JP2003131324A - Discharge lamp lighting device of projection type image device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prolong the life of a discharge lamp which is a light source of a projector, reduce deterioration of optical components including a liquid crystal panel, and prolong the actual use time. A discharge lamp, a power control unit for controlling the power of the discharge lamp, and a time counter for measuring a continuous lighting time of the discharge lamp are provided. Reset is performed each time the lamp is turned on, and when the continuous lighting time reaches a predetermined time, the power supplied to the discharge lamp is switched. Further, a recording medium for storing an integrated lighting time of the discharge lamp obtained by integrating the lighting times measured by the time counter is further provided, and when the integrated lighting time reaches a predetermined time, the power supplied to the discharge lamp is switched.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a discharge lamp lighting device of a projection type image device (hereinafter, projector) for projecting an image on a screen by irradiating a liquid crystal panel with light from a discharge lamp such as a high pressure mercury lamp or a metal halide lamp. It is about.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a discharge lamp lighting device has been used in a projector, in which a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer) is used to control the blinking of a discharge lamp and its brightness level / timing, and these settings can be freely performed by a program. It has come to be used. As an example thereof, a discharge lamp lighting device capable of changing the power supplied to the discharge lamp by mounting a plurality of data tables referred to by the microcomputer in Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-145171 and switching the referred data tables by an external signal or the like. System is introduced.

According to this system, the problems relating to the discharge lamp lighting device itself and the control power to the discharge lamp can be solved, but when viewed as a projector as a whole, the discharge lamp lighting device and the projector main body equipped with the same are integrated. Not all problems can be solved without a proper interpolation system. This is the same for other discharge light point devices and projectors.

[0004]

In recent years, competition for developing projectors using various image forming devices has intensified,
From time to time, it has become common to use the brightest discharge lamp as the light source for the projector, but despite the dramatic improvement in the luminous efficiency of the discharge lamp, the life span has remained at the level of several thousand hours. Is the substance. And
Due to the competition for miniaturization of the projector itself, the volume that radiates the heat generated by the discharge lamp itself has become much smaller than before, which is another reason why the life of the discharge lamp is slow to progress.

However, with the spread of projectors in the consumer market, there is an increasing demand for longer life of discharge lamps, and there is an urgent need to develop technology for extending the actual use time of discharge lamps. ing.

The present invention is intended to solve the above problems without relying solely on the performance and reliability of the discharge lamp itself, and the power consumption of the discharge lamp lighting device of Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-145171. The present invention provides a discharge lamp lighting device which is a light source of a projection type display device for more effectively utilizing a discharge lamp lighting device equipped with a switching function.

Further, it is necessary to handle a considerable amount of light in optical components including an image composing device in proportion to brightness, but optical components including a liquid crystal panel, which is an image composing device, are made of the same material. It is made of organic material, and its deterioration is accelerated by the influence of heat from ultraviolet rays and far infrared rays emitted from the discharge lamp.

Such deterioration of the optical parts is deeply involved in the continuous irradiation time of the light in addition to the light quantity and the heat, and the optical parts including not only the discharge lamp but also the liquid crystal panel which is a main component of the projector. There is also an urgent need for technology to extend the actual usage time of

[0009]

A first invention for solving these problems is to measure the lighting time of a discharge lamp which is a light source of a projection type image device, and the lighting time reaches a predetermined time. At this time, the discharge lamp lighting device of the projection type image device is characterized in that the electric power supplied to the discharge lamp is switched, and it is effective in suppressing deterioration of the discharge lamp and prolonging the practical use time.

Further, there is an effect that deterioration due to continuous use of optical parts including a liquid crystal panel and the like is reduced and a practical use time is lengthened.

