projector

Abstract

Projector. A projector capable of miniaturizing a device structure and achieving high sound quality is provided. The projector of the invention is provided with a light source device, an image forming device that generates image light in accordance with light emitted from the light source device, a projection optical device that projects the image light emitted from the image forming device, a first sound wave generating device that emits a first sound wave, and a second sound wave generating device that is provided independently of the first sound wave generating device, emits a second sound wave, the first sound wave generating device has a first speaker that emits the first sound wave and a speaker housing that supports the first speaker, the second sound wave generating device is not supported by the speaker housing and has a second speaker that emits the second sound wave, a first direction in which the first sound wave is emitted by the first sound wave generating device and a second direction in which the second sound wave is emitted by the second sound wave generating device are different from a projection direction of the image light in the projection optical device, and an angle formed by the first direction and the second direction is 90 degrees or more.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to projectors. Background Technology

[0002] Previously, projectors with speakers housed within an outer casing were known (for example, see Patent Document 1 below). In the aforementioned projector, the speaker is located on the back side, opposite to the front side of the projected image.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2024-158962

[0004] In the aforementioned projector, the speaker unit located on the rear side has a size corresponding to the entire rear area of ​​the outer casing, thus posing a problem of projector enlargement. Therefore, there is a need for a new technology that can achieve high sound quality while miniaturizing the device structure. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the aforementioned issues, according to one aspect of the present invention, a projector is provided, comprising: a light source device; an image forming apparatus that generates image light based on light emitted from the light source device; a projection optics device that projects the image light emitted from the image forming apparatus; a first sound wave generating device that emits a first sound wave; and a second sound wave generating device that is independently disposed from the first sound wave generating device and emits a second sound wave, wherein the first sound wave generating device has a first loudspeaker emitting the first sound wave and a loudspeaker housing supporting the first loudspeaker, and the second sound wave generating device is not supported by the loudspeaker housing and has a second loudspeaker emitting the second sound wave, wherein a first direction in which the first sound wave is emitted by the first sound wave generating device and a second direction in which the second sound wave is emitted by the second sound wave generating device are respectively different from the projection direction of the image light in the projection optics device, and the angle formed by the first direction and the second direction is 90 degrees or more. Attached Figure Description

[0006] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of a projector according to one implementation method.

[0007] Figure 2 This is a perspective view showing the main parts of the mounting structure of the first loudspeaker unit.

[0008] Figure 3 Based on Figure 1 A sectional view taken along line III-III.

[0009] Figure 4 This is a top view showing the main structural components of the bottom wall section.

[0010] Label Explanation

[0011] 46: Bottom wall portion; 48: First opening portion; 48a: First opening portion; 49: Second opening portion; 49a: Second opening portion; 100: Projector; 110: Light source device; 120: Image forming device; 130: Projection optical device; 140: Outer housing; 150: First loudspeaker device (first sound wave generating device); 151: First loudspeaker; 152: Subwoofer output unit; 153: Loudspeaker housing; 154: Bushing component; 160: Second loudspeaker device (second sound wave generating device); 161: Second loudspeaker; 170: Cooling device; 173: Pipe component; 173a: Side wall; GW: Image light; K: Cooling air; S1, S2: Gap; SW1: First sound wave; SW2: Second sound wave. Detailed Implementation

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, in the drawings used in the following description, for ease of understanding, some characteristic parts are sometimes shown enlarged for convenience, and the dimensional ratios of the structural elements are not necessarily the same as actual dimensions.

[0013] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of the projector 100 according to this embodiment.

[0014] like Figure 1 As shown, the projector 100 of this embodiment includes a light source device 110, an image forming device 120, a projection optical device 130, an outer housing 140, a first speaker device (first sound wave generating device) 150, a second speaker device (second sound wave generating device) 160, and a cooling device 170.

[0015] The XYZ coordinate system shown in the accompanying drawings will sometimes be used to illustrate the configuration of the components. In the drawings, the Y-axis is the axis along the direction in which the projector 100 projects the image. The X-axis is the axis perpendicular to the Y-axis and is the axis along the width direction of the surface on which the projected image is projected, i.e., the screen SCR. The Z-axis is perpendicular to both the X and Y axes and is the axis along the normal to the surface on which the projector 100 is set.

