Projector

Abstract

An output light from an light source lamp unit 8 in a projection-type display apparatus illuminates liquid-crystal light valves 925 R, 925 G and 925 B for three colors via an integrator optical system 923. A superimposing lens 930 that is a component of the integrator optical system 923 as a uniform illumination optical system is arranged such that the mounting position of the superimposing lens 930 is fine-adjustable in a direction orthogonal to an optical axis 1 a. By fine-adjusting the mounting position of the superimposing lens 930, the position of an illumination area B is adjusted such that the illumination area includes the image forming area A of the liquid-crystal light valve. It is not necessary to assure a wide margin around the image forming area A to cover the offset of the position of the illumination area B. As a result, the utilization of illumination light is heightened and a bright projected image results.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A projection-type display apparatus projector comprising: 
       a light source for emitting a light beam;  
       modulating means for modulating the light beam emitted by the light source;  
       projecting means for projecting the modulated light beam from the modulating means onto a projection screen;  
       an optical element, disposed in an optical path between the light source and the modulating means, for splitting the light beam into a plurality of intermediate light beams; and  
       superimposing means for superimposing each of the intermediate light beams onto an image forming area of the modulating means, wherein a mounting position of the superimposing means is adjustable.  
     
     
       2. The projection-type display apparatus projector of  claim 1 , further comprising reflection means in the optical path between the light source and the modulating means, wherein a mounting angle of the reflection means is adjustable with respect to an incident optical axis. 
     
     
       3. The projection-type display apparatus projector of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
       a color separating optical system for separating an output light from the superimposing means into color light beams;  
       a plurality of modulating means for modulating the color light beams separated by the color separating optical system;  
       a color synthesizing optical system for synthesizing the color light beams modulated by the plurality of modulating means, wherein the synthesized modulated light beam from the color synthesizing optical system is enlarged and projected to the projection screen by the projection means; and  
       reflection means disposed in an optical path between the color separating optical system and at least one of the plurality of modulating means, wherein a mounting angle of the reflection means is adjustable with respect to an incident optical axis.  
     
     
       4. The projection-type display apparatus projector of  claim 3 , wherein a mounting angle of the reflection means located closest to the modulating means is adjustable. 
     
     
       5. The projection-type display apparatus projector of  claim 3 , wherein the modulating means is a reflection type modulating means and the color separating optical system and the color synthesizing optical system are integrated into the same optical system. 
     
     
       6. A projection-type display apparatus projector comprising: 
       a light source for outputting a light beam;  
       a first optical element for splitting the light beam output from the light source into a plurality of intermediate light beams;  
       a second optical element including a polarization conversion unit and superimposing means for superimposing light beams output from the polarization conversion unit, wherein the second optical element is arranged in a vicinity of a position where the intermediate light beams are converged, the second optical element separates each of the intermediate light beams from the first optical element into a p-polarized light beam and a s-polarized light beam, the second optical element further aligns a polarization direction of one of the p-polarized light beam and the s-polarized light beam with the polarization direction of the other of the p-polarized light beam and the s-polarized light beam, and the second optical element outputs the resulting light beams;  
       modulating means for modulating the light beams emitted from the second optical element; and  
       projection means for enlarging and projecting the modulated light beams from the modulating means to a projection screen, wherein a mounting position of the superimposing means is adjustable.  
     
     
       7. The projection-type display apparatus projector of  claim 6 , further comprising reflection means in an optical path between the light source and the modulating means, wherein a mounting angle of the reflection means is adjustable with respect to an incident optical axis. 
     
     
       8. The projection-type display apparatus projector of  claim 6 , further comprising: 
       a color separating optical system for separating an output light from the superimposing means into color light beams;  
       a plurality of modulating means for modulating the color light beams separated by the color separating optical system;  
       a color synthesizing optical system for synthesizing the color light beams modulated by the plurality of modulating means, wherein the synthesized modulated light beam from the color synthesizing optical system is enlarged and projected to the projection means to the projection screen; and  
       reflection means located in an optical path between the color separating optical system and at least one of the plurality of modulating means, wherein a mounting angle of the reflection means is adjustable with respect to an incident optical axis.  
     
