Projector

Abstract

To provide a projector capable of improving detection accuracy of detection light.SOLUTION: A projector comprises: an exterior housing having a first surface provided with a projection port and a passage port; a projection optical device that projects image light through the projection port; a translucent cover provided on the passage port; and a ranging device that emits and receives detection light through the cover. The projection optical device includes a front lens, and projects image light such that a projection range of the image light moves in a second direction as moving in a first direction when a direction along a lens optical axis of the front lens is defined as the first direction and a direction orthogonal to the first direction is defined as the second direction. The ranging device includes a substrate and a sensor disposed on the substrate. The substrate is disposed to be inclined with respect to a virtual surface orthogonal to the lens optical axis about an axis along a third direction crossing each of the first direction and the second direction so that the detection light emitted from a light-emitting element of the sensor points at the projection range of the image light by the projection optical device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a projector. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a projector that modulates light emitted from a light source and projects image light according to image information. One such projector includes an infrared light emitting unit, an infrared light receiving block, a position calculation unit, a microcomputer, and a moving block that moves the projector itself (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] In the projector described in Patent Document 1, the infrared receiving block receives infrared light emitted by the infrared emitting unit and reflected by a reflective marker on the screen. The position calculation unit outputs information corresponding to the installation position of the reflective marker on the screen to a microcomputer based on the infrared light received by the infrared receiving block. The microcomputer calculates the size of the screen based on the information output by the position calculation unit and reads out the throw distance associated with the calculated screen size. The microcomputer calculates the difference between the distance to the screen calculated using ultrasonic waves and the read throw distance, and outputs information indicating a movement amount corresponding to the calculated difference and a control signal to a movement block. The movement block moves the projector itself according to the information and control signal input from the microcomputer. This eliminates the need for the operator to move the projector and adjust the size of the image displayed on the screen. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-221081 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] As described above, the projector described in Patent Document 1 receives infrared rays reflected by the screen. In order to accurately measure the distance to the screen, i.e., the projection distance of the image light, it is preferable that the irradiation range of the infrared light, which is the detection light, includes the projection range of the image light. Since it is difficult to arrange the infrared emitting unit and the infrared receiving unit on the optical axis of the projection optical device, the infrared emitting unit and the infrared receiving unit are generally arranged at positions away from the optical axis of the projection optical device. However, if the infrared emitting unit and the infrared receiving unit are positioned away from the optical axis of the projection optical device, there is a tendency for a discrepancy to occur between the projection range of the image light and the detection range of the detection light, resulting in a problem of reduced detection accuracy of the detection light and, ultimately, reduced ranging accuracy. For this reason, there has been a demand for a configuration that can improve the detection accuracy of the detected light. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A projector according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes an exterior housing having a first surface on which a projection opening and a passage opening are provided, a projection optical device that projects image light through the projection opening, a light-transmitting cover that is provided corresponding to the passage opening, and a distance measuring device that emits and receives detection light through the cover, wherein the projection optical device has a front lens located on the side from which the image light is emitted, and when a direction along a lens optical axis of the front lens is defined as a first direction and a direction perpendicular to the first direction is defined as a second direction, a projection range of the image light extends in the first direction. The distance measuring device projects the image light so that it is positioned in the second direction as it moves in the first direction, and the distance measuring device includes a substrate, a light-emitting element that emits the detection light, and a light-receiving element that receives the detection light emitted from the light-emitting element, and a sensor arranged on the substrate, and the substrate is arranged at an angle with respect to a virtual plane perpendicular to the lens optical axis, centered on an axis along a third direction that intersects with each of the first direction and the second direction, so that the detection light emitted from the light-emitting element is directed toward the projection range of the image light by the projection optical device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a projector according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the front surface of a projector according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an image projection device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the optical path of image light according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the inner surface of the front surface according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a distance measuring device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a distance measuring device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a fixing structure of the distance measuring device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a projector according to a first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing an exterior housing and a distance measuring device provided in a projector according to a second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing an exterior housing and a distance measuring device provided in a projector according to a third embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing an exterior housing, a distance measuring device, and a support member provided in a projector according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an inclined state of a substrate in a projector according to a fifth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] [First embodiment] Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. [Projector configuration] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a projector 1A according to this embodiment. Projector 1A according to this embodiment modulates light emitted from a light source to generate image light according to image information, and enlarges and projects the generated image light onto a projection surface such as a screen. As shown in Fig. 1, projector 1A includes an exterior housing 2A, an image projection device 3, and a distance measurement device 4A. In addition, although not shown, projector 1A also includes a control device that controls the operation of projector 1A, a power supply device that supplies power to electronic components that make up projector 1A, and a cooling device that cools objects to be cooled by projector 1A.

[0009] [Exterior casing configuration] The exterior housing 2A is a housing that constitutes the exterior of the projector 1A and is configured in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The exterior housing 2A has a front surface 21, a back surface 22, a top surface 23, a bottom surface 24, a left side surface 25, and a right side surface 26.

[0010] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the front surface 21. More specifically, Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the front surface 21 with the covers CV1 and CV2 removed. The front surface 21 corresponds to the first surface. The front surface 21 and the back surface 22 are surfaces opposite to each other. The front surface 21 intersects with a top surface 23, a bottom surface 24, a left side surface 25, and a right side surface 26. As shown in FIGS. The projection opening 211 is an opening through which image light projected by a projection optical device 36 of the image projection device 3, which will be described later, passes. As shown in Fig. 1, a cover CV1 that is translucent and transmits at least visible light is provided at the projection opening 211. The image light projected by the projection optical device 36 passes through the cover CV1.

[0011] The passage opening 212 is an opening through which detection light emitted from the distance measuring device 4A (described later) and reflected outside the exterior housing 2A passes. The passage opening 212 is provided on the right side surface 26 side with respect to the projection opening 211. That is, the passage opening 212 is provided in the +X direction (described later) with respect to the projection opening 211. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2 , a center C2 of the passage opening 212 in the direction from the bottom surface 24 to the top surface 23 is provided closer to the top surface 23 than a center C1 of the projection opening 211 in the same direction. That is, the center C2 of the passage opening 212 in the Y axis (described later) is located in the +Y direction with respect to the center C1 of the projection opening 211 in the Y axis. 1, a translucent cover CV2 that transmits infrared light is provided at the passage opening 212. That is, the cover CV2 is provided on the exterior housing 2A in accordance with the passage opening 212. The detection light emitted from the distance measuring device 4A passes through the cover CV2. Such a cover CV2 can improve the appearance of the projector 1A and also provide static electricity protection to the sensor 42 of the distance measuring device 4A. The distance measuring device 4A is provided inside the exterior housing 2A in correspondence with the passage opening 212. The configuration of the distance measuring device 4A will be described in detail later.

[0012] The top surface 23 and the bottom surface 24 are surfaces opposite to each other, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The bottom surface 24 is a surface that faces the installation surface. As shown in FIG. 2 , the bottom surface 24 is provided with legs 241 and 242 that come into contact with an installation surface on which the projector 1A is installed. The leg 241 is a fixed leg provided on the bottom surface 24 at a position on the rear surface 22 side. The leg 242 is an adjustable leg provided on the bottom surface 24 at a position on the front surface 21 side. The amount of protrusion of the leg 242 from the bottom surface 24 is adjustable. By adjusting the amount of protrusion of the leg 242, the projector 1A can be disposed at an angle with respect to the installation surface so that the distance between the installation surface and the bottom surface 24 increases from the rear surface 22 toward the front surface 21. This makes it possible to adjust the projection range of image light in the direction from the bottom surface 24 toward the top surface 23. Note that the projector 1A according to this embodiment can be used not only in an orientation in which the top surface 23 faces upward, but also in an orientation in which the bottom surface 24 faces upward. The left side surface 25 and the right side surface 26 are opposite to each other.

[0013] [Configuration of image projection device] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the image projection device 3. As shown in FIG. The image projection device 3 is housed in the exterior housing 2A. Under the control of the control device, the image projection device 3 projects image light according to image information. As shown in Fig. 3, the image projection device 3 includes a light source 30, a uniformization device 31, a color separation device 32, a relay device 33, an image formation device 34, an optical component housing 35, and a projection optical device 36, and is configured as a substantially L-shaped optical unit.

[0014] The light source 30 emits illumination light that illuminates the light modulation element 343 of the image forming device 34. Examples of the configuration of the light source 30 include a configuration including a light emitting element such as an LD (Laser Diode) and an LED (Light Emitting Diode), a configuration including a light emitting element and a wavelength conversion element that converts the wavelength of incident light, and a configuration including a discharge light source lamp such as an ultra-high pressure mercury lamp.

[0015] The homogenizer 31 homogenizes the illuminance distribution of the light incident from the light source 30. The homogenizer 31 includes, in the order of incidence of the light from the light source 30, a first lens array 311, a second lens array 312, a polarization conversion element 313, and a superimposing lens 314. The color separator 32 separates the light incident from the uniformizer 31 into red light, green light, and blue light. The color separator 32 includes dichroic mirrors 321 and 322, a reflecting mirror 323, and lenses 324 and 325. Relay device 33 is provided on the optical path of red light, which has a longer optical path than green and blue light, of the three separated colored lights. Relay device 33 has an incident-side lens 331, a relay lens 333, and reflecting mirrors 332 and 334.