[0016] In this embodiment, for example, the two directions along the Z-axis are collectively referred to as the "vertical direction Z" of the projector 100, the direction towards the +Z direction is called the "upper side", and the direction towards the -Z direction is called the "lower side". Similarly, the two directions along the X-axis are collectively referred to as the "left-right direction X" of the projector 100, the direction towards the +X direction is called the "right side", and the direction towards the -X direction is called the "left side". Additionally, sometimes the two directions along the Y-axis are collectively referred to as the "front-back direction Y" of the projector 100, the direction towards the +Y direction is called the "front side", and the direction towards the -Y direction is called the "rear side".

[0017] In this embodiment, the vertical direction Z, the front-back direction Y, and the left-right direction X are merely names used to describe the configuration relationship of the components of the projector 100, and do not specify the actual setting posture or orientation of the projector 100.

[0018] The outer housing 140 has a generally rectangular shape and is a hollow, box-shaped component. The outer housing 140 internally houses the light source device 110, the image forming device 120, the projection optics device 130, the first speaker device 150, the second speaker device 160, and the cooling device 170.

[0019] The outer casing 140 has a front side wall 41, a top wall 42, a right side wall 43, a left side wall 44, a rear side wall 45, and a bottom wall 46. Furthermore, in Figure 1 In order to show the internal structure of the outer casing 140, the top wall portion 42 is shown as a transparent part.

[0020] In the outer casing 140, the front side wall 41 is a plate located in the front of the front of the front Y direction, i.e., in the +Y direction; the top wall 42 is a plate located in the upper of the vertical Z direction, i.e., in the +Z direction; the right side wall 43 is a plate located in the right of the left X direction, i.e., in the +X direction; the left side wall 44 is a plate located in the left of the left of the left X direction, i.e., in the -X direction; the rear side wall 45 is a plate located in the rear of the front Y direction, i.e., in the -Y direction; and the bottom wall 46 is a plate located in the lower of the vertical Z direction, i.e., in the -Z direction.

[0021] The front sidewall 41 is a wall portion facing the projection surface, i.e., the screen SCR, from which the image is projected from the projector 100. The front sidewall 41 and the rear sidewall 45 are arranged parallel to the XZ plane and are arranged in a mutually opposing manner. The rear sidewall 45 faces the side opposite to the front sidewall 41 in the front-rear direction Y along the Y-axis.

[0022] The right wall portion 43 and the left wall portion 44 are arranged parallel to the YZ plane and are positioned opposite each other. The right wall portion 43 and the left wall portion 44 face opposite sides in the left-right direction X along the X-axis perpendicular to the Y-axis.

[0023] The top wall portion 42 and the bottom wall portion 46 are arranged parallel to the XY plane and are arranged opposite to each other. The top wall portion 42 and the bottom wall portion 46 face opposite sides in the vertical direction Z along the Z axis, which is perpendicular to the X and Y axes.

[0024] In this embodiment, the projector 100 is configured such that the bottom wall portion 46 of the outer casing 140 faces the projector mounting surface, such as the upper surface of a worktable. That is, the top wall portion 42 is located on the opposite side of the bottom wall portion 46 that faces the projector mounting surface.

[0025] The front side wall portion 41, the right side wall portion 43, and the left side wall portion 44 are arranged perpendicularly to the top wall portion 42. The front side wall portion 41, the right side wall portion 43, and the left side wall portion 44 are arranged perpendicularly to the bottom wall portion 46.

[0026] The light source device 110 includes a blue light emitting section 110B that emits blue light LB, a green light emitting section 110G that emits green light LG, and a red light emitting section 110R that emits red light LR. The blue light emitting section 110B includes, for example, a light-emitting element that emits blue light LB in the blue wavelength band of 420 nm to 500 nm and a parallelizing element that parallelizes the blue light LB. The green light emitting section 110G includes, for example, a light-emitting element that emits green light LG in the green wavelength band of 500 nm to 600 nm and a parallelizing element that parallelizes the green light LG. The red light emitting section 110R includes, for example, a light-emitting element that emits red light LR in the red wavelength band of 610 nm to 700 nm and a parallelizing element that parallelizes the red light LR.

