Optical device and projector

• US 8,118,437 B2
• Filed: 09/10/2008
• Issued: 02/21/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: Otsuki, Nobuyuki
• Primary Examiner(s): Epps, Georgia Y
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHOWDHURY, SULTAN U.
• Application Number:
  US12/207,794
• Publication Number:
  US 20090086172A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,259 Days
• Field of Search: 353/30, 353/31, 353/33, 353/20, 353/81, 353/94, 353/100, 353/119, 353/122, 359/831, 359/494, 359/495, 359/496, 359/497, 359/498, 349/5, 349/7, 349/8, 349/9, 349/57, 349/58
• US Class Current: 353/119
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/142 Adjusting of projection optics

Abstract

An optical device that includes a light modulation device, a projection optical device, and a retention member that holds the light modulation device and the projection optical device. The retention member includes: a projection optical device attachment section for attach the projection optical device; and a light modulation device attachment section that is provided for attachment of the light modulation device with a protrusion to a side opposite to the projection optical device along an optical-axis direction of the projection optical device, and the projection optical device attachment section includes: a fixing section that fixes the projection optical device substantially at a position of the center of gravity; a support section that is disposed opposing the fixing section in the optical-axis direction, and supports the light modulation device attachment section; and a connection section that connects together the fixing section and the support section.

Claims

1. An optical device comprising:

a light source;

a light modulation device that modulates a light beam emitted from the light source to an image light in accordance with image information;

a projection optical device that magnifies and projects the image light; and

a retention member configured to hold the light modulation device and the projection optical device, including;

a projection optical device attachment section for attaching the projection optical device, and

a light modulation device attachment section provided for attaching the light modulation device with a protrusion to a side opposite to the projection optical device along an optical-axis direction of the projection optical device,

wherein;

the projection optical device attachment section includes;

a fixing section that fixes the projection optical device substantially at a position of the center of gravity;

a support section that is disposed opposing the fixing section in the optical-axis direction, and supports the light modulation device attachment section such that the light modulation device attachment section is fixed to a side of the support section that is opposite the fixing section in the optical-axis direction; and

a connection section that connects together the fixing section and the support section,

the support section is formed with a concave section, and

the light modulation device attachment section is formed with a collar section,

the collar section being fixed to at least two places of both sides of the concave portion by screw.

2. The optical device according to claim 1, wherein

the fixing section is shaped substantially like a rectangular frame having two sides directed along a vertical direction, and

the connection section extends from the two sides to a side of the support section, and is formed substantially like a rectangular plate having a side connecting together an upper end of the fixing section and an upper end of the support section.

3. The optical device according to claim 1, wherein

the projection optical device is fixed to the fixing section by being screw-fixed along the optical-axis direction.

4. The optical device according to claim 1, wherein

the light modulation device attachment section is configured separately from the projection optical device attachment section.

5. The optical device according to claim 4, wherein

the light modulation device attachment section is supported by the support section by being screw-fixed along the optical-axis direction.

6. A projector, comprising the optical device of claim 1.

7. The projector according to claim 6, wherein

the fixing section is shaped substantially like a rectangular frame having two sides directed along a vertical direction, and

the connection section extends from the two sides to a side of the support section, and is formed substantially like a rectangular plate having a side connecting together an upper end of the fixing section and an upper end of the support section.

8. The projector according to claim 6, wherein

the projection optical device is fixed to the fixing section by being screw-fixed along the optical-axis direction.

9. The projector according to claim 6, wherein

the light modulation device attachment section is configured separately from the projection optical device attachment section.

10. The projector according to claim 9, wherein

the light modulation device attachment section is supported by the support section by being screw-fixed along the optical-axis direction.