface of the rotating wheel 151 and the mirror surface of the dichroic mirror 200 (refer to...) Figure 2 The angle is 90 degrees. Furthermore, the slit S1 is positioned at a distance slightly greater than the thickness of the plate of the rotating wheel 151, such that a portion of the rotating wheel 151 and the dichroic mirror 200 approach each other at the intersection 200a. On the right side panel 14 side of the rotating wheel assembly 150 and the dichroic mirror 200, a first reflecting mirror 144 (see reference 148) is disposed with respect to the first condenser lens 148. Figure 2 ).

[0047] The dichroic mirror 200, diffuser 78, red-side condenser lens group 85, fluorescent-side condenser lens group 111, and first condenser lens 148 are respectively positioned at approximately the same vertical direction. The intersection 200a of the dichroic mirror 200 is opposite to the diffuser 78, red-side condenser lens group 85, fluorescent-side condenser lens group 111, and first condenser lens 148. Therefore, blue light emitted from the excitation light irradiation device 70, red light emitted from the red light source device 80, and green light emitted from the fluorescent wheel device 100 irradiate the intersection 200a. Moreover, the blue, red, and green light emitted from the intersection 200a of the dichroic mirror 200 enter the first condenser lens 148.

[0048] Furthermore, in the following description, the side of the rotating wheel 151 that faces the diffuser plate 78 and the first condenser lens 148 will be referred to as the surface of the rotating wheel 151 (the opposite side will be referred to as the back side), and the side of the dichroic mirror 200 that faces the diffuser plate 78 and the red-side condenser lens group 85 will be referred to as the surface of the dichroic mirror 200 (the opposite side will be referred to as the back side).

[0049] Return to Figure 2 The second condenser lens 149 is a convex lens (positive meniscus lens) with a convex surface on the incident side and a concave surface on the exit side. The second condenser lens 149 focuses the blue, red, and green light incident from the first reflector 144 side and then directs it towards the second reflector 145 side. The light beam emitted from the second condenser lens 149 is guided by the second reflector 145 to change the optical axis towards the microlens array 91 side.

[0050] The light-guiding optical system 180 includes a concave lens 181, a convex lens 182, a third reflector 183, and a condenser lens 184. Furthermore, since the condenser lens 184 directs image light emitted from the display element 51 disposed on the back panel 13 side of the condenser lens 184 toward the projection optical system 220, it is also considered part of the projection optical system 220. The concave lens 181 is disposed between the microlens array 91 and the convex lens 182 (in other words, the optical path between the microlens array 91 and the display element 51). The convex lens 182 is disposed between the concave lens 181 and the third reflector 183 (in other words, the optical path between the microlens array 91 and the display element 51). In this embodiment, an example is shown where the microlens array 91 is disposed as a part of the light-guiding optical system 180, but a light tunnel or light guide rod may also be used instead of the microlens array 91.

[0051] The projection optical system 220 consists of a condenser lens 184, a movable lens group 235, and a fixed lens group 225. The fixed lens group 225, which is arranged on the optical axis on the side of the front panel 12 of the condenser lens 184, is built into a fixed lens barrel and can be adjusted for zoom and focus by moving it manually or automatically.

[0052] In the projection device 10 configured as described above, the control unit 38 controls the blue laser diode 71, the red light-emitting diode 81, and the rotating wheel device 150. This control is achieved by positioning the reflective area 156 of the rotating wheel 151 at the intersection 200a during the emission of blue light, and by positioning the transmissive area 154 of the rotating wheel 151 at the intersection 200a during the emission of red light and the emission of green light. Therefore, light of each wavelength is directed to the display element 51 via the light-guiding optical system 180, and the display element 51 displays each color of light in a time-division manner according to data, thereby enabling the projection of a color image onto the screen.

[0053] Next, the emission and injection of light in the rotating wheel device 150 and the dichroic mirror 200 will be explained. First, based on Figure 5 The case of blue-band light emitted as excitation light from the rotating wheel device 150 will be explained. Here, blue-band light ( Figure 5The position of the light L1 (shown by the solid line) that enters the rotating wheel 151 is designated as the illumination point SP (also refer to...). Figure 4 ). Figure 5 In the middle, the reflective area 156 of the rotating wheel 151 is located at the irradiation point SP.

