Projector

Abstract

The invention provides a projector which is excellent in cooling performance and small in size. This projector is provided with: a light source device; a first heating element that emits heat; and an optical device that shifts the optical path of the light emitted from the light source device over time, the optical device comprising: a first transmissive optical element that transmits and emits the light incident from the light source device; a first drive unit that is connected to the first transmissive optical element and rotates the first transmissive optical element; and a first blade section that is connected to the first transmissive optical element and that generates an air flow that cools the first heating element, the first transmissive optical element being rotated about a first rotation axis along a second direction that intersects a first direction in which the light emitted from the light source device is incident, thereby displacing an optical path of the light, and the first blade section generating an air flow that cools the first heating element. The first drive unit generates an air flow by rotating the first blade unit together with the first transmissive optical element.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a projector. Background Art

[0002] As a light source device for a projector, a light source device has been proposed which illuminates a light modulator such as a liquid crystal panel by scanning light emitted from a light emitting element over time.

[0003] Patent Document 1 below discloses a projector including a light source device including a light source lamp, a liquid crystal light valve, a polygon mirror disposed between the light source device and the liquid crystal light valve, and a projection lens. In the projector, the polygon mirror reflects light emitted from the light source device and scans the image forming area of ​​the liquid crystal light valve.

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-225956

[0005] In the projector of Patent Document 1, for example, the liquid crystal light valve into which the light from the light source device is incident becomes a heat source, so it is also considered to provide a cooling device. However, when a new cooling device is provided, a space for the cooling device is required, so there is a problem of a large-scale device structure of the projector. Summary of the invention

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to one embodiment of the present invention, a projector is provided, which comprises: a light source device; a first heating element that generates heat; and an optical device that causes the optical path of the light emitted from the light source device to shift over time, the optical device having: a first transmission optical element that transmits and emits the light incident from the light source device; a first driving unit connected to the first transmission optical element and causing the first transmission optical element to rotate; and a first blade unit connected to the first transmission optical element and generating an airflow for cooling the first heating element, the first transmission optical element shifts the optical path of the light by rotating around a first rotation axis, the first rotation axis being along a second direction intersecting with a first direction in which the light emitted from the light source device is incident on the first transmission optical element, and the first driving unit generates the airflow by rotating the first blade unit together with the first transmission optical element. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1 It is a plan view showing a schematic structure of the projector according to the first embodiment.

[0008] Figure 2 It is a perspective view showing a schematic structure of a light source device.

[0009] Figure 3This is a diagram showing the connection structure of the first driving unit, the first transmission optical element, and the first fan.

[0010] Figure 4A This is a schematic diagram for explaining the behavior of light when a transmissive optical element is rotated.

[0011] Figure 4B Yes means Figure 4A A subsequent schematic diagram of .

[0012] Figure 4C Yes means Figure 4B A subsequent schematic diagram of .

[0013] Figure 4D Yes means Figure 4C A subsequent schematic diagram of .

[0014] Figure 4E Yes means Figure 4D A subsequent schematic diagram of .

[0015] Figure 4F Yes means Figure 4E A subsequent schematic diagram of .

[0016] Figure 5 It is a plan view showing a schematic structure of a projector according to the second embodiment.

[0017] Figure 6 It is a plan view showing a schematic structure of a projector according to a third embodiment.

[0018] Figure 7 It is a plan view schematically showing the structure of a projector according to a fourth embodiment.

[0019] Figure 8 It is a cross-sectional view of the light modulator according to the fourth embodiment.

[0020] Fig. 9 It is a diagram showing the main structure of a projector according to the fifth embodiment.

[0021] Description of symbols

[0022] 1, 2, 3, 4, 5: projector; 10, 10C: light source device; 11, 11B: first light emitting element; 11B, 11G, 11R: light emitting element; 11G: second light emitting element; 11G, 11R: third light emitting element; 13: first transmission optical element; 13, 14: transmission optical element; 13a: first surface; 13b: second surface; 14: second transmission optical element; 15: first driving unit; 15a: rotating shaft; 15b, 32a, 33a: main body; 16: second driving unit; 17b: first blade; 18b: second blade; 19: shaft; 20, 20B, 20C: optical device; 21, 12 1: light modulator; 31, 33, 71: heat absorbing component; 31, 71: first heat absorbing component; 32, 72: second heat absorbing component; 33, 73: third heat absorbing component; 45a: heat absorbing portion; 50, 60: sealed housing; 55a: shell; 101: housing; 101a: first base; 101b: second base; 102: bearing portion; 17b1: first end; 17b2: second end; 201: supporting housing; 201a: surface; 202: convex portion; C1, O1: rotation axis; C1: first rotation axis; C2: second rotation axis; K1, K2, K3: airflow; LB: blue light; LG: green light; LR: red light. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] (First embodiment)

[0024] Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0025] The projector of this embodiment is an example of a liquid crystal projector using a liquid crystal panel as a light modulation device.

[0026] In the following drawings, in order to make each component easier to see, the scale of the dimensions may be shown differently depending on the component.

[0027] Figure 1 It is a plan view showing a schematic structure of the projector 1 according to the present embodiment.

[0028] like Figure 1 As shown, the projector 1 of the present embodiment includes a light source device 10 , an optical device 20 , a first duct member 35 , a second duct member 36 , a light modulation device 21 , an emission-side polarizing plate 22 , and a projection optical device 23 .

[0029] The light source device 10 includes a first light emitting element 11B, a second light emitting element 11G, a third light emitting element 11R, a light combining optical system 12, a first heat absorbing member 31, a second heat absorbing member 32, and a third heat absorbing member 33. The optical device 20 includes a first transmission optical element 13, a second transmission optical element 14, a first driving unit 15, a second driving unit 16, a first fan 17, and a second fan 18.

[0030] In the following, in the accompanying drawings, the XYZ orthogonal coordinate system is used for explanation as needed. The X-axis is an axis parallel to the illumination optical axis AX of the light source device 10. The illumination optical axis AX of the light source device 10 is defined as an axis along the principal ray of light emitted from the light source device 10. The Y-axis is an axis orthogonal to the X-axis, and is an axis along the first rotation axis C1 of the first transmission optical element 13. The Z-axis is an axis orthogonal to the X-axis and the Y-axis, and is an axis along the second rotation axis C2 of the second transmission optical element 14.

[0031] The X-axis direction of this embodiment corresponds to the "first direction" of the technical claim. The Y-axis direction of this embodiment corresponds to the "second direction" of the technical claim. The Z-axis direction of this embodiment corresponds to the "third direction" of the technical claim.

[0032] In the following description, the direction along each axis such as the first rotation axis C1 and the second rotation axis C2 may be simply referred to as the “axial direction”, and the circumferential direction around each axis may be simply referred to as the “circumferential direction”.

[0033] The first light emitting element 11B emits the first light LB of the first wavelength band. The first light emitting element 11B is composed of a laser diode. Therefore, the first light LB emitted from the first light emitting element 11B is a linearly polarized light with coherence, and is a laser with a narrow beam width and high parallelism. The first wavelength band is, for example, a blue wavelength band of 450nm±5nm. That is, the first light LB is blue light. Hereinafter, the first light LB is referred to as blue light LB.

[0034] The second light emitting element 11G emits the second light LG of the second wavelength band. The second light emitting element 11G is composed of a laser diode. Therefore, the second light LG emitted from the second light emitting element 11G is a linearly polarized light with coherence, and is a laser with a narrow beam width and high parallelism. The second wavelength band is, for example, a green wavelength band of 530nm±5nm. That is, the second light LG is green light. Hereinafter, the second light LG is referred to as green light LG.

[0035] The third light emitting element 11R emits the third light LR of the third wavelength band. The third light emitting element 11R is composed of a laser diode. Therefore, the third light LR emitted from the third light emitting element 11R is a linearly polarized light with coherence, and is a laser with a narrow beam width and high parallelism. The third wavelength band is, for example, a red wavelength band of 650nm±5nm. That is, the third light LR is red light. Hereinafter, the third light LR is referred to as red light LR.

[0036] Here, the optical axis AX1 of the first light emitting element 11B is defined as the axis along the principal ray of the blue light LB emitted from the first light emitting element 11B. The optical axis AX2 of the second light emitting element 11G is defined as the axis along the principal ray of the green light LG emitted from the second light emitting element 11G. The optical axis AX3 of the third light emitting element 11R is defined as the axis along the principal ray of the red light LR emitted from the third light emitting element 11R. In addition, the optical axis AX1 of the first light emitting element 11B coincides with the illumination optical axis AX of the light source device 10.

[0037] The first light emitting element 11B is arranged in a direction in which the optical axis AX1 of the first light emitting element 11B is orthogonal to the optical axis AX2 of the second light emitting element 11G. The third light emitting element 11R is arranged in a direction in which the optical axis AX3 of the third light emitting element 11R is parallel to the optical axis AX2 of the second light emitting element 11G. In the case of the present embodiment, the first light emitting element 11B is arranged on the side close to the second light emitting element 11G, and the third light emitting element 11R is arranged on the side away from the second light emitting element 11G, but the position of the first light emitting element 11B and the position of the third light emitting element 11R may be opposite. That is, the arrangement of the first light emitting element 11B, the second light emitting element 11G, and the third light emitting element 11R is not limited to the arrangement described in the present embodiment, and may be any combination.

[0038] The light synthesis optical system 12 has a first light synthesis element 26 and a second light synthesis element 27. The first light synthesis element 26 is disposed at a position where the optical axis AX1 intersects with the optical axis AX2. The first light synthesis element 26 is composed of a dichroic mirror that reflects the green light LG and transmits the blue light LB. The second light synthesis element 27 is disposed at a position where the optical axis AX1 intersects with the optical axis AX3. The second light synthesis element 27 is composed of a dichroic mirror that transmits the green light LG and the blue light LB and reflects the red light LR. The light synthesis optical system 12 synthesizes the blue light LB emitted from the first light emitting element 11B, the green light LG emitted from the second light emitting element 11G, and the red light LR emitted from the third light emitting element 11R to generate white illumination light LW. That is, the illumination light LW includes the green light LG, the blue light LB, and the red light LR, and is emitted toward the first transmission optical element 13.

[0039] The first heat absorbing member 31 is a member that absorbs heat generated by the first light emitting element 11B. The first heat absorbing member 31 is thermally connected to the first light emitting element 11B. Here, the so-called thermal connection means that as long as the heat of the first light emitting element 11B can be transferred to the first heat absorbing member 31 side, the first light emitting element 11B and the first heat absorbing member 31 may not be in direct contact, and the first light emitting element 11B and the first heat absorbing member 31 may be in indirect contact via other heat conducting members. The first heat absorbing member 31 has a heat pipe 31a connected to the first light emitting element 11B and a plurality of heat sinks 31b provided on the heat pipe 31a.

[0040] The heat pipe 31a is fixed to the first light emitting element 11B via a screw member or an adhesive. The heat pipe 31a is composed of a pipe containing a refrigerant. The heat pipe 31a includes: a heat receiving portion, which is arranged on one end side of the heat pipe 31a and connected to the first light emitting element 11B; and a heat dissipating portion, which is arranged on the other end side of the heat pipe 31a and is provided with a plurality of heat dissipating fins 31b. The heat pipe 31a can absorb heat from the first light emitting element 11B by condensing and liquefying the refrigerant evaporated and gasified due to the heat received by the heat receiving portion in the heat dissipating portion. In addition, as a material for the heat pipe 31a, a pipe made of a metal such as silver, copper, gold, and aluminum with excellent thermal conductivity is used.

