Image light generation unit and projection-type display device

Abstract

To provide a light composition element, an optical unit, and a projection-type display device that can compose four rays of light with a small-sized configuration.SOLUTION: An image light generation unit comprises: first to third electro-optical devices; and a composing prism having first to third surfaces, an emission surface, a first optical layer that reflects light from the first electro-optical device, a second optical layer that reflects light from a first display area of the third electro-optical device, and a third optical layer that reflects light from a second display area of the third electro-optical device. The first surface is orthogonal to the emission surface, and the second surface is directed opposite to the emission surface and is orthogonal to the first surface. The third surface intersects the second surface and the emission surface. The first optical layer intersects the first and second surfaces and the third optical layer. The second optical layer intersects the second and third surfaces and the first surface and the emission surface. The third optical layer intersects the third surface, the first surface and the emission surface. In the third electro-optical device, images displayed in the first display area and the second display area are mutually inverted images in a first direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image light generation unit and a projection display device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 below discloses a projector that separates blue light into S-polarized light and P-polarized light, modulates it with two liquid crystal panels, and then synthesizes the modulated green image light with a green liquid crystal panel and the modulated red image light with a red liquid crystal panel for the synthesized blue image light.

Prior Art Document

Patent Document

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the projector disclosed in Patent Document 1 above, when synthesizing four lights, a first dichroic prism for synthesizing two blue image lights and a second dichroic prism for synthesizing the blue image light synthesized by the first dichroic prism with the remaining two red and green image lights are required. However, using the first dichroic prism requires optical members for adjusting the focus and the like in the optical paths of the red and green image lights, resulting in a problem of an increase in the size of the optical system. Therefore, it is desired to provide a new light synthesizing element that can synthesize four lights with a small configuration.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first electro-optical device that emits first image light, a second electro-optical device that emits second image light different from the first image light, a first display area that emits third image light different from the first image light and the second image light, and a second display area that emits fourth image light different from the first image light, the second image light, and the third image light. A third electro-optical device including: a first surface on which the first image light is incident; a second surface on which the second image light is incident; a third surface on which the third image light and the fourth image light are incident; an emission surface that emits the first image light, the second image light, the third image light, and the fourth image light; a first optical layer that transmits the second image light and the third image light and reflects the first image light; a second optical layer that transmits the first image light and the second image light and reflects the third image light; and a third optical layer that transmits the first image light, the second image light, and the third image light and reflects the fourth image light. A composite prism having: the first surface is orthogonal to the emission surface, the second surface faces the opposite side of the emission surface and is orthogonal to the first surface, one end of the third surface intersects the second surface, the other end intersects the emission surface, one end of the surface forming the first optical layer intersects the first surface and the second surface, and the other end intersects the surface forming the third optical layer. One end of the surface forming the second optical layer intersects the second surface and the third surface, and the other end intersects the first surface and the emission surface. One end of the surface forming the third optical layer intersects the third surface, and the other end intersects the first surface and the emission surface. In the third electro-optical device, the first display area and the second display area are provided side by side in a first direction, and a first image displayed by the third image light in the first display area is an image obtained by inverting a second image displayed by the fourth image light in the second display area in the first direction. An image light generation unit is provided.

[0006] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a projection display device including the image light generation unit according to the first aspect and a projection optical system that projects the light emitted from the image light generation unit.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the drawings used in the following description may show the characteristic parts enlarged for the sake of easy understanding of the characteristics, and the dimensional ratios of the respective components are not necessarily the same as the actual ones.

[0009] (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the projection display device of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the projection display device 100 of the present embodiment includes an image light generation unit (optical unit) 10 and a projection optical system 110 that projects the light emitted from the image light generation unit 10.

[0010] The image light generation unit 10 includes a first display device (first electro-optical device) 11, a second display device (second electro-optical device) 12, a third display device (third electro-optical device) 13, and a synthesis prism 15.

[0011] The first display device 11 emits red image light LR (first image light). The red image light LR is polarized light that enters the synthesis prism 15 as P-polarized light. The first display device 11 includes a backlight (light source) 110, a first liquid crystal panel 111, an incident polarizing plate 112, and an emission polarizing plate (polarizing element) 113. The incident polarizing plate 112 and the emission polarizing plate 113 are configured such that their transmission axes are orthogonal to each other (crossed Nicol arrangement), for example. Based on such a configuration, the first display device 11 can emit light that is P-polarized light with respect to the synthesis prism 15 as the red image light LR. That is, the first display device 11 can generate light having a predetermined color light and a predetermined polarization direction as the red image light LR.

[0012] The second display device 12 emits green image light LG (second image light) having a color different from that of the red image light LR. The green image light LG is polarized light that enters the synthesis prism 15 as P-polarized light. The second display device 12 has substantially the same configuration as the first display device 11, except that the color of the emitted image light is different. The second display device 12 of the present embodiment includes a backlight (light source) 120, a second liquid crystal panel 121, an incident polarizing plate 122, and an emission polarizing plate (polarizing element) 123. Based on such a configuration, the second display device 12 can emit light that is P-polarized light with respect to the synthesis prism 15 as the green image light LG. That is, the second display device 12 can generate light having a predetermined color light and a predetermined polarization direction as the green image light LG.

[0013] The third display device 13 emits blue image light LBp (third image light) having a color different from that of the red image light LR and the green image light LG, and blue image light LBs (fourth image light) having a color different from that of the red image light LR, the green image light LG, and the blue image light LBp. The blue image light LBp is polarized light that enters the synthesis prism 15 as P-polarized light, and the blue image light LBs is polarized light that enters the synthesis prism 15 as S-polarized light. The blue image light LBp and the blue image light LBs are orthogonal to each other in their polarization directions. That is, the third display device 13 can generate light having a predetermined color light and a predetermined polarization direction as the blue image light LBp and the blue image light LBs.

[0014] The third display device 13 includes a first display area 13A that emits blue image light LBp and a second display area 13B that emits blue image light LBs. The third display device 13 of the present embodiment has a backlight (light source) 135, a third liquid crystal panel 131, a first incident polarizing plate 132a, a second incident polarizing plate 132b, a first emission polarizing plate (polarizing element) 133a, and a second emission polarizing plate (polarizing element) 133b.

[0015] The third liquid crystal panel 131 includes a first pixel region 131a that constitutes the first display area 13A together with the first incident polarizing plate 132a and the first emission polarizing plate 133a, and a second pixel region 131b that constitutes the second display area 13B together with the second incident polarizing plate 132b and the second emission polarizing plate 133b. In the third liquid crystal panel 131, the first display area 13A and the second display area 13B have the same size. Also, the first display area 13A and the second display area 13B have the same size as each of the display area that emits red image light LR in the first display device 11 and the display area that emits green image light LG in the second display device 12. That is, the size of the third liquid crystal panel 131 is at least twice or more the size of the first liquid crystal panel 111 and the second liquid crystal panel 121.