[0016] The image forming device 34 modulates each of the separated color lights in accordance with image information and combines the modulated color lights to form image light. The image forming device 34 has three field lenses 341 provided corresponding to the color lights, three incident-side polarizing plates 342, three light modulation elements 343, three exit-side polarizing plates 344, and one color combining element 345. Each light modulation element 343 modulates the incident color light. The three light modulation elements 343 include a red light modulation element 343R that modulates red light, a green light modulation element 343G that modulates green light, and a blue light modulation element 343B that modulates blue light. In this embodiment, the light modulation elements 343 are configured as transmissive liquid crystal panels in which an incident surface onto which the corresponding color light is incident and an exit surface from which the modulated light is emitted are opposite surfaces. That is, the image forming device 34 includes a liquid crystal light valve, each for each of the three color lights, having a light modulation element 343 that is a liquid crystal panel and an entrance-side polarizing plate 342 and an exit-side polarizing plate 344 sandwiching the light modulation element 343. The color combining element 345 generates full-color image light by combining the modulated light beams modulated by the light modulation elements 343. In this embodiment, the color combining element 345 is configured by a cross dichroic prism, but it can also be configured by a plurality of dichroic mirrors.

[0017] The optical component housing 35 accommodates the above-mentioned devices 31 to 33 and the field lens 341. An illumination optical axis Ax, which is a design optical axis, is set in the image projection device 3, and the optical component housing 35 holds the above-mentioned devices 31 to 33 and the field lens 341 at predetermined positions on the illumination optical axis Ax. The light source 30, the light modulation element 343, and the projection optical device 36 are arranged at predetermined positions on the illumination optical axis Ax.

[0018] 4 is a schematic diagram showing the optical path of the image light PL that is incident from the color combining element 345 and projected by the projection optical device 36. Note that in FIG. 4, the optical path of the image light that passes through the projection optical device 36 is illustrated as a straight line, but the actual optical path of the image light is refracted inside the projection optical device 36 by multiple lenses 361. The projection optical device 36 enlarges and projects the image light incident from the image forming device 34 onto a projection surface. As shown in FIG. 4, the projection optical device 36 has a plurality of lenses 361 and a lens barrel 362 that houses the plurality of lenses 361.

[0019] The plurality of lenses 361 includes a rear lens 3611 and a front lens 3612 . The rear lens 3611 is the lens located closest to the light incident side among the plurality of lenses 361, and is the lens onto which the image light emitted from the color combining element 345 is incident. The front lens 3612 is the lens located closest to the light exit side among the multiple lenses 361, and projects the image light that has passed through the projection optical device 36. The lens optical axis Lx of the front lens 3612 is offset from the central axis Cx of the image light PL incident on the front lens 3612. In other words, the lens optical axis Lx of the front lens 3612 is offset from the central axis Cx of the image light PL. The front lens 3612 projects the image light PL by biasing it in the opposite direction to the direction in which the central axis Cx is located with respect to the lens optical axis Lx. In other words, when the direction along the lens optical axis Lx of the front lens 3612 is defined as a first direction and the direction perpendicular to the first direction is defined as a second direction, the projection optical device 36 projects the image light PL so that the projection range of the image light PL is positioned in the second direction as it moves in the first direction.

[0020] In the following description, the three mutually orthogonal directions are referred to as the +X direction, +Y direction, and +Z direction. The +Z direction is a direction parallel to the lens optical axis Lx of the front lens 3612 and a direction in which the image light PL passes through the front lens 3612. The +Y direction is a direction orthogonal to the +Z direction and a direction opposite to the direction toward the intersection position between the front lens 3612 and the central axis Cx of the image light PL. The +X direction is a leftward direction when viewed along the +Z direction so that the +Y direction is an upward direction. Although not shown, the direction opposite the +X direction is the -X direction, the direction opposite the +Y direction is the -Y direction, and the direction opposite the +Z direction is the -Z direction. Furthermore, the axis along the +X direction is the X axis, the axis along the +Y direction is the Y axis, and the axis along the +Z direction is the Z axis. In this embodiment, the central axis Cx of the image light PL in the front lens 3612 is located in the -Y direction with respect to the lens optical axis Lx of the front lens 3612, and therefore the front lens 3612 projects the image light PL in the +Z direction while biased in the +Y direction. The +Z direction corresponds to the first direction, the +Y direction corresponds to the second direction, and the -Y direction in which the central axis Cx of the front lens 3612 is located with respect to the lens optical axis Lx corresponds to the direction opposite to the second direction.

[0021] [Interior composition of the front] Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing an inner surface 21A of the front surface 21. That is, Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the front surface 21 as seen from the -Z direction. The front surface 21 has the projection opening 211, the passage opening 212, and the covers CV1 and CV2, and also has a mounting portion 213 provided around the passage opening 212, as shown in FIG. A distance measuring device 4A (described later) is attached to the attachment portion 213. The attachment portion 213 has a groove portion 214 and a protrusion portion 215. Groove 214 is provided in the -Y direction with respect to passage opening 212. Groove 214 is recessed in the +Z direction from inner surface 21A facing the -Z direction on front surface 21, and extends along the X axis. An end portion of substrate 41A (described later) of distance measuring device 4A facing in the -Y direction is inserted into groove 214. The inner surface of groove 214 is inclined with respect to the XY plane so as to be positioned in the +Z direction as it approaches the -Y direction. The protrusion 215 is located in the +Y direction relative to the passage opening 212, and protrudes in the -Z direction from the inner surface 21A. The -Z direction surface of the protrusion 215 is a support surface 216 that comes into contact with an end of the substrate 41A (described later) in the +Y direction and supports the substrate 41A. The support surface 216 is inclined with respect to the XY plane so that it is positioned in the +Z direction as it approaches the -Y direction. The extension of the support surface 216 and the extension of the inner surface of the groove 214 substantially coincide with each other. Although not shown, the inner surface 21A has a fixing portion to which a fixing member 6 for fixing a distance measuring device 4A (described later) is fixed.

[0022] [Configuration of distance measuring device] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the distance measuring device 4A as viewed from the +Z direction, and FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the distance measuring device 4A as viewed from the -Z direction. The distance measuring device 4A measures the distance to the projection surface. Furthermore, when an object is placed between the projector 1A and the projection surface, the distance measuring device 4A measures the distance between the projector 1A and the object. As shown in FIG. 6, the distance measuring device 4A has a board 41A and a sensor 42, and as shown in FIG. 7, has a connector 45.

[0023] 6 and 7, the substrate 41A is a printed circuit board formed in a substantially rectangular shape that is long along the X axis. The substrate 41A has a first surface 411 and a second surface 412. The first surface 411 faces the +Z direction. As shown in FIG.

[0024] The sensor is disposed approximately in the center of the first surface 411 in the X-axis direction, and is provided in the −Y direction from the center of the first surface 411 in the Y-axis direction. The light-emitting element 43 emits detection light for measuring the distance. More specifically, the light-emitting element 43 emits the detection light in a predetermined irradiation range that passes through the light-emitting element 43 and is centered in a direction along a perpendicular line to the first surface 411. That is, the emission surface of the light-emitting element 43 that emits the detection light is parallel to the first surface 411. In this embodiment, the light-emitting element 43 emits infrared light as the detection light, and the irradiation range of the detection light is set to be the same as the projection range of the image light, or to include the projection range of the image light and be larger than the projection range. The light receiving element 44 receives the detection light emitted from the light emitting element 43 and reflected by the projection surface or the object. The light receiving range of the detection light by the light receiving element 44 is set to overlap with the irradiation range of the detection light by the light emitting element 43. In other words, the light receiving surface of the light receiving element 44 that receives the detection light is parallel to the first surface 411. Note that, like the irradiation range of the detection light, the light receiving range of the light receiving element is set to be the same as the projection range of the image light, or is set to include the projection range of the image light and be larger than the projection range.

[0025] 7, the second surface 412 is the surface opposite to the first surface 411 and faces the -Z direction. The second surface 412 is provided with the connector 45 and also comes into contact with the pressing member 5 described below. The connector 45 is mounted on a portion of the second surface 412 facing the -X direction. The connector 45 is connected to the control device via wiring (not shown). The connector 45 receives power from the control device and outputs a signal indicating the detection result of the sensor 42 to the control device. Such a distance measuring device 4A is fixed to an inner surface 21A of the front surface 21 by a fixing member 6 via a pressing member 5.

[0026] [Range measuring device fixing structure] Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing the structure for fixing the distance measuring device 4A to the inner surface 21A of the front surface 21. That is, Fig. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing the pressing member 5 and the fixing member 6 fixed to the inner surface 21A. In addition to the above configuration, the projector 1A further includes, as shown in FIG. 8, a pressing member 5 that presses the substrate 41A of the distance measuring device 4A toward the inner surface 21A, and a fixing member 6 that fixes the substrate 41A to the inner surface 21A.

