Light source device and projection device

Abstract

To provide a light source device which can suppress unevenness in uniformity of in-plane illuminance distribution on an incident surface of a display element by generating irregularity by inclining an arrangement direction of an irradiation light axis on a plurality of incident surfaces of laser light entering with respect to an optical direction on the incident surface of an integrator optical system, even in the case where a plurality of light emitting elements emitting laser light of different light emitting wavelengths is arranged in one light emitting module, and which can suppress occurrence of color unevenness in projection light which is projected, and to provide a projection device.SOLUTION: A light source device 30 includes: a light emitting module 40 including a light emitting part 44 in which a plurality of light emitting elements 46R, 46B, 46G is arrayed in a row shape; and a microlens array 50 including a plurality of microlenses 52 arrayed in a matrix shape on an incident surface. On the incident surface, the arrangement is such that the arrangement direction of a plurality of incident points of laser light emitted from the plurality of light emitting elements 46R, 46B, 46G is inclined with respect to the arrangement direction of the plurality of microlenses 52.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a light source device and a projection device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, as a light source device provided in a projection device or the like, a device that makes laser light emitted from a light-emitting element that outputs laser light incident on an integrator optical system such as a microlens array to increase the uniformity of the in-plane illuminance on the incident surface of a display element is known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a light source device that includes a housing, a semiconductor laser that emits blue light, a condenser lens onto which the blue light emitted from the semiconductor laser is incident, and a fluorescent screen wheel that emits green light and red light when the blue light condensed by the condenser lens is incident. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-51072 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In a projection device equipped with a light source device, by arranging multiple light-emitting elements emitting laser beams of different emission wavelengths in a single light-emitting module, a full-color image can be projected and displayed on a projection target without the need for a separate fluorescent screen wheel. However, in a light source device such as that disclosed in Patent Document 1, when multiple semiconductor lasers emitting laser beams of different emission wavelengths are arranged in a single light-emitting module, the light beams emitted from the multiple semiconductor lasers are incident on a microlens array, which is one of the integrator optical systems, with minimal diffusion to improve the utilization efficiency of the light beams. In such a configuration, the lenses constituting the microlens array are arranged in a matrix. If the arrangement direction of the multiple light-emitting elements emitting laser beams of different emission wavelengths in the light-emitting module coincides with the direction of the arrangement, a pattern is created. This results in variations in the uniformity of the in-plane illuminance distribution on the incident surface of the display element depending on the integrator optical system for each light source device. As a result, there is a problem of color unevenness easily occurring in the projected light.

[0005] In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a light source device and a projection device that can suppress variations in the uniformity of the in-plane illuminance distribution on the incident surface of the display element and prevent color unevenness in the projected light, by tilting the arrangement direction of the irradiation optical axes of the multiple laser beams incident on the incident surface with respect to the optical direction on the incident surface of the integrator optical system, even when multiple light-emitting elements that emit laser beams of different emission wavelengths are arranged in one light-emitting module. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The light source device of the present invention comprises a light emitting module including a light emitting section in which a plurality of light emitting elements are arranged in a row, and each of the light emitting elements emits laser light having different emission wavelengths, and an integrator optical system including a plurality of lenses arranged in a matrix on an incident surface onto which the laser light emitted from the plurality of light emitting elements is incident, and on the incident surface, the arrangement direction of the plurality of incident points of the laser light emitted from the plurality of light emitting elements is arranged so as to be inclined with respect to the arrangement direction of the plurality of lenses.

[0007] The projection device of the present invention comprises the above-mentioned light source device, a display element that generates image light, a projection optical system that projects the image light emitted from the display element onto a projection target, and a control unit that controls the light source device and the display element, and the laser light emitted from the integrator optical system is incident on the display element. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, even when a plurality of light-emitting elements that emit laser light of different emission wavelengths are arranged in one light-emitting module, irregularity can be generated by tilting the arrangement direction of the irradiation optical axes of the plurality of incident laser light beams at the incident surface with respect to the optical direction at the incident surface of the integrator optical system, thereby suppressing variations in the uniformity of the in-plane illuminance distribution at the incident surface of the display element, and a light source device and projection device can be provided that can suppress color unevenness in the projected light. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a plan view schematically illustrating a configuration of a projection device including a light source device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] (a) is a schematic plan view showing the emission pattern of laser light in the light source device according to the first embodiment, and (b) is a schematic right side view showing the emission pattern of laser light in the light source device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a front view schematically showing each incident point on the incident surface of the microlens array. [Figure 4](a) is a schematic plan view showing the emission pattern of laser light in the light source device according to the second embodiment, and (b) is a schematic right side view showing the emission pattern of laser light in the light source device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 5] (a) is a schematic plan view showing the emission pattern of laser light in a light source device according to the third embodiment, and (b) is a schematic right side view showing the emission pattern of laser light in a light source device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 6] (a) is a schematic plan view showing the emission pattern of laser light in a light source device according to the fourth embodiment, and (b) is a schematic right side view showing the emission pattern of laser light in a light source device according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 7] (a) is a schematic plan view showing the emission pattern of laser light in a light source device according to the fifth embodiment, and (b) is a schematic right side view showing the emission pattern of laser light in a light source device according to the fifth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figs. 1 to 3. As shown in Fig. 1, a projection device 10 according to this embodiment includes a housing 20, a light source device 30 provided inside the housing 20, an irradiation mirror 22, an image display element (display element) 24, a lens barrel (projection optical system) 26, and a control circuit board (control unit) 28 for controlling and integrating the electrical configuration of the projection device 10. The light source device 30 includes two light-emitting modules 40, 40 that emit laser light, a microlens array (integrator optical system) 50, and two reflecting mirrors (reflecting members) 60, 60. Although not shown, various components provided in known projection devices, such as a heat sink and a cooling fan, are provided inside the housing 20.

