Projector

Abstract

Provided is a projector. The present invention has a panel cooling function and achieves miniaturization. A projector of the present invention includes: a light source unit; an image forming section including a light modulation panel that modulates the illumination light from the light source unit in accordance with image information and generates image light; a projection optical unit that projects the image light generated by the image forming section; a panel fan that conveys an air flow to the light modulation panel; a first heat exchanger; an image forming unit configured by housing an image forming section, a first heat exchanger, and a panel fan in a housing; a second heat exchanger; and an exterior case that accommodates at least the light source unit, the image forming unit, and the second heat exchanger, and constitutes an exterior. The light source unit is disposed on one side of the first direction with respect to the image forming unit in the exterior case, and the second heat exchanger is disposed on the other side of the first direction with respect to the image forming unit in the exterior case.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application with application date of August 25, 2022, application number 202211024759.4, and invention name “Projector”. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to a projector. Background Art

[0003] Conventionally, there are projectors having a closed-circulation cooling mechanism that uses a heat exchanger to cool cooling air blown to a liquid crystal panel housed in a closed space and then blows the cooling air to the liquid crystal panel again (for example, see Patent Documents 1, 2, and 3 listed below).

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-205462

[0005] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-74695

[0006] Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-224399

[0007] The projector includes a liquid crystal panel image forming unit and a plurality of components such as a light source device and a power source housed in a housing. In recent years, further miniaturization of the projector has been desired from the viewpoint of improving the usability of the projector.

[0008] However, in the projector having the above-mentioned cooling mechanism, the miniaturization in the width direction, the depth direction, and the height direction of the housing is not sufficient, and further miniaturization is expected by reconsidering the layout of each component. Summary of the invention

[0009] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to a first embodiment of the present invention, a projector is provided, which comprises: a light source unit that emits illumination light; an image forming unit that includes a light modulation panel that modulates the illumination light from the light source unit according to image information to generate image light; a projection optical unit that projects the image light generated by the image forming unit; a panel fan that conveys airflow to the light modulation panel; a first heat exchanger that absorbs heat from the airflow heated by the light modulation panel; an image forming unit that is formed by arranging the image forming unit, the first heat exchanger, and the panel fan in sequence and accommodating them in a housing; a second heat exchanger that dissipates heat absorbed by the first heat exchanger; and an outer casing that at least accommodates the light source unit, the image forming unit, and the second heat exchanger and constitutes an outer casing, wherein the light source unit is arranged on one side of the first direction relative to the image forming unit in the outer casing, and the second heat exchanger is arranged on the other side of the first direction relative to the image forming unit in the outer casing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1 It is a diagram showing the structure of a projector according to an embodiment.

[0011] Figure 2 It is a perspective view showing the main structure of the image forming section.

[0012] Figure 3 It is a figure which shows the structure of the fan and duct for panels.

[0013] Figure 4 It is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of the light modulation panel and the holding member.

[0014] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a light modulation panel.

[0015] Figure 6 It is a perspective view showing the main body.

[0016] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing the inner surface of the heated substrate.

[0017] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram showing a light source unit.

[0018] Fig. 9 It is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the light source unit.

[0019] Fig.10 is a perspective view showing a light source unit.

[0020] Fig.11 It is a perspective view showing the path of the heat exchange liquid.

[0021] Fig.12 Observed from the +X side Fig.11 Top view of the .

[0022] Fig.13 It is a diagram schematically showing the layout inside the outer casing in the first modification.

[0023] Fig.14 It is a diagram schematically showing the layout inside the outer casing in the second modification.

[0024] Fig.15 It is a diagram schematically showing the layout inside the outer casing in the third modified example.

[0025] Fig.16 This is a diagram showing a configuration in which four panel fans are provided as a fourth modified example.

[0026] Fig.17 It is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the light modulation panel in the fifth modification.

[0027] Fig.18 It is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the light modulation panel in the sixth variation.

[0028] Description of symbols

[0029] 1 projector; 2 light source unit; 3 image forming unit; 3A image forming unit; 4 projection optical unit; 5 outer casing; 7 heat exchanger for panel heat absorption (first heat exchanger); 8 heat exchanger for panel heat dissipation (second heat exchanger); 9 heat exchanger for light source heat dissipation (fourth heat exchanger); 10 casing; 14 power supply unit; 15, 115 ducts; 16 panel fan; 16a first fan; 16b second fan; 16c third fan; 16d fourth fan; 17 fan for heat exchanger; 25 heat exchanger for light source heat absorption (third heat exchanger); 32B light modulation panel (liquid crystal panel for blue); 32G light modulation panel (liquid crystal panel for green); 32R light modulation panel (liquid crystal panel for red); 51b, 52a, 56a, 56b air inlet; 53 left side face portion (exhaust wall portion); 53a exhaust port; 56 bottom face portion (air inlet wall portion); 65 heat dissipation portion; 80 heat sink body (heat dissipation portion); AX2 optical axis; K air flow; WL illumination light; X left and right direction (first direction); Y front and back direction (second direction); Z up and down direction (third direction); -X left side (the other side of the second direction); +X right side (one side of the second direction). DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0031] In the following drawings, in order to make each component easier to see, the scale of the dimensions may be different depending on the component.

[0032] Figure 1 It is a diagram showing the structure of the projector according to this embodiment.

[0033] The projector 1 of this embodiment modulates the illumination light emitted from the light source unit 2 to generate image light corresponding to image information, and enlarges the formed image light and projects it onto a projection surface such as a screen. Figure 1 As shown, the projector 1 includes a light source unit 2 , an image forming unit 3 , a projection optical unit 4 , an outer casing 5 , a cooling device 6 , and a power supply unit 14 .

[0034] In the following description, an XYZ rectangular coordinate system is used as necessary.

[0035] In each figure, the X axis is an axis along the optical axis AX1 of the illumination light WL emitted from the light source unit 2 toward the image forming unit 3. The Y axis is orthogonal to the X axis and is an axis along the direction in which the image light is projected by the projection optical unit 4, that is, the optical axis AX2 of the projection optical unit 4. The Z axis is an axis orthogonal to the optical axis AX1 and the optical axis AX2.

[0036] In addition, in this embodiment, the direction along the Z axis is set to "upper and lower direction Z", +Z is set to "upper side", -Z is set to "lower side", the direction along the X axis is set to "left and right direction X", +X is set to "right side", -X is set to "left side", and the direction along the Y axis is set to "front and rear direction Y", +Y is set to "front side", and -Y is set to "rear side" for explanation.

[0037] In addition, the up-down direction Z, the left-right direction X, and the front-back direction Y are merely names for describing the arrangement relationship of components of the projector 1 , and do not define the actual installation posture and direction of the projector 1 .

[0038] The light source unit 2 supplies white illumination light WL to the image forming portion 3A of the image forming unit 3. The light source unit 2 is connected to a light source unit connection portion 10a provided in the housing 10. The structure of the light source unit 2 will be described in detail later.

[0039] The light source unit connection portion 10a is composed of, for example, a light-transmitting window portion. Alternatively, the light source unit connection portion 10a may be an opening formed in the housing 10 as long as it is configured to seal the interior of the housing 10 when the light source unit 2 is connected.

[0040] With such a configuration, the image forming unit 3 of the present embodiment can allow the illumination light WL from the light source unit 2 to be incident on the light modulation panels 32R, 32G, and 32B via the light source unit connection portion 10 a of the housing 10 .

[0041] The image forming unit 3 is constituted by housing at least the image forming section 3A, the panel heat exchanger 7 as the first heat exchanger, and the panel fan 16 in a sealed state in the housing 10 having a sealed structure. The housing 10 houses the image forming section 3A, the panel heat exchanger 7, and the panel fan 16 in a state where they are held in predetermined positions. The image forming section 3A, the panel heat exchanger 7, and the panel fan 16 are sequentially arranged and housed in the housing 10 from the +Y side, i.e., the front side, toward the -Y side, i.e., the rear side, to constitute the image forming unit 3.

[0042] The panel heat exchanger 7 is disposed in the housing 10 of the image forming unit 3 so as to separate, as a storage space, a storage portion for the image forming section 3A and a storage portion for the panel fan 16. In the present embodiment, the panel heat exchanger 7 is disposed along the left-right direction so as to divide the space in the housing 10 into two parts in the front-rear direction Y which is the second direction along the optical axis AX2.

[0043] In the housing 10 of the image forming unit 3 , the image forming section 3A, the panel heat exchanger 7 and the panel fan 16 are arranged in the front-rear direction Y. The panel heat exchanger 8 as the second heat exchanger is adjacent to the −X side of the housing 10 and extends in the front-rear direction Y.

[0044] The image forming unit 3A includes light modulation panels 32R, 32G, 32B and a cross dichroic prism 34. The light modulation panels 32R, 32G, 32B modulate incident color light according to image information to form image light. The light modulation panels 32R, 32G, 32B are each composed of a light-transmitting liquid crystal panel. The detailed structure of each light modulation panel 32R, 32G, 32B will be described later.

[0045] The cross dichroic prism 34 synthesizes the image lights emitted from the light modulation panels 32R, 32G, and 32B. The cross dichroic prism 34 is formed by laminating four rectangular prisms in a substantially square shape in plan view, and a dielectric multilayer film is provided on a substantially X-shaped interface formed by laminating the rectangular prisms.

[0046] With such a configuration, the image forming section 3A of the present embodiment generates full-color image light by synthesizing the image lights of the respective colors.

[0047] In the present embodiment, field lenses 33R, 33G, and 33B are provided on the light incident sides of the light modulation panels 32R, 32G, and 32B, respectively.

[0048] Although not shown in the figure, an incident-side polarizing plate is arranged between each light modulation panel 32R, 32G, 32B and each field lens 33R, 33G, 33B, and an emitting-side polarizing plate is arranged between each light modulation panel 32R, 32G, 32B and the cross dichroic prism 34 .

[0049] In this embodiment, the image forming unit 3 further includes a uniform illumination optical system 30 and a color separation light guide optical system 31 housed in the housing 10. The housing 10 houses the uniform illumination optical system 30 and the color separation light guide optical system 31 while holding them at predetermined positions.

[0050] The illumination light WL emitted from the light source unit 2 enters the uniform illumination optical system 30 .

[0051] The uniform illumination optical system 30 includes a first lens array 301 , a second lens array 302 , a polarization conversion element 303 , and a superimposing lens 304 .

[0052] The first lens array 301 includes a plurality of first small lenses for dividing the illumination light WL from the light source unit 2 into a plurality of partial light beams. The plurality of first small lenses are arranged in a matrix in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis AX1 of the illumination light WL.

[0053] The second lens array 302 includes a plurality of second small lenses corresponding to the plurality of first small lenses of the first lens array 301. The plurality of second small lenses are arranged in a matrix in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis AX1.

[0054] The second lens array 302 , together with the superimposing lens 304 , forms images of the first small lenses of the first lens array 301 in the vicinity of the image forming regions of the light modulation panels 32R, 32G, and 32B.

[0055] The polarization conversion element 303 converts the light emitted from the second lens array 302 into one linearly polarized light. The polarization conversion element 303 includes, for example, a polarization separation film and a phase difference plate (not shown).

[0056] The superimposing lens 304 converges the partial light beams emitted from the polarization conversion element 303 and superimposes them near the image forming regions of the light modulation panels 32R, 32G, and 32B.

[0057] The color separation light guide optical system 31 separates the illumination light WL passed through the uniform illumination optical system 30 into red light LR, green light LG, and blue light LB, and guides the light to the light modulation panels 32R, 32G, and 32B. The color separation light guide optical system 31 includes a first dichroic mirror 311, a second dichroic mirror 312, a first reflecting mirror 313, a second reflecting mirror 314, a third reflecting mirror 315, a first relay lens 316, and a second relay lens 317.

[0058] The first dichroic mirror 311 reflects the red light LR and transmits the green light LG and the blue light LB. The second dichroic mirror 312 reflects the green light LG of the green light LG and the blue light LB that have passed through the first dichroic mirror 311 and transmits the blue light LB. The first reflector 313 reflects the red light LR. The second reflector 314 and the third reflector 315 reflect the blue light LB. The first relay lens 316 is disposed between the second dichroic mirror 312 and the second reflector 314, and the second relay lens 317 is disposed between the second reflector 314 and the third reflector 315.

[0059] The projection optical unit 4 is connected to a projection optical unit connection portion 10b provided in the housing 10. The projection optical unit 4 is composed of a projection lens group, and the light from each light modulation panel 32R, 32G, 32B of the image forming unit 3A enters through the projection optical unit connection portion 10b of the housing 10.

[0060] The projection optical unit connection part 10b is composed of, for example, a light-transmitting window. In addition, the projection optical unit connection part 10b may be an opening formed in the housing 10 as long as it is configured to seal the housing 10 when the projection optical unit 4 is connected. In addition, the projection optical unit connection part 10b may also have a lens shift mechanism that shifts the optical axis AX2 of the projection optical unit 4.

[0061] With such a configuration, the image forming unit 3 of this embodiment can enlarge and project the image light generated by the image forming unit 3 toward a projection surface such as a screen via the projection optical unit connection portion 10b of the housing 10. Thus, an enlarged color image is displayed on the screen.

[0062] The exterior casing 5 accommodates the light source unit 2 , the image forming unit 3 , the cooling device 6 , and the power supply unit 14 therein, and constitutes the exterior of the projector 1 .

[0063] The projector 1 of this embodiment has two heat sources disposed in the outer casing 5. Specifically, the first heat source corresponds to the light source unit 2, and the second heat source corresponds to the light modulation panels 32R, 32G, and 32B in the image forming unit 3.

[0064] The projector 1 of this embodiment includes a cooling device 6 for cooling the heat generated by these two heat sources.

