Lamp changing system for an image projection lighting device

An image projection lighting device including a base housing, a yoke, a lamp housing, and a video projector located inside the lamp housing, is disclosed. The video projector includes a video projector housing. The video projector housing can be moved into a first position and a second position in relation to the lamp housing. The first position is a video projector operating position in which the video projector cannot be serviced. The video projector can be serviced in the second position. A projector lamp cannot be accessed in the first position but can be accessed in the second position.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to image projection lighting devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Lighting systems in the prior art are typically formed by interconnecting, via a communications system, a plurality of lighting fixtures and providing for operator control of the plurality of lighting fixtures from a central controller. Such lighting systems may contain multiparameter light fixtures, which illustratively are light fixtures having two or more individually remotely adjustable parameters such as focus, color, image, position, or other light characteristics. Multiparameter light fixtures are widely used in the lighting industry because they facilitate significant reductions in overall lighting system size and permit dynamic changes to the final lighting effect. Applications and events in which multiparameter light fixtures are used to great advantage include showrooms, television lighting, stage lighting, architectural lighting, live concerts, and theme parks. Illustrative multi-parameter light devices are described in the product brochure entitled “The High End Systems Product Line 2001” and are available from High End Systems, Inc. of Austin, Tex. A variety of different types of multiparameter light fixtures are available. One type of advanced multiparameter light fixture is an image projection lighting device (“IPLD”).

In the prior art, the “DL2” (trademarked) image projection lighting device has a lamp housing and a projector housing including a projector device. The lamp housing has a back door which can be taken off to access the projector device. The projector device has a back door which can be opened to access a projector lamp. The projector lamp can then be taken out and replaced. However, the projector device used with the DL2 is being discontinued and a different projector device named the “LX650” trademarked or a version of the LX650 will in the future be used with an image projection lighting system. An unmodified version of the LX650 has a filter door which must be opened before a lamp door screw can be accessed. The lamp door screw can then be unfastened and then the lamp door can be opened to take out the projector lamp. However, if the LX650 is placed into a lamp housing similar to the DL2, the entire or nearly the entire LX650 has to be taken out of the lamp housing in order to open the filter door. In the unmodified version of the LX650, after the filter door has been opened, only then can the lamp door be opened to allow access, removal, and replacement of a projector lamp.

In their common application, IPLDs are used to project their images upon a stage or other projection surface. The control of the various parameters of the IPLDs is affected by an operator using a central controller. In a given application, a plurality of IPLDs are used to illuminate the projection surface, with each IPLD having many parameters that may be adjusted by a central controller to create a scene.

IPLDs used in an entertainment lighting system can produce many colorful images upon the stage or projection surface. IPLDs may project images onto the projection surface such as still images, video images and graphic images. The term “content” is a general term that refers to various types of creative works, including image-type works and audio works. Content is typically comprised of still images, video images or loops and computer graphical images.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one or more embodiments of the present invention, a projector device, such as the LX650, is modified so that a lamp door can be opened without opening a filter door. In addition, in at least one embodiment of the present invention, an image projection lighting device is provided with a modified lamp housing including a tray device. The tray device allows the LX650 projector device or some other projector device to be slid partially out from the lamp housing in order to access the lamp door of the projector device and thereby the projector lamp in order to replace the projector lamp. This allows the projector device to be supported by the lamp housing, so that it does not have to be inconveniently completely taken out of the lamp housing and so that the filter door does not have to be opened. This also minimizes potential handling damage to the projector when a technician changes a lamp. The lamp housing of the image projection lighting device typically already includes a filter so that the projector device does not need a filter and/or the filter of the projector device does not need to be changed.

In one embodiment of the present invention an image projection lighting device is provided comprising a base housing, a yoke, a lamp housing, and a video projector located inside the lamp housing. The lamp housing is remotely positioned in relation to the base housing by a motor. The video projector may be comprised of a video projector housing, a projector lens, a projector lamp, and a first light valve. The video projector housing can be moved into a first position and a second position in relation to the lamp housing. The first position can be a video projector operating position and the video projector cannot be serviced in the video projector operating position. In at least one embodiment, a projector lamp cannot be serviced in the first position. The video projector can be serviced in the second position. In at least one embodiment the projector lamp can be accessed in the second position.

