Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2007-150532, filed Jun. 6, 2007, including its specification, claims and drawings, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
       TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    Described herein is a light source apparatus, and especially, a light source apparatus used for a light source of a projector. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    In Japanese Laid Patent No. 2001-319502, a light source apparatus which uses a xenon lamp as a light source of a projector is disclosed. As in Japanese Laid Patent No. 2001-319502,  FIG. 6  shows a cross sectional view of a lamp of a conventional light source apparatus  100 , taken along a longitudinal direction thereof, in which a short arc type xenon lamp is used. In the figure, xenon gas whose pressure becomes 2-8 MPa at time of lighting, is enclosed in a spherical bulb  111  of a short arc type xenon lamp  101 , and a pair of electrodes  112  is arranged inside thereof. A pair of sealing portions  113  which hold the respective electrodes  112  is provided in both ends of the bulb  111 , and mouthpieces  114  and  115  are provided in the respective sealing portions  113 . The pair of electrodes  112  is connected with a power supply (not shown), and the xenon lamp  101  is turned on when rated lighting electric power of 2-7 kW is inputted therein. At time of lighting of the xenon lamp  101 , since a distance between the electrodes  112  which face each other is short (close to each other), a diameter of an arc becomes short so as to become a small point light source. 
         [0004]    One ( 114 ) of the pair of mouthpieces  114  and  115  which are arranged at the both ends of the xenon lamp  101  is held by a first lamp holding section  102 , and on the other hand, the mouthpiece  115  is held by a second lamp holding section  103 . Reflection mirrors  104  and  105  are arranged so that the bulb  111  of the xenon lamp  101  may be surrounded by and provided between the mouthpieces  114  and  115 . The reflection mirrors  104  and  105  are provided so that focal points thereof and a focal point (point light source) of the xenon lamp  101  may be matched each other. The first lamp holding section  102 , the second lamp holding section  103 , and reflection mirrors  104  and  105  are supported on a support plate  106 . The support plate  106  is installed in a projector (not shown). 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    The xenon lamp  101  has internal pressure higher than atmospheric pressure by enclosing xenon gas in the xenon lamp  101 . For this reason, a burst of the xenon lamp  101  will damage reflection mirrors  104  and  105 . When the reflection mirrors  104  and/or  105  are damaged, the entire support plate  106  which supports the reflection mirrors  104  and  105  needs to be replaced. However, since the first lamp holding section  102  and the second lamp holding section  103  are supported on the support plate  106 , the entire light source apparatus needs to be replaced. Thus, there is a problem that the labor on work became large. Furthermore, the damaged reflection mirrors  104  and  105  need to be replaced together with the first lamp holding section  102  and the second lamp holding section  103  which have not been damaged. Thus, there is a problem that it is not economical. 
         [0006]    In view of the above problem, described herein is a light source apparatus in which only reflection mirrors can be replaced without replacing other components forming the light source apparatus when replacing the damaged reflection mirrors, so that labor of replacement may be reduced and economical efficiency in replacing parts may be improved. 
         [0007]    In order to solve the above problem, the present light source apparatus is adopted. The light source apparatus comprises reflection mirrors; first and second lamp holding sections, wherein the reflection mirrors are provided between the first and second lamp holding section; a reflection mirror support plate to which reflection mirrors are attached; a first lamp holding section support plate to which the first lamp holding section is attached; a second lamp holding section support plate to which the second lamp holding section is attached; a first fixing member which fixes the reflection mirror support plate and the first lamp holding section support plate to each other; a second fixing member which fixes the reflection mirror support plate and the second lamp holding section support plate to each other, wherein an end face of the reflection mirror support plate and an end face of the first lamp holding section support plate are in contact with each other, and/or other end face of the reflection mirror support plate and an end face of the second lamp holding section support plate are in contact with each other. 
         [0008]    Since only the reflection mirrors and the reflection mirror support plate which supports the reflection mirrors is replaced at time of replacement of reflection mirrors, a replacement operation can be easily carried out, compared with the case where the entire light source apparatus is replaced. 
         [0009]    Moreover, since only the reflection mirror and the reflection mirror support plate which supports the mirrors is replaced, the cost can be reduced. 
         [0010]    Moreover, positioning of the lamp in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the lamp can be carried out with sufficient accuracy by the first fixing member and the second fixing member. 
