ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND PROJECTORS

A electronic device includes blowers. Blowers cool liquid crystal panels for light modulation mounted on an illumination optical system for outputting light to a projection lens, respectively, and are disposed so that the rotation axes of motors of blowers are arranged along a first direction in which two liquid crystal panels face each other on the opposite side of liquid crystal panels from the projection lens.

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Description
TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to electronic device and projectors.

BACKGROUND ART

Main modules constituting a projection type display device for projecting an image include light sources such as lamps, lasers, and LEDs (Light Emitting Diode), illumination optical systems, projection lenses, electronic substrates, and power supplies. Optical electronic components for generating images using an optical modulator such as DMD (Digital Mirror Device) or a liquid crystal panel are mounted on the illumination optical system. In response to an external video signal, an electronic substrate generates a drive signal for driving the optical modulator. Strong light is sent from the light source of the lamp or laser/LED to the illumination optical system and irradiates the light modulator through each optical component. The projection lens enlarges the light emitted from the light modulator and projects it on the screen.

In these processes, the electronic component generates heat due to electrical resistance, the optical component temperature rise due to the absorption of light is generated. Each component must be operated so as not to exceed the allowable temperature to achieve the desired performance. Therefore, a plurality of cooling fans are mounted in the device, the blower from the cooling fan cools each component, to prevent a temperature increase so as not to exceed the allowable temperature. Further, since the life time of the liquid crystal panel is determined according to the temperature, it is necessary to further reduce the temperature.

In order to cool liquid crystal panels and peripheral optical components, cooling air blown out from a blower fan, which is generally arranged around an illumination optical system, is guided to liquid crystal panels and optical components using a cooling duct. In 3LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) optical illumination system in which the direction in which the integrators and PBSs (Polarizing Beam Splitter) are arranged side by side is perpendicular to the projection direction of the image, the illumination optical system becomes a rectangular optical layout because it is long in the optical axis direction of the integrator and short in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction of the integrator.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary arrangement of fans and cooling openings of a liquid crystal panel in an illumination optical system of a common 3LCD. As in the example shown in FIG. 1, in an illumination optical system of a common 3LCD, a rectangular optical layout in which a direction in which two liquid crystal panels of the three liquid crystal panels face each other is a long side is formed, and there are many cases in which fans 1001 to 1003, which are three fans for cooling each of the three liquid crystal panels, are arranged side by side in a direction of a short side thereof.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating another exemplary arrangement of fans and cooling openings of a liquid crystal panel in a common 3LCD of illumination optics. As in the example shown in FIG. 2, in order to increase the intake area of the fan as compared with the example shown in FIG. 1, there is a case where the arrangement angle of one fan 1004 with respect to the illumination optical system is changed.

Also, a pair of fans are respectively arranged on both sides of the projection lens, an apparatus for performing cooling is considered (e.g., see Patent Document 1.).

PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS Patent Document

[Patent Document 1] U.S. Pat. No. 3,467,697

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Problem to be Solved by the Invention

In the arrangement shown in FIG. 1, the width W1001 to W1003 of the flow path (cooling duct) through which the cooling air flows will be narrowed, efficient cooling is not performed. Further, the length L1003 of the flow path becomes longer than the length L1001, L1002, which leads to lowering the cooling-efficiency. Further, in the arrangement shown in FIG. 2, it becomes a cause of a large pressure loss when angled by the air guiding by the duct. Further, in the device as described in Patent Document 1, there is a problem that the number of fans for cooling the three liquid crystal panels is limited to two.

Thus, there is a problem in which it is impossible to perform efficient cooling.

An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device and a projector to solve the problems described above.

A Means for Solving the Problem

The electronic device of the present invention,

an electronic device, comprising:

a plurality of blowers, wherein

the plurality of blowers cool each of three liquid crystal panels, mounted on an illumination optical system for outputting light to a projection lens for light modulation, and are disposed so that the rotation axis of the motor of the blowers is arranged along a first direction in which the two liquid crystal panels of the three liquid crystal panels face each other on the opposite side of the three liquid crystal panels from the projection lens side.

