Optical device

• US 7,470,891 B2
• Filed: 02/05/2007
• Issued: 12/30/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Shinko Electric Industries Company Limited (Fujitsu Limited)
• Original Assignee: Shinko Electric Industries Company Limited (Fujitsu Limited)
• Inventors: Shiraishi, Akinori, Sunohara, Masahiro, Murayama, Kei, Koizumi, Naoyuki, Higashi, Mitsutoshi, Taguchi, Yuichi, Sakaguchi, Hideaki
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee; John R
• Application Number:
  US11/671,167
• Publication Number:
  US 20070181778A1
• Time in Patent Office: 694 Days
• Field of Search: 250/234, 353/119, 353/38, 353/98, 353/99, 359212-213, 257/82, 257/83, 257/437
• US Class Current: 250/234
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/008 using micromirror devices
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/145 Housing details, e.g. position adjustments thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/208 Homogenising, shaping of the illumination light
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/315 Modulator illumination systems general applications of lighting devices F21V; general optical systems G02B; lamp houses for projectors not peculiar to the presence of an electronic spatial light modulator G03B21/20

Abstract

The optical device 10 includes a light source 13, a mirror element 12 including a mirror 36 for reflecting light emitted from the light source 13 in a predetermined direction, and a mirror element housing body 11 that accommodates the mirror element 12 as well as seals a space D where the mirror element 12 is accommodated, characterized in that the light source 13 is provided inside the mirror element housing body 11.

Claims

1. An optical device comprising:

a light source;

a mirror element including at least one mirror for selectively reflecting light emitted from the light source, the at least one mirror being movable between a reflecting position wherein the light emitted from the light source is reflected and a non-reflecting position wherein the light emitted from the light source is not reflected; and

a mirror element housing body that accommodates the mirror element and seals a space where the mirror element is accommodated, wherein

the light source is provided inside the mirror element housing body.

2. The optical device according to claim 1, wherein

the light source is one or a plurality of light-emitting elements.

3. The optical device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a reflecting member for reflecting light emitted by the light source toward the mirror provided inside the mirror element housing body.

4. The optical device according to claim 1, further comprising:

an absorbent for absorbing water and/or gas provided in the mirror element housing body.

5. The optical device according to claim 2, wherein

the plurality of light-emitting elements include a light-emitting element for emitting red light, a light-emitting element for emitting green light and a light-emitting element for emitting blue light.

6. The optical device according to claim 1, wherein

the light source is arranged above the mirror element so that the light source faces the mirror element.

7. The optical device according to claim 1, wherein

the mirror element comprises a plurality of mirrors arranged in a shape of a lattice.

8. The optical device according to claim 7, wherein said plurality of mirrors comprises independently movable mirrors.