Abstract:
A multi-axis adjusting apparatus includes a base seat, and an adjusting seat, a sliding seat and a rotating seat installed in a sequence on the base seat. A plurality of worm and worm gears are used to control the adjusting seat, and guiding slots and guiding pillars are used to cooperatively guide the sliding seat and the rotating seat. Besides, adjusting elements for controlling adjustments are screwed at one side of the seats. Whereby, an optical engine is driven to process multi-dimensional linear and rotating movements.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to an adjusting apparatus, and more particularly, to an apparatus for multi-axially adjusting a position of an optical engine.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Prior Art  
         [0004]     Please refer to  FIG. 1 . An elevating bolt  111  is installed at the center of the lower surface of an elevating seat  11  in a conventional optical engine adjusting apparatus  10  to allow the elevating seat  11  to move up and down by rotating it. A first sliding seat  12  and a second sliding seat  13  are further stacked one by one at the center of the upper surface of the elevating seat  11 , and projecting strips  121  and  131  disposed respectively at each circumference of the sliding seats  12  and  13  are used to restrain the sliding seats to move along directions from front to rear and from left to right. Moreover, a first adjusting bolt  122  is installed at the front side of the first sliding seat  12  to adjust the first sliding seat  12  to move from front to rear or vice versa and a second adjusting bolt  132  is installed at the right end of the second sliding seat  13  to adjust the second sliding seat  13  to move from left to right or vice versa. Finally, a rotating seat  14  is installed at the center of the upper surface of the second sliding seat  13  and a rotating axis  141  is then installed at the center of the rotating seat  14  so that the rotating seat  14  can be rotated freely around the second sliding seat  13  relatively. Besides, a rotation adjusting bolt  142  is installed at one side of the rotating seat  14  to control the rotation of the rotating seat  14  so as to attain the adjustments front and rear, up and down, left and right and with a rotating angle after an optical engine  1  is loaded on the adjusting apparatus.  
         [0005]     Although adopting a layers-stacking way in the adjusting apparatus mentioned above can do an axial adjustment, but the thickness and the volume of the system are also increased. Moreover, because the adjusting bolt at each axial direction is spread at every direction, it is unfavorable for processing an adjustment work in a limited space such as the inside part of the system; this will cause an adjustment time to be increased.  
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
       [0006]     One object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for a multi-axis adjustment, using worm and worm gear sets to process axial adjustments and to reduce the volume of an apparatus.  
         [0007]     Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for a multi-axis adjustment, gathering up adjustment positions to enhance adjustment convenience by installing adjusting rods and adjusting elements at proper locations.  
         [0008]     Still another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for a multi-axis adjustment, enhancing the stabilization of the apparatus by means of the control characteristic of worm and worm gear sets.  
         [0009]     Still another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for a multi-axis adjustment, capable of doing multi-dimensional linear and rotating movements so as to increase adjustable axial directions.  
         [0010]     For attaining the objects mentioned above, an apparatus for a multi-axis adjustment according to the present invention comprises a base seat, and adjusting seats installed sequentially on the base seat, a sliding seat and a rotating seat, in which a plurality of worm and worm gear sets are used to control the sliding seat and the rotating seat, guiding slots and guiding pillars are operated in co-ordination to guide the sliding seat and the rotating seat, and adjusting elements are screwed at one side of the seats to control them so as to drive an optical engine to do multi-dimensional linear and rotating movements. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0011]     The present invention can be more fully understood by reference to the following description and accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view, showing an adjusting apparatus of the prior art;  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view, showing an apparatus for a multi-axis adjustment according to the present invention;  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  is an explosive view, showing an apparatus for a multi-axis adjustment according to the present invention;  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  is an explosive view, showing a worm and worm gear set of an apparatus for a multi-axial adjustment according to the present invention; and  
         [0016]      FIG. 5  is an explosive view, showing a non-rotational element of a multi-axial adjustment according to the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0017]     Please refer to  FIG. 2 . A multi-axis adjustable apparatus  20  according to the present invention is used for being installed in a projection system (not shown in the figure) and for an optical engine to be loaded thereon so that the position of the optical engine can be adjusted thereby. The multi-axis adjustable apparatus  20  comprises a base seat  21 , adjusting seat  22 , first sliding seat  23 , rotating seat  24  and second sliding seat  25 .  
         [0018]     Please refer to  FIG. 3 , the base seat  21  has a upper surface  211  and a plurality of through holes  212  are opened therein. The adjusting seat  22  is installed at the upper side of the base seat  21 , a plurality of adjusting holes  222  are opened at a upper surface  221  of the adjusting seat  22  and a side plate  223  is projected perpendicularly downward at the front end of the adjusting seat  22 . A plurality of worm and worm gear sets are installed at a space between the base seat  21  and the adjusting seat  22  depending on a space structure and axial direction requirement. Worm and worm gear sets  26 A,  26 B and  26 C are respectively installed at the front right side, front left side and rear left side of the space in a preferred embodiment according to the present invention.  