[0011] The control circuit board 28 controls the image display element 24 and the light source device 30. The projection device 10 forms an optical image on the image display element 24 by irradiating the image display element 24 with a bundle of laser beams emitted from each of the light emitting modules 40, 40 via the microlens array 50 and the irradiation mirror 22. The projection device 10 then emits the optical image formed on the image display element 24 to the outside of the housing 20 via the lens barrel 26 (see the arrow in FIG. 1 ), and projects and displays it on a projection target such as a screen.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 2(a), the two light-emitting modules 40, 40 are so-called multi-chip modules (MCMs), and three light-emitting elements (one red light-emitting element 46R, one blue light-emitting element 46B, and one green light-emitting element 46G) are arranged in a row at approximately equal intervals within a light-emitting section 44 provided approximately in the center of a light source substrate 42. The blue light-emitting element 46B is a semiconductor light-emitting element that emits laser light in a blue wavelength band (e.g., 430 to 490 nm). The red light-emitting element 46R is a semiconductor light-emitting element that emits laser light in a red wavelength band (e.g., 640 to 770 nm). The green light-emitting element 46G is a semiconductor light-emitting element that emits laser light in a green wavelength band (e.g., 490 to 550 nm). The light source device 30 is made compact by including light-emitting modules 40 in which multiple light-emitting elements are provided within a single module.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 3, the microlens array 50 includes a substantially rectangular array substrate 51 having an incident surface 50a onto which the laser beams emitted from the light-emitting units 44 are incident. The laser beams emitted from the microlens array 50 are incident on the image display element 24 via the irradiation mirror 22. A plurality of microlenses (lenses) 52 are arranged in a matrix on the array substrate 51. The array substrate 51 of the microlens array 50 according to this embodiment has a total of 16 microlenses 52 arranged in four rows and four columns at substantially equal intervals, with the main axes MA (i.e., the optical axis of the microlens array 50) (see FIG. 2(b)) aligned along the normal direction of the array substrate 51. In the following description, the direction along the main axis MA is the front-to-rear direction of the light source device 30, with the microlens array 50 side of each light-emitting module 40 being referred to as the front side and the opposite side as the rear side, and the left-to-right direction relative to the direction from the rear side to the front side being referred to as the left-to-right direction of the light source device 30. On the array substrate 51, the microlenses 52 are arranged in the vertical direction (arrangement direction) and the horizontal direction (arrangement direction).

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b), each reflection mirror 60 is provided above the light-emitting section 44 of each light-emitting module 40. Each reflection mirror 60 is disposed at an angle so that its reflection surface 60a faces both the light-emitting module 40 and the microlens array 50. The reflection surface 60a of each reflection mirror 60 reflects the laser light emitted from each light-emitting element 46R, 46B, 46G of each light-emitting module 40 toward the incident surface 50a (see FIG. 3) of the microlens array 50. The incident surface 50a of the microlens array 50 is the front plate surface of the array substrate 51 and is provided along the vertical and horizontal directions.

[0015] 2(a) and 2(b), the two light-emitting modules 40 are arranged side by side in the front-to-rear direction (the direction along the main axis MA), with the light-emitting surfaces of the light-emitting elements 46R, 46B, and 46G facing upward, and with the arrangement direction of the light-emitting elements 46R, 46B, and 46G slightly tilted with respect to the left-to-right direction. Specifically, the light-emitting module 40 located at the front of the two light-emitting modules 40 is tilted so that the green light-emitting element 46G located on the right side of the light-emitting elements 46R, 46B, and 46G is positioned slightly forward of the red light-emitting element 46R located on the left side. The light-emitting module 40 located at the rear is tilted so that the green light-emitting element 46G located on the right side of the light-emitting elements 46R, 46B, and 46G is positioned slightly rearward of the red light-emitting element 46R located on the left side. In each of the light emitting modules 40, 40, the interval between adjacent light emitting elements 46R, 46B, 46G is set to be substantially equal to the interval between adjacent micro lenses 52 in the micro lens array 50.

[0016] Each of the reflecting mirrors 60, 60 is disposed so that its reflecting surface 60a is oriented along the left-right direction and forms an angle of approximately 45° with respect to the up-down direction and the front-back direction. More specifically, as shown in Fig. 2(b), the reflecting mirror 60 disposed on the front side of the two reflecting mirrors 60, 60 is disposed so that its reflecting surface 60a is at an angle slightly more than 45° toward the microlens array 50. Therefore, each laser beam emitted from the light-emitting module 40 disposed on the front side and reflected by the reflecting mirror 60 enters the microlens array 50 with its optical axis L1 tilted upward with respect to the main axis MA.

