JP2009198539A - Projector and adjusting method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a projector capable of improving productivity and obtaining high accuracy.
A projector 1 modulates light emitted from a light source according to input image information to form image light, and image light formed by the image projection apparatus 2. Projection optical device 3 and adjustment mechanism 4 are provided. The adjustment mechanism 4 adjusts the position and posture of the image projection device 2 with respect to the projection optical device 3. According to such a configuration, the two image projection apparatuses 2 are separately manufactured by the same manufacturing method as in the prior art, and each image projection apparatus 2 is disposed, and then the position of the image projection apparatus 2 is adjusted by the adjustment mechanism 4. And the posture can be adjusted. Therefore, the productivity of the projector 1 can be improved.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a projector and an adjustment method, and more particularly to a projector including two image projection apparatuses and an adjustment method.

Conventionally, an illumination optical device that forms an image of light emitted from a light source in an illuminated area, a color separation optical device that separates light emitted from the illumination optical device into a plurality of color lights, and a color separation optical device. Image projection comprising: a plurality of light modulation devices that modulate a plurality of color lights according to image information for each color light; and a color synthesis optical device that emits image light obtained by combining the color lights modulated by the light modulation devices Projectors equipped with the device are known. And the image light inject | emitted from the image projection apparatus is projected through a projection lens (for example, refer patent document 1).
The projector described in Patent Document 1 is manufactured by adjusting the position of each optical component constituting the illumination optical unit (illumination optical device) and placing the optical component in the housing. In such a projector, the color separation optical device, the light modulation device, and the color synthesis optical device are generally manufactured by adjusting the positions of the projection lens with respect to the optical axis.

JP 2002-287251 A

Incidentally, in recent years, there has been an increasing demand for three-dimensional display (polarization method), high brightness, and high resolution of projectors. However, a projector having one image projection device has a problem that it is difficult to realize such a request due to the influence of the response speed of the light modulation device.
On the other hand, a projector is provided that includes two image projecting devices and synthesizes image light emitted from each image projecting device using, for example, a PBS (polarized beam splitter) and the like and projects it through a projection lens. By doing so, it is conceivable to realize the above-mentioned requirement.
However, if the projector is configured to include two image projection apparatuses, the projector is time consuming to manufacture if the position of each optical component is adjusted and arranged as in the projector described in Patent Document 1. There is a problem that the performance is lowered. Moreover, since many optical components are arrange | positioned separately, there exists a problem that a high precision cannot be obtained.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a projector capable of improving productivity and obtaining high accuracy.

  A projector according to the present invention includes an illumination optical device that forms an image of light emitted from a light source in an illuminated area, a color separation optical device that separates light emitted from the illumination optical device into a plurality of color lights, and a color separation optical device. A plurality of light modulation devices that modulate the plurality of color lights separated in accordance with image information for each color light, and a color combining optical device that emits image light obtained by combining the color lights modulated by the light modulation devices, And a projection optical device that synthesizes and projects the image light emitted from each image projection device, the position of the image projection device relative to the projection optical device, and An adjustment mechanism for adjusting at least one of the postures is provided.

  Here, the adjustment mechanism may be provided in any one of the image projection apparatuses, or may be provided in both of the image projection apparatuses. When any one of the image projection apparatuses is provided with an adjustment mechanism, at least one of the relative position and orientation of each image projection apparatus can be adjusted, and the adjustment mechanism is provided to both image projection apparatuses. When provided, it is possible to adjust at least one of the absolute position and attitude of each image projection apparatus, that is, the position and attitude with respect to the projection optical apparatus.

According to the present invention, since the projector includes the adjustment mechanism, the two image projection apparatuses are separately manufactured by the same manufacturing method as in the past, and the image projection apparatuses are arranged by the adjustment mechanism after the respective image projection apparatuses are arranged. At least one of the position and the posture can be adjusted.
Therefore, the productivity of the projector can be improved as compared with the case where the positions of the optical components are adjusted and arranged. In addition, since each image projection apparatus can obtain the same high accuracy as in the past, the projector as a whole can also obtain a high accuracy. Furthermore, even after the projector is manufactured and shipped at a factory or the like, the image projection apparatus is not fixed to the projection optical apparatus with an adhesive or the like even when it is adjusted again due to the influence of changes over time. Can be readjusted easily.
Further, the adjustment mechanism adjusts the entire image projection apparatus including the illumination optical apparatus, the color separation optical apparatus, the light modulation apparatus, and the color synthesis optical apparatus, so there is no need to perform adjustment between these apparatuses. The manufacturing process can be simplified.

  In the present invention, the adjustment mechanism includes a first adjustment mechanism that adjusts one of the image projection apparatuses, and a second adjustment mechanism that adjusts the other image projection apparatus, and the light source By moving the image projection apparatus along an illumination optical axis that reaches the projection optical apparatus through the color synthesis optical apparatus and two orthogonal axes that are orthogonal to the illumination optical axis and orthogonal to each other. While adjusting the position of the image projection device, and having 6 degrees of freedom to adjust the posture of the image projection device by rotating the image projection device around the illumination optical axis and each orthogonal axis, Each degree of freedom is preferably distributed to the first adjustment mechanism and the second adjustment mechanism.

  Here, the projection optical device synthesizes and projects the image light emitted from each image projection device, and can be configured by, for example, the PBS and the projection lens described above. The position of the image projection apparatus refers to the position of the exit end face of the image light in the color synthesis optical apparatus, and the attitude refers to the inclination of the exit end face with respect to the projection optical apparatus.

