Light source apparatus and projector that selectively opens and closes openings based on posture

A light source apparatus includes a light source, a light source enclosure that accommodates the light source and has a plurality of openings formed therein in a circumferential direction around an optical axis of the light source, a channel having an introduction port through which air is introduced from outside of the light source enclosure, the channel allowed to communicate with the plurality of openings, and an opening/closing mechanism that rotates around the optical axis to selectively open and close the plurality of openings, and the opening/closing mechanism has an opening/closing section that opens and closes the plurality of openings in a first posture in which the optical axis extends along a horizontal plane in such a way that upper openings located on a vertically upper side are open and at least part of lower openings located on a vertically lower side is closed.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to a light source apparatus and a projector.

2. Related Art

There is a known projector of related art that modulates light output ted from a light source apparatus in accordance with image information and projects the modulated light on a screen or any other projection surface. The light source apparatus uses a discharge-type light source, such as an ultrahigh-pressure mercury lamp. The light source generates heat when it emits light, and the upper side of the light source is heated to a higher temperature than the lower side thereof due, for example, to heat convection. It is therefore desired to deliver cooling air from the side above the light source so that no temperature difference between the upper side and the lower side is created.

Further, to broaden the range over which the projector is used, there is a proposed technology for delivering cooling air from the side above the light source even when the projector is installed in a variety of postures (see JP-A-213-246183, for example).

The light source apparatus described in JP-A-213-246183 includes a light source, a reflector, a light source enclosure, and a rotary member.

The light source enclosure accommodates the light source and the reflector and has a plurality of introduction ports through which cooling air delivered from a cooling fan can be introduced and a plurality of outflow ports that communicate with the respective introduction ports. The plurality of introduction ports are arranged around the center axis provided in a position outside the reflector, and plurality of outflow ports are formed along an opening of the reflector.

The rotary member is formed in a circular shape in a plan view and so supported as to foe rotatable around the center axis of the light source enclosure. The rotary member has an opening that allows part of the plurality of introduction ports to be open.

The rotary member rotates in accordance with the posture of the light source apparatus, whereby the light source is cooled with cooling air delivered from the side vertically above the light source.

The light source apparatus described in JP-A-213-246183, however, has a configuration in which part of the cooling air delivered from a cooling fan, that is, cooling air having passed through the opening of the rotary member is used and is therefore problematic in that the cooling air blocked by the rotary member is not used. That is, the light source apparatus is problematic in that the capability of the cooling fan cannot be fully used. The technology described in JP-A-213-246183 can undesirably not only force the projector to employ a large cooling fan to cause an increase in size of the projector but also cause an increase in noise produced by the large cooling fan operating at high rotation speed.

SUMMARY

APPLICATION EXAMPLE 1

A light source apparatus according to this application example includes a light source, a light source enclosure that accommodates the light source and has a plurality of openings formed therein in a circumferential direction around an optical axis of the light source, a channel having an introduction port through which air is introduced from outside of the light source enclosure, the channel allowed to communicate with the plurality of openings, and an opening/closing mechanists that rotates around the optical axis to selectively open and close the plurality of openings, and the opening/closing mechanism has an opening/closing section that opens and closes the plurality of openings in a first posture in which the optical axis extends along a horizontal plane in such a way that upper openings located on a vertically upper side are open and at least part of lower openings located on a vertically lower side is closed.

According to the configuration described above, in which the light source apparatus includes the opening/closing mechanism described above, the air introduced through the introduction pert is directed toward the light source through upper openings that are selectively opened. Since the plurality of openings are provided in the circumferential direction around the optical axis, and the upper openings among the plurality of openings are located on the vertically upper side, a greater amount of the air introduced through the introduction port can be directed to the upper side of the light source than to the lower side of the light source. The light source apparatus, even when it is rotated but still in the first posture, can therefore appropriately cool the light source.

Further, since the light source apparatus is so configured that the opening/closing mechanism opens and closes the openings on the downstream side of the channel and the amount of air that flows in through the introduction port therefore does not need to be restricted, the air delivered from an external cooling fan can effectively used to cool the light source.

Therefore, the performance of the cooling fan is fully used to efficiently suppress degradation of the light source, whereby the light source apparatus can be used over a broadened range.

APPLICATION EXAMPLE 2

In the light source apparatus according to the application example described above, it is preferable that the light source enclosure has a support section having a cylindrical shape around the optical axis and a wall section that protrudes from the support section and has the plurality of openings formed therein, that the opening/closing section has an opening/closing body having an annular shape through which the support section is inserted, that the opening/closing body has a first air vent that opens the upper openings in the first posture, and that the opening/closing mechanism is rotatably supported by the support section with the support section inserted through the opening/closing body.

According to the configuration described above, since the light source enclosure and the opening/closing mechanism are formed as described above, the upper openings can be opened in the first posture in the simple structure. Further, the configuration described above allows arrangement of the opening/closing mechanism without significant protrusion of part of the light source apparatus, whereby the light source apparatus can be compact even when it includes the opening/closing mechanism.

APPLICATION EXAMPLE 3

It is preferable that the light source apparatus according to the application example described above further includes a duct member that forms, along with the light source enclosure, the channel, and the opening/closing mechanism is preferably disposed between the duct member and the wall section.

According to the configuration described above, the duct member can be configured to not only form, along with the light source enclosure, the channel but also rotatably support, along with the light source enclosure, the opening/closing mechanism in the direction along the optical axis. Formation of the channel and arrangement of the opening/closing mechanism are therefore achieved in the simple structure.

APPLICATION EXAMPLE 4

In the light source apparatus according to the application example described above, it is preferable that the opening/closing mechanism further includes a plurality of rotary members that protrude from an inner circumferential edge of the opening/closing body and are each supported by the opening/closing body rotatably around the a central axis parallel to the optical axis, and that the opening/closing mechanism rotates with the plurality of rotary members in contact with the support section.

According to the configuration described above, the opening/closing mechanism rotates via the rotary meters rotating on the support section. The opening/closing mechanism can therefore rotate against a small magnitude of resistance.

APPLICATION EXAMPLE 5

In the light source apparatus according to the application example described above, it is preferable that the opening/closing mechanism includes a weight disposed in the opening/closing body and on the opposite side of the optical axis facing away from the first air vent.