[0041] Each heat sink 31b is a plate along the XZ plane and is arranged at intervals along the Y axis direction. As the material of the heat sink 31b, a metal such as silver, copper, gold, or aluminum having excellent thermal conductivity is used, similarly to the heat pipe 31a.

[0042] The second heat absorbing member 32 is a member that absorbs heat generated by the second light emitting element 11G. The second heat absorbing member 32 is thermally connected to the second light emitting element 11G.

[0043] The second heat absorbing member 32 is a heat sink including a main body 32a supporting the second light emitting element 11G and a plurality of heat sinks 32b provided on the main body 32a. Each heat sink 32b is a plate along the XZ plane, and is arranged at intervals along the Y-axis direction on the surface of the main body 32a opposite to the support surface of the second light emitting element 11G. As the material of the main body 32a and the heat sink 32b, a metal with excellent thermal conductivity, such as silver, copper, gold, and aluminum, is used.

[0044] The third heat absorbing member 33 is a member that absorbs heat generated by the third light emitting element 11R. The third heat absorbing member 33 is thermally connected to the third light emitting element 11R. The third heat absorbing member 33 is a heat sink including a main body 33a that supports the third light emitting element 11R and a plurality of heat sinks 33b provided on the main body 33a. Each heat sink 33b is a plate along the XZ plane, and is arranged at intervals along the Y-axis direction on the surface of the main body 33a opposite to the support surface of the third light emitting element 11R. As the material of the main body 33a and the heat sink 33b, a metal such as silver, copper, gold, and aluminum with excellent thermal conductivity is used.

[0045] The first heat absorbing member 31 of the present embodiment adopts a structure using the heat pipe 31a which is different from the second heat absorbing member 32 and the third heat absorbing member 33 , so that the heat sink 31b can be arranged in line with the heat sinks 32b and 33b of the second heat absorbing member 32 and the third heat absorbing member 33 .

[0046] In the projector 1 of the present embodiment, laser diodes are used as the light emitting elements 11B, 11G, and 11R of the light source device 10, so the heat generation of the heat absorbing members 31, 32, and 33 becomes large. Therefore, in the projector 1 of the present embodiment, the heat absorbing members 31, 32, and 33 of the light source device 10 become the first heat generating body. That is, in other words, in the projector 1 of the present embodiment, the optical device 20 includes the first heat generating body.

[0047] The projector 1 of the present embodiment cools the heat absorbing members 31 , 32 , and 33 , which are first heat generating bodies, by using the airflow K1 as described later.

[0048] The optical device 20 temporally shifts the optical path of the illumination light LW emitted from the light source device 10. This allows the illumination light LW emitted from the light source device 10 to be two-dimensionally scanned on the light modulator 21. The specific structure of the optical device 20 will be described later.

[0049] The light modulator 21 is arranged on the light emitting side of the light source device 10 on the illumination optical axis AX. The light modulator 21 modulates the illumination light LW emitted from the light source device 10 according to the image information to form image light. The light modulator 21 uses a transmissive liquid crystal panel. The liquid crystal panel may or may not have a color filter. In the case where the liquid crystal panel has a color filter, a projector 1 capable of color display can be realized. In the case where the liquid crystal panel does not have a color filter, a projector 1 capable of monochrome display can be realized. As a driving method of the liquid crystal panel, a twisted nematic (TN) method, a vertical alignment (VA) method, a transverse electric field (IPS) method, etc. are used without particular limitation.

[0050] The light modulator 21 has a light modulation area 21a. The light modulation area 21a is an area where a plurality of pixels are arranged in a matrix, and the illumination light LW incident on the light modulator 21 is modulated and then emitted. As described later, the illuminated area of ​​the illumination light LW scanned two-dimensionally by the optical device 20 corresponds to the light modulation area 21a. The parameters such as the size and refractive index of each transmission optical element 13, 14 of the light source device 10 are designed according to the size and aspect ratio of the light modulation area 21a.

[0051] The emission-side polarizing plate 22 is provided between the light modulating device 21 and the projection optical device 23 on the illumination optical axis AX. The emission-side polarizing plate 22 allows linearly polarized light in a specific direction emitted from the light modulating device 21 to pass toward the projection optical device 23. In the case of this embodiment, since laser diodes are used for each of the light emitting elements 11B, 11G, and 11R of the light source device 10, linearly polarized light is emitted from the light source device 10. Therefore, an incident-side polarizing plate provided on the light incident side of the light modulating device 21 is not required.

[0052] The projection optical device 23 is composed of a plurality of projection lenses. The projection optical device 23 enlarges and projects the image light modulated by the light modulating device 21 toward a projection surface such as a screen. In this way, the projector 1 of this embodiment can display an image on the projection surface.

[0053] In the projector 1 of the present embodiment, the light modulator 21 that is illuminated by the illumination light LW generates more heat. Similarly, the output-side polarizing plate 22 that absorbs part of the light emitted from the light modulator 21 generates more heat.

[0054] Therefore, in other words, the projector 1 of the present embodiment includes the light modulator 21 and the emission-side polarizing plate 22 as the second heating element.

[0055] The projector 1 of the present embodiment cools the light modulator 21 and the emission-side polarizing plate 22 , which are the second heating elements, by the airflow K2 as described later.

[0056] Next, the structure of the optical device 20 will be described.

[0057] The first transmissive optical element 13 is composed of a light-transmissive member supported to be rotatable. The first transmissive optical element 13 is connected to a first drive unit 15 composed of a motor or the like, and can rotate around a first rotation axis C1 extending in the Y-axis direction. The first rotation axis C1 is an imaginary axis that passes through the center of the rotation axis of the first drive unit 15.

[0058] The first transmission optical element 13 is rotated about the first rotation axis C1 by the first driving unit 15 , thereby shifting the optical path of the illumination light LW.

[0059] The second transmissive optical element 14 is disposed on the light emitting side of the first transmissive optical element 13 on the illumination optical axis AX of the light source device 10. The second transmissive optical element 14 is composed of a light-transmitting member supported to be rotatable. The second transmissive optical element 14 can rotate around the second rotation axis C2 extending in the Z-axis direction. That is, the first rotation axis C1 and the second rotation axis C2 extend in mutually orthogonal directions within an imaginary plane perpendicular to the illumination optical axis AX. The second transmissive optical element 14 is connected to a second drive unit 16 composed of a motor or the like. The second transmissive optical element 14 rotates around the second rotation axis C2 through the second drive unit 16.

[0060] Figure 2 It is a perspective view showing a schematic structure of a light source device 10 according to the present embodiment.

[0061] like Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , as the glass material of the light-transmitting member constituting the first light-transmitting optical element 13, for example, optical glass such as BK7, quartz, a light-transmitting material such as resin is used. The first light-transmitting optical element 13 has a first surface 13a and a second surface 13b intersecting the first rotation axis C1, and four first side surfaces 13c1, 13c2, 13c3, and 13c4 perpendicularly contacting the first surface 13a and the second surface 13b. That is, the shape of the first light-transmitting optical element 13 is a quadrangular prism having six planes including the first surface 13a, the second surface 13b, and the four first side surfaces 13c1, 13c2, 13c3, and 13c4. The cross-sectional shape of the first light-transmitting optical element 13 cut along a plane perpendicular to the first rotation axis C1 is a square. That is, the four first side surfaces 13c1, 13c2, 13c3, and 13c4 have the same area as one another, and two first side surfaces that face one another are parallel to one another.

[0062] The first transmission optical element 13 transmits the illumination light LW incident from the light source device 10 and emits it while rotating around the first rotation axis C1. Therefore, the first side surface of the first transmission optical element 13 on which the illumination light LW emitted from the light source device 10 is incident is not fixed to one, but changes with the passage of time. Similarly, the first side surface from which the illumination light LW incident on the first transmission optical element 13 is emitted to the external space is not fixed to one, but changes with the passage of time. In the first transmission optical element 13, the first side surface on which the illumination light LW emitted from the light source device 10 is incident is referred to as the first incident surface. The first side surface from which the illumination light LW incident from the first incident surface is emitted is referred to as the first emission surface. In this case, the first incident surface and the first emission surface change with the passage of time and are any one of two mutually parallel first side surfaces among the four first side surfaces 13c1, 13c2, 13c3, and 13c4.

[0063] In this specification, when two surfaces of a so-called transmissive optical element are parallel to each other, the angle formed by the two surfaces is in the range of 0±5 degrees, taking into account the processing accuracy of the glass material constituting the translucent component, the allowable range of parallelism of light, etc., and is referred to as "parallel".

[0064] In the case of the present embodiment, the first transmission optical element 13 has four first side surfaces 13c1, 13c2, 13c3, and 13c4, but the number of the first side surfaces may not necessarily be 4, and is preferably 2×m (a natural number greater than m:2). That is, the number of the first side surfaces is preferably an even number such as 6 or 8. If the number of the first side surfaces is an even number, all the first side surfaces are parallel to the first side surfaces opposite to the first side surfaces, and there are no non-parallel first side surfaces. As a result, less stray light is generated in the first transmission optical element 13, and light utilization efficiency can be improved.

[0065] The light-transmitting member constituting the second transmissive optical element 14 is substantially the same as the light-transmitting member constituting the first transmissive optical element 13. As the glass material of the light-transmitting member, for example, optical glass such as BK7, quartz, resin, or other light-transmitting material is used. In particular, in the case of the second transmissive optical element 14, unlike the first transmissive optical element 13, the illumination light LW scanned in one direction by the first transmissive optical element 13 enters the second transmissive optical element 14, so the light density is smaller than the illumination light LW at the time of entering the first transmissive optical element 13. Therefore, the possibility of using a resin material with low light resistance and heat resistance is higher than that of the first transmissive optical element 13.

[0066] like Figure 1 As shown in FIG. 1 , the second transmission optical element 14 has a third surface 14a and a fourth surface 14b intersecting the second rotation axis C2, and four second side surfaces 14c perpendicularly contacting the third surface 14a and the fourth surface 14b. That is, the second transmission optical element 14 is in the shape of a quadrangular prism having six planes including the third surface 14a, the fourth surface 14b, and the four second side surfaces 14c. The cross-sectional shape of the second transmission optical element 14 obtained by cutting with a plane perpendicular to the second rotation axis C2 is a square. That is, the four second side surfaces 14c have the same area as each other, and two second side surfaces facing each other are parallel to each other.

[0067] The second transmissive optical element 14 transmits the illumination light LW emitted from the first transmissive optical element 13 while rotating around the second rotation axis C2. Therefore, the second side surface on which the illumination light LW emitted from the first transmissive optical element 13 is incident on the second transmissive optical element 14 is not fixed to one, but changes with the passage of time. Similarly, the second side surface on which the illumination light LW incident on the second transmissive optical element 14 is emitted to the external space is not fixed to one, but changes with the passage of time. In the second transmissive optical element 14, the second side surface on which the illumination light LW emitted from the first transmissive optical element 13 is incident is referred to as the second incident surface. The second side surface from which the illumination light LW incident from the second incident surface is emitted is referred to as the second exit surface. In this case, the second incident surface and the second exit surface change with the passage of time and are any of two second side surfaces parallel to each other among the four second side surfaces 14c.