         [0011]    The light source apparatus may further include a first lamp holding section side positioning member which is disposed on the first lamp holding section support plate; a second lamp holding section side positioning member which is disposed on the second lamp holding section support plate; and an elastic member provided on a face of the first lamp holding section side positioning plate and/or the second lamp holding section side positioning plate, on which the reflection mirror support plate face. Therefore, positioning of the gravity direction of the light source apparatus to be installed can be performed with sufficient accuracy. 
         [0012]    An elastic member may be provided on one end face or other end face of the reflection support plate, an end face of the first lamp holding section support plate or an end of the second lamp holding section support plate. Therefore, positioning of the lamp in the longitudinal direction or positioning of the lamp in the gravity direction of the light source apparatus to be installed can be performed with sufficient accuracy. 
         [0013]    The elastic member may be attached to the first lamp holding section supporting plate and/or the second lamp holding member. 
         [0014]    Moreover, described herein is a method of replacing a reflection mirror support plate of a light source apparatus, having damaged reflection mirrors. The method comprises the following steps of: putting one end face of the reflection mirror support plate and one end face of the first lamp holding section supporting plate together so as to be in contact with each other; putting other end face of the reflection mirror support plate and one end surface of the second lamp holding section supporting plate so as to be in contact with each other, wherein the reflection mirror support plate is inserted between the first lamp holding section supporting plate and the second lamp holding section supporting plate, and wherein a first positioning member and a first lamp holding section side positioning member are made in contact with each other by the insertion, and a second positioning member and a second lamp holding section side positioning member are made in contact with each other; fixing the first positioning member and the first lamp holding section side positioning member to each other by a first fixing members, whereby the first lamp holding section supporting plate and the reflection mirror support plate are fixed to each other, and fixing the second positioning member and the second lamp holding section side positioning member fixed to each other by the second fixing member, whereby the second lamp holding section supporting plate and the reflection mirror support plate are fixed to each other. 
         [0015]    The method may further include removing first and second temporary fixing members from the light source apparatus before the step of putting one end face of the reflection mirror support plate and one end face of the first lamp holding section supporting plate together. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    Other features and advantages of the present light source apparatus will be apparent from the ensuing description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is a front cross sectional view of a lamp of a light source apparatus  1  according to an embodiment, taken along a longitudinal direction of the lamp; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a front cross sectional view of the light source apparatus  1  shown in  FIG. 1 , in which a reflection mirror support plate  71 , a first lamp holding section supporting plate  52  and a second lamp holding supporting member  62  are separated from one another; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a plan view of the light source apparatus shown in  FIG. 2 , in which, for convenience of explanation, one end face  74  of a reflection mirror support plate  71  and an end face of a first lamp holding section supporting plate  52  are apart from each other, and the other end face  75  of the reflection mirror support plate  71  and an end surfaces  64  of a second lamp holding section supporting plate  62  are apart from each other; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a front cross sectional view of a light source apparatus according to a second embodiment, in which the light source apparatus  1  is taken apart into the reflection mirror support plate  71 , the first lamp holding section supporting plate  52 , and the second lamp holding section supporting plate  62 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a plan view of a light source apparatus in which the reflection mirrors  3  and  4  and the reflection mirror support plate  71  which are shown in  FIG. 4 , are omitted; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view of a lamp of a conventional light source apparatus  100 , taken along a longitudinal direction thereof. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       [0023]    A first embodiment will be explained, referring to  FIGS. 1 to 3 . 