According to the configuration described above, since the opening/closing mechanism rotates in such a way that the weight is located at a vertically lower end under its own gravity, the first air vent of the opening/closing body can open the upper openings without a user's specific operation in the first posture. The light source apparatus can therefore appropriately cool the light source in the simple configuration without forcing the user to perform cumbersome operation.

APPLICATION EXAMPLE 6

In the light source apparatus according to the application example described above, it is preferable that the opening/closing body has a second air vent that overlaps with the lower openings in the first posture when viewed in a direction along the optical axis, that the opening/closing section includes an opening/closing auxiliary section that closes the second air vent in the first posture, and that the opening/closing auxiliary section is so supported by the opening/closing body as to open the second air vent in a second posture in which the optical axis intersects a horizontal plane.

According to the configuration described above, in the first posture, since the opening/closing auxiliary sect ion closes the second air vent, the air having flowed through the channel flows through the first air vent and travels through the upper openings toward the light source. In the second posture, in which the optical axis intersects a horizontal plane (at roughly right angles, for example), since the second air vent is open, the air having flowed through the channel is allowed to flow through the first and second air vents and travel through any of the plurality of openings toward side portions of the light source. Therefore, in the first and second postures, the light source apparatus can appropriately cool the light source.

APPLICATION EXAMPLE 7

A projector according to this application example includes the light source apparatus described above, a light modulator that modulates light having exited out of the light source apparatus, a projection optical apparatus that projects the light modulated by the light modulator, and a cooling fan that delivers cooling air to the light source apparatus.

According to the configuration described above, since the projector includes the light source apparatus described above, in any posture rotated around an axis parallel to the optical axis over a range from 0° to 360°, the projector can project an image with degradation of the light source suppressed. The projector can therefore perform stable image projection over a long period in a wide variety of applications because the projector is capable of not only projection on a projection surface along a wall but also projection in a variety of directions.

APPLICATION EXAMPLE 8

In the projector according to the application example described above, it is preferable that the light source and the projection optical apparatus are so disposed as to extend along optical axes thereof that intersect each other.

According to the configuration described above, since the light source and the projection optical apparatus are so disposed as to extend along the optical axes thereof that intersect each other, for example, at roughly right angles, the projector can project, in the first posture, for example, a horizontally elongated image and project a vertically elongated image in the second posture. The range over which the projector is used can therefore be broadened.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

A projector according to an embodiment of the invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

The projector according to the present embodiment modulates light emitted from a light source in accordance with image information and enlarges and projects the modulated light on a screen or any other projection surface. The projector according to the present embodiment is so configured as to be installed on a desktop or any other surface and capable of taking not only a horizontally oriented posture in which a horizontally elongated image is projected on a projection surface along a wall surface but also a vertically oriented posture which is a posture rotated clockwise by 90° from the horizontally oriented posture when viewed from the side facing the projection surface and in which a vertically elongated image is projected on the projection surface. The projector according to the present embodiment, when it projects a horizontally elongated image, does not necessarily take the horizontally oriented posture but can perform the projection in a posture so rotated that the projection direction toward a wall surface is changed to the projection direction toward a floor or a ceiling (posture rotated over a range from 0° to 360°).

Primary Configuration of Projector

FIG. 1is a diagrammatic view showing a schematic configuration of a projector1according to the present embodiment.

The projector1includes an exterior enclosure2, which forms the exterior, a controller (not shown), an optical unit3, which includes a light source311, and a cooling apparatus4, as shown inFIG. 1. Although not shown, a power supply that supplies the light source311, the controller, the cooling apparatus4, and other components with electric power and other sections are further disposed in the exterior enclosure2.

The exterior enclosure2, although not described in detail, is formed of a plurality of members and provided with an air intake port through which outside air is taken in, an air exhaust port through which heated air in the exterior enclosure2is exhausted out thereof, and other portions.

The controller includes a CPU (central processing unit), a ROM (read only memory), a RAM (random access memory), and other components, functions as a computer, and controls the action of the projector1, for example, performs control relating to image projection, drives a fan provided in the cooling apparatus4, and performs other types of control.

Configuration of Optical Unit

The optical unit3optically processes light outputted from a light source apparatus31and projects the processed light under the control of the controller.

The optical unit3includes the light source apparatus31having the light source311, an optical integration illumination system32, a color separation system33, a relay system34, an electro-optical apparatus35, the projection lens36as a projection optical apparatus, and an optical part enclosure37, in which the optical parts31to36are arranged in predetermined positions along the optical path, as shown inFIG. 1.

In the optical unit3, the light source apparatus31is detachably disposed at one end of the optical unit3and the projection lens36is disposed at the other end of the optical unit3, as shown inFIG. 1. The light source311and the projection lens36are so disposed as to extend in directions in which the optical axes thereof (reference character31Ax denotes the optical axis of the light source311, and reference character36Ax denotes the optical axis of the projection lens36) intersect each other, specifically, intersect each other at right angles in the present embodiment.

The projector1projects a horizontally elongated image in a first posture in which the optical axis31Ax extends along a horizontal plane and projects a vertically elongated image in a second posture (vertically oriented posture) in which the optical axis31Ax intersects the horizontal plane (at roughly right angles in the present embodiment). The first posture is not limited to the horizontally oriented posture and can be any posture in which the optical axis31Ax extends along a horizontal plane and includes all postures created by rotation of the projector1in the horizontally oriented posture around an axis parallel to the optical axis31Ax over a range from 0° to 360°. In the following description, the side toward which light is outputted from the light source apparatus31is called a +X side, the projection surface side is called +Y side (front side), and the vertically upper side in the horizontally oriented posture is called +Z side for ease of description.

The light source apparatus31includes the light source311, which is a discharge-type light source formed, for example, of an ultrahigh-pressure mercury lamp or a metal halide lamp, a reflector312, a parallelizing lens313, alight source, enclosure5, an opening/closing mechanism6, and a duct member7. In the light source apparatus31, after the reflector312reflects light fluxes emitted from the light source311, the parallelizing lens313aligns the directions of the reflected light fluxes with each other, and the aligned light fluxes are directed toward the optical integration illumination system32.

FIG. 2is a cross-sectional view of the light source311and the reflector312.

The light source311includes an arc tube3111, a pair of electrodes3112and3113, lead wires3114and3115, and metal foils3116as shown inFIG. 2.