A second invention comprises a discharge lamp, a power control section for controlling the power of the discharge lamp, and a time counter for measuring the continuous lighting time of the discharge lamp, and the discharge lamp measured by the time counter. The continuous lighting time is reset every time the discharge lamp is lit, and when the continuous lighting time after lighting the discharge lamp reaches a predetermined time, the electric power supplied to the discharge lamp is switched. The discharge lamp lighting device of the type image device has an effect of reducing deterioration due to continuous use of optical components such as a liquid crystal panel and prolonging a practical use time.

In a third aspect of the invention, a discharge lamp, a power control unit for controlling the power of the discharge lamp, a time counter for measuring the lighting time of the discharge lamp, and the discharge time integrating the lighting time by the time counter measurement. A discharge lamp of a projection type image device, comprising a recording medium for storing an integrated lighting time of an electric lamp, and switching power supplied to the discharge lamp when the integrated lighting time of the discharge lamp reaches a predetermined time. The lighting device is effective in suppressing deterioration of the discharge lamp and substantially extending the usage time.

A fourth aspect of the present invention is the discharge lamp lighting device of the projection type image device according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the setting of the predetermined time is changeable. The predetermined time can be set accordingly.

In a fifth aspect based on the second aspect, the user sets and sets a function of switching the electric power supplied to the discharge lamp when the continuous lighting time after lighting the discharge lamp reaches a predetermined time. The discharge lamp lighting device of a projection type image device is characterized by being releasable, and the function of automatically switching the power supplied to the discharge lamp can be canceled by the user.

In a sixth aspect based on the third aspect, when the integrated lighting time of the discharge lamp reaches a predetermined time, the user can set and cancel the function of switching the electric power supplied to the discharge lamp. The discharge lamp lighting device of the projection type image device is characterized in that the user can cancel the function of automatically switching the power supplied to the discharge lamp.

In a seventh aspect based on the second aspect, the power control section has a function capable of switching the power supplied to the discharge lamp among a plurality of power modes, and measures in accordance with each power mode. A discharge lamp lighting device of a projection type image device characterized by setting a value obtained by multiplying a continuous lighting time by a predetermined coefficient as a new continuous lighting time, and deterioration caused by continuous use of optical parts including a liquid crystal panel. It has the effect of reducing the heat consumption and prolonging the practical use time.

In an eighth aspect based on the third aspect, the power control section has a function capable of switching the power supplied to the discharge lamp among a plurality of power modes, and measures in accordance with each power mode. A discharge lamp lighting device of a projection type image device, characterized in that a value obtained by multiplying a predetermined coefficient by the cumulative lighting time is stored in the recording medium as a new cumulative lighting time, which suppresses deterioration of the discharge lamp. It has the effect of lengthening the practical use time.

[0018]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a discharge lamp lighting device for a projector according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a projection type image device including a discharge lamp lighting device of the present invention.

1, the projector of the present invention is a discharge lamp 1, a reflecting mirror 2, a condenser lens 3, a liquid crystal panel 4, a projection lens 5, a screen 6, and a discharge lamp lighting device of the present invention. It is composed of a power control unit 7, a microcomputer 8, a recording medium 9, and a display drive unit 10 that drives the liquid crystal panel 4 based on a video signal, which are main parts.

The light source 1, the reflecting mirror 2 and the condenser lens 3 are an illumination optical system. The reflecting mirror 2 reflects the light emitted from the discharge lamp 1, and the condenser lens 3 is irradiated from the light source 1. The reflected light and the light reflected by the reflecting mirror 2 are condensed, and the condensed light is applied to the liquid crystal panel 4 having a light modulating function, and the projection lens 5 causes the image displayed on the liquid crystal panel 4 to be displayed on the screen 6 Magnify and project.

In the power controller 7 which controls the light emission brightness by switching the power supplied to the discharge lamp 1, the power mode supplied to the discharge lamp 1 is switched by the power control signal from the microcomputer 8.

The recording medium 9 stores the cumulative lighting time of the discharge lamp measured by the time counter incorporated in the microcomputer 8, and the microcomputer 8 selects the power supply mode of the discharge lamp based on this. The recording medium 9 is generally composed of a nonvolatile memory in which the stored accumulated lighting time data as described above is not erased even when the power of the projector is turned off, or a volatile memory backed up by a battery or the like.

