Illumination optical system and image projection apparatus

An illumination optical system include a first lens array including multiple lens cells that split a light beam emitted from a light source into multiple light beams, a second lens array including lens cells that the light beams split by the lens cells of the first lens array are incident thereon, and an optical element configured to illuminate an image display element by superposing light beams emerging from the second lens array on the image display element. At least one of the first lens array and the second lens array includes at least two lens cells each having a curved surface that is formed so as to be continuous with a curved surface of an adjacent lens cell, the at least two lens cells being decentered, and at least two lens cells of the first lens array have different radii of curvature.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an illumination optical system including a lens array that splits a light beam emitted from a light source into multiple light beams and also relates to an image projection apparatus including the illumination optical system.

2. Description of the Related Art

An illumination optical system heretofore known includes a first fly's eye lens, which splits a light beam emitted from a light source into multiple light beams, and a second fly's eye lens, which includes multiple lens cells corresponding to the first fly's eye lens, in order to uniformly and efficiently illuminate an illumination surface of, for example, a liquid crystal display element.

The English abstract of Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-115870 (Patent Document 1) discloses an illumination optical system in which decentered lenses are adopted as lens cells that constitute a first fly's eye lens or a second fly's eye lens to improve parallelism of light beams and reduce the amount of light loss in the illumination optical system.

US 2003/0174294 (Patent Document 2) and the English abstract of Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-090981 (Patent Document 3) each disclose an illumination optical system in which thicknesses of lens cells, which constitute a first fly's eye lens or a second fly's eye lens, are made different from one another in a stepwise manner in accordance with their amounts of decentering so that curved surfaces of the decentered lens cells are substantially continuous with one another.

However, there is a problem with the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 in that a shadow is generated in an illumination area because the curved surfaces of the decentered lens cells are discontinuous and steps exist between the decentered lens cells (FIG. 11A).

In the technologies disclosed in Patent Documents 2 and 3, thicknesses of the lens cells are made different from one another so that the curved surfaces of the decentered lens are continuous with one another. However, the technologies have a problem in that, by making thicknesses of the lens cells different, principal points of the lens cells are displaced in an optical axis direction and consequently split light beams do not converge at target convergent points (FIG. 11B).

When decentered lenses are adopted as the lens cells constituting the first fly's eye lens and curved surfaces of the lens cells are continuous with one another as illustrated inFIG. 12, positions at which split light beams split by the lens cells of the first fly's eye lens maximally converge are displaced from principal points of lens cells of the second fly's eye lens. The reference signs x inFIG. 12schematically indicate how much principal points of lens cells are displaced from a principal point of the lens cell on the optical axis of the illumination optical system, and how much focus points of split light beams from the lens cells are displaced from a focus point of a split light beam from the lens cell on the optical axis. Due to the displacement, some of the split light beams that are supposed to be incident on the corresponding lens cells are unintentionally made incident on adjacent lens cells and illuminate an area outside of an effective area of a liquid crystal display element. Accordingly, some amount of light loss occurs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an illumination optical system and an image projection apparatus including the same that can reduce the amount of light loss even when curved surfaces of decentered lens cells are continuous with one another.

In order to solve the above problems, the illumination optical system according to the present invention is an illumination optical system that includes a first lens array including multiple lens cells that split a light beam emitted from a light source into multiple light beams, a second lens array including lens cells that the light beams split by the lens cells of the first lens array are incident thereon, and an optical element configured to illuminate an image display element by superposing light beams emerging from the second lens array on the image display element. At least one of the first lens array and the second lens array includes at least two lens cells each having a curved surface that is formed so as to be continuous with a curved surface of an adjacent lens cell, the at least two lens cells being decentered, and at least two lens cells of the first lens array have different radii of curvature.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1is a schematic diagram illustrating an illumination optical system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 1illustrates a light source1, a parabolic reflector2, a converging lens8, a first fly's eye lens (first lens array)9, a second fly's eye lens (second lens array)10, a condenser lens (optical element)6, and a liquid crystal display element (image display element)7. The first fly's eye lens9is formed by arranging rectangular lens cells, which have similar figures to the liquid crystal display element7, in a matrix. The second fly's eye lens10includes multiple lens cells corresponding to the lens cells of the first fly's eye lens9.

Light emitted from the light source1is reflected by the parabolic reflector2and becomes substantially parallel light beams. The substantially parallel light beams are incident on the converging lens8and changed into converged light by the converging lens8. The converged light is incident on the first fly's eye lens9.

The lens cells constituting the first fly's eye lens9are decentered, and the amount by which the center of curvature is displaced from the center of each lens cell (referred to as a decentering amount, below) increases stepwise from a lens cell near the optical axis toward a lens cell in a peripheral portion. Furthermore, the thicknesses of the lens cells in the optical axis direction increase stepwise the closer a lens cell is disposed to a peripheral portion so that the curved surfaces of the lens cells are substantially continuous with one another. Accordingly, the principal points of the lens cells are displaced in a translational manner further toward the light source the closer a lens cell is disposed to a peripheral portion. The first fly's eye lens as a whole has a recessed shape on the light source side, and a flat shape on the second fly's eye lens side.

Note that the expression “a lens cell is decentered” herein refers to a situation where an optical axis of one lens cell (a straight line connecting centers of curvature of two surfaces of the lens cell) does not coincide with a line that passes through the center of the lens cell and that is parallel to the optical axis. In this embodiment, lens cells of the first fly's eye lens9other than a lens cell in the center are decentered when viewed in the same direction as shown inFIG. 1and in a direction that is parallel to the direction ofFIG. 1.

Also note that the expression “curved surfaces are continuous with one another” herein refers to a situation where curved surfaces of adjacent lens cells are in contact with one another. In other words, curved surfaces of adjacent lens cells are joined to (or in contact with) one another at their ends (or ends of curved surfaces of adjacent lens cells are positioned at the same position).