Further, the projector of the present invention,

a projector, comprising:

an electronic device, comprising

    • three blowers, wherein
    • the three blowers cool each of three liquid crystal panels, mounted on an illumination optical system for outputting light to a projection lens for light modulation, and are disposed so that the rotation axis of the motor of the blowers is arranged along a first direction in which the two liquid crystal panels of the three liquid crystal panels face each other on the opposite side of the three liquid crystal panels from the projection lens side,

the projection lens; and

a light source, wherein

the electronic device that receives the light from the light source and modulates the incident light.

Effect of the Invention

According to the present invention, high cooling efficiency can be obtained.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary arrangement of fans and cooling openings of the liquid crystal panel in the illumination optical system of a common 3LCD.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating another exemplary arrangement of fans and cooling openings of the liquid crystal panel in the illumination optical system of a common 3LCD.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a first embodiment of the electronic device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a second embodiment of the electronic device of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the appearance of the projector in this embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the appearance of the fan shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the fan shown in FIG. 6 viewed from the direction of A.

FIG. 8 is a plan view illustrating an example of a configuration of a cooling duct for guiding the cooling air blown out from the fan shown in FIG. 4 to the liquid crystal panel.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the fan, cooling duct and illumination optical system shown in FIG. 8 viewed from the side direction of the projector.

FIG. 10 is a diagram of the arrangement of the fan shown in FIG. 4 viewed from the side of the illumination optical system.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the structure of the cooling duct shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of the structure of the cooling duct shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of the structure of the cooling duct shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a third embodiment of the electronic device of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a plan view illustrating an example of a configuration of a cooling duct that guides the cooling air blown out from the fan shown in FIG. 14 to the liquid crystal panel.

FIG. 16 is a side view of the fan, cooling duct and illumination optical system shown in FIG. 15 viewed from the side direction of the projector.

FIG. 17 is a diagram of the arrangement of the fan shown in FIG. 14 viewed from the side of the illumination optical system.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of an embodiment with a function for cooling the PBS shown in FIG. 14.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating another example of embodiment with a function for cooling the PBS shown in FIG. 14.

EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

It will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings embodiments of the present invention.

First Embodiment

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a first embodiment of the electronic device of the present invention. Electronic device 100 in this embodiment includes illumination optical system 101 and blowers 200 to 202 as shown in FIG. 3. Illumination optical system 101 outputs light to projection lens 105 for projecting light. Blowers 200-202 cool each of three liquid crystal panels 102 to 104 mounted on illumination optical system 101. The blowers 200 to 202 are arranged side by side along a first direction in which two liquid crystal panels 102 and 104 of the three liquid crystal panels 102 to 104 face each other on the side opposite to projection lens 105 side of three liquid crystal panels 102 to 104. Liquid crystal panels 102 to 104 are modulating elements that perform light modulation.

Thus, in the electronic device for projecting an image using three liquid crystal panels, along a direction in which the two liquid crystal panels facing each other, blowers for cooling the three liquid crystal panels are arranged side by side. Thus, it is possible to increase the cooling efficiency.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a second embodiment of the electronic device of the present invention. Projector 111, which is an electronic device in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, has illumination optical system 112 and light source unit 113.

Illumination optical system 112 that is provided projection lens 121 has a XDP122 which is a cross dichroic prism, three liquid crystal panels 123-125, mirror 126, field lens 127, mirror 128, relay lens 129, mirror 130, relay lens 131, color filter 132, field lens 133, color filter 134, field lens 135, PBS (Polarizing Beam Splitter) 136 which is a polarizing beam splitter, and integrator 137. Light source unit 113 includes lens 138, DM139, lens 140, phosphor 141, lens 142, lens 143, and laser 144. Each component of illumination optical system 112 and light source unit 113 is identical to that of a typical projector.