         [0019]     Please refer to  FIG. 4 . Taking the worm and worm gear set  26 B as an example among the worm and worm gear sets  26 A,  26 B and  26 C, it comprises a bolt  261  and an adjusting rod  262 . One end of the bolt  261  is fixed on the base seat  21  and another end thereof is screwed with a worm gear  263 ; the bolt  261  is projected out of the adjusting hole  222  after it is screwed with the worm gear  263 . A control piece  264  with a circular groove  2641  around it is disposed at the top end of the worm gear  263 . A blocking plate  265  screwed at the bottom of the adjusting hole  222  is used to force the circular groove  2641  to be stuck in the adjusting hole  222  after the bolt  261  is passed through the adjusting hole  222  and a gap is allowed to exist between the groove  2641  and the adjusting hole  222  for the bolt  261  to be rotated freely. Furthermore, the projected end of the bolt  261  is covered with an elastic element  266  whose top is locked with a nut  267  for the elastic element to prop against a upper surface  221  of the adjusting seat  22  and the worm gear  263  is located below the adjusting seat  22 . One end of the adjusting rod  262  is pivoted at the side plate  223  of the adjusting seat  22  and another end thereof is fixed with a worm  268  engaged with the worm gear  263 . Please refer to  FIG. 5 . A flat face  2621  covered with a rotation-resistant element  269  is cut at the pivoted end of the adjusting rod  262 . A fixing hole  2691  screwed with a fixing element  2692  is passed through at the circumference of the rotation-resistant element  269  such that the adjusting rod  262  and the rotation-resistant element  269  are propped against the flat face  2621  through the fixing element  2692  to form one body. Moreover, radiation type slots are opened on the bottom face of the rotation-resistant element  269  and raised bars  2231  operated in coordination with the slots  2693  are disposed on the side plate  223  of the adjusting seat  22 .  
         [0020]     When the rotation-resistant element  269  is separated from the locking of the raised bars  2231 , the worm  268  is caused to drive the worm gear  263  to move up and down along the bolt  261  by rotating the adjusting rod  262  and in the meantime the control piece  264  is forced to press the adjusting seat  22  to move. The adjusting seat  22  is thrust to lean against the worm gear  263  through the installment of the elastic element  266  after adjusting. Moreover, fixing the position of the adjusting seat  22  can allow the raised bars  2231  to be got stuck in the slots  2693  to prevent the adjusting rod  262  from rotating when an outside vibration is acted after completing the adjustment.  
         [0021]     However, each worm and worm gear set has a degree of freedom; therefore, three-axial-direction movement adjustment of the adjusting seat  22  can be provided by controlling the three worm and worm gear sets  26 A,  26 B and  26 C. For example, when the worm and worm gear sets  26 A,  26 B and  26 C are rotated simultaneously, the three control pieces  264  can be caused to move up and down along the bolt  261  and meanwhile the adjusting seat  22  is thrust to yield a Z-axial direction movement. Furthermore, when a part of the worm and worm gear set are fixed, the adjusting seat  22  is caused to take the fixed worm and worm gear set as a revolving spindle to rotate to attain a rotating angle inclination adjustment. For example, rotate the worm and worm gear set  26 A and fix the worm and worm gear sets  26 B and  26 C to cause the control piece  264  to drive the adjusting seat  22  to rotate around Y-axis (e.g. My axial direction); rotate the worm and worm gear set  26 C and fix the worm and worm gear sets  26 A and  26 B to cause the control piece  264  to drive the adjusting seat  22  to rotate around X-axis (e.g. Mx axial direction). The adjustment of three axial directions Z, My and Mx can be provided by collocating the adjusting seat  22  and the three worm and worm gear sets.  
         [0022]     Please refer back to  FIG. 3 . The first sliding seat  23  is installed at an upper surface  221  of the adjusting seat  22  and leaning plates  231  and  232  are respectively projected vertically downward at the front end face and the rear end face thereof. The leaning plates  231  and  232  are respectively attached to the front and the rear end faces of the adjusting seat  22 . A plurality of guiding slots  233  and  234  parallel with X-axis direction are respectively disposed in the leaning plates  231  and  232 . Moreover, first guiding pillars  235  (e.g. bolts) vertically pass through the guiding slots  233  and  234  and one end of each of them is screwed at the side plate  223  so as to allow the first sliding seat  23  to move relatively to the adjusting seat  22  along the X-axis direction through the cooperative guidance of the first guiding pillars  235  and the guiding slots  233  and  234 . A first adjusting element  236  is installed parallel to the X-axis direction, one end thereof is fixed on a leaning plate  224  projected vertically upward at the front right side of the adjusting seat  22  and another end thereof is screwed on a leaning plate  237  projected vertically upward at the front right side of the first sliding seat  23 . The first sliding seat  23  is driven to move along the direction of the guiding slot (e.g. X-axis direction) by rotating the first adjusting element  236  to attain the providence of the x-axis directional movement. Furthermore, the first guiding element  235  is locked tight after completing the adjustment so as to fix the first sliding seat  23  to the adjusting seat  22 .  
