Optical engine apparatus

An optical engine apparatus to magnify and project an image beam formed by a display device using light on a screen includes a light source to emit the light, a reflection mirror to reflect the light emitted from the light source toward the display device, and an adjuster coupled to the reflection mirror to adjust an inclined angle of the reflection mirror to move the light reflected from the reflection mirror toward the display device in a desired direction. In the optical engine apparatus, a position of light projected on a display device can be easily adjusted.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 2004-33629, filed on May 12, 2004, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety and by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present general inventive concept relates to an optical engine apparatus, and more particularly, to an optical engine apparatus, in which a position of light projected on a display device can be easily adjusted.

2. Description of the Related Art

An optical engine apparatus projects light emitted from a light source toward a display device, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a digital micro-mirror display (DMD), so as to form an image beam, and displays a picture on a screen by magnifying and projecting the image beam onto the screen.

As an example of the optical engine apparatus, a conventional optical engine assembly is disclosed in Korean Patent First Publication No. 2003-78216. The conventional optical engine assembly comprises a light source emitting light, a color wheel transmitting the light emitted from the light source therethrough selectively according to wavelengths of the light, a uniform light generator controlling the light transmitted through the color wheel to be uniform, an optical path transformation unit transforming a path of the light traveling via the uniform light generator toward a DMD panel, a prism reflecting the light traveling via the optical path transformation unit toward the DMD panel, the DMD panel forming an image beam, and a projecting system magnifying and projecting the image beam formed by the DMD panel onto a screen.

Here, the optical path transformation unit comprises a reflection mirror to reflect the light traveling via the uniform light generator, a first lens to focus the light, another reflection mirror to transform the path of the light traveling via the first lens toward the prism, and a second lens to focus the light into the prism.

Meanwhile, when the foregoing configurations are assembled into the conventional optical engine assembly, a position of the light passing through the uniform light generator should be adjusted so as to project the light on the DMD panel. At this time, if an optical adjusting unit is additionally provided to adjust an inclined angle of the reflection mirror, a user can easily adjust the position of the light passing through the uniform light generator to be projected on the DMD panel by adjusting the inclined angle of the reflection mirror through the optical adjusting unit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to solve the foregoing and/or other problems, it is an aspect of the present general inventive concept to provide an optical engine apparatus, in which a position of light projected on a display device can be easily adjusted.

The foregoing and/or other aspects of the present general inventive concept are achieved by providing an optical engine apparatus magnifying and projecting light an image beam formed by a display device on a screen, the optical engine apparatus comprising a light source to emit light, a reflection mirror to reflect the light emitted from the light source toward the display device, and an adjuster coupled to the reflection mirror to adjust an inclined angle of the reflection mirror to move the light reflected from the reflection mirror toward the display device in a desired direction.

According to an aspect of the present general inventive concept, the adjuster adjusts the inclined angle of the reflection mirror to move the light projected from the display device onto the screen in at least one direction among up and down directions, a diagonal direction, and right and left directions.

According to another aspect of the present general inventive concept, the adjuster comprises a first adjuster to adjust the inclined angle of the reflection mirror to move the light projected from the display device onto the screen in the up and down directions, a second adjuster to adjust the inclined angle of the reflection mirror to move the light projected from the display device onto the screen in the diagonal direction, and a third adjuster to adjust the inclined angle of the reflection mirror to move the light projected from the display device onto the screen in the right and left directions.

According to yet another aspect of the present general inventive concept, the optical engine apparatus further comprises a light tunnel provided on an optical path between the light source and the reflection mirror to uniformize the light traveling from the light source toward the reflection mirror, and the adjuster adjusts the inclined angle of the reflection mirror that reflects the light traveling via the light tunnel toward the display device to make the uniformized light correspond to the display device.

According to still another aspect of the present general inventive concept, the optical engine apparatus further comprises a relay lens provided in the optical path between the light tunnel and the display device to focus the light from the light tunnel. The reflection mirror comprises a first reflection mirror to reflect the light traveling via the light tunnel toward the relay lens, and a second reflection mirror to reflect the light passing through the relay lens toward the display device, and the adjuster is coupled to at least one of the first reflection mirror and the second reflection mirror.