The display drive section 10 drives the liquid crystal panel 4 based on a video signal.

FIG. 2 shows each power mode and the continuous lighting time of the discharge lamp. As shown in FIG. 2, a power control unit 7 is provided which is capable of switching the power supplied to the discharge lamp as in power mode A, power mode B, power mode C, and power mode D. The projector is equipped with a time counter function or a microcomputer 8 having a built-in time counter function that measures the continuous lighting time after the electric lamp is lit and resets the continuous lighting time of the discharge lamp each time the discharge lamp is lit.

The time counter built in the microcomputer 8 has a function of storing the time when the continuous lighting of the discharge lamp is measured unless the power of the microcomputer is turned off, that is, the power of the projector is not turned off.

As shown in FIG. 3, the light transmittance of the liquid crystal panel 4, which is an optical component, deteriorates with continuous use, and the transmittance also gradually decreases. This tendency is more remarkable as the electric power supplied to the discharge lamp is higher, so that the point b1 at which deterioration starts
It is possible to automatically switch to the power mode B, which is the lower power mode of the power mode A, in the continuous use time 5h. With this system, when continuously used in the power mode A, the transmittance of the optical system was originally reduced to about 50% at 2 kh, but in the power mode B, effective use performance is maintained up to 5 kh continuous use time. Will be able to.

The power modes and continuous use times described here are merely examples, and may be set according to the performance of each projector or discharge lamp. When the above continuous lighting time reaches a predetermined time, the system for automatically switching the electric power supplied to the discharge lamp reduces deterioration of the optical parts including the liquid crystal panel 4 due to continuous use, and substantially uses the optical parts. The time can be lengthened.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 4 shows each power mode and the life time of the discharge lamp. As shown in FIG. 4, a discharge lamp lighting device is provided which is capable of switching the power supplied to the discharge lamp as in power mode A, power mode B, power mode C, and power mode D, and further integrated lighting of the discharge lamp. The projector is provided with a function of storing time in a recording medium such as a memory, reading the accumulated lighting time of the discharge lamp from the recording medium every time the power of the projector is turned on and the discharge lamp is turned on.

As shown in FIG. 5, the brightness of the discharge lamp gradually decreases with the integration time of lighting the discharge lamp. This tendency is more remarkable as the power is higher. Therefore, the point at which the brightness of the power mode A becomes equal to that of the power mode B, which is the lower power mode, is point b2. In this system, it is possible to automatically switch to the power mode B, which is the lower power mode of the power mode A, at the integrated lighting time of 1 Kh at the point b2.

With this system, when used in the power mode A, the brightness of the discharge lamp was originally reduced to about 50% at 2 kh, but in the power mode B, the effective use performance up to the integrated lighting time of 4 kh is achieved. You will be able to keep. The power mode and the integration time described here are merely examples, and may be set according to the performance of each projector or discharge lamp.

The life of the discharge lamp is defined to be 50% or less based on the initial brightness.

As described above, every time the projector is turned on and the discharge lamp is turned on, the integrated lighting time of the discharge lamp is read out from the recording medium, and when the discharge lamp integrated lighting time reaches a predetermined time, it is supplied to the discharge lamp. The system for automatically switching the electric power to be used can suppress deterioration of the discharge lamp and prolong the practical use time of the lamp.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 6 is an example of a flow chart of a program for explaining the second invention.

As described in the first embodiment, after the discharge lamp of the projector is turned on (S60), the time counter for measuring the lighting time of the discharge lamp is reset every time the discharge lamp is turned on (S61). The continuous lighting time is measured by the time counter (S62), and when the time function t indicating the continuous lighting time reaches the predetermined time 5h in the power mode A (S63), the power mode A to be supplied to the discharge lamp is automatically set. The process of switching to the power mode B is performed (S64),
The power change process can be returned to the original process by the user's manual input process (S65).