[0027] [Configuration of pressing member] The pressing member 5 is interposed between the substrate 41A and the fixing member 6 and presses the substrate 41A toward the cover CV2 provided at the passage opening 212. The pressing member 5 is an elastic member such as a cushion or rubber, and when the fixing member 6, with which the pressing member 5 comes into contact, is fixed to the inner surface 21A, the pressing member 5 presses the substrate 41A in the +Z direction in which the cover CV2 is located relative to the substrate 41A. Note that in this embodiment, three pressing members 5 are arranged on the surface of the fixing member 6 facing the second surface 412, corresponding to the periphery of the second surface 412. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the positions and number of the pressing members 5 can be changed as appropriate. For example, the pressing members 5 may be arranged on the second surface 412 by, for example, adhering.

[0028] [Configuration of fixed parts] The fixing member 6 fixes the pressing member 5 in contact with the substrate 41A. More specifically, the fixing member 6 presses the substrate 41A via the pressing member 5 to fix the distance measuring device 4A to the inner surface 21A. The fixing member 6 is a frame having a frame portion 61, a guide portion 62, a support portion 63, an opening portion 64, and a fixing portion 65.

[0029] The frame portion 61 contacts the inner surface 21A of the front surface 21 and surrounds the projection opening 211. Specifically, when the fixing member 6 is fixed to the inner surface 21A, the frame portion 61 is interposed between the inner surface 21A and the projection optical device 36 and covers the projection opening 211 from the -Z direction. The frame portion 61 is formed in a rectangular shape having a semicircular opening 611 when viewed from the -Z direction. The image light emitted from the projection optical device 36 passes through the opening 611. The image light that has passed through the opening 611 is projected via the projection port 211 to the outside of the projector 1A.

[0030] The guide portion 62 is provided on the frame portion 61 to guide and lock the wiring connected to the connector 45 of the substrate 41A. In this embodiment, three guide portions 62 are provided on the frame portion 61. The three guide portions 62 include a first guide portion 621, a second guide portion 622, and a third guide portion 623. The first guide portion 621 protrudes in the +Y direction from the center of the X axis at the end of the frame portion 61 in the +Y direction. The second guide portion 622 protrudes in the −X direction from a corner of the frame portion 61 that faces the −X direction and the +Y direction. The third guide portion 623 is provided on the −Y direction portion of the −X direction end of the frame portion 61, and protrudes in the −X direction. The guide portions 621 to 623 can guide the wiring connected to the connector 45. In addition, by locking the wiring with the guide portions 621 to 623, the wiring can be maintained in an arrangement that avoids the projection port 211 and the projection optical device 36, and the wiring can be prevented from moving wildly inside the exterior housing 2A.

[0031] The support portion 63 is a flat plate-like portion provided integrally with the frame portion 61 in the +X direction relative to the frame portion 61. The support portion 63 supports the pressing member 5 in contact with the substrate 41A. More specifically, when the fixing member 6 is fixed to the inner surface 21A, the support portion 63 fixes the substrate 41A to the inner surface 21A via the pressing member 5. The opening 64 is a through-hole that penetrates the support part 63 along the Z-axis. The opening 64 is provided in the support part 63 according to the position of the connector 45. The opening 64 is an opening that exposes the connector 45. When the substrate 41A of the distance measuring device 4A is fixed by the fixing member 6, such opening 64 makes it possible to connect wiring to the connector 45 from outside the fixing member 6. The fixing portions 65 are portions for fixing the fixing member 6 to the inner surface 21A. In this embodiment, a plurality of fixing portions 65 are provided on the periphery of the fixing member 6, and are holes through which the fixing member 6 is inserted along the Z axis. Fixing a fastener such as a screw inserted through each fixing portion 65 in the +Z direction to the inner surface 21A fixes the fixing member 6 to the inner surface 21A, and ultimately fixes the distance measuring device 4A to the inner surface 21A.

[0032] [Planning the board] 9 is a diagram showing a cross section of the projector 1A along the YZ plane, specifically, a diagram showing cross sections of the exterior housing 2A, the distance measuring device 4A, the pressing member 5, and the fixing member 6 along the YZ plane. When the fixing member 6 is fixed to the inner surface 21A, the pressing member 5 in contact with the fixing member 6 presses the substrate 41A of the distance measuring device 4A in the +Z direction toward the cover CV2. Here, the -Y direction end of substrate 41A is disposed in groove portion 214 recessed from inner surface 21A in the +Z direction, and the +Y direction end of substrate 41A contacts support surface 216 of protrusion 215 protruding in the -Z direction from inner surface 21A. That is, first surface 411 of substrate 41A contacts both the inner surface of groove portion 214 and support surface 216. For this reason, the substrate 41A is disposed at an incline with respect to the XY plane perpendicular to the Z axis. That is, the substrate 41A is disposed at an incline with respect to an imaginary plane VP perpendicular to the lens optical axis Lx of the front lens 3612. Specifically, the substrate 41A is inclined so that it approaches the inner surface 21A of the front surface 21 as it moves in the -Y direction, which is the direction opposite to the second direction, and moves away from the inner surface 21A of the front surface 21 as it moves in the +Y direction, which is the second direction. For this reason, the substrate 41A is fixed so that the first surface 411 of the substrate 41A faces both the +Y direction and the +Z direction.

[0033] By fixing the substrate 41A in this manner, it is possible to easily align the irradiation range of the detection light irradiated from the light-emitting element 43 of the sensor 42 mounted on the first surface 411 with the projection range of the image light projected in the +Y direction and the +Z direction from the projection optical device 36. This also makes it possible to easily align the light-receiving range of the detection light received by the light-receiving element 44 of the sensor 42 with the projection range of the image light. Therefore, the detection accuracy of the detection light can be improved, and in turn, the distance measurement accuracy of the distance measuring device 4A can be improved.

[0034] [Effects of the first embodiment] The projector 1A according to the present embodiment described above has the following advantages. The projector 1A includes an exterior housing 2A, a projection optical device 36, a cover CV2, and a distance measuring device 4A. The exterior housing 2A has a front surface 21 in which a projection opening 211 and a passage opening 212 are provided. The front surface 21 corresponds to a first surface. The projection optical device 36 projects image light PL through the projection opening 211. The cover CV2 is translucent and is provided in accordance with the passage opening 212. The distance measuring device 4A emits and receives detection light through the cover CV2. The projection optical device 36 has a front lens 3612 located on the output side of the image light. When the direction along the lens optical axis Lx of the front lens 3612 is defined as the +Z direction and the direction perpendicular to the +Z direction is defined as the +Y direction, the projection optical device 36 projects the image light PL so that the projection range of the image light PL is positioned in the +Y direction as it moves in the +Z direction. In other words, the projection optical device 36 projects the image light PL while biasing it in the +Y direction with respect to the lens optical axis Lx. Note that the +Z direction corresponds to the first direction, and the +Y direction corresponds to the second direction.

[0035] The distance measuring device 4A includes a substrate 41A and a sensor 42 disposed on the substrate 41A. The sensor 42 has a light-emitting element 43 that emits detection light, and a light-receiving element 44 that receives the detection light emitted from the light-emitting element 43. The substrate 41A is disposed at an angle with respect to the imaginary plane VP orthogonal to the lens optical axis Lx, about the X axis along the +X direction intersecting both the +Z direction and the +Y direction, so that the detection light emitted from the light-emitting element 43 is directed toward the projection range of the image light by the projection optical device 36. The +X direction or the -X direction corresponds to the third direction, and the X axis corresponds to the axis along the third direction. That is, the substrate 41A is inclined with respect to the imaginary plane VP orthogonal to the lens optical axis Lx so that the substrate 41A approaches the inner surface 21A in the -Y direction and moves away from the inner surface 21A in the +Y direction.

[0036] With this configuration, the first surface 411 of the substrate 41A on which the sensor 42 is provided can be easily oriented in the projection direction of the image light from the projection optical device 36. This makes it easier to overlap the irradiation range of the detection light from the light-emitting element 43 with the irradiation range of the image light, and also makes it easier to overlap the receiving range of the detection light from the light-receiving element 44 with the irradiation range of the image light. This improves the accuracy of distance measurement by the distance measuring device 4A.

[0037] In the projector 1A, the sensor 42 is disposed in the −Y direction from the center in the +Y direction on the substrate 41A. With this configuration, the sensor 42, which is provided on the substrate 41A inclined with respect to the imaginary plane VP, can be positioned close to the cover CV2. This shortens the distance between the cover CV2 and the sensor 42, thereby preventing a portion of the detection light emitted from the light-emitting element 43 from being reflected by the inner surface of the cover CV2 and reaching the light-receiving element 44. This improves the accuracy of distance measurement by the distance measuring device 4A.