According to another aspect of the present general inventive concept, the first reflection mirror has a first side supported by a first reflection mirror holder at a circumference thereof, and a second side covered with a first reflection mirror cover.

According to another aspect of the present general inventive concept, the adjuster comprises an insertion hole formed in the first reflection mirror cover, a fastening hole formed in the first reflection mirror holder, and an adjusting member coupled to the first reflection mirror holder through the fastening hole and the insertion hole to adjust an inclined angle of the first reflection mirror.

According to another aspect of the present general inventive concept, the insertion hole and the fastening hole are formed with female threads therein, respectively, and the adjusting member comprises a screw portion mating with the female threads, and a knob to rotate the screw portion in fastening and releasing directions.

According to another aspect of the present general inventive concept, the adjusting member is coupled with a spring to minimize loosening of the adjuster while being rotated in the fastening and releasing directions.

According to another embodiment of the present general inventive concept, the optical engine apparatus further comprises a sealing member coupled to a circumference of the first reflection mirror cover to protect the reflection mirror accommodated in the first reflection mirror cover from foreign materials.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, an optical engine apparatus according to an embodiment of the present general inventive concept may comprise a light source1to emit light, a digital micro-mirror display (DMD) panel7used as a display device on which the light emitted from the light source1is projected to form an image beam, and a projector5to magnify and project the image beam formed by the DMD panel7onto a screen of a projection television.

The optical engine apparatus may further comprise a color wheel assembly2comprising a color wheel to divide the light emitted from the light source1into red (R), green (G) and blue (B) beams, a light tunnel assembly3having a light tunnel used as a uniform light generator to make the light beam passing through the color wheel assembly2have a planar form like a surface of the DMD panel7, and an optical path transformation assembly20to transform a path of the light traveling via the light tunnel assembly3toward the DMD panel7.

Here, the light source1can be seated on a base6, and an optical unit accommodation casing10can be placed behind the light source1and coupled to the base6. The optical unit accommodation casing10can be partitioned by a partition13(refer toFIG. 3) into a first accommodating portion11to which the color wheel assembly2is mounted, and a second accommodating portion12to which the optical path transformation assembly20is mounted.

As shown inFIG. 3, the optical path transformation assembly20can have a first side coupled with a prism4, and a second side accommodated in the second accommodating portion12and connected to the light tunnel assembly3mounted to the partition13.

The optical path transformation assembly20can be provided on an optical path between the light tunnel assembly3and the prism4, and can transform the path of the light passing through the light tunnel assembly3toward the prism4, so that the light travels toward the DMD panel7by the prism4.

The optical path transformation assembly20can comprise optical path transformers30,36, and37to transform the path of the light passing through the light tunnel assembly3toward the DMD panel7by the prism4, and accommodating units41and42to accommodate the optical path transformers30,36, and37and to form the optical path with the optical path transformers30,36, and37.

The optical path transformers30,36, and37can be referred to as a first reflection mirror assembly30to reflect the light emitted from the light source1and passing through the color wheel assembly2and the light tunnel assembly3, a relay lens36to focus the light passing through the light tunnel assembly3and reflected from the first reflection mirror31to thereby enhance brightness, and a second reflection mirror assembly37to reflect the light passing through the relay lens36toward the prism4, respectively.

The first reflection mirror assembly30may comprise a first reflection mirror31to reflect the light passing through the light tunnel assembly3toward the relay lens36, a first reflection mirror cover33to cover a back of the first reflection mirror31, a supporting bracket34(FIG. 6) provided between the first reflection mirror cover33and the first reflection mirror31to support the back of the first reflection mirror31, a first reflection mirror holder32coupled to a front of the first reflection mirror31to hold the first reflection mirror31within the first reflection mirror cover33. Here, the first reflection mirror holder32can have a through hole in a center thereof and can surround edges (outer circumferences) of the first reflection mirror31. Further, the first reflection mirror cover33can be coupled to a second coupling flange55through a sealing member35disposed therebetween to protect the first reflection mirror31from contamination due to foreign materials.