[0027] The image forming apparatus 120 includes a blue light modulation unit 120B, a green light modulation unit 120G, a red light modulation unit 120R, and a light synthesis optical system 121.

[0028] The blue light modulation unit 120B comprises a liquid crystal panel 120BP and a polarizing plate (not shown), which are respectively disposed on the incident side and the emission side of the liquid crystal panel 120BP. The blue light modulation unit 120B modulates the blue light LB incident from the blue light emission unit 110B according to the image signal.

[0029] The green light modulation unit 120G consists of a liquid crystal panel 120GP and a polarizing plate (not shown), which is disposed on the incident side and the emission side of the liquid crystal panel 120GP. The green light modulation unit 120G modulates the green light LG incident from the green light emission unit 110G according to the image signal.

[0030] The red light modulation unit 120R consists of a liquid crystal panel 120RP and a polarizing plate (not shown), which is disposed on the incident side and the emission side of the liquid crystal panel 120RP, respectively. The red light modulation unit 120R modulates the red light LR incident from the red light emission unit 110R according to the image signal.

[0031] The light-combining optical system 121 is composed of a generally cubic cross-shaped dichroic prism. The light-combining optical system 121 generates a full-color image light GW that combines the image lights of each color from the light modulation units 120B, 120G, and 120R. Thus, the image forming apparatus 120 emits the combined full-color image light into the projection optical device 130.

[0032] The projection optics 130 magnifies and projects the image light GW emitted from the image forming apparatus 120 onto the screen SCR. By projecting light from the projection optics 130, a magnified color image is displayed on the screen SCR. The projection optics 130 includes a plurality of projection lenses (not shown). Furthermore, the number of projection lenses constituting the projection optics 130 is not limited.

[0033] In this embodiment, the projection optical device 130 is disposed on the front side wall portion 41 of the outer housing 140. In this embodiment, the front end surface of the projection optical device 130 protrudes beyond the surface of the front side wall portion 41 of the outer housing 140, but it may also be coplanar with the surface of the front side wall portion 41 of the outer housing 140 or located inside the surface of the front side wall portion 41 of the outer housing 140.

[0034] In the projector 100 of this embodiment, a heat-generating component that generates heat during operation is housed inside the outer casing 140. In this embodiment, examples of heat-generating components include the light emitting sections 110B, 110G, and 110R of each color from the light source device 110, and the light modulation sections 120B, 120G, and 120R of the image forming apparatus 120.

[0035] The cooling device 170 includes a first fan 171, a second fan 172, a pipe component 173, a first heat dissipation component 174, and a second heat dissipation component 175.

[0036] The first fan 171 draws cooling air K into the main storage area A1 within the outer casing 140. The main storage area A1 houses the light source device 110 and the image forming apparatus 120, which are the main structural elements of the projector 100. The first fan 171 supplies cooling air K to the light modulation sections 120B, 120G, and 120R of the image forming apparatus 120. Additionally, the first fan 171 supplies cooling air K to a heat dissipation component (not shown) of the blue light emitting section 110B in the light source device 110, which generates less heat.

[0037] The second fan 172 draws cooling air K into the duct component 173 located within the outer casing 140. The duct component 173 guides the cooling air K drawn in by the second fan 172 sequentially to the first heat dissipation component 174 and the second heat dissipation component 175. The cooling air K that has passed through the second heat dissipation component 175 is discharged to the outside through the exhaust opening 145 located on the rear side wall portion 45.

[0038] Furthermore, centrifugal fans, Sirocco fans, etc., can be used as the first fan 171 and the second fan 172.

[0039] In this embodiment, the first heat dissipation component 174 is, for example, a heat sink that is thermally connected to the red light emitting portion 110R of the light source device 110. The second heat dissipation component 175 is disposed after the first heat dissipation component 174, and is, for example, a heat sink that is thermally connected to the green light emitting portion 110G of the light source device 110.