The lamp housing may include the lamp housing include a retaining device, and the video projector may be kept in the second position by the retaining device. The retaining device may include a tray device which may have a portion which may slide with reference to another portion.

The image projection lighting device may include an access panel that is a component of the lamp housing. The access panel can be positioned in a first state that allows normal operation of the image projection lighting device when the video projector is in the first position in relation to the lamp housing. The access panel can be positioned in a second state so that the video projector can be moved into the second position.

The image projection lighting device may further include a means for moving the video projector into the first position and into the second position. The means for moving the video projector may include a rod and a bushing. The means for moving may include a tray device. The tray device may also be called or may be part of a transversing mechanism.

One or more embodiments of the present invention include a method of preparing a video projector having a video projector housing for operation as a component of an image projection lighting device. The method may include providing a portal in a filter access door that enables a lamp access door to be accessed without first accessing the filter access door.

The present invention in one embodiment provides an improved image projection lighting device. The image projection lighting device of an embodiment of the present invention can be comprised of a base housing, a yoke, and a lamp housing. The base housing may include or have located therein, a processing system and a communications port. The lamp housing may include or have located therein a video projector, an antireflective aperture, a cooling system, and a filter. An image projection lighting device of any of the embodiments of the present invention may include or be combined with any of the features of the image projection lighting devices described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,969,960, inventor Richard S. Belliveau, which is based on U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/360,185, filed on Feb. 7, 2003, which is incorporated by reference herein.

The video projector may be further comprised of a video projector housing, and a zoom and focus lens having zoom and focus values. The zoom and focus lens may be located, in part, within the video projector housing. One or more motors for controlling zoom and focus values may be located within the video projector housing. Commands received by the communications port of the base housing may be acted upon by the image projection lighting device to change the zoom and focus values of the zoom and focus lens. The zoom and focus values are determined by electronic position signals.

The image projection lighting device may further include a stand alone control device wherein the multicolor video display device operates as a component of the stand alone control device. The communications port may receive commands for controlling a function of the video projector, such as on or off, selecting a video input, control of a lamp mode, color balance, or the speed of a fan which is part of the cooling system.

The image projection lighting device may transmit service information concerning the video projector from the communications port. The service information may concern the speed of the fan, the remaining life of a lamp, or a version of computer software which runs the video projector.

The filter may be washable and/or a fluorocarbon polymer filter. The fan may be located directly behind the filter to pull cooling air into the lamp housing. A speed of the fan may be variably controlled.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1shows a perspective view of a prior art projector device10in a first state in which a filter door22and a lamp door24are closed. The projector device10may be a Christie (trademarked) LX650—XGA LCD (liquid crystal display) lumen projector made by Christie Digital Systems, Inc. The projector device10may have a top14, rear18, sides16, and20, and front26. A lens12may be located in the front26, substantially in the middle of the front26.

FIG. 2shows a perspective view of the projector device10in a second state in which the filter door22of the projector device10is open while the lamp door24of the projector device10is closed. The filter door22may be hinged to the side20or the top14by a hinge22a. The filter door22may have slats through which air can pass through the filter door22and into a filter, not shown. The filter door22when open exposes a screw24aresiding in an opening24bof the lamp door24.

FIG. 3shows a perspective view of the projector device10in a third state in which both the filter door22and the lamp door24of theFIG. 1projector device10are open. In theFIG. 3state, the screw24ahas been unscrewed from the typically threaded opening25ain order to open the lamp door24. A lamp device28lies behind the lamp door24. The lamp device may include a lamp and a housing or handle to remove the lamp device28.

FIG. 4shows a perspective view of a projector device, video projector or video projector device100in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention in a first state in which a filter door122and a lamp door124are closed. The projector device100may be a Christie (trademarked) LX650 video projector or video projector device which has been modified in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The modification allows the lamp door124to be opened without opening the filter door122. The projector device100may have a top114, rear118, sides116and120, and front126, which are part of a video projector housing101. A video projector lens112may be located in the front126, substantially in the middle of the front126.