[0068] In the case of this embodiment, the second transmissive optical element 14 has four second side surfaces 14c, but the number of the second side surfaces may not necessarily be four, and is preferably 2×n (n: a natural number greater than 2). That is, the number of the second side surfaces is preferably an even number such as 6 or 8. If the number of the second side surfaces is an even number, all the second side surfaces are parallel to the second side surfaces opposite to the second side surfaces, and there are no non-parallel second side surfaces. As a result, less stray light is generated in the second transmissive optical element 14, and light utilization efficiency can be improved.

[0069] The first transmissive optical element 13 and the second transmissive optical element 14 of the present embodiment both have a quadrangular prism shape, but the first transmissive optical element 13 and the second transmissive optical element 14 may have different shapes as long as they have incident surfaces and emitting surfaces that are parallel to each other.

[0070] exist Figure 2 In the figure, the first transmission optical element 13 is shown to be the same size as the second transmission optical element 14, but as described later, the first transmission optical element 13 causes the first light L1 to scan in the Z-axis direction but not in the Y-axis direction, so the length of the side in the Y-axis direction can be made smaller than the lengths of the sides in the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction. That is, the first transmission optical element 13 can also replace Figure 2 The shape close to a cube shown in the figure is set to a rectangular parallelepiped shape in which the length of the side in the Y-axis direction is shorter than the length of the side in the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction. As a result, the first transmission optical element 13 can be made thinner. In this case, the size of the second transmission optical element 14 is larger than the size of the first transmission optical element 13, but as described above, in the second transmission optical element 14, the light density of the incident light is low, so a resin material can be used. If a resin material is used as the glass material of the light-transmitting member, the second transmission optical element 14 becomes lighter, so the second drive unit 16 can be miniaturized.

[0071] At least one of the first transmission optical element 13 and the second transmission optical element 14 may be made of quartz. In the first transmission optical element 13 and the second transmission optical element 14, as the amount of light passing through the translucent component increases, the amount of light absorbed by the translucent component also increases, and sometimes thermal strain is generated in the translucent component. In this case, the polarization direction of the illumination light LW emitted from the light source device 10 is disturbed, and the linear polarized light incident on the translucent component becomes elliptically polarized light and is emitted from the translucent component. As a result, the following effect cannot be obtained: by using a laser diode in each light-emitting element 11B, 11G, and 11R of the light source device 10, a predetermined contrast can be obtained without an incident side polarizing plate. That is, even if each light-emitting element 11B, 11G, and 11R uses a laser diode, an incident side polarizing plate for aligning the polarization direction is required. Therefore, in order to obtain the above-mentioned effect, as a glass material with less thermal strain, it is preferable to use a glass material with a small Young's modulus and a small thermal expansion coefficient. As an example, quartz is preferably used.

[0072] The first fan 17 and the second fan 18 are constituted by, for example, Sirocco fans.

[0073] The first fan 17 includes a first housing 17a and a first blade portion 17b.

[0074] The first housing 17a is a component constituting the fan body, holds the first blade portion 17b, and functions as an air guide component for guiding the air taken in. The first housing 17a has an inlet 17a1 that inhales air through the rotating first blade portion 17b, and an outlet 17a2 that discharges the air inhaled from the inlet 17a1 as an airflow K1 in a circumferential direction orthogonal to the rotation axis of the first blade portion 17b.

[0075] The first blade portion 17b is connected to the first transmission optical element 13. Figure 2 In FIG. 1 , for easy viewing of the drawing, the first blade portion 17 b and the first transmission optical element 13 are shown in a state where they are separated.

[0076] The first driving unit 15 rotates the first blade portion 17b together with the first transmissive optical element 13. That is, in the present embodiment, the first driving unit 15 serves as a driving source for both the first transmissive optical element 13 and the first fan 17.

[0077] The second fan 18 has the same structure as the first fan 17. Specifically, the second fan 18 includes a second housing 18a and a second blade portion 18b.

[0078] The second housing 18a is a component constituting the fan body, holds the second blade portion 18b, and functions as an air guide component for guiding the air taken in. The second housing 18a has an inlet 18a1 that inhales air through the rotating second blade portion 18b, and an outlet 18a2 that discharges the air inhaled from the inlet 18a1 as an airflow K2 in a circumferential direction orthogonal to the rotation axis of the second blade portion 18b.

[0079] The second blade portion 18b is connected to the second transmission optical element 14. Figure 2 In FIG. 1 , for easy viewing of the drawing, the second blade portion 18 b and the second transmission optical element 14 are shown in a state where they are separated.

[0080] The second driving unit 16 rotates the second blade portion 18b together with the second transmissive optical element 14. That is, in the present embodiment, the second driving unit 16 serves as a driving source for both the second transmissive optical element 14 and the second fan 18.

[0081] Next, the connection structure of the first driving unit 15, the first transmission optical element 13, and the first fan 17 will be described. In addition, the connection structure of the second driving unit 16, the second transmission optical element 14, and the second fan 18 is the same as the connection structure of the first driving unit 15, the first transmission optical element 13, and the first fan 17, and therefore the description thereof is omitted.

[0082] The connection structure of the first driving unit 15, the first transmissive optical element 13, and the first fan 17 is the same as the connection structure of the second driving unit 16, the second transmissive optical element 14, and the second fan 18. Hereinafter, the connection structure of the first driving unit 15, the first transmissive optical element 13, and the first fan 17 will be described as an example.

[0083] Figure 3 1 is a diagram showing a connection structure among the first driving unit 15 , the first transmission optical element 13 , and the first fan 17 .

[0084] like Figure 3 As shown, the projector 1 further comprises: a housing 101, which includes a first base portion 101a and a second base portion 101b which are arranged opposite to each other and support the optical device 20; and a bearing portion 102 which is fixed to the second base portion 101b. The housing 101 is a member for accommodating or holding each component inside the projector 1, and has a predetermined strength. In addition, the housing 101 may also constitute a part of the exterior of the projector 1.

[0085] The first driving unit 15 is connected to the first surface 13 a of the first transmissive optical element 13 .

[0086] The first driving unit 15 includes a rotating shaft portion 15a that rotates around a rotating shaft O1 and a main body portion 15b. The rotating shaft portion 15a of the first driving unit 15 is connected to the first surface 13a of the first transmissive optical element 13. The connection between the rotating shaft portion 15a and the first surface 13a is achieved by, for example, bonding or screwing. The rotating shaft O1 of the rotating shaft portion 15a coincides with the first rotating shaft C1 of the first transmissive optical element 13.

[0087] The first driving unit 15 is connected to the first base 101a at the side opposite to the first transmissive optical element 13. Specifically, the main body 15b of the first driving unit 15 is connected to the first base 101a.

[0088] The first blade 17b of the first fan 17 is connected to the second surface 13b of the first transmissive optical element 13. The first blade 17b and the second surface 13b are connected by, for example, bonding or screwing. The rotation axis of the first blade 17b coincides with the first rotation axis C1 of the first transmissive optical element 13.

[0089] That is, the first driving unit 15 and the first blade portion 17b are not provided on the side surface of the first transmissive optical element 13. According to this configuration, the entire side surface of the first transmissive optical element 13 can be used as a light incident surface or light emitting surface.

[0090] The optical device 20 further includes a shaft 19 fixed to the end of the first blade 17b on the -Y side opposite to the first transmissive optical element 13 in the Y-axis direction along the first rotation axis C1. The bearing 102 is formed of, for example, a ball bearing, and rotatably supports the shaft 19.

[0091] Based on such a structure, the first driving unit 15 can rotate the first transmissive optical element 13 about the first rotation axis C1 by rotating the rotation shaft portion 15a. In addition, the first driving unit 15 can rotate the first blade portion 17b together with the first transmissive optical element 13 about the first rotation axis C1 by rotating the first transmissive optical element 13.

[0092] Furthermore, the first casing 17 a of the first fan 17 is connected to the housing 101 in a region not shown in the drawings.

[0093] The first driving unit 15 of the present embodiment adopts a structure that causes the first transmission optical element 13 and the first blade portion 17b to rotate integrally as a rotating body, and therefore, the center of gravity of the rotating body is away from the rotating shaft portion 15a of the first driving unit 15 in the Y-axis direction. In this way, when the center of gravity of the rotating body is away from the rotating shaft portion 15a of the first driving unit 15, axial vibration may occur on the side of the rotating body away from the rotating shaft portion 15a.

[0094] On the other hand, in the projector 1 of this embodiment, as described above, the end of the first blade portion 17b on the opposite side of the rotating body from the rotating shaft portion 15a is supported by the second base portion 101b of the housing 101 via the shaft portion 19 and the bearing portion 102.

[0095] In this way, according to the projector 1 of this embodiment, both axial sides of the rotating body in the first driving unit 15 can be rotatably supported by the housing 101. Therefore, according to the projector 1 of this embodiment, the vibration and abnormal noise caused by the axial vibration of the rotating body of the first driving unit 15 can be suppressed, and the airflow K1 can be generated by rotating the first blade portion 17b of the first fan 17.

[0096] The airflow K1 generated by the first fan 17 is directed toward Figure 1 The first duct member 35 supplies the airflow K1 sent from the first fan 17 to the first heat absorbing member 31, the second heat absorbing member 32, and the third heat absorbing member 33 of the light source device 10, which is the first heat generating body of the projector 1 of this embodiment.

[0097] That is, the first fan 17 supplies the airflow K1 to the first heat absorbing member 31 , the second heat absorbing member 32 , and the third heat absorbing member 33 via the first duct member 35 .

[0098] In the present embodiment, the fins 31 b , 32 b , and 33 b of the heat absorbing members 31 , 32 , and 33 are arranged side by side in the flow direction of the airflow K1 through the first duct member 35 .

[0099] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the airflow K1 exhausted in the +Z direction is bent in the −X direction by the first duct member 35 .

[0100] According to this structure, the heat sinks 33b, 32b, and 31b corresponding to the red light LR, green light LG, and blue light LB, which are strictly temperature-controlled among the respective color lights, can be arranged in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side of the airflow K1. Therefore, the airflow K1 of low temperature can be supplied to the heat sink 33b corresponding to the red light LR, which is strictly temperature-controlled, and the airflow K1 of slightly elevated temperature can be supplied to the heat sink 31b corresponding to the blue light LB, which is slightly temperature-controlled. Therefore, the heat sinks 31b, 32b, and 33b of the heat absorbing members 31, 32, and 33 can be efficiently cooled by using the airflow K1 flowing in one direction.

[0101] Furthermore, since the discharge direction of the airflow K1 generated by the first fan tends to depend on the rotation direction of the first transmission optical element 13 , the flow direction of the airflow K1 can be easily controlled by attaching the first duct member 35 to the discharge port 17 a 2 of the first fan 17 .

[0102] In the first fan 17, the first housing 17a has suction ports 17a1 on both sides in the axial direction. That is, the first fan 17 takes air into the first housing 17a from both sides in the axial direction. Therefore, the first fan 17 can supply airflow K1 toward the first transmissive optical element 13 by taking air from the suction ports 17a1 provided on the surface of the first housing 17a that faces the first transmissive optical element 13. Therefore, the first fan 17 can cool the first transmissive optical element 13 using the airflow K1.

[0103] In addition, in the projector 1 of the present embodiment, both axial sides of the rotating body of the second driving unit 16 are rotatably supported by the housing 101. Therefore, according to the projector 1 of the present embodiment, the generation of vibration and abnormal noise caused by the axial vibration of the rotating body of the second driving unit 16 can be suppressed, and the airflow K2 can be generated by rotating the second blade portion 18b of the second fan 18.