The arc tube3111is made of heat-resistant glass, such as quarts glass, and, as shown inFIG. 2, has a spherical light emitting section3111a, which is provided at the center of the arc tube3111, and a pair of sealing sections3111band3111c, which extend from opposite sides of the light emitting section3111a.

A discharge space that encapsulates mercury, a rare gas, a halogen, and other substances is formed in the light emitting section3111a, and the pair of electrodes3112and3113are so disposed that the tips thereof closely face each other in the discharge space.

The metal foils3116, which are provided in the form of a pair and electrically connected to the electrodes3112and3113, respectively, are disposed in the pair of sealing sections3111band3111c.

The lead wire3114has one end that is connected to the electrode3112via one of the metal foils3116and the other end that extends through and exits out of the sealing section3111b. Similarly, the lead wire3115has one end that is connected to the electrode3113via the other metal foil3116and the other end that extends through and exits out of the sealing section3111c. When electric power is supplied to the lead wires3114and3115, discharge occurs between the electrodes3112and31131facing each other. The light source311thus emits light.

In the light source311, since convection occurs due to heat generated in association with the discharge light emission, the arc produced between the pair of electrodes3112and3113facing each other is so located that the vertical center position thereof is shifted upward from the center position between the electrodes3112and3113. In the light emitting section3111a, the temperature therefore rises by a greater amount on the upper side than on the lower side. In particular, in the first posture, in which the optical axis31Ax extends along a horizontal plane, the temperature in the vicinity of the upper surface of the light emitting section3111atends to rise.

In view of the fact described above, to suppress degradation of the light source, it is desired to primarily cool the upper side of the light emitting section3111ain such a way that there is no difference in temperature between the upper side and the lower side of the light emitting section3111a.

Further, the temperature of the sealing section311b, which is located in a region through which the light emitted from the light emitting section3111apasses, also tends to rise. For example, the temperature at the portion where the lead wire3114is connected to the metal foil3116greatly rises. Therefore, to cool the light source311, it is desired to effectively cool not only the light emitting section3111abut also the sealing section3111b.

The reflector312has a neck-like section3121, which has a tubular shape, and a reflection section3122, which expands from the neck-like section3121in a roughly concave cross-sectional shape, as shown inFIG. 2.

The neck-like section3121is provided with an insertion hole through which one of the sealing sections or the sealing section3111cis inserted, and the sealing section3111bis located on the side opposite the neck-like section3121. An adhesive is injected into the space between the sealing section3111cand the insertion hole to fix the light source311to the reflector312.

The reflection section3122has an inner surface on which a metal thin film is deposited, and the metal thin film reflects the light emitted from the light emitting section3111atoward the side opposite the neck-like section3121.

Further, the reflector312has an opening3123formed in part of the neck-like section3121, and the opening3123opens from the inside to the outside of the reflection section3122, as shown inFIG. 2.

Returning back toFIG. 1, the light source enclosure5accommodates the light source311and the reflector312and holds the parallelizing lens313. The light source enclosure5is provided, for example, with a plurality of openings53A (seeFIGS. 5A and 5B), which will be described later, in the circumferential direction around the optical axis31Ax.

The duct member7, along with the light source enclosure5, rotatably supports the opening/closing mechanism6and forms, along with the light source enclosure5, a channel7F, which is allowed to communicate with the plurality of openings53A. The channel7F has an introduction port71G (seeFIG. 3), through which air delivered from a cooling fan41, which will be described later, in the cooling apparatus4, and the introduction port71G is so formed as to be allowed to communicate with the plurality of opening53A.

The opening/closing mechanism6is supported by the light source enclosure5and the duct member7and configured to be rotatable around the optical axis31Ax. The opening/closing mechanism6pivots under its own gravity in accordance with the posture of the projector1to selectively open and close the plurality of openings53A in the light source enclosure5. That is, the air delivered from the cooling fan41flows through the channel7F, flows into the light source enclosure5through openings53A, which are open in accordance with the posture of the projector1, and cools the light source311. The light source enclosure5, the opening/closing mechanism6, and the duct member7will be described later in detail.

The light source apparatus31includes a connector, although not shown, and the power supply supplies the light source311with electric power via the connector.

The optical integration illumination system32includes lens arrays321and322, a polarization conversion element323, and a superimposing lens324, as shown inFIG. 1. The lens arrays321and322and the superimposing lens324roughly homogenize the light outputted from the light source apparatus31on the surfaces of liquid crystal light valves351, which will be described later. The polarization conversion element323aligns the polarization directions of randomly polarized light fluxes having exited out of the lens array322with one another to form linearly polarized light that can be used by the liquid crystal light valves351as light modulators, which will be described later.

The color separation system33includes two dichroic mirrors331and332and a reflection mirror333and has a function of separating the light having exited out of the optical integration illumination system32into three color light fluxes, red light (hereinafter referred to as “R light”), green light (hereinafter referred to as “G light”), and blue light (hereinafter referred to as “B light”).

The relay system34includes a light-incident-side lens341, a relay lens343, and reflection mirrors342and344and has a function of guiding the R light separated by the color separation system33to the liquid crystal light valve351for R light. The optical unit3has the configuration in which the relay system34guides the R light, but the relay system34does not necessarily guide the R light and may instead guide the B light.

The electro-optical apparatus35includes the liquid crystal light valves351and a cross dichroic prism352, the latter of which serves as a light combining optical apparatus, modulates the color light fluxes separated by the color separation system33in accordance with image information, and combines the modulated color light fluxes with one another.

The liquid crystal light valves351are provided in correspondence with the three-color light fluxes (reference character351R denotes the liquid crystal light valve for R light, reference character351G denotes the liquid crystal light valve for G light, and reference character351B denotes the liquid crystal light valve for B light) and each has a transmissive liquid crystal panel, a light-incident-side polarizer disposed on the light incident side of the liquid crystal panel, and a light-exiting-side polarizer disposed on the light exiting side of the liquid crystal panel.

Each of the liquid crystal light valves351has a rectangular pixel region in which minute pixels that are not shown are formed in a matrix, and the optical transmittance of each of the pixels is set in accordance with a display image signal so that a display image is formed in the pixel region. The color light fluxes separated by the color separation system33are modulated by the liquid crystal light valves351and then directed toward the cross dichroic prism352.