[0017] On the other hand, of the two reflecting mirrors 60, 60, the reflecting mirror 60 located on the rear side is arranged so that its reflecting surface is inclined at an angle slightly more than 45° toward the light-emitting module 40. Therefore, each laser beam emitted from the light-emitting module 40 located on the rear side and reflected by the reflecting mirror 60 enters the microlens array 50 with its optical axis L2 inclined downward with respect to the main axis MA. In this embodiment, the optical axes L1, L2 of the laser beams respectively emitted from the two light-emitting modules 40, 40 enter the incident surface 50a of the microlens array 50 at angles that are symmetrical in the up-down direction with respect to the main axis MA.

[0018] Since the reflecting surface 60a of each reflecting mirror 60, 60 is arranged in a position that follows the left-right direction in this manner, even if the arrangement direction of each light-emitting element 46R, 46B, 46G is inclined with respect to the left-right direction, as shown in Figure 2(a), the laser light emitted from the red light-emitting element 46R of the light-emitting module 40 that is arranged on the front side of the two light-emitting modules 40, 40 (hereinafter referred to as the "first red laser light R1"), the laser light emitted from the blue light-emitting element 46B (hereinafter referred to as the "first blue laser light B1"), and the laser light emitted from the green light-emitting element 46G (hereinafter referred to as the "first green laser light G1") are reflected by the reflecting mirror 60, so that their arrangement direction coincides with the left-right direction.

[0019] Similarly, the laser light emitted from the red light-emitting element 46R of the light-emitting module 40 located at the rear of the two light-emitting modules 40 (hereinafter referred to as the "second red laser light R2"), the laser light emitted from the blue light-emitting element 46B (hereinafter referred to as the "second blue laser light B2"), and the laser light emitted from the green light-emitting element 46G (hereinafter referred to as the "second green laser light G2") are also reflected by the reflecting mirror 60 so that their alignment direction coincides with the left-right direction.

[0020] Next, referring to Fig. 3, the manner in which each laser light is incident on the incident surface 50a of the microlens array 50 will be described. In Fig. 3, the spots on the incident surface 50a at which the first red laser light R1, the first blue laser light B1, the first green laser light G1, the second red laser light R2, the second blue laser light B2, and the second green laser light G2 are incident are shown as a first red incident point PR1, a first blue incident point PB1, a first green incident point PG1, a second red incident point PR2, a second blue incident point PB2, and a second green incident point PG2.

[0021] By arranging the light-emitting modules 40 and the reflecting mirrors 60 in the above-described manner, the light-emitting elements 46R, 46B, and 46G of the light-emitting modules 40 emit laser beams toward the reflecting mirror 60 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the main axis MA. The laser beams reflected by the reflecting mirror 60 toward the microlens array 50 are incident perpendicularly to the incident surface 50a in the left-right direction but at an angle in the up-down direction. In other words, the optical axes L1 and L2 of the laser beams are aligned along the main axis MA when viewed left-right but are angled relative to the main axis MA when viewed up-down. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3 , on the incident surface 50a, the incident points PR1, PB1, PG1, PR2, PB2, and PG2 appear at equal intervals substantially equal to the intervals between adjacent microlenses 52 in the left-right direction, whereas the incident points PR1, PB1, PG1, PR2, PB2, and PG2 appear at unequal intervals in the up-down direction.

[0022] Here, of the laser beams emitted from the light-emitting module 40 located further forward of the two light-emitting modules 40, 40, the first green laser beam G1 emitted from the green light-emitting element 46G located furthest forward among the light-emitting elements 46R, 46B, 46G is reflected by the reflecting surface 60a of the reflecting mirror 60 at a higher position than the first blue laser beam B1 and the first red laser beam R1. Since the optical axis L1 is tilted upward with respect to the main axis MA, the first green laser beam G1 is incident on the incident surface 50a at a higher position than the first blue laser beam B1 and the first red laser beam R1. On the incident surface 50a, in the up-down direction, the first green incident point PG1 appears at the uppermost position, the first blue incident point PB1 appears below the first green incident point PG1, and the first red incident point PR1 appears below the first blue incident point PB1.

[0023] On the other hand, of the laser beams emitted from the light-emitting module 40 located rearward of the two light-emitting modules 40, 40, the second green laser beam G2 emitted from the green light-emitting element 46G located furthest rearward of the light-emitting elements 46R, 46B, 46G is reflected by the reflecting surface 60a of the reflecting mirror 60 at a lower position than the second blue laser beam B2 and the second red laser beam R2. Since the optical axis L1 is tilted downward with respect to the main axis MA, the second green laser beam G2 is incident on the incident surface 50a at a lower position than the second blue laser beam B2 and the second red laser beam R2. On the incident surface 50a, in the up-down direction, the second green incident point PG2 appears at the lowest position, the second blue incident point PB2 appears above the second green incident point PG2, and the second red incident point PR2 appears above the second blue incident point PB2.

[0024] For this reason, the arrangement direction of the multiple incidence points PR1, PB1, PG1, PR2, PB2, and PG2 on the incidence surface 50a is inclined with respect to the vertical direction of the arrangement directions (left-right direction and up-down direction) of the microlenses 52. As a result, for example, the distance D1 between the first red incidence point PR1 and the first blue incidence point PB1 is slightly larger than the distance D3 between adjacent microlenses 52, and the distance D2 between the second red incidence point PR2 and the second blue incidence point PB2 is also slightly larger than the distance D3 between adjacent microlenses 52. In other words, in this embodiment, the light-emitting modules 40, 40 are arranged so that the distance between adjacent incidence points PR1, PB1, PG1, PR2, PB2, and PG2 is not an integer multiple of the distance D3 between adjacent microlenses 52.