[0065] The cooling device 6 includes a light source heat absorbing heat exchanger 25 as a third heat exchanger for absorbing heat generated by the light source unit 2, a panel heat absorbing heat exchanger 7 for absorbing heat generated by the light modulation panels 32R, 32G, and 32B, a light source heat dissipation heat exchanger 9 as a fourth heat exchanger for dissipating heat transferred from the light source heat absorbing heat exchanger 25, a panel heat dissipation heat exchanger 8 for dissipating heat transferred from the panel heat absorbing heat exchanger 7, a heat exchanger fan 17 for conveying airflow to the panel heat dissipation heat exchanger 8 and the light source heat dissipation heat exchanger 9, and a heat exhaust fan 13.

[0066] In the cooling device 6 , the panel heat exchanger 8 and the light source heat exchanger 9 overlap in the flow direction of the airflow K, and the airflow K flows from the panel heat exchanger 8 toward the light source heat exchanger 9 .

[0067] The outer casing 5 includes a front surface portion 51, a rear surface portion 52, a left side surface portion 53, a right side surface portion 54, a top surface portion 55, and a bottom surface portion 56. The outer casing 5 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, for example. Figure 1 In order to show the internal structure of the outer casing 5, the top surface portion 55 is shown as a transparent member.

[0068] The front surface portion 51 is located on the front side on the +Y side in the front-rear direction Y, and is a plate-shaped portion along the XZ plane.

[0069] The rear surface portion 52 is located on the rear side of the −Y side in the front-rear direction Y and is a plate-shaped portion along the XZ plane.

[0070] The left side surface portion 53 is located on the left side of the −X side in the left-right direction X, and is a plate-shaped portion along the YZ plane.

[0071] The right side surface 54 is located on the right side of the +X side in the left-right direction X, and is a plate-shaped portion along the YZ plane.

[0072] The top surface portion 55 connects the upper ends of the front surface portion 51 , the rear surface portion 52 , the left surface portion 53 , and the right surface portion 54 on the +Z side, and is a plate-shaped portion along the XY plane.

[0073] The bottom surface portion 56 connects the lower ends of the front surface portion 51 , the rear surface portion 52 , the left surface portion 53 , and the right surface portion 54 on the −Z side, and is a plate-shaped portion along the XY plane.

[0074] The front surface portion 51 has an opening 51a provided substantially in the center. The projection optical unit 4 is inserted into the outer casing 5 through the opening 51a and connected to the image forming unit 3. In the case of the present embodiment, the front end portion of the projection optical unit 4 is in a state of protruding to the outside of the outer casing 5 through the opening 51a, but the front end portion of the projection optical unit 4 may be located further inside the outer casing 5 than the opening 51a.

[0075] In the present embodiment, the image forming unit 3 , the panel heat exchanger 8 , and the light source heat exchanger 9 are arranged in one direction along the X axis so as to overlap with each other.

[0076] The bottom surface portion 56 of the exterior case 5 as an air intake wall portion includes an air intake port 56 a and an air intake port 56 b .

[0077] In the bottom portion 56 , the air inlet 56 a is provided at a position facing the space between the panel heat exchanger 8 and the image forming unit 3 on the image forming unit 3 side of the panel heat exchanger 8 and the light source heat exchanger 9 , and takes in external air into the outer casing 5 .

[0078] The air inlet 56 b is provided in the bottom portion 56 at a position facing the space between the panel heat exchanger 8 and the light source heat exchanger 9 , and takes in external air into the exterior case 5 .

[0079] In addition, the air inlet 56b may be formed integrally with the air inlet 56a. That is, a part of the air inlet 56a may be formed to extend to a position facing the space between the panel heat exchanger 8 and the light source heat exchanger 9.

[0080] The rear surface portion 52 of the outer casing 5 includes an air inlet 52a. The air inlet 52a, like the air inlet 56a, is provided at a position facing the space between the panel heat dissipation heat exchanger 8 and the image forming unit 3, and takes in external air into the outer casing 5 as an airflow K. In the case of the present embodiment, the air inlet 52a extends to a position facing the space between the panel heat dissipation heat exchanger 8 and the light source heat dissipation heat exchanger 9.

[0081] The front surface portion 51 of the outer casing 5 further includes an air inlet 51b. The air inlet 51b, like the air inlets 56a and 52a, is provided at a position facing the space between the panel heat dissipation heat exchanger 8 and the image forming unit 3, and takes in external air into the outer casing 5 as an airflow K. In the case of the present embodiment, the air inlet 51b extends to a position facing the space between the panel heat dissipation heat exchanger 8 and the light source heat dissipation heat exchanger 9.

[0082] According to this structure, the heat exchanger fan 17 can efficiently take in the airflow K into the exterior case 5 through the air inlet 51b, the air inlet 52a, the air inlet 56a, and the air inlet 56b. In addition, a filter for collecting dust contained in the airflow K may be provided for each of the air inlets 51b, 52a, 56a, and 56b.

[0083] The heat exchanger fan 17 is disposed between the panel heat exchanger 8 and the exhaust wall portion of the outer casing 5, that is, the left side surface 53. The left side surface 53 has an exhaust port 53a provided at a position opposite to the panel heat exchanger 8. The exhaust port 53a exhausts the exhaust gas in the outer casing 5 to the outside through the heat exchanger fan 17.

[0084] In the case of this embodiment, a heat exchanger 9 for heat dissipation of the light source is arranged between the left side surface 53 and the heat exchanger 8 for panel heat dissipation. Therefore, the air flow K sucked from the air inlet 52a and the air inlet 56a by the heat exchanger fan 17 flows toward the exhaust port 53a via the heat exchanger 8 for panel heat dissipation and the heat exchanger 9 for heat dissipation of the light source.

[0085] The right side surface 54 has an air inlet 54a and an air outlet 54b. The air inlet 54a is provided at a position facing the light source unit 2 and takes in external air to a predetermined position of the light source unit 2. A filter may be provided to collect dust contained in the air passing through the air inlet 54a.

[0086] The exhaust port 54b is provided at a position facing the heat exhaust fan 13. The heat exhaust fan 13 exhausts heat from the exterior case 5 to the outside through the exhaust port 54b, thereby releasing heat from the interior of the exterior case 5 to the outside.

[0087] Here, in the projector 1 of the present embodiment, the layout of the components accommodated in the external casing 5 will be described.

[0088] The light source unit 2 is arranged on the +X side, i.e., the right side, of the left-right direction X, which is the first direction intersecting the optical axis AX2 of the projection optical unit 4, relative to the image forming unit 3 in the outer casing 5. The panel heat dissipation heat exchanger 8 is arranged on the -X side, i.e., the left side, of the left-right direction X relative to the image forming unit 3 in the outer casing 5. The panel heat dissipation heat exchanger 8 extends along the front-rear direction Y.

[0089] The light source heat dissipation heat exchanger 9 is arranged on the left side of the -X side in the left-right direction X relative to the image forming unit 3 in the outer casing 5. The light source heat dissipation heat exchanger 9 extends along the front-back direction Y. That is, in the present embodiment, the panel heat dissipation heat exchanger 8 and the light source heat dissipation heat exchanger 9 are arranged on the left side of the -X side of the image forming unit 3 in the outer casing 5.

[0090] The power supply unit 14 is arranged on the right side of the +X side relative to the housing 10 of the image forming unit 3 in the outer casing 5. The power supply unit 14 supplies power to the light source unit 2 and the image forming portion 3A. The power supply unit 14 is arranged in the outer casing 5 so as to overlap at least a portion of the light source unit 2 in the up-down direction (third direction) Z intersecting the front-back direction Y and the left-right direction X along the optical axis AX2. In the case of the present embodiment, the power supply unit 14 is arranged on the lower side of the -Z side of the light source unit 2.

[0091] According to the projector 1 of the present embodiment, the power supply unit 14 and the light source unit 2 are arranged in the outer casing 5 so as to overlap in the up-down direction Z. Thus, compared with a layout in which the power supply unit 14 and the light source unit 2 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction X or the front-back direction Y, the size of the outer casing 5 when viewed from the up-down direction Z can be reduced. That is, according to the layout of the present embodiment, the foot space of the projector 1 can be reduced.

[0092] Figure 2 It is a perspective view showing the main structure of the image forming section 3A.

[0093] The image forming unit 3A includes a plurality of light modulation panels 32R, 32G, and 32B and a cross dichroic prism 34. The red liquid crystal panel 32R as a light modulation panel is a liquid crystal panel corresponding to red light LR, the green liquid crystal panel 32G as a light modulation panel is a liquid crystal panel corresponding to green light LG, and the blue liquid crystal panel 32B as a light modulation panel is a liquid crystal panel corresponding to blue light LB.

[0094] like Figure 2 As shown, the cross dichroic prism 34 has three incident surfaces 34R, 34G, and 34B facing the light modulation panels 32R, 32G, and 32B and on which the color lights passing through the light modulation panels 32R, 32G, and 32B enter, and one emission surface 34S.

[0095] The image forming unit 3A includes three holding members 35 . The holding members 35 hold the light modulation panels 32R, 32G, and 32B, respectively, and are fixed to corresponding incident surfaces of the incident surfaces 34R, 34G, and 34B of the cross dichroic prism 34 .

[0096] In the projector 1 of this embodiment, air flow is sent to the light modulation panels 32R, 32G, and 32B to cool them. Figure 1 As shown, the panel fan 16 is a fan for sending airflow to the light modulation panels 32R, 32G, and 32B. The panel fan 16 supplies airflow to each of the light modulation panels 32R, 32G, and 32B via a duct described later.

[0097] The panel fan 16 may be, for example, a centrifugal fan or a sirocco fan, but the type of fan is not limited thereto. In the present embodiment, a plurality of panel fans 16 are provided in the housing 10. The plurality of panel fans 16 include a first fan 16a, a second fan 16b, and a third fan 16c.

[0098] The first fan 16a sends air to the light modulation panel 32R, the second fan 16b sends air to the light modulation panel 32G, and the third fan 16c sends air to the light modulation panel 32B. Hereinafter, when the first fan 16a, the second fan 16b, and the third fan 16c are collectively referred to without particular distinction, they may be simply referred to as the fans 16a, 16b, and 16c.

[0099] Figure 3 It is a figure which shows the structure of the panel fan 16 and the duct 15.

[0100] like Figure 3 As shown, a plurality of fans 16a, 16b, and 16c constituting the panel fan 16 are arranged along the panel heat absorbing heat exchanger 7 in the left-right direction X. The airflow of each fan 16a, 16b, and 16c flows toward the light modulation panels 32R, 32G, and 32B of the image forming section 3A via the panel heat absorbing heat exchanger 7 and the duct 15 provided between the image forming section 3A and the outer casing 5.

[0101] The duct 15 includes a first duct portion 15a, a second duct portion 15b, and a third duct portion 15c.

[0102] The first duct portion 15a has a supply port 15a1 for supplying airflow K to the light modulation panel 32R. The second duct portion 15b has a supply port 15b1 for supplying airflow K to the light modulation panel 32G. The third duct portion 15c has a supply port 15c1 for supplying airflow K to the light modulation panel 32B.

[0103] In this way, the airflow from the separate fans is supplied to each of the light modulation panels 32R, 32G, and 32B, thereby improving the cooling performance of each of the light modulation panels 32R, 32G, and 32B.

[0104] Here, the degree of heat generation in each light modulation panel 32R, 32G, and 32B may differ from panel to panel. For example, the heat generation of the light modulation panel 32G is greater than that of the light modulation panels 32R and 32B. This is because, when considering the color balance of the illumination light WL, more light is incident on the light modulation panel 32G than on the light modulation panels 32R and 32B.

[0105] On the other hand, the heat generated by the light modulation panel 32R is smaller than that of the light modulation panels 32B and 32G. That is, the first fan 16a that supplies airflow to the light modulation panel 32R is in a state of having surplus power relative to the other fans 16b and 16c. In the first duct portion 15a of the present embodiment, a supply port 15a2 for supplying a part of the airflow K toward the uniform illumination optical system 30 is further provided. Thus, a part of the airflow supplied from the first fan 16a is distributed to the uniform illumination optical system 30 side, thereby enabling the light modulation panel 32R and the uniform illumination optical system 30 to be efficiently cooled by one fan.

[0106] Furthermore, the image forming unit 3 of the present embodiment is provided with a steam chamber, which will be described later, in the light modulation panel 32G for green having high heat generation, thereby further improving the cooling performance.

[0107] Next, the structure of the light modulation panel 32G will be described.

[0108] Figure 4 This is an exploded perspective view of the light modulation panel 32G and the holding member 35 as viewed from the light incident side of the light modulation panel 32G.

[0109] like Figure 4 As shown, the holding member 35 has a mounting portion 358 and four insertion portions 359 .

[0110] The mounting portion 358 is formed in a rectangular frame shape and is mounted on the corresponding incident surface 34G by bonding, etc. The mounting portion 358 includes an opening portion 351 and a holding portion 352 .

[0111] The opening 351 is formed in a rectangular shape substantially at the center of the mounting portion 358. The opening 351 allows the light that has passed through the outgoing-side polarizing plate 355 to pass toward the cross dichroic prism 34. The holding portion 352 holds the outgoing-side polarizing plate 355.

[0112] The four insertion portions 359 protrude toward the light modulation panel 32G from the four corners of the mounting portion 358. After being inserted into the position adjustment portions 483 of the light modulation panel 32G, the four insertion portions 359 are bonded and fixed to the light modulation panel 32G using an adhesive such as an ultraviolet curing adhesive.

[0113] The light modulation panel 32G and the cross dichroic prism 34 are integrated with each other by means of such a holding member 35. In addition, for example, the cross dichroic prism 34 may be replaced with a plurality of dichroic mirrors.

[0114] Figure 5 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the light modulation panel 32G.