Light from laser 144 is output using other components constituting light source unit 113. Also, in this embodiment, of the light that passed through integrator 137, PBS136 and field lens 135, blue light is reflected by color filter 134, passes through field lens 127 and is reflected by mirror 126. Also, of the light that has passed through integrator 137, PBS136 and field lens 135, green light passes through color filter 134 and field lens 133 and is reflected color filter 132. Also, of the light that has passed through integrator 137, PBS136 and field lens 135, red light passes through color filter 134, field lens 133, color filter 132 and relay lens 131, is reflected by mirror 130, passes through relay lens 129 and is reflected by mirror 128. Therefore, liquid crystal panel 123 modulates the blue light. Further, liquid crystal panel 124 modulates the green light. Further, liquid crystal panel 125 modulates the red light.

In the arrangement of such a 3LCD, the planar shape of illumination optical system 112 is a rectangle in the direction in which liquid crystal panel 123 and liquid crystal panel 125 face the long side.

Fans 203 to 205, which are blowers, are provided to cool liquid crystal panels 123-125, respectively. Fans 203 to 205 are arranged side by side along a first direction in which liquid crystal panel 123 and liquid crystal panel 125 of liquid crystal panels 123 to 125 face each other on a side opposite to the side in which projection lens 121 of liquid crystal panels 123 to 125 is disposed. Fans 203 to 205 are also arranged such that their respective inlets face each other. Incidentally, when the components constituting illumination optical system 112 are housed in one rectangular parallelepiped that can store their layout (broken line of illumination optical system 112 shown in FIG. 4) or a housing having a shape corresponding thereto, fans 203 to 205 are disposed on the surface side facing the surface on which projection lens 121 of the housing is disposed. In that case, fans 203 to 205 may be disposed within the housing or may be disposed outside the housing.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the appearance of projector 111 in this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, three fans 203 to 205 are arranged side by side on the side where projection lens 121 of the illumination optical system is not disposed along the long side. Also, as shown in FIG. 5, fans 203 to 205 are arranged such that their respective inlets face each other. That is, fans 203 to 205 are installed so as to be vertically oriented with respect to the bottom surface of projector 111.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the appearance of fan 203 shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 7 is a plan view of fan 203 shown in FIG. 6 viewed from the direction of A. Incidentally, the same applies to fan 204,205 shown in FIG. 4. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, fan 203 in this embodiment performs air intake from the air inlet provided on the side surface of fan 203 for blowing cooling air, and is a blower fan for blowing in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the air inlet is facing. That is, fan 203 is a blower fan which is perpendicular to the direction in which the air inlet faces and the direction in which the air outlet faces, and is characterized by a high static pressure. Incidentally, in the example shown in FIG. 7, as an example in which air intake is performed from both sides of fan 203, air intake may be performed from only one side.

Incidentally, the rotation of fans 203 to 205 is individually controlled, and the rotational speed may be different from each other. This rotational speed may be set in advance based on the operation of the light modulation in liquid crystal panels 123 to 125, may be one that measures the temperature of liquid crystal panels 123 to 125 and is controlled based on the measured temperature, or may be one that is controlled based on the use period of liquid crystal panels 123 to 125.

FIG. 8 is a plan view illustrating an example of a configuration of a cooling duct for guiding the cooling air blown out from fans 203 to 205 shown in FIG. 4 to liquid crystal panels 123 to 125. As shown in FIG. 8, the cooling air blown out from fans 203 to 205 passes through the respective spaces provided in cooling duct 304 and is guided to LCD cooling openings 301 to 303 for cooling liquid crystal panels 123 to 125, respectively.

Incidentally, fans 203 to 205 are arranged at intervals at which a predetermined intake amount can be secured. Further, a partition plate may be provided between each of fans 203 to 205. Further, when fans 203 to 205 perform air intake from both sides, the position of the partition plate may be determined based on the ratio of the air intake capacity from one side to the air intake capacity from the other side. Specifically, for example, when the air intake capacity from the left side surface of fans 203 to 205 is larger than the air intake capacity from the right side surface, the distance from the left side surface of fans 203 to 205 to the partition plate on the left side may be longer than the distance from the right side surface of fans 203 to 205 to the partition plate on the right side.