[0025] As described above, the light source device 30 of this embodiment comprises light-emitting modules 40, 40 including a light-emitting section 44 in which a plurality of light-emitting elements 46R, 46B, 46G are arranged in a row, and each of the light-emitting elements 46R, 46B, 46G emits laser light having different emission wavelengths, and a microlens array 50 including a plurality of microlenses 52 arranged in a matrix on an incident surface 50a onto which the laser light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements 46R, 46B, 46G is incident, and on the incident surface 50a, the arrangement direction of the plurality of incident points PR1, PB1, PG1, PR2, PB2, PG2 of the laser light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements 46R, 46B, 46G is arranged so that it is inclined with respect to the vertical direction of the arrangement direction of the plurality of microlenses 52.

[0026] By configuring the light source device 30 as described above, even when a plurality of light-emitting elements that emit laser light of different emission wavelengths are arranged in one light-emitting module 40, it is possible to generate irregularities in the positions of the incident points PR1, PB1, PG1, PR2, PB2, and PG2 on the incident surface 50a, compared to a configuration in which the optical axes L1, L2 are aligned along the main axis MA and the laser light is incident perpendicularly to the incident surface 50a. This makes it possible to reduce variations in the uniformity of the in-plane illuminance distribution on the incident surface of the display element 50 in the projection device 10 equipped with the light source device 30, and to prevent color unevenness from occurring in the projected light.

[0027] Furthermore, in the light source device 30 of this embodiment, the light-emitting modules 40 are arranged such that the spacing between adjacent incident points PR1, PB1, PG1, PR2, PB2, and PG2 on the incident surface 50a is not an integer multiple of the spacing D3 between adjacent microlenses 52. This configuration effectively imparts irregularity to the positions of the incident points PR1, PB1, PG1, PR2, PB2, and PG2 on the incident surface 50a, compared to a configuration in which the spacing between the incident points PR1, PB1, PG1, PR2, PB2, and PG2 is an integer multiple of the spacing D3 between the microlenses 52. This effectively prevents color unevenness from occurring in the projected light.

[0028] Furthermore, the light source device 30 of this embodiment includes a reflecting mirror 60 including a reflecting surface 60a that reflects the laser beams emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements 46R, 46B, and 46G toward the microlens array 50, and the light-emitting module 40 is disposed so that the emission direction of the laser beams emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements 46R, 46B, and 46G is approximately perpendicular to the major axes MA of the plurality of lenses 52. With this configuration, by adjusting the arrangement of the reflecting mirror 60 while causing each laser beam to be emitted approximately perpendicular to the major axes MA of the lenses 52, each laser beam can be incident on the microlens array 50 so that the arrangement direction of the plurality of incident points PR1, PB1, PG1, PR2, PB2, and PG2 on the incident surface 50a is inclined with respect to the arrangement direction of the plurality of microlenses 52. This makes it easy to adjust the arrangement of the light-emitting module 40.

[0029] Furthermore, in the light source device 30 of this embodiment, the light-emitting module 40 is arranged so that the arrangement direction of the multiple light-emitting elements 46R, 46B, 46G is inclined with respect to the left-right direction in the arrangement direction of the multiple microlenses 52. This configuration makes it possible to provide a specific arrangement mode of the light-emitting module 40 for arranging the arrangement direction of the multiple incident points PR1, PB1, PG1, PR2, PB2, PG2 on the incident surface 50a so that it is inclined with respect to the arrangement direction of the multiple microlenses 52.

[0030] Furthermore, the light source device 30 of this embodiment includes two light emitting modules 40, 40, and the two paired light emitting modules 40, 40 are arranged in parallel in a direction along the main axis MA of the multiple microlenses 52. According to this configuration, the width required for arranging the two light emitting modules 40, 40 in the direction perpendicular to the main axis MA in the light source device 30 can be reduced, and therefore the light source device 30 can be made more compact.

[0031] Furthermore, the light source device 30 of the present embodiment includes two light-emitting modules 40, 40, and the two paired light-emitting modules 40, 40 are arranged so that the optical axes L1, L2 of the laser light emitted from the two light-emitting modules 40, 40 are inclined with respect to the main axes MA of the multiple microlenses 52 and are incident on the incident surface 50a at an angle that is symmetrical with respect to the main axes MA. According to this configuration, when multiple light-emitting modules 40 are provided, it is possible to provide a specific arrangement mode of the two paired light-emitting modules 40 so that the arrangement direction of the multiple incident points PR1, PB1, PG1, PR2, PB2, PG2 on the incident surface 50a is inclined with respect to the arrangement direction of the multiple microlenses 52.