In the split light beam emerging from each lens cell of the first fly's eye lens9, part of the light beam passing through the center of the lens cell becomes substantially parallel to the optical axis due to decentering of the lens cell. The split light beam converges to a corresponding one of the lens cells of the second fly's eye lens10. The split light beam maximally converges (is focused) around the second fly's eye lens10and forms an image of the light source1thereon. After that, the light beam becomes divergent light again, is incident on the condenser lens6, and is superposed on the liquid crystal display element7by the condenser lens6.

If all the lens cells of the first fly's eye lens9have the same radius of curvature, generally, the positions at which split light beams maximally converge are displaced farther from effective areas (a range indicated by a inFIG. 1or a shaded part inFIG. 13) of the lens cells of the second fly's eye lens10the closer a lens cell of the first fly's eye lens is disposed to a peripheral portion of the first fly's eye lens. Consequently, the widths of the split light beams in the effective areas of the corresponding lens cells of the second fly's eye lens10increase, and a larger amount of light travels outside of the effective areas of the corresponding lens cells of the second fly's eye lens10. The parts of the light that are not incident on the corresponding lens cells are condensed by the condenser lens6to a portion that is outside of an effective area of the liquid crystal display element7. Accordingly, an amount of light loss corresponding to that of the parts of the light occurs. Note thatFIG. 13schematically illustrates a first lens array and a second lens array on the left, and illustrates a portion of the second lens array surrounded by the dotted line in an enlarged manner on the right.

The inventors of the present application have focused attention on the fact that the amount of the light beams travelling through the effective areas of the lens cells of the second fly's eye lens or effective areas of a polarization conversion element has to be increased to reduce the amount of light loss in the illumination optical system. Thus, the inventors have appropriately set the radius of curvature of each lens cell of the first fly's eye lens9such that the split light beams maximally converge in the effective areas of the lens cells of the second fly's eye lens10.

In this embodiment, the radii of curvature of the lens cells of the first fly's eye lens9increase the closer a lens cell is disposed to a peripheral portion so that the split light beams maximally converge in the effective areas of the lens cells of the second fly's eye lens10. In other words, a lens cell that is disposed farther (further outward) from the optical axis has a larger radius of curvature than a lens cell that is disposed on an inner side. To put it another way, the radii of curvature of the lens cells of the first fly's eye lens9are set such that paraxial split light beams that pass through the lens cells of the second fly's eye lens10have such widths that the light beams converge in the effective areas of the lens cells of the second fly's eye lens10.

Specifically, the radius of curvature of each lens cell of the first fly's eye lens9is set such that a combined focal length of the converging lens8and the lens cell of the first fly's eye lens9increases by an amount equal to displacement of the principal point of the lens cell of the first fly's eye lens9(toward the liquid crystal display element7).

As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, an illumination optical system that reduces the amount of light loss by appropriately setting the radii of curvature of the decentered lens cells can be provided. The illumination optical system according to the embodiment also has an effect of reducing the occurrence of shadows in an illumination area since the curved surfaces of the lens cells are continuous with one another, and an effect of improving the yield in a process of producing the fly's eye lens.

Referring now toFIG. 2, the embodiment will be described further.FIG. 2illustrates a decentered lens cell C1of the first fly's eye lens, a lens cell C2of the second fly's eye lens, and a line L1that is perpendicular to the optical axis and passes through a point at which the center of the effective area of the lens cell C1and the curved surface of the lens cell C1cross each other. Part of the parallel light beam that is incident on the curved surface in a range of the line L1converges. The solid line indicates a split light beam emerging from the decentered lens cell C1in which the radius of curvature has not been appropriately set. Here, the expression “the radius of curvature has not been appropriately set” refers to a situation where, for example, the lens cells of the first fly's eye lens are decentered lens cells, the curved surfaces of the lens cells are continuous with one another, and all the lens cells have the same radius of curvature. If such a first fly's eye lens is used, a split light beam emerging from the decentered lens cell C1maximally converges at a position that is far from a principal plane of the lens cell C2as indicated by the solid line, although it is desirable that the split light beam maximally converge to the principal plane.

In this embodiment, the lens cells of the first fly's eye lens are decentered lens cells and the curved surfaces of the lens cells are continuous with one another. However, the radius of curvature of the decentered lens cell C1is made different from other lens cells so that the split light beam maximally converges at an appropriate position.

Here, the principal plane of the lens cell C2of the second fly's eye lens10is taken as a datum position, and a position at which a split light beam split by a lens cell having a radius of curvature that has not been appropriately set maximally converges is denoted by Δ1with respect to the datum position. The position Δ1takes a positive (+) value on a liquid crystal display element side in the optical axis direction with respect to the datum position, and takes a negative (−) value on a light source side in the optical axis direction with respect to the datum position. When a convergent point of a split light beam emerging from each lens cell of the first fly's eye lens9according to the embodiment is denoted by −A×Δ1, it is preferable that the radii of curvature of the lens cells of the first fly's eye lens9be set such that a coefficient A falls within a range of the following expression (1):
0.5≦A1.5  (1).

When the expression (1) is satisfied, the split light beam is corrected as indicated by dotted lines inFIG. 2, so that the split light beam maximally converges at an appropriate position.

Although all the lens cells of the first fly's eye lens9may be set so as to satisfy the expression (1), the effect of the embodiment of the present invention can be obtained even when not all the lens cells are set so as to satisfy the expression (1).

It is considered that the amount of light loss is associated with a width δ of a light beam in an effective area. Here, the width δ is expressed in the following expression (2):
δ=|Δ1|·D/f(2).

Here, D denotes an effective diameter of a lens cell of a first fly's eye lens9, f denotes a focal length of the first fly's eye lens9, and “·” is an operator indicating multiplication.