[0040] The first speaker device 150 is arranged opposite to the inner surface of the right side wall portion 43 of the outer casing 140. In this embodiment, the first speaker device 150 is located in the gap S1 between a portion of the side wall 173a of the duct component 173 and the right side wall portion 43. According to this structure, even when the cooling device 170 is provided, by effectively utilizing the space within the outer casing 140, it is possible to suppress the enlargement of the outer casing 140 and even the enlargement of the projector 100.

[0041] The right side wall portion 43, in the portion opposite to the first loudspeaker device 150, has a first loudspeaker opening portion 143 composed of multiple openings. The first loudspeaker opening portion 143 is an opening for extracting the first sound wave SW1 emitted from the first loudspeaker device 150 to the outside. The first loudspeaker opening portion 143 is composed of multiple openings.

[0042] The first loudspeaker assembly 150 includes a first loudspeaker 151, a bass output unit 152, and a loudspeaker housing 153.

[0043] The first loudspeaker 151 is a full-range loudspeaker that emits a first sound wave SW1 encompassing a frequency band from low to high frequencies. The first loudspeaker 151 has a diaphragm 151a and a yoke 151b. The diaphragm 151a includes a first output surface 151M that outputs the first sound wave SW1 through its own vibration. The yoke 151b forms part of the magnetic circuit and functions as a base component supporting the entire first loudspeaker 151. In addition to the structural elements described above, the first loudspeaker 151 also has a voice coil, a magnet, etc., but since it is a typical loudspeaker structure, descriptions are omitted.

[0044] The bass output unit 152 outputs the bass-range frequency band of the first sound wave SW1 emitted by the first speaker 151 from the speaker housing 153. In this embodiment, the bass output unit 152 is composed of a pair of passive radiators 152a. Furthermore, the bass output unit is not limited to passive radiators; for example, a bass-reflex type could also be used. The pair of passive radiators 152a differs from the first speaker 151 in that they only have a diaphragm and no magnetic circuit. Each of the pair of passive radiators 152a includes an output surface 152M for outputting sound waves. The pair of passive radiators 152a are arranged back-to-back with their respective output surfaces 152M facing opposite directions.

[0045] The speaker housing 153 supports the first speaker 151 and a pair of passive radiators 152a. The speaker housing 153 functions as an enclosure that enhances sound quality by covering the back of the first speaker 151. The interior of the speaker housing 153 becomes a sealed space. Therefore, even without a magnetic circuit, the pair of passive radiators 152a function as bass output units that vibrate due to air vibrations generated inside the speaker housing 153 when the first speaker 151 is operating, thereby enhancing and outputting the bass of the first sound wave SW1.

[0046] The first loudspeaker device 150 is disposed inside the outer housing 140 with the output surface 151M of the first output surface 151M and one of the pair of passive radiators 152a facing to the right (+X side). Therefore, the first loudspeaker device 150 emits a first sound wave SW1 in the right direction (+X direction). In this embodiment, the right direction (+X direction) is equivalent to "the first direction".

[0047] Figure 2 This is a perspective view showing the main parts of the mounting structure of the first loudspeaker unit 150 and the outer housing 140.

[0048] like Figure 2 As shown, the speaker housing 153 of the first speaker device 150 is mounted to the outer housing 140 at multiple locations by means of a bushing member 154 mounted on the bushing mounting portion 153a. The bushing member 154 is inserted into a protrusion 46a provided on the bottom wall portion 46, thereby mounting the speaker housing 153 to the bottom wall portion 46.

[0049] The bushing component 154 mounts the first speaker device 150 to the outer housing 140 and functions as an external force absorber that absorbs the vibration of the first speaker device 150. The bushing component 154 is made of an elastic material such as rubber or resin.

[0050] According to this structure, the bushing component 154 can absorb vibrations, particularly in the low-frequency band, of the first sound wave SW1 emitted from the first loudspeaker device 150. Therefore, the generation of noise caused by the vibration of the first loudspeaker device 150 can be suppressed.

[0051] Figure 3 Based on Figure 1 A sectional view taken along line III-III. Figure 4 This is a top view showing the main structural components of the bottom wall section 46.

[0052] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the bottom wall portion 46 of the outer casing 140 has a first opening portion 48 and a second opening portion 49.