The cross dichroic prism352is formed by bonding four rectangular prisms and therefore has a roughly square shape in a plan view, and two dielectric multilayer films are formed along the interfaces between the bonded rectangular prisms. The cross dichroic prism352, in which the dielectric multilayer films reflect the color light fluxes modulated by the liquid crystal light valves351R and351B and transmit the color light flux modulated by the liquid crystal light valve351G, combines the three color modulated light fluxes with one another.

The projection lens36includes a plurality of lenses (not shown) and enlarges and projects the combined light from the cross dichroic prism352on the projection surface.

The cooling apparatus4includes the cooling fan41, which is disposed behind (on the −Y side of) the light source apparatus31, an exhaust fan42, which is disposed in front of (on the +Y side of) the light source apparatus31, and an air intake fan, an air guiding member, and other components that are not shown.

The cooling fan41is a sirocco fan, which takes air therein in the direction a long the axis of rotation of the blades and delivers the air in the direction tangential to the rotation, and delivers the air to the light source apparatus31to cool the light source311and other components. The operation of the cooling fan42will be described later in detail.

The air intake fan that is not shown takes outside air therein through the air intake port of the exterior enclosure2, and the taken-in outside air is guided along the member that is not shown to cool the liquid crystal light valves351and other optical components.

The exhaust fan42is, for example, an axial fan and exhausts the air that has cooled the light source apparatus31, the liquid crystal light valves351, and other components and has therefore been heated out of the exterior enclosure2through the exhaust port thereof.

Configurations of Light Source Enclosure, Opening/Closing Mechanism, and Duct Member

The light source enclosure5, the opening/closing mechanism6, and the duct member7will now be described in detail.

The light source enclosure5will first be described.

FIG. 3is a perspective view of the light source apparatus31.FIGS. 4A and 4Bare cross-sectional views of the light source apparatus31in the horizontally oriented posture.FIG. 4Ais a cross-sectional view of the light source apparatus31viewed from the −Y side, andFIG. 4Bshows a state of an opening/closing auxiliary section62, which will be described later, in the opening/closing mechanism6.

The light source enclosure5includes an enclosure body5A, which forms a +X-side portion of the light source enclosure5, and a cover5B, which forms a −X-side portion of the light source enclosure5and accommodates, along with the enclosure body5A, the light source311and the reflector312, as shown inFIGS. 3 and 4A.

FIGS. 5A and 5Bare perspective views of the enclosure body5A, the opening/closing mechanism6, and the duct member7.FIG. 5Ashows these components obliquely viewed from the +X side, andFIG. 5Bshows these components obliquely viewed from the −X side.

The enclosure body5A has a lens holding section51, which holds the parallelizing lens313, and a support section52, an opening forming section53, and a base section54, which are sequentially formed on the −X side of the lens holding section51, as shown inFIG. 5A.

The support section52is a portion that rotatably supports the opening/closing mechanism6, has a tubular shape around the optical axis31Ax, and protrudes from the outer circumferential surface of the lens holding section51.

The opening forming section53has a tubular section531, which protrudes from the outer circumferential surface of the support section52, and a protruding section532, which protrudes from the tubular section531in −Y direction.

The plurality of openings53A are provided in a +X-side wall section53W of the tubular section531and arranged in the circumferential direction around the optical axis31Ax. The openings53A are through holes passing through the enclosure body5A from the outside to the inside thereof and so formed as to allow the air having flowed through the channel7F to flaw into the enclosure body5A.

FIG. 6is a plan view of the enclosure body5A viewed from the +X side.

The plurality of openings53A are formed on opposite sides of a horizontal plane Sh passing through the optical axis31Ax in the horizontally oriented posture of the projector1, as shown inFIG. 6. In the horizontally oriented posture of the projector1, the plurality of openings53A are arranged symmetrically with respect to the horizontal plane Sh and a vertical plane Sv passing through the optical axis31Ax. Specifically, the plurality of openings53A are formed of openings53Aa,53Ab, and53Ac, which are located above the horizontal plane Sh, and openings53Ad,53Ae, and53Af, which are located below the horizontal plane Sh, in the horizontally oriented posture of the projector1. The openings53Ab and53Ae are so formed that the circumferential centers thereof are located on the vertical plane Sv, the openings53Aa and53Ad axe formed on the +Y side of the openings53Ab and53Ae, respectively, and the openings53Ac and53Af are formed on the −Y side of the openings53Ab and53Ae, respectively.

Further, the openings53Aa,53Ab, and53Ac are so formed that the circumferential centers thereof are separated from each other by roughly 45°, and the openings53Ad,53Ae, and53Af are so formed that the circumferential centers thereof are separated from each other by roughly 45°. A region53WL of the wall section53W between the openings53Aa and53Ad and a region53WR of the wall section53W between the openings53Ac and53Af are so formed as to be wider than the regions of the wall section53W between the other openings53A.

Returning back toFIGS. 5A and 5B, the protruding section532has a through hole formed therein and passing through the protruding section532in the ±Y direction. The −Y-side edge of the through hole forms an auxiliary introduction port53G, through which part of the air delivered from the cooling fan41is introduced, and the +Y-side edge of the through hole forms a flow-in port534, through which the air introduced through the auxiliary introduction port53G flows into the light source enclosure5. The flow-in port534is so formed as to be located on the −Y side of the sealing section3111b(seeFIG. 2) of the light source311.

An exhaust port533is formed on the +Y side of the tubular section531and in a position facing the flow-in port534, as shown inFIG. 5B. Part of the air introduced into the light source enclosure5is exhausted through the exhaust port533. A mesh member that is not shown is disposed in the exhaust port533in preparation for a case where the arc tube3111is broken and configured to prevent broken pieces from spattering out of the light source apparatus31. A mesh member that is not shown is also disposed in the auxiliary introduction port53G.

The base section54protrudes from the outer surface of the opening forming section53, and a flange541having a rectangular shape in a plan view is provided along the −X-side edge of the base section54, as shown inFIG. 5A. Insertion holes541h, through each of which a screw is inserted, are formed in diagonal positions at the four corners of the flange541. The enclosure body5A and the cover5B are fixed to each other with the screws inserted through the insertion holes541h.

The base section54has a recessed section542, the portion inside the peripheral edge of which is recessed toward the +X side, and the recessed section542is so formed as to be connected to the inner surface of the opening forming section53, as shown inFIG. 5B. The reflector312is disposed in the recessed section542, and the light source311fixed to the reflector312is so provided that the tip of the sealing section3111b(seeFIG. 2) is disposed in the opening forming section53.