According to the present invention, one image projection apparatus can be adjusted by the first adjustment mechanism, and the other image projection apparatus can be adjusted by the second adjustment mechanism. Since each degree of freedom is assigned to the first adjustment mechanism and the second adjustment mechanism, the relative position and posture of each image projection apparatus can be adjusted with six degrees of freedom.
In addition, since each degree of freedom is distributed to the first adjustment mechanism and the second adjustment mechanism, compared to the case where an adjustment mechanism having six degrees of freedom is provided in any one of the image projection apparatuses. Thus, each adjustment mechanism can be reduced in size.

In the present invention, the first adjustment mechanism adjusts the position of the image projection apparatus by moving the image projection apparatus along the illumination optical axis and the orthogonal axes, and the second adjustment mechanism includes: It is preferable to adjust the posture of the image projection device by rotating the image projection device around the illumination optical axis and the orthogonal axes.
According to such a configuration, the first adjustment mechanism may be a mechanism that linearly moves the image projection device along each axial direction, and the second adjustment mechanism rotates the image projection device around each axis. Therefore, the first adjustment mechanism and the second adjustment mechanism can be simplified.

  In the present invention, the first adjustment mechanism moves the image projection device along the orthogonal axes, and adjusts the image projection device by rotating the image projection device around the illumination optical axis. The mechanism is preferably adjusted by moving the image projection device along the illumination optical axis and rotating the image projection device around the orthogonal axes.

According to such a configuration, the first adjustment mechanism moves the emission end face of the color synthesizing optical device along each orthogonal axis and rotates it around the illumination optical axis, so that the image emitted from the image projection device Each pixel in the light can be aligned (hereinafter referred to as alignment adjustment). In addition, the second adjustment mechanism moves the exit end face of the color synthesis optical device along the illumination optical axis and rotates it about each orthogonal axis, so that the tilt direction with respect to the projection lens and the focus position are adjusted. (Hereinafter referred to as focus adjustment).
Therefore, when adjusting the alignment of each image projection apparatus, only the first adjustment mechanism needs to be driven, and when adjusting the focus, only the second adjustment mechanism needs to be driven. Can be simplified.

  In the present invention, among the image projection apparatuses, one image projection apparatus is fixed in position and posture with respect to the projection optical apparatus, and the other image projection apparatus is adjusted by the adjustment mechanism, and the adjustment mechanism The image projection device is arranged along an illumination optical axis from the light source through the color synthesis optical device to the projection optical device, and two orthogonal axes orthogonal to the illumination optical axis and orthogonal to each other. The position of the image projection device is adjusted by moving, and the degree of freedom of adjusting the posture of the image projection device by rotating the image projection device around the illumination optical axis and the orthogonal axes. It is preferable to have.

  According to such a configuration, since the position and posture of one image projection device with respect to the projection optical device are fixed, after one image projection device is manufactured and fixed by the same manufacturing method as the conventional one, the other This image projection apparatus can be manufactured and arranged by the same manufacturing method as before, and the position and posture of the other image projection apparatus can be adjusted by the adjustment mechanism. Therefore, the productivity of the projector can be further improved.

In the present invention, the one image projection device is arranged so that an emission direction of the image light and a projection direction of the image light by the projection optical device are substantially parallel, and the other image projection device is It is preferable that the image light emission direction and the image light projection direction by the projection optical apparatus are arranged so as to be substantially orthogonal to each other.
Here, image light emitted from the other image projection apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a vertical image projection apparatus) is changed in traveling direction by approximately 90 degrees by the projection optical apparatus, and one image projection apparatus (hereinafter referred to as parallel). Is combined with image light emitted from the side image projection apparatus. For this reason, when adjusting the vertical image projection apparatus, it is desirable to adjust the tilt direction with respect to the projection lens by rotating about each orthogonal axis.

According to the present invention, the first adjustment mechanism adjusts the parallel image projection device, and the second adjustment mechanism adjusts the vertical image projection device.
Therefore, as described above, when the second adjustment mechanism is configured to adjust the posture by rotating the image projection apparatus around the illumination optical axis and each orthogonal axis, the vertical image In adjusting the projection device, the tilt direction with respect to the projection lens can be adjusted, and high accuracy can be obtained for the projector as a whole. Further, as described above, the second adjustment mechanism moves the image projection device along the illumination optical axis, and the adjustment mechanism is configured to adjust by rotating the image projection device along each orthogonal axis. The same applies to the case.

  Further, as described above, the position and posture of the parallel image projection apparatus with respect to the projection optical apparatus are fixed, and the vertical image projection apparatus is configured to be adjusted by the adjustment mechanism having 6 degrees of freedom. In the adjustment of the vertical image projection apparatus, the tilt direction with respect to the projection lens can be adjusted. Furthermore, in this case, the arrangement of the parallel-side image projection device and the projection optical device is the same as that of a projector including one conventional image projection device, so that the productivity of the projector can be further improved.

The adjustment method of the present invention includes an illumination optical device that forms an image of light emitted from a light source in an illuminated area, a color separation optical device that separates light emitted from the illumination optical device into a plurality of color lights, and color separation optics. A plurality of light modulation devices that modulate a plurality of color lights separated by the device according to image information for each color light, and a color synthesis optical device that emits image light obtained by combining the color lights modulated by each light modulation device And a projection optical device that synthesizes and projects the image light emitted from each of the image projection devices, wherein the projector is adapted to the projection optical device. An adjustment mechanism that adjusts at least one of the position and orientation of the image projection apparatus is provided, and the image projection apparatus is adjusted by the adjustment mechanism.
According to such an adjustment method, it is possible to achieve the same effects as the effects of the projector described above.

