Projector

• US 7,244,032 B2
• Filed: 05/27/2004
• Issued: 07/17/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fujinon Corporation (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Fujinon Corporation (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Inamoto, Masayuki
• Primary Examiner(s): Fuller; Rodney
• Assistant Examiner(s): DO, ROBERT C
• Application Number:
  US10/854,286
• Publication Number:
  US 20040239889A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,146 Days
• Field of Search: 353/31, 353/94, 353/85, 353/29, 353/30
• US Class Current: 353/94
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/005 Projectors using an electronic spatial light modulator but not peculiar thereto

Abstract

A liquid crystal projector for full-color image projection has three LCD panels as light valve device, associated with respectively primary colors, for displaying an image in a color-separated manner. An ultra high pressure mercury lamp illuminates the LCD panels through three illuminating light paths associated with respectively the primary colors. A combining prism combines image light of the primary colors from the three LCD panels, to obtain full-color image light. A laser diode emanates auxiliary illuminating light of a red color among the primary colors according to laser emission, to compensate for shortage in light intensity in the red color. A ferroelectric shaking or vibrating device vibrates the laser diode, to keep visual noise inconspicuous in the auxiliary illuminating light.

Claims

1. A projector for full-color image projection, comprising:

a light valve device, associated with color components of plural colors, for displaying an image in a color-separated manner;

a main illuminating device for illuminating said light valve device with main illuminating light of said plural colors through illuminating light paths associated with respectively said color components, wherein image light of said plural colors is output by said light valve device, to constitute full-color image light;

a laser illuminating device for emanating auxiliary illuminating light of at least one specific color among said plural colors according to laser emission through one of said illuminating light paths for said specific color, so as to compensate for shortage in light intensity in said main illuminating light;

a shaking device for shaking said laser illuminating device, so as to keep visual noise inconspicuous in said auxiliary illuminating light; and

an auxilliary combining optical element for receiving and combining said main illuminating light from said main illuminating device and said auxiliary illuminating light from said laser illuminating device so as to add said auxiliary illuminating light to said main illuminating light;

wherein

said laser illuminating device includes;

a laser light source for generating laser light;

a laser optical system for regularizing said laser light from said laser light source, to output said auxiliary illuminating light; and

said auxiliary combining optical element receives and combines said main illuminating light of said specific color being separated from other colors of said main illuminating light and said auxiliary illuminating light from said laser illuminating device so as to add said auxiliary illuminating light to said main illuminating light of said specific color, and directs said light being combined to said illuminating light path for said specific color.

2. A projector as defined in claim 1, wherein said shaking device includes:

a vibrating element secured to said laser illuminating device; and

a vibrating circuit for applying voltage to said vibrating element, so as to vibrate said laser illuminating device.

3. A projector as defined in claim 2, wherein said light valve device includes plural liquid crystal display panels;

further comprising a combining optical system for combining said image light of said plural colors from said liquid crystal display panels, to obtain said full-color image light.

4. A projector as defined in claim 2, wherein said shaking device vibrates said laser light source.

5. A projector as defined in claim 4, wherein said laser light source includes a laser diode;

further comprising a laser diode holder, having said shaking device secured thereto, for supporting said laser diode therein.

6. A projector as defined in claim 2, wherein said shaking device vibrates said laser optical system.

7. A projector as defined in claim 6, wherein said laser optical system includes:

a condensing lens for condensing said laser light from said laser light source;

an optical integrator for regularizing said laser light from said condensing lens, to obtain light flux; and

a relay lens for receiving said light flux incident thereon from said optical integrator, and for adjusting an illuminating region thereof, to obtain said auxiliary illuminating light.

8. A projector as defined in claim 7, wherein said shaking device vibrates said relay lens.

9. A projector as defined in claim 2, further comprising a light path holder for containing said laser light source and said laser optical system, wherein said shaking device vibrates said light path holder.

10. A projector as defined in claim 2, wherein said auxiliary combining optical element has wavelength selectivity, reflects said illuminating light of said specific color, and allows passage of said auxiliary illuminating light.

11. A projector as defined in claim 2, wherein said vibrating element is ferroelectric.

12. A projector as defined in claim 11, wherein said vibrating element is produced from material containing at least one of lead titanate and lead zirconate.

13. A projector as defined in claim 2, wherein said main illuminating device includes an ultra high pressure mercury lamp, and said specific color is red.