[0053] The first opening 48 is composed of a plurality of first openings 48a located opposite the second fan 172, and functions as an air inlet for drawing in the cooling air K drawn in by the second fan 172 into the interior of the outer casing 140. Thus, the cooling air K can be efficiently drawn into the interior of the outer casing 140 through the first opening 48.

[0054] The second opening 49 is composed of a plurality of second openings 49a located opposite the first speaker device 150, and functions as an opening to extract the first sound wave SW1 emitted from the first speaker device 150 to the outside of the outer casing 140. Thus, bass frequencies emitted from the passive radiator 152a, which is located opposite the side wall 173a of the conduit member 173 in the first speaker device 150, can be efficiently extracted to the outside of the outer casing 140 via the second opening 49.

[0055] In addition, such as Figure 4 As shown, the first opening 48 and the second opening 49 are provided on the bottom wall portion 46 in an adjacent manner. According to this structure, the openings of the first opening 48 and the second opening 49 are arranged adjacently and continuously, thus improving the appearance of the bottom wall portion 46, i.e., the design of the projector 100, compared to the case where the openings are arranged irregularly.

[0056] like Figure 1 As shown, the second speaker device 160 is configured to face the inner surface of the left side wall 44 of the outer housing 140. The second speaker device 160 has a second speaker 161. The second speaker 161 is a tweeter that emits a second sound wave SW2, specifically a mid-high frequency band, which is at least in the high-frequency range of the first sound wave SW1 emitted by the first speaker 151.

[0057] The second speaker device 160 does not have a speaker housing, and the second speaker 161 is not supported by the speaker housing 153 of the first speaker device 150. Thus, the second speaker device 160 is not housed in the speaker housing 153 of the first speaker device 150, and the second speaker device 160 is independently disposed of from the first speaker device 150. The second speaker device 160 is smaller than the first speaker device 150.

[0058] The second speaker device 160 is disposed in the gap S2 created between the light source device 110 and the left side wall portion 44 of the outer casing 140. Specifically, the second speaker device 160 is disposed in the dead space created between the left rear corner portion 47R where the left side wall portion 44 and the rear side wall portion 45 of the outer casing 140 are connected and the light source device 110. According to this structure, since the space inside the outer casing 140 is effectively utilized, it is possible to suppress the enlargement of the outer casing 140 and even the enlargement of the projector 100.

[0059] The left side wall portion 44 has a second speaker opening 144 in the portion opposite to the second speaker device 160. The second speaker opening 144 is an opening for extracting the second sound wave SW2 emitted from the second speaker device 160 to the outside. The second speaker opening 144 is composed of multiple openings.

[0060] The second speaker 161 emits a different frequency band, but has the same structure as the first speaker 151, including a second output surface 161M that outputs the second sound wave SW2. The second speaker 161 is fixed to the outer housing 140 via a retaining member (not shown).

[0061] The second speaker device 160 is disposed inside the outer housing 140 with the second output surface 161M facing to the left (-X side). Therefore, the second speaker device 160 emits a second sound wave SW2 in the left direction (-X direction). In this embodiment, the left direction (-X direction) is equivalent to "second direction".

[0062] In the projector 100 of this embodiment, the first direction (+X direction) of the first sound wave SW1 emitted by the first speaker device 150 and the second direction (-X direction) of the second sound wave SW2 emitted by the second speaker device 160 are different from the projection direction of the image light GW in the projection optical device 130, i.e., the front-to-back direction Y. In this embodiment, the first direction (+X direction) and the second direction (-X direction) are perpendicular to the front-to-back direction Y and face opposite directions. Therefore, the angle between the first direction (+X direction) and the second direction (-X direction) is 90 degrees or more, specifically 180 degrees.

[0063] The first sound wave SW1 output from the first output surface 151M mainly contains mid-high frequencies, while the first sound wave SW1 output from the output surface 152M of the passive radiator 152a mainly contains low frequencies. In the first sound wave SW1, the mid-high frequencies are highly directional sound waves, while the low frequencies are weakly directional sound waves.

[0064] Therefore, the mid-high frequencies of the first sound wave SW1 emitted from the first speaker device 150 extend towards the right side (+X side) of the projector 100. Additionally, the bass frequencies of the first sound wave SW1 emitted from the first speaker device 150 have weak directivity, thus extending in all directions around the projector 100. Furthermore, the direction of the emitted sound wave described in this specification can also be referred to as the normal direction of the output surface of the passive radiator.