Also, the positions of the respective air outlets of fans 203 to 205 with respect to cooling ducts 304, i.e., the distances from the air outlets of fans 203 to 205 to the receptacles of cooling ducts 304, are preferably equal to each other.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, since liquid crystal panels 123 to 125 are arranged as shown in FIG. 4, LCD cooling openings 301 to 303 for cooling liquid crystal panels 123 to 125, respectively, are arranged at different distances from each other from fans 203 to 205, as shown in FIG. 8. That is, as shown in FIG. 8, among fans 203 to 205, the distance from the air outlet of fan 204 disposed in the center to LCD cooling opening 302 (liquid crystal panel 124) is shorter than the distance from the air outlet of fan 203, 205 to LCD cooling opening 301, 303 (liquid crystal panel 123, 125) respectively.

FIG. 9 is a side view of fan 204, cooling duct 304 and illumination optical system 112 shown in FIG. 8, viewed from the side direction of projector 111. As shown in FIG. 9, cooling duct 304 is disposed at the bottom of illumination optical system 112. Cooling air blown out from fan 204 cools liquid crystal panel 124 from LCD cooling opening 302 through cooling duct 304.

FIG. 10 is a diagram of the arrangement of fans 203 to 205 shown in FIG. 4 viewed from the side of the illumination optical system 112. As shown in FIG. 10, it is preferable that fans 203 to 205 have the same height h1 of the air outlet. Fans 203-205 may also have their own heights h2 identical to each other.

FIGS. 11 to 13 are diagrams illustrating an example of the structure of cooling duct 304 shown in FIG. 8. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of cooling duct 304 before assembling the upper housing and the lower housing. FIG. 12 is a plan view of cooling duct 304 before assembling the upper housing and the lower housing. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of cooling duct 304 after assembling the upper housing and the lower housing. The upper housing and the lower housing shown in FIG. 11 is assembled by fitting the portion of the claw in accordance with a broken line. As shown in FIGS. 11 to 13, in cooling duct 304, a space through which the cooling air blown out from each of fans 203 to 205 passes is provided separately.

In this embodiment, along the long side of the illumination optical system optical layout becomes rectangular, fans for cooling the liquid crystal panel are arranged side by side. In this way, it is possible to secure a wider width of the flow path of the cooling duct than those arranged side by side the cooling fan on the short side. Further, the length of the flow path of the cooling duct from the cooling fan to the liquid crystal panel is shorter than that arranged side by side the cooling fan on the short side. Thus, it is possible to improve the cooling efficiency of the liquid crystal panel. Further, the bending of the cooling duct (passage of the cooling air) is reduced, the flow path resistance in the cooling duct is reduced and it is possible to minimize the loss of the flow of the cooling air. Further, the layout area occupied in the fan arrangement is reduced and it is therefore possible to achieve miniaturization of the device.

Further, a cooling duct is arranged in the bottom portion of the illumination optical system, on the side opposite to the projection lens side of the liquid crystal panel, the three blower fans are arranged in a direction in which the two liquid crystal panels face each other, so that the air inlets face each other. Thus, by using a blower fan having a feature in which the direction of the intake air and the direction of the blowout are orthogonal, the width of the intake duct of the blower fan can also be ensured widely. Furthermore, when using blower fans for performing air intake from both sides, by providing a partition plate between the fan and the fan, it is possible to achieve further cooling efficiency. In addition, the three air outlets of the blower fans are aligned, and the cooling duct takes on a simple shape. Further, by this arrangement, the height of the top surface of the illumination optical system and the height of the blower fan are the same and it is thus possible to reduce the height of the projector apparatus. Further, by placing the blower fan vertically, it is possible to place the illumination optical system in the portion that is created by the difference between the height of the cooling duct and the height of the blower fan and this space can be effectively used.