FIG. 5shows a perspective view of the projector device100in a second state in which the filter door122of the projector device100is closed and the lamp door124of theFIG. 4projector device100is open, exposing the projector lamp128. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention there is a opening or cutout122cin the filter door122which allows a screw124ato be accessed in order to open the lamp door124without opening the filter door122. The screw124acan be unscrewed from a threaded opening125ain order to remove the screw124afrom the threaded opening125aand to thereby open the lamp door124, and to remove the projector lamp128.

FIG. 6shows a perspective view of a multiparameter lighting device200in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The multiparameter lighting device200may include a lamp housing202, a lamp housing back cover or access panel206, a yoke208, and a base housing210. The lamp housing202may be pivot with respect to the yoke208. The yoke208may pivot with respect to the base housing210in a manner known in the art. A filter, such as a hepa filter is located in the lamp housing202of the multiparameter lighting device200near the top surface203. The filter in the lamp housing202is in addition to, and renders unnecessary, any filter that may reside in the projector device100. Thus if there is a filter in the projector device100, it does not need to be replaced or accessed in any way.

FIG. 7shows a perspective view of the multiparameter lighting device200ofFIG. 6with the back cover206removed, so that a tray device300can be seen.FIG. 8shows a perspective view of the tray device300for use in the multiparameter lighting device200ofFIG. 6, with the tray device300in a closed state. The tray device300includes a top portion310and a base portion350. The tray device300may be called or may be part of a transversing mechanism.

FIG. 9shows a perspective view of the tray device300for use in the multiparameter lighting device200with the tray device300in a open state. In the open state, the top portion310of the tray device300has been slid forward with respect to the base portion350of the tray device300.FIG. 13shows a perspective view of details regarding the top portion310and a portion330of the tray device300.FIG. 14shows a perspective view of details regarding the base portion350of the tray device300.

FIG. 10shows a perspective view of the multiparameter lighting device200with the back cover206removed and with the projector device100fully inserted into a chamber204of the multiparameter lighting device200. The projector device100or video projector device100may be described as being part of the multiparameter lighting device or image projection lighting device200, in one or more embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 11shows a perspective view of the multiparameter lighting device200with the back cover206removed and with the projector device100partially removed from the chamber204of the multiparameter lighting device200by sliding the top or first portion310of the tray device300with respect to the second portion350of the tray device300. In the shown inFIG. 11, the screw124aof the lamp door124can be accessed and the lamp door124can be opened in order to remove a projector lamp from the projector device100. The projector device100sits on the top or first portion310of the tray device300and is supported thereby. The tray device300cannot be slid out more than is shown inFIG. 11, because it is mechanically limited in travel by the guide bushing rail364.

FIG. 12shows a perspective view of the multiparameter lighting device200with the back cover206removed and with the projector device100partially removed from the chamber204of the multiparameter lighting device200by sliding the first portion310of the tray device300with respect to the second portion350of the tray device300, and with the lamp door124of the projector device100open.

FIG. 13shows a perspective view of the first portion310and a third portion330of the tray device300. The first portion310may be called a projector mounting plate assembly. The third portion330may be called a projector mount slide plate assembly. The first portion310includes upwardly extending flanges316and320and downwardly extending flanges317,318, and319, which extend from a plate311. The purpose of these are for structural integrity.

The plate311has a large circular opening315which is a clearance hole for a tilt adjustment knob that is a feature of an original equipment manufacturer (“OEM”) projector device which can be used for or as part of the projector device100, a plurality of smaller circular openings313a-dfor connecting the projector mounting plate310to the projector mount slide plate330, a plurality of further circular openings311e-gfor connecting the projector device100to the projector mounting plate or first portion310, and a plurality of rectangular openings311a-311dfor securing a wiring harness assembly (not shown) along the length of the projector mounting plate310using plastic zip tie wraps to prevent damage to the harness during servicing. The flange320has a rectangular opening320aand is the wiring harness tie wrap securing location for a wire harness service loop not shown. A data wiring harness which connects to terminals on the rear of the projector device100is “dressed” along the side of the first portion or plate310and secured using plastic zip tie wraps at locations311a,b,c&d. This protects the data wiring harness and allows the harness to move with the slide plate330.

Screws312a,312b,312c, and312dcan be inserted into openings313a-313d, respectively to fix the first portion310to the third portion330. The plate311also has an elongated slot314to allow clearance between the projector mounting plate310and the guide busing rail364. The flange319has screws319aand319binserted through it in order to secure the tray device300to the second portion350at location360aand360d. The flange319has various printed instructions shown which are to direct the servicing technician the steps necessary to unlock the projector tray assembly300from the second portion350and allow the projector assembly100to slide out of the fixture housing.