[0104] The airflow K2 generated by the second fan 18 is directed to Figure 1 The second duct member 36 supplies the airflow K2 sent from the second fan 18 to the light modulator 21 and the emission side polarizer 22 of the projector 1 of this embodiment, which are the second heating elements. Therefore, the second fan 18 can cool the light modulator 21 and the emission side polarizer 22 by the airflow K2.

[0105] The following describes the behavior of the illumination light LW when it passes through the first transmission optical element 13 and the second transmission optical element 14. The first transmission optical element 13 and the second transmission optical element 14 have the same function, but in different directions, so only the first transmission optical element 13 is illustrated in the following description.

[0106] Figure 4A to Figure 4F 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining the behavior of the illumination light LW when the first transmission optical element 13 rotates. In this example, the following state is shown: when viewed from the +Y side, the first transmission optical element 13 rotates clockwise around the first rotation axis C1. Figure 4A Orientation Figure 4F Time has passed.

[0107] exist Figure 4A to Figure 4F , an angle formed by a straight line M passing through the first rotation axis C1 and being orthogonal to the first side surface 13c1 of the first transmission optical element 13 and the illumination optical axis AX is defined as a rotation angle ω of the first transmission optical element 13. In addition, although the illumination light LW actually has a predetermined beam width in the Z-axis direction, the behavior of the light ray LWa traveling on the illumination optical axis AX is considered here.

[0108] Figure 4A1 shows the initial state of the first transmissive optical element 13. That is, the first transmissive optical element 13 is not rotated, the straight line M overlaps the illumination optical axis AX, and the rotation angle ω is 0 degrees. In this case, the light ray LWa is incident perpendicularly to the first side surface 13c1, and therefore is not refracted at the first side surface 13c1, but travels along the illumination optical axis AX inside the first transmissive optical element 13. Next, the light ray LWa is also incident perpendicularly to the first side surface 13c3 parallel to the first side surface 13c1. Therefore, the light ray is not refracted at the first side surface 13c3, and is emitted from the first transmissive optical element 13, and travels on the illumination optical axis AX.

[0109] Then, if Figure 4B As shown in FIG. 1 , when the first transmissive optical element 13 is rotated by the rotation angle ω, the light ray LWa is incident on the first side surface 13c1 at an incident angle equal to the rotation angle ω. Therefore, the light ray LWa is refracted in the direction shown in the figure (+Z side) and travels inside the first transmissive optical element 13. Next, since the light ray LWa is also incident on the first side surface 13c3 at a predetermined incident angle, the light ray LWa is refracted at the first side surface 13c3 and is emitted from the first transmissive optical element 13. At this time, since the first side surface 13c1 and the first side surface 13c3 are parallel to each other, the incident angle of the light ray LWa on the first side surface 13c1 is equal to the incident angle of the light ray LWa on the first side surface 13c3, and the refraction angle of the light ray LWa incident on the first side surface 13c1 and the refraction angle of the light ray LWa emitted from the first side surface 13c3 have opposite signs and are equal in absolute value. Thus, the refraction angle of the light ray LWa when incident on the first side surface 13c1 cancels the refraction angle when emitted from the first side surface 13c3. As a result, the light ray LWa travels parallel to the illumination optical axis AX at a position displaced by a displacement amount d from the illumination optical axis AX to the +Z side.

[0110] Then, if Figure 4C As shown, when the rotation angle ω of the first transmission optical element 13 is greater than Figure 4B When the incident angle of the light LWa increases, the refraction angle increases. Therefore, the displacement d of the light LWa relative to the illumination optical axis AX is greater than Figure 4B In addition, the state in which the light beam LWa travels parallel to the illumination optical axis AX is always maintained. During the period when the rotation angle ω is from 0 degrees to 45 degrees, the displacement d increases monotonically with the increase of the rotation angle ω.

[0111] Then, if Figure 4D As shown in FIG. 1 , when the rotation angle ω of the first transmission optical element 13 exceeds 45 degrees, the incident surface of the light ray LWa changes from the first side surface 13c1 to the first side surface 13c2. At this time, the light ray LWa is refracted at the first side surface 13c2, but the refraction direction is different from that to the first side surface 13c2. Figure 4CIn addition, the emission surface of the light ray LWa also changes from the first side surface 13c3 to the first side surface 13c4, but since the first side surface 13c2 and the first side surface 13c4 are parallel to each other, the refraction angle of the light ray LWa when it is incident on the first side surface 13c3 and the refraction angle when it is emitted from the first side surface 13c4 are offset, which is the same as the relationship to the first side surface 13c4. Figure 4C As a result, the light beam LWa travels parallel to the illumination optical axis AX at a position displaced from the illumination optical axis AX to the -Z side by the displacement amount d.

[0112] Then, if Figure 4E As shown, when the rotation angle ω of the first transmission optical element 13 is greater than Figure 4D When the incident angle of the light LWa decreases, the refraction angle decreases. Therefore, the displacement d of the light LWa relative to the illumination optical axis AX is smaller than Figure 4D Thus, when the rotation angle ω is from 45 degrees to 90 degrees, the displacement d decreases monotonically as the rotation angle ω increases.

[0113] Then, if Figure 4F As shown in FIG. 1 , when the rotation angle ω of the first transmission optical element 13 becomes 90 degrees, the incident surface changes from the first side surface 13c1 in the initial state to the first side surface 13c2, but the behavior of the light ray LWa is the same as Figure 4A The initial state shown is the same.

[0114] In this way, if the first incident surface and the first emitting surface of the first transmissive optical element 13 are parallel to each other, the traveling direction of the light ray LWa does not change regardless of the rotation angle ω of the first transmissive optical element 13, and the light ray LWa moves in parallel in the direction parallel to the illumination optical axis AX with the passage of time. When the rotation angle ω is 0 degrees, the displacement d of the light ray LWa is 0, and the displacement d increases to either the +Z side or the -Z side during the period from 0 degrees to 45 degrees. At the moment when the rotation angle ω exceeds 45 degrees, the absolute value of the displacement d remains the same, but the displacement direction is reversed, and the displacement d decreases during the period from 45 degrees to 90 degrees of the rotation angle ω, and when the rotation angle ω reaches 90 degrees, the displacement d becomes 0. The above-mentioned operation is repeated after 90 degrees. Therefore, when the first transmissive optical element 13 rotates once, the displacement d of the light ray LWa repeats the above-mentioned cycle of 4 cycles. The displacement amount of the light beam LWa can be appropriately set by adjusting parameters such as the refractive index and size of the first transmissive optical element 13 .

[0115] In the above, only the displacement in one direction based on the first transmissive optical element 13 is described, but the light source device 10 includes the first transmissive optical element 13 and the second transmissive optical element 14 having mutually orthogonal rotation axes. Therefore, the first light L1 is displaced in two mutually orthogonal directions as time passes. Specifically, Figure 3 As shown, the first light L1 emitted from the first light emitting element 11 is scanned in the Z-axis direction by the first transmission optical element 13, and is scanned in the Y-axis direction perpendicular to the Z-axis direction by the second transmission optical element 14. That is, the first transmission optical element 13 and the second transmission optical element 14 scan the illumination light LW two-dimensionally in the light modulation area 21a of the light modulation device 21 as the illuminated area.

[0116] (Effects of the First Embodiment)

[0117] The projector 1 of the present embodiment has: a light source device; a first heating element that generates heat; and an optical device that shifts the optical path of light emitted from the light source device over time. The optical device has: a first transmission optical element that transmits and emits light incident from the light source device; a first driving unit that is connected to the first transmission optical element and rotates the first transmission optical element; and a first blade unit that is connected to the first transmission optical element and generates an airflow to cool the first heating element. The first transmission optical element shifts the optical path of the light by rotating around a first rotation axis along a second direction intersecting a first direction in which the light emitted from the light source device is incident. The first driving unit generates the airflow by rotating the first blade unit together with the first transmission optical element.

[0118] In the case of using a polygon mirror as a unit for scanning light as in conventional projectors, the polygon mirror reflects light while rotating, so the incident angle of light incident on the illuminated surface changes constantly with time. Therefore, even if the light incident on the polygon mirror is parallel light, the light emitted from the polygon mirror becomes divergent light, so it is extremely difficult to make the light always vertically incident on the illuminated surface. Therefore, in conventional projectors with polygon mirrors, it is possible that the brightness and contrast in the light modulator are reduced, color unevenness is generated, and light loss in the projection optical device occurs, and the image quality of the projector is reduced.

[0119] In view of the above problems, according to the projector 1 of this embodiment, Figure 4A to Figure 4FAs shown, the illumination light LW is displaced in a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction of the illumination light LW while maintaining parallelism with the illumination optical axis AX as the first transmission optical element 13 and the second transmission optical element 14 rotate. In addition, by providing the first transmission optical element 13 and the second transmission optical element 14 having mutually orthogonal rotation axes C1 and C2, the illumination light LW can be scanned in a two-dimensional illumination area Q in an arbitrary illuminated surface. Thus, the projector 1 can always make the light substantially perpendicular to the light modulator 21. Thus, the projector 1 of the present embodiment can suppress the reduction of brightness and contrast in the light modulator 21, the generation of color unevenness, the loss of light in the projection optical device 23, and the like, and can realize a projector with excellent display quality.

[0120] In addition, the projector 1 of the present embodiment can generate the airflow K1 for cooling the heat absorbing members 31, 32, and 33 included in the light source device 10 as the first heat generating body by using the driving force of the first driving unit 15 for rotating the first transmission optical element 13. Therefore, by using the first driving unit 15 as the driving unit for the first transmission optical element 13 and the first blade portion 17b, the projector 1 can be made more compact compared to the case where the driving units of the first transmission optical element 13 and the first blade portion 17b are configured differently.

[0121] Furthermore, the projector 1 of this embodiment can generate the airflow K2 for cooling the light modulator 21 and the emission-side polarizing plate 22 as the second heating element by using the driving force of the second driving unit 16 for rotating the second transmission optical element 14. Therefore, the projector 1 of this embodiment can achieve further miniaturization by using the second driving unit 16 as the driving unit for the second transmission optical element 14 and the second blade portion 18b.

[0122] (Second embodiment)

[0123] Next, the configuration of the projector according to the second embodiment will be described. Note that the same components as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. Figure 5 It is a plan view showing a schematic configuration diagram of the projector 2 according to the present embodiment.

[0124] like Figure 5 As shown, the projector 2 of this embodiment includes a sealed housing 50, a light source device 10, an optical device 20B, a third duct member 37, a fourth duct member 38, a light modulator 21, an emission-side polarizing plate 22, a projection optical device 23, a heat exchanger 45, and a third fan 55. The optical device 20B includes a first transmission optical element 13, a second transmission optical element 14, a first drive unit 15, a second drive unit 16, and a first fan 17.

[0125] The projector 2 of this embodiment includes a light modulator 21 and an emission-side polarizing plate 22 as a first heating element.

[0126] The sealed case 50 houses the light modulator 21 as the first heating element, the emission-side polarizing plate 22, a part of the light source device 10, the optical device 20B, the third duct member 37, and a part of the heat exchanger 45 in a sealed state. This can prevent foreign matter such as dust from adhering.