[0115] like Figure 5As shown, the light modulation panel 32G includes a panel body 41, a printed circuit board 45, a first dustproof member 46, a second dustproof member 47, and a holding case 48. The image forming unit 3 of this embodiment includes a vapor chamber 60 provided in the light modulation panel 32G.

[0116] The panel body 41 modulates the incident light. Figure 5 As shown, the panel main body 41 includes a first substrate 43 , a second substrate 44 , and a liquid crystal layer (not shown) sandwiched between the first substrate 43 and the second substrate 44 .

[0117] The first substrate 43 is arranged on the light emitting side of the +Y side of the panel body 41, and the second substrate 44 is arranged on the light incident side of the -Y side of the panel body 41. In the present embodiment, the first substrate 43 is an element substrate provided with a plurality of switching elements such as TFT (Thin Film Transistor), and the second substrate 44 is an opposing substrate provided with a common electrode. The first substrate 43 and the second substrate 44 are light-transmitting substrates through which light can pass. According to this structure, the panel body 41 can modulate light according to the voltage applied to each pixel of the pixel forming area AR formed between the first substrate 43 and the second substrate 44.

[0118] The printed circuit board 45 as a flat cable extends from the first substrate 43 and the second substrate 44 to the upper side of the +Z side and is connected to a control device (not shown). The printed circuit board 45 drives the panel body 41 according to the image signal input from the control device. The printed circuit board 45 has a driver circuit 451 that controls the operation of the panel body 41.

[0119] The driver circuit 451 is a circuit element provided on the printed circuit board 45. The driver circuit 451 is mounted on the surface of the printed circuit board 45 on the light emitting side of the +Y side. The surface of the driver circuit 451 on the light emitting side is thermally connected to the steam chamber 60 functioning as a cooling member. Here, the driver circuit 451 and the steam chamber 60 are thermally connected, which means that the driver circuit 451 and the steam chamber 60 are connected to each other in a state where the heat of the driver circuit 451 can move to the steam chamber 60 side. The driver circuit 451 and the steam chamber 60 may be in direct contact or in indirect contact with a heat conductive member in between.

[0120] The vapor chamber 60 is a cooling member including a heat receiving portion 66 for receiving heat generated by the light modulation panel 32G and a heat dissipating portion 65 for dissipating the heat received by the heat receiving portion 66. The liquid refrigerant is vaporized by heat from the heat receiving portion 66 and condensed by heat dissipated from the heat dissipating portion 65, thereby cooling the light modulation panel 32G. The structure of the vapor chamber 60 will be described in detail later.

[0121] The first dustproof member 46 is provided on the surface of the light emitting side on the +Y side of the first substrate 43 at a portion corresponding to the pixel formation area AR. That is, when the panel body 41 is viewed from the light emitting side on the +Y side, the first dustproof member 46 covers the pixel formation area AR. The first dustproof member 46 is fitted into the opening 64 of the steam chamber 60.

[0122] The second dustproof member 47 is provided at a portion corresponding to the pixel formation area AR on the surface of the light incident side on the -Y side of the second substrate 44. That is, when the panel body 41 is viewed from the light incident side on the -Y side, the second dustproof member 47 covers the pixel formation area AR. The second dustproof member 47 is fitted into the opening 481 of the holding case 48.

[0123] The first dustproof member 46 and the second dustproof member 47 are substantially rectangular light-transmitting substrates and prevent dust from adhering to the panel body 41 and prevent the light modulated by the panel body 41 from including the shadow of dust.

[0124] The holding case 48 holds the panel body 41, a portion of the printed circuit board 45, the first dustproof member 46, and a portion of the steam chamber 60. Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the holding case 48 has four position adjustment portions 483 in addition to the opening portion 481 and the heat dissipation member 482 .

[0125] The opening 481 allows light emitted from the incident side polarizer (not shown) to pass through and enter the second dustproof member 47. The heat dissipation member 482 is provided on the +Z side relative to the opening 481 and includes a plurality of fins protruding toward the light incident side on the -Y side. The heat dissipation member 482 dissipates heat transferred from the panel body 41 and the like to the holding housing 48.

[0126] like Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 4 , four position adjustment portions 483 are provided at four corners of the holding housing 48 when viewed from the +Y side. Each position adjustment portion 483 is a hole portion into which the insertion portion 359 of the corresponding holding member 35 is inserted from the +Y side. The position of the holding housing 48 relative to the incident surface of the cross dichroic prism 34 to which the holding member 35 is mounted, and thus the position of the light modulation panel 32G, is adjusted according to the insertion amount of the insertion portion 359 relative to each position adjustment portion 483. After the position of the light modulation panel 32G is adjusted, the insertion portion 359 and the position adjustment portion 483 are fixed by an adhesive as described above.

[0127] The steam chamber 60 is disposed on the side of the first substrate 43 opposite to the second substrate 44 and is thermally connected to the first substrate 43. The steam chamber 60 includes a main body 60A and a heat dissipating member 60B.

[0128] Figure 6 It is a perspective view showing the main body 60A.

[0129] like Figure 6 As shown, the main body 60A includes a heat receiving substrate 62 disposed on the -Y side and a heat dissipating substrate 63 disposed on the +Y side, and is composed of a combination of the heat receiving substrate 62 and the heat dissipating substrate 63. A hollow space SP (see FIG. 2 ) in which a working fluid is sealed is formed inside the main body 60A. Figure 5 ).

[0130] Figure 7 It is a schematic diagram showing the inner surface of the heat receiving substrate 62 which faces the heat dissipating substrate 63 .

[0131] The heat receiving substrate 62 includes a heat receiving portion 66 that is connected to the first substrate 43 of the panel body 41 and changes a liquid-phase working fluid into a gas-phase working fluid by heat transferred from the panel body 41 .

[0132] Specifically, the heat receiving portion 66 of the heat receiving substrate 62 has a mesh structure MS provided in the hollow space SP. Figure 7 As shown, the mesh structure MS is provided on the surface of the heat receiving substrate 62 facing the heat dissipating substrate 63 .

[0133] The liquid refrigerant sealed in the decompressed hollow space SP infiltrates into the mesh structure MS, and the mesh structure MS transports the infiltrated liquid refrigerant to a portion of the heat receiving substrate 62 to which heat is transferred from the outside.

[0134] The heat receiving substrate 62 vaporizes the liquid refrigerant by heat transferred from the outside, for example, heat transferred from the panel body 41 and the first dustproof member 46. That is, the heat receiving substrate 62 vaporizes the liquid refrigerant by the transferred heat. The refrigerant thus converted into gas flows through the flow path formed on the inner surface of the heat dissipation substrate 63.

[0135] The heat dissipating substrate 63 is formed in the same flat plate shape as the heat receiving substrate 62 .

[0136] like Figure 6 As shown, the main body portion 60A has an opening portion 64 and a heat dissipation portion 65 .

[0137] The opening 64 is a substantially rectangular opening that penetrates the main body 60A in the thickness direction. The first dustproof component 46 is fitted inside the opening 64. That is, the inner edge of the opening 64 and the side surface of the first dustproof component 46 are thermally connected. Thus, the heat transferred from the panel body 41 to the first dustproof component 46 is transferred to the heat receiving portion 66 of the heat receiving substrate 62, and a part of the liquid refrigerant sealed in the hollow space SP is converted into a gas state, and the heat transferred to the heat receiving portion 66 of the heat receiving substrate 62 is consumed.

[0138] The heat dissipation portion 65 dissipates the heat of the gaseous refrigerant flowing in the hollow space SP, thereby condensing the gaseous refrigerant into a liquid refrigerant. The heat dissipation portion 65 is provided on the heat dissipation substrate 63 and is located closer to the +Z side than the opening 64. A heat dissipation member 60B (see FIG. 1 ) is provided on the outer surface of the heat dissipation substrate 63 at a portion corresponding to the heat dissipation portion 65. Figure 5 The heat dissipation member 60B dissipates the heat transferred from the gaseous refrigerant. The heat dissipation portion 65 can easily dissipate the heat transferred from the gaseous refrigerant to the outside by providing the heat dissipation member 60B.

[0139] like Figure 5 As shown, at least a portion of the airflow K sent out from the second duct portion 15b of the duct 15 flows from the -Z side to the +Z side in the space on the +Y side relative to the light modulation panel 32G. The airflow K cools the first dustproof member 46. The heat of the panel body 41 is transferred to the first dustproof member 46 via the first substrate 43, so that a portion of the heat of the panel body 41 is dissipated by causing the airflow K to flow through the first dustproof member 46. Then, the airflow K that has cooled the first dustproof member 46 flows toward the +Z side in the heat dissipation portion 65 provided with the heat dissipation member 60B.

[0140] According to this configuration, the steam chamber 60 utilizes the heat of vaporization when the liquid refrigerant changes into gas by the heat transferred from the panel body 41 to the heat receiving portion 66 via the first substrate 43 and the first dustproof member 46 , thereby cooling the panel body 41 .

[0141] In this embodiment, if Figure 5 As shown, the heat dissipation portion 65 of the steam chamber 60 is located downstream of the air flow K flowing from the second fan 16 b with respect to the light modulation panel 32G.

[0142] According to this configuration, the airflow K first cools the panel body 41 , so that the evaporation of the refrigerant in the steam chamber 60 can be promoted compared to the case where the airflow K first cools the heat dissipation portion 65 . Thus, the cooling performance in the steam chamber 60 can be improved.

[0143] In addition, in the steam chamber 60 of the present embodiment, the heat dissipation portion 65 is provided on the +Z side relative to the opening portion 64. In the case of the present embodiment, the +Z side corresponds to the direction indicating the upper side in the vertical direction, and therefore, the liquid refrigerant condensed by the heat dissipation portion 65 is easily transported to the connection portion connected to the first substrate 43 and the connection portion connected to the first dustproof member 46 in the heat receiving substrate 62 by not only utilizing the capillary force generated by the mesh structure MS but also utilizing gravity. Thus, the change in the state of the refrigerant from liquid to gas in the heat receiving substrate 62 can be promoted by the heat transferred from the panel body 41. That is, the heat dissipation efficiency of the panel body 41 and the cooling efficiency of the panel body 41 can be improved.

[0144] In the image forming unit 3 of the present embodiment, the vapor chamber 60 is not provided for the light modulation panels 32B and 32R. Figure 2 As shown, the light modulation panels 32B and 32R have the same structure as the light modulation panel 32G except that the vapor chamber 60 of the light modulation panel 32G is replaced with an aluminum heat sink 59. Therefore, the structure of the light modulation panels 32B and 32R will be omitted.

[0145] like Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown in the figure, in the present embodiment, the fans 16a, 16b, 16c are arranged at the rear side of the -Y side of the panel heat absorbing heat exchanger 7. Therefore, the airflow heated by cooling the light modulation panels 32R, 32G, 32B passes through the panel heat absorbing heat exchanger 7 and is sucked again by the fans 16a, 16b, 16c. In addition, a guide surface such as a curved surface may be formed on the inner surface of the housing 10 so that the airflow heated by the panel flows toward the panel heat absorbing heat exchanger 7.

[0146] The panel heat absorbing heat exchanger 7 absorbs heat from the airflow K heated by the light modulation panels 32R, 32G, and 32B. In the present embodiment, the panel heat absorbing heat exchanger 7 is disposed so as to face the light modulation panel 32G.

[0147] The panel heat exchanger 7 is composed of a radiator. The panel heat exchanger 7 is a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between a heat exchange liquid flowing into the panel and an airflow K to absorb heat from the airflow K. The heat exchange liquid flowing in the radiator and heated by absorbing heat from the airflow K is supplied to the panel heat exchanger 8.

[0148] The panel heat-dissipating heat exchanger 8 dissipates heat from the heat-exchanging liquid supplied from the panel heat-absorbing heat exchanger 7. In the present embodiment, the panel heat-dissipating heat exchanger 8 is constituted by a radiator.

[0149] The panel heat dissipation heat exchanger 8 is a heat exchanger that dissipates heat from the heat exchange liquid by exchanging heat with the airflow K via the heat exchange liquid flowing into the panel heat dissipation heat exchanger 8. The heat exchange liquid cooled by the panel heat dissipation heat exchanger 8 is supplied to the panel heat absorption heat exchanger 7 again to exchange heat with the airflow K heated by the light modulation panels 32R, 32G, and 32B. The circulation path of the heat exchange liquid between the panel heat absorption heat exchanger 7 and the panel heat dissipation heat exchanger 8 will be described later.

[0150] In the image forming unit 3 of the present embodiment, the airflow K heated by the light modulation panels 32R, 32G, 32B passes through the panel heat absorbing heat exchanger 7, and is thereby sucked by the fans 16a, 16b, 16c in a state of lowered temperature. Therefore, the fans 16a, 16b, 16c can supply the airflow K of relatively low temperature to the light modulation panels 32R, 32G, 32B.

[0151] Thus, according to the image forming unit 3 of the present embodiment, when the airflow K is cyclically sent to the light modulation panels 32R, 32G, 32B housed in the sealed space, the temperature of the airflow K is lowered via the panel heat absorbing heat exchanger 7, thereby efficiently cooling the light modulation panels 32R, 32G, 32B. In addition, the image forming unit 3 of the present embodiment houses the light modulation panels 32R, 32G, 32B in the sealed space, thereby suppressing the occurrence of a problem in which the display quality is reduced due to the attachment of dirt, foreign matter, etc.

[0152] Next, the structure of the light source unit 2 will be described.

[0153] Figure 8 2 is a schematic diagram showing the light source unit 2 .

[0154] like Figure 8 As shown, the light source unit 2 has a light source shell CA, a light source part 20, a telefocus optical element 21, a first phase difference element 22a, a second phase difference element 22b, a third phase difference element 22c, a diffuse transmission element 23, a polarization separation and synthesis element 24, a first converging element 26, a diffuse optical element 27, a second converging element 28, a wavelength conversion element 29 and a wheel cooling device 40.