     
       9. The projection-type display apparatus projector of  claim 8 , wherein a mounting angle of the reflection means located closest to the modulating means is adjustable. 
     
     
       10. The projection-type display apparatus projector of  claim 8 , wherein the modulating means is a reflection type modulating means and the color separating optical system and the color synthesizing optical system are integrated into the same optical system. 
     
     
       11. A projection-type display apparatus projector comprising: 
       a light source that emits a light beam;  
       modulating means for modulating the light beam emitted by the light source;  
       projection means for enlarging and projecting the modulated light beam from the modulating means onto a projection screen;  
       an optical element, located in an optical path between the light source and the modulating means, that splits the light beam emitted from the light source into a plurality of intermediate light beams;  
       superimposing means for superimposing each of the intermediate light beams from the optical element onto an image forming area of the modulating means; and  
       an adjusting mechanism that adjusts a mounting position of the superimposing means.  
     
     
       12. The projection-type display apparatus projector of  claim 11 , further comprising: 
       a first adjusting mechanism that adjusts the mounting position of the superimposing means in a first direction that is orthogonal to an optical axis; and  
       a second adjusting mechanism that adjusts the mounting position of the superimposing means in a second direction that is orthogonal to the optical axis and the first direction.  
     
     
       13. The projection-type display apparatus projector of  claim 12 , wherein the adjusting mechanism comprises: 
       a base adjusting plate;  
       a first adjusting plate slidably movable in the first direction relative to the base adjusting plate; and  
       a second adjusting plate slidably movable in the second direction relative to the first adjusting plate.  
     
     
       14. The projection-type display apparatus projector of  claim 13 , wherein the adjusting mechanism comprises a first slip prevention mechanism that prevents the first adjusting plate from slipping in the second direction and a second slip prevention mechanism for preventing the second adjusting plate from slipping in the first direction. 
     
     
       15. The projection-type display apparatus projector of  claim 13 , wherein the superimposing means is fixed to the second adjusting plate. 
     
     
       16. A projection-type display apparatus projector comprising: 
       a light source that outputs a light beam;  
       a first optical element that splits a light beam from the light source into a plurality of intermediate light beams;  
       a second optical element including a polarization conversion unit and superimposing means for superimposing light beams output from the polarization conversion unit, wherein the second optical element is arranged in a vicinity of a position where the intermediate light beams are converged, the second optical element separates the intermediate light beams from the first optical element into a p-polarized light beam and a s-polarized light beam, the second optical element aligns a polarization direction of one of a p-polarized light beam and a s-polarized light beam with the polarization direction of the other of the p-polarized light beam and the s-polarized light beam, and the second optical element outputs the resulting light beams;  
       modulating means for modulating the light beams emitted from the second optical element;  
       projection means for enlarging and projecting the modulated light beams from the modulating means onto a projection screen; and  
       an adjusting mechanism for adjusting a mounting position of the superimposing means.  
     
     
       17. The projection-type display apparatus projector of  claim 16 , further comprising: 
       a first adjusting mechanism that adjusts the mounting position of the superimposing means in a first direction that is orthogonal to an optical axis; and  
       a second adjusting mechanism for adjusting the mounting position of the superimposing means in a second direction that is orthogonal to the optical axis and the first direction.  
     
     
       18. The projection-type display apparatus projector of  claim 17 , wherein the adjusting mechanism comprises: 
       a base adjusting plate;  
       a first adjusting plate slidably movable in the first direction relative to the base adjusting plate; and  
       a second adjusting plate slidably movable in the second direction relative to the first adjusting plate.  
     
     
       19. The projection-type display apparatus projector of  claim 18 , wherein the adjusting mechanism comprises a first slip prevention mechanism that prevents the first adjusting plate from slipping in the second direction and a second slip prevention mechanism that prevents the second adjusting plate from slipping in the first direction. 
     