[0016] Specifically, the first incident polarizing plate 132a is provided on the light incident side of the first pixel region 131a of the third liquid crystal panel 131, and the first emission polarizing plate 133a is provided on the light emission side of the first pixel region 131a of the third liquid crystal panel 131. The first incident polarizing plate 132a and the first emission polarizing plate 133a are arranged such that their light transmission axes are orthogonal to each other.

[0017] The second incident polarizing plate 132b is provided on the light incident side of the second pixel region 131b of the third liquid crystal panel 131, and the second emission polarizing plate 133b is provided on the light emission side of the second pixel region 131b of the third liquid crystal panel 131. The second incident polarizing plate 132b and the second emission polarizing plate 133b are arranged such that their light transmission axes are orthogonal to each other.

[0018] In the third display device 13, the first incident polarizing plate 132a and the second incident polarizing plate 132b are arranged such that their light transmission axes are orthogonal to each other. Based on such a configuration, the third display device 13 can emit blue image light LBp and blue image light LBs having the same color and different polarization directions from the first display area 13A and the second display area 13B.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the third liquid crystal panel 131. In FIG. 2, the horizontal direction of the third liquid crystal panel 131 is defined as the X direction, and the vertical direction of the third liquid crystal panel 131 is defined as the Y direction.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, on the substrate 130 of the third liquid crystal panel 131, a first pixel region 131a, a second pixel region 131b, a non-pixel region 131c, and a drive circuit 35 are provided. The non-pixel region 131c is composed of a peripheral region 29 and a mounting region 30.

[0021] The first pixel region 131a is a rectangular region in which a plurality of first pixels PX1 are arranged in a matrix, and constitutes the first display area 13A of the third display device 13. In the first pixel region 131a, a plurality of first scanning lines 31a extending in the X direction and a plurality of data lines 33 extending in the Y direction intersecting the X direction are provided.

[0022] The first pixel PX1 is a region corresponding to the intersection of a plurality of first scanning lines 31a and a plurality of data lines 33. Therefore, the plurality of first pixels PX1 are arranged in a matrix in the X direction and the Y direction. The first pixel PX1 corresponds to the minimum unit display area that is turned on or off corresponding to the image data of one pixel in the blue image light LBp.

[0023] The second pixel region 131b is a rectangular region in which a plurality of second pixels PX2 are arranged in a matrix, and constitutes the second display region 13B of the third display device 13. The second pixel region 131b has the same configuration as the first pixel region 131a. The second pixel region 131b is provided adjacent to the upper side (+Y side) in the vertical direction (Y direction) of the first pixel region 131a. That is, in the third display device 13, the first display region 13A and the second display region 13B are provided side by side in the Y direction (the first direction).

[0024] Note that the boundary portion in the vertical direction between the first pixel region 131a and the second pixel region 131b is a dummy display region that does not contribute to the display. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of problems such as the image light emitted from the first pixel region 131a and the second pixel region 131b being mixed together.

[0025] In the second pixel region 131b, a plurality of second scanning lines 31b extending in the X direction and a plurality of data lines 33 extending in the Y direction are provided. In the present embodiment, in the first pixel region 131a and the second pixel region 131b, each scanning line is independent, but each data line is shared.

[0026] The second pixel PX2 is a region corresponding to each intersection of the plurality of second scanning lines 31b and the plurality of data lines 33. Therefore, the plurality of second pixels PX2 are arranged in a matrix over the X direction and the Y direction. The second pixel PX2 corresponds to the minimum unit display region that lights up or turns off corresponding to the image data for one pixel in the blue image light LBs.

[0027] The peripheral region 29 is a substantially U-shaped frame region surrounding the first pixel region 131a and the second pixel region 131b. The drive circuit 35 is provided in the peripheral region 29. The drive circuit 35 is a circuit that drives each first pixel PX1 in the first pixel region 131a and each second pixel PX2 in the second pixel region 131b. The drive circuit 35 includes a first scanning line drive circuit 36a, a second scanning line drive circuit 36b, a data line drive circuit 37, a power supply circuit and a control circuit (not shown).

[0028] The first scan line driving circuit 36a is provided on both sides of the first pixel region 131a by being divided into one end side and the other end side in the extending direction of the plurality of first scan lines 31a. For example, one first scan line driving circuit 36a corresponds to the odd-numbered first scan lines 31a in the first pixel region 131a, and one first scan line driving circuit 36a corresponds to the even-numbered first scan lines 31a in the first pixel region 131a. Note that the first scan line driving circuit 36a may be provided only on one side of the first pixel region 131a.

[0029] The second scan line driving circuit 36b is provided on both sides of the second pixel region 131b by being divided into one end side and the other end side in the extending direction of the plurality of second scan lines 31b. For example, one second scan line driving circuit 36b corresponds to the odd-numbered second scan lines 31b in the second pixel region 131b, and one second scan line driving circuit 36b corresponds to the even-numbered second scan lines 31b in the second pixel region 131b. Note that the second scan line driving circuit 36b may be provided only on one side of the second pixel region 131b.

[0030] The mounting region 30 is a region along the outer periphery of the substrate 130 on the side opposite to the first pixel region 131a across the peripheral region 29, that is, outside the peripheral region 29. A plurality of mounting terminals 39 are provided in the mounting region 30. Control signals and power supply potentials are supplied to the mounting terminals 39 from various external circuits (not shown) including a control circuit, a power supply circuit, and the like. The external circuit is mounted on, for example, a flexible wiring board (not shown) bonded to the mounting region 30.

[0031] The data line driving circuit 37 supplies the image signal supplied from the external circuit as a gradation potential (data signal) corresponding to the gradation specified for each of the first pixel PX1 and the second pixel PX2 in parallel to the plurality of data lines 33 for each writing period (horizontal scanning period).

[0032] The first scan line driving circuit 36a sequentially selects each of the plurality of first scan lines 31a for each writing period by supplying a scan signal to each of the plurality of first scan lines 31a. As a result, the selection transistor of the first pixel PX1 corresponding to the first scanning line 31a selected by the first scanning line driving circuit 36a is turned on. Then, a gradation potential is supplied to the gate of the driving transistor of each first pixel PX1 via the data line 33 and the selection transistor, and a voltage corresponding to the gradation potential is supplied to the pixel electrode, so that an arbitrary pixel corresponding to the image data is emitted as a part of the image light from the first display area 13A.