[0127] The first light emitting element 11B, the second light emitting element 11G, the third light emitting element 11R and the light synthesis optical system 12 of each component of the light source device 10 are housed inside the sealed case 50, and the first heat absorbing member 31, the second heat absorbing member 32 and the third heat absorbing member 33 connected to the light emitting elements 11B, 11G and 11R are arranged outside the sealed case 50. In the case of the present embodiment, the first light emitting element 11B, the second light emitting element 11G and the third light emitting element 11R are fitted into the opening of the wall surface of the sealed case 50, so that the inside is sealed. The first heat absorbing member 31, the second heat absorbing member 32 and the third heat absorbing member 33 are provided so as to contact the first light emitting element 11B, the second light emitting element 11G and the third light emitting element 11R exposed on the wall surface of the sealed case 50.

[0128] A portion of the heat exchanger 45 is disposed outside the sealed housing 50. The sealed housing 50 has a light-transmitting portion at a position opposite to the emission-side polarizing plate 22. The light-transmitting portion has light-transmitting properties. The projection optical device 23 is disposed in the light-transmitting portion of the sealed housing 50, and amplifies the image light modulated by the light modulating device 21 and projects it onto a projection surface such as a screen.

[0129] In the sealed housing 50, the airflow K1 generated by the first fan 17 is sent to the third duct member 37. The third duct member 37 supplies the airflow K1 sent from the first fan 17 to the light modulator 21 and the emission-side polarizing plate 22, which are the first heat generating elements of the projector 2 of this embodiment. The airflow K1 heated by cooling the light modulator 21 and the emission-side polarizing plate 22 contacts the heat exchanger 45 disposed in the sealed housing 50.

[0130] The heat exchanger 45 includes a heat absorbing portion 45a that absorbs heat from the airflow K1 flowing in the sealed casing 50 and a heat radiating portion 45b disposed outside the sealed casing 50. The heat absorbing portion 45a and the heat radiating portion 45b are composed of a radiator structure including a plurality of fins, for example.

[0131] The third fan 55 is arranged on the outside of the sealed housing 50. The third fan 55 is composed of, for example, a Sirocco fan. The third fan 55 includes a third housing 55a, a third blade portion 55b, and a driving portion not shown. The third housing 55a has: an inlet 55a1, which inhales air through the rotating third blade portion 55b; and an outlet 55a2, which discharges the air inhaled from the inlet 55a1 as an airflow K3 in a circumferential direction orthogonal to the rotation axis of the third blade portion 55b. The third fan 55 is a fan different from the first fan 17 and has an independent driving source. Therefore, the third fan 55 can be driven in an independent state regardless of the driving state of the first fan 17, for example, it can rotate at an arbitrary rotation speed different from the rotation speed of the first fan 17.

[0132] In the projector 2 of the present embodiment, the third fan 55 is arranged near the projection optical device 23. The third housing 55a of the third fan 55 has suction ports 55a1 on both sides of the axial direction along the rotation axis. That is, the third fan 55 takes air into the third housing 55a from both sides of the axial direction. Therefore, the third fan 55 can generate an airflow K3 along the projection optical device 23 by taking air from the suction ports 55a1 provided on the surface of the third housing 55a opposite to the projection optical device 23. Therefore, the third fan 55 can cool the projection optical device 23 using the airflow K3.

[0133] The airflow K3 generated by the third fan 55 is sent to the fourth duct member 38. The fourth duct member 38 guides the airflow K3 sent from the third fan 55 along the surface of the sealed casing 50. The heat absorbing portion 45a of the heat exchanger 45, the first heat absorbing member 31, the second heat absorbing member 32, and the third heat absorbing member 33 are arranged inside the fourth duct member 38. In the fourth duct member 38, the heat absorbing portion 45a, the third heat absorbing member 33, the second heat absorbing member 32, and the first heat absorbing member 31 are arranged in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side of the flow of the airflow K3.

[0134] Therefore, the heat exchanger 45 lowers the temperature of the airflow K1 flowing in the sealed casing 50 by exchanging heat between the airflow K1 flowing in the sealed casing 50 and the airflow K3 flowing in the fourth duct member 38. The airflow K1 cooled in the heat exchanger 45 is sucked into the first fan 17 again and sent as cooling wind to the third duct member 37. In this way, the airflow K1 generated by the first fan 17 circulates in the sealed casing 50.

[0135] According to the projector 2 of this embodiment, the airflow K3 of low temperature can be supplied to the heat sink 33b corresponding to the red light LR whose temperature management is strictly required, and the airflow K3 of slightly increased temperature can be supplied to the heat sink 31b corresponding to the blue light LB whose temperature management is slightly loose. Therefore, the heat sinks 31b, 32b, 33b of the heat absorbing components 31, 32, 33 can be efficiently cooled by using the airflow K3 flowing in one direction.

[0136] In the projector 2 of this embodiment, the third fan 55 can be driven independently of the first fan 17, so that, for example, the cooling performance of the heat exchanger 45 can be improved by increasing the rotation speed of the third fan 55, so that the low-temperature airflow K1 can be stably supplied to the first heating element. That is, in the projector 2 of this embodiment, by increasing the rotation speed of the third fan 55, the first heating element can be efficiently cooled.

[0137] In the projector 2 of the present embodiment, when the cooling performance of the first heating element is improved, it is not necessary to change the rotation speed of the first fan 17, that is, the rotation speed of the first driving unit 15 that drives the first blade portion 17b of the first fan 17. Therefore, when the cooling performance of the first heating element is improved, the change in the rotation speed of the first transmission optical element 13 connected to the first driving unit 15 does not affect the projected image.

[0138] The airflow K3 after cooling the heat exchanger 45 passes through the fourth duct member 38, and sequentially cools the third heat absorbing member 33, the second heat absorbing member 32, and the first heat absorbing member 31. In addition, although the airflow K3 is slightly heated by heat exchange with the heat exchanger 45, the temperature is sufficiently lower than that of the heat absorbing members 33, 32, and 31 to be cooled. Therefore, the airflow K3 after cooling the heat exchanger 45 can efficiently cool the heat absorbing members 33, 32, and 31.

[0139] According to the projector 2 of this embodiment, in the sealed housing 50, the light modulator 21 and the emission-side polarizing plate 22, which are the first heating element, can be cooled by using the first driving unit 15 that rotates the first transmission optical element 13 as the driving source of the first fan 17. Therefore, the projector 2 of this embodiment can be miniaturized compared to the case where a driving source of the first fan 17 is prepared separately.

[0140] In addition, the projector 2 of this embodiment improves the cooling performance of the heat exchanger 45 by driving the third fan 55, thereby being able to reduce the temperature of the airflow K1 circulated in the sealed housing 50 and supplied to the first heating element without changing the driving conditions of the first driving unit 15. Here, when the driving conditions of the first driving unit 15 are changed, there is a problem that the rotation speed of the second transmission optical element 14 and the driving conditions of the light modulator 21 need to be changed to cope with the change in the rotation speed of the first transmission optical element 13, but according to the projector 2 of this embodiment, such a problem does not occur.

[0141] (Third embodiment)

[0142] Next, the configuration of the projector according to the third embodiment will be described. Note that the same components as those of the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. Figure 6 It is a plan view showing a schematic configuration diagram of the projector 3 according to the present embodiment.

[0143] like Figure 6 As shown, the projector 3 of this embodiment includes a first housing 65, a second housing 66, a light source device 10, an optical device 20B, a third duct member 37, a fifth duct member 39, a light modulator 21, an emission-side polarizing plate 22, a projection optical device 23, a third fan 55, and a filter 58. The optical device 20B includes a first transmission optical element 13, a second transmission optical element 14, a first drive unit 15, a second drive unit 16, and a first fan 17.

[0144] The projector 3 of this embodiment includes a light modulator 21 and an emission-side polarizing plate 22 as a first heating element.

[0145] The first housing 65 houses the first light emitting element 11B, the second light emitting element 11G, the third light emitting element 11R and the light combining optical system 12 among the components of the light source device 10 in a sealed state. At least a portion of the first heat absorbing member 31, the second heat absorbing member 32 and the third heat absorbing member 33 are arranged outside the first housing 65. The first housing 65 has a light extraction window 65a for emitting the illumination light LW combined by the light combining optical system 12.

[0146] The second housing 66 is disposed beside the first housing 65 on the illumination optical axis AX. The second housing 66 is provided with a light-transmitting portion 66a at a position facing the light extraction window 65a of the first housing 65. The second housing 66 takes in the illumination light LW emitted from the light combining optical system 12 housed in the first housing 65 via the light-transmitting portion.

[0147] The second housing 66 contains the light modulator 21 and the emission side polarizing plate 22, the optical device 20B and the third duct member 37 as the first heating element in a non-sealed state. The second housing 66 has a light-transmitting portion at a position opposite to the emission side polarizing plate 22, and the light-transmitting portion has light transmittance. The projection optical device 23 is provided in the light-transmitting portion 66b of the second housing 66, and amplifies the image light emitted from the emission side polarizing plate 22 and displays it on a projection surface such as a screen. The second housing 66 has an air intake port 67 and an exhaust port 68 for the first fan 17 housed therein to take in air.

[0148] The first fan 17 generates the airflow K1 by taking in air through the air inlet 67 of the second housing 66. In the case of the present embodiment, the air inlet 67 of the second housing 66 is provided with a filter 58. The filter 58 captures dust contained in the air passing through the air inlet 67. Thus, the first fan 17 can supply the second housing 66 with the airflow K1 having a high degree of cleanliness.

[0149] In the second housing 66, the airflow K1 generated by the first fan 17 is delivered to the third duct member 37. The third duct member 37 supplies the airflow K1 delivered from the first fan 17 to the light modulator 21 and the emission-side polarizing plate 22, which are the first heating element of the projector 3 of this embodiment. The airflow K1 heated by cooling the light modulator 21 and the emission-side polarizing plate 22 is discharged to the outside from the discharge port 68 provided in the second housing 66. Thus, the temperature rise in the second housing 66 is suppressed.

[0150] The third fan 55 is arranged outside the second housing 66. The airflow K3 generated by the third fan 55 is sent to the fifth duct member 39. The fifth duct member 39 has an air intake port 39a provided on a surface facing the third fan 55, and guides the airflow K3 taken in through the air intake port 39a along the surfaces of the second housing 66 and the first housing 65. Inside the fifth duct member 39, the third heat absorbing member 33, the second heat absorbing member 32, and the first heat absorbing member 31 are arranged in this order.

[0151] According to the projector 3 of this embodiment, the light modulator 21 and the emission-side polarizing plate 22, which are the first heating element, can be cooled by using the first driving unit 15 that rotates the first transmission optical element 13 also as the driving source of the first fan 17 in the second housing 66. Therefore, compared with the case where a driving source of the first fan 17 is prepared separately, the projector 3 of this embodiment can make the device structure more compact.

[0152] Furthermore, in the projector 3 of the present embodiment, the outside air is taken into the second housing 66 to generate the airflow K1 . Therefore, the heat exchanger 45 of the second embodiment can be omitted, thereby reducing the cost.

[0153] Furthermore, the projector 3 of this embodiment can efficiently cool the heat absorbing members 31, 32, and 33 by driving the third fan 55. Thus, the projector 3 of this embodiment can suppress the temperature rise of the light emitting elements 11B, 11G, and 11R to keep the light emission intensity constant, thereby projecting a bright image.