The opening/closing mechanism6will next be described.

The opening/closing mechanism6, through which the support section52of the enclosure body is inserted, is rotatably supported by the support section52around the optical axis31Ax, as shown inFIG. 4A.

In the first posture of the projector1, the opening/closing mechanism6selectively opens and closes the plurality of openings53A in such a way that the air having flowed through the channel7F is directed coward the tipper side of the light emitting section3111a.

FIGS. 7A to 7Edescribe the opening/closing mechanism6. Specifically,FIG. 7Ais an exploded perspective view of the opening/closing mechanism6obliquely viewed from the +X side.FIG. 7Bis a plan view of one of the opening/closing auxiliary sections62.FIG. 7Cis a partial perspective view of the opening/closing mechanism6in the first posture obliquely viewed from the −X side.FIG. 7Dis a partial perspective view of the opening/closing mechanism6in the second posture obliquely viewed from the +X side with a holding plate61B, which will be described later, removed.FIG. 7Eis a partial perspective view of the opening/closing mechanism6in the second posture obliquely viewed from the −X side.FIG. 7Ashows the state of the opening/closing auxiliary sections62in the first posture.

The opening/closing mechanism6further includes a rotary members63and a weight64in addition to the opening/closing section6having the opening/closing body61and the opening/closing auxiliary sections62.

The opening/closing body61includes a body frame61A and a holding plate61B.

The body frame61A accommodates the opening/closing auxiliary sections62, the rotary members63, and the weight64. The holding plate61B is fixed to the body frame61A and supports, along with the body frame61A, the opening/closing auxiliary sections62, the rotary members63, and the weight64.

The opening/closing body61is formed in an annular shape formed around the optical axis31Ax and having an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the support section52of the enclosure body5A. The opening/closing mechanism6is disposed on the +X side of the wall section53W (seeFIG. 5A) with the support section52inserted through the opening/closing body61.

First air vents611and second air vents612are formed in the opening/closing body61, and support shafts613and a weight accommodating section614are formed in the body frame61A, as shown inFIG. 7A.

The first air vents611and the second air vents612are formed of a plurality of air vents in the circumferential direction around the optical axis31Ax in correspondence with the plurality of openings53A in the enclosure body5A.

Specifically, the first air vents611are formed of first air vents611a,611b, and611c, which open the openings53Aa,53Ab, and53Ac (seeFIG. 6), respectively in the horizontally oriented posture. More specifically, the first air vents611a,611b, and611care so formed that the first air vent611ais allowed to overlap with the opening53Aa, the first air vent611bis allowed to overlap with the opening53Ab, and the first air vent611cis allowed to overlap with the opening53Ac when viewed in the direction along the optical axis31Ax in the horizontally oriented posture.

The second air vents612are formed of second air vents612aand612b, which overlap with the opening53Ad (seeFIG. 6), and second air vents612cand612d, which overlap with the opening53Af (seeFIG. 6) when viewed in the direction along the optical axis31Ax in the horizontally oriented posture. The second air vents612aand612bare arranged side by side in the circumferential direction around the optical axis31Ax, and so are the second air vents612cand612d.

The opening/closing body61has no air vent between the second air vents612band612cand therefore closes the opening53Ae in the enclosure body5A in the horizontally oriented posture. The opening/closing body61further has a closing section615, which is provided between the first air vent611aand the second air vent612a, and a closing section616, which is provided between the first air vent611cand the second air vent612d, as shown inFIG. 7A. The opening/closing body61is so configured in the horizontally oriented posture that the closing section615overlaps with the region53WL (seeFIG. 6) of the wall section53W and the closing section616overlaps with the region S3WR (seeFIG. 6) of the wall section53W.

The support shafts613each have a central axis parallel to the optical axis31Ax and are formed of a plurality of support shafts provided in the circumferential direction around the optical axis31Ax, as shown inFIG. 7A. Each of the support shafts613rotatably supports the corresponding rotary member63.

The weight accommodating section614is provided between the second air vents612barid612cas shown inFIG. 5B, that is, on the opposite side of the optical axis31Ax facing away from the first air vent611b, as shown inFIG. 7Aand accommodates the weight64.

Each of the rotary members63has a cylindrical shape and has an insertion hole which is formed at the center of the rotary member63and through which the corresponding support shaft613is inserted. The rotary members63are rotatably supported by the plurality of respective support shafts613, as shown inFIG. 7A. Part of the curved portion of each of the rotary members63protrudes from the inner circumferential edge of the opening/closing body61, and the opening/closing mechanism6is so configured that the plurality of rotary members63come into contact with the support section52of the light source enclosure5and rotate. That is, the opening/closing mechanism6rotates against a small magnitude of resistance because it rotates via the rotary members63.

The weight64is made of a metal, is disposed in the weight accommodating section614of the opening/closing body61, and shifts the position of the center of gravity of the opening/closing mechanism6from the optical axis31Ax toward the weight accommodating section614. Since the weight64is disposed on the opposite side of the optical axis31Ax facing away from the first air vent611b(disposed in the weight accommodating section614), the opening/closing body61is so positioned in the horizontally oriented posture that the first air vents611a,611b, and611cclose the openings53Aa,53Ab, and53Ac (seeFIG. 6).

As described above, the opening/closing mechanism6, which rotates against a small magnitude of resistance and includes the weight64, rotates under its own gravity when the posture of the projector1is changed in such a way that the weight64is located at the vertically lower end.

The opening/closing auxiliary sections62are provided in correspondence with the second air vents612a,612b,612c, and612dand open and close the second air vents612a,612b,612c, and612din accordance with the posture of the projector1.

Specifically, each of the opening/closing auxiliary sections62has a plate-shaped section621, which has an oblong shape in a plan view, and a shaft section622, which is formed along one long side of the plate-shaped section612and protrudes from the opposite short sides of the plate-shaped section612, as shown inFIG. 7B. The shafts622are so disposed on the +X side of the body frame61A as to face the optical axis31Ax, and the holding plate61B is placed toward the +X side of the opening/closing auxiliary sections62and fixed to the body frame61A, as shown inFIG. 7A. The opening/closing auxiliary sections62are thus rotatably supported by the opening/closing body61.