When the radius of curvature of the lens cell of the first fly's eye lens9is set appropriately so that Δ1becomes close to zero, the width δ of the light beam in the effective area becomes close to zero and thus the amount of light loss is reduced. On the other hand, when Δ1is changed so as to be further away from zero, the width δ of the light beam in the effective area gradually increases and thus the amount of light loss increases. In short, the coefficient A in the expression (1) denotes a degree to which a position at which a split light beam maximally converges is corrected.

Thus, even though the radii of curvature of the lens cells of the first fly's eye lens9are individually changed, the degree to which the convergent point Δ1of the split light beam is corrected can be prevented from being too small or too large as long as the width δ falls within a range that satisfies the expression (1). Thus, the amount of light loss can be expected to be reduced well.

Here, E denotes an effective area of a lens cell of the second fly's eye lens, and δ denotes the width of a light beam in the effective area. When the expression (3) is satisfied, the width δ of the light beam falls within 10% of the size of the effective area and consequently a clear projection image can be produced. On the other hand, if the width δ exceeds a range that satisfies the expression (1), the amount of light is reduced. For this reason, it is preferable that the radii of curvature of the lens cells of the first fly's eye lens be set so as to satisfy the expression (3).

More preferably, the expression (3a) below is satisfied:
δ/E≦1/20  (3a).

Still more preferably, the expression (3b) below is satisfied:
δ/E≈0  (3b).

When the expression (3b) is satisfied, A in the expression (1) is approximately equal to 1.

The effect of reducing the amount of light loss can be obtained if at least one of the lens cells that constitute the first and second fly's eye lenses is set to satisfy either the expression (1) or (3). It is, however, preferable that a larger number of lens cells or all the lens cells be set to satisfy the above expressions.

FIGS. 3A and 3Billustrate an example of lens cells of the first fly's eye lens having radii of curvature set with consideration of the refractive power of the converging lens8.FIG. 3Ais a schematic diagram of the first fly's eye lens andFIG. 3Bis a table including the thickness, focal length, and radius of curvature of each lens cell illustrated inFIG. 3A. Cell numbers inFIG. 3Acorrespond to cell numbers inFIG. 3B. In the example illustrated inFIGS. 3A and 3B, the converging lens8has a positive refractive power φ that is equal to 0.01644. In the properties listed in the table ofFIG. 3B, the radii of curvature of the lens cells of the first fly's eye lens are set in view of the refractive power φ of the converging lens8and spacing between the first fly's eye lens9and the second fly's eye lens such that the split light beams maximally converge at principal points of the corresponding lens cells of the second fly's eye lens.

In a study performed by the inventors of the present application, it was found that, in the case where the radii of curvature are set individually as illustrated in the table ofFIG. 3B, illumination efficiency is improved by approximately 2.0% compared to the case where the radii of curvature of all the lens cells are set to 28.29 mm, which is the radius of curvature of lens cells adjacent to the optical axis in the table ofFIG. 3B.

As has been described above, if all the lens cells of the first fly's eye lens have the same radius of curvature, the convergent points of the split light beams are displaced from the effective areas of the corresponding lens cells of the second fly's eye lens due to the difference in thickness between the lens cells in the optical axis direction, as illustrated inFIG. 4A. In contrast, when the radii of curvature of the lens cells of the first fly's eye lens are appropriately set, the light beams converge at appropriate positions and the curved surfaces of the lens cells are continuous with one another. Accordingly, it is possible to provide an illumination optical system that can reduce the amount of light loss while the occurrence of shadows in an illumination area is reduced and the yield of fly's eye lenses is improved.

In the first embodiment, although it is only the first fly's eye lens9that includes decentered lens cells, decentered lens cells may be included in the second fly's eye lens10instead, or may be included in both the first fly's eye lens9and the second fly's eye lens10.

In the structure according to the first embodiment, the converging lens8having a positive refractive power and the parabolic reflector2are disposed on a side that is closer to the light source1than the first fly's eye lens9. However, the present invention is also applicable to a structure that includes an elliptical reflector or a concave lens having a negative refractive power. That is, the present invention is applicable to any structure in which the radius of curvature of each lens cell of the first fly's eye lens is set with consideration of the refractive power of all the optical elements, including a reflector, which are disposed on a side that is closer to the light source1than the first fly's eye lens9is.

If the condenser lens6is capable of superposing split light beams on the liquid crystal display element, the condenser lens6may be a concave mirror.

Not all the lens cells of the first fly's eye lens have to be formed such that the curved surfaces of the lens cells are continuous with one another. The present invention is applicable to any structure that includes a decentered lens cell, which has a curved surface that is continuous with curved surfaces of adjacent lens cells and which has a radius of curvature that is made different from those of other lens cells. Even in this structure, the effect of reducing the amount of light loss can be obtained while the occurrence of shadows in projection images is reduced.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 5is a schematic diagram illustrating an illumination optical system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Light emitted from a light source1is reflected by a parabolic reflector2and becomes substantially parallel light beams. The substantially parallel light beams are incident on a converging lens8and changed into converged light by the converging lens8. The converged light is incident on a first fly's eye lens11formed by arranging rectangular lens cells, which have similar figures to the liquid crystal display element7, in a matrix.

Lens cells constituting the first fly's eye lens11are decentered, and the decentering amounts increase stepwise from a lens cell near the optical axis toward a lens cell in a peripheral portion. Furthermore, the thicknesses of the lens cells increase stepwise the closer a lens cell is disposed to a peripheral portion so that the curved surfaces of the lens cells are substantially continuous with one another.

In the split light beam that has been incident on each lens cell of the first fly's eye lens11, part of the light beam passing through the center of the lens cell becomes substantially parallel to the optical axis due to decentering of the lens cell. The split light beam converges at a position near the polarization conversion element13. InFIG. 5, a1denotes an incident-side effective area of the polarization conversion element13and a2denotes an emerging-side effective area of the polarization conversion element13. Multiple split light beams that converge near the polarization conversion element13and diverge again are superposed on the liquid crystal display element7by the condenser lens6.

