Six-axis attachment apparatus and method for spatial light modulators

• US 6,476,986 B2
• Filed: 12/21/2000
• Issued: 11/05/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Inventors: Smith, Steven E., Creech, Ronald C., Grimmett, Jack D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Epps, Georgia
• Assistant Examiner(s): SEYRAFI, SAEED HMT
• Application Number:
  US09/745,860
• Publication Number:
  US 20020034023A1
• Time in Patent Office: 684 Days
• Field of Search: 359/618, 359/639, 359/640, 359/819, 359/822, 359/827, 359/831, 359/811, 359/820, 385/36, 385/136
• US Class Current: 359/827
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/7416 involving the use of a spatial light modulator, e.g. a light valve, controlled by a video signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3105 for displaying all colours simultaneously, e.g. by using two or more electronic spatial light modulators simultaneous projection in colour photography G03B33/10; beam splitting or combining systems per se G02B27/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3141 Constructional details thereof details not peculiar to the presence of an electronic spatial light modulator G03B21/14
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/317 Convergence or focusing systems electronic adjustment of convergence H04N9/3185; convergence or focusing arrangements for cathode ray tubes H04N9/28; means for automatic focusing of projectors not peculiar to the presence of an electronic spatial light modulator G03B21/53

Abstract

A six-axis attachment mechanism for aligning a spatial light modulator (106) within a display system. An attachment plate (100) has one or more pins (104) extending therefrom. A socket plate (108) onto which a spatial light modulator (106) is attached slides over the pins (104). The modulator is then positioned to optically align it with the remainder of the display system. As the modulator is held in alignment, a washer (110) is slid onto the pin (104) and is bonded to both the pin (104) and to the socket plate (108). Washers (110) are typically transparent to enable the use of an optically cured adhesive. Glass washers (110) allow ultraviolet radiation to reach the adhesive through the glass washer (110).

Claims

1. An attachment mechanism for aligning a spatial light modulator, the mechanism comprising:

at least one pin;

a socket plate attached to said spatial light modulator, said socket plate having a clearance hole to receive said at least one pin;

at least one washer bonded to said socket plate, said pin entering and bonded to said washer.

2. The attachment mechanism of claim 1, further comprising an attachment plate receiving said pin.

3. The attachment mechanism of claim 2, wherein said attachment plate is bonded to a prism.

4. The attachment mechanism of claim 1, said at least one pin comprising four pins.

5. The attachment mechanism of claim 1, said at least one pin comprising four pins attached to an attachment plate.

6. The attachment mechanism of claim 1, said washer comprising a transparent washer.

7. The attachment mechanism of claim 1, said washer comprising a glass washer.

8. The attachment mechanism of claim 1, further comprising an optically curable adhesive forming said bond between said washer and said socket plate.

9. The attachment mechanism of claim 1, further comprising an optically curable adhesive forming said bond between said washer and said at least one pin.

10. The attachment mechanism of claim 1, further comprising an optically curable adhesive, said washer optically transparent at the wavelengths required to cure said adhesive.

11. The attachment mechanism of claim 1, said socket plate comprising an integral portion of said modulator.

12. The method of attaching a modulator to a display system, said method comprising the steps of:

providing at least one pin extending from said display system;

providing a modulator attached to a socket plate, said socket plate having clearance holes to accept said pins;

placing said pins in said clearance holes; and

bonding a washer to said socket plate and said pins.

13. The method of claim 12, said step of providing at least one pin comprising the step of providing four pins.

14. The method of claim 12, said step of providing at least one pin comprising the step of providing at least one pin attached to an attachment plate.

15. The method of claim 12, said step of providing a modulation comprising the step of providing an integrated modulator and socket plate.

16. The method of claim 12, said step of bonding a washer to said socket plate comprising the step of bonding a transparent washer to said socket plate and said pins.

17. The method of claim 12, said step of bonding a washer to said socket plate comprising the step of bonding a transparent washer to said socket plate and said pins using an optically curable adhesive.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of curing said adhesive by illuminating said adhesive through said transparent washer.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of curing said adhesive by illuminating said adhesive through said transparent washer using ultraviolet light.

20. An attachment mechanism for attaching two components, the mechanism comprising:

at least one pin attached to a first component;

a socket plate attached to a second component, said socket plate having a clearance hole to receive said at least one pin;

at least one washer bonded to said socket plate, said pin entering into and bonded to said washer.

21. The attachment mechanism of claim 20, further comprising an attachment plate receiving said pin.

22. The attachment mechanism of claim 20, wherein said attachment plate is bonded to said first component.

23. The attachment mechanism of claim 20, said at least one pin comprising four pins.

24. The attachment mechanism of claim 20, said at least one pin comprising four pins attached to an attachment plate.

25. The attachment mechanism of claim 20, said washer comprising a transparent washer.

26. The attachment mechanism of claim 20, said washer comprising a glass washer.

27. The attachment mechanism of claim 20, further comprising an optically curable adhesive forming said bond between said washer and said socket plate.

28. The attachment mechanism of claim 20, further comprising an optically curable adhesive forming said bond between said washer and said at least one pin.

29. The attachment mechanism of claim 20, further comprising an optically curable adhesive, said washer optically transparent at the wavelengths required to cure said adhesive.

30. The attachment mechanism of claim 20, said socket plate comprising an integral portion of said second component.

31. An attachment mechanism for attaching two components, the mechanism comprising:

a first component having at least one pin portion;

a second component having a clearance hole to receive said at least one pin portion;

at least one washer bonded to said second component, said pin portion entering and bonded to said washer.

32. The attachment mechanism of claim 31, said washer comprising a transparent washer.

33. The attachment mechanism of claim 31, said washer comprising a glass washer.

34. The attachment mechanism of claim 31, further comprising an optically curable adhesive forming said bond between said washer and said socket plate.

35. The attachment mechanism of claim 31, further comprising an optically curable adhesive forming said bond between said washer and said at least one pin portion.

36. The attachment mechanism of claim 31, further comprising an optically curable adhesive, said washer optically transparent at the wavelengths required to cure said adhesive.