         [0024]      FIG. 1  is a front cross sectional view of a lamp of a light source apparatus  1  according to the embodiment, taken along a longitudinal direction.  FIG. 2  is a front cross sectional view of the light source apparatus  1  shown in  FIG. 1 , in which a reflection mirror support plate  71 , a first lamp holding section supporting plate  52  and a second lamp holding supporting member  62  are separated from one another, and a xenon lamp  2  is omitted.  FIG. 3  is a plan view of the light source apparatus shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0025]    As shown in these figures, the light source apparatus  1  includes a short arc type xenon lamp  2  having a spherical bulb  21 , a pair of electrodes  22  which face each other in the bulb  21 , and a pair of sealing portions  23  in which the respective electrode  22  are buried in the bulb  21  at both ends thereof. Mouthpieces  24  and  25  are provided in the respective sealing portions  23 . Reflection mirrors  3  and  4  are arranged so that the bulb  21  of the xenon lamp  2  may be surrounded by the reflection mirrors  3  and  4  and provided between the mouthpiece  24  and the mouthpiece  25 . A first lamp holding section  51  holds the mouthpiece  24 , and a first lamp holding section supporting plate  52  supports the first lamp holding section  51 . A first lamp holding section side positioning member  53  is provided on the first lamp holding section supporting plate  52 , and the first lamp holding section supporting plate  52  has an end surface  54 . Screw holes  55  are formed in the first lamp holding section side positioning member  53 . A second lamp holding section  61  holds the mouthpiece  25  at the other side thereof. A second lamp holding section supporting plate  62  supports the second lamp holding section  61 . The second lamp holding section side positioning member  63  is provided on the second lamp holding section supporting plate  62 . The second lamp holding section supporting plate  62  has an end surface  64 . Screw holes  65  are formed in the second lamp holding section side positioning member  63 . The reflection mirror support plate  71  supports the reflection mirrors  3  and  4 . The first positioning member  72  is provided on the reflection mirror support plate  71  in the reflection mirror  3  side. The second positioning member  73  is provided on the reflection mirror support plate  71  in the reflection mirror  4  side. The reflection mirror support plate  71  has one end face  74  and the other end face  75 . Screw holes  76  are formed in the reflection mirror support plate  71 . A first fixing member  81  such as a screw is provided in the first positioning member  72 . A second fixing member such as a screw is provided in the second positioning member  73 . First temporary fixing members  83  such as screws are used at time of transportation. Second temporary fixing members  84  are also used at time of transportation. 
         [0026]    The light source apparatus  1  according to an embodiment can be disassembled so that the reflection mirror support plate  71 , the first lamp holding section supporting plate  52 , and the second lamp holding section supporting plate  62  may be separately removed, as shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . In  FIG. 1 , the xenon lamp  2  is installed in a state where the first lamp holding section supporting plate  52  and the reflection mirror support plate  71  which supports the reflection mirrors  3  and  4  respectively are joined by the first temporary fixing members  81 , and where the reflection mirror support plate  71  and the second lamp holding section supporting plate  62  are joined by the second temporary fixing member  82 .In addition, xenon gas is enclosed inside the bulb  21  of the xenon lamp  2  so that the gas pressure at time of lamp lighting may be set to 2-8 MPa. The pair of electrodes  22  is connected with a power supply (not shown), and rated lighting electric power of 2-7 kW is inputted thereto so that the xenon lamp  2  is turned on. At the time of lighting of the xenon lamp  2 , since the pair of electrodes  22  which face each other has a short distance between electrodes  22  (close to each other), the diameter of an arc is small so that a point light source becomes small. In addition, as shown in  FIG. 1 , a direction of a central axis of the pair of electrodes  22  of the xenon lamp  2  is shown as an X axial direction, a direction which is perpendicular to the electrodes  22  and in which the first lamp support member  5  which supports the xenon lamp  2  extends, is shown as a Y axial direction, and a direction which is perpendicular to the X axial direction and the Y axial direction is shown as a Z axial direction. 
         [0027]      FIGS. 2 and 3  shows a state where after reflection mirrors  3  and  4  etc. are damaged, the reflection mirror support plate  71  on which reflection mirrors  3  and  4  are newly installed is about to be joined with the first lamp holding section supporting plate  52  which supports the first lamp holding section  51  which was not broken, and the second lamp holding section supporting plate  62  which supports the second lamp holding section  61 . As shown in these figures, the first lamp holding section side positioning member  53  is provided at an end portion of the first lamp holding section supporting plate  52 , which is located in the reflection mirror support plate  71  side of the plate  52 . The second lamp holding section side positioning member  63  is provided at an end portion of the second lamp holding section supporting plate  62  which is located in the reflection mirror support plate  71  side of the plate  62 . At the first lamp holding section side positioning member  53  and an end portion of the reflection mirror support plate  71  which is located in the first lamp holding section supporting plate  52  side of the support plate  71 , screw stop holes  55  and  76  for the first temporary fixing members  83  are provided. Screw stop Holes  65  and  76  for the second temporary holding members  84  are respectively provided in the second lamp holding section side positioning member  63  and an end portion of the reflection mirror support plate  71  which is located in the second lamp holding section supporting plate  62  side of the support plate  71 . At time of conveyance of the light source apparatus  1 , the first lamp holding section supporting plate  52  and the reflection mirror support plate  71  are temporarily fixed by the first temporary fixing members  83 , and the second lamp holding section supporting plate  62  and the reflection mirror support plate  71  are temporarily fixed by the second temporary fixing members  84 , whereby the light source apparatus  1  except the xenon lamp  1  is conveyed as a unit. 