[0154] According to the projector 3 of this embodiment, the airflow K3 with a low temperature can be supplied to the heat sink 33b corresponding to the red light LR whose temperature management is strictly required, and the airflow K3 in a slightly heated state can be supplied to the heat sink 31b corresponding to the blue light LB whose temperature management is slightly loose. Therefore, the heat sinks 31b, 32b, 33b of the heat absorbing components 31, 32, 33 can be efficiently cooled by using the airflow K3 flowing in one direction.

[0155] (Fourth embodiment)

[0156] Next, the configuration of the projector according to the fourth embodiment will be described. Note that the same components as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. Figure 7 It is a plan view showing a schematic configuration diagram of the projector 4 according to the present embodiment.

[0157] like Figure 7 As shown, the projector 4 of this embodiment has a sealed casing 60, a light source device 10C, an optical device 20C, a third duct component 37, a sixth duct component 40, a light modulator 121, an emission-side polarizing plate 22, a projection optical device 23, a heat exchanger 45 and a third fan 55.

[0158] The projector 4 of this embodiment includes a light modulator 121 and an emission-side polarizing plate 22 as a first heating element.

[0159] The sealed case 60 accommodates the light modulator 121 as the first heating element, the emission-side polarizing plate 22 , a part of the light source device 10C, the optical device 20C, the third duct member 37 , and a part of the heat exchanger 45 in a sealed state.

[0160] The light source device 10C includes a first light source unit 7, a second light source unit 8, a third light source unit 9, a first heat absorbing member 71, a second heat absorbing member 72, a third heat absorbing member 73, a first reflecting element 61, and a second reflecting element 62. The optical device 20C includes a first transmission optical element 13, a first driving unit 15, and a first fan 17.

[0161] The first light source unit 7, the second light source unit 8, the third light source unit 9, the first reflecting element 61 and the second reflecting element 62 of the various components of the light source device 10C are housed inside the sealed casing 60, and the first heat absorbing component 71, the second heat absorbing component 72 and the third heat absorbing component 73 connected to the respective light source units 7, 8, 9 are arranged outside the sealed casing 60.

[0162] A portion of the heat exchanger 45 is disposed outside the sealed housing 60. The sealed housing 60 has a light-transmitting portion at a position opposite to the emission-side polarizing plate 22. The light-transmitting portion has light-transmitting properties. The projection optical device 23 is disposed in the light-transmitting portion of the sealed housing 60, and amplifies the image light modulated by the light modulating device 121 and projects it onto a projection surface such as a screen.

[0163] The first light source unit 7 emits blue light LB toward the first transmissive optical element 13 (-Z side). The second light source unit 8 emits green light LG toward the transmissive optical element 13 (+X side). The third light source unit 9 emits red light LR toward the transmissive optical element 13 (+Z side).

[0164] The optical axis AX1 of the first light source section 7 and the optical axis AX3 of the third light source section 9 are coaxial. The optical axis AX2 of the second light source section 8 is orthogonal to the optical axis AX1 of the first light source section 7 and the optical axis AX3 of the third light source section 9 .

[0165] The first light source unit 7 is configured to arrange a plurality of first light emitting elements 11B in a row on the substrate 29B at predetermined intervals along the Y-axis direction. The first light source unit 7 of the present embodiment emits blue light LB including light from each of the first light emitting elements 11B arranged in the Y-axis direction. Therefore, the cross-sectional shape of the blue light LB of the present embodiment perpendicular to the principal light ray is a strip-shaped shape having a long axis extending along the Y-axis direction and a short axis extending along the X-axis direction.

[0166] In addition, the second light source unit 8 is configured to arrange a plurality of second light emitting elements 11G in a row on the substrate 29G at predetermined intervals along the Y-axis direction. The second light source unit 8 of the present embodiment emits green light LG including light from each second light emitting element 11G arranged in the Y-axis direction. Therefore, the cross-sectional shape of the green light LG emitted by the second light source unit 8 perpendicular to the principal light ray is a strip-shaped shape having a long axis extending along the Y-axis direction and a short axis extending along the Z-axis direction.

[0167] In addition, the third light source unit 9 is configured to arrange a plurality of third light emitting elements 11R in a row on the substrate 29R at predetermined intervals along the Y-axis direction. The third light source unit 9 of the present embodiment emits red light LR including light from each third light emitting element 11R arranged in the Y-axis direction. Therefore, the cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the principal light ray of the red light LR emitted by the third light source unit 9 is a strip-shaped shape having a long axis extending along the Y-axis direction and a short axis extending along the X-axis direction.

[0168] The first heat absorbing member 71 is a member that absorbs heat generated by each light emitting element 11B of the first light source unit 7. In the case of the present embodiment, the first heat absorbing member 71 is thermally connected to the first light emitting element 11B via the wall surface of the sealed housing 60. The first heat absorbing member 71 includes a heat pipe 71a that is thermally connected to the substrate 29B of the first light source unit 7 and a plurality of heat sinks 71b provided on the heat pipe 71a. The first heat absorbing member 71 arranges the heat sink 71b at a predetermined position outside the sealed housing 60 by routing the heat pipe 71a.

[0169] The second heat absorbing member 72 is a member that absorbs heat generated by each light emitting element 11G of the second light source unit 8. In the case of the present embodiment, the second heat absorbing member 72 is thermally connected to the second light emitting element 11G via the wall surface of the sealed housing 60. The second heat absorbing member 72 includes a heat pipe 72a that is thermally connected to the substrate 29G of the second light source unit 8 and a plurality of heat sinks 72b provided on the heat pipe 72a. The second heat absorbing member 72 arranges the heat sink 72b at a predetermined position outside the sealed housing 60 by routing the heat pipe 72a.

[0170] The third heat absorbing member 73 is a member that absorbs heat generated by each light emitting element 11R of the third light source unit 9. In the case of the present embodiment, the third heat absorbing member 73 is thermally connected to the third light emitting element 11R via the wall surface of the sealed housing 60. The third heat absorbing member 73 includes a heat pipe 73a that is thermally connected to the substrate 29R of the third light source unit 9 and a plurality of heat sinks 73b provided on the heat pipe 73a. The third heat absorbing member 73 arranges the heat sink 73b at a predetermined position outside the sealed housing 60 by routing the heat pipe 73a.

[0171] In the case of the present embodiment, the blue light LB, the green light LG, and the red light LR are incident on different positions of the first transmission optical element 13. In particular, in the case of the present embodiment, the first light source unit 7, the second light source unit 8, and the third light source unit 9 are in a positional relationship rotated 90 degrees around the intersection of the optical axes AX1, AX2, and AX3, so the blue light LB, the green light LG, and the red light LR are incident on different side surfaces of the first transmission optical element 13.

[0172] The green light LG extends linearly and long in the Y-axis direction orthogonal to the Z-axis direction in which the green light LG is displaced. Therefore, the green light LG is scanned in the two-dimensional illuminated area Q in the illuminated surface (light modulator 121). The emission directions of the blue light LB and the red light LR are different from those of the green light LG, but after being reflected by the reflective elements 61 and 62 described later, they are scanned in the two-dimensional illuminated area Q in the illuminated surface (light modulator 121) in the same manner as the green light LG. In this way, the first transmission optical element 13 scans the blue light LB, the green light LG, and the red light LR in the direction orthogonal to the Y-axis direction when rotating around the rotation axis C1, thereby scanning in the two-dimensional illuminated area Q in the illuminated surface.

[0173] The first reflecting element 61 is disposed on the optical path of the blue light LB emitted from the first light source unit 7 between the first light source unit 7 and the first transmitting optical element 13. The first reflecting element 61 is composed of a dichroic mirror that reflects red light and transmits blue light. Therefore, the first reflecting element 61 reflects the red light LR emitted from the first transmitting optical element 13 and transmits the blue light LB emitted from the first light source unit 7. The angle formed by the first reflecting element 61 and the Z axis is referred to as the inclination angle θ1 of the first reflecting element 61. The inclination angle θ1 of the first reflecting element 61 is greater than 45 degrees.

[0174] The second reflecting element 62 is disposed on the optical path of the red light LR emitted from the third light source unit 9 between the third light source unit 9 and the first transmitting optical element 13. The second reflecting element 62 is composed of a dichroic mirror that reflects blue light and transmits red light. Therefore, the second reflecting element 62 reflects the blue light LB emitted from the first transmitting optical element 13 and transmits the red light LR emitted from the third light source unit 9. The angle formed by the second reflecting element 62 and the Z axis is referred to as the inclination angle θ2 of the second reflecting element 62. The inclination angle θ2 of the second reflecting element 62 is greater than 45 degrees.

[0175] By setting the inclination angle θ2 of the second reflecting element 62 to be greater than 45 degrees, the blue light LB reflected by the second reflecting element 62 travels obliquely relative to the optical axis AX2 in a manner close to the optical axis AX2. Similarly, by setting the inclination angle θ1 of the first reflecting element 61 to be greater than 45 degrees, the red light LR reflected by the first reflecting element 61 travels obliquely relative to the optical axis AX2 in a manner close to the optical axis AX2.

[0176] Thus, as described later, the blue light LB reflected by the second reflecting element 62, the green light LG emitted from the first transmitting optical element 13, and the red light LR reflected by the first reflecting element 61 are incident on the first microlens array 43 of the preceding stage of the light modulating device 121 from different directions, and overlap on the first microlens array 43. In the case of this embodiment, the incident angle of the green light LG with respect to the first microlens array 43 is 0 degrees. In other words, the green light LG is incident perpendicularly to the first microlens array 43.

[0177] Figure 8 1 is a cross-sectional view of the light modulation device 121 according to this embodiment.

[0178] like Figure 8 As shown, the liquid crystal panel constituting the light modulation device 121 has a light modulation area in which a plurality of blue sub-pixels PX1, a plurality of green sub-pixels PX2, and a plurality of red sub-pixels PX3 are periodically arranged in a matrix. The blue sub-pixel PX1 modulates the blue light LB. The green sub-pixel PX2 modulates the green light LG. The red sub-pixel PX3 modulates the red light LR. One pixel, which is the smallest unit of an image, is composed of one blue sub-pixel PX1, one green sub-pixel PX2, and one red sub-pixel PX3. A light shielding film 155 called a black matrix is ​​provided between two adjacent sub-pixels.

[0179] The first microlens array 43 is disposed on the light incident side of the first substrate 57 constituting the liquid crystal panel. The first microlens array 43 has a structure in which a plurality of first microlenses 431 are arranged in a matrix. The first microlens array 43 converges and guides blue light, green light, and red light to each sub-pixel PX1, PX2, and PX3 of the light modulator 121, respectively. One first microlens 431 is composed of a cylindrical lens, and is arranged to cover one pixel, that is, three sub-pixels PX1, PX2, and PX3 of different colors arranged in one direction. In the present embodiment, a cylindrical lens is listed as the first microlens 431, but it is not limited to this, and square lenses may be arranged as microlenses in a brick layer shape, microlenses arranged in a manner corresponding to sub-pixels arranged in a triangle, a microlens array with a honeycomb structure, etc. may also be used.

[0180] As described above, the blue light LB, the green light LG, and the red light LR are incident on the first microlens 431 at different incident angles, and therefore travel in different directions and are focused. As a result, the blue light LB is incident on the blue sub-pixel PX1, the green light LG is incident on the green sub-pixel PX2, and the red light LR is incident on the red sub-pixel PX3. That is, the first microlens array 43 causes the blue light LB emitted from the second reflective element to be incident on the blue sub-pixel PX1, causes the green light LG emitted from the transmission optical element to be incident on the green sub-pixel PX2, and causes the red light LR emitted from the first reflective element to be incident on the red sub-pixel PX3.