FIG. 6Ais a schematic diagram of the polarization conversion element13. The polarization conversion element13includes multiple prismatic polarizing beam splitters and half-wave plates. Each polarizing beam splitter has a polarization splitting film. The half-wave plates are disposed on surfaces of every other polarizing beam splitter from which light beams emerge. InFIG. 6A, a1denotes an incident-side distance between the polarization splitting film and a reflection film that are obliquely disposed at approximately 45 degrees with respect to the incident surface. Light that is incident on the polarization conversion element13is split into P-polarized light and S-polarized light by the polarization splitting film. The S-polarized light is reflected by the adjacent reflection film in the same direction as the P-polarized light travels, and is then emitted through a space between two adjacent half-wave plates. The P-polarized light split by the polarization splitting film is converted into S-polarized light by the half-wave plate disposed on the emerging surface and then emitted. InFIG. 6A, a2denotes an emerging-side distance between the polarization splitting film and the reflection film. In the above manner, unpolarized light that is incident on the polarization conversion element13is converted into S-polarized light. Here, the polarization conversion element13may convert light into P-polarized light.

As illustrated inFIGS. 6B and 6C, if a position at which a split light beam split by the first fly's eye lens maximally converges is outside the polarization conversion element13, the width of the split light beam on the incident surface and the emerging surface of the polarizing beam splitter increases excessively. If part of light beam travels outside of an effective area (shaded part inFIG. 14) of the polarizing beam splitter having a width that is equivalent to that of one side of the polarizing beam splitter, P-polarized light that is supposed to be converted into S-polarized light is emitted as it is without being converted to the S-polarized light, or S-polarized light is converted into unwanted P-polarized light and then emitted. As a result, efficiency in polarization conversion is reduced and the amount of light loss is increased.FIG. 14schematically illustrates a first lens array, a polarization conversion element, and incident light on the left, and illustrates an effective area of the polarizing beam splitter surrounded by the dotted line in an enlarged manner on the right.

As described in the first embodiment, light loss occurs not only in the polarization conversion element13. If parts of light beams emerging from lens cells of the first fly's eye lens11travel outside of effective areas of the corresponding lens cells of the second fly's eye lens12, the parts of light beams result in light loss.

The thicknesses of the lens cells of the first fly's eye lens11in the optical axis direction increase, the closer a lens cell is disposed to a peripheral portion. Accordingly, the principal points of lens cells of the first fly's eye lens11are displaced more in a translational manner toward the light source, the closer a lens cell is disposed to a peripheral portion. If all the lens cells of the first fly's eye lens11have the same radius of curvature, light beams maximally converge at positions that are farther from the effective areas of the polarization conversion element13the closer a lens cell is disposed to a peripheral portion. Consequently, the width of the split light beam in the effective area increases, and light loss occurs.

Generally, the size of each effective area of the polarization conversion element13is set to be approximately half the size of the effective area of a corresponding lens cell of the second fly's eye lens12. As described in the first embodiment, the amount of light loss is determined by a ratio of the width δ of the split light beam to the size of the effective area. Accordingly, when the width of a light beam in the effective area of the polarization conversion element13is the same as the width of a light beam in the effective area of the lens cell of the second fly's eye lens12, the amount of light loss becomes larger in the effective area of the polarization conversion element13.

For this reason, in this embodiment, the radii of curvature of the lens cells of the first fly's eye lens11are set such that the split light beams maximally converge to the corresponding effective areas of the polarization conversion element13. More specifically, the radii of curvature of lens cells of the first fly's eye lens11increase, the closer a lens cell is disposed to a peripheral portion. In this manner, an illumination optical system that reduces an amount of light loss can be provided. Furthermore, since the curved surfaces of the lens cells of the first fly's eye lens11are continuous with one another, the illumination optical system is capable of reducing the width of split light beams in the effective area while the occurrence of shadows in an illumination area is reduced and the yield of fly's eye lenses in a process of producing the fly's eye lenses is improved.

Now, an exemplary range of the radius of curvature will be described. A thickness of the polarization conversion element13in the optical axis direction is denoted by d, and the position of an internal center d/2of the polarization conversion element13in the optical axis direction is taken as a datum position. As described in the first embodiment, a position at which a split light beam split by a lens cell having the radius of curvature being not appropriately set maximally converges is denoted by Δ2with respect to the datum position, which is the internal center d/2. The position Δ2takes a positive value on the liquid crystal display element side of the datum position in the optical axis direction, and takes a negative value on the light source side of the datum position in the optical axis direction. A position at which a split light beam split by a lens cell of the first fly's eye lens11according to the second embodiment having the radius of curvature being appropriately set maximally converges is denoted by −B×Δ2. Here, it is desirable that the radius of curvature of a lens cell of the first fly's eye lens11be set such that a coefficient B satisfies the following expression (4):
0.5≦B≦1.5+(d/2)/Δ2(4).

As described in the first embodiment, it is considered that the amount of light loss is associated with a width δ of a light beam in an effective area. Here, the width δ is expressed in the expression (5) as follows:
δ=|Δ2|·DF/fF(5).

Here, fFdenotes a combined focal length of the first and second fly's eye lenses11and12and DFdenotes an effective diameter of a lens cell of a first fly's eye lens11.

When Δ2is set so as to be zero by changing the radii of curvature of the lens cell of the first fly's eye lens11, the width δ of the light beam in the effective area becomes zero and thus the illumination efficiency becomes the maximum. If the corrected position Δ2, at which the split light beam emerging from a lens cell of the first fly's eye lens11having the appropriate radius of curvature maximally converges, is changed so as to be further away from zero, the width δ of the light beam in the effective area gradually increases, and thereby the amount of light loss increases. In short, the coefficient B denotes a degree of correcting the position at which a split light beam maximally converges.