         [0028]    In assembly of the separated parts of the light source apparatus  1 , the first and second temporary fixing members  83  and  84  for temporarily holding the parts are removed, and as shown in  FIG. 3 , the one end face  74  of the reflection mirror support plate  71  and the end face  54  of the first lamp holding section supporting plate  52  are made in contact with each other by sliding the reflection mirror support plate  71  in between the support plates  52  and  62 . However, for convenience of explanation, in  FIG. 3 , the one end face  74  of the reflection mirror support plate  71  and the end surface of the first lamp holding section supporting plate  52  are apart, and the other end face  75  of the reflection mirror support plate  71  and the end surfaces  64  of the second lamp holding section supporting plate  62  are apart. 
         [0029]    Moreover, at the same time, the other end face  75  of the reflection mirror support plate  71  and the end surface  64  of the second lamp holding section supporting plate  62  are in contact with each other by sliding the support plate  71 , so that the reflection mirror support plate  71  is inserted between the first lamp holding section supporting plate  52  and the second lamp holding section supporting plate  62 . The first positioning member  72  which is located in the reflection mirror side of the support plate  71  and the first lamp holding section side positioning member  53  are made in contact with each other by the insertion, and then the second positioning member  73  which is located in the reflection mirror side and the second lamp holding section side positioning member  63  are made in contact with each other. 
         [0030]    Next, the end surface  54  of the first lamp holding section supporting plate  52  and the one end face  74  of the reflection mirror support plate  71  are arranged so as to be in contact with each other, and the end surface  64  of the second lamp holding section supporting plate  62  and the other end face  75  of the reflection mirror support plate  71  are arranged so as to be in contact with each other, so that the focal point of the xenon lamp (not shown) held by the first lamp holding section  51  and the second lamp holding section  61  is in agreement with focal points of the reflection mirrors  3  and  4  supported on the reflection mirror support plate  71 , 
         [0031]    Next, the first positioning member  72  which is located in the reflection mirror  3  side of the support plate  71  and the first lamp holding section side positioning member  53  are fixed by the first fixing members  81 , whereby the first lamp holding section supporting plate  52  and the reflection mirror support plate  71  are fixed. The second positioning member  73  which is located in the reflection mirror  4  side of the support plate  71  and the second lamp maintenance section side positioning member  63  are fixed by the second fixing member  82 , whereby the second lamp holding section supporting plate  62  and the reflection mirror support plate  71  are fixed. That is, the first lamp holding section supporting plate  52 , the reflection mirror support plate  71 , and the second lamp holding section supporting plate  62  are formed as a united light source apparatus so that the focal point of the xenon lamp (not shown) held by the first lamp holding section  51  and the second lamp holding section  61  is in agreement with focal points of the reflection mirrors  3  and  4  supported on the reflection mirror support plate  71 . Then, the first lamp holding section supporting plate  52  and the second lamp holding section supporting plate  62  of the light source apparatus  1 , are fixed to the projector (not shown). For this reason, as a result, the reflection mirror support plate  71  fixed to the first lamp holding section supporting plate  52  and the second lamp holding section supporting plate  62  is also fixed to the projector (not shown). 
         [0032]    When the xenon lamp  2  is blown out so that the reflection mirrors  3  and  4  are damaged, the first fixing member  81  and the second fixing member  82  are removed, so that only the reflection mirror support plate  71  which supports the damaged reflection mirrors  3  and  4  is removed while the first lamp holding section supporting plate  52  and the second lamp holding section supporting plate  62  are fixed to the projector. The reflection mirror support plate  71  which supports the reflection mirrors  3  and  4  to be replaced is inserted between the first lamp holding section supporting plate  52  fixed to the projector, and the second lamp holding section supporting plate  62 , by sliding the reflection mirror support plate  71  in between the supporting plates  52  and  62 , so as to be in contact with one another. When the reflection mirror support plate  71  is inserted therein, the one end face  74  of the reflection mirror support plate  71  and the end surface  54  of the first lamp holding section supporting plate  52  are in contact with each other, and the other end face  75  of the reflection mirror support plate  71  and the end surface  64  of the second lamp holding section supporting plate  62  are in contact with each other, so that positioning thereof in the X axial direction is secured. 