[0181] The second microlens array 44 is arranged on the light emitting side of the second substrate 158 constituting the liquid crystal panel. The second microlens array 44 has a structure in which a plurality of second microlenses 441 are arranged in a matrix. The second microlens array 44 parallelizes the various colors of light emitted from the liquid crystal panel. The second microlens 441 is provided for each sub-pixel. In addition, in the present embodiment, an example of parallelizing the various colors of light after being emitted from the liquid crystal panel is given, but instead of this structure, the second microlens array 44 may be arranged on the light incident side of the liquid crystal panel, and the various colors of light may be parallelized before being incident on the liquid crystal panel.

[0182] like Figure 7 As shown, the emission-side polarizing plate 22 is disposed on the optical axis AX2 between the light modulator 121 and the projection optical device 23. The emission-side polarizing plate 22 allows linear polarized light in a specific direction emitted from the light modulator 121 to pass toward the projection optical device 23. The projection optical device 23 enlarges and projects the image light modulated by the light modulator 21 toward a projection surface such as a screen.

[0183] In the projector 4 of the present embodiment, the airflow K1 generated by the first fan 17 is sent to the third duct member 37 in the sealed housing 60. The third duct member 37 supplies the airflow K1 sent from the first fan 17 to the light modulator 121 and the emission-side polarizing plate 22, which are the first heat generating elements of the projector 4 of the present embodiment. The airflow K1 heated by cooling the light modulator 121 and the emission-side polarizing plate 22 contacts the heat exchanger 45 disposed in the sealed housing 60.

[0184] In the projector 4 of the present embodiment, the third fan 55 is arranged near the heat exchanger 45. The third housing 55a of the third fan 55 has suction ports 55a1 on both sides along the axial direction of the rotation axis. Therefore, the third fan 55 can generate an airflow K3 along the heat exchanger 45 by taking in air from the suction ports 55a1 provided on the surface opposite to the heat exchanger 45. Therefore, the third fan 55 can cool the heat exchanger 45 by the airflow K3.

[0185] The airflow K3 generated by the third fan 55 is sent to the sixth duct member 40. The sixth duct member 40 guides the airflow K3 sent from the third fan 55 along the surface of the sealed casing 60. Inside the sixth duct member 40, the fins 73b of the third heat absorbing member 73, the fins 72b of the second heat absorbing member 72, and the fins 71b of the first heat absorbing member 71 are arranged in this order.

[0186] According to this structure, the airflow K3 with low temperature can be supplied to the heat sink 73b corresponding to the red light LR whose temperature management is strictly controlled, and the airflow K3 in a slightly heated state can be supplied to the heat sink 71b corresponding to the blue light LB whose temperature management is slightly loose. Therefore, the heat sinks 71b, 72b, 73b of the heat absorbing members 71, 72, 73 can be efficiently cooled by using the airflow K3 flowing in one direction.

[0187] According to the projector 4 of this embodiment, by configuring the light source units 7, 8, 9, the first transmission optical element 13, and the reflection elements 61, 62 and the first microlens array 43 provided in the light modulator 121, it is possible to spatially separate the three color lights LB, LG, and LR, and make each color light LB, LG, and LR incident on each corresponding sub-pixel PX1, PX2, and PX3. Thus, it is possible to realize the projector 4 that can display a color image without using a color filter in the light modulator 121. In addition, by scanning each color light LB, LG, and LR having a long axis in the Y-axis direction in the Z-axis direction, it is possible to illuminate the two-dimensional light modulator 121, so that only one transmission optical element is required, and the device structure can be simplified and miniaturized.

[0188] Furthermore, in the sealed housing 60, the light modulator 21 and the emission-side polarizing plate 22, which are the first heating element, can be cooled by using the first driving unit 15 that rotates the first transmission optical element 13 as the driving source of the first fan 17. Therefore, compared with the case where a driving source of the first fan 17 is separately prepared, the projector 4 of this embodiment can further reduce the size of the device structure.

[0189] (Fifth embodiment)

[0190] Next, the structure of the projector of the fifth embodiment is described. The basic structure of the projector of the fifth embodiment is the same as that of the projector of the first embodiment, but the connection structure of the first drive unit, the first transmission optical element, and the first fan is different from that of the first embodiment. In addition, the same reference numerals are attached to the same structural elements as those of the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

[0191] Fig. 9 1 is a diagram showing a connection structure among the first driving unit 15 , the first transmission optical element 13 , and the first fan 17 .

[0192] like Fig. 9 As shown, the projector 5 of this embodiment further includes a support case 201 that supports the optical device 20. The support case 201 includes a convex portion 202 that protrudes from a surface 201a and supports the first drive unit 15. The support case 201 may also constitute a part of the exterior of the projector 1.

[0193] The first drive unit 15 is connected to the first surface 13a of the first transmissive optical element 13. The first drive unit 15 is connected to the convex portion 202 of the support housing 201 on the side opposite to the first transmissive optical element 13. Specifically, the main body 15b of the first drive unit 15 is connected to the convex portion 202.

[0194] In this embodiment, the first blade portion 17b of the first fan 17 is arranged to surround the body portion 15b of the first driving unit 15, and the first end portion 17b1 located on one axial side along the first rotation axis C1 is connected to the first surface 13a of the first transmission optical element 13.

[0195] The first end 17 b 1 of the first blade portion 17 b and the first surface 13 a are connected to each other by, for example, bonding or screwing. The rotation axis of the first blade portion 17 b coincides with the first rotation axis C1 of the first transmissive optical element 13 .

[0196] That is, in the case of the present embodiment, the first blade portion 17b and the first driving unit 15 are connected to the first surface 13a of the first transmission optical element 13. Therefore, the first driving unit 15 and the first blade portion 17b are not provided on the side surface of the first transmission optical element 13. Therefore, the entire side surface of the first transmission optical element 13 can be used as the incident surface or the emitting surface of light.

[0197] In addition, the first driving unit 15 may be connected to the first surface 13a of the first transmission optical element 13 via the first blade portion 17b, or may be directly connected to the first surface 13a. The first blade portion 17b may also be connected to the first transmission optical element 13 via the first driving unit 15. When the first driving unit 15 is directly connected to the first surface 13a, an opening through which the first driving unit 15 passes is formed in the first blade portion 17b.

[0198] The first blade portion 17b has a second end portion 17b2 located on the other axial side of the first rotation axis C1. The second end portion 17b2 of the first blade portion 17b is located closer to the support housing 201 than the convex portion 202 and is separated from the surface 201a of the support housing 201.

[0199] In the present embodiment, the first housing 17 a of the first fan 17 is fixed to the support case 201 or the protrusion 202 in a region not shown.

[0200] According to the projector 5 of this embodiment, the first surface 13a of the first transmission optical element 13 can be separated from the surface 201a of the support case 201 by providing the convex portion 202 between the first driving unit 15 and the surface 201a of the support case 201. Thus, the axial dimension of the first blade portion 17b of the first fan 17 connected to the first surface 13a of the first transmission optical element 13 can be increased.

[0201] Here, if the center of gravity position of the rotating body K based on the first driving unit 15 is away from the rotating shaft portion 15a in the axial direction, axial vibration may occur. Here, the rotating body K based on the first driving unit 15 refers to the first transmission optical element 13 and the first blade portion 17b. According to the projector 5 of this embodiment, the axial dimension of the first blade portion 17b can be increased by connecting the first blade portion 17b and the first driving unit 15 to the first surface 13a of the first transmission optical element 13. As a result, the center of gravity position KG of the rotating body K based on the first driving unit 15 can be brought close to the rotating shaft portion 15a side.

[0202] Therefore, according to the projector 5 of this embodiment, the airflow K1 can be generated by rotating the first blade portion 17 b of the first fan 17 while suppressing the generation of vibration and abnormal noise due to the axial vibration of the rotating body K of the first driving unit 15 .

[0203] In the projector 5 of this embodiment, the same structure is also adopted for the connection structure of the second driving unit, the second transmission optical element and the second fan, so that the vibration and abnormal noise caused by the axial jitter of the rotating body based on the second driving unit 16 can be suppressed, and the airflow K2 can be generated by rotating the second blade portion 18b of the second fan 18.

[0204] In the present embodiment, the first driving unit 15 is disposed on the convex portion 202 protruding from the surface 201a of the support housing 201, so that the first surface 13a of the first transmission optical element 13 is separated from the surface 201a of the support housing 201, thereby adjusting the center of gravity position KG of the rotating body K, but the structure of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the first surface 13a of the first transmission optical element 13 may be separated from the surface 201a of the support housing 201 by connecting the leg portion protruding from the surface 201a of the support housing 201 to the first housing 17a of the first fan 17 to which the first driving unit 15 is fixed, thereby increasing the axial dimension of the first blade portion 17b. In addition, the leg portion may be configured to extend from the first housing 17a along the surface 201a of the support housing 201, and the leg portion may be screwed to the support housing 201. In this case, in order to suppress reduction in the air intake capability of the first fan, a recessed portion recessed in a direction opposite to the direction in which the first fan is arranged is preferably provided at a position of the support casing 201 facing the air inlet 17a1 of the first fan 17 .

[0205] The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. In addition, one aspect of the present invention can be configured by appropriately combining the characteristic portions of the above-described embodiments.

[0206] For example, the cooling performance by the airflow K1 can be improved by arranging the first fan 17 on both the first surface 13a and the second surface 13b of the first transmission optical element 13 as in the first embodiment and by combining the structure in which the first fan 17 is arranged on the second surface 13b of the first transmission optical element 13 as in the fifth embodiment. Similarly, the cooling performance by the airflow K2 can be improved by arranging the second fan 18 on both surfaces of the second transmission optical element 14.

[0207] In the light source device of the above-mentioned embodiment, as the shape of the transmissive optical element, an example of a polygonal prism with an even number of sides is given. From the viewpoint of less stray light generation and high light utilization efficiency, a polygonal prism with an even number of sides is preferred. However, as long as there is a set of incident surfaces and exit surfaces parallel to each other, a shape other than a polygonal prism with an even number of sides may also be used. In addition, the "rotation" in the embodiment of the present application may also include swinging the transmissive optical element to perform the same scanning.

[0208] In addition, the specific description of the shape, quantity, configuration, material, etc. of each component of the light source device and the projector is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment and can be appropriately changed. In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, an example of mounting the light source device of the present invention on a projector using a liquid crystal panel is shown, but it is not limited to this. The light source device of the present invention can also be applied to a projector using a digital micromirror device as a light modulation device.

[0209] (Summary of this disclosure)

[0210] The following is a summary of the present disclosure.

[0211] (Note 1)

[0212] A projector comprises: a light source device; a first heating element that generates heat; and an optical device that causes the optical path of light emitted from the light source device to shift over time, the optical device having: a first transmission optical element that transmits and emits the light incident from the light source device; a first driving unit connected to the first transmission optical element and configured to rotate the first transmission optical element; and a first blade unit connected to the first transmission optical element and configured to generate an airflow for cooling the first heating element, the first transmission optical element shifts the optical path of the light by rotating around a first rotation axis, the first rotation axis being along a second direction intersecting a first direction in which the light emitted from the light source device is incident, and the first driving unit generates the airflow by rotating the first blade unit together with the first transmission optical element.