Each of the opening/closing auxiliary sections62then rotates under its own gravity in such a way that the front end of the plate-shaped section621is located below the shaft section622. That is, in the first posture, the plate-shaped sections621are roughly perpendicular to the optical axis31Ax, as shown inFIG. 7A, and close the second air vents612, as shown inFIGS. 4B and 7C(InFIG. 7C, the second air vent612cor612dis not shown). In the second posture, the plate-shaped sections621are roughly parallel to the optical axis31Ax and open the second air vents612a,612b,612c, and612d, as shown inFIGS. 7D and 7E(InFIGS. 7D and 7E, the second air vent612cor612dis not shown).

The duct member7will next be described.

The duct member7forms, along with the enclosure body5A, the channel7F, as described above.

The duct member7has an open −X side and further has a tubular section71and a protruding section72, which protrudes from the −Y side of the tubular section71in the −Y direction, as shown inFIGS. 5A and 5B.

The tubular section71is so formed as to accommodate the opening/closing mechanism6and the opening forming section53of the enclosure body5A, as shown inFIG. 4A, and has a +X side surface having the insertion hole711, through which the lens holding section51of the enclosure body5A is inserted, and a +Y side facing the protruding section72and provided with an exhaust port712, which communicates with the exhaust port533of the enclosure body5A, as shown inFIGS. 5A and 5B. Although not shown, a protrusion that restricts movement of the opening/closing mechanism6toward the +X side is formed on part of the inner surface of the tubular section71. The opening/closing body61of the opening/closing mechanism6is disposed between the duct member7and the wail section53W, that is, on the +X side of the openings53A.

The protruding section72is open on the −Y side as well as on the −X side and so formed that the open region accommodates the protruding section532(auxiliary introduction port53G) of the enclosure body5A, as shown inFIG. 3. The protruding section72along with the protruding section532forms an opening that forms the introduction port71G.

As described above, the introduction port71G and the auxiliary introduction port53G are both disposed on the −Y side of the light source apparatus31.

After the support section52is inserted through the opening/closing mechanism6, the duct member7is fixed to the enclosure body5A with screws at upper and lower two locations, are shown inFIG. 3.

FIG. 8is a cross-sectional view of the light source apparatus31taken along a Y-Z plane and shows the light source apparatus31in the horizontally oriented posture viewed from the +X side.

The channel7F has an annular air flow portion provided between the support section52/wall section53W of the enclosure body5A and the duct member7, and the air flow portion is so formed as to communicate with the introduction port71G, as shown inFIG. 8. The opening/closing mechanism6is disposed in the channel7F and selectively opens and closes the plurality of openings53A in accordance with the posture of the projector1.

Returning back toFIG. 3, the cover5B is so formed as to be joined with the flange541of the enclosure body5A and covers the −X side of the reflector312. The cover5B is provided with an exhaust port55in each of the −Y-side and +Y-side wall portions, as shown inFIG. 3(+Y-side exhaust port is not shown.).

Air Flow

The flow of the air delivered from the cooling fan41will now be described.

The air delivered from the cooling fan41flows in through the introduction port71G and the auxiliary introduction port53G and cools the light source apparatus31.

The air having flowed in through the auxiliary introduction port53G flows in through the flow-in port534(seeFIG. 5B) into the light source enclosure5irrespective of the posture of the projector1, travels toward the sealing section3111b, and primarily cools the portion where the metal foil3116(seeFIG. 2) and the lead wire3114(seeFIG. 2) are connected to each other and other portions.

The air having flowed in through the introduction port71G travels through openings53A that are selectively opened in accordance with the posture of the projector1toward the light source311.

The flow of the air having flowed in through the introduction port71G will be described below.

The projector1is configured to be capable of performing projection in the first posture (including horizontally oriented posture) and the second posture (vertically oriented posture), and the opening/closing mechanism6selectively opens and closes the plurality of openings53A in accordance with the posture of the projector1, as described above.

The air flow in the light source apparatus31in the first posture will first be described by showing several postures that belong to the first posture by way of example.

FIGS. 9A to 9Fdescribe the air flow in several postures that belong to the first posture, specifically, the horizontally oriented posture and postures created by sequential rotation of the horizontally oriented posture around an axis parallel to the optical axis31Ax by 90°. Specifically,FIG. 9Ais a diagrammatic view of the projector1in the first posture viewed from the +X side. InFIG. 9A, the projector1in the horizontally oriented posture is drawn with the solid line, and the projector1in other postures is drawn with chain double-dashed lines.FIG. 9Bis a diagrammatic view of the projector1installed on an installation surface TA, such as a desktop, in the horizontally oriented posture and viewed from the +Y side.FIGS. 9C to 9Fdescribe the state of the openings53A in the light source apparatus31in each of the postures.FIG. 9Cshows the state of the openings53A in the horizontally oriented posture, andFIGS. 9D to 9Fshow the state of the openings53A in the postures sequentially rotated from the horizontally oriented posture by 90°.

In the horizontally oriented posture, the optical axes31Ax and36Ax are roughly parallel to the installation surface TA, and the projector1projects a horizontally elongated image on a screen SC disposed along a wall surface, as shown inFIGS. 9A and 9B.

In the horizontally oriented posture, the opening/closing mechanism6opens the openings53Aa,53Ab, and53Ac and closes the openings53Ad,53Ae, and53Af, as shown inFIG. 9C. Specifically, the openings53Aa,53Ab, and53Ac are open when they overlap with the first air vents611a,611b, and611cwhen viewed from the +X side, the openings53Ad and53Af are closed when the opening/closing auxiliary sections62close the second air vents612(seeFIGS. 4A and 4B), and the opening53Ae is closed by the weight accommodating section614(seeFIG. 8).

In the horizontally oriented posture, the plurality of openings53A are grouped as follows: The openings53Aa,53Ab, and53Ac are upper openings located on the vertically upper side; and the openings53Ad,53Ae, and53Af are lower openings located on the vertically lower side.

The air having flowed through the channel7F flows in through the openings53Aa,53Ab, and53Ac into the light source enclosure5, travels along the inner surface of the reflector312, and is directed toward the upper side of the light emitting section3111a, as shown inFIGS. 4A, 8, and 9C.