     
       20. The projector of  claim 3 , further comprising: 
       
         a light guiding system disposed in a longest optical path between the color separating optical system and each of the plurality of modulating means, the light guiding system including two lenses and an intermediate lens disposed between the two lenses, a position of the intermediate lens being adjustable. 
       
     
     
       21. The projector of  claim 8 , further comprising: 
       
         a light guiding system disposed in a longest optical path between the color separating optical system and each of the plurality of modulating means, the light guiding system including two lenses and an intermediate lens disposed between the two lenses, a position of the intermediate lens being adjustable. 
       
     
     
       22. The projector of  claim 11 , further comprising: 
       
         a color separating optical system that separates the light emitted from the superimposing means into a plurality of color lights;  
       
       
         a plurality of the modulating means that each modulates the color light separated by the color separating optical system;  
       
       
         a light guiding system disposed in a longest optical path between the color separating optical system and each of the plurality of modulating means, the light guiding system including two lenses and an intermediate lens disposed between the two lenses; and  
       
       
         a further adjusting mechanism that adjusts a position of the intermediate lens. 
       
     
     
       23. The projector of  claim 16 , further comprising: 
       
         a color separating optical system that separates the light emitted from the superimposing means into a plurality of color lights;  
       
       
         a plurality of the modulating means that each modulates the color light separated by the color separating optical system;  
       
       
         a light guiding system disposed in a longest optical path between the color separating optical system and each of the plurality of modulating means, the light guiding system including two lenses and an intermediate lens disposed between the two lenses; and  
       
       
         a further adjusting mechanism that adjusts a position of the intermediate lens. 
       
     
     
       24. A projector comprising: 
       
         a light source for emitting a light beam;  
       
       
         modulating means for modulating the light beam emitted by the light source;  
       
       
         projecting means for projecting the modulated light beam from the modulating means onto a projection screen;  
       
       
         an optical element, disposed in an optical path between the light source and the modulating means, for splitting the light beam into a plurality of intermediate light beams;  
       
       
         superimposing means for superimposing each of the intermediate light beams onto an image forming area of the modulating means;  
       
       
         a power supply;  
       
       
         an input/output interface circuit;  
       
       
         a video signal processing circuit;  
       
       
         a control circuit for driving and controlling the projector; and  
       
         an outer casing for housing the light source, the modulating means, the optical element, the superimposing means, the power supply, the input - output interface circuit, the video signal processing circuit, and the control circuit, wherein, a mounting position of the superimposing means is adjustable.   
     
     
       25. The projector of  claim 24 , further comprising reflection means in the optical path between the light source and the modulating means, wherein a mounting angle of the reflection means is adjustable with respect to an incident optical axis. 
     
     
       26. The projector of  claim 25 , further comprising: 
       
         a color separating optical system for separating an output light from the superimposing means into color light beams;  
       
       
         a plurality of modulating means for modulating the color light beams separated by the color separating optical system;  
       
       
         a color synthesizing optical system for synthesizing the color light beams modulated by the plurality of modulating means, wherein the synthesized modulated light beam from the color synthesizing optical system is enlarged and projected to the projection screen by the projection means; and  
       
       
         reflection means disposed in an optical path between the color separating optical system and at least one of the plurality of modulating means, wherein a mounting angle of the reflection means is adjustable with respect to an incident optical axis. 
       
     
     
       27. The projector of  claim 26 , wherein a mounting angle of the reflection means located closest to the modulating means is adjustable. 
     
     
       28. The projector of  claim 26 , wherein the modulating means is a reflection type modulating means and the color separating optical system and the color synthesizing optical system are integrated into the same optical system. 
     
     
       29. The projector of  claim 26 , further comprising: 
       
         a light guiding system disposed in a longest optical path between the color separating optical system and each of the plurality of modulating means, the light guiding system including two lenses and an intermediate lens disposed between the two lenses, a position of the intermediate lens being adjustable. 
       