[0155] The light source unit 2 is set with an optical axis AX1 extending along the X axis and an optical axis AX3 extending along the Y axis and being orthogonal to the optical axis AX1 .

[0156] The light source unit 20 , the afocal optical element 21 , the first phase difference element 22 a , the diffuse transmission element 23 , the polarization separation and synthesis element 24 , the second phase difference element 22 b , the first focusing element 26 , and the diffuse optical element 27 are arranged on the optical axis AX3 .

[0157] The wavelength conversion element 29 , the second focusing element 28 , the polarization separation and combination element 24 , and the third phase difference element 22 c are arranged on the optical axis AX1 .

[0158] The light source shell CA is a sealed shell that accommodates the far-focus optical element 21, the first phase difference element 22a, the diffuse transmission element 23, the polarization separation and synthesis element 24, the second phase difference element 22b, the first converging element 26, the diffuse optical element 27, the second converging element 28, the wavelength conversion element 29, the third phase difference element 22c and the light source unit 20, and dust and the like are not easy to penetrate into the interior.

[0159] Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the light source unit 20. Specifically, Fig. 9 It is a diagram schematically showing a cross section of the light source unit 20 viewed from the +X side.

[0160] The light source unit 20 emits light incident on the diffusion optical element 27 and the wavelength conversion element 29 described later in the -Y direction. Fig. 9 As shown, the light source unit 20 includes a first light source module 201 , a second light source module 202 , and a photosynthesizing member 203 .

[0161] The first light source module 201 is arranged on the +Y side in the light source unit 20. The first light source module 201 has a plurality of substrates 612 arranged on a plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the emitted blue light, and at least one light emitting element 613 is mounted on each of the plurality of substrates 612. The substrate 612 is made of a metal with high thermal conductivity, and transfers the heat generated by the light emitting element 613 to the heat receiving plate 614. In addition, the number of light emitting elements 613 mounted on the substrate 612 can be appropriately changed.

[0162] The light emitting element 613 is composed of a semiconductor laser. The light emitted by the light emitting element 613 is, for example, a blue laser with a peak wavelength of 440 nm. The light emitted from the plurality of light emitting elements 613 is parallelized and emitted by a collimating lens not shown. According to this structure, the first light source module 201 emits the blue light BL1 composed of a plurality of blue laser beams as excitation light toward the photosynthetic component 203. In addition, the first light source module 201 sets the orientation of each light emitting element 613 so as to emit the blue light BL1 corresponding to the P-polarized light for the photosynthetic component 203.

[0163] On the other hand, the second light source module 202 is arranged on the +Z side in the light source unit 20. The second light source module 202 has the same structure as the first light source module 201. The second light source module 202 emits blue light BL2 composed of a plurality of blue laser beams as excitation light toward the light combining component 203. In addition, the second light source module 202 sets the orientation of each light emitting element 613 so as to emit blue light BL2 corresponding to S-polarized light for the light combining component 203.

[0164] In the light source unit 20, the first light source module 201 and the second light source module 202 become high temperatures. Therefore, the light source unit 20 of the present embodiment is provided with a light source heat absorbing heat exchanger 25. The light source heat absorbing heat exchanger 25 absorbs the heat generated by the light source unit 2 and cools the light source unit 20. The structure of the light source heat absorbing heat exchanger 25 will be described in detail later.

[0165] The light synthesis component 203 is provided at a position where the optical path of the blue light BL1 emitted from the first light source module 201 and the optical path of the blue light BL2 emitted from the second light source module 202 intersect. The light synthesis component 203 of the present embodiment is constituted by, for example, a polarization beam splitter. As described above, the blue light BL1 emitted from the first light source module 201 is incident on the light synthesis component 203 as P-polarized light, and thus the blue light BL1 passes through the light synthesis component 203 toward the -Y side. In addition, the blue light BL2 emitted from the second light source module 202 is incident on the light synthesis component 203 as S-polarized light, and thus the blue light BL2 is reflected toward the -Y side by the light synthesis component 203, whereby the blue light BL1 and the blue light BL2 are synthesized and emitted toward the -Y side as blue light BL.

[0166] like Figure 8 As shown, the blue light BL emitted from the light source unit 20 is incident on the afocal optical element 21. The afocal optical element 21 adjusts the beam diameter of the blue light BL incident from the light source unit 20. The afocal optical element 21 is composed of a lens 211 that converges the incident light, and a lens 212 that parallelizes the beam converged by the lens 211. In addition, the afocal optical element 21 may be omitted.

[0167] The first phase difference element 22a is disposed between the lens 211 and the lens 212. The first phase difference element 22a converts a portion of the incident blue light BL, and emits a blue light BLs containing an S polarization component for the polarization separation and synthesis element 24 described later and a blue light BLp containing a P polarization component for the polarization separation and synthesis element 24 described later. The first phase difference element 22a can also be rotated by a rotating device not shown with a rotation axis along the optical axis AX3 as the center. In this case, the ratio of the S polarization component and the P polarization component in the blue light emitted from the first phase difference element 22a can be adjusted according to the rotation angle of the first phase difference element 22a.

[0168] The diffuse transmission element 23 makes the illumination distribution of the blue light BLp and BLs incident from the lens 212 to the -Y side uniform. Examples of the diffuse transmission element 23 include a hologram structure, a structure in which a plurality of small lenses are arranged on a plane perpendicular to the optical axis, and a structure in which the surface through which light passes is a rough surface.

[0169] In addition, a beam homogenizer optical element having a pair of multi-lenses may be used instead of the diffuse transmission element 23 .

[0170] The blue lights BLs and BLp that have passed through the diffusion transmission element 23 enter the polarization separation and combination element 24 .

[0171] The polarization separation and combination element 24 functions as a light separation element that separates incident light and as a light combination element that combines light incident from two directions. In other words, the polarization separation and combination element 24 functions as a light combination element in addition to a light separation element.

[0172] The polarization separation and synthesis element 24 is a polarization beam splitter that separates the S polarization component and the P polarization component contained in the incident light. Specifically, the polarization separation and synthesis element 24 reflects the S polarization component and transmits the P polarization component. In addition, the polarization separation and synthesis element 24 has a color separation characteristic that allows light above a specified wavelength to pass through any polarization component of the S polarization component and the P polarization component. Therefore, among the blue light BLp and BLs incident on the polarization separation and synthesis element 24 from the diffuse transmission element 23, the P-polarized blue light BLp passes through the polarization separation and synthesis element 24 to the -Y side and is incident on the second phase difference element 22b. On the other hand, the S-polarized blue light BLs is reflected by the polarization separation and synthesis element 24 to the +X side and is incident on the second converging element 28.

[0173] In addition, the polarization separation and synthesis element 24 may also have the function of a half-transmitting mirror that allows a part of the light incident from the light source unit 20 via the diffuse transmission element 23 to pass through and reflects the remaining light, and the function of a dichroic mirror that reflects the blue light incident from the diffuse optical element 27 and allows the fluorescence incident from the wavelength conversion element 29 and having a wavelength longer than the wavelength of the blue light to pass through. In this case, the first phase difference element 22a can be omitted.

[0174] The second phase difference element 22b is arranged on the -Y side relative to the polarization separation and synthesis element 24. That is, the second phase difference element 22b is arranged between the polarization separation and synthesis element 24 and the first focusing element 26. The second phase difference element 22b converts the blue light BLp after passing through the polarization separation and synthesis element 24 into circularly polarized blue light BLc. The blue light BLc after passing through the second phase difference element 22b to the -Y side enters the first focusing element 26.

[0175] The first focusing element 26 focuses the blue light BLc incident from the second phase difference element 22b to the -Y side through the polarization separation and synthesis element 24, and focuses it on the diffusion optical element 27. In addition, the first focusing element 26 collimates the light incident from the diffusion optical element 27 to the +Y side and emits it to the second phase difference element 22b. In the present embodiment, the first focusing element 26 is composed of three lenses 261, 262, and 263, but the number of lenses constituting the first focusing element 26 is arbitrary.

[0176] The diffusion optical element 27 diffuses the incident blue light BLc at the same diffusion angle as the fluorescence YL emitted from the wavelength conversion element 29. Specifically, the diffusion optical element 27 reflects and diffuses the blue light BLc incident from the first converging element 26 to the -Y side to the +Y side. The diffusion optical element 27 is a reflective element that causes the incident blue light BLc to perform Lambertian reflection. In addition, the diffusion optical element 27 can also be rotated by a rotating device around a rotation axis parallel to the optical axis AX3.

[0177] The blue light BLc diffused by the diffusion optical element 27 passes through the first focusing element 26 and enters the second phase difference element 22b. The blue light BLc incident on the diffusion optical element 27 is converted into circularly polarized light with a rotation direction in the opposite direction when reflected by the diffusion optical element 27. Therefore, the blue light BLc incident on the second phase difference element 22b via the first focusing element 26 is converted into S-polarized blue light BLs by the second phase difference element 22b. Then, the blue light BLs is reflected to the -X side by the polarization separation and synthesis element 24 and enters the third phase difference element 22c.

[0178] On the other hand, the blue light BLs reflected by the polarization separation and synthesis element 24 is incident on the second focusing element 28. The second focusing element 28 focuses the blue light BLs on the wavelength conversion element 29. In addition, the second focusing element 28 collimates the fluorescence YL emitted from the wavelength conversion element 29 to the +X side, and emits the collimated fluorescence YL to the polarization separation and synthesis element 24. In the present embodiment, the second focusing element 28 is composed of three lenses 281, 282, and 283, but the number of lenses constituting the second focusing element 28 is arbitrary.

[0179] The wavelength conversion element 29 converts the wavelength of the blue light BLs incident from the second focusing element 28 .

[0180] That is, the wavelength conversion element 29 converts the blue light BLs incident from the second focusing element 28 into fluorescence YL having a wavelength longer than that of the blue light BLs and emits the fluorescence YL. The wavelength conversion element 29 is a reflective wavelength conversion element that emits the fluorescence YL toward the incident side of the blue light BLs.

[0181] The wavelength conversion element 29 includes a fluorescent substance wheel 290 and a rotating device 295 that rotates the fluorescent substance wheel 290 around the rotation axis O. In addition, the wavelength conversion element 29 may be configured not to be rotated by the rotating device 295 .

[0182] The phosphor wheel 290 includes a wavelength conversion layer 291, a reflection layer 292, a support substrate 293, and a heat sink 294. The wavelength conversion layer 291 contains phosphors and is provided in a ring shape with the rotation axis of the phosphor wheel 290 as the center. The reflection layer 292 is provided on the side opposite to the incident side of the blue light BLs with respect to the wavelength conversion layer 291, and reflects the light incident from the wavelength conversion layer 291. The support substrate 293 supports the wavelength conversion layer 291 and the reflection layer 292. The heat sink 294 is formed on the surface of the +X side of the support substrate 293. The heat sink 294 is composed of, for example, a plurality of heat sink fins.

[0183] In the present embodiment, the wavelength conversion element 29 is mounted on the light source housing CA via a fixing member 296. The fixing member 296 is made of a metal member having excellent thermal conductivity. The fixing member 296 is mounted on the light source housing CA in a manner of closing the opening CA1 provided in the light source housing CA. Thus, the wavelength conversion element 29 is arranged in a storage space for the wavelength conversion element 29 formed between the light source housing CA and the fixing member 296 in a state where the fluorescent body wheel 290 and the lens 283 of the second converging element 28 are opposed to each other.

[0184] The wavelength conversion element 29 of this embodiment generates airflow between the heat dissipation members 294 as the fluorescent body wheel 290 rotates, thereby dissipating heat from the fluorescent body wheel 290. In the case of this embodiment, the storage space of the wavelength conversion element 29 is a closed space, so the temperature in the storage space is likely to become high. In contrast, in this embodiment, the fixing member 296 is used as a cooling member for the fluorescent body wheel 290.

[0185] The fixing member 296 includes a base portion 296a, a heat absorbing portion 296b, and a wheel heat dissipation portion 296c. The base portion 296a fixes the rotating device 295 of the wavelength conversion element 29 by means of a screw member 297. The heat absorbing portion 296b is a plurality of protrusions provided on the surface of the side opposite to the wavelength conversion element 29 in the base portion 296a, that is, the surface on the -X side. The heat absorbing portion 296b absorbs heat from the storage space of the wavelength conversion element 29. The wheel heat dissipation portion 296c is a plurality of heat dissipation fins provided on the surface of the side opposite to the wavelength conversion element 29 in the base portion 296a, that is, the surface on the +X side. The plurality of heat dissipation fins constituting the wheel heat dissipation portion 296c are plate-shaped members along the XY plane, and are arranged at intervals along the vertical direction Z.

[0186] The wheel cooling device 40 includes a cooling fan 36 and a housing 37. The cooling fan 36 takes in external air from an opening 37a of the housing 37. The opening 37a of the housing 37 is arranged at a position corresponding to an air inlet 54a formed on the right side surface 54 of the outer casing 5. The housing 37 accommodates the cooling fan 36 and the wheel heat sink 296c of the fixing member 296 therein, and supplies the external air taken in from the cooling fan 36 to the wheel heat sink 296c as an airflow. The housing 37 discharges the airflow heated by the wheel heat sink 296c from an outlet 37b provided at the end of the housing 37 on the -Y side.

[0187] In the wheel cooling device 40, the exhaust gas from the exhaust port 37b of the casing portion 37 passes through the Figure 1 The exhaust fan 13 shown in the figure exhausts heat to the outside of the case through an exhaust port 54 b formed in the right side surface 54 of the outer case 5 .

[0188] According to the light source unit 2 of the present embodiment, the wheel cooling device 40 is provided, thereby suppressing the temperature rise of the wavelength conversion element 29, thereby improving the conversion efficiency of the fluorescent light YL. As a result, bright fluorescent light YL can be generated.