[0033] The second scanning line driving circuit 36b supplies a scanning signal to each of the plurality of second scanning lines 31b in synchronization with the supply timing of the scanning signal in the first scanning line driving circuit 36a, thereby sequentially selecting each of the plurality of second scanning lines 31b for each writing period. As a result, the selection transistor of the second pixel PX2 corresponding to the second scanning line 31b selected by the second scanning line driving circuit 36b is turned on. Then, a gradation potential is supplied to the gate of the driving transistor of each second pixel PX2 via the data line 33 and the selection transistor, and a voltage corresponding to the gradation potential is supplied to the pixel electrode, so that an arbitrary pixel corresponding to the image data is emitted as a part of the image light from the second display area 13B.

[0034] Hereinafter, in this specification, the state in which a plurality of scanning lines are sequentially selected by the scanning line driving circuit is referred to as "vertical scanning", and the direction in which the scanning lines are sequentially scanned in one direction in the Y direction by the vertical scanning of the scanning line driving circuit is referred to as the "vertical scanning direction".

[0035] For example, it is assumed that the vertical scanning direction in which the first scanning line driving circuit 36a sequentially selects each of the plurality of first scanning lines 31a is the "downward direction" from the upper side (+Y side) to the lower side (-Y side) in the vertical direction (Y direction). At this time, the second scanning line driving circuit 36b is configured to sequentially select each of the plurality of second scanning lines 31b in the "upward direction" from the lower side (-Y side) to the upper side (+Y side) in the vertical direction (Y direction).

[0036] The vertical scanning direction D1 of the first scanning line driving circuit 36a is downward, and the vertical scanning direction D2 of the second scanning line driving circuit 36b is upward. Therefore, the first scanning line driving circuit 36a and the second scanning line driving circuit 36b have opposite vertical scanning directions. Thus, it can be said that the vertical scanning direction D1 in which the first scanning line 31a is sequentially scanned within the first pixel region 131a and the vertical scanning direction D2 in which the second scanning line 31b is sequentially scanned within the second pixel region 131b are opposite to each other. Therefore, it can be paraphrased that the vertical scanning direction D1 in the first display area 13A and the vertical scanning direction D2 in the second display area 13B are opposite to each other.

[0037] As described above, in the third display device 13 of the present embodiment, the vertical scanning directions D1 and D2 of the first display area 13A and the second display area 13B are opposite to each other. The third display device 13 of the present embodiment displays a first blue image (first image) B1 composed of blue image light LBp in the first display area 13A, and displays a second blue image (second image) B2 composed of blue image light LBs in the second display area 13B. The first blue image B1 is, for example, the letter A of the alphabet, and the second blue image B2 is, for example, an image obtained by inverting the letter A of the alphabet vertically. That is, the second blue image B2 is an image obtained by inverting the first blue image B1 in the vertical direction (Y direction).

[0038] Therefore, the third display device 13 of the present embodiment can emit blue image light LBp and blue image light LBs that are inverted in the vertical direction (Y direction) from the first display area 13A and the second display area 13B, respectively.

[0039] In addition, when the vertical scanning direction of the first scanning line driving circuit 36a is upward, the circuit configurations of the first scanning line driving circuit 36a and the second scanning line driving circuit 36b may be inverted so that the vertical scanning direction of the second scanning line driving circuit 36b is downward.

[0040] Returning to FIG. 1, the combined prism 15 generates color image light GG by combining the red image light LR emitted from the first display device 11, the green image light LG emitted from the second display device 12, and the blue image light LBp and the blue image light LBs emitted from the third display device 13. That is, the combined prism 15 of the present embodiment can combine the four lights emitted from each of the display devices 11, 12, and 13 into one light.

[0041] Subsequently, the configuration of the combined prism 15 will be described. The combined prism 15 includes a prism body 150. The prism body 150 has a first surface 151, a second surface 152, a third surface 153, an emission surface 154, a first optical layer 155, a second optical layer 156, and a third optical layer 157, and has a structure in which a plurality of translucent members are joined and integrated.

[0042] In the image light generation unit 10 of the present embodiment, the first display device 11 is disposed to face the first surface 151, the second display device 12 is disposed to face the second surface 152, and the third display device 13 is disposed to face the third surface 153. Each of the display devices 11, 12, and 13 is attached to the combined prism 15 via, for example, a housing member (not shown) so that the horizontal and vertical directions of the respective image lights coincide with each other.

[0043] That is, in the combined prism 15, the first surface 151 is the surface on which the red image light LR is incident, the second surface 152 is the surface on which the green image light LG is incident, and the third surface 153 is the surface on which the blue image light LBp and the blue image light LBs are incident. The blue image light LBp is incident on a first region 1531 which is a part of the third surface 153, and the blue image light LBs is incident on a second region 1532 which is another part of the third surface 153. The emission surface 154 is the surface that emits the color image light GG obtained by combining the red image light LR, the green image light LG, the blue image light LBp, and the blue image light LBs.

[0044] The first surface 151 is orthogonal to the emission surface 154. The second surface 152 faces the opposite of the emission surface 154 and is orthogonal to the first surface 151. One end of the third surface 153 intersects the second surface 152, and the other end intersects the emission surface 154.

[0045] The first optical layer 155 transmits the green image light LG and the blue image light LBp and reflects the red image light LR. The first optical layer 155 is composed of a dielectric multilayer film. The second optical layer 156 transmits the red image light LR and the green image light LG and reflects the blue image light LBp. The second optical layer 156 is composed of a dielectric multilayer film.

[0046] The third optical layer 157 has a polarization separation function of separating by transmitting P-polarized light and reflecting S-polarized light regardless of the wavelength band of the incident light. For this reason, it transmits the blue image light LBp which is P-polarized light and reflects the blue image light LBs which is S-polarized light. In the case of this embodiment, the red image light LR and the green image light LG are incident as P-polarized light on the synthesis prism 15 as described above. For this reason, the third optical layer 157 reflects the red image light LR and the green image light LG.

[0047] In the prism body 150 of this embodiment, the cross prism 16 and the triangular prism 17 are joined. Thereby, the prism body 150 can be formed simply and with high accuracy.

[0048] The cross prism 16 is configured by joining the first prism 161, the second prism 162, the third prism 163, and the fourth prism 164. The first prism 161, the second prism 162, and the fourth prism 164 are each composed of different triangular prism-shaped translucent members. The third prism 163 is composed of a quadrangular prism-shaped translucent member.