[0032] Although the light source device 30 of this embodiment is configured to include two light-emitting modules 40, 40, it may also be configured to include, for example, three light-emitting modules. In this case, the two paired light-emitting modules and their corresponding reflecting mirrors are arranged in the same manner as in this embodiment, and the other light-emitting module is arranged so that the optical axes of the laser beams emitted from that light-emitting module are incident on the incident surface 50a along the main axis MA. With this configuration, the laser beams emitted from the other light-emitting module have a bias in their distribution intensity on the incident surface 50a, but the laser beams emitted from the two paired light-emitting modules are prevented from having a bias in their distribution intensity on the incident surface 50a. As a result, even in a configuration including three or more light-emitting modules, color unevenness in the projected light can be prevented.

[0033] Furthermore, the projection device 10 according to this embodiment includes the above-mentioned light source device 30, an image display element 24 that generates image light, a lens barrel 26 that projects the image light emitted from the image display element 24 onto the projection target, and a control circuit board 28 that controls the light source device 30 and the image display element 24, and the laser light emitted from the microlens array 50 is incident on the image display element 24.

[0034] In the projection device 10 of the present embodiment configured as described above, the occurrence of bias in the distribution intensity of each laser light on the incident surface 50a of the microlens array 50 is suppressed, thereby expanding the range of angular distribution of the image light projected onto the projection target and improving the peripheral light ratio. This makes it possible to realize a projection device 10 that takes advantage of the characteristics of laser light for the image projected and displayed on the projection target, while reducing eye strain when viewing the image.

[0035] Next, light source devices 130, 230, 330, and 430 according to second to fifth embodiments of the present invention will be described. Each of the embodiments described below differs from the first embodiment in the arrangement of each light-emitting module 40, and the presence or absence and arrangement of a reflecting mirror 60 corresponding to each light-emitting module 40. The configuration of each light-emitting module, the configuration and arrangement of the microlens array, and the configuration of the reflecting mirror are the same as those in the first embodiment, so they are denoted by the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment and will not be described again.

[0036] First, a light source device 130 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. As shown in Fig. 4, the light source device 130 according to the second embodiment includes two light emitting modules 40, 40, a microlens array 50, and reflecting mirrors 60, 60 corresponding to each of the light emitting modules 40, 40. As shown in Fig. 4(a), the light emitting modules 40, 40 are arranged in parallel in the front-rear direction (the direction along the main axis MA), with the light emitting surfaces of the light emitting elements 46R, 46B, 46G facing upward and the arrangement direction of the light emitting elements 46R, 46B, 46G aligned along the left-right direction.

[0037] Each reflecting mirror 60, 60 is disposed so that its reflecting surface 60a is slightly inclined in the left-right direction and forms an angle of approximately 45° with respect to the up-down and front-to-back directions. More specifically, as shown in Fig. 4(a), the reflecting mirror 60 located on the front side of the two reflecting mirrors 60, 60 is disposed so that it is inclined slightly to the right as a whole, with its left end positioned slightly forward of the right end, and the reflecting mirror 60 located on the rear side is disposed so that it is inclined slightly to the left as a whole, with its right end positioned slightly forward of the left end. The detailed inclination of each reflecting mirror 60, 60 with respect to the up-down and front-to-back directions is the same as in the first embodiment.

[0038] In this way, since the reflecting surface 60a of each reflecting mirror 60, 60 is arranged in an attitude slightly tilted with respect to the left-right direction, even if the arrangement direction of each light-emitting element 46R, 46B, 46G is arranged along the left-right direction, the laser light emitted from the red light-emitting element 46R of the light-emitting module 40 arranged on the front side of the two light-emitting modules 40, 40 (hereinafter referred to as the "third red laser light R3"), the laser light emitted from the blue light-emitting element 46B (hereinafter referred to as the "third blue laser light B3"), and the laser light emitted from the green light-emitting element 46G (hereinafter referred to as the "third green laser light G3") are reflected by the reflecting mirror 60, so that their arrangement direction is tilted slightly to the right.

[0039] On the other hand, the laser light emitted from the red light-emitting element 46R (hereinafter referred to as "fourth red laser light R4"), the laser light emitted from the blue light-emitting element 46B (hereinafter referred to as "fourth blue laser light B4"), and the laser light emitted from the green light-emitting element 46G (hereinafter referred to as "fourth green laser light G4") of the light-emitting module 40 arranged on the rear side of the two light-emitting modules 40 are reflected by the reflecting mirror 60, so that their alignment directions are tilted slightly to the left. In this embodiment, the third red laser light R3, the third blue laser light B3, and the third green laser light G3 emitted from the light-emitting module 40 on the front side, and the fourth red laser light R4, the fourth blue laser light B4, and the fourth green laser light G4 emitted from the light-emitting module 40 on the rear side are incident on the incident surface 50a of the microlens array 50 at angles that are symmetrical in the left-right direction with respect to the main axis MA.

[0040] 4(b), in the vertical direction, as in the first embodiment, each laser beam emitted from the light-emitting module 40 arranged on the front side and reflected by the reflecting mirror 60 enters the microlens array 50 with its optical axis L3 tilted upward with respect to the main axis MA, whereas each laser beam emitted from the light-emitting module 40 arranged on the rear side and reflected by the reflecting mirror 60 enters the microlens array 50 with its optical axis L4 tilted downward with respect to the main axis MA. The optical axes L3, L4 of the laser beams respectively emitted from the two light-emitting modules 40, 40 enter the incident surface 50a of the microlens array 50 at angles that are symmetrical with respect to the main axis MA in the vertical direction.