[0189] The fluorescence YL emitted from the wavelength conversion element 29 to the -X side is collimated by the second focusing element 28 and then enters the polarization separation and synthesis element 24. As described above, the polarization separation and synthesis element 24 has the characteristic of transmitting the fluorescence YL, and thus, the fluorescence YL incident on the polarization separation and synthesis element 24 along the -X side passes through the polarization separation and synthesis element 24 and enters the third phase difference element 22c. That is, the light incident on the third phase difference element 22c from the polarization separation and synthesis element 24 is white light in which the blue light BLs and the fluorescence YL are mixed.

[0190] The third phase difference element 22c converts the white illumination light WL including the blue light BLs and the fluorescence YL incident from the polarization separation and synthesis element 24 into a light containing a mixture of S polarized light and P polarized light. In this way, the light source unit 2 emits the illumination light WL toward the color separation and light guide optical system 31 disposed in the housing 10 of the image forming unit 3.

[0191] Fig.10 1 is a perspective view showing a light source casing CA to which the first light source module 201 , the second light source module 202 , and the light source heat absorbing heat exchanger 25 are mounted.

[0192] like Fig. 9 and Fig.10 As shown, the light source heat absorbing heat exchanger 25 includes a first cooling plate 615 provided in the first light source module 201 and a second cooling plate 625 provided in the second light source module 202 .

[0193] The first cooling plate 615 transfers heat transferred from the first light source module 201 via the heat receiving plate 614 to the heat exchange liquid flowing inside, thereby cooling the first light source module 201 .

[0194] like Fig. 9 As shown, the first cooling plate 615 is a heat exchanger having cooling flow paths formed between a plurality of fins 617 provided therein and capable of flowing a heat exchange liquid, and transfers heat transferred to the plurality of fins 617 to the heat exchange liquid.

[0195] The first cooling plate 615 has an inlet 6151 for the heat exchange liquid to flow in, and an outflow 6152 for the heat exchange liquid to flow out. The inlet 6151 is provided on the -Z side of the end face on the +X side of the first cooling plate 615. The heat exchange liquid flows into the inlet 6151 from the outside. The inlet 6151 is connected to the internal space, and the heat exchange liquid flowing into the inlet 6151 flows into the cooling flow path provided inside. The outflow 6152 is provided on the +Z side of the end face on the +X side of the first cooling plate 615. The outflow 6152 is connected to the internal space, and the heat exchange liquid flowing in the cooling flow path flows out to the outside.

[0196] The second cooling plate 625 transfers the heat transferred from the second light source module 202 via the heat receiving plate 614 to the heat exchange liquid flowing inside, thereby cooling the second light source module 202 .

[0197] The second cooling plate 625 has the same structure as the first cooling plate 615 and is a heat exchanger having a cooling flow path formed between the plurality of fins 617 provided therein and capable of circulating a heat exchange liquid, and transferring the heat transferred to the plurality of fins 617 to the heat exchange liquid.

[0198] The second cooling plate 625 has an inflow portion 6251 for the heat exchange liquid to flow in, and an outflow portion 6252 for the heat exchange liquid to flow out. The inflow portion 6251 is provided on the +Y side of the end surface on the +X side of the second cooling plate 625. The heat exchange liquid flows into the inflow portion 6251 from the outside. The inflow portion 6251 is connected to the internal space, and the heat exchange liquid flowing into the inflow portion 6251 flows into the cooling flow path provided inside. The outflow portion 6252 is provided on the -Y side of the end surface on the +X side of the second cooling plate 625. The outflow portion 6252 is connected to the internal space, and the heat exchange liquid flowing in the cooling flow path flows out to the outside.

[0199] The outflow portion 6152 of the first cooling plate 615 is connected to the inflow portion 6251 of the second cooling plate 625 via the pipe CM1. Therefore, the heat exchange liquid flowing out of the outflow portion 6152 of the first cooling plate 615 flows into the inflow portion 6251 of the second cooling plate 625. Then, as shown in FIG. Fig.10 As indicated by the dashed-dotted arrow, the heat exchange liquid that has flowed into the second cooling plate 625 flows through the second cooling plate 625 and is discharged from the outflow portion 6252 of the second cooling plate 625 .

[0200] In this way, the light source heat absorbing heat exchanger 25 can absorb heat from the light source unit 2 via the first cooling plate 615 and the second cooling plate 625. The heat absorbed by the light source heat absorbing heat exchanger 25 is transferred to the light source heat dissipating heat exchanger 9.

[0201] Fig.11 It is a perspective view showing the path of the heat exchange liquid between the light source heat absorbing heat exchanger 25 and the light source heat radiating heat exchanger 9 . Fig.12 Observed from the +X side Fig.11 In addition, Fig.11 , 12 In FIG. 1 , the path of the heat exchange liquid between the panel heat absorbing heat exchanger 7 and the panel heat radiating heat exchanger 8 is also shown. Fig.11 In FIG. 1 , a heat exchanger fan 17 is also shown.

[0202] like Fig.11 or Fig.12As shown, the panel heat exchanger 7 is composed of a radiator body 70 having a flat plate shape. A pipe connection component 75 is attached to the end of the panel heat exchanger 7 on the -X side. The pipe connection component 75 is arranged outside the housing 10 that partitions the image forming unit 3.

[0203] The pipe connection component 75 includes an inflow portion 71 for allowing the heat exchange liquid to flow into the radiator body 70, and an outflow portion 72 for allowing the heat exchange liquid to flow out of the radiator body 70. The inflow portion 71 is provided on the upper side of the +Z side of the +Y side end surface of the pipe connection component 75. The heat exchange liquid flows into the inflow portion 71 from the panel heat dissipation heat exchanger 8. The inflow portion 71 is communicated with the inside of the radiator body 70, and the heat exchange liquid flowing into the inflow portion 71 flows into the flow path provided inside the radiator body 70. The radiator body 70 performs heat exchange between the airflow passing from the +Y side to the -Y side and the heat exchange liquid flowing in the flow path, thereby reducing the temperature of the airflow. The outflow portion 72 is provided on the lower side of the -Z side of the +Y side end surface of the pipe connection component 75. The outflow portion 72 is communicated with the inside of the radiator body 70, and allows the heat exchange liquid that flows in the flow path and absorbs heat from the airflow in the image forming unit 3 and is heated to flow out to the outside.

[0204] The heat exchanger fan 17 is arranged on the -X side of the panel heat dissipation heat exchanger 8. Figure 1 As shown, the heat exchanger fan 17 delivers airflow K to the panel heat dissipation heat exchanger 8. As the heat exchanger fan 17, for example, an axial flow fan can be used, but the type of fan is not limited thereto. In the present embodiment, a plurality of heat exchanger fans 17 are provided along the Y axis in a manner opposing the panel heat dissipation heat exchanger 8. In the present embodiment, four heat exchanger fans 17 are provided, but the number of heat exchanger fans 17 is not limited thereto.

[0205] The panel heat exchanger 8 includes a radiator body 80 having a flat plate shape, a tank 83, and a pump 84. A pipe connection member 85 is attached to the end of the radiator body 80 on the -Y side.

[0206] The pipe connection component 85 includes an inflow portion 81 for allowing the heat exchange liquid to flow into the radiator body 80, and an outflow portion 82 for allowing the heat exchange liquid to flow out of the radiator body 80. The inflow portion 81 is provided on the upper side of the +Z side of the +X side end surface of the pipe connection component 85. The inflow portion 81 is communicated with the inside of the radiator body 80, and the heat exchange liquid flowing into the inflow portion 81 flows into the flow path provided inside the radiator body 80. The radiator body 80 performs heat exchange between the airflow passing from the +X side to the -X side and the heat exchange liquid flowing in the flow path, thereby reducing the temperature of the heat exchange liquid. The outflow portion 82 is provided on the lower side of the -Z side of the +X side end surface of the pipe connection component 85. The outflow portion 82 is communicated with the inside of the radiator body 80, and causes the heat exchange liquid that has been circulated in the flow path and has had its temperature reduced to flow out to the outside.

[0207] In the panel heat exchanger 8, the outflow portion 82 of the pipe connection member 85 is connected to the inlet 83a of the reservoir 83 via the pipe CM2. The pipe CM3 is connected to the outlet 83b of the reservoir 83. The pipe CM2 and the pipe CM3 are formed by combining a plurality of pipe members and a plurality of connecting members and being bent into a predetermined shape.

[0208] The pump 84 discharges the heat exchange liquid from the outlet 83b of the tank 83. The heat exchange liquid discharged from the outlet 83b of the tank 83 flows into the inlet portion 71 of the pipe connection member 75 of the panel heat absorbing heat exchanger 7 via the pipe CM3.

[0209] In the panel heat exchanger 8, the inlet 81 of the pipe connection member 85 is connected to the outlet 72 of the pipe connection member 75 in the panel heat exchanger 7 via the pipe CM4. The pipe CM4 is formed by combining a plurality of pipe members and a plurality of connecting members and bending them into a predetermined shape.

[0210] According to such a configuration, the heat exchanging liquid discharged from the panel heat absorbing heat exchanger 7 flows into the panel heat radiating heat exchanger 8 via the pipe CM4 .

[0211] In this embodiment, the pipe CM3 has a connection portion T3, and the pipe CM4 has a connection portion T4. The connection portion T3 and the connection portion T4 are respectively provided at portions where the pipes CM3 and CM4 are close to each other. The pipe CM3 can be separated into two portions at the connection portion T3, and the pipe CM4 can be separated into two portions at the connection portion T4.

[0212] The image forming unit 3 of the present embodiment can be easily removed from the outer casing 5 by separating the pipes CM3 and CM4 into two parts at the connecting portions T3 and T4 , respectively.

[0213] According to this configuration, even when the image forming unit 3 fails, the failed image forming unit 3 can be removed and replaced with a new one, thereby making it easy to repair the image forming unit 3 , thereby improving the maintainability of the projector 1 .

[0214] like Figure 1 As shown in FIG. 1 , the airflow K from the +X side toward the -X side flows through the panel heat-dissipating heat exchanger 8 by the heat exchanger fan 17. At this time, the heat-exchanging liquid flowing in the internal flow path of the radiator body 80 exchanges heat with the airflow K passing through the radiator body 80, so that the temperature of the heat-exchanging liquid flowing in the flow path in the radiator body 80 can be reduced. According to this structure, the panel heat-dissipating heat exchanger 8 can dissipate the heat transferred from the panel heat-absorbing heat exchanger 7. As described above, the heat-exchanging liquid after the heat is dissipated by the panel heat-dissipating heat exchanger 8 is supplied from the reservoir 83 to the panel heat-absorbing heat exchanger 7 through the pump 84.

[0215] According to the projector 1 of this embodiment, the heat exchange liquid is circulated between the panel heat absorbing heat exchanger 7 and the panel heat radiating heat exchanger 8, thereby improving the cooling efficiency in the panel heat absorbing heat exchanger 7. Thus, the light modulation panels 32R, 32G, and 32B can be cooled stably and efficiently.

[0216] The light source heat dissipation heat exchanger 9 dissipates the heat absorbed by the light source heat absorption heat exchanger 25, thereby reducing the temperature of the heat exchange liquid. In the present embodiment, the light source heat dissipation heat exchanger 9 is composed of a radiator. The light source heat dissipation heat exchanger 9 is a heat exchanger that absorbs heat from the airflow by exchanging heat with the heat exchange liquid flowing into the interior. The heat exchange liquid whose temperature is reduced by being cooled by the light source heat dissipation heat exchanger 9 is supplied again to the light source heat absorption heat exchanger 25.

[0217] The light source heat dissipation heat exchanger 9 includes a radiator body 90 having a flat plate shape, a tank 93, and a pump 94. A pipe connection member 95 is attached to the end of the radiator body 90 on the +Y side.

[0218] The pipe connection member 95 includes an inflow portion 91 for allowing the heat exchange liquid to flow into the radiator body 90 , and an outflow portion 92 for allowing the heat exchange liquid to flow out from the radiator body 90 .

[0219] The inflow portion 91 is provided on the upper side of the +Z side of the +X side end surface of the piping connection component 95. The inflow portion 91 is communicated with the interior of the radiator body 90, and the heat exchange liquid that flows into the inflow portion 91 flows into the flow path provided inside the radiator body 90. The radiator body 90 performs heat exchange between the airflow passing from the +X side to the -X side and the heat exchange liquid flowing in the flow path, thereby reducing the temperature of the heat exchange liquid. The outflow portion 92 is provided on the lower side of the -Z side of the +X side end surface of the piping connection component 95. The outflow portion 92 is communicated with the interior of the radiator body 90, and causes the heat exchange liquid that circulates in the internal flow path and whose temperature is reduced to flow out to the outside.

[0220] In the light source heat dissipation heat exchanger 9, the outflow portion 92 of the pipe connection component 95 is connected to the inlet 93a of the liquid tank 93 via the pipe CM5. The pipe CM6 is connected to the outlet 93b of the liquid tank 93. The pipes CM5 and CM6 are formed by combining a plurality of pipe components and a plurality of connecting components and being bent into a predetermined shape.

[0221] The pump 94 discharges the heat exchange liquid from the outlet 93b of the tank 93. The heat exchange liquid discharged from the outlet 93b of the tank 93 flows into the inlet portion 6151 of the first cooling plate 615 in the light source heat absorbing heat exchanger 25 via the pipe CM6.

[0222] In addition, the outflow portion 6152 of the first cooling plate 615 is connected to the inflow portion 6251 of the second cooling plate 625 via the pipe CM1.

[0223] In the light source heat dissipation heat exchanger 9, the inflow portion 91 of the pipe connection member 95 is connected to the outflow portion 6252 of the second cooling plate 625 in the light source heat absorption heat exchanger 25 via the pipe CM7. The pipe CM7 is formed by combining a plurality of pipe members and a plurality of connection members and being bent into a predetermined shape.