[0049] The cross prism 16 includes a first prism portion 16a formed by joining a first prism 161 and a second prism 162, a second prism portion 16b formed by joining a third prism 163 and a fourth prism 164, a third prism portion 16c formed by joining the second prism 162 and the third prism 163, a fourth prism portion 16d formed by joining the first prism 161 and the fourth prism 164, a first joint portion 16e, and a second joint portion 16f.

[0050] The first joint portion 16e is a site for joining the first prism portion 16a and the second prism portion 16b. The first joint portion 16e includes a light-transmissive adhesive layer (not shown). The first prism portion 16a and the second prism portion 16b have right triangular prism shapes of equal size. The first prism portion 16a and the second prism portion 16b are joined at the first joint portion 16e with the surfaces forming their hypotenuses facing each other.

[0051] The second joint portion 16f is a site for joining the third prism portion 16c and the fourth prism portion 16d. The second joint portion 16f includes a light-transmissive adhesive layer (not shown). The second joint portion 16f is provided so as to intersect the first joint portion 16e. The third prism portion 16c and the fourth prism portion 16d are joined at the second joint portion 16f with the surfaces forming one side of each other facing each other.

[0052] In the cross prism 16, the surface forming the long side of the two sides sandwiching the hypotenuse in the right triangular first prism portion 16a corresponds to the first surface 151 of the prism body 150, the surface forming the short side of the right triangular first prism portion 16a corresponds to the second surface 152 of the prism body 150, and the surface forming the short side of the two sides sandwiching the hypotenuse in the right triangular second prism portion 16b corresponds to a first region 1531 which is a part of the third surface 153 of the prism body 150. That is, the cross prism 16 includes the first surface 151, the second surface 152, and a part of the third surface 153.

[0053] The triangular prism 17 is composed of a triangular prism-shaped translucent member and is joined to the cross prism 16. The triangular prism 17 has a right triangular prism shape equal in size to the second prism portion 16b. The triangular prism 17 and the second prism portion 16b are joined to each other to form an equilateral triangular prism-shaped Kester prism. In this way, the prism body 150 of the present embodiment is configured by joining three translucent members each having a right triangular prism shape of equal size to each other.

[0054] In the triangular prism 17, the surface forming the hypotenuse of the right triangle corresponds to the emitting surface 154 of the prism body 150, and the surface forming the adjacent side adjacent to the hypotenuse of the right triangle corresponds to the second region 1532 which is another part of the third surface 153 of the prism body 150. That is, the triangular prism 17 includes the emitting surface 154 and another part of the third surface 153.

[0055] The first optical layer 155 is provided at the first joint portion 16e of the cross prism 16. The first optical layer 155 may be provided on the first prism portion 16a side or the second prism portion 16b side at the first joint portion 16e. By forming the first optical layer 155 at the first joint portion 16e in this way, the first optical layer 155 can be formed on the composite prism 15 simply and accurately.

[0056] The second optical layer 156 is provided at the second joint portion 16f that intersects the first joint portion 16e of the cross prism 16. The second optical layer 156 may be provided on the third prism portion 16c side or the fourth prism portion 16d side at the second joint portion 16f. By forming the second optical layer 156 at the second joint portion 16f in this way, the second optical layer 156 can be formed on the composite prism 15 simply and accurately.

[0057] The third optical layer 157 is provided at a third joint portion 158 that joins the second prism portion 16b of the cross prism 16 and the triangular prism 17. The third joint portion 158 includes an adhesive layer (not shown) having translucency. The third optical layer 157 may be provided on the cross prism 16 (second prism portion 16b) side or the triangular prism 17 side at the third joint portion 158. By forming the third optical layer 157 at the third joint portion 158 in this way, the third optical layer 157 can be formed for the composite prism 15 simply and with high accuracy.

[0058] In the prism body 150, the surface on which the first optical layer 155 is formed intersects the first surface 151 and the second surface 152 at one end and intersects the surface on which the third optical layer 157 is formed at the other end. In this specification, the surface on which the first optical layer 155 is formed means the surface of the first prism portion 16a or the surface of the second prism portion 16b at the first joint portion 16e, and the surface on which the third optical layer 157 is formed means the surface of the second prism portion 16b or the surface of the triangular prism 17 at the third joint portion 158. Therefore, the fact that one end of the surface on which the first optical layer 155 is formed intersects the first surface 151 and the second surface 152 includes not only the case where the surfaces actually intersect each other, but also the state where virtual surfaces along the surfaces intersect each other.

[0059] In the prism body 150, the surface on which the second optical layer 156 is formed intersects the second surface 152 and the third surface 153 at one end and intersects the first surface 151 and the emission surface 154 at the other end. In this specification, the surface on which the second optical layer 156 is formed means the surface of the third prism portion 16c or the surface of the fourth prism portion 16d at the second joint portion 16f. Therefore, the fact that one end of the surface on which the second optical layer 156 is formed intersects the second surface 152 and the third surface 153 includes not only the case where the surfaces actually intersect each other, but also the state where virtual surfaces along the surfaces intersect each other.

[0060] Subsequently, the specific surface shape of the prism body 150 of the present embodiment will be described. In the prism body 150 of the present embodiment, the first surface 151 and the second surface 152 intersect at 90°, the first surface 151 and the emission surface 154 intersect at 90°, the second surface 152 and the third surface 153 intersect at 120°, and the third surface 153 and the emission surface 154 intersect at 60°. Also, the first surface 151 intersects the surface forming the first optical layer 155 at 45°, the first surface 151 intersects the surface forming the second optical layer 156 at 30°, the second surface 152 intersects the surface forming the first optical layer 155 at 45°, the second surface 152 intersects the surface forming the second optical layer 156 at 60°, the surface forming the second optical layer 156 intersects the surface forming the third optical layer 157 at 30°, the third surface 153 intersects the surface forming the third optical layer 157 at 90°, the surface forming the third optical layer 157 intersects the emission surface 154 at 30°, and the surface forming the third optical layer 157 intersects the surface forming the second optical layer 156 at 30°.

[0061] Subsequently, the behavior of light in the image light generation unit 10 of the present embodiment will be described. The red image light LR emitted from the first display device 11 enters the first surface 151 of the prism body 150. The red image light LR travels through the cross prism 16 and is reflected by the first optical layer 155. In the case of the present embodiment, the first optical layer 155 is provided at an angle of 45° with respect to the optical axis of the red image light LR. Therefore, the red image light LR is reflected by the first optical layer 155 and travels along the first surface 151 within the fourth prism portion 16d and enters the third optical layer 157. Although the red image light LR enters a part of the second optical layer 156 before and after entering the first optical layer 155, since the second optical layer 156 has the property of transmitting light in a wavelength band other than blue, the second optical layer 156 does not affect the traveling path of the red image light LR.