[0041] As described above, in the light source device 130 of this embodiment, the reflecting mirrors 60, 60 are arranged so that their reflecting surfaces 60a are inclined at an angle of approximately 45° with respect to the vertical and front-to-back directions of the arrangement of the microlenses 52, as well as with respect to the left-to-right direction. With this configuration, on the incident surface 50a of the microlens array 50, the arrangement direction of the multiple incident points of the laser light emitted from each of the multiple light-emitting elements 46R, 46B, 46G is inclined not only with respect to the vertical direction of the arrangement of the microlenses 52, but also with respect to the left-to-right direction. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which the optical axes L3, L4 are aligned along the major axis MA and the laser light is incident perpendicularly to the incident surface 50a, irregularity is effectively imparted to the positions of the multiple incident points on the incident surface 50a, further reducing the occurrence of bias in the distribution intensity of the laser light on the incident surface 50a. As a result, the light source device 130 can further reduce color unevenness in the projected light.

[0042] Next, a light source device 230 according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5. As shown in Fig. 5, the light source device 230 according to the third embodiment includes two light emitting modules 40, 40, a microlens array 50, and reflecting mirrors 60, 60 corresponding to each of the light emitting modules 40, 40. As shown in Fig. 5(a), the light emitting modules 40, 40 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction, with the light emitting surfaces of the light emitting elements 46R, 46B, 46G facing upward and the arrangement direction of the light emitting elements 46R, 46B, 46G aligned in a line between the light emitting modules 40, 40 along the left-right direction.

[0043] Each reflecting mirror 60, 60 is disposed so that its reflecting surface 60a is slightly tilted in the left-right direction and forms an angle of approximately 45° with respect to the up-down direction and the front-to-back direction. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5(a), the left-side reflecting mirror 60 of the two reflecting mirrors 60, 60 is tilted slightly to the right as a whole, with its left end positioned slightly forward of the right end, while the right-side reflecting mirror 60 is tilted slightly to the left as a whole, with its right end positioned slightly forward of the left end. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5(b), each reflecting mirror 60, 60 is disposed so that it forms an angle of 45° with respect to the up-down direction and the front-to-back direction. The left-side reflecting mirror 60 is disposed at a lower position than the right-side reflecting mirror 60 (see FIG. 5(b)).

[0044] In this way, since the reflecting surface 60a of each reflecting mirror 60, 60 is arranged in an attitude slightly tilted with respect to the left-right direction, even if the arrangement direction of each light-emitting element 46R, 46B, 46G is arranged along the left-right direction, as in the second embodiment, the laser light emitted from the red light-emitting element 46R of the light-emitting module 40 arranged on the left side of the two light-emitting modules 40, 40 (hereinafter referred to as the "fifth red laser light R5"), the laser light emitted from the blue light-emitting element 46B (hereinafter referred to as the "fifth blue laser light B5"), and the laser light emitted from the green light-emitting element 46G (hereinafter referred to as the "fifth green laser light G5") are reflected by the reflecting mirror 60, so that their arrangement direction is tilted slightly to the right.

[0045] On the other hand, the laser light emitted from the red light-emitting element 46R (hereinafter referred to as "sixth red laser light R6"), the laser light emitted from the blue light-emitting element 46B (hereinafter referred to as "sixth blue laser light B6"), and the laser light emitted from the green light-emitting element 46G (hereinafter referred to as "sixth green laser light G6") of the light-emitting module 40 arranged on the right side of the two light-emitting modules 40 are reflected by the reflecting mirror 60, so that their alignment directions are tilted slightly to the left. In this embodiment, the fifth red laser light R5, the fifth blue laser light B5, and the fifth green laser light G5 emitted from the left light-emitting module 40 and the sixth red laser light R6, the sixth blue laser light B6, and the sixth green laser light G6 emitted from the other light-emitting module 40 are incident on the incident surface 50a of the microlens array 50 at angles that are symmetrical in the left-right direction with respect to the main axis MA.

[0046] Also, as shown in Figure 5(b), in the vertical direction, the laser light emitted from each light-emitting module 40, 40 and reflected by each reflection mirror 60, 60 enters the microlens array 50 with its optical axes L5, L6 both aligned along the main axis MA at different heights.

[0047] As described above, in the light source device 230 of this embodiment, the reflecting mirrors 60, 60 are arranged such that the reflecting surface 60a is inclined with respect to the left-right direction in the arrangement direction of the plurality of microlenses 52. With this configuration, the arrangement direction of the plurality of incident points of the laser light emitted from each of the plurality of light-emitting elements 46R, 46B, 46G on the incident surface 50a of the microlens array 50 is inclined with respect to the left-right direction in the arrangement direction of the plurality of microlenses 52. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which the optical axes L5, L6 are aligned along the main axis MA and the laser light is incident perpendicularly to the incident surface 50a, irregularities are imparted to the positions of the plurality of incident points on the incident surface 50a, making it possible to suppress color unevenness in the projected light.