[0038] In the projector 1A, the exterior housing 2A has a groove 214 and a support surface 216. The groove 214 is provided on the inner surface 21A of the exterior housing 2A. The end of the substrate 41A in the -Y direction is disposed in the groove 214. The support surface 216 supports the portion of the substrate 41A in the +Y direction. According to this configuration, the groove 214 and the support surface 216 make it easier to arrange the first surface 411 of the substrate 41A on which the sensor 42 is provided in a state inclined with respect to the imaginary plane VP. Therefore, it is easier to arrange the sensor 42 in a position close to the cover CV2.

[0039] The projector 1A includes a pressing member 5 and a fixing member 6. The pressing member 5 presses the substrate 41A toward the cover CV2. The fixing member 6 fixes the pressing member 5 in a state in which it is in contact with the substrate 41A. According to this configuration, the substrate 41A can be fixed by the pressing member 5 and the fixing member 6. Therefore, the position of the sensor 42 can be maintained.

[0040] In the projector 1A, the fixing member 6, which is a frame, has a frame portion 61 and a support portion 63. The frame portion 61 contacts the inner surface 21A of the exterior housing 2A and surrounds the projection opening 211. The support portion 63 supports the pressing member 5. According to this configuration, the frame portion 61 can surround the projection opening 211. This can prevent light from leaking from around the projection opening 211 and also make it difficult to see the inside of the exterior housing 2A from around the projection opening 211. In addition, the support portion 63 supports the pressing member 5, which can stably press the substrate 41A toward the cover CV2.

[0041] In the projector 1A, the substrate 41A has a connector 45. The fixing member 6, which is a frame, has an opening 64 that exposes the connector 45. According to this configuration, the connector 45 provided on the substrate 41A is exposed through the opening 64, which makes it easier to wire the connector 45. Therefore, the assembly process of the distance measuring device 4A can be simplified.

[0042] In the projector 1A, the fixing member 6, which is a frame, has a guide portion 62 that is provided on a frame portion 61 and that guides the wiring connected to the connector 45. According to this configuration, the guide portion 62 makes it easier to connect the wires to the connector 45, and also prevents the wires connected to the connector 45 from moving around uncontrollably inside the exterior housing 2A.

[0043] In the projector 1A, the cover CV2 is provided on the exterior housing 2A. According to this configuration, the passage opening 212 can be sealed by the cover CV2 provided in accordance with the passage opening 212. Therefore, it is possible to prevent dust from entering the exterior housing 2A through the passage opening 212, thereby improving the dustproofness of the exterior housing 2A and therefore the projector 1A.

[0044] In the projector 1A, the light emitting element 43 is a light emitting element that emits infrared light. With this configuration, it is possible to make it difficult for the user to notice the detection light.

[0045] In the projector 1A, the center C2 of the passage opening 212 is located further in the +Y direction than the center C1 of the projection opening 211. This configuration makes it easier to align the irradiation range of the detection light emitted from the passage opening 212 with the projection range of the image light projected from the projection optical device 36 with a bias in the +Y direction. This improves the accuracy of distance measurement by the distance measuring device 4A.

[0046] [Second embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. The projector according to this embodiment has a similar configuration to the projector 1A according to the first embodiment, but the method for fixing the distance measuring device is different. In the following explanation, parts that are the same or approximately the same as parts that have already been explained will be assigned the same reference numerals and explanations thereof will be omitted.

[0047] [Projector configuration] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a cross section along the YZ plane of an exterior housing 2B and a distance measuring device 4B provided in a projector 1B according to this embodiment. The projector 1B of this embodiment has the same configuration and functions as the projector 1A of the first embodiment, except that instead of the exterior housing 2A, the distance measuring device 4B, the pressing member 5, and the fixing member 6, the exterior housing 2B and the distance measuring device 4B shown in FIG. 10 are provided.

[0048] [Exterior casing configuration] The exterior housing 2B has the same configuration as the exterior housing 2A according to the first embodiment, except that it has an inner surface 21B instead of the inner surface 21A. That is, the exterior housing 2B has a front surface 21 and the inner surface 21B of the front surface 21, as well as a back surface 22, a top surface 23, a bottom surface 24, a left side surface 25, and a right side surface 26 (not shown).

[0049] Furthermore, the exterior housing 2B has two holders 21B1 and 21B4 provided on the inner surface 21B. The two holders 21B1 and 21B4 hold the substrate 41B of the distance measuring device 4B in a state inclined with respect to the imaginary plane VP that is perpendicular to the lens optical axis Lx. Of the two holding portions 21B1, 21B4, the first holding portion 21B1 is disposed in the -Y direction with respect to the passage opening 212, and the second holding portion 21B4 is disposed in the +Y direction with respect to the passage opening 212. Each of the holding portions 21B1, 21B4 protrudes from the inner surface 21B in the -Y and -Z directions. The surface of first holding portion 21B1 facing the -Z direction is support surface 21B2 that supports substrate 41B of distance measuring device 4B, and the surface of second holding portion 21B4 facing the -Z direction is support surface 21B5 that supports substrate 41B.

[0050] In this embodiment, the protrusion dimension of second holding portion 21B4 from inner surface 21B is greater than the protrusion dimension of first holding portion 21B1 from inner surface 21B, and support surface 21B5 is located in the -Z direction from support surface 21B2. Each of support surfaces 21B2 and 21B5 is inclined in the +Z direction toward inner surface 21A as it approaches the -Y direction. In other words, each of support surfaces 21B2 and 21B5 is inclined in the -Z direction away from inner surface 21A as it approaches the +Y direction. The extended plane of support surface 21B2 and the extended plane of support surface 21B5 coincide with each other. The support surface 21B2 is provided with a fixing portion 21B3 to which the fixing device FX1 is fixed, and the support surface 21B5 is provided with a fixing portion 21B6 to which the fixing device FX2 is fixed. In this embodiment, the fixing devices FX1 and FX2 are screws.

[0051] [Configuration of distance measuring device] The distance measuring device 4B has the same configuration and functions as the distance measuring device 4A according to the first embodiment, except that it has a substrate 41B and a position adjustment member 46 instead of the substrate 41A. That is, the distance measuring device 4B has the substrate 41B, the sensor 42, the position adjustment member 46, and a connector 45 not shown in FIG. Similar to substrate 41A, substrate 41B is formed in a rectangular shape when viewed from the -Z direction. Substrate 41B has a first surface 411 facing the +Z direction and a second surface 412 facing the -Z direction, as well as through-holes 413 and 414 that penetrate substrate 41B in the direction from second surface 412 toward first surface 411. Through hole 413 is provided in accordance with fixing portion 21B3 of first holding portion 21B1, and through hole 414 is provided in accordance with fixing portion 21B6 of second holding portion 21B4. Fixing device FX1 inserted through through hole 413 from the -Z direction is fixed to fixing portion 21B3, and fixing device FX2 inserted through through hole 414 from the -Z direction is fixed to fixing portion 21B6, whereby substrate 41B is held by holding portions 21B1 and 21B4. In this way, substrate 41B is held such that first surface 411 on which sensor 42 is provided of substrate 41B is inclined with respect to imaginary plane VP perpendicular to the lens optical axis Lx.

[0052] The position adjustment member 46 is provided on the first surface 411 of the substrate 41A. Specifically, the position adjustment member 46 is a substrate that is provided between the first surface 411 and the sensor 42 and functions as a base that adjusts the position of the sensor 42. By providing such a position adjustment member 46, the sensor 42 can be brought closer to the cover CV2, and reflection of the detection light on the surface of the cover CV2 facing the -Z direction can be suppressed.

[0053] [Effects of the second embodiment] The projector 1B according to this embodiment described above has the same effects as the projector 1A according to the first embodiment, and also has the following effects. In the projector 1B, the exterior housing 2B has holding portions 21B1 and 21B4 that hold the substrate 41B in a state inclined with respect to the imaginary plane VP. According to this configuration, since exterior housing 2B has holding portions 21B1 and 21B4, there is no need to provide a separate member for holding substrate 41B. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an increase in the number of parts of projector 1B that includes substrate 41B that is inclined with respect to the imaginary plane VP.

[0054] [Third embodiment] Next, a third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. The projector according to this embodiment has a configuration similar to that of the projector 1A according to the first embodiment, but differs in that the distance measuring device, which is unitized with the cover, is fixed to a support member that supports the image projection device 3. In the following explanation, parts that are the same or approximately the same as parts that have already been explained will be given the same reference numerals and explanations thereof will be omitted.

[0055] [Projector configuration] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a cross section along the YZ plane of an exterior housing 2C and a distance measuring device 4C provided in a projector 1C according to this embodiment. The projector 1C according to this embodiment has the same configuration and functions as the projector 1A according to the first embodiment, except that it has an exterior housing 2C and a distance measuring device 4C shown in FIG. 11 instead of the exterior housing 2A and the distance measuring device 4A.