[0062] Since the third optical layer 157 has the property of transmitting light other than in the blue wavelength band regardless of the polarization state, the red image light LR passes through the third optical layer 157 and enters the emission surface 154 orthogonally to the first surface 151 from the normal direction. Therefore, the red image light LR is emitted along the normal direction of the emission surface 154 without being refracted by the emission surface 154.

[0063] Also, the green image light LG emitted from the second display device 12 is incident on the second surface 152 of the prism body 150. The green image light LG travels through the cross prism 16 and is incident on the first optical layer 155 or the second optical layer 156. Since the first optical layer 155 and the second optical layer 156 have the property of transmitting the green image light LG, the first optical layer 155 and the second optical layer 156 do not affect the traveling path of the green image light LG. The green image light LG travels through the cross prism 16 along the first surface 151 and is incident on the third optical layer 157.

[0064] Since the third optical layer 157 has the property of transmitting light other than the blue wavelength band regardless of the polarization state, the green image light LG passes through the third optical layer 157 and is incident on the emission surface 154 parallel to the second surface 152 from the normal direction. Therefore, the green image light LG is emitted along the normal direction of the emission surface 154 without being refracted at the emission surface 154.

[0065] Also, the blue image light LBp emitted from the first display region 13A of the third display device 13 is incident on the first region 1531 of the third surface 153 of the prism body 150. The blue image light LBs travels through the cross prism 16 and is reflected by the second optical layer 156. In the case of this embodiment, the second optical layer 156 is provided at an angle of 30° with respect to the optical axis of the blue image light LBp. Therefore, the blue image light LBp is reflected by the second optical layer 156 and travels through the prism body 150 along the first surface 151 and is incident on the third optical layer 157. Note that the blue image light LBp is incident on a part of the first optical layer 155 before and after being incident on the second optical layer 156, but since the first optical layer 155 has the property of transmitting light in a wavelength band other than red, the first optical layer 155 does not affect the traveling path of the blue image light LBp.

[0066] Since the third optical layer 157 has the property of transmitting P-polarized light and reflecting S-polarized light regardless of the wavelength band of light, the blue image light LBp passes through the third optical layer 157 and is incident from the normal direction with respect to the emission surface 154 that is orthogonal to the first surface 151. For this reason, the blue image light LBp is emitted along the normal direction of the emission surface 154 without being refracted at the emission surface 154.

[0067] In addition, the blue image light LBs emitted from the second display area 13B of the third display device 13 is incident on the second area 1532 of the third surface 153 of the prism body 150. The blue image light LBs travels along the surface where the third optical layer 157 is formed within the cross prism 16 and is incident at an incident angle smaller than the critical angle with respect to the emission surface 154. For this reason, the blue image light LBs is totally reflected at the emission surface 154 and is incident at an angle of 60° with respect to the surface where the third optical layer 157 is formed.

[0068] The blue image light LBs, which is S-polarized light, is reflected by the third optical layer 157 and is incident from the normal direction with respect to the emission surface 154. For this reason, the blue image light LBs is emitted along the normal direction of the emission surface 154 without being refracted at the emission surface 154.

[0069] In this way, the combined prism 15 of the present embodiment can emit the color image light GG obtained by combining the four image lights incident from the respective display devices 11, 12, and 13 from the emission surface 154. In the combined prism 15 of the present embodiment, the optical path lengths of the four image lights when passing through the prism body 150 are equal. For this reason, the combined prism 15 of the present embodiment does not require an optical member for adjusting the optical path lengths of the four lights to be combined, so that further miniaturization of the device configuration can be realized.

[0070] Here, in the combined prism 15 of the present embodiment, the green image light LG emitted from the second display device 12 is emitted from the emission surface 154 without being reflected within the prism body 150. That is, the green image light LG is emitted from the emission surface 154 without the orientation of the image changing.

[0071] On the other hand, the red image light LR emitted from the first display device 11 and the blue image light LBp emitted from the first display area of the third display device 13 are emitted from the emission surface 154 in a state of being reflected once (an odd number of times) within the prism body 150. The red image light LR and the blue image light LBp that are reflected once before reaching the emission surface 154 in this way will be in a state where the up and down are reversed with respect to the green image light LG.

[0072] On the other hand, the blue image light LBs emitted from the second display area 13B of the third display device 13 is reflected twice (an even number of times) within the prism body 150 and then emitted from the emission surface 154. The blue image light LBs is in a state where the image orientation is reversed with respect to the green image light LG in the first reflection, but the image orientation is reversed again in the second reflection. As a result, the image formed by the green image light LG and the image formed by the blue image light LBs are in the same orientation as each other.

[0073] In contrast, in the image light generation unit 10 of the present embodiment, an image reversed with respect to the green image light LG emitted from the second display device 12 is generated as the red image light LR in the first display device 11. Thereby, the orientations of the green image light LG and the red image light LR can be made to coincide at the emission surface 154.

[0074] Also, in the image light generation unit 10 of the present embodiment, as described above, the blue image light LBp and the blue image light LBs that are reversed in the vertical direction (Y direction) are emitted from the first display area 13A and the second display area 13B of the third display device 13. Therefore, by adjusting so that the orientation of the red image light LR when emitted from the first display device 11 coincides with the orientation of the blue image light LBp when emitted from the first display area 13A of the third display device 13, the orientations of the green image light LG, the red image light LR, the blue image light LBp, and the blue image light LBs can be made to coincide at the emission surface 154. Therefore, according to the image light generation unit 10 of the present embodiment, it is possible to generate the color image light GG in which the four image lights emitted from the respective display devices 11, 12, 13 are combined in the correct orientation.

[0075] The color image light GG generated by the image light generation unit 10 is incident on the projection optical system 110. The projection optical system 110 is composed of a plurality of lenses. The projection optical system 110 enlarges and projects the color image light GG synthesized by the image light generation unit 10 onto a projection surface such as a screen.