[0224] According to such a configuration, the heat exchange liquid discharged from the light source heat absorbing heat exchanger 25 flows into the light source heat radiating heat exchanger 9 via the pipe CM7 .

[0225] In this embodiment, the pipe CM6 has a connection portion T6, and the pipe CM7 has a connection portion T7. The connection portion T6 and the connection portion T7 are respectively provided at the portion where the pipes CM6 and CM7 are close to each other and near the light source heat absorbing heat exchanger 25. The pipe CM6 can be separated into two parts at the connection portion T6, and the pipe CM7 can be separated into two parts at the connection portion T7.

[0226] The light source unit 2 of this embodiment has the pipes CM6 and CM7 separated into two parts at the connecting parts T6 and T7, respectively, so that it can be easily removed from the outer casing 5. According to this structure, even if the light source unit 2 fails, the failed light source unit 2 can be removed and replaced with a new unit, thereby making it easy to repair, thereby improving the maintainability of the projector 1.

[0227] like Figure 1 As shown, the airflow K from the +X side toward the -X side flows through the heat exchanger 9 for light source heat dissipation by the heat exchanger fan 17. At this time, the heat exchange liquid flowing in the internal flow path of the radiator body 90 exchanges heat with the airflow K passing through the radiator body 90, so that the temperature of the heat exchange liquid flowing in the internal flow path of the radiator body 90 can be reduced. According to this structure, the heat exchanger 9 for light source heat dissipation can dissipate the heat transferred from the heat exchanger 25 for light source heat absorption. As described above, the heat exchange liquid after the heat is dissipated by the heat exchanger 9 for light source heat dissipation is supplied from the reservoir 93 to the heat exchanger 25 for light source heat absorption through the pump 94.

[0228] According to the projector 1 of this embodiment, the heat exchange liquid is circulated between the light source heat absorbing heat exchanger 25 and the light source heat dissipating heat exchanger 9, thereby improving the cooling efficiency in the light source heat absorbing heat exchanger 25. As a result, in the light source unit 2, the light source section 20 can be cooled stably and efficiently.

[0229] In the present embodiment, the panel heat exchanger 8 and the light source heat exchanger 9 overlap in the flow direction of the airflow K from the +X side to the -X side by the heat exchanger fan 17. The panel heat exchanger 8 and the light source heat exchanger 9 having a flat plate shape are arranged to overlap each other in the thickness direction of the flat plate.

[0230] The outer casing 5 of this embodiment has a left side surface 53 as an exhaust wall portion, and the left side surface 53 is formed with an exhaust port 53a for exhausting the airflow K flowing through the panel heat exchanger 8 and the light source heat exchanger 9. The light source heat exchanger 9 is arranged on the left side surface 53 side relative to the panel heat exchanger 8.

[0231] In the case of the present embodiment, the air flow K flows from the panel heat dissipation heat exchanger 8 toward the light source heat dissipation heat exchanger 9 .

[0232] Here, the temperature of the heat generated by the light source unit 2 is higher than the temperature of the heat generated by the image forming unit 3. Therefore, the heat of higher temperature is transferred from the light source unit 2 to the light source heat dissipation heat exchanger 9. Therefore, assuming that the airflow K first flows through the light source heat dissipation heat exchanger 9, the airflow K heated by the light source heat dissipation heat exchanger 9 is supplied to the panel heat dissipation heat exchanger 8, and the cooling effect of the panel heat dissipation heat exchanger 8 may be reduced. In contrast, in the case of the present embodiment, the airflow K first flows through the panel heat dissipation heat exchanger 8, so the cooling efficiency of each light modulation panel 32R, 32G, 32B can be improved.

[0233] In the case of this embodiment, the light source heat absorbing heat exchanger 25 and the panel heat dissipating heat exchanger 8 overlap in the flow direction of the airflow K, and the airflow K flows from the panel heat dissipating heat exchanger 8 to the light source heat dissipating heat exchanger 9. Therefore, the fan for flowing the airflow can be shared for the panel heat dissipating heat exchanger 8 and the light source heat dissipating heat exchanger 9. Therefore, it is possible to provide a projector 1 that maintains the cooling performance of the light source unit 2 and the light modulation panels 32R, 32G, and 32B and realizes a miniaturized device structure.

[0234] In the case of this embodiment, the surface area of ​​the light source heat dissipation heat exchanger 9 is larger than the surface area of ​​the panel heat dissipation heat exchanger 8. Fig.12 As shown, the surface areas of the light source heat dissipation heat exchanger 9 and the panel heat dissipation heat exchanger 8 correspond to the areas of the heat sink bodies 90 and 80 of the heat exchangers when viewed from the +X side toward the −X side.

[0235] The heat exchange capacity of the heat exchanger depends on the size of the plane area. That is, the heat exchange capacity of the heat exchanger 9 for light source heat dissipation is greater than that of the heat exchanger 8 for panel heat dissipation. In the case of this embodiment, as described above, the heat exchanger 9 for light source heat dissipation allows the airflow K to flow through the heat exchanger 8 for panel heat dissipation. However, by increasing the heat dissipation surface area, the heat exchange capacity is improved. Therefore, heat exchange is also performed well with the airflow K whose temperature is slightly increased by passing through the heat exchanger 8 for panel heat dissipation, thereby being able to efficiently reduce the temperature of the heat exchange liquid.

[0236] As described above, the projector 1 of the present embodiment includes: a light source unit 2; an image forming unit 3A; a projection optical unit 4; a panel fan 16; a panel heat absorbing heat exchanger 7; an image forming unit 3 that accommodates the image forming unit 3A, the panel heat absorbing heat exchanger 7, and the panel fan 16 in a housing 10; a panel heat radiating heat exchanger 8; and an outer housing 5 that accommodates at least the light source unit 2, the image forming unit 3, and the panel heat radiating heat exchanger 8. The light source unit 2 is disposed on the right side of the +X side of the left-right direction X intersecting the optical axis AX1 of the projection optical unit 4 in the outer housing 5 relative to the image forming unit 3, and the panel heat radiating heat exchanger 8 is disposed on the left side of the −X side of the left-right direction X relative to the image forming unit 3 in the outer housing 5.

[0237] According to the projector 1 of this embodiment, within the housing 10 of the image forming unit 3, the light modulation panels 32R, 32G, 32B can be efficiently cooled by circulating the flow of airflow K from the light modulation panels 32R, 32G, 32B toward the panel heat absorption heat exchanger 7 in a closed circulation manner.

[0238] In addition, the projector 1 of this embodiment adopts a layout in which the light source unit 2 is arranged on the right side of the image forming unit 3 and the heat exchanger 8 for panel heat dissipation is arranged on the left side of the image forming unit 3 within the outer casing 5. This ensures the cooling performance of the light modulation panels 32R, 32G, and 32B and miniaturizes the dimensions in the front-to-back direction Y and the up-down direction Z.

[0239] In the present embodiment, the panel heat exchanger 7 is disposed in the housing 10 of the image forming unit 3 so as to be partitioned into a +Y side portion housing the image forming section 3A and a −Y side portion housing the panel fan 16 .

[0240] According to this configuration, the airflow K heated by the light modulation panels 32R, 32G, and 32B is efficiently introduced into the panel heat absorbing heat exchanger 7 , whereby heat can be absorbed from the airflow K.

[0241] In the case of this embodiment, three fans 16a, 16b, and 16c as multiple panel fans 16 are arranged along the panel heat absorption heat exchanger 7, and the air flow K from each fan 16a, 16b, and 16c flows through the light modulation panels 32R, 32G, and 32B respectively via the duct 15 provided between the panel heat absorption heat exchanger 7 and the image forming unit 3A and the outer shell 5.

[0242] Thus, by providing a plurality of panel fans 16, the flow rate of each fan 16a, 16b, 16c can be reduced. Thus, the panel fan 16 having a compact shape in at least the front-rear direction Y can be used, and thus the size of the projector 1 in the front-rear direction Y can be compact. Furthermore, by arranging the fans 16a, 16b, 16c along the panel heat absorbing heat exchanger 7, when a plurality of panel fans 16 are used, the size of the projector 1 in the front-rear direction Y can be suppressed from being increased. Furthermore, the airflow K can be efficiently supplied to the light modulation panels 32R, 32G, 32B of the image forming unit 3A through the duct 15, and the cooling performance of the panel can be improved.

[0243] In the case of this embodiment, the duct 15 includes a first duct portion 15a that allows the air flow K from the first fan 16a to flow through the light modulation panel 32R, a second duct portion 15b that allows the air flow K from the second fan 16a to flow through the light modulation panel 32G, and a third duct portion 15c that allows the air flow K from the third fan 16c to flow through the light modulation panel 32B.

[0244] According to this configuration, since airflow from a separate fan is supplied to each of the light modulation panels 32R, 32G, and 32B, the cooling performance of each of the light modulation panels 32R, 32G, and 32B can be improved.

[0245] In the present embodiment, the image forming section 3A, the panel heat absorbing heat exchanger 7 and the panel fan 16 are arranged in the front-rear direction Y in the housing 10 of the image forming unit 3 , and the panel heat radiating heat exchanger 8 extends in the front-rear direction Y.

[0246] According to this configuration, the heat dissipation area of ​​the panel heat exchanger 8 is ensured in the front-rear direction Y, thereby suppressing an increase in size in the left-right direction X while maintaining the cooling performance of the image forming unit 3 .

[0247] The projector 1 of this embodiment also has a light source heat absorbing heat exchanger 25 that absorbs heat from the light source unit 2, and a light source heat dissipation heat exchanger 9 that dissipates heat absorbed by the light source heat absorbing heat exchanger 25. The light source heat dissipation heat exchanger 9 is arranged on the left side of the left-right direction X relative to the image forming unit 3 in the outer casing 5.

[0248] According to this structure, the heat generated by the light source unit 2 can be efficiently dissipated, thereby improving the cooling performance of the light source unit 2. As a result, the light source unit 2 can be stably driven. In addition, the heat exchanger 8 for panel heat dissipation and the heat exchanger 9 for light source heat dissipation can be arranged in the space on the left side opposite to the light source unit 2 in the outer casing 5. As a result, the exhaust port 53a for discharging the exhaust heat of the heat exchanger 8 for panel heat dissipation and the heat exchanger 9 for light source heat dissipation can be largely ensured, thereby improving the cooling efficiency of the light source unit 2 and the panel.

[0249] In the case of the present embodiment, the outer casing 5 includes air inlets 51b, 52a, 56a facing the space between the image forming unit 3 and the heat exchanger 8 for panel heat dissipation, and an exhaust port 53a opposite to the heat exchanger 8 for panel heat dissipation, and the air flow K sucked from the air inlets 51b, 52a, 56a by the heat exchanger fan 17 flows toward the exhaust port 53a via the heat exchanger 8 for panel heat dissipation.

[0250] According to this configuration, the airflow K can be directly taken into the panel heat dissipation heat exchanger 8 from the air inlets 51 b , 52 a , and 56 a , so that the cooling efficiency of the panel heat dissipation heat exchanger 8 can be improved.

[0251] In the present embodiment, the power supply unit 14 that supplies power to the light source unit 2 and the image forming unit 3A is arranged on the right side of the image forming unit 3 in the outer casing 5. The power supply unit 14 is arranged in the outer casing 5 so as to overlap at least a portion of the light source unit 2 in the vertical direction Z.

[0252] According to this structure, the power supply unit 14 and the light source unit 2 are located on the same side relative to the image forming unit 3 in the outer casing 5, so the wiring path from the power supply unit 14 to the image forming section 3A and the light source unit 2 becomes shorter, thereby making it easier to rewind the wiring. In addition, the power supply unit 14 is not arranged on the side of the panel heat exchanger 8, so it is possible to suppress the occurrence of an undesirable situation in which the cooling efficiency of the panel heat exchanger 8 is reduced due to the heat generated by the power supply unit 14.

[0253] In addition, the projector 1 of the present embodiment has a light source unit 2, an image forming portion 3A, a panel fan 16, an image forming unit 3 formed by accommodating the image forming portion 3A and the panel fan 16 in a housing 10, a projection optical unit 4, and a steam chamber 60. The steam chamber 60 is arranged on the light modulation panel 32G, includes a heat receiving portion 66 that receives heat generated by the light modulation panel 32G and a heat dissipation portion 65 that dissipates the heat received by the heat receiving portion 66. The liquid refrigerant is vaporized by using the heat from the heat receiving portion 66, and the refrigerant is condensed by the heat dissipation from the heat dissipation portion 65.

[0254] According to the projector 1 of the present embodiment, in the housing 10 that seals the image forming unit 3, the airflow K is caused to flow from the panel fan 16 to the light modulation panel 32G provided with the steam chamber 60, thereby efficiently cooling the green light modulation panel 32G with high heat generation. The steam chamber 60 does not require a liquid flow path or an electric drive unit such as a liquid cooling method, and therefore, it is not necessary to lead out a liquid flow path, wiring, etc. outside the housing 10 that seals the image forming unit 3, so the sealed structure of the housing 10 is not complicated. Therefore, assuming that a maintenance operation of replacing the light modulation panel 32G is required, the steam chamber 60 provided in the light modulation panel 32G does not have a flow path or wiring, so the maintenance operation can be easily performed.

[0255] In the case of the present embodiment, the heat dissipation portion 65 of the steam chamber 60 is located downstream of the air flow K flowing from the panel fan 16 with respect to the light modulation panel 32G.

[0256] According to this configuration, the airflow K first cools the panel body 41 , so that the evaporation of the refrigerant in the steam chamber 60 can be promoted compared to the case where the airflow K first cools the heat dissipation portion 65 . Thus, the cooling performance in the steam chamber 60 can be improved.