[0048] Next, a light source device 330 according to a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. As shown in Fig. 6, the light source device 330 according to the fourth embodiment includes two light-emitting modules 40, 40, a microlens array 50, and a reflecting mirror 60 corresponding to the other light-emitting module 40. As shown in Fig. 6(a), one light-emitting module 40 is provided to the left of the other light-emitting module 40, and is arranged such that the light-emitting surfaces of the light-emitting elements 46R, 46B, and 46G face forward and the arrangement direction thereof is tilted relative to the left-right direction. More specifically, the light-emitting module 40 is arranged so that the left end is positioned slightly forward of the right end in the arrangement direction of the light-emitting elements 46R, 46B, and 46G, and is tilted slightly to the right as a whole.

[0049] The other (right) light-emitting module 40 is arranged such that the light-emitting surfaces of the light-emitting elements 46R, 46B, and 46G face upward and the arrangement direction of the light-emitting elements 46R, 46B, and 46G is along the left-right direction. The reflecting mirror 60 corresponding to the other light-emitting module 40 is tilted in the same manner as the reflecting mirror 60 arranged on the right side in the third embodiment. That is, the reflecting mirror 60 is arranged so that it is tilted slightly leftward as a whole so that the right end is located slightly forward of the left end in the left-right direction, and so that it forms an angle of approximately 45° with respect to the up-down direction and the front-to-back direction. Note that the light-emitting unit 44 of one (left) light-emitting module 40 is arranged at a higher position than the light-emitting unit 44 of the other (right) light-emitting module 40.

[0050] In this embodiment, the laser light emitted from one (left) light-emitting module 40 directly enters the microlens array 50, whereas the laser light emitted from the other (right) light-emitting module 40 is reflected by the reflecting mirror 60 and enters the microlens array 50. Specifically, the laser light emitted from the red light-emitting element 46R of one (left) light-emitting module 40 (hereinafter referred to as the "seventh red laser light R7"), the laser light emitted from the blue light-emitting element 46B (hereinafter referred to as the "seventh blue laser light B7"), and the laser light emitted from the green light-emitting element 46G (hereinafter referred to as the "seventh green laser light G7") are emitted from the light-emitting elements 46R, 46B, and 46G with their alignment direction tilted slightly to the right, and head directly toward the microlens array 50.

[0051] The laser light emitted from the red light emitting element 46R of the other (right) light emitting module 40 (hereinafter referred to as "eighth red laser light R8"), the laser light emitted from the blue light emitting element 46B (hereinafter referred to as "eighth blue laser light B8"), and the laser light emitted from the green light emitting element 46G (hereinafter referred to as "eighth green laser light G8") are reflected by the reflecting mirror 60, so that their alignment directions are tilted slightly to the left. In this embodiment, the seventh red laser light R7, the seventh blue laser light B7, and the seventh green laser light G7 emitted from one (left) light emitting module 40 and the eighth red laser light R8, the eighth blue laser light B8, and the eighth green laser light G8 emitted from the other (right) light emitting module 40 are incident on the incident surface 50a of the microlens array 50 at angles that are symmetrical about the main axis MA in the left-right direction.

[0052] Also, as shown in Figure 6(b), in the vertical direction, the laser light emitted from each light-emitting module 40, 40 and reflected by each reflection mirror 60, 60 enters the microlens array 50 with its optical axes L7, L8 both aligned along the main axis MA at different heights.

[0053] As described above, in the light source device 330 of this embodiment, the laser light emitted from one (left) light-emitting module 40 is directed toward the microlens array 50 with a tilt to the right, and the laser light emitted from the other (right) light-emitting module 40 is directed toward the microlens array 50 with a tilt to the left. With this configuration, on the incident surface 50a of the microlens array 50, the arrangement direction of the multiple incident points of the laser light emitted from each of the multiple light-emitting elements 46R, 46B, 46G is arranged so as to be tilted with respect to the left-right direction of the arrangement direction of the multiple microlenses 52. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which the optical axes L7, L8 are aligned along the major axis MA and the laser light is perpendicularly incident on the incident surface 50a, irregularities are imparted to the positions of the multiple incident points on the incident surface 50a, making it possible to suppress color unevenness in the projected light.

[0054] Next, a light source device 430 according to a fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 7. As shown in FIG. 7, the light source device 430 according to the fifth embodiment includes two light-emitting modules 40 and a microlens array 50. As shown in FIG. 7(a), the light-emitting modules 40 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction, with the light-emitting surfaces of the light-emitting elements 46R, 46B, and 46G facing forward and the arrangement direction of the light-emitting elements 46R, 46B, and 46G tilted relative to the left-right direction. In the left-right direction, the light-emitting module 40 on the left side is arranged so that its left end is slightly forward of the right end in the arrangement direction of the light-emitting elements 46R, 46B, and 46G, and is tilted slightly to the right as a whole. The light-emitting module 40 on the right side is arranged so that its right end is slightly forward of the left end in the arrangement direction of the light-emitting elements 46R, 46B, and 46G, and is tilted slightly to the left as a whole. Note that both light-emitting modules 40 are arranged at the same height.