[0076] As described above, the image light generation unit 10 of the present embodiment includes a first display device 11 into which red image light LR is incident, a second display device 12 that emits green image light LG different from the red image light LR, a first display area 13A that emits blue image light LBp different from the red image light LR and the green image light LG, and a second display area 13B that emits blue image light LBs different from the red image light LR, the green image light LG, and the blue image light LBp. The image light generation unit 10 further includes a third display device 13, a first surface 151 into which the red image light LR is incident, a second surface 152 into which the green image light LG is incident, a third surface 153 into which the blue image light LBp and the blue image light LBs are incident, an emission surface 154 that emits the red image light LR, the green image light LG, the blue image light LBp, and the blue image light LBs, a first optical layer 155 that transmits the green image light LG and the blue image light LBp and reflects the red image light LR, a second optical layer 156 that transmits the red image light LR and the green image light LG and reflects the blue image light LBp, and a third optical layer 157 that transmits the red image light LR, the green image light LG, and the blue image light LBp and reflects the blue image light LBs. The first surface 151 is orthogonal to the emission surface 154. The second surface 152 faces the opposite side of the emission surface 154 and is orthogonal to the first surface 151. One end of the third surface 153 intersects the second surface 152, and the other end intersects the emission surface 154. One end of the surface forming the first optical layer 155 intersects the first surface and the second surface 152, and the other end intersects the surface forming the third optical layer 157. One end of the surface forming the second optical layer 156 intersects the second surface 152 and the third surface 153, and the other end intersects the first surface 151 and the emission surface 154. One end of the surface forming the third optical layer 157 intersects the third surface 153, and the other end intersects the first surface 151 and the emission surface 154. In the third display device 13, the first display area 13A and the second display area 13B are provided side by side in the Y direction. A first blue image B1 displayed by the blue image light LBp in the first display area 13A is an image obtained by inverting a second blue image B2 displayed by the blue image light LBs in the second display area 13B in the Y direction.

[0077] According to the image light generation unit 10 of the present embodiment, the directions of the four image lights emitted from each of the display devices 11, 12, and 13 can be made to coincide at the emission surface 154. Therefore, according to the image light generation unit 10 of the present embodiment, while miniaturizing the device configuration, it is possible to generate color image light GG in which the four image lights emitted from each of the display devices 11, 12, and 13 are synthesized in the correct direction.

[0078] Further, in the image light generation unit 10 of the present embodiment, since the prism body 150 can equalize the optical path lengths of the four image lights that pass through the inside, an optical member for adjusting the optical path length of each image light becomes unnecessary. Therefore, the image light generation unit 10 can further miniaturize the device configuration.

[0079] Moreover, according to the image light generation unit 10 of the present embodiment, since blue image light having relatively high energy compared to other color lights is generated in the two display regions 13A and 13B of the third display device 13, the amount of blue light incident on each of the display regions 13A and 13B of the third liquid crystal panel 131 that constitutes the third display device 13 can be suppressed compared to the case where blue image light is generated in one display region. Therefore, the life of the third liquid crystal panel 131 that generates blue image light can be extended.

[0080] Furthermore, according to the projection display device 100 of the present embodiment, since it includes the above-described image light generation unit 10, it is possible to provide a projector that can project color image light GG while miniaturizing the device configuration.

[0081] (First Modified Example) Subsequently, a first modified example of the projection display device according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the projection display device of this modified example. As shown in FIG. 3, the projection display device 100A of this modified example includes an image light generation unit 20 and a projection optical system 110 that projects the light emitted from the image light generation unit 20. The image light generation unit 20 includes a first display device 21, a second display device 22, a third display device 13, and a photosynthetic element 115. In FIG. 3, each display device 21, 22, 13 is illustrated in a simplified manner.

[0082] In the case of this modification, the first display device 21 is disposed to face the first surface 151 of the photosynthetic element 115 and emits green image light LG (first light). The second display device 22 is disposed to face the second surface 152 of the photosynthetic element 115 and emits red image light LR (second light). In this modification, the first surface 151 is the surface on which the green image light LG is incident, and the second surface 152 is the surface on which the red image light LR is incident.

[0083] That is, the configuration of the projection display device 100A of this modification is different in that the positions where the red image light LR and the green image light LG are incident on the synthesis prism 15 in the projection display device 100 of the first embodiment are interchanged.

[0084] In the photosynthetic element 115 of this modification, the first optical layer 155 is composed of a dielectric multilayer film that transmits the red image light LR and the blue image light LBp and reflects the green image light LG. Note that the second optical layer 156 and the third optical layer 157 have the same configuration as those in the first embodiment.

[0085] Also in the image light generation unit 20 of this modification, a small optical unit that generates color image light GG obtained by synthesizing four different image lights can be provided. Further, also in the projection display device 100A of this modification, since the above-described image light generation unit 20 is provided, a display device that can project the color image light GG while miniaturizing the device configuration can be provided.

[0086] In the projection display device 100 of the first embodiment, the incident positions of the blue image light LBp and the blue image light LBs with respect to the synthesis prism 15 may be interchanged. That is, the third display device 13 may emit the blue image light LBs from the first display area 13A and emit the blue image light LBp from the second display area 13B. In this case, as the third optical layer 157, a polarization separation film that transmits S-polarized light and reflects P-polarized light regardless of the wavelength band of the incident light may be used, and the red image light LR and the green image light LG may be incident on the synthesis prism 15 as S-polarized light.

[0087] (Second modification example) Subsequently, a second modification example of the projection display device according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the projection display device of this modification example. As shown in FIG. 4, the projection display device 100B of this modification example includes an image light generation unit 40 and a projection optical system 110 that projects the light emitted from the image light generation unit 40. The image light generation unit 40 includes a first display device 41, a second display device 42, a third display device 43, and a synthesis prism 15.

[0088] In the case of this modification example, the first display device 41 includes a self-emitting panel 411 and a polarization conversion member 412, the second display device 42 includes a self-emitting panel 421 and a polarization conversion member 422, and the third display device 43 includes a self-emitting panel 431 and a polarization conversion member 432.

[0089] Each of the self-emitting panels 411, 421, and 431 is composed of an organic EL panel having a top emission type organic electroluminescence (EL) element. Therefore, each color light emitted from each of the self-emitting panels 411, 421, and 431 is non-polarized light having no polarization characteristics.

[0090] On the other hand, each of the display devices 41, 42, 43 aligns the polarization directions of the light emitted from their respective light-emitting panels 411, 421, 431 by the respective polarization conversion members 412, 422, 432. According to this configuration, each of the display devices 41, 42, 43 can generate light having a predetermined color light and a predetermined polarization direction as each image light.

[0091] Also in the third display device 43 of this modified example, it includes a first display area 43A that emits blue image light LBp and a second display area 43B that emits blue image light LBs. The third display device 43 of this modified example is different from the first embodiment in that each pixel constituting the first display area 43A and the second display area 43B is composed of an organic EL element, but the basic configuration is common to the first embodiment. That is, in the third display device 43 of this modified example, the vertical scanning directions of the first display area 13A and the second display area 13B are opposite to each other, and the blue image light LBp and the blue image light LBs inverted in the vertical direction (Y direction) can be respectively emitted from the first display area 43A and the second display area 43B.