[0054] The blue light (excitation light) emitted from the blue laser diode 71 is reflected by the mirror group 75 and then emitted towards the rotating wheel device 150 and the dichroic mirror 200 via the excitation light path side focusing lens 77 and the diffuser plate 78. A portion of the blue light emitted to the rotating wheel device 150 and the dichroic mirror 200 enters at a 45-degree angle relative to the surface of the rotating wheel 151 at the intersection 200a of the dichroic mirror 200, while the remaining portion is transmitted through the dichroic mirror 200 at the intersection 200a and enters at a 45-degree angle relative to the surface of the rotating wheel 151.

[0055] When the reflective area 156 is located at the illumination point SP, the blue light incident on the rotating wheel 151 has its optical axis changed by 90 degrees by the reflective area 156 and is reflected towards the first condenser lens 148. The blue light that incident on the rotating wheel 151 before the dichroic mirror 200 is reflected towards the first condenser lens 148 by the reflective area 156, and then transmitted through the dichroic mirror 200 and guided towards the first condenser lens 148. The blue light guided to the first condenser lens 148 enters the first condenser lens 148 with its optical axis passing approximately at the center of the lens surface.

[0056] Furthermore, when a portion of the blue light emitted to the rotating wheel device 150 and the dichroic mirror 200 enters the slit S1 of the dichroic mirror 200, the blue light entering the slit S1 enters the slit S1 at an angle of 45 degrees relative to the surface of the rotating wheel 151, and its optical axis is transformed by 90 degrees by the reflecting area 156 and reflected towards the first condenser lens 148.

[0057] Next, based on Figure 6 The situation of green wavelength light emitted from dichroic mirror 200 is explained. Figure 6In this configuration, the transmission region 154 of the rotating wheel 151 is located at the illumination point SP. A portion of the blue wavelength light emitted from the blue laser diode 71 via the reflector group 75, the excitation light path side condenser lens 77, and the diffuser plate 78 to the rotating wheel device 150 and the dichroic mirror 200 side is transmitted through the transmission region 154 of the rotating wheel 151 at the intersection 200a of the dichroic mirror 200, and then transmitted through the mirror surface of the dichroic mirror 200 to the fluorescence side condenser lens group 111 side. The remaining portion of the blue wavelength light emitted from the diffuser plate 78 to the rotating wheel device 150 and the dichroic mirror 200 side is transmitted through the intersection 200a of the dichroic mirror 200, and then transmitted through the transmission region 154 of the rotating wheel 151 to the fluorescence side condenser lens group 111 side.

[0058] Furthermore, when a portion of the blue band light emitted to the rotating wheel device 150 and the dichroic mirror 200 enters the slit S1 of the dichroic mirror 200, the blue band light entering the slit S1 is emitted into the rotating wheel 151 within the slit S1, and is emitted into the fluorescent side focusing lens group 111 after passing through the transmission region 154.

[0059] Blue light emitted from the fluorescent-side condenser lens group 111 enters from the front relative to the fluorescent-side condenser lens group 111, and is focused by the fluorescent-side condenser lens group 111 to illuminate the fluorescent emitting region 116 of the fluorescent wheel device 100. If blue light, used as excitation light, is irradiated onto the phosphor particles in the fluorescent emitting region 116, green fluorescence is emitted in all directions. Figure 6 The light L2 is indicated by the single-dotted line. Here, regarding the light emitted from the fluorescent emitting region 116, there is green-band fluorescence and excitation light that is directly reflected by the substrate 102 without irradiating the phosphor particles (hereinafter referred to as "residual excitation light"). The green-band light emitted from the fluorescent emitting region 116 and the residual excitation light are refracted by the fluorescent-side focusing lens group 111 and emitted towards the rotating wheel device 150 and the dichroic mirror 200.

