Patent ID: 12248236

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT INVENTION

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

First Embodiment

FIG.1is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image display device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG.1, image display device50includes housing51including operation surface51a. Optical modulation element52that includes image-forming surface52athat modulates light to form an image is accommodated in housing51. Optical modulation element52is, for example, a DMD (Digital Mirror Device) or an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display).

Image display device50further includes holding portion53and adjusting portion55. Holding portion53movably holds optical modulation element52in a direction perpendicular to at least the image-forming surface52a. Adjusting portion55is composed of at least one wire member54. One end54aof wire member54is connected to holding portion53, and other end54bis rotatably attached to operation surface51a. Holding portion53includes movable portion53athat moves in a direction perpendicular to image-forming surface52aby the rotation of other end54bof wire member54.

According to image display device50of this embodiment, since other end54bof wire member54is exposed on operation surface51a, the user can rotate other end54bfrom the outside of housing51. When other end54brotates, movable portion53amoves in a direction perpendicular to image-forming surface52awith this rotation. Here, since the direction perpendicular to image-forming surface52acorresponds to the optical axis direction, optical modulation element52moves back and forth along the optical axis with the movement of movable portion53a. Thus, it is possible to adjust the positional deviation of optical modulation element52in the optical axis direction. In this way, it is possible to easily adjust the positional deviation of optical modulation element52in the optical axis direction from the outside.

Image display device50of the present embodiment is not limited to the configuration shown inFIG.1. The following modifications may be applied to image display device50.

Holding portion53may include a first movable plate that includes a supporting portion for supporting optical modulation element52. The first movable plate includes a hinge that connects the supporting portion with the outer edge of the plate. As the hinge deflects, the supporting portion moves in a direction perpendicular to the plate surface (a direction perpendicular to image-forming surface52a).

In the above case, the hinge may be composed of a plurality of slots that are formed extending in the circumferential direction so as to surround the supporting portion. The hinge may be formed by a pair of first right-angled slots that are provided facing each other so as to surround the supporting portion, and a pair of second right-angled slots that are provided facing each other so as to surround the portion where the pair of first right-angled slots is formed. In this case, each corner of the pair of first right-angled slots and each corner of the pair of second right-angled slots are located on respective diagonal lines.

In the above modification, holding portion53may further include a fixed plate which is fixed to housing51and a first elastic member which is provided between the supporting portion of the first movable plate and the fixed plate. In this case, the first movable plate has a plurality of first through-holes that are formed along the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral portion of the supporting portion. Adjusting portion55includes a plurality of first wire members, one end of each first wire member being connected to the fixed plate via a respective first through-hole. Each of the first wire members includes a first projecting portion on one end side, this first projecting portion abutting against a portion of the side of supporting portion that is opposite to the fixed plate side, and male screw threading being formed on the outer surface of this one end. The fixed plate includes a plurality of first holes that are provided for each first wire member, these first holes having female screw threading formed on the inner surfaces thereof. When the other end of each first wire member is rotated in a state in which the male screw threading of the first wire member is engaged with the female screw threading of a first hole, the supporting portion moves in a direction perpendicular to the plate surface.

In the above modification, the first elastic member may be composed of a plurality of spring members which are provided for each first wire member.

Further, the holding portion may include a plurality of second movable plates that each include at least one second through-hole, and a second elastic member that is provided between each of the plurality of second movable plates and the fixed plate. In this case, the adjusting portion includes a plurality of second wire members, one end of each second wire member being connected to the fixed plate via a respective second through-hole of the plurality of second movable plates. The plurality of second movable plates is joined to the outer edge of the first movable plate such that the surfaces of the second movable plates on which the second through-holes are formed are perpendicular to each other and are perpendicular to the plate surface of the first movable plate. Each of the second wire members includes a second projecting portion on one end side that abuts against a surface of the second movable plate on the side opposite the fixed plate side, and male screw threading is formed on the outer surface of this one end.

The fixed plate includes a plurality of second holes that are provided for each second wire member, these second holes having female screw threading formed on the inner surfaces thereof. When the other end of a second wire member is rotated in a state in which the male screw threading of the second wire member is engaged with the female screw threading of the second hole, the second movable plate moves in a direction parallel to the image-forming surface (a direction perpendicular to the optical axis).

In the above case, the second elastic member may be composed of a plurality of spring members that are provided for each second wire member.

Further, the above modification may further include a projection lens that projects an image formed by the optical modulation element. Further, the above modification may include a plurality of optical modulation elements, each optical modulation element forming an image of a color different from the others. In this case, holding portion53and adjusting portion55are provided for each optical modulation element. The projection lens projects images of each color formed by the optical modulation elements in an overlapped manner.