The polarization conversion element13according to the second embodiment is different from the second fly's eye lens10according to the first embodiment in that the polarization conversion element13has effective areas on two sides, one on an incident side and the other on an emerging side. Considering that the amount of light loss of the polarization conversion element13changes in association with the change in Δ2, a larger one of widths δ of a light beam in the incident-side effective area and emerging-side effective area of the polarization conversion element13greatly affects the amount of light loss. Now, the widths of a light beam in the incident-side and emerging-side effective areas of the polarization conversion element13with respect to the datum position are considered. When the convergent point of the split light beam is displaced from the datum position in the positive direction or toward the liquid crystal display element, the width of the light beam in the incident-side effective area increases, whereas the width of the light beam in the emerging-side effective area reduces. Here, almost all the amount of light loss due to the increase in width of the light beam in the incident-side effective area is cancelled.

For this reason, while the convergent point of the split light beam falls within a range from the datum position of the polarization conversion element13to a position that is a distance d/2 away from the datum position in the positive direction, a substantially uniform illumination efficiency is obtained. Thus, a range in the second embodiment in which the illumination efficiency is appropriately improved is shifted by d/2 toward the liquid crystal display element from that in the case of the first embodiment. In view of these facts, the expression (4) is obtained by using a change of a larger one of the widths δ of a light beam on the incident side and emerging side with respect to a change of Δ2.

Even when the radii of curvature of the lens cells of the first fly's eye lens11are changed independently of other factors in a range that satisfies the expression (4), the degree of correcting the convergent point Δ2of the split light beam does not become too small or too large. Thus, sufficient illumination efficiency is expected.

In the second embodiment, it is only the first fly's eye lens11that includes decentered lens cells, but the second fly's eye lens12may include decentered lens cells, instead. Alternatively, both the first fly's eye lens11and the second fly's eye lens12may include decentered lens cells.

Third Embodiment

FIGS. 7A and 7Billustrate schematic diagrams of an illumination optical system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 7Ais a schematic diagram of a first cross section (taken in the X-Z directions in the drawing) andFIG. 7Bis a schematic diagram of a second cross section (taken in the Y-Z directions in the drawing). The first and second cross sections are both taken along the optical axis direction and are perpendicular to each other.

Light emitted from a light source1is reflected by a parabolic reflector2and becomes substantially parallel light beams. The substantially parallel light beams are incident on a converging lens8and changed into converged light by the converging lens8. The converged light is incident on a first fly's eye lens14.

Lens cells constituting the first fly's eye lens14are decentered, and the decentering amounts increase stepwise from a lens cell near the optical axis toward a lens cell in a peripheral portion. Furthermore, the thicknesses of the lens cells in the optical axis direction increase stepwise the closer a lens cell is disposed to a peripheral portion so that the curved surfaces of the lens cells are substantially continuous with one another.

In the split light beam emerging from each lens cell of the first fly's eye lens14, part of the light beam passing through the center of the lens cell becomes substantially parallel to the optical axis due to decentering of the lens cell. The split light beam converges to a corresponding one of the lens cells of the second fly's eye lens15. The multiple split light beams emerging from the second fly's eye lens15are superposed on the liquid crystal display element7by the condenser lens6.

Now, the first cross section ofFIG. 7Aout of the two cross sections taken along the optical axis and being perpendicular to each other is referred to. In the first cross section, polarization splitting films of polarizing beam splitters and half-wave plates of a polarization conversion element13are arranged along the first cross section (in the X-Y directions). Here, the radii of curvature of the lens cells of the first fly's eye lens14should be set such that the split light beams maximally converge to effective areas of the polarization conversion element13.

If all the lens cells of the first fly's eye lens14have the same radius of curvature, generally, the positions at which light beams maximally converge would be farther from the effective areas of the polarization conversion element13the closer a lens cell of the first fly's eye lens is disposed to a peripheral portion. Consequently, the width of the split light beams in the effective areas increases, and light loss occurs.

Thus, in the third embodiment, the radii of curvature of the lens cells of the first fly's eye lens14are set such that a lens cell that is disposed closer to a peripheral portion has a larger radius of curvature in order that the split light beams maximally converge in the effective areas of the polarization conversion element13in the first cross section.

Now, the second cross section ofFIG. 7Bout of the two cross sections taken along the optical axis and being perpendicular to each other are referred to. In the second cross section, no effect is observed for the polarization splitting films of the polarizing beam splitters and the half-wave plates of the polarization conversion element13and there is no effective area as the one included in the first cross section. Here, the radii of curvature of the lens cells of the first fly's eye lens14should be set such that the split light beams maximally converge to effective areas of the lens cells of the second fly's eye lens15.

If all the lens cells of the first fly's eye lens14have the same radius of curvature, light beams maximally converge at positions that are farther from the effective areas of the lens cells of the second fly's eye lens15the closer a lens cell of the first fly's eye lens is disposed to a peripheral portion. Consequently, the widths of the split light beams in the effective areas increase, and light loss occurs.

In the third embodiment, the radii of curvature of the lens cells of the first fly's eye lens14are set such that a lens cell that is disposed closer to a peripheral portion has a larger radius of curvature in order that the split light beams maximally converge in the effective areas of the lens cells of the second fly's eye lens15in the second cross section.

As has been described above, it is possible to provide an illumination optical system that can reduce the amount of light loss. To be more specific, the amount of light loss can be reduced by reducing the widths of split light beams in corresponding effective areas while the occurrence of shadows in an illumination area is reduced and the yield of fly's eye lenses in a process of producing the fly's eye lenses is improved.