[0092] Based on such a configuration, each of the display devices 41, 42, 43 can emit red image light LR, green image light LG, blue image light LBp, and blue image light LBs having a predetermined polarization direction, similar to the configuration of the first embodiment.

[0093] Also in the image light generation unit 40 of this modified example, a small optical unit that generates color image light GG by synthesizing four different image lights can be provided. Further, also in the projection display device 100B of this modified example, since it includes the above-described image light generation unit 40, a display device that can project color image light GG while miniaturizing the device configuration can be provided.

[0094] Note that the self-emitting panels 411, 421, 431 are not limited to organic EL panels, and self-emitting type panels such as inorganic EL panels and micro LED panels may be used.

[0095] (Second Embodiment) Next, the configuration of the projection display device according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The difference between this embodiment and the first embodiment lies in the structure of the image light generation unit and the wavelength band of the light synthesized by the image light generation unit. Therefore, hereinafter, the same reference numerals will be given to the configurations or members common to the first embodiment, and the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0096] FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the projection display device of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the projection display device 102 of this embodiment includes an image light generation unit 120 and a projection optical system 110 that projects the light emitted from the image light generation unit 20. The image light generation unit 120 includes a first display device 11, a second display device 12, a third display device 23, and a light synthesizing element 215.

[0097] The third display device 23 has a first display area 23A that emits blue image light LB1 (third light) and a second display area 23B that emits blue image light LB2 (fourth light). In the case of this embodiment, the blue image light LB1 and the blue image light LB2 are the same blue light, and their wavelength bands are different from each other. Specifically, the blue image light LB1 is light in the long wavelength band with a relatively long wavelength in the blue band, and the blue image light LB2 is light in the short wavelength band with a relatively short wavelength in the blue band.

[0098] The configuration in which the wavelength bands of the blue image light LB1 and the blue image light LB2 are made different can be realized, for example, by providing backlights that emit blue light with different wavelength bands in the first display area 23A and the second display area 23B of the third display device 23.

[0099] That is, the configuration of the projection display device 102 of this embodiment is different in that light of the same color and different wavelength bands is used as the two lights incident on the third surface of the light synthesizing element in the projection display device 100 of the first embodiment.

[0100] In the photosynthetic element 215 of the present embodiment, the third optical layer 257 is composed of a dielectric multilayer film that reflects light with a short wavelength in the blue band and transmits light with a long wavelength in the blue band, and transmits light in other wavelength bands regardless of the polarization direction. Note that the first optical layer 155 and the second optical layer 156 have the same configuration as that of the first embodiment.

[0101] Also in the image light generation unit 120 of the present embodiment, it is possible to generate color image light GG2 in which four different image lights LR, LG, LB1, and LB2 are combined with a small configuration. In the image light generation unit 120 of the present embodiment, since the blue image lights LB1 and LB2 are combined using the difference in wavelength bands in the third optical layer 257 of the photosynthetic element 215, it is not necessary to consider the polarization directions of the red image light LR and the green image light LG. That is, since the third optical layer 257 transmits the red image light LR and the green image light LG regardless of the polarization direction, it is not necessary to adjust the polarization direction of the light emitted from the first display device 11 and the second display device 12. Therefore, according to the image light generation unit 120 of the present embodiment, the degree of freedom in design of the first display device 11 and the second display device 12 can be improved.

[0102] Further, also in the projection display device 102 of the present embodiment, since the above-described image light generation unit 120 is provided, it is possible to provide a display device that can project color image light GG2 while miniaturizing the device configuration.

[0103] Note that 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. In addition, the specific configurations such as the number, arrangement, shape, and material of various components constituting the light source device are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be appropriately changed.

[0104] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the optical unit using the prism of the present invention is exemplified, but the prism of the present invention may be applied to an illumination device or a light source device including four light-emitting elements that emit different lights toward the prism.

[0105] Further, in the case where the vertical scanning directions D1 and D2 of the first display area 13 and the second display area 13B in the above embodiment are opposite to each other, that is, taking the line sequential configuration as an example, for example, by using a reflective device such as LCOS as the third display device, it is also applicable to a configuration in which each of the first display area and the second display area is updated collectively and the first blue image and the second blue image are displayed in a page sequential manner.

[0106] Hereinafter, a summary of the present disclosure will be appended.

[0107] (Appendix 1) A first electro-optical device that emits first image light; A second electro-optical device that emits second image light different from the first image light; A third electro-optical device including a first display area that emits third image light different from the first image light and the second image light, and a second display area that emits fourth image light different from the first image light, the second image light, and the third image light; A first surface on which the first image light is incident, a second surface on which the second image light is incident, a third surface on which the third image light and the fourth image light are incident, an emission surface that emits the first image light, the second image light, the third image light, and the fourth image light, a first optical layer that transmits the second image light and the third image light and reflects the first image light, a second optical layer that transmits the first image light and the second image light and reflects the third image light, and a third optical layer that transmits the first image light, the second image light, and the third image light and reflects the fourth image light, and a synthetic prism having the same; The first surface is orthogonal to the emission surface; The second surface faces the opposite side of the emission surface and is orthogonal to the first surface; One end of the third surface intersects the second surface, and the other end intersects the emission surface; The surface on which the first optical layer is formed intersects one end with the first surface and the second surface, and intersects the surface on which the third optical layer is formed at the other end; The surface on which the second optical layer is formed intersects the second surface and the third surface at one end, and intersects the first surface and the emission surface at the other end. The surface on which the third optical layer is formed intersects the third surface at one end, and intersects the first surface and the emission surface at the other end. In the third electro-optical device, the first display region and the second display region are provided side by side in the first direction. The first image displayed by the third image light in the first display region is an image obtained by inverting the second image displayed by the fourth image light in the second display region in the first direction. Image light generation unit.

[0108] According to the image light generation unit of this configuration, the directions of the four image lights emitted from each display device can be made to coincide at the emission surface. According to this configuration, while reducing the size of the device configuration, the four image lights emitted from each display device can be synthesized in the correct direction.

[0109] (Appendix 2) In the third electro-optical device, the vertical scanning directions along the first direction of the first display region and the second display region are opposite to each other. The image light generation unit according to Appendix 1.

[0110] According to this configuration, by inverting the directions of the images displayed in the first display region and the second display region with respect to each other, the directions of the third image light and the fourth image light can be aligned at the emission surface of the synthesis prism.

[0111] (Appendix 3) The third image light and the fourth image light are colored lights of the same color and have different polarization directions from each other. The image light generation unit according to Appendix 1 or Appendix 2.

[0112] According to this configuration, an image light generation unit that synthesizes the third image light and the fourth image light of the same color with different polarization directions, the first image light, and the second image light can be realized.