Second Embodiment

FIG.2is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of an image display device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. InFIG.2, for convenience, only configuration relating to the featured portion of the image display device is shown, and the light source and optical components such as mirrors and lenses are omitted.

Referring toFIG.2, image display device60includes housing61having operation surface61a. Three optical modulation elements62R,62G,62B and color-combining prism66are housed in housing61. Projection lens67is also provided in housing61.

Optical modulation elements62R,62G,62B form images of colors that differ from each other. Here, optical modulation element62R modulates red light to form a red image. Optical modulation element62G modulates green light to form a green image. Optical modulation element62B modulates blue light to form a blue image.

Color-combining prism66synthesizes the images of each color formed by optical modulation elements62R,62G,62B into one image. Projection lens67projects an image synthesized by color-combining prism66on a screen (not shown).

Optical modulation elements62R,62G,62B are fixed to housing61together with color-combining prism66via holding portions63R,63G,63B, respectively. In the present embodiment, adjusting portions64R,64G are provided to optical modulation elements62R,62G, respectively.

Holding portion63R movably holds optical modulation element62R in a direction perpendicular to and parallel to the image-forming surface thereof. Here, the direction perpendicular to the image-forming plane is the optical axis direction, and the direction parallel to the image-forming plane is a direction perpendicular to the optical axis. Adjusting portion64R is configured so that the user can adjust the amount of movement of optical modulation element62R on holding portion63R from operation surface61a.

Similar to holding portion63R, holding portion63G movably holds optical modulation element62G in a direction perpendicular to and parallel to the image-forming surface thereof, and holding portion63B movably holds optical modulation element62B in a direction perpendicular to and parallel to the image-forming surface thereof. Adjusting portion64G is configured so that the user can adjust the amount of movement of optical modulation element62G on holding portion63G from operation surface61a.

Hereinafter, the configurations of holding portions63R,63G,63B and adjusting portions64R,64G will be described in detail.

FIG.3is a diagram showing the external appearance of a unit that includes optical modulation elements62R,62G,62B, holding portions63R,63G,63B, adjusting portions64R,64G, and color-combining prism66.

As shown inFIG.3, optical modulation elements62R,62G,62B and color-combining prism66are incorporated in one unit. Electric substrate8R includes a circuit or the like required to drive optical modulation element62R and is assembled around holding portion63R. Electric substrate8G includes a circuit or the like required to drive optical modulation element62G and is assembled around holding portion63G. Electric substrate8B includes a circuit or the like required to drive optical modulation element62B and is assembled around holding portion63B.

Adjusting portion64R includes three wire members1R and four wire members2R. Three wire members1R are used for pixel position adjustment for moving optical modulation element62R in a direction parallel to the image-forming surface (a direction perpendicular to the optical axis). Four wire members2R are used for focus adjustment for moving optical modulation element62R in a direction perpendicular to the image-forming surface (the optical axis direction). Similarly, adjusting portion64G also includes three wire members1G and four wire members2G.

FIG.4is an exploded view showing the configuration including optical modulation element (62R or62G), holding portion (63R or63G), and adjusting portion (64R or64G) in the unit shown inFIG.3.

Referring toFIG.4, the holding portion includes fixed plate4fixed to housing61, two movable plates6aand6b, and movable plate7having the shape of a square. An opening for attaching optical modulation element3is formed at the central part of movable plate7. Movable plate6ais joined to one of two adjacent sides of the outer edge of movable plate7. Movable plate6bis joined to the other of the two adjacent sides of the outer edge of movable plate7. For example, an adhesive can be used to join movable plates6aand6bwith movable plate7.

The adjusting portion includes three wire members1for pixel position adjustment and four wire members2for focus adjustment. Two of three wire members1are connected to fixed plate4via movable plate6a, and the remaining one is connected to fixed plate4via movable plate6b. Four wire members2are connected to fixed plate4via movable plate7. Electric substrate8is mounted with components necessary for driving optical modulation element3and is disposed on the side opposite to the fixed plate4side of movable plate7.

In focus adjustment, movable plate7can be moved in a direction along optical axis5(a direction perpendicular to the image-forming surface) by rotating the four wire members2.

In pixel position adjustment, movable plate6acan be moved in a first direction perpendicular to optical axis5by rotating two wire members1of the movable plate6aside. By rotating wire member1of the movable plate6bside, movable plate6bcan be moved in a second direction perpendicular to the optical axis5and perpendicular to the first direction.