         [0033]    Moreover, while the first positioning member  72  which is located in the reflection mirror  3  side of the support plate  71  and the first lamp holding section side positioning member  53  are in contact with each other, the second positioning member  73  which is located in the reflection mirror  4  side of the support plate  71  and the second lamp holding section side positioning member  63  are in contact with each other, so that positioning thereof in the Z axial direction can be secured. Positioning of the support plate  71  in the Y axial direction can be realized with the self-weight of the reflection mirror support plate  71 . 
         [0034]    According to the embodiment, the reflection mirror support plate  71  which supports the reflection mirrors  3  and  4  can be replaced by release and fixation of the first fixing member  81  and the second fixing member  82 . Even if the reflection mirror support plate  71  is replaced, positioning of the support plate  71  in the X axial direction can be performed by the one end face  74 , the other end face  75  of the reflection mirror support plate  71 , the end surface  54  of the first lamp holding section supporting plate  52 , and the end surface  64  of the second lamp holding section supporting plate  62 , and further the positioning of the support plate  71  in the Y axial direction can be performed by the self-weight of the reflection mirror support plate  71 . While the first positioning member  72  which is located in the reflection mirror  3  side of the support plate  71  and the first lamp holding section side positioning member  53  are in contact with each other, the second positioning member  73  which is located in the reflection mirror  4  side of the support plate  71  and the second lamp holding section side positioning member  63  are in contact with each other, so that the positioning of the support plate  71  in the Z axial direction can be realized. For this reason, even if the reflection mirror support plate  71  is replaced, the focal point of the xenon lamp (not shown) and the focal points of reflection mirrors  3  and  4  can be made in agreement with each other. Since while the support plate of light source apparatus can be separated into three parts, that is, the first lamp holding section supporting plate  52 , the reflection mirror support plate  71 , and the second lamp holding section supporting plate  62 , only the reflection mirror support plate  71  which supports the reflection mirrors  3  and  4  can be replaced by providing the first fixing members  81  and the second fixing members  82 . Therefore, it is possible to reduce the cost of parts for replacement, compared with the case where the entire light source apparatus is replaced. 
         [0035]    A second embodiment of a light source apparatus is explained, referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 4  is a front cross sectional view of the light source apparatus according to the embodiment, in which the light source apparatus  1  is taken apart into a reflection mirror support plate  71 , a first lamp holding section supporting plate  52 , and a second lamp holding section supporting plate  62 .  FIG. 5  is a plan view of the light source apparatus in which the reflection mirrors  3  and  4  and the reflection mirror support plate  71  which are shown in  FIG. 4 , are omitted. 
         [0037]    In these figures, elastic members  56  such as flat springs are provided on a face on which the first lamp holding section side positioning member  53  is slidably in contact with the reflection mirror support plate  71 . Elastic members  66  such as flat springs are provided on a face on which the second lamp holding section side positioning member  63  is in contact with the reflection mirror support plate  71 . An elastic member  67  such as a flat spring is provided on an end surface  64  on which the second lamp holding section supporting plate  62  is in contact with the reflection mirror support plate  71 . In addition, instead of providing the elastic member  67  on the end surface  64  on which the second lamp holding section supporting plate  62  is slidably in contact with the reflection mirror support plate  71 , the elastic member may be provided on the one end face  74 , the other end face  75  of the reflection mirror support plate  71 , or the end surface  54  on which the first lamp holding section supporting plate  52  is slidably in contact with the reflection mirror support plate  71 . In these figures, explanation of the other structures corresponding to the reference numerals shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3  is omitted. 
         [0038]    According to the embodiments, by providing the elastic members  56  and  66 , it is possible to securely position the reflection support plate  71  in the Y axial direction. In addition, by providing the elastic member  67 , it is possible to press the one end face  74  of the reflection mirror support plate  71  onto the end face  54  of the first lamp holding section support plate  52  whereby it is possible to position it in the X axial direction. 
         [0039]    The preceding description has been presented only to illustrate and describe exemplary embodiments of the light source apparatus according to the present invention. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to any precise form disclosed. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims. The invention may be practiced otherwise than is specifically explained and illustrated without departing from its spirit or scope.

Technology Category: 2