[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[Schematic configuration of projector]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the projector 1.
As shown in FIG. 1, the projector 1 is formed by two image projection devices 2 that form light by modulating light emitted from a light source according to input image information, and the image projection device 2. A projection optical device 3 that projects the image light, an adjustment mechanism 4, an image projection device 2, a projection optical device 3, and a housing (not shown) that houses the adjustment mechanism 4. The adjustment mechanism 4 will be described in detail later.

  The image projection apparatus 2 includes a parallel-side image projection apparatus 2A arranged so that the formed image light emission direction and the image light projection direction by the projection optical apparatus 3 are substantially parallel, and the formed image light emission. The vertical image projection device 2B is arranged so that the direction and the projection direction of the image light by the projection optical device 3 are substantially orthogonal to each other. Each image projection device 2 includes an illumination optical device 21, a color separation optical device 22, a relay optical device 23, and an electro-optical device 24, respectively.

The illumination optical device 21 forms an image of light emitted from the light source 211 in an illuminated area, and includes a light source 211, a first lens array 212, a second lens array 213, and a superimposing lens 214. It is configured.
Although not shown, the light source 211 is a light source lamp that emits a radial light beam, a reflector that reflects the radiated light emitted from the light source lamp and converges it at a predetermined position, and light that is converged by the reflector is illumination light. And a collimating concave lens that is parallel to the axis A.

The first lens array 212 and the second lens array 213 have a configuration in which corresponding small lenses are arranged in a matrix, and the first lens array 212 divides light incident from the light source 211 into a plurality of partial lights. Then, an image is formed near the second lens array 213.
The second lens array 213 forms an image emitted from each small lens of the first lens array 212 together with the superimposing lens 214 located in the latter stage of the optical path in an image forming area of a liquid crystal panel 241 described later of the electro-optical device 24. Let Each partial light emitted from the second lens array 213 has approximately one kind of polarization direction by a polarization conversion element (not shown) interposed between the second lens array 213 and the superimposing lens 214. Converted to linearly polarized light. The linearly polarized light converted by the polarization conversion element in the parallel-side image projection apparatus 2A and the linearly polarized light converted by the polarization conversion element in the vertical-side image projection apparatus 2B have straight lines having different types of polarization directions. Polarized light.

The color separation optical device 22 includes two dichroic mirrors 221 and 222, and a reflection mirror 223. A plurality of partial lights emitted from the illumination optical device 21 by the dichroic mirrors 221 and 222 are red, green, and blue. It has a function of separating into colored light.
The relay optical device 23 includes an incident side lens 231, a relay lens 233, and reflection mirrors 232 and 234, and has a function of guiding the blue light separated by the color separation optical device 22 to the liquid crystal panel 241B for blue light. Yes.

  At this time, the dichroic mirror 221 of the color separation optical device 22 transmits the red light component of the light emitted from the illumination optical device 21 and reflects the green light component and the blue light component. The red light transmitted through the dichroic mirror 221 is reflected by the reflection mirror 223, passes through the field lens 215, and reaches the liquid crystal panel 241R for red light. The field lens 215 converts each partial light emitted from the second lens array 213 into light parallel to the central axis (principal ray). The same applies to the field lens 215 provided on the light incident side of the other liquid crystal panels 241G and 241B for green light and blue light.

  Of the green light and blue light reflected from the dichroic mirror 221, the green light is reflected by the dichroic mirror 222, passes through the field lens 215, and reaches the liquid crystal panel 241G for green light. On the other hand, the blue light passes through the dichroic mirror 222, passes through the relay optical device 23, passes through the field lens 215, and reaches the liquid crystal panel 241B for blue light.

  The electro-optical device 24 modulates incident light according to image information to form image light, and includes three liquid crystal panels 241 (a liquid crystal panel on the red light side 241R and a liquid crystal panel on the green light side 241G). , The liquid crystal panel on the blue light side is 241B), three incident-side polarizing plates 242 arranged on the front side of the optical path of each liquid crystal panel 241, and three exits arranged on the rear side of the optical path of each liquid crystal panel 241 A side polarizing plate 243 and a cross dichroic prism 244 are provided.

The three incident-side polarizing plates 242 transmit only polarized light having substantially the same polarization direction as the polarization direction aligned by the polarization conversion element among the color lights separated by the color separation optical device 22 and absorb other light. To do.
The three liquid crystal panels 241 as light modulation devices have a configuration in which a liquid crystal as an electro-optical material is hermetically sealed in a pair of transparent glass substrates, and the alignment state of the liquid crystal is controlled according to input image information. Thus, the polarization direction of the polarized light emitted from the incident side polarizing plate 242 is modulated.
The three exit-side polarizing plates 243 transmit polarized light in a certain direction (for example, light having a polarization axis orthogonal to the light transmission axis of the incident-side polarizing plate 242) out of the light emitted through the liquid crystal panel 241. And absorb other light.