The image-forming surface of optical modulation element3has a plurality of pixels arranged in, for example, a matrix. The direction of movement of movable plate6a(first direction) corresponds to the row direction of the pixels, and the direction of movement of movable plate6b(second direction) corresponds to the column direction of the pixels. Incidentally, by individually adjusting the amount of rotation of two wire members1of the movable plate6aside, it is also possible to rotate optical modulation element3in the in-plane direction of the image-forming surface.

FIG.5is a schematic view showing a portion where two wire members1are connected to fixed plate4via movable plate6a.

As shown inFIG.5, movable plate6ais joined to outer edge portion7cof movable plate7. Movable plate6aincludes two through-holes61. Spring members9, which are second elastic members, are provided between the part of each through-hole61of movable plate6aand fixed plate4. Spring member9is provided for each through-hole61.

Second hole4bfor inserting wire member1is provided in a portion of fixed plate4facing through-hole61. Male screw threading11is formed on the outer surface of one end of wire member1. Female screw threading that engages with male screw threading11is formed on the inner surface of second hole4b. Disc-shaped portion10is further provided at one end of wire member1. One end of wire member1passes through through-hole61of movable plate6aand is inserted through spring member9and into second hole4b. Disk-shaped portion10is in contact with the surface opposite to the fixed plate4side of movable plate6a.

The other end of wire member1is rotatably attached to operation surface61a. The other end of wire member1is rotated in a state in which male screw threading11is engaged with the female screw threading of second hole4b. If the other end of wire member1is rotated clockwise, movable plate6ais moved by the driving force of the screw threading. If the other end of wire member1is rotated counterclockwise, movable plate6ais moved by the repulsive force of spring member9. Here, in the case of clockwise rotation, movable plate6ais moved so that the distance between movable plate6aand fixed plate4is narrowed. On the other hand, in the case of counterclockwise rotation, movable plate6ais moved so that the distance between movable plate6aand fixed plate4is extended.

Movable plate6bis also of the same configuration as movable plate6a, but the number of through-holes61is one. Fixed plate4is provided with second hole4bat a portion facing through-hole61. One end of wire member1passes through through-hole61of movable plate6band is inserted through spring member9and into second hole4b. The diameter of disk-shaped portion10is larger than the diameter of through-hole61. Disk-shaped portion10is in contact with the surface of movable plate6bopposite to the fixed plate4side. In a state where male screw threading11is engaged with the female screw threading of second hole4b, movable plate6bis moved by rotating the other end of wire member1.

FIG.6is a front view of movable plate7. As shown inFIG.6, movable plate7has a rectangular shape and includes supporting portion7ain which an opening for supporting optical modulation element3is provided at the center. Supporting portion7ais connected to the outer edge7cof the plate via hinge7b. As hinge7bdeflects, support portion7ais moved in a direction perpendicular to the plate surface.

Hinge7bis constituted by a plurality of slots that are formed extending in the circumferential direction so as to surround supporting portion7a. More specifically, hinge7bis formed by four right-angled slots15to18, each right-angled slot being composed of two straight slots joined at one end at a right angle, and the four right-angled slots15-18being formed so as to surround supporting portion7a. Slots15and16are provided so as to face each other across supporting portion7a. Slots17and18are provided so as to face each other, and further, surround the portion that is surrounded by right-angled slots15and16. The corner portions of each of right-angled slots15-18are positioned diagonally from each other.

Movable plate7further includes four through-holes19to22which are formed along the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral portion of supporting portion7a. Through-hole19is provided in the vicinity of the corner portion of right-angled slot15. Through-hole20is provided in the vicinity of the corner portion of right-angled slot17. Through-hole21is provided in the vicinity of the corner portion of right-angled slot16. Through-hole22is provided in the vicinity of the corner portion of right-angled slot18. Four wire members2are coupled to fixed plate4via four through-holes19-22, respectively.

Supporting portion7ais further provided with projecting portions23to26in the vicinity of through-holes19to22, respectively. A disc-shaped portion formed at one end of wire member2butts against each of projecting portions23to26.

FIG.7is a schematic view showing a portion where wire member2is connected to fixed plate4via movable plate7.

As shown inFIG.7, first hole4afor inserting wire member2is provided in the portion of fixed plate4facing through-hole20. Male screw threading14is formed on the outer surface of one end of wire member2. Female screw threading that engages with male screw threading14is formed on the inner surface of first hole4a. Disc-shaped portion13is further provided at one end of wire member2. One end of wire member2passes through through-hole20of movable plate7and is inserted through spring member12and into first hole4a. Disk-shaped portion13abuts against projecting portion24which is formed on the opposite surface of movable plate7from fixed plate4. The diameter of disk-shaped portion13is preferably larger than diameter of through-hole20.