By focusing on the fact that convergent points of a split light beam that affect reduction of the amount of light loss are different for different cross sections, another effect of reducing the amount of light loss can be obtained in the third embodiment by forming a decentered lens cell that has different radii of curvature for the first and second cross sections.

In the third embodiment, it is only the first fly's eye lens14that includes decentered lens cells, but the second fly's eye lens15may include decentered lens cells, instead. Alternatively, both the first fly's eye lens14and the second fly's eye lens15may include decentered lens cells.

Even in a case where a lens cell has different decentering amounts between the first and second cross sections, the above effects of the embodiment can be obtained.

Fourth Embodiment

FIG. 8is a schematic diagram illustrating an illumination optical system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Light emitted from a light source1is reflected by a parabolic reflector2and becomes substantially parallel light beams. The substantially parallel light beams are incident on a converging lens8and changed into converged light by the converging lens8. The converged light is incident on a first fly's eye lens16.

Lens cells constituting the first fly's eye lens16are decentered, and the decentering amounts increase stepwise from a lens cell near the optical axis toward a lens cell in a peripheral portion. Furthermore, the thicknesses of the lens cells in the optical axis direction increase stepwise the closer a lens cell is disposed to a peripheral portion so that the curved surfaces of the lens cells are substantially continuous with one another.

Curved surfaces of the lens cells constituting first fly's eye lens16face a second fly's eye lens17. Distances between lens cells of the first fly's eye lens16and corresponding lens cells of the second fly's eye lens17reduce stepwise, the closer a lens cell of the first fly's eye lens16is disposed to a peripheral portion from the center of the optical axis.

In the split light beam that has been incident on and split by each lens cell of the first fly's eye lens16, part of the light beam passing through the center of the lens cell becomes substantially parallel to the optical axis due to decentering of the lens cell. The split light beam converges to a corresponding one of the lens cells of the second fly's eye lens17.

The multiple split light beams emerging from the second fly's eye lens17are superposed on a liquid crystal display element7by a condenser lens6.

If all the lens cells of the first fly's eye lens16, from the one near the optical axis to the one near a peripheral portion, have the same radius of curvature, the split light beams maximally converge at positions that are farther from the effective areas of the lens cells of the second fly's eye lens15the closer a lens cell of the first fly's eye lens16is disposed to a peripheral portion. Consequently, the widths of the split light beams in the effective areas increase, and illumination efficiency is reduced.

In the fourth embodiment, the radii of curvature of the lens cells of the first fly's eye lens16are set such that a lens cell that is disposed closer to a peripheral portion has a smaller radius of curvature in order that the split light beams maximally converge in the effective areas of the lens cells of the second fly's eye lens17. In other words, the radius of curvature of at least two lens cells of the first fly's eye lens16is set such that a split light beam forms an image of the light source1between, in the optical axis direction of the lens cell, a surface vertex of a curved surface of a corresponding one of the lens cells of the second fly's eye lens17and a contact point at which the corresponding lens cell of the second fly's eye lens17is in contact with an adjacent lens cell. With this setting, the width of the split light beam in the effective area can be reduced, and thus illumination efficiency can be improved.

Here, a split light beam forms an image of the light source1at a position at which the light beam maximally converges, and the imaging magnification thereof is proportional to the focal length of the first fly's eye lens16. In the forth embodiment, the radii of curvature of the lens cells of the first fly's eye lens16are smaller or the focal lengths of the lens cells of the first fly's eye lens16are shorter the closer a lens cell is disposed to a peripheral portion. Thus, the imaging magnification at which lens cells of the first fly's eye lens16form images of the light source1is smaller than in the case where all the lens cells have the same radius of curvature. That is, in the fourth embodiment, an effect of reducing the width of a light beam in an effective area is obtained not only by appropriately setting the radii of curvature but also by reducing the imaging magnification at which an image of the light source1is formed.

As has been described above, it is possible to provide an illumination optical system that can improve illumination efficiency. To be more specific, illumination efficiency can be improved by reducing the widths of split light beams in corresponding effective areas while the occurrence of shadows in an illumination area is reduced and the yield of fly's eye lenses in a process of producing the fly's eye lenses is improved.

Fifth Embodiment

FIG. 9is a schematic diagram illustrating an illumination optical system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. Light emitted from a light source1is reflected by a parabolic reflector2and becomes substantially parallel light beams. The substantially parallel light beams are incident on a converging lens8and changed into converged light by the converging lens8. The converged light is incident on a first fly's eye lens18.

Lens cells constituting the first fly's eye lens18are decentered, and the decentering amounts increase stepwise from a lens cell near the optical axis toward a lens cell in a peripheral portion. Furthermore, the thicknesses of the lens cells in the optical axis direction increase stepwise the closer a lens cell is disposed to a peripheral portion so that the curved surfaces of the lens cells are substantially continuous with one another.

Curved surfaces of the lens cells constituting the first fly's eye lens18face a second fly's eye lens19. Distances between the lens cells of the first fly's eye lens16and the corresponding lens cells of the second fly's eye lens17reduce stepwise, the closer a lens cell is disposed to a peripheral portion from the center of the optical axis.

In the split light beam that has been incident on and split by each lens cell of the first fly's eye lens18, part of the light beam passing through the center of the lens cell becomes substantially parallel to the optical axis due to decentering of the lens cell. The split light beam converges to a corresponding effective area of a polarization conversion element13.

The multiple split light beams emerging from the polarization conversion element13are superposed on a liquid crystal display element7by a condenser lens6.

If all the lens cells of the first fly's eye lens18have the same radius of curvature, light beams maximally converge at positions that are farther from the effective areas of the polarization conversion element13the closer a lens cell of the first fly's eye lens18is disposed to a peripheral portion. Consequently, the width of the split light beams in the effective areas increases, and illumination efficiency is reduced.