(Fourth Embodiment) FIG. 7 is an example of a flow chart of a program for explaining the third invention.

As described in the second embodiment, the cumulative lighting time of the discharge lamp is stored in a recording medium such as a memory, and the cumulative lighting time of the discharge lamp is recorded every time the discharge lamp is turned on (S70). It is read from M [t]) and set in the time counter (S71).

The integrated lighting time is measured, and the integrated time measured each time is stored in the recording medium (S72). When the time function t indicating the integrated lighting time reaches a predetermined time 1 Kh (S73), the discharge lamp is turned on. Although the process of automatically switching the power mode A to be supplied to the power mode B is performed (S74), the process of changing the power can be restored by the user's manual input process (S75).

(Fifth Embodiment) FIG. 8 is an example of a flow chart of a program for explaining the seventh invention.

In the discharge lamp lighting device of the seventh invention, the life of the discharge lamp and the deterioration of the optical parts are different depending on the power mode to be lit even if the continuous lighting time is the same. it is obvious.

Therefore, when the continuous lighting time of the discharge lamp is measured by the time counter, 1 is used for each power mode, for example, 1 for the power mode A, and 0 for each lower power mode, and 0 for the power mode B. .8, 0.6 in the power mode C, 0.5 in the power mode D, and the like, and the time is multiplied by a constant coefficient X.

In the present embodiment, after the discharge lamp of the projector is turned on (S80), the time counter for measuring the lighting time of the discharge lamp is reset every time the discharge lamp is turned on (S81). A coefficient X based on the power mode at the time of lighting is set (S82), and the product of the measured continuous lighting time t and the previously set coefficient X is set as the continuous lighting time. (S83).

Further, when the time function t indicating the continuous lighting time in the power mode A exceeds the predetermined time 5h (S8
4) The process of automatically switching the power mode A to be supplied to the discharge lamp to the power mode B is performed (S85), but the process of changing the power can be restored by the user's manual input process. Yes (S86) (Sixth Embodiment) FIG. 9 is an example of a flowchart of a program for explaining the eighth invention.

In the discharge lamp lighting device according to the eighth aspect of the invention, it is clear from the description of FIG. 5 that the life of the discharge lamp differs depending on the power mode to be turned on even if the lighting time is the same.

Preparing a storage medium such as a memory for each power mode after power switching is an inefficient use of memory resources.

Therefore, when the cumulative lighting time of the discharge lamp is stored in a recording medium such as a memory, 1 is set for each power mode, for example, 1 in the power mode A, and hereinafter, for each lower power mode.
In the power mode B, 0.8 is used, in the power mode C, 0.6 is used, and in the power mode D, 0.5 is used. In the case of a memory, one address is used for storage.

In this embodiment, the cumulative lighting time of the discharge lamp is stored in a recording medium such as a memory and the discharge lamp is lit (S).
90) the cumulative lighting time of the discharge lamp for each recording medium (M
[T]) is read (S91).

A coefficient X is set based on the power mode during lighting (S92), and the product of the measured continuous lighting time t and the previously set coefficient X is set as the continuous lighting time (S93).

Further, when the time function t indicating the continuous lighting time in the power mode A exceeds the predetermined time 1 Kh (S9
4) The process of automatically switching the power mode A supplied to the discharge lamp to the power mode B is performed (S95), but the process of changing the power by the user's manual input process can also be restored. Yes (S96).

As described above, the programs described in the third to sixth embodiments are merely examples, and when the continuous lighting time or the cumulative lighting time of the discharge lamp, which is the original purpose, reaches a predetermined time or numerical value. , Automatically switching the power supplied to the discharge lamp in accordance with the continuous lighting time of the projector or the cumulative lighting time, to reduce the deterioration due to continuous use of optical components including the liquid crystal panel, and to extend the actual use time, Alternatively, the objective is not limited to the above algorithm as long as the purpose of reducing the deterioration of the discharge lamp and extending the actual use time of the discharge lamp can be realized for each power mode.