[0213] According to the structure of Supplementary Note 1, it is possible to generate an airflow for cooling the first heating element by utilizing the driving force of the first driving unit that rotates the first transmission optical element. Therefore, by using the first driving unit as a driving unit for both the first transmission optical element and the first blade unit, the device structure of the projector can be miniaturized compared to a case where the driving units of the first transmission optical element and the first blade unit have different structures. Therefore, it is possible to provide a small projector with excellent cooling performance.

[0214] (Note 2)

[0215] A projector according to Note 1, wherein the first transmitting optical element comprises: a first surface and a second surface, which intersect the first rotation axis; and 2×m side surfaces, which are in contact with the first surface and the second surface, m being a natural number greater than 2, and the incident surface and the emitting surface of the first transmitting optical element are two of the 2×m side surfaces that are parallel to each other.

[0216] According to the configuration of Supplementary Note 2, since there is no light incident on the side surfaces that are not parallel to each other, the generation of stray light in the first transmissive optical element is small, and light utilization efficiency can be improved.

[0217] (Note 3)

[0218] The projector according to Supplementary Note 2, wherein the first driving unit is connected to the first surface or the second surface of the first transmission optical element, and the first blade unit is connected to the first surface or the second surface of the first transmission optical element.

[0219] According to the configuration of Supplementary Note 3, since the first driving unit and the first blade unit are not connected to the side surface of the first transmissive optical element, the entire side surface of the first transmissive optical element can be used as a light incident surface or light emitting surface.

[0220] (Note 4)

[0221] A projector according to Appendix 3, wherein the projector further includes a supporting shell, the supporting shell having a convex portion protruding from a surface and supporting the optical device, the first driving portion having a main body portion connected to the convex portion and a rotating shaft portion rotating relative to the main body portion, the convex portion having a supporting surface connected to the main body portion, the first driving portion and the first blade portion being connected to the first surface of the first transmitting optical element, the rotating shaft portion being connected to the first surface of the first transmitting optical element, the first blade portion being arranged in a manner surrounding the rotating shaft portion, the first end portion of the first blade portion located on one side along the axial direction of the first rotating shaft being connected to the first surface of the first transmitting optical element, and the second end portion of the first blade portion located on the other side of the axial direction being located on a position closer to the surface side of the supporting shell than the supporting surface of the convex portion, and being separated from the surface of the supporting shell.

[0222] According to the structure of Supplementary Note 4, by separating the first surface of the first transmission optical element from the surface of the support housing, the axial dimension of the first blade portion connected to the first surface of the first transmission optical element can be enlarged. As a result, the center of gravity position of the rotating body based on the first driving unit can be brought close to the rotating shaft side. Therefore, it is possible to generate airflow while suppressing the generation of vibration and abnormal noise caused by the shaft shaking of the rotating body based on the first driving unit.

[0223] (Note 5)

[0224] The projector according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 4, wherein the optical device further includes a housing provided so as to surround the first blade portion, and the housing guides the airflow generated by the first blade portion.

[0225] According to the structure of Supplementary Note 5, the airflow can be efficiently guided to the first heat generating element by the casing. Therefore, the first heat generating element can be efficiently cooled by the airflow.

[0226] (Note 6)

[0227] A projector according to Note 3, wherein the projector further comprises: a first base portion and a second base portion, which are arranged opposite to each other and support the optical device; and a bearing portion, which is fixed to the second base portion, the first driving portion is connected to one of the first surface and the second surface of the first transmitting optical element, the first blade portion is connected to the other of the first surface and the second surface of the first transmitting optical element, the optical device also has a shaft portion, which is fixed to the side of the first blade portion opposite to the first transmitting optical element in the direction along the first rotation axis, the side of the first driving portion opposite to the first transmitting optical element is connected to the first base portion, and the bearing portion supports the shaft portion so as to be rotatable.

[0228] According to the configuration of Supplementary Note 6, both axial sides of the rotating body in the first driving unit can be rotatably supported. Therefore, airflow can be generated while suppressing vibration and abnormal noise caused by axial vibration of the rotating body of the first driving unit.

[0229] (Note 7)

[0230] A projector according to any one of Notes 1 to 6, wherein the projector further includes a second heat generating element different from the first heat generating element that generates heat, and the optical device further includes: a second transmission optical element that transmits and emits the light incident from the first transmission optical element; a second driving unit that is connected to the second transmission optical element and rotates the second transmission optical element; and a second blade unit that is connected to the second transmission optical element and generates an airflow for cooling the second heat generating element, the second transmission optical element shifts the optical path of the light by rotating around a second rotation axis along a third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction, and the second driving unit generates the airflow by rotating the second blade unit together with the second transmission optical element.

[0231] According to the structure of Supplementary Note 7, the airflow for cooling the second heating element can be generated by the driving force of the second driving unit that rotates the second transmission optical element. Therefore, by using the second driving unit as the driving unit of the second transmission optical element and the second blade unit, the device structure of the projector can be miniaturized compared with the case where the driving units of the second transmission optical element and the second blade unit are configured as different structures.

[0232] (Note 8)

[0233] The projector according to Supplementary Note 7, wherein the light source device includes the first heating element, and the second heating element includes a light modulating device that modulates light incident from the optical device.

[0234] According to the structure of Supplementary Note 8, it is possible to cool the components of the light source device as the first heating element and the light modulator as the second heating element.

[0235] (Note 9)

[0236] The projector according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 8, wherein the first blade portion supplies the airflow toward the first transmission optical element.

[0237] According to the configuration of Supplementary Note 9, the first transmissive optical element can be cooled by the airflow generated by the first blade portion.

[0238] (Note 10)

[0239] A projector according to any one of Notes 1 to 9, wherein the first heating element includes a light modulating device for modulating light incident from the optical device, and the projector further comprises: a sealed casing which accommodates at least the first heating element and the optical device in a sealed state; and a heat exchange portion which performs heat exchange with the airflow after cooling the first heating element.

[0240] According to the configuration of Supplementary Note 10, the temperature of the airflow after cooling the light modulator is lowered and the airflow can be circulated in the sealed case as cooling air. Therefore, the light modulator can be efficiently cooled by being housed in the sealed case to suppress the adhesion of dust and foreign matter.

[0241] (Note 11)

[0242] A projector according to any one of Notes 1 to 10, wherein the light source device includes the first heating element, and the light source device further has: a first light-emitting element that emits blue light; a second light-emitting element that emits green light; a third light-emitting element that emits red light; a first heat-absorbing component that absorbs heat generated by the first light-emitting element; a second heat-absorbing component that absorbs heat generated by the second light-emitting element; and a third heat-absorbing component that absorbs heat generated by the third light-emitting element, and the first blade portion supplies the airflow in the order of the third heat-absorbing component, the second heat-absorbing component, and the first heat-absorbing component.

[0243] According to the configuration of Supplementary Note 11, heat absorbing components corresponding to red light, green light, and blue light, which are strictly controlled in temperature, can be arranged in order from the upstream side to the downstream side of the airflow. Therefore, a low-temperature airflow can be supplied to the heat absorbing component corresponding to the red light, which is strictly controlled in temperature, and a slightly heated airflow can be supplied to the heat absorbing component corresponding to the blue light, which is slightly less controlled in temperature. Therefore, each heat absorbing component can be efficiently cooled while using an airflow flowing in one direction.

Claims

1. A projector comprising: Light source device; a first heat generating element that generates heat; and an optical device that causes the optical path of the light emitted from the light source device to shift over time, The optical device comprises: a first transmission optical element that transmits the light incident from the light source device and emits the light; a first driving unit connected to the first transmissive optical element and configured to rotate the first transmissive optical element; and a first blade portion connected to the first transmission optical element and generating an airflow for cooling the first heating element; The first transmission optical element shifts the optical path of the light by rotating about a first rotation axis, wherein the first rotation axis is along a second direction intersecting a first direction in which the light emitted from the light source device is incident on the first transmission optical element. The first driving unit generates the airflow by rotating the first blade portion together with the first transmissive optical element.

2. The projector according to claim 1, wherein: The first transmission optical element has: a first surface and a second surface intersecting the first rotation axis; and 2×m side surfaces contacting the first surface and the second surface, wherein m is a natural number greater than or equal to 2. The incident surface and the emitting surface of the first transmissive optical element are two of the 2×m side surfaces that are parallel to each other.

3. The projector according to claim 2, wherein: The first driving unit is connected to the first surface or the second surface of the first transmissive optical element, and the first blade unit is connected to the first surface or the second surface of the first transmissive optical element.

4. The projector according to claim 3, wherein: The projector further includes a support casing having a convex portion protruding from a surface and supporting the optical device. The first driving part includes: a main body connected to the convex part; and a rotating shaft that rotates relative to the main body. The convex portion has a supporting surface connected to the main body portion, The first driving unit and the first blade unit are connected to the first surface of the first transmission optical element. The rotating shaft is connected to the first surface of the first transmission optical element. The first blade portion is arranged so as to surround the rotation shaft portion, and a first end portion of the first blade portion located on one side along the axial direction of the first rotation shaft is connected to the first surface of the first transmission optical element. The second end portion of the first blade portion located on the other side in the axial direction is located closer to the surface of the support housing than the support surface of the convex portion and is separated from the surface of the support housing.

5. The projector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The optical device further includes a housing provided so as to surround the first blade portion. The housing guides the airflow generated by the first blade portion.

6. The projector according to claim 3, wherein: The projector also has: a first base portion and a second base portion, which are arranged to face each other and support the optical device; and a bearing portion fixed to the second base portion, The first driving unit is connected to one of the first surface and the second surface of the first transmissive optical element. The first blade portion is connected to the other of the first surface and the second surface of the first transmission optical element. The optical device further includes a shaft portion fixed to the first blade portion on the side opposite to the first transmission optical element in a direction along the first rotation axis. The first driving unit is connected to the first base unit at a side opposite to the first transmissive optical element. The bearing portion rotatably supports the shaft portion.

7. The projector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The projector further includes a second heating element that generates heat and is different from the first heating element. The optical device also has: a second transmissive optical element that transmits the light incident from the first transmissive optical element and emits the light; a second driving unit connected to the second transmissive optical element and configured to rotate the second transmissive optical element; and a second blade portion connected to the second transmission optical element and generating an airflow for cooling the second heating element; The second transmission optical element shifts the optical path of the light by rotating around a second rotation axis, wherein the second rotation axis is along a third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction. The second driving unit generates the airflow by rotating the second blade portion together with the second transmissive optical element.

8. The projector according to claim 7, wherein: The light source device includes the first heating element. The second heating element includes a light modulating device for modulating light incident from the optical device.

9. The projector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The first blade portion supplies the airflow toward the first transmissive optical element.

10. The projector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The first heating element includes a light modulating device for modulating light incident from the optical device. The projector also has: a sealed housing that accommodates at least the first heating element and the optical device in a sealed state; and A heat exchange portion performs heat exchange with the airflow after cooling the first heating element.

11. The projector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The light source device includes the first heating element. The light source device further comprises: a first light emitting element emitting blue light; a second light emitting element emitting green light; a third light emitting element emitting red light; a first heat absorbing member for absorbing heat generated by the first light emitting element; a second heat absorbing member for absorbing heat generated by the second light emitting element; as well as a third heat absorbing member that absorbs heat generated by the third light emitting element, The first blade portion supplies the airflow to the third heat absorbing member, the second heat absorbing member, and the first heat absorbing member in this order.

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