In the fifth embodiment, the radii of curvature of the lens cells of the first fly's eye lens18, from the one near the center of the optical axis to the one in a peripheral portion, are set such that a lens cell that is disposed closer to a peripheral portion has a smaller radius of curvature in order that the split light beams maximally converge in the effective areas of the polarization conversion element13. With this setting, the width of the split light beams in the effective areas can be reduced, and thus illumination efficiency can be improved.

Here, a split light beam forms an image of the light source1at a position at which the light beam maximally converges, and the imaging magnification thereof for the case where the split light beam forms an image via a second fly's eye lens19is proportional to a combined focal length of the first and second fly's eye lenses18and19. The combined focal length fFof the first and second fly's eye lenses18and19is determined by the following expression (6):
fF=f1×f2/{f1+f2−(L−α)}  (6).

Here, f1and f2respectively denote the focal lengths of the first and second fly's eye lenses. L denotes a distance between principal points of a lens cell of the first fly's eye lens and a corresponding lens cell of the second fly's eye lens for the case where the lens cells are not subjected to thickness correction, the distance being caused due to decentering. In addition, α denotes an amount of change in distance between the lens cells, the amount of change being caused by the thickness correction. Each reference character denotes a generalized relationship for a combination of lens cells of the first and second fly's eye lenses and is not limited to a specific combination of lens cells.

Generally, a focal length f2of the second fly's eye lens is assigned to a distance between lens cells. Thus, the expression (6) is changed to:
fF=f1×f2/{f1+f2−(f2−α)}=f1/(f1+α)×f2(7).

In the fifth embodiment, the radii of curvature of the lens cells of the first fly's eye lens18are smaller or the focal lengths f1of the lens cells of the first fly's eye lens18are shorter the closer a lens cell is disposed to a peripheral portion. The focal length f1is changed by reducing the coefficient f1/(f1+α) of f2in the expression (7), in such a direction that a combined focal length is reduced. Thus, an image of the light source1formed by the lens cells of the first and second fly's eye lenses becomes smaller than in the case where all the lens cells have the same radius of curvature. That is, in the fifth embodiment, an effect of reducing the width of a light beam in an effective area is obtained not only by correcting the distance between the position of the effective area and the position at which a split light beam maximally converges but also by reducing the imaging magnification at which an image of the light source1is formed.

As has been described above, it is possible to provide an illumination optical system that can improve illumination efficiency. To be more specific, illumination efficiency can be improved by reducing the widths of split light beams in corresponding effective areas while the occurrence of shadows in an illumination area is reduced and the yield of fly's eye lenses in a process of producing the fly's eye lenses is improved.

In the fifth embodiment, even if the radii of curvature of the lens cells of the first fly's eye lens increase stepwise from a lens cell near the optical axis toward a lens cell in a peripheral portion, the same effects will be obtained.

Sixth Embodiment

FIG. 10is a schematic diagram illustrating an image projection apparatus using the illumination optical system according to the first embodiment.FIG. 10illustrates a light source1, a parabolic reflector2, a converging lens8, a first fly's eye lens9, a second fly's eye lens10, a condenser lens (optical element)6, a liquid crystal display element7, a polarizing beam splitter20, and a projection lens (optical projecting unit)21. The first fly's eye lens9is formed by arranging rectangular lens cells, which have similar figures to the liquid crystal display element7, in a matrix. The second fly's eye lens10includes multiple lens cells corresponding to the lens cells of the first fly's eye lens9.

In the sixth embodiment, a liquid crystal display element of a reflective type is employed. The liquid crystal display element7is efficiently illuminated by the illumination optical system according to the first embodiment. Here, the polarizing beam splitter20that is disposed in front of the reflective liquid-crystal display panel7allows only a P-polarized component of light emitted from the light source1to pass therethrough to the reflective liquid-crystal display panel7. An S-polarized component of the light having its polarizing state controlled by the reflective liquid-crystal display panel7is reflected by the polarizing beam splitter20and projected by the projection lens21on a projection plane (screen) in an enlarged manner.

Here, a polarization conversion element may be disposed to the rear of the second fly's eye lens10to improve illumination efficiency. Furthermore, the liquid crystal display element is not limited to the reflective liquid crystal display element, and may be a transmission liquid crystal display element, instead.

As described above, according to the first to sixth embodiments of the present invention, since the radii of curvature of decentered lens cells are appropriately set, the amount of light loss can be reduced.

Among differences between positions of surface vertices of any two lens cells of the first fly's eye lens according to the embodiments of the present invention, the largest difference is denoted by gapmax. Among distances between surface vertices of lens cells of the first fly's eye lens and corresponding lens cells of the second fly's eye lens, the shortest distance is denoted by Lmin. Here, in order to sufficiently improve illumination efficiency as an effect obtainable in the embodiments, it is preferable that gapmax>Lmin/20 be satisfied.

It is more preferable that Lmin/5>gapmax>Lmin/20 be satisfied.

A difference, in the optical axis direction, between focus points (at which the diameter of a light beam is the smallest) of any two lens cells of the first fly's eye lens according to the embodiments of the present invention is denoted by fgap. Here, it is preferable that fgap<Lmin/10 be satisfied. In other words, it is preferable that fgapnot include the largest one of the differences between focus points of any two lens cells of the first fly's eye lens. It is more preferable that fgap<Lmin/20 be satisfied.

Furthermore, inFIGS. 1,7B,8, and10, an average of distances, in the optical axis direction, between focus points of the lens cells of the first fly's eye lens and surface vertices of the corresponding lens cells of the second fly's eye lens is denoted by d1ave. Here, it is preferable that d1ave<Lmin/10 be satisfied. It is more preferable that d1ave<Lmin/20 be satisfied.

The largest one of the distances, in the optical axis direction, between focus points of the lens cells of the first fly's eye lens and surface vertices of the corresponding lens cells of the second fly's eye lens is denoted by d1max. Here, it is preferable that d1max<Lmin/5 be satisfied. It is more preferable that d1max<Lmin/10 be satisfied.