     
     
       30. A projector comprising: 
       
         a light source for emitting a light beam;  
       
       
         a first optical element for splitting the light beam output from the light source into a plurality of intermediate light beams;  
       
         a second optical element including a polarization conversion unit and superimposing means for superimposing light beams output from the polarization conversion unit, wherein the second optical element is arranged in a vicinity of a position where the intermediate light beams are converged, the second optical element separates each of the intermediate light beams from the first optical element into a p - polarized light beam and an s - polarized light beam, the second optical element further aligns a polarization direction of one of the p - polarized light beam and the s - polarized light beam, and the second optical element outputs the resulting light beams;    
       
         modulating means for modulating the light beam emitted from the second optical element;  
       
       
         projecting means for enlarging and projecting the modulated light beams from the modulating means onto a projection screen;  
       
       
         a power supply;  
       
       
         an input/output interface circuit;  
       
       
         a video signal processing circuit;  
       
       
         a control circuit for driving and controlling the projector; and  
       
         an outer casing for housing the light source, the first and second optical elements, the modulating means, the power supply, the input - output interface circuit, the video signal processing circuit, and the control circuit, wherein, a mounting position of the superimposing means is adjustable.   
     
     
       31. The projector of  claim 30 , further comprising reflection means in the optical path between the light source and the modulating means, wherein a mounting angle of the reflection means is adjustable with respect to an incident optical axis. 
     
     
       32. The projector of  claim 30 , further comprising: 
       
         a color separating optical system for separating an output light from the superimposing means into color light beams;  
       
       
         a plurality of modulating means for modulating the color light beams separated by the color separating optical system;  
       
       
         a color synthesizing optical system for synthesizing the color light beams modulated by the plurality of modulating means, wherein the synthesized modulated light beam from the color synthesizing optical system is enlarged and projected to the projection means to the projection screen; and  
       
       
         reflection means located in an optical path between the color separating optical system and at least one of the plurality of modulating means, wherein a mounting angle of the reflection means is adjustable with respect to an incident optical axis. 
       
     
     
       33. The projector of  claim 27 , wherein a mounting angle of the reflection means located closest to the modulating means is adjustable. 
     
     
       34. The projector of  claim 27 , wherein the modulating means is a reflection type modulating means and the color separating optical system and the color synthesizing optical system are integrated into the same optical system. 
     
     
       35. The projector of  claim 32 , further comprising: 
       
         a light guiding system disposed in a longest optical path between the color separating optical system and each of the plurality of modulating means, the light guiding system including two lenses and an intermediate lens disposed between the two lenses, a position of the intermediate lens being adjustable. 
       
     
     
       36. A projector comprising: 
       
         a light source for emitting a light beam;  
       
       
         modulating means for modulating the light beam emitted by the light source;  
       
       
         projecting means for projecting the modulated light beam from the modulating means onto a projection screen;  
       
       
         an optical element, located in an optical path between the light source and the modulating means, that splits the light beam emitted from the light source into a plurality of intermediate light beams;  
       
       
         superimposing means for superimposing each of the intermediate light beams onto an image forming area of the modulating means;  
       
       
         an adjusting mechanism that adjusts a mounting position of the superimposing means;  
       
       
         a power supply;  
       
       
         an input/output interface circuit;  
       
       
         a video signal processing circuit;  
       
       
         a control circuit for driving and controlling the projector; and  
       
         an outer casing for housing the light source, the modulating means, the optical element, the superimposing means, the adjusting mechanism, the power supply, the input - output interface circuit, the video signal processing circuit, and the control circuit.   
     
     
       37. The projector of  claim 36 , further comprising: 
       
         a color separating optical system that separates the light emitted from the superimposing means into a plurality of color lights;  
       
       
         a plurality of the modulating means that each modulates the color light separated by the color separating optical system;  
       
       
         a light guiding system disposed in a longest optical path between the color separating optical system and each of the plurality of modulating means, the light guiding system including two lenses and an intermediate lens disposed between the two lenses; and  
       
       
         a further adjusting mechanism that adjusts a position of the intermediate lens. 
       