[0056] [Exterior casing configuration] The exterior housing 2C has an inner surface 21C of the front surface 21 instead of the inner surface 21A of the front surface 21, and further has an inner surface 23C of the top surface 23. In other words, the exterior housing 2C has the front surface 21, the inner surface 21C of the front surface 21, the top surface 23, and the inner surface 23C of the top surface 23, as well as a back surface 22, a bottom surface 24, a left side surface 25, and a right side surface 26 (not shown). Unlike the inner surface 21A according to the first embodiment and the inner surface 21B according to the second embodiment, the inner surface 21C does not have the attachment portion 213 and the holding portions 21B1 and 21B4, and is formed substantially flat along the XY plane. A contact surface 4714 of the distance measuring device 4C comes into contact with the inner surface 21C.

[0057] Furthermore, the exterior housing 2C has a mounting portion 23C1 provided on the inner surface 23C. The mounting portion 23C1 protrudes in the −Y direction from the inner surface 23C. A housing 47 (described later) of the distance measuring device 4C is attached to the mounting portion 23C1. The mounting portion 23C1 has a fixing portion 23C2 and a positioning portion 23C3. A fixing tool FX3 is fixed to the fixing portion 23C2 to fix the housing 47. The fixing tool FX3 is, for example, a screw that passes through a part of the housing 47, and the fixing portion 23C2 is a screw hole into which the fixing tool FX3 is fixed. The positioning portion 23C3 engages with the housing 47 to position the housing 47. In this embodiment, the positioning portion 23C3 is a positioning protrusion that is inserted into the housing 47. However, if the housing 47 has a positioning protrusion, the positioning portion 23C3 may be a positioning hole into which the positioning protrusion is inserted.

[0058] [Configuration of distance measuring device] In addition to having the same configuration as the distance measuring device 4A according to the first embodiment, the distance measuring device 4C also includes a housing 47 and has the same functions as the distance measuring device 4A. That is, the distance measuring device 4C includes a substrate 41A, a sensor 42, a connector 45, and the housing 47, and is unitized by the housing 47. The distance measuring device 4C may also include a position adjustment member 46 interposed between the first surface 411 of the substrate 41A and the sensor 42.

[0059] The housing 47 accommodates the substrate 41A and is attached to the attachment portion 23C1. The housing 47 has a first housing 471 and a second housing 472 that sandwich the substrate 41A in the Z axis direction, a fixing member 473, and a pressing member 474. In the following description of each component of the housing 47, the directions indicated are the directions when the distance measuring device 4C is attached to the attachment portion 23C1 of the exterior casing 2C.

[0060] [Configuration of the first chassis] First housing 471 has a recess 4711 , a support surface 4712 , a communication port 4713 , a contact surface 4714 , a fixing portion 4715 , and an attachment portion 4716 . Recess 4711 is recessed in the +Z direction from the −Z direction surface of first housing 471. Board 41A is placed in recess 4711 from the −Z direction. The support surface 4712 is a part of the bottom surface of the recess 4711 and comes into contact with the first surface 411 of the substrate 41A placed in the recess 4711. Similar to the support surfaces 21B2 and 21B5 according to the second embodiment, the support surface 4712 is inclined in the +Z direction, getting closer to the inner surface 21C as it approaches the -Y direction. In other words, the support surface 4712 is inclined in the -Z direction, getting further away from the inner surface 21C as it approaches the +Y direction. When the first surface 411 comes into contact with the support surface 4712, the substrate 41A is supported so that the first surface 411 of the substrate 41A is inclined with respect to an imaginary plane VP perpendicular to the lens optical axis Lx and faces both the +Y direction and the +Z direction.

[0061] The communication opening 4713 is an opening that communicates the space inside the recess 4711 with the space in the +Z direction relative to the first housing 471. The communication opening 4713 is provided in accordance with the sensor 42 of the substrate 41A placed in the recess 4711, and the detection light emitted from the light-emitting element 43 of the sensor 42 and the detection light incident on the light-receiving element 44 of the sensor 42 pass through the communication opening 4713. The communication opening 4713 is closed by a cover CV2 disposed in the +Z direction with respect to the substrate 41A. That is, the communication opening 4713 is closed by the light-transmitting cover CV2 fixed to the surface in the +Z direction of the first housing 471. Thus, in this embodiment, the cover CV2 is provided in the housing 47 of the distance measuring device 4C. When the distance measuring device 4C is attached to the attachment portion 23C1, the cover CV2 is provided inside the passage opening 212 provided on the front surface 21. Although not shown in the drawings, the gap between the cover CV2 and the inner edge of the passage opening 212 may be sealed with a sealing material.

[0062] The contact surface 4714 is a surface of the housing 47 facing the +Z direction, and is a surface of the housing 47 surrounding the cover CV2 when viewed from the +Z direction. The contact surface 4714 comes into contact with the inner surface 21C of the front surface 21. Fixing portion 4715 is provided on a surface of first housing 471 facing the -Z direction. More specifically, a plurality of fixing portions 4715 are provided on the outer side of recess 4711 when viewed from the -Z direction. Each of the plurality of fixing portions 4715 is a portion to which fixing device 473 that fixes second housing 472 to first housing 471 is fixed. In this embodiment, fixing device 473 is a screw, and fixing portion 4715 is a screw hole to which fixing device 473 is fixed.

[0063] The mounting portion 4716 extends in the -Z direction from the end of the first housing 471 in the +Y direction, and is attached to the above-mentioned mounting portion 23C1. The mounting portion 4716 has a first through hole 4717 and a second through hole 4718. Each of the through holes 4717, 4718 penetrates the mounting portion 4716 along the Y axis. A part of the fixture FX3 is inserted into the first through-hole 4717 along the +Y direction, and the fixture FX3 is fixed to the fixing portion 23C2 of the attachment portion 23C1. The positioning portion 23C3 is inserted into the second through hole 4718 along the −Y direction.

[0064] [Configuration of the second enclosure] Second housing 472 is a flat plate-like member that is combined with first housing 471 and that sandwiches board 41A in the Z axis direction together with first housing 471. Second housing 472 has insertion opening 4721 and protrusions 4722 and 4723. A plurality of insertion holes 4721 are provided corresponding to the respective fixing portions 4715. The insertion holes 4721 are openings through which the fixing devices 473 are inserted along the +Z direction. The fixing devices 473 inserted through the insertion holes 4721 are fixed to the corresponding fixing portions 4715, whereby the second housing 472 is fixed to the first housing 471.

[0065] Protrusions 4722 and 4723 each protrude in the +Z direction from a surface of second housing 472 facing the +Z direction, and press substrate 41A toward support surface 4712 via pressing member 474. Protrusion 4722 is provided according to a portion of substrate 41A in the -Y direction, and protrusion 4723 is provided according to a portion of substrate 41A in the +Y direction. The +Z end face of each of protrusions 4722, 4723 is inclined with respect to the XY plane so as to be positioned in the +Z direction as it approaches the -Y direction. The extension plane of the +Z end face of protrusion 4722 and the extension plane of the +Z end face of protrusion 4723 are substantially aligned. Pressing members 474 are provided on the +Z end faces of each of protrusions 4722, 4723.

[0066] The pressing member 474 is an elastic member similar to the pressing member 5. The pressing member 474 comes into contact with the second surface 412 of the substrate 41A. That is, the pressing member 474 is provided between the protruding portion 4722 and the second surface 412, and between the protruding portion 4723 and the second surface 412. When second housing 472 is attached to first housing 471, pressing member 474 presses substrate 41A toward support surface 4712 with protrusions 4722 and 4723.

[0067] By attaching the housing 47 having such a configuration to the inner surfaces 21C, 23C of the exterior casing 2C, the inclination state of the substrate 41A of the distance measuring device 4C with respect to the virtual plane VP is maintained. This makes it easier to align the irradiation range of the detection light emitted to the outside of the projector 1C through the cover CV2 with the projection range of the image light projected by the projection optical device 36.

[0068] [Effects of the third embodiment] The projector 1C according to this embodiment described above has the same effects as the projector 1A according to the first embodiment, and also has the following effects. In the projector 1C, the distance measuring device 4C has a housing 47 that holds the substrate 41A in a state inclined with respect to the imaginary plane VP. According to this configuration, the distance measuring device 4C includes the housing 47 that holds the board 41A, and thus the distance measuring device 4C can be unitized including the housing 47. This makes it easy to assemble the distance measuring device 4C into the projector 1C.

[0069] In the projector 1C, the cover CV2 is provided on the distance measuring device 4C. With this configuration, the positional relationship between the sensor 42 provided on the substrate 41A and the cover CV2 can be maintained, and the sensor 42 can be easily positioned close to the cover CV2. Furthermore, the distance measuring device 4C having the substrate 41A can be made into a unit, which improves the assembly efficiency of the projector.

[0070] In the projector 1C, the distance measuring device 4C is fixed to a fixing portion 23C2 provided on the inner surface 23C of the exterior housing 2C. That is, the distance measuring device 4C is fixed to the exterior housing 2C. According to this configuration, the distance measuring device 4C can be easily attached to the projector 1C.