  A cross dichroic prism 244 as a color combining optical device combines the color lights emitted from the emission side polarizing plates 243 to form image light. The cross dichroic prism 244 has a substantially square shape in plan view in which four right-angle prisms are bonded together, and two dielectric multilayer films are formed at the interface where the right-angle prisms are bonded together. These dielectric multilayer films are emitted from the liquid crystal panel 241G and transmit color light via the emission side polarizing plate 243, and are emitted from the liquid crystal panels 241R and 241B and each color light via the emission side polarizing plate 243. To reflect. Thereby, image light (color image) in which red light, green light and blue light are combined is formed.

The projection optical device 3 includes a PBS 31 and a projection lens 32.
The PBS 31 is formed by bonding two right-angle prisms, and transmits light in one polarization direction and reflects light in the other polarization direction through a dielectric polarizing film formed at the interface where the right-angle prisms are bonded. Let In the present embodiment, the image light emitted from the parallel-side image projection device 2A is transmitted through the dielectric polarizing film, and the image light emitted from the vertical-side image projection device 2B is reflected by the dielectric polarizing film and projected respectively. Guided to the lens 32.
The projection lens 32 is configured as a combined lens in which a plurality of lenses are housed in a cylindrical lens barrel (not shown), and enlarges and projects image light emitted from the PBS 31 onto a projection surface such as a screen Sc.

[Schematic configuration of adjustment mechanism]
The adjustment mechanism 4 is a mechanism that adjusts the position and orientation of the image projection apparatus 2 with respect to the projection optical apparatus 3, and adjusts the first adjustment mechanism 5 that adjusts the parallel image projection apparatus 2A and the vertical image projection apparatus 2B. And the second adjustment mechanism 6 that performs the above operation.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the first adjustment mechanism 5. In FIG. 2, the illumination optical axis A is the Z axis, and two axes (orthogonal axes) orthogonal to the Z axis and orthogonal to each other are the X axis and the Y axis. In FIG. 2, only the cross dichroic prism 244 is shown in the parallel image projection apparatus 2A, and illustration of other optical components is omitted.
As shown in FIG. 2, the first adjustment mechanism 5 includes a first base 51 attached to the housing of the projector 1, a second base 52 attached to the first base 51, and a second base 52. And a third base 53 on which the parallel image projection device 2A is mounted.

The first base 51 is attached to the casing of the projector 1 via elastic members 511 provided at the four corner positions. The first base 51 moves in the −Y axis direction when a load is applied in the −Y axis direction, and moves in the + Y axis direction by the elastic force of the elastic member 511 when the load is removed. Further, the first base 51 is provided with a protruding portion 512 that protrudes in the + Y-axis direction at the end in the −Z-axis direction.
The second base 52 is mounted on the first base 51 and attached to the protruding portion 512 of the first base 51 via an elastic member 521. The second base 52 moves in the −Z axis direction when a load is applied in the −Z axis direction, and moves in the + Z axis direction by the elastic force of the elastic member 521 when the load is removed. In addition, the second base 52 is provided with a protruding portion 522 that protrudes in the + Y-axis direction at an end portion in the −X-axis direction.

The third base 53 is mounted on the second base 52 and attached to the protruding portion 522 of the second base 52 via an elastic member 531. The third base 53 moves in the −X axis direction when a load is applied in the −X axis direction, and moves in the + X axis direction by the elastic force of the elastic member 531 when the load is removed.
Accordingly, the first adjustment mechanism 5 adjusts the position of the parallel image projection device 2A relative to the projection optical device 3 by moving the parallel image projection device 2A along the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis. Note that the position of the parallel image projection apparatus 2A refers to the position of the exit end face 244A of the cross dichroic prism 244.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the second adjustment mechanism 6. In FIG. 3, as in FIG. 2, the X axis, Y axis, and Z axis are taken, and the rotation angles about the X axis, Y axis, and Z axis are φ, θ, and ψ, respectively. . Also in FIG. 3, only the cross dichroic prism 244 is shown in the vertical image projection device 2 </ b> B, and illustration of other optical components is omitted.
As shown in FIG. 3, the second adjustment mechanism 6 includes a first base 61 attached to the housing of the projector 1, a second base 62 attached to the first base 61, and a second base 62. And a third base 63 on which the vertical image projection device 2B is mounted. Further, the projector 1 is provided with support portions 11 for supporting the first base 61 at both ends in the Z-axis direction.

  The first base 61 includes a substantially cylindrical rotation shaft 611 extending in the Z-axis direction, and the rotation shaft 611 is inserted into a hole 11 </ b> A formed in the support portion 11 of the projector 1 so that the projector 1. It is attached to the case. The first base 61 is attached to the housing of the projector 1 via elastic members 612 provided at the four corner positions. And the 1st base 61 rotates so that rotation angle psi may be increased / decreased centering | focusing on a Z axis | shaft by applying a load along the Y-axis direction in any edge part of an X-axis direction. The first base 61 is provided with support portions 613 for supporting the second base 62 at both ends in the X-axis direction.

  The second base 62 includes a substantially cylindrical rotary shaft 621 extending in the X-axis direction, and the rotary shaft 621 is inserted into a hole 613A formed in the support portion 613 of the first base 61. And attached to the first base 61. The second base 62 is attached to the first base 61 through elastic members 622 provided at the four corner positions. And the 2nd base 62 rotates so that rotation angle (phi) may be increased / decreased centering | focusing on an X-axis by applying a load along the Y-axis direction in the edge part of a Z-axis direction. Further, the second base 62 is provided with a substantially cylindrical shaft portion 623 that protrudes in the + Y-axis direction at a substantially central position, and a protrusion portion 624 that protrudes in the + Y-axis direction at both ends in the Z-axis direction. ing.