[0257] In the case of this embodiment, there is a panel heat absorbing heat exchanger 7, which is housed in the housing 10 of the image forming unit 3 and absorbs heat from the airflow K heated by the light modulation panel 32G. The panel heat absorbing heat exchanger 7 is arranged opposite to the light modulation panel 32G.

[0258] According to this structure, the airflow K heated by cooling the light modulation panel 32G can be cooled by the panel heat absorbing heat exchanger 7. As a result, the temperature rise of the housing 10 can be suppressed, and the temperature rise of the airflow K supplied to each light modulation panel 32R, 32G, 32B can be suppressed. In the closed circulation method in which the airflow K circulates in the housing 10, the cooling efficiency of each light modulation panel 32R, 32G, 32B can be improved.

[0259] Furthermore, since the panel heat absorbing heat exchanger 7 is disposed opposite to the light modulation panel 32G, the airflow K heated by the green light modulation panel 32G having high heat generation can be efficiently introduced into the panel heat absorbing heat exchanger 7. Thus, the panel heat absorbing heat exchanger 7 efficiently lowers the temperature of the airflow K, and as a result, the light modulation panel 32G can be efficiently cooled.

[0260] In the case of the present embodiment, a panel heat radiation heat exchanger 8 is further provided, and the panel heat radiation heat exchanger 8 dissipates the heat absorbed by the panel heat absorption heat exchanger 7 .

[0261] According to this structure, the heat absorbing effect of the panel heat absorbing heat exchanger 7 can be maintained.

[0262] Thus, in the closed circulation method in which the airflow K circulates in the housing 10 , the cooling efficiency of each of the light modulation panels 32R, 32G, and 32B can be improved.

[0263] The image forming unit 3 of the present embodiment comprises: a housing 10 which is a sealed structure; light modulation panels 32R, 32G, and 32B which are accommodated in the housing 10; a steam chamber 60 which is provided in the light modulation panel 32G and includes a heat receiving portion 66 which receives heat generated by the light modulation panel 32G; and a heat dissipation portion 65, wherein the image forming unit 3 vaporizes a liquid refrigerant using heat from the heat receiving portion 66 and condenses the refrigerant by heat dissipation from the heat dissipation portion 65; a panel fan 16 which is accommodated in the housing 10 and allows an air flow K to flow through the light modulation panels 32R, 32G, and 32B; a light source unit connection portion 10a which is provided in the housing 10 and connected to the light source unit 2 so that the illumination light WL from the light source unit 2 is incident on the light modulation panel 32R; and a projection optical unit connection portion 10b which is provided in the housing 10 and connected to the projection optical unit 4 so that the light from the light modulation panel 32R is incident on the projection optical unit 4.

[0264] According to the image forming unit 3 of the present embodiment, in the housing 10 having a sealed structure, the airflow K is caused to flow from the panel fan 16 to the light modulation panel 32G provided with the steam chamber 60, thereby efficiently cooling the green light modulation panel 32G with high heat generation. The steam chamber 60 does not require a liquid flow path and an electric drive unit such as in the liquid cooling method, and therefore, it is not necessary to lead out a liquid flow path and wiring outside the housing 10 that seals the image forming unit 3, so the sealed structure of the housing 10 is not complicated. Therefore, assuming that a maintenance operation of replacing the light modulation panel 32G is required, the steam chamber 60 provided in the light modulation panel 32G does not have a flow path and wiring. Therefore, according to the image forming unit 3 of the present embodiment, it is possible to provide an image forming unit of a sealed circulation method with excellent maintainability.

[0265] In the case of the present embodiment, within the outer casing 5, the image forming unit 3, the heat exchanger 9 for light source heat dissipation and the heat exchanger 8 for panel heat dissipation are arranged in one direction, and the outer casing 5 includes an air inlet 51b, an air inlet 52a, an air inlet 56a and an air inlet 56b in the space between the heat exchanger 8 for panel heat dissipation and the image forming unit 3 on the side of the image forming unit 3 facing the heat exchanger 9 for light source heat dissipation and the heat exchanger 8 for panel heat dissipation.

[0266] According to this configuration, the airflow K can be efficiently taken into the exterior case 5 through the air inlets 51b, 52a, 56a, and 56b. This can improve the cooling efficiency of the panel heat exchanger 8 and the light source heat exchanger 9.

[0267] In the case of the present embodiment, the exterior case 5 includes an air inlet 56 b facing the space between the light source heat dissipation heat exchanger 9 and the panel heat dissipation heat exchanger 8 .

[0268] In the case of the present embodiment, the air inlet 51 b and the air inlet 52 a extend to a position facing the space between the light source heat dissipation heat exchanger 9 and the panel heat dissipation heat exchanger 8 .

[0269] According to this configuration, the airflow K can be directly introduced into the light source heat exchanger 9 through the air inlets 51b, 52a, 56b. Thus, the airflow K with a lower temperature is supplied to the light source heat exchanger 9, thereby further improving the cooling efficiency in the light source heat exchanger 9.

[0270] In the present embodiment, the light source heat exchanger 9 and the panel heat exchanger 8 have a flat plate shape and are arranged to overlap each other in the thickness direction of the flat plate.

[0271] According to this structure, the light source heat exchanger 9 and the panel heat exchanger 8 are overlapped in the thickness direction, thereby miniaturizing the storage space of the light source heat exchanger 9 and the panel heat exchanger 8, so that the projector itself can be miniaturized.

[0272] The cooling device 6 of this embodiment has a light source unit 2 and light modulation panels 32R, 32G, and 32B arranged in an outer shell 5; a light source heat absorption heat exchanger 25 that absorbs heat generated by the light source unit 2; a panel heat absorption heat exchanger 7 that absorbs heat generated by the light modulation panels 32R, 32G, and 32B; a light source heat dissipation heat exchanger 9 that dissipates heat transferred from the light source heat absorption heat exchanger 25; a panel heat dissipation heat exchanger 8 that dissipates heat transferred from the panel heat absorption heat exchanger 7; and a heat exchanger fan 17 that conveys airflow to the panel heat exchanger 8 and the light source heat exchanger 9, the panel heat exchanger 8 and the light source heat exchanger 9 overlap in the flow direction of the airflow K, and the airflow K flows from the panel heat exchanger 8 toward the light source heat exchanger 9.

[0273] According to the cooling device 6 of the present embodiment, the light source heat absorbing heat exchanger 25 and the panel heat dissipation heat exchanger 8 overlap in the flow direction of the airflow K, and the airflow K flows from the panel heat dissipation heat exchanger 8 toward the light source heat dissipation heat exchanger 9. Therefore, the fan for flowing the airflow can be shared for the panel heat dissipation heat exchanger 8 and the light source heat dissipation heat exchanger 9. Thus, the cooling performance of the light source unit 2 and the light modulation panels 32R, 32G, 32B can be maintained, and a small cooling device can be provided. Thus, the projector 1 of the present embodiment having the cooling device 6 can maintain the cooling performance of the light source unit 2 and the light modulation panels 32R, 32G, 32B as described above, and achieve miniaturization of the device structure.

[0274] In the present embodiment, the light source heat exchanger 9 and the panel heat exchanger 8 have a flat plate shape and are arranged to overlap each other in the thickness direction of the flat plate.

[0275] According to this structure, the heat exchanger 9 for light source heat dissipation and the heat exchanger 8 for panel heat dissipation are overlapped in the thickness direction, thereby achieving further miniaturization of the cooling device 6.

[0276] (First Modification)

[0277] Next, the first variant of the projector is described. In the projector of this variant, the layout of the components in the outer casing 5 is different from that of the projector 1 of the first embodiment, and the other structures are the same. Below, the layout of the components in the outer casing 5 is mainly described, and the structures that are the same as those in the first embodiment are marked with the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are omitted or simplified.

[0278] Fig.13 It is a diagram schematically showing the layout of each component in the outer casing in this modification.

[0279] like Fig.13 As shown, the power supply unit 14 and the light source unit 2 are arranged on the right side of the +X side relative to the image forming unit 3 in the outer casing 5, and are arranged in sequence in the casing 10 of the image forming unit 3 along the direction in which the image forming section 3A, the panel heat absorbing heat exchanger 7, and the panel fan 16 are arranged in sequence, that is, the front-rear direction Y. That is, in this modified example, the power supply unit 14 is not arranged to overlap with the light source unit 2 in the up-down direction Z.

[0280] According to this modification, the power supply unit 14 and the light source unit 2 are arranged side by side along the front-rear direction Y, so that the size of the outer casing 5 in the horizontal direction X and the vertical direction Z can be suppressed from increasing. Thus, a projector with a small size in the horizontal direction X and the vertical direction Z can be provided.

[0281] (Second Modification)

[0282] Next, a second variation of the projector will be described. In the projector of this variation, the layout of the components in the outer casing 5 is different from that of the projector 1 of the first embodiment, and the other structures are the same. Below, the layout of the components in the outer casing 5 is mainly described, and the same reference numerals are given to the structures that are the same as those in the first embodiment, and their descriptions are omitted or simplified.

[0283] Fig.14 It is a diagram schematically showing the layout of each component in the outer casing in this modification.

[0284] like Fig.14 As shown, the panel heat dissipation heat exchanger 8 of this modified example includes a plurality of radiator bodies 80 as heat dissipation parts. The plurality of radiator bodies 80 include a first radiator body 80a and a second radiator body 80b. The first radiator body 80a is arranged on the other side of the left-right direction X of the image forming unit 3, that is, on the left side of the -X side, similar to the projector 1 of the first embodiment. The second radiator body 80b is arranged on the right side of the one side of the left-right direction X, that is, on the +X side, relative to the image forming unit 3 in the outer casing 5. The first radiator body 80a and the second radiator body 80b are thermally connected to the panel heat absorption heat exchanger 7. In addition, in this modified example, the light source unit 2 and the power supply unit 14 are arranged to overlap each other in the up-down direction Z.

[0285] According to this modification, the radiator bodies 80 constituting the panel heat exchanger 8 are separated in the left-right direction X, thereby miniaturizing the size of each radiator body 80. Thus, by effectively utilizing the space in the outer casing 5, it is possible to suppress the enlargement of the outer casing 5 and improve the cooling performance of the panel heat exchanger 8.

[0286] (Third Modification)

[0287] Next, a third variant of the projector will be described. In the projector of this variant, the layout of the components in the outer casing 5 is different from that of the projector 1 of the first embodiment, and the other structures are the same. Below, the layout of the components in the outer casing 5 is mainly described, and the same reference numerals are given to the structures that are the same as those in the first embodiment, and their descriptions are omitted or simplified.

[0288] Fig.15 It is a diagram schematically showing the layout of each component in the outer casing in this modification.

[0289] like Fig.15As shown, the heat exchanger 9 for heat dissipation of the light source of this modification is arranged on one side of the left-right direction X, that is, on the right side of the +X side, in the outer casing 5 relative to the image forming unit 3. That is, the heat exchanger 9 for heat dissipation of the light source is arranged in the outer casing 5 in the space where the light source unit 2 is located. In addition, in this modification, the light source unit 2 and the power supply unit 14 are arranged to overlap each other in the up-down direction Z.

[0290] According to this variation, the light source heat absorption heat exchanger 25 that absorbs heat from the light source unit 2 and the light source heat dissipation heat exchanger 9 are arranged closely, so that the heat transfer path from the light source heat absorption heat exchanger 25 to the light source heat dissipation heat exchanger 9, that is, the length of the piping for the flow of the heat exchange liquid, can be shortened.

[0291] Therefore, the heat transfer path becomes shorter, thereby improving the cooling efficiency of the light source unit 2. In addition, the heat exchanger 25 for absorbing heat from the light source and the heat exchanger 9 for radiating heat from the light source are centrally arranged in the space on the side of the light source unit 2 in the outer casing 5, thereby simplifying the bypass structure of the supply path for the heat exchange liquid between the heat exchanger 25 for absorbing heat from the light source and the heat exchanger 9 for radiating heat from the light source.

[0292] (Fourth Modification)

[0293] Next, a fourth variation of the projector will be described. The projector of this variation is different from the projector 1 of the first embodiment in that it has four panel fans 16 instead of three, and the other structures are the same. Below, the structure of the duct in the case where there are four panel fans 16 is mainly described, and the same reference numerals are given to the structures that are the same as those in the first embodiment, and their descriptions are omitted or simplified.

[0294] Fig.16 1 is a diagram showing the structure of the panel fan 16 and the duct 115 in this modification.

[0295] like Fig.16 As shown, in this modification, the plurality of panel fans 16 include a first fan 16a, a second fan 16b, a third fan 16c, and a fourth fan 16d. A plurality of the fans 16a, 16b, 16d, and 16c are arranged along the panel heat absorbing heat exchanger 7 in the left-right direction X. The duct 115 includes a first duct portion 115a, a second duct portion 115b, a third duct portion 115c, and a fourth duct portion 115d.

[0296] The first duct portion 115a has a supply port 115a1 for supplying the airflow from the first fan 16a toward the light modulation panel 32R, and a supply port 115a2 for supplying a part of the airflow K from the first fan 16a toward the uniform illumination optical system 30. The second duct portion 115b has a supply port 115b1 for supplying the airflow from the second fan 16b to the light modulation panel 32G.

[0297] The third duct portion 115c has a supply port 115c1 for supplying the airflow from the third fan 16c to the light modulation panel 32B. The fourth duct portion 115d separates the airflow from the fourth fan 16d into two parts through the partition wall 116, and makes one of the separated airflows merge at the supply port 115c1 of the third duct portion 115c, and makes the other separated airflow merge at the supply port 115b1 of the second duct portion 115b.