[0055] In this embodiment, the laser light emitted from the red light-emitting element 46R of the left-side light-emitting module 40 (hereinafter referred to as the "ninth red laser light R9"), the laser light emitted from the blue light-emitting element 46B (hereinafter referred to as the "ninth blue laser light B9"), and the laser light emitted from the green light-emitting element 46G (hereinafter referred to as the "ninth green laser light G9") are emitted from each light-emitting element 46R, 46B, 46G with their alignment direction tilted slightly to the right, and head directly toward the microlens array 50. The laser light emitted from the red light-emitting element 46R of the right-side light-emitting module 40 (hereinafter referred to as the "tenth red laser light R10"), the laser light emitted from the blue light-emitting element 46B (hereinafter referred to as the "tenth blue laser light B10"), and the laser light emitted from the green light-emitting element 46G (hereinafter referred to as the "tenth green laser light G10") are emitted from the respective light-emitting elements 46R, 46B, and 46G with their alignment directions tilted slightly to the left, and proceed directly toward the microlens array 50. In this embodiment, the ninth red laser light R9, the ninth blue laser light B9, and the ninth green laser light G9 emitted from the left-side light-emitting module 40 and the tenth red laser light R10, the tenth blue laser light B10, and the tenth green laser light G10 emitted from the right-side light-emitting module 40 are incident on the incident surface 50a of the microlens array 50 at angles that are symmetrical in the left-right direction with respect to the main axis MA.

[0056] Also, as shown in Figure 7(b), in the vertical direction, the laser light emitted from each light-emitting module 40, 40 and reflected by each reflection mirror 60, 60 enters the microlens array 50 with its optical axes L9, L10 at the same height and both aligned along the main axis MA.

[0057] As described above, in the light source device 430 of this embodiment, the laser light emitted from the left-side light-emitting module 40 is directed toward the microlens array 50 with a tilt to the right, and the laser light emitted from the right-side light-emitting module 40 is directed toward the microlens array 50 with a tilt to the left. With this configuration, the arrangement direction of the multiple incident points of the laser light emitted from each of the multiple light-emitting elements 46R, 46B, 46G on the incident surface 50a of the microlens array 50 is tilted with respect to the left-right direction of the arrangement direction of the multiple microlenses 52. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which the optical axes L9, L10 are aligned along the main axis MA and the laser light is perpendicularly incident on the incident surface 50a, irregularities are imparted to the positions of the multiple incident points on the incident surface 50a, making it possible to suppress color unevenness in the projected light.

[0058] The above-described embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments may be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are within the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as within the scope of the claims and their equivalents. For example, while the above embodiments illustrate a configuration in which one red light-emitting element, one blue light-emitting element, and one green light-emitting element are provided in one light-emitting module, multiple red light-emitting elements, multiple blue light-emitting elements, or multiple green light-emitting elements may be provided in one light-emitting module depending on the light-emitting efficiency of each wavelength band light. Furthermore, while the above embodiments illustrate a configuration in which each light-emitting element is arranged in a single row in one light-emitting module, multiple light-emitting elements may be arranged in multiple rows in one light-emitting module. Furthermore, while the above embodiments illustrate a microlens array as an example of an integrator optical system, the integrator optical system is not limited to a microlens array and may be another integrator optical system including multiple lenses. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 30, 130, 230, 330, 430...light source device, 40...light emitting module, 44...light emitting section, 46R...red light emitting element, 46B...blue light emitting element, 46G...green light emitting element, 50...microlens array, 50a...incident surface, 52...microlens, R1 to R10...first to tenth red laser beams, B1 to B10...first to tenth blue laser beams, G1 to G10...first to tenth green laser beams, PR1, PR2...red incident point, PB1, PB2...blue incident point, PG1, PG2...green incident point

Claims

1. a light-emitting module including a light-emitting section in which a plurality of light-emitting elements that emit laser beams having different emission wavelengths are arranged in a row; an integrator optical system including a plurality of lenses arranged in a matrix on an incident surface onto which the laser light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements is incident, On the incident surface, the direction in which the plurality of incident points of the laser light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements are arranged is inclined with respect to the direction in which the plurality of lenses are arranged. Light source device.

2. the light-emitting modules are arranged such that the interval between the plurality of incident points adjacent to each other on the incident surface is not an integer multiple of the interval between the plurality of adjacent lenses; The light source device according to claim 1 .

3. a reflecting member including a reflecting surface that reflects the laser light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements toward the integrator optical system, the light-emitting module is arranged so that the emission direction of the laser light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements is approximately perpendicular to the principal axes of the plurality of lenses. The light source device according to claim 1 .

4. the light-emitting module is arranged such that the arrangement direction of the plurality of light-emitting elements is inclined with respect to the arrangement direction of the plurality of lenses, The light source device according to claim 3 .

5. The reflecting member is disposed so that the reflecting surface is inclined with respect to the arrangement direction of the plurality of lenses. The light source device according to claim 3 .

6. a plurality of the light emitting modules; The two light emitting modules that make up a pair are arranged in parallel in a direction along the principal axes of the plurality of lenses. The light source device according to claim 1 .

7. a plurality of the light emitting modules; the two light-emitting modules forming a pair are arranged so that the optical axes of the laser beams emitted from the two light-emitting modules are inclined with respect to the principal axes of the plurality of lenses and are incident on the incident surface at an angle symmetrical with respect to the principal axes. The light source device according to claim 1 .

8. The light source device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, a display element for generating image light; a projection optical system that projects the image light emitted from the display element onto a projection target; a control unit that controls the light source device and the display element, the laser light emitted from the integrator optical system is incident on the display element; Projection device.

Images