[0071] [Fourth embodiment] Next, a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. The projector according to this embodiment has a similar configuration to projector 1C according to the third embodiment, but differs in that a distance measuring device having a housing is fixed to a support member that supports an image projection device. Note that in the following explanation, parts that are the same or approximately the same as parts already explained will be assigned the same reference numerals and explanations thereof will be omitted.

[0072] [Projector configuration] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a cross section along the YZ plane of an exterior housing 2D, a distance measuring device 4D, and a support member 7 provided in a projector 1D according to this embodiment. The projector 1D of this embodiment has the same configuration and functions as the projector 1C of the third embodiment, except that it has an exterior housing 2D and a distance measuring device 4D shown in Figure 12 instead of the exterior housing 2C and the distance measuring device 4C, and further has a support member 7.

[0073] [Exterior casing configuration] The exterior housing 2D has the same configuration and functions as the exterior housing 2A according to the first embodiment, except that it has an inner surface 21D instead of the inner surface 21A. That is, the exterior housing 2D has a front surface 21 and the inner surface 21D of the front surface 21, as well as a back surface 22, a top surface 23, a bottom surface 24, a left side surface 25, and a right side surface 26, all of which are not shown. The inner surface 21D has the same configuration as the inner surface 21C, except that the inner edge of the passage opening 212 protrudes in the -Z direction. The protrusion dimension of the inner edge of the passage opening 212 in the -Z direction increases as the position of the inner edge moves toward the +Y direction. This configuration is intended to reduce the distance between the inner edge of the passage opening 212 and a cover CV2 provided on a distance measuring device 4D, which will be described later. The inner surface of the passage opening 212 is subjected to processing such as blasting to increase the surface roughness, thereby suppressing diffuse reflection of the detection light on the inner surface and preventing a decrease in the detection accuracy of the distance measuring device 4D.

[0074] [Support member configuration] The support member 7 is disposed inside the exterior housing 2D and serves as a base for supporting the image projection device 3. More specifically, the support member 7 supports the projection optical device 36. In addition, the support member 7 has an attachment portion 71 to which the distance measuring device 4D is attached. The attachment portion 71 has a fixing portion 72 to which a fixing tool FX4 for fixing a housing 48 (described later) of the distance measuring device 4D is fixed. In this embodiment, the fixing device FX4 is a screw, and the fixing portion 72 is a screw hole. The fixing device FX4 is inserted in the −Y direction through a through-hole 4817 (described later) of the housing 48, and is fixed to the fixing portion 72, thereby fixing the housing 48 to the support member 7.

[0075] [Configuration of distance measuring device] The distance measuring device 4D has the same configuration and functions as the distance measuring device 4C according to the third embodiment, except that it has a housing 48 instead of the housing 47. That is, the distance measuring device 4D has a board 41A, a sensor 42, a connector 45, and a housing 48, and is unitized by the housing 48. The distance measuring device 4D may also have a position adjustment member 46 interposed between the first surface 411 of the board 41A and the sensor 42.

[0076] [Housing configuration] Housing 48 accommodates substrate 41A and is attached to support member 7. Housing 48 has first housing 481 and second housing 482 that sandwich substrate 41A in the Z axis direction, pressing member 474, and also has fixing device 473 (not shown in FIG. 12). In the following description of each component of the housing 48, the directions indicated are directions when the distance measuring device 4D is attached to the support member 7.

[0077] [Configuration of the first chassis] First housing 481 has the same configuration and function as first housing 471 according to the third embodiment, except that it has attachment portion 4816 instead of contact surface 4714 and attachment portion 4716. That is, first housing 481 has recess 4711, support surface 4712, communication port 4713, and attachment portion 4816, as well as fixing portion 4715 which is not shown in FIG. The attachment portion 4816 is a portion that extends in the −Z direction from the −Y direction end of the first housing 481, and is attached to the support member 7. The attachment portion 4816 has a through hole 4817. A part of the fixture FX4 that fixes the housing 48 to the support member 7 is inserted into the through hole 4817 along the −Y direction, and the fixture FX4 is attached to the attachment portion 71 of the support member 7. If the support member 7 has a positioning protrusion, the attachment portion 4816 may have a positioning hole into which the positioning protrusion is inserted.

[0078] In first housing 481, surface 481A facing the +Z direction is inclined with respect to the XY plane. More specifically, surface 481A is inclined with respect to the XY plane so as to approach inner surface 21D as it approaches the -Y direction. Cover CV2 that covers communication opening 4713 from the +Z direction is attached to surface 481A. For this reason, cover CV2 is inclined with respect to the XY plane, just like surface 481A.

[0079] [Configuration of the second enclosure] Second housing 482 is formed in a flat plate shape. Second housing 482 is fixed to first housing 481, thereby sandwiching substrate 41A, which is placed in recess 4711 and tilted with respect to the XY plane. Second housing 482 is provided substantially parallel to substrate 41A, and pressing member 474 is arranged between the surface of second housing 482 facing the +Z direction and second surface 412 of substrate 41A. Therefore, when second housing 482 is fixed to first housing 481, pressing member 474 presses substrate 41A toward support surface 4712 of first housing 481. This causes substrate 41A to be inclined with respect to the XY plane, and sensor 42 is maintained in a state facing both the +Y direction and the +Z direction.

[0080] [Effects of the fourth embodiment] The projector 1D according to this embodiment described above has the same effects as the projector 1C according to the third embodiment, and also has the following effects. The projector 1D is provided in an exterior housing 2D and includes a support member 7 that supports the projection optical device 36. The distance measuring device 4D is fixed to the support member 7. With this configuration, the projection optical device 36 and the distance measuring device 4D are fixed to the same support member 7. This allows the projection optical device 36 and the distance measuring device 4D, which is inclined with respect to the imaginary plane VP related to the projection optical device 36, to be configured integrally. This makes it easier to adjust the inclination of the substrate 41A with respect to the imaginary plane VP. In addition, even if an external force is applied to the projector 1C, for example, when the projector 1C is dropped, it is possible to prevent the position of the substrate 41A from shifting with respect to the imaginary plane VP that is orthogonal to the lens optical axis Lx related to the projection optical device 36.

[0081] [Fifth embodiment] Next, a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. The projector according to this embodiment has a configuration similar to that of projector 1A according to the first embodiment, but differs in that the substrate that constitutes the distance measuring device is inclined not only in the +Y direction and the +Z direction, but also in the -X direction and the +Z direction. Note that in the following explanation, parts that are the same or approximately the same as parts that have already been explained will be assigned the same reference numerals and explanations thereof will be omitted.

[0082] [Projector configuration] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an inclined state of the substrate 41A in the projector 1E according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 13, the projector 1E according to this embodiment has the same configuration and functions as any of the projectors 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D according to the first to fourth embodiments, except that it has an exterior housing 2E and a distance measuring device 4E instead of the exterior housings 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D and distance measuring devices 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D. The exterior housing 2E has the same configuration and functions as any of the exterior housings 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D according to the first to fourth embodiments. Furthermore, in the projector 1E according to this embodiment, the end of the projection optical device 36 on the image light emission side protrudes outward from the projection opening 211 of the exterior housing 2E.

[0083] [Configuration of distance measuring device] The distance measuring device 4E includes at least the substrate 41A according to the first embodiment. The substrate 41A is disposed away from the projection optical device 36 in the +X direction so that the end of the projection optical device 36 on the image light output side, which protrudes from the projection opening 211, is not included in the irradiation range of the detection light. Although not shown in the drawings, similar to the boards 41A and 41B in the first to fourth embodiments, the board 41A of the distance measuring device 4E is inclined with respect to the imaginary plane VP orthogonal to the lens optical axis Lx so as to approach the inner surface of the front surface 21 in the -Y direction. That is, the first surface 411 of the board 41A approaches the inner surface of the front surface 21 in the -Y direction and is inclined with respect to the XY plane.

[0084] Furthermore, the substrate 41A of the distance measuring device 4E is inclined with respect to the imaginary plane VP orthogonal to the lens optical axis Lx so as to approach the inner surface of the front surface 21 as it moves in the +X direction away from the projection optical device 36. That is, the first surface 411 of the substrate 41A approaches the inner surface of the front surface 21 as it moves in the +X direction. In other words, the first surface 411 of the substrate 41A moves away from the inner surface of the front surface 21 as it moves in the -X direction closer to the projection optical device 36, and the substrate 41A is inclined with respect to the XY plane.

[0085] With the substrate 41A arranged in this manner, the irradiation range of the detection light DL emitted from the light-emitting elements 43 of the sensor 42 can be more easily directed toward the projection range of the image light PL projected from the projection optical device 36. In addition, with the substrate 41A, the light-receiving range of the detection light DL received by the light-receiving elements 44 of the sensor 42 can be more easily directed toward the projection range of the image light PL projected from the projection optical device 36. This can improve the detection accuracy of the sensor 42 and the distance measurement accuracy of the distance measuring device 4E.