[0060] A portion of the green-band light emitted to the rotating wheel device 150 and the dichroic mirror 200, along with a portion of the residual excitation light, is transmitted through the rotating wheel 151 at the intersection 200a of the dichroic mirror 200 and enters the back surface of the dichroic mirror 200 at a 45-degree angle. The remaining portion enters the intersection 200a of the dichroic mirror 200 at a 45-degree angle relative to the back surface of the dichroic mirror 200. When the transmission area 154 is located at the illumination point SP, of the green-band light and residual excitation light incident on the dichroic mirror 200, the green-band light is reflected by the mirror surface of the dichroic mirror 200, changing its optical axis by 90 degrees towards the first condenser lens 148, while the residual excitation light is removed by transmitting through the mirror surface of the dichroic mirror 200. The green-band light that enters the dichroic mirror 200 before the rotating wheel 151 is reflected by the mirror surface of the dichroic mirror 200 towards the first condenser lens 148, and then transmitted through the rotating wheel 151 and guided towards the first condenser lens 148. The green-band light guided to the first condenser lens 148 enters the first condenser lens 148 with its optical axis passing approximately at the center of the lens surface.

[0061] Furthermore, when a portion of the green-band light and residual excitation light emitted to the rotating wheel device 150 and the dichroic mirror 200 enter the slit S1 of the dichroic mirror 200, the green-band light and residual excitation light entering the slit S1 do not propagate towards the mirror surface of the dichroic mirror 200, but instead pass through the transmission region 154 of the rotating wheel 151 and exit towards the diffuser plate 78. Therefore, it is preferable that the gap between a portion of the rotating wheel 151 within the slit S1 and the dichroic mirror 200 be as small as possible so that light does not enter the slit S1.

[0062] Next, based on Figure 7 The situation regarding the emission of red-band light will be explained. Figure 7 In the image, the transmission region 154 of the rotating wheel 151 is located at the illumination point SP. Red light ( ) is emitted from the red light-emitting diode 81. Figure 7 The light L3 (shown by the solid line) is refracted by the red-side condenser lens group 85 and emitted towards the rotating wheel device 150 and the dichroic mirror 200. When the transmission area 154 is located at the illumination point SP, a portion of the red-band light emitted towards the rotating wheel device 150 and the dichroic mirror 200 is transmitted through the transmission area 154 of the rotating wheel 151 at the intersection 200a of the dichroic mirror 200, and then through the mirror surface of the dichroic mirror 200 and guided towards the first condenser lens 148. The remaining portion is transmitted through the mirror surface of the dichroic mirror 200 at the intersection 200a of the dichroic mirror 200, and then through the transmission area 154 of the rotating wheel 151 and guided towards the first condenser lens 148. The red-band light guided to the first condenser lens 148 enters the first condenser lens 148 with its optical axis passing approximately at the center of the lens surface of the first condenser lens 148.

[0063] Furthermore, when a portion of the red band light emitted to the rotating wheel device 150 and the dichroic mirror 200 enters the slit S1 of the dichroic mirror 200, the red band light entering the slit S1 is transmitted through the transmission region 154 of the rotating wheel 151 and emitted toward the first condenser lens 148.

[0064] As described above, the blue, green, and red light emitted to the first condenser lens 148 are incident on the first condenser lens 148 with their optical axes overlapping. In other words, the rotating wheel device 150 and the dichroic mirror 200 are configured such that the optical axis of the blue light reflected by the reflection area 156 of the rotating wheel 151 to the first condenser lens 148, the optical axis of the red light guided to the first condenser lens 148 by the transmission area 154 of the rotating wheel 151 and the dichroic mirror 200, and the optical axis of the green light reflected by the mirror surface of the dichroic mirror 200 to the first condenser lens 148 overlap. The blue, green, and red light incident on the first condenser lens 148 are guided to the guide optical system 180 via the first reflecting mirror 144, the second condenser lens 149, and the second reflecting mirror 145, respectively.

[0065] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the fluorescence is configured to emit green-band light from the fluorescent emitting region 116 of the fluorescent wheel device 100, but it can also be configured to emit yellow-band light from the fluorescent emitting region 116 and be incident on the dichroic mirror 200. In this case, the yellow-band fluorescence includes red-band light and green-band light. In the yellow-band light incident on the mirror surface of the dichroic mirror 200, the red-band light is transmitted through the mirror surface and removed, while the green-band light is split and reflected by the mirror surface and emitted towards the first condenser lens 148.