InFIGS. 5,7A, and9, an average of distances, in the optical axis direction, between focus points of the lens cells of the first and second fly's eye lenses and corresponding positions of the polarization conversion element on the center line (indicated by dotted lines inFIGS. 6B and 6C, for example) in the optical axis direction is denoted by d2ave. Here, it is preferable that d2ave<Lmin/10 be satisfied. It is more preferable that d2ave<Lmin/20 be satisfied.

The largest one of distances, in the optical axis direction, between focus points of the lens cells of the first and second fly's eye lenses and corresponding positions of the polarization conversion element on the center line (indicated by dotted lines inFIGS. 6B and 6C, for example) in the optical axis direction is denoted by d2max. Here, it is preferable that d2max<Lmin/5 be satisfied. It is more preferable that d2max<Lmin/10 be satisfied.

In the above inequalities, each position of the polarization conversion element on the center line in the optical axis direction may be interchanged with a position at which part of a light beam passing through the center of the second fly's eye lens in parallel to the optical axis is incident on a polarization splitting film of the polarization conversion element (a position at which a light path of the part of the light beam and the polarization splitting film intersect with each other).

In the first and second embodiments, a fly's eye lens has a structure in which lens cells are arranged such that the radii of curvature of the lens cells are symmetric with respect to a first axis that crosses the optical axis and that is parallel to the y axis. However, the present invention is not limited to this structure, and the radii of curvature of the lens cells may be asymmetric with respect to the first axis. In addition, the radii of curvature of the lens cells may be asymmetric with respect to a second axis that crosses the optical axis and that is parallel to the x axis.

In the first and second embodiments, a fly's eye lens having lens cells two-dimensionally arranged is described. However, the effect of reducing the amount of light loss can be obtained even by adopting a one-dimensional cylindrical fly's eye lens. In this case, it is only required, for example, to set the radii of curvature of two cylindrical lenses in a cylindrical lens array such that split light beams converge at appropriate positions.

In addition, not all the lens cells in half an area that is divided by the first axis or second axis have to have different radii of curvature. The amount of light loss can be reduced as long as the radii of curvature of at least two lens cells are appropriately set.

In another embodiment, a second lens array may include decentered lens cells. If the second lens array includes decentered lens cells and curved surfaces of the lens cells are continuous with one another, principal points of the lens cells are displaced in accordance with decentered shapes. For example, if the lens cells each have a decentered shape such that the lens cell has a flat surface on the light source side and a concave surface on the liquid crystal display element side, a principal point of a lens cell that is disposed farther from the optical axis is displaced closer to the liquid crystal display element. On the other hand, if the lens cells each have a decentered shape such that each lens cell has a flat surface on the light source side and a convex surface on the liquid crystal display element side, a principal point of a lens cell that is disposed farther from the optical axis is displaced closer to the light source. Even in this embodiment, the effects of the other embodiments can be obtained by making two lens cells of the first lens array have different radii of curvature so that light beams maximally converge to principal planes of the lens cells of the second lens array. In other words, the decentering amounts of lens cells of the first lens array can be set such that split light beams split by the first lens array maximally converge at positions on or around the principal planes of the decentered lens cells of the second lens array. For example, an illumination optical system may be employed that includes, in order from the light source side, an elliptical reflector, a negative lens, a first lens array, and a second fly's eye lens, the first lens array having a convex surface on the light source side and a flat surface on the liquid crystal display element side, and the second fly's eye lens having a flat surface on the light source side and a concave surface on the liquid crystal display element side. Even in this case, the effects of the other embodiments can be obtained by making two lens cells of the first lens array have different radii of curvature so that split light beams maximally converge to principal planes of the lens cells of the second lens array.

In another embodiment, lens cells of a first lens array are decentered in a direction that is opposite to the direction in which the lens cells of the first lens array according to the first embodiment are decentered, and a polarization conversion element is disposed on a side that is closer to the liquid crystal display element than the first lens array is. In this case, the lens cells are decentered such that a lens cell disposed on the outer side of the first lens array is decentered to a larger degree toward a light axis of the illumination optical system than a lens cell on the inner side of the first lens array. In other words, this is the case where the center of curvature of a curved surface of the outer lens cell is shifted toward the light axis of the illumination optical system with respect to the middle position of a pitch of the lens cell, to a larger degree than the inner lens cell. In this case, the thickness of the outer lens cell needs to be smaller than that of the inner lens cell so that curved surfaces of adjacent lens cells are continuous with one another. Here, a distance between the principal planes of outer lens cells of the first and second lens arrays is smaller than a distance between the principal planes of inner lens cells of the first and second lens arrays. In this embodiment of the present invention, among at least two lens cells in the first lens array each having a curved surface that is continuous with curved surfaces of adjacent lens cells, an outer lens cell that is disposed further outward from the optical axis of the illumination optical system has a smaller radius of curvature than an inner lens cell that is disposed closer to the optical axis. With this setting, convergent points of split light beams emerging from the at least two lens cells are made less likely to be displaced due to decentering of lens cells of the first lens array. Accordingly, illumination efficiency can be improved.

In another embodiment, a first lens array includes no decentered lens cell and a second lens array includes at least two lens cells each having a curved surface that is continuous with curved surfaces of adjacent lens cells. Even in this embodiment, an effect of improving illumination efficiency can be obtained by making the radii of curvature of at least two lens cells of the first lens array different from each other such that split light beams maximally converge to principal planes of lens cells of the second lens array.

Although the embodiments of the present inventions have been described thus far, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Various changes and modification can be made or embodiments can be combined within a scope of the gist of the invention.

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-089374 filed Apr. 13, 2011 and No. 2012-033155 filed Feb. 17, 2012, which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.