The second reflection mirror assembly37may comprise a second reflection mirror38to reflect the light passing through the relay lens36toward the prism4, and a second reflection mirror cover39to cover a back of the second reflection mirror38. Here, the prism4can reflect the light reflected from the second reflection mirror38toward the DMD panel7, and can transmit and project the light reflected from the DMD panel7toward a projecting lens of the projector5.

The accommodating units41and42can have a shape of a hollow pipe to accommodate the optical path transformers30,36, and37, that is, the first reflection mirror assembly30, the relay lens36and the second mirror assembly37, and to form the optical path based on the optical path transformers30,36, and37. Further, the accommodating units41and42can be respectively formed with an incoming hole51through which the light passing through the light tunnel assembly3enters the optical path transformation assembly20, and an outgoing hole68through which the light traveling via the optical path transformers30,36, and37exits toward the DMD panel7.

The accommodating units41and42may comprise a first accommodating unit41and a second accommodating unit42, which are coupled to each other and form the optical path of the optical path transformers30,36, and37. The first accommodating unit41can be coupled with the light tunnel assembly3, the first reflection mirror assembly30and the relay lens36. The second accommodating unit42can be coupled with the second reflection mirror assembly37and the prism4.

The first accommodating unit41may comprise the incoming hole51to communicate with the light tunnel assembly3to allow the light traveling via the light tunnel assembly3to enter an inside of the first accommodating unit41, a first coupling flange50extended along circumference of the incoming hole51, a first through hole54to communicate with the first reflection mirror assembly30inclined with respect to the incident light entering through the incoming hole51, the second coupling flange55extended along a circumference of the first through hole54, a mounting hole56to receive the relay lens36, and a third coupling flange57extended along a circumference of the mounting hole56.

The second accommodating unit42may comprise a passing hole63to allow the light passing through the relay lens36to enter an inside of the second accommodating unit42, a fourth coupling flange62extended along a circumference of the passing hole63and coupled with the third coupling flange57, a second through hole66to communicate with the second reflection mirror assembly37to receive the light passing through the passing hole63, a fifth coupling flange67extended along a circumference of the second through hole66, the outgoing hole68through which the light goes out from the second accommodating unit42so as to allow the light reflected from the second reflection mirror38to travel toward the prism4, and a sixth coupling flange69extended along a circumference of the outgoing hole68, coupled with the prism4, and formed with a fourth coupling hole70through which the prism4communicates with the second reflection mirror38.

The relay lens36can be disposed in the first and second accommodating units41and42to be supported by inside walls of the first and second accommodating units41and42defining the mounting hole56and the passing hole63, respectively, when the first and second accommodating units41and42are assembled. Referring toFIG. 4, the relay lens36is accommodated in the mounting hole56and supported by an inside wall56aof the mounting hole56.

Meanwhile, the first reflection mirror assembly30can comprise an optical adjusting unit to adjust an inclined angle of the first reflection mirror31, thereby adjusting a projecting position of the light passing through the light tunnel assembly3reflected from the first reflection mirror31, and projected on the DMD panel7.

Supposing that a user looks at a front of the screen, the optical adjusting unit may comprise a first adjuster to adjust the light projected from the DMD panel7to move in up and down directions of the screen, a second adjuster to adjust the light projected from the DMD panel7to move in a diagonal direction of the screen, and a third adjuster to adjust the light projected from the DMD panel7to move in left and right directions of the screen.

Referring toFIGS. 4 through 6, the first adjuster may comprise a first insertion hole71formed in the first reflection mirror cover33and formed with a female threaded thereinside, a first fastening hole81formed in the first reflection mirror holder32at a position aligned with the first insertion hole71, and formed with a female threaded therein, and a first adjusting member90coupled to the first reflection mirror cover33and the third reflection mirror holder32through the first insertion hole71and the first fastening hole81, respectively, to adjust the inclined angle of the first reflection mirror31according to a rotational direction of the first adjusting member90.