The third base 63 has a hole 63A formed at a substantially central position, and is placed with the shaft portion 623 of the second base 62 inserted through the hole 63A. The third base 63 is attached to the protruding portion 624 of the second base 62 via an elastic member 631. The third base 63 rotates so as to increase or decrease the rotation angle θ about the Y axis by applying a load along the Z axis direction at any one of both ends in the X axis direction. To do.
Note that the rotation shaft 611 of the first base 61, the rotation shaft 621 of the second base 62, and the shaft portion 623 of the second base 62 are viewed when the second adjustment mechanism 6 is viewed from the + Y-axis direction side. The cross dichroic prism 244 is provided so as to pass through a substantially central position.

Therefore, the second adjustment mechanism 6 adjusts the posture of the vertical image projection device 2B with respect to the projection optical device 3 by rotating the vertical image projection device 2B around the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis. Note that the attitude of the vertical image projection apparatus 2B refers to the inclination of the exit end face 244A of the cross dichroic prism 244 with respect to the projection optical apparatus 3 (incident end face of the PBS 31).
As described above, the adjustment mechanism 4 has a total of 6 degrees of freedom in the first adjustment mechanism 5 and the second adjustment mechanism 6, and each degree of freedom has three degrees of freedom (X axis, Y axis) in the first adjustment mechanism 5. (Axis, Z axis) and the second adjustment mechanism 6 are distributed with three degrees of freedom (φ, θ, ψ). In this embodiment, the projector 1 includes a linear actuator (not shown) for applying a load to each of the bases 51 to 53 and 61 to 63. And the position and attitude | position of each image projection apparatus 2 are adjusted by driving this linear actuator.

[Projector manufacturing method]
Next, a method for manufacturing the projector 1 will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, a method for adjusting the position and orientation of the image projection apparatus 2 with respect to the projection optical apparatus 3 will be mainly described, and description of other manufacturing methods (fixing methods and the like) will be omitted.
First, an operator arranges optical components such as the image projection apparatuses 2 manufactured by a manufacturing method similar to the conventional one in the housing of the projector 1. Then, the light source 211 is turned on and each liquid crystal panel 241 is driven to display an adjustment image on a projection surface such as a screen. As an image for adjustment, for example, green light is transmitted through the liquid crystal panel 241G, red light and blue light are blocked out by the liquid crystal panels 241R and 241B, and all pixels are displayed in green on the projection surface. Images can be employed.
In this state, an adjustment image displayed on the projection surface is picked up by, for example, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) camera or the like, and adjustment of optical components constituting the projector 1 is performed based on the picked-up picked-up image. .

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a method for adjusting the optical components constituting the projector 1.
First, as shown in FIG. 4, the operator rotates the PBS 31 to adjust the position and posture with respect to the projection lens 32 (S1: PBS rotation step). The image based on the image light emitted from the parallel image projection device 2A and the image based on the image light emitted from the vertical image projection device 2B by the adjustment of the image projection device 2 by the adjustment mechanism 4 are displayed on the projection surface. Can be omitted, the PBS rotation step S1 can be omitted.

  When the PBS 31 is adjusted in the PBS rotation step S1, the adjustment mechanism 4 adjusts the focus of the vertical image projection device 2B (S2: vertical focus adjustment step). Specifically, the adjustment mechanism 4 adjusts the rotation angles φ and θ of the vertical image projection device 2B by increasing or decreasing the load applied to the second base 62 and the third base 63 in the second adjustment mechanism. . Further, by moving the position of the projection lens 32 along the illumination optical axis A, the position of each liquid crystal panel 241 in the vertical image projection device 2B is adjusted so that the back focus position of the projection lens 32 substantially matches. To do. The position of the projection lens 32 may be adjusted by moving it using a linear actuator in the same manner as the bases 51 to 53 and 61 to 63, or may be adjusted by an operator as in the case of the PBS 31.

  When the focus adjustment of the vertical image projection device 2B is performed in the vertical side focus adjustment step S2, the adjustment mechanism 4 performs the focus adjustment of the parallel side image projection device 2A (S3: parallel side focus adjustment step). Specifically, the adjustment mechanism 4 adjusts the position of the parallel image projection apparatus 2A in the Z-axis direction by increasing or decreasing the load applied to the second base 52 in the first adjustment mechanism 5.

When the focus adjustment of the parallel-side image projection device 2A is performed in the parallel-side focus adjustment step S3, the adjustment mechanism 4 adjusts the alignment of the vertical-side image projection device 2B (S4: vertical-side alignment adjustment step). Specifically, the adjustment mechanism 4 adjusts the rotation angle ψ of the vertical image projection device 2B by increasing or decreasing the load applied to the first base 61 in the second adjustment mechanism.
When the alignment adjustment of the vertical image projection device 2B is performed in the vertical alignment adjustment step S4, the adjustment mechanism 4 adjusts the alignment of the parallel image projection device 2A (S5: parallel alignment adjustment step). Specifically, the adjustment mechanism 4 increases or decreases the load applied to the first base 51 and the third base 53 in the first adjustment mechanism, so that the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction of the parallel-side image projection device 2A. Adjust the position.

The vertical alignment adjustment step S4 and the parallel alignment adjustment step S5 are based on the image light emitted from the parallel image projection device 2A and the vertical image based on the image captured by the CCD camera or the like. It is repeatedly adjusted so that the image based on the image light emitted from the projection device 2B substantially coincides with the projection surface.
By performing the above steps, the optical components constituting the projector 1 are adjusted.