[0298] Thus, according to this modification, the airflow from the second fan 16b and a part of the airflow from the fourth fan 16d are supplied to the light modulation panel 32G having a high heat generation, thereby efficiently cooling the light modulation panel 32G. In addition, the airflow from the third fan 16c and a part of the airflow from the fourth fan 16d are supplied to the light modulation panel 32B into which light with high energy is incident, thereby efficiently reducing the temperature of the light modulation panel 32B, thereby extending the panel life.

[0299] (Fifth Modification)

[0300] Next, a fifth modification of the projector will be described. In the projector of this modification, the structure of the light modulation panel 32G provided with the vapor chamber 60 is different from that of the projector 1 of the first embodiment, and the other structures are the same. In the following, the difference in the structure of the light modulation panel 32G is mainly described, and the same reference numerals are given to the structures that are the same as those of the first embodiment, and their description is omitted or simplified.

[0301] Fig.17 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a light modulation panel 32G in this modification.

[0302] like Fig.17 As shown, in the light modulation panel 32G of this modified example, the heat dissipation portion 65 of the steam chamber 160 is provided on the -Z side of the opening portion 64 formed in the main body portion 60A of the steam chamber 160. A heat dissipation member 60B is provided on the surface on the +Y side of the heat dissipation portion 65. In this modified example, the heat dissipation portion 65 of the steam chamber 160 is located upstream of the airflow K flowing out from the panel fan 16 relative to the light modulation panel 32G.

[0303] According to this structure, the airflow K first cools the heat dissipation portion 65, so the condensation of the refrigerant in the steam chamber 160 can be promoted compared to the case where the airflow K first cools the panel body 41. Therefore, the steam chamber 160 of this modification can further improve the cooling performance.

[0304] (Sixth Modification)

[0305] In addition, the position where the heat dissipation portion 65 is provided in the steam chamber 60 is not limited to the above case.

[0306] Fig.18 3 is a diagram showing the structure of a light modulation panel 32G in this modification.

[0307] like Fig.18 As shown, in the light modulation panel 32G of the present modification, the vapor chamber 260 is provided with the heat dissipation portion 65 on both the −Z side and the +Z side with respect to the opening portion 64 .

[0308] Heat dissipation components 60B are provided on the surfaces of the +Y side of the heat dissipation portion 65. According to the steam chamber 260 of this structure, the heat dissipation portion 65 is located on both sides of the upwind and downwind of the airflow K, so that the evaporation and condensation of the refrigerant can be promoted in the steam chamber 260. Therefore, according to this modification, the steam chamber 260 with further improved cooling performance can be provided.

[0309] In addition, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment and modified examples, and various changes can be added within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0310] For example, in the above-mentioned embodiment and modification, the steam chamber 60 is provided for the light modulation panel 32G having a high heat generation among the light modulation panels 32R, 32G, and 32B, but the steam chamber 60 may also be provided for the light modulation panel 32B. High-energy light is incident on the light modulation panel 32B from the light source unit 2 in a short wavelength band, and therefore, the light modulation panel 32B needs to have improved light resistance compared to other light modulation panels. Therefore, by providing the steam chamber 60 for the light modulation panel 32B instead of the light modulation panel 32G or simultaneously with the light modulation panel 32G, the light resistance of the light modulation panel 32B is improved, thereby extending the life of the light modulation panel 32B.

[0311] Furthermore, the vapor chamber 60 may be provided for the light modulation panel 32R in addition to the light modulation panels 32G and 32B. That is, the vapor chamber 60 may be provided for all the light modulation panels 32R, 32G, and 32B, thereby improving the cooling performance of each panel.

[0312] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment and modified example, the steam chamber 60 is provided for the light modulation panel 32G having a high heat generation among the light modulation panels 32R, 32G, and 32B, but the light modulation panel 32G may be cooled by using a liquid cooling device that circulates a heat exchange liquid around the panel body instead of the steam chamber 60. In addition to the light modulation panel 32G, the light modulation panels 32R and 32B may be cooled by using a liquid cooling device, thereby improving the cooling performance of each panel.

[0313] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment and modified example, the case where the airflow K flows from the panel heat dissipation heat exchanger 8 toward the light source heat dissipation heat exchanger 9 is exemplified, however, the airflow K may also flow from the light source heat dissipation heat exchanger 9 toward the panel heat dissipation heat exchanger 8. That is, the light source heat dissipation heat exchanger 9 may also be arranged closer to the image forming unit 3 than the panel heat dissipation heat exchanger 8.

[0314] In this case, the surface area of ​​the light source heat dissipation heat exchanger 9 may be larger than the plane area of ​​the panel heat dissipation heat exchanger 8. According to this structure, by increasing the surface area of ​​the light source heat dissipation heat exchanger 9 disposed on the upwind side of the airflow K, a sufficient cooling effect for high-temperature heat can be obtained. Thus, the high-temperature heat transferred from the light source unit 2 can be efficiently cooled.

[0315] Furthermore, specific structures such as the number, arrangement, shape, and material of various components constituting the projector and the image forming unit are not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be appropriately changed.

[0316] The projector according to the embodiment of the present invention may have the following structure.

[0317] A projector according to one embodiment of the present invention includes: a light source unit that emits illumination light; an image forming unit that includes a light modulation panel that modulates the illumination light from the light source unit according to image information to generate image light; a projection optical unit that projects the image light generated by the image forming unit; a panel fan that delivers airflow to the light modulation panel; a first heat exchanger that absorbs heat from the airflow heated by the light modulation panel; an image forming unit that is formed by arranging the image forming unit, the first heat exchanger, and the panel fan in sequence and accommodating them in a housing; a second heat exchanger that dissipates heat absorbed by the first heat exchanger; and an outer housing that accommodates at least the light source unit, the image forming unit, and the second heat exchanger and constitutes an outer housing. The light source unit is arranged on one side of the first direction relative to the image forming unit in the outer housing, and the second heat exchanger is arranged on the other side of the first direction relative to the image forming unit in the outer housing.

[0318] In the projector according to one aspect of the present invention, the first heat exchanger may be arranged in a housing of the image forming unit so as to partition a storage portion for the image forming portion and a storage portion for the panel fan.

[0319] In a projector of one embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of panel fans may be arranged along the first heat exchanger, and airflows from the plurality of panel fans may flow through the light modulation panel of the image forming unit via ducts provided between the first heat exchanger and the image forming unit and the outer shell.

[0320] In a projector of one embodiment of the present invention, the light modulation panel is composed of a plurality of liquid crystal panels, the plurality of liquid crystal panels include a red liquid crystal panel, a green liquid crystal panel and a blue liquid crystal panel, the plurality of panel fans include at least a first fan, a second fan and a third fan, and the duct includes a first flow path portion for allowing the airflow from the first fan to flow through the red liquid crystal panel, a second flow path portion for allowing the airflow from the second fan to flow through the green liquid crystal panel, and a third flow path portion for allowing the airflow from the third fan to flow through the blue liquid crystal panel.

[0321] In the projector according to one aspect of the present invention, the plurality of panel fans may further include a fourth fan, and the duct may further include a fourth flow path portion that allows airflow from the fourth fan to flow through the green liquid crystal panel and the blue liquid crystal panel.

[0322] In a projector according to one embodiment of the present invention, the image forming unit, the first heat exchanger, and the panel fan may be arranged in a second direction along the optical axis of the projection optical unit in a housing of the image forming unit, and the second heat exchanger may extend along the second direction.

[0323] In the projector according to one aspect of the present invention, the second heat exchanger may include a plurality of heat dissipating portions, and a part of the plurality of heat dissipating portions may be arranged on one side in the first direction with respect to the image forming unit in the exterior casing.

[0324] In a projector of one embodiment of the present invention, the projector can also be configured to further include: a third heat exchanger that absorbs heat from the light source unit; and a fourth heat exchanger that dissipates heat absorbed by the third heat exchanger, and the fourth heat exchanger is arranged on the other side of the first direction relative to the image forming unit in the outer casing.

[0325] In a projector of one embodiment of the present invention, the projector can also be configured to further include: a third heat exchanger that absorbs heat from the light source unit; and a fourth heat exchanger that dissipates heat absorbed by the third heat exchanger, and the fourth heat exchanger is arranged on one side of the first direction relative to the image forming unit in the outer casing.

[0326] In a projector of one embodiment of the present invention, the outer shell includes: an air intake wall portion, which has an air intake port facing the space between the image forming unit and the second heat exchanger; and an exhaust wall portion, which has an exhaust port opposite to the second heat exchanger. The projector also has a heat exchanger fan, which is arranged between the second heat exchanger and the exhaust wall portion of the outer shell. The heat exchanger fan allows the airflow sucked from the air intake port to flow to the exhaust port via the second heat exchanger.

[0327] The projector according to one aspect of the present invention may further include a power supply unit that supplies power to the light source unit and the image forming unit, and the power supply unit may be arranged on one side in the first direction relative to the image forming unit in the outer casing.

[0328] In the projector according to one aspect of the present invention, the power supply unit and the light source unit may be arranged in sequence in the housing of the image forming unit along a direction in which the image forming section, the first heat exchanger, and the panel fan are arranged in sequence.

[0329] In the projector according to one aspect of the present invention, the power supply unit may be arranged in the outer casing so as to overlap with at least a portion of the light source unit in a third direction intersecting the direction along the optical axis of the projection optical unit and the first direction.

[0330] In the projector according to one aspect of the present invention, the first direction may be a direction intersecting the projection optical unit.

[0331] In a projector of one embodiment of the present invention, the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger can be connected by an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe, and the inlet pipe flows the heat exchange liquid from the second heat exchanger arranged outside the shell of the image forming unit to the first heat exchanger arranged inside the shell, and the outlet pipe flows the heated heat exchange liquid out from the first heat exchanger to the second heat exchanger.

[0332] In the projector according to one aspect of the present invention, the heated heat-exchange liquid flowing out from the first heat exchanger to the second heat exchanger may be sent to the second heat exchanger via a reservoir tank disposed outside the casing.

Claims

1. A projector, characterized in that: It has: a light source unit that emits illumination light; an image forming section including a light modulation panel for modulating the illumination light from the light source unit according to image information to generate image light; a projection optical unit that projects the image light generated by the image forming section; a panel fan that delivers airflow to the light modulation panel; a first heat exchanger that absorbs heat from the airflow heated by the light modulation panel; An image forming unit, which is formed by arranging the image forming portion, the first heat exchanger, and the panel fan in this order and accommodating them in a housing; a second heat exchanger for dissipating heat absorbed by the first heat exchanger; and an outer casing that accommodates at least the light source unit, the image forming unit, and the second heat exchanger and constitutes an outer casing, The light source unit is arranged in the outer casing on one side of the image forming unit in a first direction intersecting with the optical axis of the projection optical unit. The second heat exchanger is arranged in the outer casing on the other side of the image forming unit in the first direction. The image forming unit includes a first storage space for storing the panel fan and a second storage space for storing the image forming section in the housing. The panel fans are arranged in plurality along the first heat exchanger. The airflow of the plurality of panel fans flows from the first storage space to the light modulation panel of the image forming unit via the duct provided in the second storage space. The first heat exchanger is disposed above the duct in the housing of the image forming unit so as to partition the first housing space and the second housing space.

2. The projector according to claim 1, characterized in that The light modulation panel is composed of a plurality of liquid crystal panels. The plurality of liquid crystal panels include a red liquid crystal panel, a green liquid crystal panel, and a blue liquid crystal panel. The plurality of panel fans include at least a first fan, a second fan, and a third fan. The duct includes a first flow path portion for allowing the airflow from the first fan to flow to the red liquid crystal panel, a second flow path portion for allowing the airflow from the second fan to flow to the green liquid crystal panel, and a third flow path portion for allowing the airflow from the third fan to flow to the blue liquid crystal panel.

3. The projector according to claim 2, characterized in that: The plurality of panel fans further include a fourth fan, The duct further includes a fourth flow path portion that allows the airflow from the fourth fan to flow toward the green liquid crystal panel and the blue liquid crystal panel.

4. The projector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: In the housing of the image forming unit, the image forming section, the first heat exchanger, and the panel fan are arranged in a second direction along the optical axis of the projection optical unit. The second heat exchanger extends along the second direction.

5. The projector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The second heat exchanger includes a plurality of heat dissipating parts. A part of the plurality of heat dissipating portions is arranged in the exterior casing on one side in the first direction relative to the image forming unit.

6. The projector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The projector also includes: a third heat exchanger that absorbs heat from the light source unit; and a fourth heat exchanger for dissipating the heat absorbed by the third heat exchanger, The fourth heat exchanger is arranged in the outer casing on the other side of the image forming unit in the first direction.

7. The projector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The projector also includes: a third heat exchanger that absorbs heat from the light source unit; and a fourth heat exchanger for dissipating the heat absorbed by the third heat exchanger, The fourth heat exchanger is arranged in the outer casing on one side in the first direction relative to the image forming unit.

8. The projector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The outer casing comprises: an air intake wall having an air intake port facing a space between the image forming unit and the second heat exchanger; and an exhaust wall portion having an exhaust port facing the second heat exchanger, The projector further includes a heat exchanger fan, the heat exchanger fan being arranged between the second heat exchanger and the exhaust wall portion of the outer casing. The heat exchanger fan causes the airflow sucked from the air inlet to flow toward the air outlet via the second heat exchanger.

9. The projector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The projector further includes a power supply unit that supplies power to the light source unit and the image forming unit. The power supply unit is arranged in the outer casing on one side in the first direction relative to the image forming unit.

10. The projector according to claim 9, characterized in that The power supply unit and the light source unit are sequentially arranged in the housing of the image forming unit along a direction in which the image forming portion, the first heat exchanger, and the panel fan are sequentially arranged.

11. The projector according to claim 9, characterized in that: The power supply unit is disposed in the outer casing so as to overlap with at least a portion of the light source unit in a third direction intersecting the direction along the optical axis of the projection optical unit and the first direction.

Images