[0065] Furthermore, the second sound wave SW2 emitted from the second output surface 161M is a highly directional mid-to-high frequency sound wave. Therefore, the second sound wave SW2 emitted from the second speaker device 160 extends to the left side (-X side) of the projector 100.

[0066] Thus, the projector 100 of this embodiment includes: a light source device 110; an image forming apparatus 120 that generates image light based on light emitted from the light source device; a projection optical apparatus 130 that projects the image light GW emitted from the image forming apparatus 120; a first speaker device 150 that emits a first sound wave SW1; and a second speaker device 160 that is independently provided with respect to the first speaker device 150 and emits a second sound wave SW2. The first speaker device 150 has a first speaker 151 that emits the first sound wave SW1 and a speaker housing 153 that supports the first speaker 151. The second speaker device 160 has a second speaker 161 that is not supported by the speaker housing 153 and emits a second sound wave SW2 that includes the mid-high frequencies of the first sound wave. The first direction (+X direction) of the first sound wave SW1 emitted by the first loudspeaker device 150, which is the right direction, and the second direction (-X direction) of the second sound wave SW2 emitted by the second loudspeaker device 160, which is the left direction, are different from the projection direction of the image light GW in the projection optical device 130. The angle between the first direction and the second direction is 90 degrees or more. In this modified example, the angle between the first direction and the second direction is 180 degrees.

[0067] According to the projector 100 of this embodiment, by separately arranging the first speaker device 150 and the second speaker device 160 that emit sound waves from the outer casing 140 in two different directions, the projector 100 can be miniaturized compared to the conventional structure that equips a single large speaker device. Furthermore, since the first speaker device 150 and the second speaker device 160 each emit sound waves in directions different from the projection direction of the image light GW, a projector that balances miniaturization of the device structure and high sound quality can be provided.

[0068] In the projector 100 of this embodiment, a first speaker device 150 and a second speaker device 160 are provided on both sides of the outer casing 140 in the left-right direction X, so that mid-high frequencies can be emitted to both sides in the left-right direction X. In addition, the first speaker device 150 has a bass output unit 152, thereby emitting bass with weak directionality, so that bass can be emitted in all directions of the projector 100.

[0069] Therefore, the projector 100 of this embodiment enables viewers to hear stereo sound covering the entire frequency range from low to mid-high frequencies relative to the surroundings of the projector 100.

[0070] Furthermore, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0071] Furthermore, the specific descriptions of the shape, quantity, arrangement, materials, etc., of each structural element of the speaker device and projector are not limited to the above embodiments and can be appropriately modified. In the above embodiments, the projector of the present invention is exemplified as a projector using a liquid crystal panel, but it is not limited thereto. The projector of the present invention can also be applied to a structure using a digital micromirror device as a light modulation unit. In addition, the projector may not have multiple light modulation units, or it may have only one light modulation unit.

[0072] In the above embodiment, the example given is that the second speaker device 160 does not have a speaker housing but is composed of a single second speaker 161. However, the second speaker device may also have a speaker housing that is independently provided from the first speaker device. That is, the second speaker device may also have a speaker housing that is separate from the speaker housing of the first speaker device. According to this structure, the speaker housing of the second speaker device functions as an outer cover, thereby improving the sound quality of the second speaker.

[0073] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the first speaker device 150 and the second speaker device 160 are arranged in opposite directions in the left-right direction X (the angle between the first direction and the second direction is 180 degrees), but the arrangement of the first speaker device 150 and the second speaker device 160 is not limited to this.

[0074] The first speaker device 150 and the second speaker device 160 only need to have an angle of 90 degrees or more between the first and second directions of the sound waves they emit. For example, the first speaker device 150 can emit a first sound wave SW1 in either the left or right direction X, and the second speaker device 160 can emit a second sound wave SW2 in the rear (-Y) direction of the front-back direction Y. Alternatively, the positions of the first speaker device 150 and the second speaker device 160 can be interchanged. In this case, the output surfaces of the first speaker device 150 and the second speaker device 160 can be set to be inclined relative to the surfaces of the walls of the outer housing 140.