The projector 1 according to the present embodiment has the following effects.
(1) Since the projector 1 includes the adjustment mechanism 4, the two image projection apparatuses 2 are separately manufactured by the same manufacturing method as in the past, and after the image projection apparatuses 2 are respectively arranged, the adjustment mechanism 4 performs image projection. The position and posture of the device 2 can be adjusted. Therefore, the productivity of the projector 1 can be improved. Moreover, since each image projection apparatus 2 can obtain the same high accuracy as before, the projector 1 as a whole can obtain a high accuracy. Furthermore, even after the projector 1 is manufactured and shipped at a factory or the like, the image projection apparatus 2 is fixed to the projection optical apparatus 3 with an adhesive or the like even when the adjustment is performed again due to the influence of changes over time. Can be readjusted easily.

(2) Since the adjustment mechanism 4 adjusts the entire image projection apparatus 2 including the illumination optical device 21, the color separation optical device 22, the liquid crystal panel 241, and the cross dichroic prism 244, it is necessary to perform adjustment between these devices. Therefore, the manufacturing process of the projector 1 can be simplified.
(3) Since the adjustment mechanism 4 has a total of 6 degrees of freedom in the first adjustment mechanism 5 and the second adjustment mechanism 6, the relative position and posture of each image projection device 2 can be adjusted in 6 degrees of freedom. Can be adjusted. Moreover, since each degree of freedom is distributed to the 1st adjustment mechanism 5 and the 2nd adjustment mechanism 6, each adjustment mechanism 5 and 6 can be reduced in size.

(4) The first adjustment mechanism 5 adjusts the position of the parallel image projection device 2A relative to the projection optical device 3 by moving the parallel image projection device 2A along the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis. The second adjustment mechanism 6 adjusts the attitude of the vertical image projection device 2B relative to the projection optical device 3 by rotating the vertical image projection device 2B around the X, Y, and Z axes. 5 and the second adjustment mechanism 6 can be simplified.
(5) The first adjustment mechanism 5 adjusts the parallel image projection device 2A, and the second adjustment mechanism 6 adjusts the vertical image projection device 2B. Further, the parallel image projection device 2A is arranged so that the emission direction of the formed image light and the projection direction of the image light by the projection optical device 3 are substantially parallel, and the vertical image projection device 2B is formed. The emission direction of the image light and the projection direction of the image light by the projection optical device 3 are arranged so as to be substantially orthogonal. Therefore, in the adjustment of the vertical image projection apparatus 2B, the tilt direction with respect to the projection lens 32 can be adjusted, and the projector 1 as a whole can obtain high accuracy.

[Second Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of the projector 1A.
In the following description, parts that have already been described are assigned the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.
In the first embodiment, the projector 1 includes the adjustment mechanism 4, and the adjustment mechanism 4 has a total of 6 degrees of freedom in the first adjustment mechanism 5 and the second adjustment mechanism 6, and each degree of freedom is the first degree of freedom. The adjustment mechanism 5 is assigned with 3 degrees of freedom (X axis, Y axis, Z axis), and the second adjustment mechanism 6 is assigned with 3 degrees of freedom (φ, θ, ψ). On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the projector 1A includes an adjustment mechanism 4A as shown in FIG. 5, and the adjustment mechanism 4A has a total of six degrees of freedom by the first adjustment mechanism 5A and the second adjustment mechanism 6A. Each of the degrees of freedom is distributed to the first adjustment mechanism 5A with three degrees of freedom (X axis, Y axis, ψ) and the second adjustment mechanism 6A with three degrees of freedom (φ, θ, Z axis). It is different. In the present embodiment, illustration and illustration of the adjustment mechanism 4A are omitted.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a method for adjusting the optical components constituting the projector 1A.
First, as shown in FIG. 6, the operator performs the PBS rotation step S1 as in the first embodiment.
When the PBS 31 is adjusted in the PBS rotation step S1, the adjustment mechanism 4A adjusts the focus of the vertical image projection device 2B (S12: vertical focus adjustment step). Specifically, the adjustment mechanism 4A adjusts the rotation angles φ and θ of the vertical image projection device 2B and the position in the Z-axis direction.

  When the focus adjustment of the vertical image projection device 2B is performed in the vertical focus adjustment step S12, the focus adjustment of the parallel image projection device 2A is performed by moving the position of the projection lens 32 along the illumination optical axis A. (S13: Parallel-side focus adjustment step). Specifically, the position of the projection lens 32 is adjusted so that the position of each liquid crystal panel 241 in the vertical image projection apparatus 2B and the back focus position of the projection lens 32 substantially coincide. The position of the projection lens 32 may be adjusted by using a linear actuator in the same manner as the bases 51 to 53 and 61 to 63 in the first embodiment. You may adjust.

When the focus adjustment of the parallel image projection device 2A is performed in the parallel-side focus adjustment step S13, the adjustment mechanism 4A adjusts the alignment of the parallel-side image projection device 2A (S14: parallel-side alignment adjustment step). Specifically, the adjustment mechanism 4A adjusts the position of the parallel image projection apparatus 2A in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, and the rotation angle ψ.
By performing the above steps, the optical components constituting the projector 1A are adjusted.