The first adjusting member90can comprise a first screw92formed with a male thread mating with the female thread of the first insertion hole71and inserted in the first fastening hole81through the first insertion hole71, and a first knob91placed opposite to the first screw92and allowing a user to grab and rotate it in fastening and releasing directions. Further, a first spring74can be coupled with the first screw92so as to minimize rattling while the first adjusting member90is rotated in the fastening and releasing directions.

Therefore, when the user grabs and rotates the first knob92in the fastening direction, the male thread of the first screw92can mate with the female threads of the first insertion hole71and the first fastening hole81, so that the first screw92of the first adjusting member90moves forward to push the first reflection mirror31backward with respect to the second and third adjusters. Thus, the first reflection mirror31can be inclined to be disposed in a downward inclined position. Consequently, when the light passing through the light tunnel assembly3is reflected from the first reflection mirror31disposed in the downward inclined position, the image beam can move downward on the screen. That is, the projecting position of the light can be moved to a lower area of the screen by moving the first reflection mirror31to the downward inclined position. On the other hand, when the first knob91is excessively rotated in the fastening direction, the light may not be projected to an upper area of the screen.

Oppositely, when the user grabs and rotates the first knob92in the releasing direction opposite to the fastening direction, the male thread of the first screw92can mate with the female threads of the first insertion hole71and the first fastening hole81, so that the first screw92of the first adjusting member90moves backward and controls the first reflection mirror31to move forward with respect to the second and third adjusters. Thus, the first reflection mirror31can be inclined to be disposed in an upward inclined position. Consequently, when the light passing through the light tunnel assembly3is reflected from the first reflection mirror31disposed in the upward inclined position, the image beam can move upward on the screen. That is, the projecting position of the light can be moved to the upper area of the screen by moving the first reflection mirror31of the upward inclined position. On the other hand, when the first knob91is excessively rotated in the releasing direction, the light is not projected to a lower area of the screen.

The second adjuster can comprise a second insertion hole72formed in the first reflection mirror cover33and formed with a female threaded thereinside, a second fastening hole82formed in the first reflection mirror holder32at a position aligned with the second insertion hole72, and formed with a female threaded therein, and a second adjusting member93coupled to the first reflection mirror33and the first reflection mirror holder32through the second insertion hole72and the second fastening hole82, respectively, to adjust the inclined angle of the first reflection mirror31according to a rotational direction of the second adjusting member93.

The second adjusting member93may comprise a second screw95formed with a male thread mating with the female thread of the second insertion hole72and inserted in the second fastening hole82through the second insertion hole72, and a second knob94placed opposite to the second screw95and allowing a user to grab and rotate it in fastening and releasing directions. Further, a second spring75can be coupled with the second screw92so as to minimize rattling while the second adjusting member90is rotated in the fastening and releasing directions.

Therefore, when the user grabs and rotates the second knob94in the fastening direction, the male thread of the second screw95can mate with the female threads of the second insertion hole72and the second fastening hole82, so that the second screw95of the second adjusting member90moves forward to push the first reflection mirror31backward with respect to the first and third adjusters. Thus, the first reflection mirror31can be inclined to be disposed in a first diagonally inclined position. Consequently, when the light passing through the light tunnel assembly3is reflected from the first reflection mirror31disposed in the first diagonally inclined position, the image beam can move to an upper left area of the screen. That is, the projecting position of the light can be moved to the upper left area of the screen by moving the first reflection mirror31to the first diagonally inclined position. On the other hand, when the second knob94is excessively rotated in the fastening direction, the light is not projected to a lower right area of the screen.