[0075] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the case where the first loudspeaker device 150 is a full-range loudspeaker and the second loudspeaker device 160 is a tweeter emitting mid-high frequencies is taken as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, as long as the second loudspeaker device is set independently relative to the first loudspeaker device, it can be configured as a full-range loudspeaker, not only for mid-high frequencies, but also in the same way as the first loudspeaker device.

[0076] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example is given where the first speaker device 150 emits a first sound wave SW1 to the right (+X direction) and the second speaker device 160 emits a second sound wave SW2 to the left (-X direction). That is, an example is given where the first output surface 151M and the second output surface 161M are arranged perpendicular to the X-axis, but the orientation of the first speaker device 150 and the second speaker device 160 is not limited to this. The first speaker device 150 and the second speaker device 160 can also be configured such that the first output surface 151M and the second output surface 161M are slightly tilted in any direction of the front-back direction Y. For example, when the first output surface 151M and the second output surface 161M are slightly tilted towards the front (+Y side), higher sound quality can be provided to viewers located in front of (+Y side) of the projector. Furthermore, with the first output surface 151M and the second output surface 161M slightly tilted toward the rear (-Y side), higher quality sound can be provided to viewers located on the rear (-Y side) of the projector.

[0077] Alternatively, in the above embodiment, the output surfaces of the first speaker device 150 and the second speaker device 160 may be inclined in the vertical direction Z. That is, they may be inclined relative to the Z-axis within an imaginary plane formed by a surface along the XZ plane.

[0078] The following is a summary published in this note.

[0079] Postscript 1

[0080] A projector comprising: a light source device; an image forming device that generates image light based on light emitted from the light source device; a projection optics device that projects the image light emitted from the image forming device; a first sound wave generating device that emits a first sound wave; and a second sound wave generating device that is independently disposed from the first sound wave generating device and emits a second sound wave, the first sound wave generating device having a first loudspeaker emitting the first sound wave and a loudspeaker housing supporting the first loudspeaker, the second sound wave generating device not supported by the loudspeaker housing having a second loudspeaker emitting the second sound wave, a first direction in which the first sound wave is emitted by the first sound wave generating device and a second direction in which the second sound wave is emitted by the second sound wave generating device are respectively different from the projection direction of the image light in the projection optics device, and the angle formed by the first direction and the second direction is 90 degrees or more.

[0081] According to this projector structure, by independently separating the first and second sound wave generating devices that emit sound waves in two different directions from the outer casing, the projector can be miniaturized compared to the conventional structure that includes a single large speaker device. Furthermore, since the first and second sound wave generating devices each emit sound waves in directions different from the projection direction of the image light, a projector that balances miniaturization of the device structure with high sound quality can be provided.

[0082] Appendix 2

[0083] According to the projector described in Appendix 1, the second sound wave emitted by the second speaker includes at least the high-frequency band of the first sound wave.

[0084] According to this structure, at least high frequencies are emitted from the first and second speakers, thus enabling viewers to hear high-quality stereo sound.

[0085] Appendix 3

[0086] According to the projector described in Appendix 1 or 2, the first direction and the second direction are perpendicular to the projection direction, and the angle between the first direction and the second direction is 180 degrees.

[0087] According to this structure, since a first sound wave generating device and a second sound wave generating device are provided on both sides of the outer casing, sound can be emitted from the outer casing to both sides. Therefore, high-quality sound can be emitted to the surroundings of the projector.

[0088] Appendix 4

[0089] The projector according to any one of Appendices 1 to 3, wherein the first sound wave generating device further comprises a bass output unit that outputs the bass-range frequency band of the first sound wave from the speaker housing.

[0090] According to this structure, the first sound wave generating device can function as a full-range loudspeaker that emits a first sound wave containing low to mid-high frequencies.

[0091] Appendix 5

[0092] The projector according to any one of Appendices 1 to 4, wherein the projector further comprises an outer housing housing the light source device, the image forming device, the projection optics device, the first sound wave generating device and the second sound wave generating device, and the second loudspeaker is supported on the outer housing.

