Image projection apparatus

• US 9,010,940 B2
• Filed: 08/07/2014
• Issued: 04/21/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Inventors: Fujioka, Tetsuya, Tsukioka, Yasutada, Yamada, Masamichi, Ishikawa, Naoyuki, Kanai, Hideo
• Primary Examiner(s): CHOWDHURY, SULTAN U.
• Application Number:
  US14/454,446
• Publication Number:
  US 20140347635A1
• Time in Patent Office: 257 Days
• Field of Search: 353/30, 353/37, 353/52, 353/61, 353/79, 353/98, 353/119, 348743-747, 348/787, 348/789, 348/794, 349/5, 349 7- 9
• US Class Current: 353/52
• 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 21/16 Cooling; Preventing overheating
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/2066 Reflectors in illumination beam in projection beam G03B21/28
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/28 Reflectors in projection beam in illumination beam G03B21/2066
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3141 Constructional details thereof details not peculiar to the presence of an electronic spatial light modulator G03B21/14

Abstract

According to an embodiment, an image projection apparatus includes a light source unit, an image forming unit that forms an image using light from the light source unit, and a heat releasing unit that is provided to the image forming unit and releases heat from the image forming unit, and projecting the image formed by the image forming unit. The image projection apparatus includes a facing member that faces an installation surface on which a main body of the apparatus is installed; and a foot that allows the facing member to support the image forming unit. The heat releasing unit is provided between the facing member and the image forming unit.

Claims

1. An image projector, comprising:

an outer cover;

an image generator which utilizes light to form an image;

a heat sink disposed at a lower side of the image generator and between the outer cover and the image generator; and

a support, connected to the image generator and different from the outer cover, which supports the image generator within the outer cover and contacts a base of the outer cover,

wherein the image generator, the heat sink, and the support are each within the outer cover.

2. The image projector according to claim 1, wherein the support is located at a position which does not restrict air flow which cools the heat sink.

3. The image projector according to claim 2, wherein the support is downstream of the heat sink relative to a direction of airflow which cools the heat sink.

4. The image projector according to claim 1, wherein the support includes a foot.

5. The image projector according to claim 4, further comprising a channel for cooling the heat sink,

wherein:

the heat sink is within the channel, and

the foot is outside of the channel.

6. The image projector according to claim 1, further comprising an optical device to project the image from the image generator out of the image projector, wherein the heat sink, the image generator, and the optical device are arranged in this order from the base of the outer cover.

7. The image projector according to claim 6, further comprising a light source to generate the light utilized by the image generator,

wherein the light source, the image generator, and the optical device are disposed so that a surface formed by the light source, the image generator, and the optical device faces another surface which is perpendicular to a vertical direction, the image formed by the image generator being projected onto the another surface.

8. The image projector according to claim 1, wherein the heat sink is connected to the image generator which includes a digital micro mirror device.

9. The image projector according to claim 1, wherein the heat sink does not contact the outer cover.

20. The image projector according to claim 1, further comprising:

an optical device to project the image generated by the image generator, the optical device contacting an upper side of the image generator.

10. An image projector, comprising:

an outer cover;

a heat sink; and

an image generator to generate the image, the image generator contacting and vertically aligned with heat sink, the heat sink disposed at a lower side of the image generator, relative to an orientation of the image projector when the image projector is in use, the image generator having supports, different from the outer cover, which are vertical and contact the outer cover, when the image projector is in the orientation of the projector being in use, the heat sink disposed between the outer cover and the image generator.

11. The image projector according to claim 10, further comprising:

a light source; and

an optical device to project an image from the image generator out of the image projector,

wherein;

the image generator generates the image using light from the light source, and

the light source, the image generator, and the optical device are disposed so that a surface formed by the light source, the image generator, and the optical device faces another surface which is perpendicular to a vertical direction, the image formed by the image generator being projected onto the another surface.

12. The image projector according to claim 10, wherein the heat sink is connected to the image generator which includes a digital micro mirror device.

13. The image projector according to claim 10, wherein the heat sink is disposed away from the outer cover.

14. An image projection apparatus for projecting an image, comprising:

an optical system;

an outer cover; and

an image generator to generate the image, the image generator including a heat sink disposed at a lower side of the image generator, relative to an orientation of the image projection apparatus when the image projection apparatus is in an orientation in which the image projection apparatus is used, the image generator being supported at the lower side thereof by supports which are different from the outer cover, the heat sink disposed between the outer cover and the image generator,

wherein the optical system, the image generator, and the heat sink are arranged in this order from a side from which light from the image generator is projected.

15. The image projection apparatus according to claim 14, wherein:

the heat sink does not contact the outer cover.

16. The image projection apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising a light source to emit light,

wherein:

the image generator generates the image using the light form the light source, and

the light source, the image generator, and the optical system are disposed so that a first surface formed by the light source, the image generator, and the optical system faces a second surface which is perpendicular to a vertical direction, the image formed by the image generator being projected onto the second surface.

17. The image projection apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the heat sink is connected to the image generator which includes a digital micro mirror device.

18. An image generator for use in an image projection apparatus, comprising:

an image generating element to receive light in order to generate in an image; and

a heat sink to release heat generated by the image generating element,

wherein the image generating element is supported from a lower side thereof by supports which are different from an outer cover, and the heat sink is below the image generating element, when the image projection apparatus is in an orientation in which the image projection apparatus is in use.

19. The image generator according to claim 18, wherein:

the heat sink does not contact the outer cover.