[0086] As the holding structure for the substrate 41A in this embodiment, the same holding structure as the holding structure for the substrate 41A according to the first to fourth embodiments can be adopted. For example, by adopting the holding structure of the first embodiment as the holding structure of this embodiment and adjusting the angle of the groove portion 214 and the support surface 216 relative to the virtual plane VP, the first surface 411 of the substrate 41A can be inclined as described above. For example, by adopting the holding structure of the second embodiment as the holding structure of this embodiment and adjusting the angle of the support surfaces 21B2 and 21B5 relative to the virtual plane VP, the first surface 411 of the substrate 41A can be inclined as described above. For example, by adopting the holding structure of the third embodiment as the holding structure of this embodiment and adjusting the angle of the support surface 4712 relative to the virtual plane VP, the first surface 411 of the substrate 41A can be inclined as described above. For example, by adopting the holding structure of the fourth embodiment as the holding structure of this embodiment and adjusting the angle of the support surface 4712 relative to the virtual plane VP, or by tilting the orientation of the +Z direction surface of the housing 48 toward the projection optical device 36, the first surface 411 of the substrate 41A can be inclined as described above.

[0087] [Effects of the fifth embodiment] The projector 1E according to this embodiment described above has the same effects as the projector 1A according to the first embodiment, and also has the following effects. In the projector 1E, the passage opening 212 is provided away from the projection opening 211 in the +X direction. In this embodiment, the +X direction corresponds to the third direction. The substrate 41A has a first surface 411 that faces the inner surface of the front surface 21. The first surface 411 approaches the inner surface of the front surface 21 as it moves in the +X direction. In other words, the substrate 41A is disposed at an incline so that the first surface 411 approaches the inner surface of the front surface 21 as it moves in the +X direction. The first surface 411 corresponds to the opposing surface of the substrate 41A that faces the inner surface of the front surface 21. With this configuration, even if the passage opening 212 is spaced apart in the +X direction from the projection opening 211, it is possible to easily align the irradiation range of the detection light with the projection range of the image light. Therefore, it is possible to improve the accuracy of distance measurement by the distance measuring device 4E. Note that the same applies when the passage opening 212 is spaced apart in the -X direction from the projection opening 211.

[0088] [Modification of the embodiment] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and modifications and improvements within the scope of achieving the object of the present disclosure are included in the present disclosure. In the above-described embodiments, the sensor 42 is disposed in a portion of the substrates 41A and 41B in the -Y direction. That is, the sensor 42 is disposed in a portion of the substrates 41A and 41B in the -Y direction with respect to the center of the first surfaces 411 of the substrates 41A and 41B in the Y axis. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the position of the sensor 42 on the first surfaces 411 of the substrates 41A and 41B can be changed as appropriate.

[0089] In the first embodiment, the exterior housing 2A has the groove 214 provided on the inner surface 21A of the front surface 21. However, this is not limiting, and the groove 214 may be omitted. In this case, a locking portion that locks the end of the substrate 41A in the -Y direction may be provided on the inner surface 21A. An example of such a locking portion is a protrusion that protrudes from the inner surface 21A and holds the end of the substrate 41A in the -Y direction.

[0090] In the first embodiment, the projector 1A includes a pressing member 5 that presses the substrate 41A, and in the third and fourth embodiments, the projector 1A includes a pressing member 474 that is disposed inside the housing 47. However, this is not limiting, and for example, if the substrate 41A is bonded to the support surface 216 and the support surface 4712 with an adhesive or the like, the pressing member 5 may be omitted. In this case, the fixing member 6 can also be omitted.

[0091] In the first embodiment, the fixing member 6 has the opening 64 that exposes the connector 45 of the substrate 41A. However, this is not limiting, and the fixing member 6 does not have to have the opening 64. In this case, the fixing member 6 may have a passage opening through which the wiring connected to the connector 45 passes, at a position different from the position where the connector 45 is provided.

[0092] In the first embodiment, the fixed member 6 has the guide portions 62 provided on the frame portion 61. However, this is not limiting, and the guide portions 62 may be omitted. Furthermore, even when the guide portions 62 are provided on the fixed member 6, the positions and number of the guide portions 62 can be changed as appropriate.

[0093] In the above embodiments, the projectors 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, and 1E are each provided with a cover CV2 provided at the passage opening 212. However, this is not limitative, and the cover CV2 may be omitted. Furthermore, the configuration for holding the cover CV2 is not limited to the exterior housings 2A and 2B and the distance measuring devices 4C and 4D, and may be another configuration. In the third and fourth embodiments, the cover CV2 is attached to the housings 47 and 48 of the distance measuring devices 4C and 4D. However, this is not limiting, and the cover CV2 may be attached to the exterior housings 2C and 2D.

[0094] In each of the above embodiments, the light emitting element 43 emits infrared light as detection light, but this is not limiting, and the detection light may be light in a wavelength band other than infrared light.

[0095] In each of the above embodiments, the center C2 of the passage opening 212 on the Y axis is located in the +Y direction relative to the center C1 of the projection opening 211 on the Y axis. However, this is not limiting, and the position of the center C2 of the passage opening 212 on the Y axis may be the same as the position of the center C1 of the projection opening 211 on the Y axis, or may be located in the -Y direction relative to the center C1 of the projection opening 211 on the Y axis. In each of the above embodiments, the passage opening 212 is arranged in the +X direction with respect to the projection opening 211. However, this is not limiting, and the passage opening 212 may be arranged in the −X direction with respect to the projection opening 211, or in the +Y direction or −Y direction.

[0096] In the above fourth embodiment, the distance measuring device 4D is fixed to the support member 7 that supports the projection optical device 36. However, this is not limiting, and the distance measuring device 4D may be fixed to the projection optical device 36. In this case, the distance measuring device 4D may be fixed directly to the projection optical device 36, or may be fixed indirectly to the projection optical device 36 via an intervening member.

[0097] In the first and second embodiments, the cover CV1 provided at the projection port 211 and the cover CV2 provided at the passage port 212 are separate bodies. However, this is not limiting, and CV1 and CV2 may be an integrated part. In this case, it is possible to employ a single cover in which the portion corresponding to the projection port 211 is visible light transmissive, the portion corresponding to the passage port 212 is infrared light transmissive, and the other portion is light-blocking.

[0098] In the above embodiments, the projectors 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, and 1E are each provided with three light modulation elements 343R, 343G, and 343B. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this and can also be applied to a projector that is provided with two or less light modulation elements, or four or more light modulation elements. In each of the above embodiments, the image projection device 3 has a configuration in which optical components are arranged in a substantially L-shape as shown in Fig. 2. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the optical components constituting the image projection device 3 and the layout of the optical components are not limited to those described above.

[0099] In each of the above embodiments, the light modulation element 343 is configured as a transmissive liquid crystal panel having different light incident and light exit surfaces. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the light modulation element may be configured as a reflective liquid crystal panel having the same light incident and light exit surfaces. Furthermore, as long as the light modulation element is capable of modulating an incident light beam to form image light corresponding to image information, a light modulation element other than a liquid crystal may be used, such as a device using a micromirror, for example, a DMD (Digital Micromirror Device).

[0100] Summary of this disclosure A summary of this disclosure is provided below. [Appendix 1] an exterior housing having a first surface on which a projection opening and a passage opening are respectively provided; a projection optical device that projects image light through the projection opening; a cover that is translucent and provided in accordance with the passage opening; a distance measuring device that emits and receives detection light through the cover, the projection optical device has a front lens located on the output side of the image light, and projects the image light such that a projection range of the image light is positioned in the second direction as it moves toward the first direction, where a direction along a lens optical axis of the front lens is defined as a first direction and a direction perpendicular to the first direction is defined as a second direction; The distance measuring device is A substrate; a sensor disposed on the substrate, the sensor having a light-emitting element that emits the detection light and a light-receiving element that receives the detection light emitted from the light-emitting element; the substrate is disposed at an angle with respect to a virtual plane perpendicular to the lens optical axis about an axis along a third direction intersecting with each of the first direction and the second direction so that the detection light emitted from the light-emitting element is directed toward a projection range of the image light by the projection optical device. A projector characterized by:

[0101] This configuration makes it easier to orient the substrate on which the sensor having the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element is mounted in the direction of projection of the image light from the projection optical device. This makes it easier to overlap the irradiation range of the detection light from the light-emitting element with the irradiation range of the image light, and also makes it easier to overlap the receiving range of the detection light from the light-receiving element with the irradiation range of the image light. Therefore, the distance measurement accuracy of the distance measuring device can be improved.

[0102] [Appendix 2] 2. The projector according to claim 1, the sensor is disposed on the substrate in a direction opposite to the second direction from a center in the second direction. A projector characterized by: With this configuration, the sensor mounted on the substrate tilted with respect to the virtual plane can be positioned close to the cover. This shortens the distance between the cover and the sensor, preventing a portion of the detection light emitted from the light-emitting element from being reflected by the inner surface of the cover and reaching the light-receiving element. This improves the distance measurement accuracy of the distance measuring device.

[0103] [Appendix 3] In the projector according to Supplementary Note 2, The exterior housing is a groove portion provided on an inner surface of the exterior housing, in which an end portion of the substrate in a direction opposite to the second direction is disposed; a support surface that supports the portion of the substrate in the second direction, A projector characterized by: With this configuration, the groove and the support surface make it easier to position the substrate on which the sensor is mounted in a tilted state with respect to the virtual plane, making it easier to position the sensor close to the cover.