The other end of wire member2is rotatably attached to operation surface61a. The other end of wire member2is rotated in a state in which male screw threading14is engaged with the female screw threading of first hole4a. If the other end of wire member2is rotated clockwise, supporting portion7aof movable plate7is moved by the driving force of the screw threading in a direction perpendicular to the plate surface. If the other end of wire member2is rotated counterclockwise, supporting portion7aof movable plate7is moved by the repulsive force of spring member12in a direction perpendicular to the plate surface. Here, in the case of clockwise rotation, supporting portion7ais moved so that the distance between supporting portion7aand fixed plate4is narrowed. On the other hand, in the case of counterclockwise rotation, supporting portion7ais moved so that the distance between supporting portion7aand fixed plate4is extended.

The remaining three through-holes19,21,22of movable plate7have the same coupling structure as the coupling portion between wire member2and fixed plate4through through-hole20.

Incidentally, as movable plates6aand6bmove, movable plate7is moved in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis (in-plane direction). Therefore, each of through-holes19to22is formed in a size such that the hole does not contact wire member2even when movable plate7moves in the in-plane direction.

As shown inFIG.8, electric substrate8includes through-hole8afor the passage of wire member2and projecting portion24, through-hole8abeing provided in a portion facing through-hole20of movable plate7. Through-hole8ais also formed in such a size that the hole does not contact with wire member2and projecting portion24even when movable plate7moves in the in-plane direction. Although not shown inFIG.8, through-holes8aare also formed in portions of electric substrate8that face through-holes19,21, and22of movable plate7.

Next, pixel position adjustment and focus adjustment of image display device60of the present embodiment will be specifically described.

In pixel position adjustment, the user adjusts the deviation of the relative pixel positions between the images of each color by rotating the other end of each wire member1of operation surface61aclockwise or counterclockwise. Here, the deviation of the pixel positions of the red image and the green image is adjusted with respect to the blue image. For example, when adjusting the deviation of the pixel position of the red image, movable plates6aand6bare moved by rotating the other end of each wire member1of adjusting portion64R. The positional deviation in the column direction of the pixels is adjusted by moving movable plate6a. The positional deviation in the row direction of the pixels is adjusted by moving movable plate6b. Here, the column and row directions of the pixels correspond to the longitudinal and transverse directions on the screen, respectively. Incidentally, as movable plates6aand6bmove, movable plate7and electric substrate8also move the same amount in the same direction, but wire member2does not move because wire member2is fixed to fixed plate4. Further, the portion of contact between disk-shaped portion13of wire member2and movable plate7slides. Similarly, the portion of contact between spring member12and movable plate7also slides.

In focus adjustment, the user adjusts the positional deviation in the optical axis direction of optical modulation element3by rotating the other end of each wire member2of operation surface61aclockwise or counterclockwise. Here, the deviation of red optical modulation element3and green optical modulation element3with respect to blue optical modulation element3is adjusted. For example, when adjusting the positional deviation in the optical axis direction of red optical modulation element3, supporting portion7aof movable plate7is moved by rotating the other end of each wire member2of adjusting portion64R. The positional deviation in the optical axis direction of red optical modulation element3is adjusted by moving supporting portion7ain a direction perpendicular to the plate surface.

According to image display device60of the present embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, it is possible to easily adjust the positional deviation in the optical axis direction of optical modulation element3from the outside.

In addition, the deviation of the relative pixel positions between the images of each color can also be easily adjusted.

Note that image display device60of the present embodiment is an example of the present invention, and the configuration thereof can be modified as appropriate.

For example, optical modulation element62B for forming a blue image may be provided with an adjusting portion having the same structure as adjusting portions64R and64G.

Further, in movable plate7, the number and shape of the slots may be changed as appropriate as long as flexible hinge7bthat bends in the direction perpendicular to the plate surface can be formed.

Furthermore, the number of wire members2is not limited to four. The number of wire members2may be one or more as long as supporting portion7acan be moved. The number of through-holes is also increased or decreased in accordance with the number of wire members.

The image display device of the present invention can be applied to a general display device comprising an optical modulation element.

EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

50image display device51housing51aoperation surface52optical modulation element52aimage-forming surface53holding portion53amovable portion54wire member54aone end54bother end55adjusting portion