In this embodiment as well, the same operational effects as (1) to (3) and (5) in the first embodiment can be achieved, and the following operational effects can be achieved.
(6) The first adjustment mechanism 5A adjusts the position of the parallel image projection apparatus 2A in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, and the rotation angle ψ, and the second adjustment mechanism 6A adjusts the vertical image projection apparatus 2B. Since the rotation angles φ and θ and the position in the Z-axis direction are adjusted, when adjusting the alignment of each image projection apparatus 2, only the first adjustment mechanism 5A needs to be driven, and when adjusting the focus. Since only the second adjustment mechanism 6A needs to be driven, the manufacturing method of the projector 1 can be simplified.

[Third Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of the projector 1B.
In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the projectors 1 and 1A include the adjustment mechanisms 4 and 4A. The adjustment mechanisms 4 and 4A include the first adjustment mechanisms 5 and 5A and the second adjustment mechanisms 6 and 6, respectively. 6A has a total of 6 degrees of freedom, and each degree of freedom is distributed to the first adjustment mechanisms 5 and 5A with 3 degrees of freedom and to the second adjustment mechanisms 6 and 6A with 3 degrees of freedom. In contrast, in the present embodiment, the projector 1B includes an adjustment mechanism 4B that adjusts the position and orientation of the vertical image projection apparatus 2B with respect to the projection optical apparatus 3, as shown in FIG. , 6 degrees of freedom (X-axis, Y-axis, Z-axis, φ, θ, ψ). In the present embodiment, illustration and illustration of the adjustment mechanism 4B are omitted.
In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, each image projection device 2 is configured to be adjustable by the adjustment mechanisms 4 and 4A. However, in this embodiment, the parallel image projection device 2A is configured. Are different in that they are fixed in the housing of the projector 1.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a method for adjusting the optical components constituting the projector 1B.
First, as shown in FIG. 8, the worker performs the PBS rotation step S1 as in the first and second embodiments.
When the adjustment of the PBS 31 is performed in the PBS rotation step S1, the adjustment mechanism 4B performs the vertical side focus adjustment step S12 and the parallel side focus adjustment step S13 as in the second embodiment.

When the focus adjustment of the parallel-side image projection device 2A is performed in the parallel-side focus adjustment step S13, the adjustment mechanism 4B adjusts the alignment of the vertical-side image projection device 2B (S24: vertical-side alignment adjustment step). Specifically, the adjustment mechanism 4B adjusts the position of the vertical image projection apparatus 2B in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, and the rotation angle ψ.
By performing the above steps, the optical components constituting the projector 1B are adjusted.

In this embodiment as well, the same operational effects as (1) to (3) and (5) in the first embodiment can be achieved, and the following operational effects can be achieved.
(7) Since the parallel image projection device 2A is fixed in position and posture relative to the projection optical device 3, the parallel image projection device 2A is manufactured and fixed by the same manufacturing method as before, and then the vertical image is displayed. The projection apparatus 2B can be manufactured and arranged by the same manufacturing method as before, and the position and posture of the vertical image projection apparatus 2B arranged by the adjustment mechanism 4B can be adjusted. Therefore, the productivity of the projector 1 can be further improved.
(8) Since the arrangement of the parallel image projection device 2A and the projection optical device 3 is the same as that of a projector including one conventional image projection device, the productivity of the projector 1 can be further improved.

[Modification of Embodiment]
It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and modifications, improvements, etc. within a scope that can achieve the object of the present invention are included in the present invention. Moreover, it is free to combine the embodiments.
In each of the embodiments described above, the adjustment mechanisms 4, 4 </ b> A, and 4 </ b> B adjust the position and orientation of the image projection apparatus 2 with respect to the projection optical apparatus 3. And / or the posture may be adjusted. However, in order to obtain high accuracy as a whole projector, it is preferable that the adjustment mechanism adjusts the position and orientation of the image projection apparatus with respect to the projection optical apparatus as in the above embodiments.
In each of the above embodiments, the adjustment mechanisms 4, 4 </ b> A, 4 </ b> B have 6 degrees of freedom, but may have different degrees of freedom, and may be increased or decreased as necessary.

  In the first embodiment, the adjustment mechanism 4 has a total of 6 degrees of freedom in the first adjustment mechanism 5 and the second adjustment mechanism 6, and each degree of freedom is 3 degrees of freedom (X-axis) in the first adjustment mechanism 5. , Y axis, Z axis) and the second adjustment mechanism 6 are distributed with three degrees of freedom (φ, θ, ψ). In the second embodiment, the adjustment mechanism 4A has a total of 6 degrees of freedom in the first adjustment mechanism 5A and the second adjustment mechanism 6A, and each degree of freedom has 3 degrees of freedom ( X axis, Y axis, ψ) and the second adjusting mechanism 6A are distributed with three degrees of freedom (φ, θ, Z axis). On the other hand, for example, the first adjustment mechanism may be assigned with 4 degrees of freedom and the second adjustment mechanism may be assigned with 2 degrees of freedom. In short, it is up to the designer how to distribute each degree of freedom to the first adjustment mechanism and the second adjustment mechanism.

In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the first adjustment mechanisms 5 and 5A adjust the parallel image projection device 2A, and the second adjustment mechanisms 6 and 6A adjust the vertical image projection device 2B. Was. On the other hand, the first adjustment mechanism may adjust the vertical image projection device, and the second adjustment mechanism may adjust the parallel image projection device. In short, the first adjustment mechanism may adjust one image projection device, and the second adjustment mechanism may adjust the other image projection device.
In the third embodiment, the parallel-side image projection device 2A is fixed in the housing of the projector 1, and the vertical-side image projection device 2B is adjusted by the adjustment mechanism 4B. On the other hand, the vertical image projection device may be fixed in the housing of the projector, and the parallel image projection device may be adjusted by an adjustment mechanism. In short, the position and posture of one image projection apparatus with respect to the projection optical apparatus may be fixed, and the other image projection apparatus may be adjusted by the adjustment mechanism.