The third portion330includes downwardly extending flanges331,332a, and332b, which extend from a plate333which are for structural integrity. The plate333has openings341a-dthrough which screws340a-d, can be inserted respectively. The screws340aand340b, are inserted into the projector mount slide bushing336, while the screws340cand340dare inserted into the projector mount slide bushing338. The members336and338have substantially central large openings336aand338a, respectively, through which the linear slide shaft362ofFIG. 14can be inserted to allow the third portion330to slide relative to the second portion350.

Screws334aand334b, and corresponding bushings335aand335bare used to secure the projector mount guide bushings335aand335bto the projector mount slide plate330. Bushings335aand335bmay be called projector mount guide bushings. The third portion330also has a large circular opening343awhich is a clearance hole to access the hardware to mount the projector100through mounting hole311gand small circular openings343b-343econtaining PEM (trademark) threaded inserts, through which screws312b,312d,312c, and312a, respectively, are inserted to secure the third portion330to the first portion310.

FIG. 14shows a perspective view of the second portion350of the tray device300. The second portion350may be called a fixture head slide plate assembly. The second portion350includes slanted flanges352and358, and upwardly extending flanges354and360extending from plate356. The second portion350further includes a slide bushing linear shaft or rod362, and guide bushing rail364. The guide bushing rail364has slots364aand364b. The linear shaft or rod362is attached to the plate356at a first end by device363aand at a second end by device363bThe devices363aand363bare mounted to the plate356.

The slanted flange352has a large circular opening352c, and smaller circular openings352a,352b, and352cwhich are for hardware clearance hole locations to secure the second portion350to the structural framework that makes up the fixture head or multiparameter lighting device200. Similarly, the slanted flange358has a large circular opening358cand smaller circular openings358a,358b, and358cwhich are for mounting a front bezel202of the fixture head or multiparameter lighting device200. The upwardly extending flange354has outer sections355aand355b, and central indented section355c, which is mechanical clearances to the front bezel202. Sections355aand355bhave circular openings354aand354b, respectively for rivets. The upwardly extending flange360has outer sections361aand361band central indented section361c, which are for mechanical clearances. Threaded clips, such as Tinnerman (trademarked) threaded clips360aand360d, are inserted into sections361aand361b, respectively, for mating to the projector slide assembly310hardware319aand319b. The sections361aand361balso have openings360band360c, respectively which are clearance holes for alignment guide pins (not shown, located behind downward flange319) to center the plate assembly or first portion310when it is seated and secured to the plate350with screws319aand319b.

The plate356has large circular openings357a,357b,357c,357d,357e, and357f, which are to allow access to the mounting screws that secure the projector100to the plate assembly310at locations311e,311f,311gand the fourth hole which is not labeled. The plate356also has U-shaped members359a,359b,359c,359d, and359e, which are for wire harness tie wrap securing locations. Protrusions369a,369b,369c,369d,369e,369f,369g,369h,369i,369j, and369kare also provided attached to plate356are rivets that attach two horizontal support ribs (not shown) underneath the plate assy.350and are for structural integrity. Plate356also includes a plurality of smaller circular openings365a,365b,365c,365d, and365e, which are hardware clearance holes for screws that mount the plate assembly350to fixture head framework of the multiparameter lighting device200.

FIG. 15shows a perspective view of the portions310,330, and350of the tray device300, taken apart. In operation, the projector mount slide bushings336and338slide on the slide bushing linear shaft or rod362, with the rod362inserted into the openings336aand338aof the bushings336and338, respectively. At the same time, the projector mount guide bushings335aand335bslide in the slots364aand364b, respectively, of the guide bushing rail364. The projector mounting guide bushing335aand the dividing member364c(which divides slots364aand364b) prevents the projector slide plate or portion330from sliding more than about halfway with respect to the fixture head slide plate assembly or second portion350. The first portion or projector mounting plate assembly310which is fixed to the projector mount slide plate, is also thereby allowed to slide only halfway with respect to the fixture head slide plate assembly or second portion350.