[0093] According to this structure, the projector's structural components are housed inside the outer casing, thus improving the projector's design flexibility compared to a structure where the speakers are exposed outside the outer casing.

[0094] Appendix 6

[0095] According to the projector described in Appendix 5, the second sound wave generating device is located in the gap between the light source device and the outer casing.

[0096] According to this structure, by effectively utilizing the space inside the outer casing, it is possible to suppress the enlargement of the outer casing and even the projector.

[0097] Appendix 7

[0098] According to the projector described in Appendix 5 or 6, the speaker housing of the first sound wave generating device is mounted on the outer housing by means of a vibration-absorbing bushing component.

[0099] According to this structure, the bushing component can absorb vibrations, particularly in the low-frequency band, of the first sound wave emitted from the first sound wave generating device. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the generation of noise caused by the vibration of the first sound wave generating device.

[0100] Postscript 8

[0101] The projector according to any one of Appendices 5 to 7, wherein the projector further comprises a cooling device for drawing cooling air into the interior of the outer housing, the cooling device comprising a duct component for guiding the cooling air, and the first sound wave generating device being located in the gap between a portion of the sidewall of the duct component and the outer housing.

[0102] This structure allows for efficient cooling of heat-generating components housed within the outer casing. Furthermore, even with a cooling system, the size of the projector can be minimized by effectively utilizing the space within the outer casing.

[0103] Postscript 9

[0104] According to the projector described in Appendix 8, the outer casing includes a bottom wall portion having: a first opening for drawing the cooling air into the interior of the outer casing; and a second opening for extracting the first sound wave emitted from the first sound wave generating device, the first opening and the second opening being disposed on the bottom wall portion in an adjacent manner to each other.

[0105] According to this structure, the first opening and the second opening are arranged adjacently and continuously. Therefore, compared with the case of irregular arrangement of openings, the appearance of the bottom wall, that is, the design of the projector, can be improved.

Claims

1. A projector comprising: Light source device; An image forming apparatus that generates image light based on light emitted from the light source device; A projection optical device that projects the image light emitted from the image forming apparatus; A first sound wave generating device that emits a first sound wave; and The second sound wave generating device, which is independently set up from the first sound wave generating device, emits a second sound wave. The first sound wave generating device has a first loudspeaker that emits the first sound wave and a loudspeaker housing that supports the first loudspeaker. The second sound wave generating device is not supported on the speaker housing, and has a second speaker that emits the second sound wave. The first direction in which the first sound wave is emitted by the first sound wave generating device and the second direction in which the second sound wave is emitted by the second sound wave generating device are respectively different from the projection direction of the image light in the projection optical device. The angle between the first direction and the second direction is 90 degrees or more.

2. The projector according to claim 1, wherein, The second sound wave emitted by the second loudspeaker includes at least the high-frequency band of the first sound wave.

3. The projector according to claim 1, wherein, The first direction and the second direction are respectively perpendicular to the projection direction. The angle between the first direction and the second direction is 180 degrees.

4. The projector according to claim 1, wherein, The first sound wave generating device also has a bass output unit that outputs the bass-range frequency band of the first sound wave from the speaker housing.

5. The projector according to claim 1, wherein, The projector also includes an outer housing that houses the light source device, the image forming device, the projection optics device, the first sound wave generating device, and the second sound wave generating device. The second speaker is supported by the outer housing.

6. The projector according to claim 5, wherein, The second sound wave generating device is located in the gap between the light source device and the outer casing.

7. The projector according to claim 5, wherein, The speaker housing of the first sound wave generating device is mounted on the outer housing by means of a vibration-absorbing bushing component.

8. The projector according to claim 5, wherein, The projector also includes a cooling device that draws cooling air into the interior of the outer casing. The cooling device includes ductwork components that guide the cooling air. The first acoustic wave generating device is located in the gap between a portion of the sidewall of the pipe component and the outer housing.

9. The projector according to claim 8, wherein, The outer casing includes a bottom wall portion. The bottom wall portion has: a first opening that draws the cooling air into the interior of the outer casing; and a second opening that extracts the first sound wave emitted from the first sound wave generating device. The first opening and the second opening are provided on the bottom wall in a manner that makes them adjacent to each other.

Images