     
     
       38. The projector of  claim 36 , further comprising: 
       
         a first adjusting mechanism that adjusts the mounting position of the superimposing means in a first direction that is orthogonal to an optical axis; and  
       
       
         a second adjusting mechanism that adjusts the mounting position of the superimposing means in a second direction that is orthogonal to the optical axis and the first direction. 
       
     
     
       39. The projector of  claim 38 , wherein the adjusting mechanism comprises: 
       
         a base adjusting plate;  
       
       
         a first adjusting plate slidably movable in the first direction relative to the base adjusting plate; and  
       
       
         a second adjusting plate slidably movable in the second direction relative to the first adjusting plate. 
       
     
     
       40. The projector of  claim 39 , wherein the adjusting mechanism comprises a first slip prevention mechanism that prevents the first adjusting plate from slipping in the second direction and a second slip prevention mechanism for preventing the second adjusting plate from slipping in the first direction. 
     
     
       41. The projector of  claim 39 , wherein the superimposing means is fixed to the second adjusting plate. 
     
     
       42. A projector comprising: 
       
         a light source for emitting a light beam;  
       
       
         a first optical element for splitting the light beam output from the light source into a plurality of intermediate light beams;  
       
         a second optical element including a polarization conversion unit and superimposing means for superimposing light beams output from the polarization conversion unit, wherein the second optical element is arranged in a vicinity of a position where the intermediate light beams are converged, the second optical element separates each of the intermediate light beams from the first optical element into a p - polarized light beam and an s - polarized light beam, the second optical element further aligns a polarization direction of one of the p - polarized light beam and the s - polarized light beam, and the second optical element outputs the resulting light beams;    
       
         modulating means for modulating the light beam emitted from the second optical element;  
       
       
         projecting means for enlarging and projecting the modulated light beam from the modulating means onto a projection screen;  
       
       
         an adjusting mechanism for adjusting a mounting position of the superimposing means;  
       
       
         a power supply;  
       
       
         an input/output interface circuit;  
       
       
         a video signal processing circuit;  
       
       
         a control circuit for driving and controlling the projector; and  
       
         an outer casing for housing the light source, the first and second optical elements, the modulating means, the adjusting mechanism, the power supply, the input - output interface circuit, the video signal processing circuit, and the control circuit.   
     
     
       43. The projector of  claim 42 , further comprising: 
       
         a color separating optical system that separates the light emitted from the superimposing means into a plurality of color lights;  
       
       
         a plurality of the modulating means that each modulates the color light separated by the color separating optical system;  
       
       
         a light guiding system disposed in a longest optical path between the color separating optical system and each of the plurality of modulating means, the light guiding system including two lenses and an intermediate lens disposed between the two lenses; and  
       
       
         a further adjusting mechanism that adjusts a position of the intermediate lens. 
       
     
     
       44. The projector of  claim 43 , further comprising: 
       
         a first adjusting mechanism that adjusts the mounting position of the superimposing means in a first direction that is orthogonal to an optical axis; and  
       
       
         a second adjusting mechanism that adjusts the mounting position of the superimposing means in a second direction that is orthogonal to the optical axis and the first direction. 
       
     
     
       45. The projector of  claim 44 , wherein the adjusting mechanism comprises: 
       
         a base adjusting plate;  
       
       
         a first adjusting plate slidably movable in the first direction relative to the base adjusting plate; and  
       
       
         a second adjusting plate slidably movable in the second direction relative to the first adjusting plate. 
       
     
     
       46. The projector of  claim 45 , wherein the adjusting mechanism comprises a first slip prevention mechanism that prevents the first adjusting plate from slipping in the second direction and a second slip prevention mechanism that prevents the second adjusting plate from slipping in the first direction.