         [0023]     Please refer to  FIG. 3  again. The rotating seat  24  is installed on the first sliding seat  213  and a plurality of circular arc-guiding slots  241  and a rectangular slot  242  is opened therein. A L-type seat  243  is disposed upon the rectangular slot  242  and a bolt  244  is faced upward and passed through the rectangular slot  242  from below and fixed at the bottom face of the L-type seat  243  such that the bolt  244  can be allowed to slide in the rectangular slot  242 . Furthermore, a second guiding pillar  245  is vertically passed through the circular arc-guiding slot  241  and locked on the first sliding seat  23 . Besides, one end of a rotation adjusting element  246  is fixed on a fixing plate  2138  projected vertically upward at the front end of the first sliding seat  23  and another end thereof is screwed a vertical face  2431  of the L-type seat  243 . The L-type seat is driven to move by rotating the rotation adjusting element  246  and meanwhile the side edge of the rectangular slot  242  is pushed by the bolt  244  below the L-type seat  243  and the cooperative guidance of the circular arc-guiding slot  241  and the second guiding pillar  245  is collocated to drive the rotating seat  24  to rotate around Z-axis. Finally, the second guiding pillar  245  is locked after completing the adjustment so as to fix the rotating seat  24  to the first sliding seat  23 .  
         [0024]     The second sliding seat  25  is installed on the rotating seat  24  and a plurality of guiding slots  251  parallel to the Y-axis direction are opened therein, a third guiding pillar  252  vertically passes through each guiding slot  251  from above and is then locked to the rotating seat  24  such that the second sliding seat  25  can be moved relatively to the rotating seat  24  along the Y-axis direction. Moreover, a second adjusting element  253  is installed parallel to the Y-axis direction, one end thereof is fixed on the side plate  247  projected vertically upward at the front end of the rotating seat  24  and another end thereof is screwed on a side plate  254  projected vertically upward at the front end of the second sliding seat  25 . The second sliding seat  25  is driven to move along the direction of the sliding slot  251  (e.g. Y-axis direction) by rotating the second adjusting element  253  to attain the providence of the Y-axis directional movement. Finally, the third guiding pillar  252  is locked after completing the adjustment so as to fix the second sliding seat  25  to the rotating seat  24 . Besides, a U-type holding bracket  255  is fixed at the upper side of the second sliding seat  25  for fixing an optical engine.  
         [0025]     Therefore, after an optical engine (not shown in the figure) is fixed on the holding bracket  255 , the X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis directions and the Mx, My and Mz rotating angles of the optical engine are quickly adjusted so as to allow the image beams emitted from the optical engine capable of being projected onto a screen accurately by respectively rotating the adjusting rod  262 , the first adjusting element  236 , the rotation adjusting element  246  and the second adjusting element  253 .  
         [0026]     Moreover, a plurality of worm and worm gear sets installed at a same plane are used to provide a multi-axis adjustment to replace a part of the layers-stacking type structure and the worm and worm gear structure is perpendicularly disposed so that the volume shrinkage of a apparatus can be attained.  
         [0027]     That the adjusting rods are centralized properly according to the present invention, i.e. that the adjusting rods  262  of the worm and worm gear sets  26 A,  26 B and  26 C are installed at the front end face of the adjusting seat  22 , the first adjusting element  236  is installed at the right front end face and the rotation adjusting element  246  and the second adjusting element  253  are respectively installed at the front faces of the first sliding seat  23  and the rotating seat  24  can be convenient in processing the adjustment work to reduce the adjustment time comparing to the prior art that installs adjusting elements dispersedly. Besides, an opening can be disposed below a screen and end faces with the adjusting rod are faced to the opening so as to allow the adjustment work to be processed conveniently through the opening after the adjustment apparatus is assembled in a projection system.  
         [0028]     The adjusting seat  22  can be allowed to have a high stabilization after adjusting by utilizing the engagement characteristic of a worm and a worm gear and installment of rotation-resistant elements and elastic elements. In addition, the first sliding seat  23 , the rotating seat  24  and the second sliding seat  25  are directly or indirectly combined with the adjusting seat  22  into one body such that the multi-axis adjusting apparatus can be allowed to have even better stabilization.  
         [0029]     It is noted that the multi-axis adjusting apparatus described above is the preferred embodiment of the present invention for the purpose of illustration only, and are not intended as a definition of the limits and scope of the invention disclosed. Any modifications and variations that may be apparent to a person skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.