[0066] As described above, the light source device 60 of this embodiment includes: a rotating wheel device 150 having a rotating wheel 151, the rotating wheel 151 including a reflective region 156 for reflecting blue light and a transmissive region 154 for transmitting red and green light; and a dichroic mirror 200 that transmits blue and red light and reflects green light. Furthermore, the dichroic mirror 200 includes an intersection 200a that intersects with a portion of the rotating wheel 151 and is irradiated with blue, red, and green light.

[0067] Because the light source device 60 has the above-described structure, it can achieve the following configuration: adjusting the illumination positions of the blue, red, and green wavelengths of light, so that each wavelength of light illuminates the intersection from different positions and is emitted from the intersection in the same direction. By implementing this structure, since it is not necessary to separately configure lens components or the like for independently guiding specific wavelengths of light from other wavelengths, the increase in the number of components can be suppressed. As a result, the utilization efficiency of the internal space of the light source device 60 can be improved.

[0068] Furthermore, the light source device 60 also includes an excitation light irradiation device 70 configured to emit blue wavelength light and irradiate blue wavelength light towards the intersection 200a, a red light source device 80 configured to emit red wavelength light and irradiate red wavelength light towards the intersection 200a, and a fluorescent light emission device 100 that emits fluorescence containing green wavelength light towards the intersection 200a after being irradiated by the blue wavelength light transmitted through the rotating wheel 151. The rotating wheel device 150 and the dichroic mirror 200 are configured such that the optical axis of the blue wavelength light reflected by the reflection area 156, the optical axis of the second wavelength light transmitted through the rotating wheel 151 and the dichroic mirror 200, and the optical axis of the green wavelength light reflected by the dichroic mirror 200 overlap. By having such a structure, the optical paths of the blue wavelength light, the red wavelength light, and the green wavelength light emitted from the rotating wheel device 150 and the dichroic mirror 200 become the same optical path, so there is no need to separately configure lens components for independently guiding specific wavelength light from other wavelength light. Therefore, in the light source device 60, a specific structure can be provided that can suppress the increase in the number of components and improve the utilization efficiency of the internal space of the light source device 60.

[0069] Furthermore, in the light source device 60, the rotating wheel device 150 is configured such that the plate surface of the rotating wheel 151 is tilted relative to the optical axes of the blue, red, and green wavelengths of light irradiated onto the rotating wheel 151, and the dichroic mirror 200 is configured such that its mirror surface is tilted relative to the optical axes of the blue, red, and green wavelengths of light irradiated onto the intersection 200a. Thus, by configuring the rotating wheel device 150 and the dichroic mirror 200 in a cross-over configuration where a portion of the rotating wheel 151 overlaps with the dichroic mirror 200, a specific structure can be provided for guiding the blue, red, and green wavelengths of light emitted from the rotating wheel device 150 and the dichroic mirror 200 in the same direction.

[0070] Furthermore, in the light source device 60, the angle between the plate surface of the rotating wheel 151 and the optical axes of the blue, red, and green wavelengths of light irradiated onto the rotating wheel 151 is 45 degrees, and the angle between the mirror surface of the dichroic mirror 200 and the optical axes of the blue, red, and green wavelengths of light irradiated onto the intersection 200a is also 45 degrees. Therefore, when the rotating wheel device 150 and the dichroic mirror 200 are arranged in a cross configuration where a portion of the rotating wheel 151 overlaps with the dichroic mirror 200, a specific structure can be provided for aligning the optical axes of the blue, red, and green wavelengths of light emitted from the rotating wheel device 150 and the dichroic mirror 200.

[0071] Furthermore, in the light source device 60, a dichroic mirror 200 with a slit S1 at the intersection 200a is provided as a mirror component, and a portion of the rotating wheel 151 enters the slit S1, thereby intersecting with the dichroic mirror 200. Thus, a specific structure for arranging the dichroic mirror 200 in a form that overlaps with and intersects with a portion of the rotating wheel 151 can be provided.

[0072] Furthermore, in the light source device 60, the slit S1 is positioned close to the dichroic mirror 200, with a portion of the rotating wheel 151 between it and the dichroic mirror 200. This suppresses light leakage, preventing light from entering either the rotating wheel 151 or the dichroic mirror 200 through the gap between the end edge of the rotating wheel 151 and the dichroic mirror 200 within the slit S1.