When the horizontally oriented posture is rotated around an axis parallel to the optical axis31Ax by 90° (rotated clockwise when viewed from 'X side), the projector1takes an upward oriented posture that allows the projector1to perform projection toward a ceiling. The opening/closing mechanism6rotates when the horizontally oriented posture is changed to the upward oriented posture. In the upward oriented posture, the opening/closing mechanism6opens the openings53Aa and53Ad and closes the openings53Ab,53Ac,53Ae, and53Af, as shown inFIG. 9D. Specifically, the openings53Aa and53Ad are open when they overlap with the first air vents611cand611a(seeFIG. 7A) when viewed from the +X side, the openings53Ae and53Ab are closed by the closing sections615and616, and the openings53Ac and53Af are closed when the opening/closing auxiliary sections62close the second air vents612.

In the upward oriented posture, the plurality of openings53A are grouped as follows: The openings53Aa and53Ad are upper openings located on the vertically upper side, and the openings53Ab,53Ac,53Ae, and53Af are lower openings located on the vertically lower side.

The air having flowed through the channel7F is thus directed through the openings53Aa and53Ad toward the upper side of the light emitting section3111a, as shown inFIG. 9D.

When the upward oriented posture is further rotated by 90° (rotated clockwise when viewed from +X side), the projector1can perform projection in a suspended posture in which the projector1is suspended from a ceiling or any other surface. The opening/closing mechanism6rotates when the upward oriented posture is changed to the suspended posture in such a way that the weight64is located on the vertically lower side. The suspended posture is a posture created by rotation of the horizontally oriented posture by 180°. In the suspended posture, the opening/closing mechanism6opens and closes the openings53A in such a way that the opening/closing state thereof is reversed from the opening/closing state in the horizontally oriented posture. That is, in the suspended posture, the plurality of openings53A are grouped as follows: The openings53Ad, S3Ae, and53Af are upper openings located on the vertically upper side; and the openings53Aa,53Ab, and53Ac are lower openings located on the vertically lower side. The opening/closing mechanism6opens the opening53Ad,53Ae, and53Af and closes the openings53Aa,53Ab, and53Ac, as shown inFIG. 9E.

The air having flowed through the channel7F is directed through the openings53Ad,53Ae, and53Af toward the upper side of the light emitting section3111a, as shown inFIG. 9E.

When the suspended posture is further rotated by 90° (rotated clockwise when viewed from 'X side), the projector1takes a downward oriented posture that allows the projector1to perform projection toward a floor surface. The opening/closing mechanism6rotates when the suspended posture is changed to the downward oriented posture in such a way that the weight64is located on the vertically lower side. The downward oriented posture is a posture created by rotation of the upward oriented posture by 180°. In the downward oriented posture, the opening/closing mechanism6opens and closes the openings53A in such a way that the s opening/closing tate thereof is reversed from the opening/closing state in the upward oriented posture. That is, in the downward oriented posture, the openings53Ac and53Af are upper openings located on the vertically upper side, and the openings53Aa,53Ab,53Ad, and53Ae are lower openings located on the vertically lower side. The opening/closing mechanism6opens the opening53Ac and53Af and closes the openings53Aa,53Ab,53Ad, and53Ae, as shown inFIG. 9F.

The air having flowed through the channel7F is directed through the openings53Ac and53Af toward the upper side of the light emitting section3111a, as shown inFIG. 9F.

Although not described in detail, even in a posture that is between any adjacent two of the four postures described above (posture between horizontally oriented posture and upward oriented posture, for example) but belongs to the first posture, the opening/closing mechanism6opens at least part of the openings53A located on the vertically upper side and closes at least part of the openings53A located on the vertically lower side. The air having flowed through the channel7F is directed through the openings53A that are open toward the upper side of the light emitting section3111a.

Further, the openings53A that is an upper opening is always open in the four postures described above, but in a posture between any adjacent two of the four postures, part of the upper openings53A is open.

As described above, in the first posture, the opening/closing mechanism6opens and closes the plurality of openings53A in such a way that the upper openings located on the vertically upper side are open and at least part of the lower openings located on the vertically lower side is closed.

The air having cooled the light source311and hence having been heated passes through the exhaust ports533and712(seeFIGS. 5A and 5B), the opening3123(seeFIG. 2) provided in the reflector312, and the exhaust ports55(seeFIG. 3) provided in the cover5B and exits out of the light source apparatus31. The air having exited out of the light source apparatus31is exhausted by the exhaust fan42out of the exterior enclosure2.

As described above, the light source apparatus31is so configured that in the first posture, the air having flowed in through the introduction pert71G is directed toward the upper side of the light emitting section3111a.

In a posture in which the optical axis31Ax is slightly inclined to a horizontal plane, that is, in a posture so inclined that the opening/closing mechanism6rotates under its own gravity, the opening/closing mechanism6operates as described above, whereby the air having flowed in through the Introduction port71G is directed toward the upper side of the light emitting section3111a.

The air flow in the light source apparatus31in the second posture (vertically oriented posture) will next be described.

FIGS. 1A to 1Cdescribe the air flow in the light source apparatus31in the second posture. Specifically,FIG. 1Ais a diagrammatic view of the projector1installed on the installation surface TA in the vertically oriented posture and viewed from the +Y side.FIG. 1Bis a partial cross-sectional view of the light source apparatus31in the second posture.FIG. 1Cshows the state of one of the opening/closing auxiliary sections62.

The second posture of the projector1in the present embodiment is a posture in which the light source apparatus31is located below the projection lens36, as shown inFIG. 1A, and the projector1in the second posture projects a vertically elongated image on the screen SC (not shown inFIGS. 1A to 1C) disposed along a wall surface.

In the second posture, the opening/closing auxiliary sections62each have a state in which the front end of the plate-shaped section621is located, under its own gravity, below the shaft section622, as shown inFIG. 1Cand open the second air vents612.

In the second posture, since the opening/closing mechanism6does not rotate under its own gravity, and the weight64can be located in any circumferential direction around the optical axis31Ax, the first air vents611and the second air vents612open no specific opening53A but open part of the plurality of openings53A.

The air having flowed through the channel7F flows through openings53A into the light source enclosure5, travels along the inner surface of the reflector312, and is directed toward side portions of the light emitting section3111a, as shown inFIG. 1B.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the following advantageous effects can be provided.