Oppositely, when the user grabs and rotates the second knob94in the releasing direction opposite to the fastening direction, the male thread of the first screw95can mated with the female threads of the second insertion hole72and the second fastening hole82, so that the second screw95of the second adjusting member90can move backward to control the first reflection mirror31to move forward with respect to the first and third adjusters. Thus, the first reflection mirror31can be inclined to be disposed in a second diagonally inclined position. Consequently, when the light passing through the light tunnel assembly3is reflected from the first reflection mirror31disposed in the second diagonally inclined position, the image beam can move to a lower right area on the screen. That is, the projecting position of the light can be moved to the lower right area of the screen by moving the first reflection mirror31to the second diagonally inclined position. On the other hand, when the second knob94is excessively rotated in the releasing direction, the light is not projected to the upper left area of the screen.

The third adjuster may comprise a third insertion hole73formed in the first reflection mirror cover33and formed with a female threaded thereinside, a third fastening hole83formed in the first reflection mirror holder32at a position aligned with the third insertion hole73, and formed with a female threaded therein, and a third adjusting member96coupled to the first reflection mirror cover33and the first reflection mirror holder32through the third insertion hole73and the third fastening hole83, respectively, to adjust the inclined angle of the first reflection mirror31according to a rotational direction of the third adjusting member96.

The third adjusting member96may comprise a third screw98formed with a male thread mating with the female thread of the third insertion hole73and inserted in the third fastening hole83through the third insertion hole73, and a third knob97placed opposite to the third screw98to allow the user to grab and rotate it in the fastening and releasing directions. Further, a third spring76can be coupled with the third screw98so as to minimize rattling while the third adjusting member96is rotated in the fastening and releasing directions.

Therefore, when the user grabs and rotates the first knob92in the fastening direction, the male thread of the third screw98can mate with the female threads of the third insertion hole73and the third fastening hole83, so that the third screw98of the third adjusting member96moves forward to push the first reflection mirror31backward with respect to the first and second adjusters. Thus, the first reflection mirror31can be inclined to be disposed in a rightward inclined position. Consequently, when the light passing through the light tunnel assembly3can be reflected from the first reflection mirror31disposed in the rightward inclined position, the image beam moves rightward on the screen. That is, the projecting position of the light can be moved to a right area of the screen by moving the first reflection mirror31to the rightward inclined position. On the other hand, when the third knob97is excessively rotated in the fastening direction, the light is not projected to a left area of the screen.

When the user grabs and rotates the third knob97in the releasing direction, the male thread of the third screw98can mate with the female threads of the third insertion hole73and the third fastening hole83, so that the third screw98of the third adjusting member96moves backward and controls the first reflection mirror31forward with respect to the first and second adjusters. Thus, the first reflection mirror31can be inclined to be disposed in a leftward inclined position. Consequently, when the light passing through the light tunnel assembly3is reflected from the first reflection mirror31disposed in the leftward inclined position, the image beam moves leftward on the screen. That is, the projecting position of the light can be moved to a left area of the screen by moving the first reflection mirror31to the leftward inclined position. On the other hand, when the third knob97is excessively rotated in the releasing direction, the light is not projected to a right area of the screen.

An assembling process of the optical engine apparatus with the above configuration will be described hereinbelow.

First, the first coupling flange50of the first accommodating unit41can be coupled with the light tunnel assembly3in a state that the incoming hole51of the first accommodating unit41is aligned with the light tunnel assembly3. Thus, the first accommodating unit41can communicate with the light tunnel assembly3through the incoming hole51.

The first reflection mirror holder32can be coupled to the front of the first reflection mirror31, thereby supporting the circumference of the first reflection mirror31. Further, the supporting bracket34can be coupled to the back of the first reflection mirror31, thereby supporting the back of the first reflection mirror31. Then, the first reflection mirror holder32coupled to the first reflection mirror31can be coupled to the first reflection mirror cover33by the first, second and third adjusting members90,93,96while the supporting bracket34is disposed between the first reflection mirror31and the first reflection mirror cover33. That is, the first screw92of the first adjusting member90can be coupled to the first reflection mirror cover33and the first reflection mirror holder32through the first fastening hole81and the first insertion hole71of the first reflection mirror cover33, respectively, the second screw95of the second adjusting member93can be coupled to the first reflection mirror cover33and the first reflection mirror holder32through the second fastening hole82and the second insertion hole72of the first reflection mirror cover33, respectively, and the third screw98of the third adjusting member96can be coupled to the first reflection mirror cover33and the first reflection mirror holder32through the third fastening hole83and the second insertion hole73of the first reflection mirror cover33, respectively. At this time, the first, second and third screws92,95, and98can be coupled with the first, second and third springs74,75, and76, respectively.