[0073] Furthermore, in the light source device 60, the rotating wheel device 150 and the dichroic mirror 200 are arranged such that the plate surface of the rotating wheel 151 and the mirror surface of the dichroic mirror 200 are orthogonal at the intersection 200a. As a result, light can be incident from four directions around the intersection 200a of the dichroic mirror 200 at the same angle (45 degrees) between the optical axis and the plate surface of the rotating wheel 151 and the mirror surface of the dichroic mirror 200.

[0074] Furthermore, the light source device 60 includes a phosphor wheel device 100 as a fluorescent light-emitting device. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the heat generated by irradiation with excitation light from concentrating in a portion of the fluorescent light-emitting region 116.

[0075] Furthermore, the excitation light irradiation device 70 includes a blue laser diode 71 that emits blue wavelength light and a mirror assembly 75 that reflects the blue wavelength light emitted from the blue laser diode 71 toward the intersection 200a side. Therefore, the blue laser diode 71 can be arranged at any position within the light source device 60, which can further improve the utilization efficiency of the internal space of the light source device 60.

[0076] Furthermore, the projection device 10 includes: a display element 51, which is illuminated by light from the light source device 60 to generate image light; a projection optical system 220, which projects the image light emitted from the display element 51 onto a projection object such as a screen; and a control unit 38, which controls the light source device 60 and the display element 51. Thus, a projection device 10 can be provided that can suppress the increase in the number of components and improve the utilization efficiency of the internal space of the light source device 60.

[0077] (Second Implementation)

[0078] Next, refer to Figure 8 The second embodiment of this disclosure will be described. Furthermore, in the description of the second embodiment, descriptions of structures identical to those in the first embodiment are omitted or simplified. The projection device and light source device of the second embodiment include two dichroic mirrors 400A and 400B, and the arrangement of the rotating wheel device 150 and the dichroic mirrors 400A and 400B differs from that of the light source device of the first embodiment.

[0079] like Figure 8 As shown, the rotating wheel device 150 and the dichroic mirrors 400A and 400B are positioned at the intersection of the blue light emitted from the diffuser plate 78, the green light emitted from the fluorescent-side condenser lens group 111, and the red light emitted from the red-side condenser lens group 85. The two dichroic mirrors 400A and 400B are arranged with a tiny slit S2 such that their mirror surfaces are on the same plane. Furthermore, a portion of the rotating wheel 151 of the rotating wheel device 150 enters the slit S2 from above, thereby overlapping and intersecting with each of the dichroic mirrors 400A and 400B (hereinafter, this intersecting portion is referred to as "intersection 400a"). Moreover, the manner in which each of the dichroic mirrors 400A and 400B transmits and reflects light is the same as that of the dichroic mirror 200 in the first embodiment. Furthermore, the intersection 400a described in this specification includes the slit S2, the portion of the rotating wheel 151 located near the slit S2, and the portions of each dichroic mirror 400A, 400B.

[0080] Each dichroic mirror 400A and 400B is inclined relative to its respective optical axis such that the optical axes of the blue, red, and green wavelengths of light illuminating each dichroic mirror 400A and 400B form a 45-degree angle with respect to the mirror surface of each dichroic mirror 400A and 400B. Furthermore, the rotating wheel device 150 and each dichroic mirror 400A and 400B are arranged such that the plate surface of the rotating wheel 151 is orthogonal to the mirror surface of each dichroic mirror 400A and 400B at the intersection 400a.

[0081] In the second embodiment of the light source device with the aforementioned structure, the optical axis of the blue band light reflected by the reflective area of ​​the rotating wheel 151 at the intersection 400a, the optical axis of the red band light transmitted through the rotating wheel 151 and each of the dichroic mirrors 400A and 400B at the intersection 400a, and the optical axis of the green band light reflected by each of the dichroic mirrors 400A and 400B at the intersection 400a overlap towards the first condenser lens 148. Therefore, it is not necessary to separately configure lens components or the like for independently guiding specific band light from other band light, which can suppress the increase in the number of components and thereby improve the utilization efficiency of the internal space of the light source device.