[0113] (Supplementary Note 4) The third image light and the fourth image light are colored lights of the same color and have different wavelength bands from each other. The image light generation unit according to Supplementary Note 1 or Supplementary Note 2.

[0114] According to this configuration, an image light generation unit that synthesizes the third image light and the fourth image light of the same color with different wavelength bands, the first image light, and the second image light can be realized.

[0115] (Supplementary Note 5) The combined prism is formed by joining a cross prism including the first surface, the second surface, a part of the third surface, and the fifth surface, and a triangular prism including the emission surface and the other part of the third surface. The image light generation unit according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 4.

[0116] According to this configuration, the combined prism can be formed simply and accurately.

[0117] (Supplementary Note 6) The first optical layer is provided at the first joint portion of the cross prism. The second optical layer is provided at a second joint portion that intersects the first joint portion of the cross prism. The third optical layer is provided at a third joint portion that joins the cross prism and the triangular prism. The image light generation unit according to Supplementary Note 5.

[0118] According to this configuration, the first optical layer, the second optical layer, and the third optical layer can be formed simply and accurately with respect to the combined prism.

[0119] (Supplementary Note 7) The second surface and the third surface intersect at 120°. The third surface and the emission surface intersect at 60°. The image light generation unit according to Supplementary Note 5 or Supplementary Note 6.

[0120] According to this configuration, a synthetic prism can be realized that aligns the directions of the four image lights emitted from each display device on the emission surface.

[0121] (Appendix 8) The first electro-optical device, the second electro-optical device, and the third electro-optical device include a light source, a liquid crystal panel, and a polarization element into which the light emitted from the liquid crystal panel is incident. The image light generation unit described in Appendix 7.

[0122] According to this configuration, as each image light, light having a predetermined color light and a predetermined polarization direction can be generated.

[0123] (Appendix 9) The first electro-optical device, the second electro-optical device, and the third electro-optical device include a self-luminous panel and a polarization conversion member that aligns the polarization directions of the light emitted from the self-luminous panel. The image light generation unit described in Appendix 7.

[0124] According to this configuration, as each image light, light having a predetermined color light and a predetermined polarization direction can be generated.

[0125] (Appendix 10) The image light generation unit according to any one of Appendices 1 to 9, and a projection optical system that projects the light emitted from the image light generation unit. A projection display device.

[0126] According to the projection display device of this configuration, since it includes an image light generation unit that synthesizes the four image lights emitted from each display device in the correct direction, a projector that can project the synthesized image light while miniaturizing the device configuration can be provided.

Explanation of Signs

[0127] 10, 20, 40, 120… Image light generation unit, 11… First display device (first electro-optical device), 11, 41… Display device, 12… Second display device (second electro-optical device), 13… Third display device (third electro-optical device), 13A, 23A, 43A… First display area, 13A… Display area, 13B, 23B, 43B… Second display area, 15… Composite prism, 16… Cross prism, 16e… First joint, 16f… Second joint, 17… Triangular prism, 100, 100A, 100B, 102… Projection display device, 110, 120, 130… Backlight (light source), 110… Projection optical system, 113, 123… Exit polarizing plate (polarizing element), 133a… First exit polarizing plate (polarizing element), 133b… Second exit polarizing plate (polarizing element), 151… First surface, 152… Second surface, 153… Third surface, 154… Exit surface, 155… First optical layer, 156… Second optical layer, 157, 257… Third optical layer, 158… Third joint, 411, 421, 431… Self-luminous panel, 412, 422, 432… Polarization conversion member, B1… First blue image (first image), B2… Second blue image (second image).

Claims

1. a first electro-optical device that emits first image light; a second electro-optical device that emits second image light different from the first image light; a first display area that emits third image light different from the first image light and the second image light, and a third electro-optical device including a second display area that emits fourth image light different from the first image light, the second image light, and the third image light; a first surface on which the first image light is incident, a second surface on which the second image light is incident, a third surface on which the third image light and the fourth image light are incident, an emission surface that emits the first image light, the second image light, the third image light, and the fourth image light, and a first optical layer that transmits the second image light and the third image light and reflects the first image light, and a second optical layer that transmits the first image light and the second image light and reflects the third image light, and a third optical layer that transmits the first image light, the second image light, and the third image light and reflects the fourth image light, and a combined prism having the same; the first surface is orthogonal to the emission surface; the second surface faces the opposite side of the emission surface and is orthogonal to the first surface; one end of the third surface intersects the second surface and the other end intersects the emission surface; one end of the surface forming the first optical layer intersects the first surface and the second surface, and the other end intersects the surface forming the third optical layer; one end of the surface forming the second optical layer intersects the second surface and the third surface, and the other end intersects the first surface and the emission surface; one end of the surface forming the third optical layer intersects the third surface, and the other end intersects the first surface and the emission surface; in the third electro-optical device, the first display area and the second display area are provided side by side in a first direction; a first image displayed by the third image light in the first display area is an image obtained by inverting a second image displayed by the fourth image light in the second display area in the first direction; An image light generation unit.

2. in the third electro-optical device, the vertical scanning directions along the first direction of the first display area and the second display area are opposite to each other; The image light generation unit according to claim 1.

3. the third image light and the fourth image light are color lights of the same color and have different polarization directions from each other; The image light generation unit according to claim 1.

4. The third image light and the fourth image light are color lights of the same color, and their wavelength bands are different. The image light generation unit according to claim 1.

5. The composite prism is formed by joining a cross prism including the first surface, the second surface, a part of the third surface, and the fifth surface, and a triangular prism including the emission surface and the other part of the third surface. The image light generation unit according to claim 1.

6. The first optical layer is provided at the first joint of the cross prism. The second optical layer is provided at a second joint that intersects the first joint of the cross prism. The third optical layer is provided at a third joint that joins the cross prism and the triangular prism. The image light generation unit according to claim 5.

7. The second surface and the third surface intersect at 120°. The third surface and the emission surface intersect at 60°. The image light generation unit according to claim 5.

8. The first electro-optical device, the second electro-optical device, and the third electro-optical device include a light source, a liquid crystal panel, and a polarizing element into which light emitted from the liquid crystal panel is incident. The image light generation unit according to claim 7.

9. The first electro-optical device, the second electro-optical device, and the third electro-optical device include a self-emitting panel and a polarization conversion member that aligns the polarization directions of light emitted from the self-emitting panel. The image light generation unit according to claim 7.

10. The image light generation unit according to any one of claims 1 to 9, and a projection optical system that projects the light emitted from the image light generation unit. Projection type display device.

Images