Then, the first reflection mirror assembly30can be coupled to the second coupling flange55, so that the first reflection mirror31of the first reflection mirror assembly30is exposed through the first through hole54within the first accommodating unit41. At this time, the circumference of the first reflection mirror cover33is coupled to the second coupling flange55while the sealing member35is disposed between the first reflection mirror cover33of the first reflection mirror assembly30and the second coupling flange55.

Further, the relay lens36can be coupled to the first accommodating unit41through the mounting hole56formed in an upper portion of the first accommodating unit41, and then the third coupling flange57of the first accommodating unit41can be coupled with the fourth coupling flange62of the second accommodating unit42in a state that the mounting hole56of the first accommodating unit41communicates with the passing hole63of the second accommodating unit42. Then, the second reflection mirror38can be mounted to the second accommodating unit42through the second through hole66, so that the second reflection mirror38is exposed through the second through hole66of the second accommodating unit42within the second accommodating unit42. Then, the second reflection mirror cover39disposed in the back of the second reflection mirror38can be coupled with the fifth coupling flange67, and the prism4can be coupled to the sixth coupling flange69of the second accommodating unit42in correspondence to the outgoing hole68, thereby completing the assembling process of the optical engine apparatus.

Thus, when the light is emitted from the light source1, the light can travel via the color wheel assembly and the light tunnel assembly3. The light passed through the light tunnel assembly3can enter the inside of the first accommodating unit41via the incoming hole51of the optical path transformation assembly20. The incident light can be reflected from the first reflection mirror31exposed in the first accommodating unit41and can travel toward the relay lens36. Then, the light can be transmitted through the relay lens36and the passing hole63and can enter the inside of the second accommodating unit42. Then, the incident light can be reflected from the second reflection mirror38exposed in the second accommodating unit42and can travel toward the prism4through the outgoing hole68of the first accommodating unit41. The light reflected from the prism4can travel toward the DMD panel7. Then, the light can be reflected again from the DMD panel7toward the prism4and can be transmitted through the prism4, thereby traveling toward the projector5. Then, the projector5can magnify and project the light onto the screen, thereby displaying a picture on the screen.

Meanwhile, during the assembling process, the user checks whether the light passing through the light tunnel assembly3is correctly projected to the DMD panel7. In a case where the light passing through the light tunnel assembly3is not correctly projected to the DMD panel7, the user can grab and rotate the first, second or third knob91,94, or97of the first, second or third adjusting member90,93, or96in the fastening or releasing direction, so that the inclined angle of the first reflection mirror31is adjusted, thereby adjusting the position of the light projected on the DMD panel7. Substantially, the user can adjust the projecting position of the light while looking at the screen.

As described above, supposing that the user looks at the front of the screen, the light can move up and down on the screen when the user grabs and rotates the first knob91of the first adjusting member90in the fastening and releasing directions, in the diagonal direction on the screen when the user grabs and rotates the second knob94of the second adjusting member93in the fastening and releasing directions, and right and left on the screen when the user grabs and rotates the third knob97of the third adjusting member96in the fastening and releasing directions.

Thus, the light passing through the light tunnel assembly3can be easily and quickly adjusted to be correctly projected to the DMD panel7by handling the first, second and third adjusting members90,93,96, thereby enhancing a work efficiency.

As described above, the present general inventive concept can provide an optical engine apparatus, in which light passing through a light tunnel assembly is easily and quickly adjusted to be correctly projected to a display device.