[0051]

As described above, according to the present invention, the lighting time of the discharge lamp which is the light source of the projector is measured,
When the lighting time reaches a predetermined time, by switching the electric power supplied to the discharge lamp, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the discharge lamp and effectively extend the usage time.

Further, there is an effect that deterioration due to continuous use of the optical parts including the liquid crystal panel and the like is reduced, and the practical use time of the optical parts including the liquid crystal panel and the like is lengthened.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a projection type image device including a discharge lamp lighting device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of each power mode and switching time according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a temporal transition relationship of the transmittance of the optical system in each power mode when the projector is continuously used in the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of each power mode and switching time of the second embodiment and the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a time transition relationship between brightness and cumulative lighting time in each power mode in the second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a program according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a program according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a program according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a program according to the sixth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Discharge Lamp 2 Reflector 3 Condensing Lens 4 Liquid Crystal Panel 5 Projection Lens 6 Screen 7 Power Control Section 8 Microcomputer (Microcomputer) 9 Recording Medium 10 Display Drive Section t Discharge Lamp Lighting Time Measured by Time Counter or Time Function M ( t) Discharge lamp integrated lighting time stored in the recording medium or integrated lighting time function b1, b2 Power mode switching point X Optical system continuous lighting time or coefficient for calculating discharge lamp integrated lighting time

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F term (reference) 2K103 AA05 AB10 BA13 BA14                 3K073 AA37 AA42 AA47 AA82 AA87                       BA36 CD09 CF21 CG15 CG16                       CG22 CG43 CH21 CJ08 CM03                       CM05

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A projection type measuring the lighting time of a discharge lamp which is a light source of a projection type image device, and switching the electric power supplied to the discharge lamp when the lighting time reaches a predetermined time. Discharge lamp lighting device of image device. 2. A discharge lamp, a power control unit that controls the power of the discharge lamp, and a time counter that measures the continuous lighting time of the discharge lamp, and the continuous lighting time of the discharge lamp measured by the time counter. Is reset every time the discharge lamp is turned on, and when the continuous lighting time after the discharge lamp is turned on reaches a predetermined time, the power supplied to the discharge lamp is switched. Discharge lamp lighting device. 3. A discharge lamp, a power control unit for controlling the electric power of the discharge lamp, a time counter for measuring the lighting time of the discharge lamp, and an integrated lighting of the discharge lamp by integrating the lighting time by the time counter measurement. A discharge lamp lighting device for a projection type image device, comprising a recording medium for storing time, and switching power supplied to the discharge lamp when a cumulative lighting time of the discharge lamp reaches a predetermined time. 4. The discharge lamp lighting device for a projection type image device according to claim 1, wherein the setting can be changed during the predetermined time. 5. The function for switching the power supplied to the discharge lamp when the continuous lighting time after the discharge lamp reaches a predetermined time has reached a predetermined time can be set and released by the user. Item 2. The discharge lamp lighting device of the projection type image device according to Item 2. 6. The function for switching the power supplied to the discharge lamp when the accumulated lighting time of the discharge lamp reaches a predetermined time can be set and released by the user. Discharge lamp lighting device of the projection type image device. 7. The power control unit has a function of switching the power supplied to the discharge lamp to a plurality of power modes, and the continuous lighting time measured corresponding to each power mode is multiplied by a predetermined coefficient. The discharge lamp lighting device of the projection type image device according to claim 2, wherein the value is a new continuous lighting time. 8. The power controller has a function of switching the power supplied to the discharge lamp to a plurality of power modes, and multiplies a predetermined coefficient by the integrated lighting time measured corresponding to each power mode. The discharge lamp lighting device of the projection type image device according to claim 3, wherein the value is stored as a new integrated lighting time in the recording medium.