[0104] [Appendix 4] In the projector according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 3, a pressing member that presses the substrate toward the cover; a fixing member that fixes the pressing member in contact with the substrate, A projector characterized by: According to this configuration, the substrate can be fixed by the pressing member and the fixing member, and therefore the position of the sensor can be maintained.

[0105] [Appendix 5] 5. The projector according to claim 4, the fixing member is a frame, The frame is a frame portion that contacts the inner surface of the exterior housing and surrounds the projection port; A support portion that supports the pressing member. A projector characterized by: With this configuration, the frame can surround the projection port, which not only prevents light from leaking from around the projection port but also makes it difficult to see the inside of the exterior housing from around the projection port. In addition, the support portion supports the pressing member, which allows the pressing member to stably press the board against the cover.

[0106] [Appendix 6] 6. The projector according to claim 5, the substrate has a connector; The frame has an opening that exposes the connector. A projector characterized by: With this configuration, the connector provided on the substrate is exposed through the opening, making it easier to wire the connector, thereby simplifying the assembly process of the distance measuring device.

[0107] [Appendix 7] 7. The projector according to claim 6, The frame has a guide portion provided on the frame portion to guide wiring connected to the connector. A projector characterized by: According to this configuration, the guide portion makes it easier to connect the wires to the connector, and also prevents the wires connected to the connector from moving around uncontrollably inside the exterior housing.

[0108] [Appendix 8] In the projector according to Supplementary Note 1 or Supplementary Note 2, the exterior housing has a holding portion that holds the substrate in a state inclined with respect to the imaginary plane, A projector characterized by: With this configuration, since the exterior housing has the holding portion, there is no need to provide a separate member for holding the board, which makes it possible to prevent an increase in the number of parts in a projector that includes a board that is inclined with respect to the virtual plane.

[0109] [Appendix 9] 9. The projector according to claim 1, The cover is provided on the exterior housing. A projector characterized by: According to this configuration, the passage opening can be sealed by the cover provided in accordance with the passage opening, which prevents dust from entering the exterior housing through the passage opening, thereby improving the dustproofness of the exterior housing and, ultimately, the projector.

[0110] [Appendix 10] In the projector according to Supplementary Note 1 or Supplementary Note 2, the distance measuring device has a housing that holds the substrate in a state inclined with respect to the virtual plane; A projector characterized by: According to this configuration, the distance measuring device includes a housing that holds the board, so that the distance measuring device can be made into a unit, which makes it easy to mount the distance measuring device on the projector.

[0111] [Appendix 11] 11. The projector according to claim 10, The cover is provided on the distance measuring device. A projector characterized by: With this configuration, the distance measuring device is provided with a cover that is installed according to the passage opening, so the positional relationship between the sensor installed on the board and the cover can be maintained, and it is also possible to easily position the sensor in a position close to the cover. Furthermore, since the distance measuring device having the board can be made into a unit, the assembly of the projector can be improved.

[0112] [Appendix 12] 12. The projector according to claim 10, The distance measuring device is fixed to the exterior housing. A projector characterized by: According to this configuration, the distance measuring device can be easily attached to the projector.

[0113] [Appendix 13] 12. The projector according to claim 10, a support member provided in the exterior housing and supporting the projection optical device; The distance measuring device is fixed to the support member. A projector characterized by: With this configuration, the projection optical device and the distance measuring device are fixed to the same support member. This allows the projection optical device and the distance measuring device, which is tilted with respect to the virtual plane related to the projection optical device, to be configured as an integrated unit. This makes it easier to adjust the tilt of the substrate with respect to the virtual plane. Furthermore, even if an external force is applied to the projector, such as when the projector is dropped, it is possible to prevent the position of the substrate from shifting with respect to the virtual plane perpendicular to the lens optical axis related to the projection optical device.

[0114] [Appendix 14] 14. The projector according to claim 1, The light-emitting element is a light-emitting element that emits infrared rays. A projector characterized by: With this configuration, it is possible to make it difficult for the user to notice the detection light.

[0115] [Appendix 15] 15. The projector according to claim 1, the passage opening is spaced apart from the projection opening in the third direction, the substrate has an opposing surface facing the inner surface of the first surface, the opposing surface approaches the inner surface of the first surface as it extends in the third direction; A projector characterized by: With this configuration, even if the passage opening is spaced apart from the projection opening in the third direction, the irradiation range of the detection light can be easily aligned with the projection range of the image light, thereby improving the accuracy of distance measurement by the distance measuring device.

[0116] [Appendix 16] 16. The projector according to claim 1, the center of the passage opening is positioned in the second direction relative to the center of the projection opening; A projector characterized by:

[0117] This configuration makes it easier to align the irradiation range of the detection light emitted from the passage opening with the projection range of the image light projected from the projection optical device in a biased manner in the second direction, thereby improving the distance measurement accuracy of the distance measuring device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0118] 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E...Projector, 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E...Exterior housing, 21...Front, 211...Projection port, 212...Passage port, 21A, 21B, 21C, 21D...Inner surface, 22...Rear surface, 23...Top surface, 23C...Inner surface, 24...Bottom surface, 25...Left side surface, 26...Right side surface, 3...Image projection device, 36...Projection optical device, 361...Lens, 3612...Front lens, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4 E... ranging device, 41A, 41B... circuit board, 411... first surface, 412... second surface, 42... sensor, 43... light-emitting element, 44... light-receiving element, 45... connector, 46... position adjustment member, 47, 48... housing, 5... pressing member, 6... fixing member, 61... frame portion, 62... guide portion, 63... support portion, 64... opening, 7... support member, Cx... central axis, DL... detection light, Lx... lens optical axis, PL... image light, VP... virtual surface.

Claims

1. an exterior housing having a first surface on which a projection opening and a passage opening are respectively provided; a projection optical device that projects image light through the projection opening; a cover that is translucent and provided in accordance with the passage opening; a distance measuring device that emits and receives detection light through the cover, the projection optical device has a front lens located on the output side of the image light, and projects the image light such that a projection range of the image light is positioned in the second direction as it moves toward the first direction, where a direction along a lens optical axis of the front lens is defined as a first direction and a direction perpendicular to the first direction is defined as a second direction; The distance measuring device is A substrate; a sensor disposed on the substrate, the sensor having a light-emitting element that emits the detection light and a light-receiving element that receives the detection light emitted from the light-emitting element; the substrate is disposed at an angle with respect to a virtual plane perpendicular to the lens optical axis about an axis along a third direction intersecting with each of the first direction and the second direction, so that the detection light emitted from the light-emitting element is directed toward a projection range of the image light by the projection optical device. A projector characterized by:

2. The projector according to claim 1 , the sensor is disposed on the substrate in a direction opposite to the second direction from a center in the second direction; A projector characterized by:

3. The projector according to claim 2 , The exterior housing is a groove portion provided on an inner surface of the exterior housing, in which an end portion of the substrate in a direction opposite to the second direction is disposed; a support surface that supports the portion of the substrate in the second direction, A projector characterized by:

4. The projector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, a pressing member that presses the substrate toward the cover; a fixing member that fixes the pressing member in contact with the substrate, A projector characterized by:

5. The projector according to claim 4 , the fixing member is a frame, The frame is a frame portion that contacts the inner surface of the exterior housing and surrounds the projection port; A support portion that supports the pressing member. A projector characterized by:

6. The projector according to claim 5 , the substrate has a connector; The frame has an opening that exposes the connector. A projector characterized by:

7. The projector according to claim 6 , The frame has a guide portion provided on the frame portion to guide wiring connected to the connector. A projector characterized by:

8. 3. The projector according to claim 1, the exterior housing has a holding portion that holds the substrate in a state inclined with respect to the imaginary plane, A projector characterized by:

9. The projector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The cover is provided on the exterior housing. A projector characterized by:

10. The projector according to claim 1 , the distance measuring device has a housing that holds the substrate in a state inclined with respect to the virtual plane; A projector characterized by:

11. The projector according to claim 10, The cover is provided on the distance measuring device. A projector characterized by:

12. The projector according to claim 10 or 11, The distance measuring device is fixed to the exterior housing. A projector characterized by:

13. The projector according to claim 10 or 11, a support member provided in the exterior housing and supporting the projection optical device; The distance measuring device is fixed to the support member. A projector characterized by:

14. The projector according to claim 1 or claim 10, The light-emitting element is a light-emitting element that emits infrared rays. A projector characterized by:

15. The projector according to claim 1 or claim 10, the passage opening is spaced apart from the projection opening in the third direction, the substrate has an opposing surface facing the inner surface of the first surface, the opposing surface approaches the inner surface of the first surface as it extends in the third direction; A projector characterized by:

16. The projector according to claim 1 or claim 10, the center of the passage opening is positioned in the second direction relative to the center of the projection opening; A projector characterized by:

Images