[0082] Furthermore, the light source device of the second embodiment includes two dichroic mirrors 400A and 400B as mirror components, each having a slit S2 at the intersection 400a. A portion of the rotating wheel 151 enters the slit S2, and a portion of the rotating wheel 151 intersects with each of the dichroic mirrors 400A and 400B. Thus, other specific structures for arranging the two dichroic mirrors 400A and 400B in a form that overlaps with a portion of the rotating wheel 151 can be provided.

[0083] Furthermore, in the light source device of the second embodiment, since it is not necessary to provide a slit in the dichroic mirror, the increase in manufacturing cost associated with slit processing can be suppressed, and the manufacturing process of the light source device can be simplified.

[0084] (Third Implementation)

[0085] Next, refer to Figure 9 The third embodiment of this disclosure will be described. Furthermore, in the description of the third embodiment, descriptions of structures identical to those in the first embodiment are omitted or simplified. The projection device 210 and the light source device 260 of the third embodiment can also be applied to the second embodiment. The projection device 210 and the light source device 260 of the third embodiment include a fixed phosphor 300 as a fluorescent light-emitting device. The green light source device 290 is composed of an excitation light irradiation device 70 and a fixed phosphor 300. The fixed phosphor 300 is composed of a substrate 301 and a fluorescent light-emitting region 316, etc. The substrate 301 can be formed of a metallic material such as copper or aluminum. A flat reflective portion, after being mirror-finished by silver evaporation or the like, is formed on the surface of the substrate 301 on the fluorescent side of the focusing lens group 111. The fluorescent light-emitting region 316 is disposed on the reflective portion of the surface of the substrate 301. Furthermore, the structure and light-emitting mode of the fluorescent light-emitting region 316 are the same as those of the fluorescent light-emitting region 116 in the fluorescent wheel device 100 of the first embodiment.

[0086] In the light source device 260 of the third embodiment, green-band fluorescence emitted by the fluorescent light-emitting region 316 is emitted from the fixed phosphor 300 and enters the fluorescent-side condenser lens group 111 disposed on the side of the rotating wheel device 150 and the dichroic mirror 200. Therefore, the optical axis of the blue-band light reflected by the reflection region of the rotating wheel 151, the optical axis of the red-band light transmitted through the rotating wheel 151 and the dichroic mirror 200, and the optical axis of the green-band light reflected by the dichroic mirror 200 overlap and are emitted toward the first condenser lens 148. Therefore, in the light source device 260 of the third embodiment, the increase in the number of components can also be suppressed, thereby improving the utilization efficiency of the internal space of the light source device.

[0087] Furthermore, since the light source device 260 of the third embodiment does not have a phosphor wheel as a phosphor emission device, the effects of heat generated from the motor of the phosphor wheel can be prevented. Therefore, the excitation light irradiation device 70 and the fixed phosphor 300 can be dissipated efficiently, and the cooling fan provided in the light source device 260 can be miniaturized, thereby enabling the miniaturization of the device.

[0088] The embodiments described above are illustrative and not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The new embodiments described above can be implemented in various other ways, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The above embodiments and their variations are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included within the scope of the invention as described in the claims and its equivalents.

[0089] For example, in the above embodiments, an example is shown of a structure in which the rotating wheel device is arranged at an angle relative to each optical axis, such that the optical axes of the blue, red, and green wavelengths of light irradiating the rotating wheel form an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the plate surface of the rotating wheel; however, the arrangement angle of the rotating wheel device is not limited to this. Furthermore, in the above embodiments, an example is shown of a structure in which the dichroic mirror is arranged at an angle relative to each optical axis, such that the optical axes of the blue, red, and green wavelengths of light irradiating the dichroic mirror form an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the mirror surface of the dichroic mirror; however, the arrangement angle of the dichroic mirror is not limited to this. Furthermore, in the above embodiments, an example is shown of a structure in which the plate surface of the rotating wheel and the mirror surface of the dichroic mirror are orthogonal; however, the angle of intersection between the plate surface of the rotating wheel and the mirror surface of the dichroic mirror is not limited to 90 degrees.