In the first embodiment, the configuration of the adjustment mechanism 4 is illustrated, but the adjustment mechanism may have a configuration other than this. In short, the adjustment mechanism only needs to adjust the position and posture of the image projection apparatus with respect to the projection optical apparatus.
In each of the above-described embodiments, the transmissive liquid crystal panel 241 is employed. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a reflective liquid crystal panel may be employed, or a digital micromirror device (DMD) may be employed. Good. DMD is a trademark of Texas Instruments Incorporated.

  The present invention can be used for a projector, and in particular, can be suitably used for a projector including two image projection apparatuses.

1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a projector according to a first embodiment of the invention. The schematic diagram which shows an example of the 1st adjustment mechanism in the said embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows an example of the 2nd adjustment mechanism in the said embodiment. 6 is a flowchart showing an adjustment method of optical components constituting the projector in the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a projector according to a second embodiment of the invention. 6 is a flowchart showing an adjustment method of optical components constituting the projector in the embodiment. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a projector according to a third embodiment of the invention. 6 is a flowchart showing an adjustment method of optical components constituting the projector in the embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,1A, 1B ... Projector, 2 ... Image projection apparatus, 2A ... Parallel side image projection apparatus, 2B ... Vertical side image projection apparatus, 3 ... Projection optical apparatus, 4, 4A, 4B ... Adjustment mechanism, 5, 5A ... No. 1 adjustment mechanism, 6, 6A ... second adjustment mechanism, 21 ... illumination optical device, 22 ... color separation optical device, 241 ... liquid crystal panel (light modulation device), 244 ... cross dichroic prism (color synthesis optical device), A ... Illumination optical axis.

Claims (7)

An illumination optical device that forms an image of light emitted from the light source in the illuminated area, a color separation optical device that separates the light emitted from the illumination optical device into a plurality of color lights, and a plurality that are separated by the color separation optical device Two images each having a plurality of light modulation devices that modulate the color light of each color light according to image information and a color combining optical device that emits image light obtained by combining the color lights modulated by the light modulation devices A projector comprising: a projection device; and a projection optical device that synthesizes and projects image light emitted from each image projection device,
A projector comprising an adjustment mechanism that adjusts at least one of a position and a posture of the image projection apparatus with respect to the projection optical apparatus. The projector according to claim 1, wherein
The adjusting mechanism is
Among the image projection devices, the image adjustment device includes a first adjustment mechanism that adjusts one image projection device and a second adjustment mechanism that adjusts the other image projection device.
The image projection apparatus is moved along an illumination optical axis from the light source through the color synthesis optical apparatus to the projection optical apparatus and two orthogonal axes orthogonal to the illumination optical axis and orthogonal to each other. In addition to adjusting the position of the image projection device, the image projection device has six degrees of freedom by rotating the image projection device around the illumination optical axis and each orthogonal axis. ,
Each of the degrees of freedom is distributed to the first adjustment mechanism and the second adjustment mechanism. The projector according to claim 2,
The first adjustment mechanism adjusts the position of the image projection device by moving the image projection device along the illumination optical axis and the orthogonal axes,
The projector is characterized in that the second adjustment mechanism adjusts an attitude of the image projection device by rotating the image projection device around the illumination optical axis and the orthogonal axes. The projector according to claim 2,
The first adjustment mechanism adjusts the image projection device by moving the image projection device along each orthogonal axis and rotating the image projection device around the illumination optical axis,
The projector is characterized in that the second adjusting mechanism moves the image projection device along the illumination optical axis, and adjusts the image projection device by rotating the image projection device around the orthogonal axes. The projector according to claim 1, wherein
Among the image projection devices, one image projection device has a fixed position and orientation with respect to the projection optical device, and the other image projection device is adjusted by the adjustment mechanism.
The adjusting mechanism is
The image projection apparatus is moved along an illumination optical axis from the light source through the color synthesis optical apparatus to the projection optical apparatus and two orthogonal axes orthogonal to the illumination optical axis and orthogonal to each other. In addition to adjusting the position of the image projection device, the image projection device has six degrees of freedom by rotating the image projection device around the illumination optical axis and each orthogonal axis. Projector. The projector according to any one of claims 2 to 5,
The one image projection device is arranged such that the emission direction of the image light and the projection direction of the image light by the projection optical device are substantially parallel,
The other image projection device is arranged such that the image light emission direction and the image light projection direction by the projection optical device are substantially orthogonal to each other. An illumination optical device that forms an image of light emitted from the light source in the illuminated area, a color separation optical device that separates the light emitted from the illumination optical device into a plurality of color lights, and a plurality that are separated by the color separation optical device Two images each having a plurality of light modulation devices that modulate the color light of each color light according to image information and a color combining optical device that emits image light obtained by combining the color lights modulated by the light modulation devices A projector adjustment method comprising: a projection device; and a projection optical device that synthesizes and projects image light emitted from each image projection device,
The projector includes an adjustment mechanism that adjusts at least one of a position and an attitude of the image projection apparatus with respect to the projection optical apparatus,
The adjustment method characterized by adjusting the said image projection apparatus with the said adjustment mechanism.

Images