(1) The light source apparatus31is so configured that in the first pasture, a greater amount of the air delivered from the cooling fan41is directed to the upper side of the light emitting section3111athan to the lower side thereof. Therefore, even in any of the postures that are rotated described above but belong to the first posture, the light source311can be appropriately cooled.

Further, since the light source apparatus31is so configured that the opening/closing mechanism6opens and closes the openings53A on the downstream side of the channel7F and the amount of air flowing in through the introduction port71G is therefore not restricted, the air delivered from the cooling fan41can be effectively used to cool the light source311.

Therefore, the performance of the cooling fan41is fully used to efficiently suppress degradation of the light source311, whereby the light source apparatus31can be used over a broadened range.

(2) Since in any posture rotated over the range from 0° to 360° described above including the horizontally oriented posture, degradation of the light source311is suppressed, the projector1can perform stable image projection over a long period in a wide variety of applications, such as not only projection on a projection surface along a wall but also projection in a variety of directions, for example, projection on a floor or a ceiling of an entrance hall or projection on a projection surface located between the floor and the ceiling.

(3) The duct member7not only forms, along with the light source enclosure5, the channel7F but also rotatably supports, along with the light source enclosure5, the opening/closing mechanism6in the direction along the optical axis31Ax. Formation of the channel7F and arrangement of the opening/closing mechanism6are therefore achieved in the simple structure.

(4) The opening/closing mechanism6is arranged on the wall section53W, where the openings53A are formed, with the support section52of the enclosure body5A inserted through the opening/closing body61, which is formed in an annular shape. The configuration allows arrangement or the opening/closing mechanism6without significant protrusion of part of the light source apparatus31, whereby the light source apparatus31can be compact even when it includes the opening/closing mechanism6. Further, an increase in the size of the projector1can be suppressed because the projector1includes the compact light source apparatus31.

(5) The opening/closing mechanism6rotates via the rotary members63rotating on the support section52. The opening/closing mechanism6can therefore rotate against a small magnitude of resistance.

Further, the opening/closing mechanism6includes the weight64and is configured to rotate under its own gravity. The light source apparatus31can therefore appropriately cool the light source311in the simple configuration without forcing a user to perform cumbersome operation.

(6) In the light source apparatus31, since the opening/closing mechanism6includes the opening/closing auxiliary sections62described above, which allow the light source311to be appropriately cooled in the first and second postures, the projector1can project not only a horizontally elongated image but also a vertically elongated image in a stable manner.

(7) In the light source apparatus31, the sealing section3111bis cooled with the air introduced through the auxiliary introduction port53G disposed at the same location where the introduction port71G is disposed. Therefore, in the first and second postures, the light source311can be further efficiently cooled.

Variations

The embodiment described above may be changed as follows.

The opening/closing mechanism6in the embodiment described above has the openings53A provided at six locations. The number of locations is not limited to six and may be five or less or seven or more.

A light source apparatus may instead be so configured to accommodate an opening/closing mechanism including an opening/closing body having no opening/closing auxiliary section62or second air vent612. The thus configured light source apparatus allows simplification of the configuration of the opening/closing mechanism and can be incorporated in a projector having no projection function in the second posture but capable of projection in a variety of directions in the first posture.

The opening/closing mechanism6in the embodiment described above is configured to close all lower openings, but part of the lower openings may be open as long as the amount of air from above the light emitting section3111ais greater than the amount of air from below the light emitting section3111a. That is, the opening/closing mechanism6only needs to close at least part of the lower openings located on the vertically lower side.

Each of the rotary members63in the embodiment described above has a cylindrical shape but may instead have a spherical shape.

The opening/closing mechanism may instead be configured to include no rotary member63or the weight64but may be rotated manually or by using a motor.

The opening/closing mechanism6in the embodiment described above is configured to take the second posture in which the light source apparatus31is located below the projection lens36and may instead be configured to take the second posture in which the light source apparatus31is located above the projection lens36.

The light source apparatus31in the embodiment described above is so configured that the duct member7is directly fixed to the light source enclosure5with screws but is not necessarily configured this way.FIGS. 11 to 16are plan views showing a light source apparatus8in a variation. Specifically,FIGS. 11 to 16show the light source apparatus8viewed from the +X side, +Y side, +Z side, −X side, −Y side, and −Z side, respectively.

The light source apparatus8includes a light source enclosure8, a duct member81, and a parallelizing lens82, which differ from the light source enclosure5, the duct member7, and the parallel icing lens313in the embodiment described above in terms of shape and further includes a presser plate83, as shown inFIGS. 11 to 13. The presser plate83is made of sheet metal and has a contact section831, which comes into contact with a +X-side circumferential peripheral potion of the parallelizing lens82, and a plurality of (four in the variation) fixing sections832, which are bent extensions of the contact section831and fixed to the light source enclosure8with screws. The parallelizing lens82and the duct member81are sandwiched between the presser plate83and the light source enclosure8and fixed thereto when the presser plate83is fixed to the light source enclosure8with screws.

A connector84(not shown in the light source apparatus31in the embodiment described above) of the light source apparatus6in the variation is disposed at the −Z-side end of the light source enclosure8, as shown inFIGS. 11 and 14 to 16. The connector84is so disposed that the side thereof to be connected to an output terminal (not shown) of the power supply faces the +X side, as shown inFIG. 11.

The light source apparatus8further includes an auxiliary introduction port8G, which is provided in the light source enclosure8, a mesh member86, which is disposed in the auxiliary introduction port8G, and a holding member87, as shown inFIG. 15. The holding member87is made, for example, of sheet metal and so formed as to hold a circumferential peripheral portion of the mesh member86, specifically, the upper and lower sides (+Z and −Z sides) and the +X side of the mesh member86in the present embodiment.

The projector1in the embodiment described above uses transmissive liquid crystal panels as light modulators and may instead use reflective liquid crystal panels. Instead, as each of the light modulators, a micromirror-type light modulator, for example, a DMD (digital micromirror device) may be used.

The light modulators in the embodiment described above employ what is called a three-panel method using three light modulators corresponding to R light, G light, and B light. The light modulators are not necessarily configured this way and may employ a single-panel method. Instead, the invention is also applicable to a projector including two light modulators or four or more light modulators.

The projector1according to the embodiment described above includes one light source apparatus31. The invention is also applicable to a projector including a plurality of light source apparatus31.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 215-44379 filed on Mar. 6, 215 and No. 215-18488 filed on Sep. 18, 215, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.