[0090] Furthermore, in the embodiments described above, an example is shown where the light source group of the blue laser diode is arranged with its optical axis parallel to the back panel 13, but it is also possible for the optical axis to be arranged non-parallel to the back panel 13. Also, in the embodiments described above, an example is shown where the blue light emitted from the blue laser diode is emitted through a reflector group and a diffuser plate towards the rotating wheel device and the dichroic mirror side, but it is also possible for the blue light emitted from the blue laser diode to be emitted directly towards the rotating wheel device and the dichroic mirror side.

[0091] Furthermore, in the above embodiments, an example is shown of a structure in which light emitted from a red light-emitting diode is emitted through a red-side focusing lens group to the rotating wheel device and the dichroic mirror side. However, it is also possible for red-band light emitted from a red light-emitting diode to be emitted directly to the rotating wheel device and the dichroic mirror side.

[0092] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments described above, the fluorescent luminescent region of the fluorescent wheel device is shown to be approximately C-shaped, but the shape of the fluorescent luminescent region is not limited to this. For example, the fluorescent luminescent region may also be annular.

Claims

1. A light source apparatus, characterized by comprising: Possessing: a rotating wheel device having a rotating wheel including a reflection region that reflects first waveband light and a transmission region that transmits at least second waveband light and third waveband light; and a mirror member that transmits the first waveband light and the second waveband light and reflects the third waveband light, the mirror member includes a cross section that crosses in a manner overlapping a portion of the rotating wheel and is irradiated with the first waveband light, the second waveband light, and the third waveband light.

2. The light source apparatus according to claim 1, wherein Further possessing: a first waveband light irradiation device configured to emit the first waveband light and irradiate the cross section with the first waveband light; a second waveband light irradiation device configured to emit the second waveband light and irradiate the cross section with the second waveband light; and a fluorescent light emission device that is irradiated with the first waveband light transmitted through the rotating wheel and emits fluorescent light including the third waveband light toward the cross section, the rotating wheel device and the mirror member are configured such that an optical axis of the first waveband light reflected by the reflection region and an optical axis of the second waveband light transmitted through the rotating wheel and the mirror member and an optical axis of the third waveband light reflected by the mirror member overlap.

3. The light source device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the rotating wheel device is configured in a manner in which a plate surface of the rotating wheel is inclined with respect to optical axes of the first waveband light, the second waveband light, and the third waveband light irradiated toward the rotating wheel, the mirror member is configured in a manner in which a mirror surface of the mirror member is inclined with respect to the optical axes of the first waveband light, the second waveband light, and the third waveband light irradiated toward the cross section.

4. The light source device according to claim 3, wherein an angle formed by the plate surface of the rotating wheel and the optical axes of the first waveband light, the second waveband light, and the third waveband light irradiated toward the rotating wheel is 45 degrees, an angle formed by the mirror surface and the optical axes of the first waveband light, the second waveband light, and the third waveband light irradiated toward the cross section is 45 degrees.

5. The light source device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the mirror member is a dichroic mirror in which a slit is provided at the cross section, a portion of the rotating wheel enters the slit, whereby the portion of the rotating wheel crosses the mirror member.

6. The light source device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the mirror member is two dichroic mirrors arranged in a manner in which mirror surfaces of the mirror members are located on the same plane with a gap provided at the cross section, a portion of the rotating wheel enters the gap, whereby the portion of the rotating wheel crosses the mirror member.

7. The light source device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the slit or the gap is provided in a manner in which the portion of the rotating wheel approaches the dichroic mirror.

8. The light source device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the rotating wheel device and the mirror member are configured such that the plate surface of the rotating wheel and the mirror surface of the mirror member are orthogonal at the cross section.

9. The light source device according to claim 2, wherein The above-described fluorescent light emitting device is a fluorescent wheel device.

10. The light source device according to claim 2, wherein The above-described fluorescent light emitting device is a fixed fluorescent body.

11. The light source device according to claim 2, wherein The above-described first waveband light irradiation device includes a first light source that emits the above-described first waveband light and a reflection member that reflects the above-described first waveband light emitted from the first light source toward the above-described intersection portion side.

12. A projection apparatus, characterized by comprising: provided with: the light source device according to any one of claims 1 to 11; a display element that generates image light; a projection optical system that projects the above-described image light emitted from the above-described display element onto a projection target; and a control section that controls the above-described light source device and the above-described display element.

Images