Thus, it is possible to secure a wide width of the flow path of the cooling air in the cooling duct, to shorten the length of the flow path, by the air outlets of the fans which are aligned, and it is possible to improve configuration cooling efficiency. In addition, the number of fans can be increased to more than three. If the cooling efficiency is improved, the life cycle of the liquid crystal panel will be extended. Further, it is possible to reduce the rotational speed of the cooling fan and it thus becomes possible to reduce the annoying noise value. Further, the structure of the cooling duct itself and the structure for holding the cooling fan by aligning the air outlets of the blower fans can be improved and production efficiency therefore becomes simple. Further, by reducing the number of parts, it is possible to realize a reduction in the cost of all of the components that are used.

Third Embodiment

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a third embodiment of the electronic device of the present invention. Projector 411, which is an electronic device in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, has illumination optical system 112 and light source unit 113. Illumination optical system 112 and light source unit 113 are the same as that in the second embodiment.

Fans 503-506, which are blowers, are provided to cool liquid crystal panels 123-125, respectively. Fans 503 to 506 are arranged side by side along a first direction in which liquid crystal panel 123 and liquid crystal panel 125 of liquid crystal panels 123 to 125 face each other on a side opposite to the side in which projection lens 121 of liquid crystal panels 123 to 125 is disposed. Further, the fans 503 to 506 are arranged such that the rotation axes of the motors of the fans 503 to 506 are along the first direction. Fans 503 to 506 are arranged in a cylindrical shape around a rotation axis of an impeller (runner) which is a blade for generating wind, and a swirling flow is generated in a direction almost perpendicular to a rotation axis by centrifugal force of an impeller by rotating an impeller around a rotation axis using a motor. The generated swirling flow is rectified in one direction using a scroll provided in fans 503 to 506 and blown out from the air outlet. Incidentally, when the components constituting illumination optical system 112 are housed in a housing having one rectangular parallelepiped or a corresponding shape capable of storing their layout (broken line of illumination optical system 112 shown in FIG. 14), fans 503 to 506 are disposed on the surface side facing the surface on which projection lens 121 of the housing is disposed. In that case, fans 503-506 may be disposed within the housing or may be disposed outside the housing. The external shapes of fans 503-506 are the same as those of the second embodiment and are the same as the external shapes of fans 203 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

Incidentally, the rotation of fans 503 to 506 are individually controlled, and the rotational speed of each of the fans may be different from the other. This rotational speed may be set in advance based on the operation of the light modulation in liquid crystal panels 123 to 125, may be one that measures the temperature of liquid crystal panels 123 to 125 and is controlled based on the measured temperature, or may be one that is controlled based on the use period of liquid crystal panels 123 to 125.

FIG. 15 is a plan view illustrating an example of a configuration of a cooling duct that guides the cooling air blown out from fans 503 to 506 illustrated in FIG. 14 to liquid crystal panels 123 to 125. As shown in FIG. 15, the cooling air blown out from fans 503 to 506 passes through the respective spaces provided in cooling duct 304 that is the first duct, and is guided to LCD cooling openings 301 to 303 for cooling liquid crystal panels 123 to 125, respectively. In the example shown in FIG. 15, the cooling air blown out from fan 503 is guided to LCD cooling opening 301 provided for cooling liquid crystal panel 123. Further, the cooling air blown out from fan 504,505 is guided to LCD cooling opening 302 provided for cooling liquid crystal panel 124. Further, the cooling air blown out from fan 506 is guided to LCD cooling opening 303 provided for cooling liquid crystal panel 125. In FIG. 15, a high-temperature air duct for guiding the air passing through liquid crystal panels 123 to 125 to heat sink 211 is not shown. Further, or those cooling air blown out from fan 504 is guided to LCD cooling opening 301, the cooling air blown out from fan 505 may be guided to LCD cooling opening 303.

Incidentally, fans 503 to 506 are arranged at intervals at which a predetermined intake amount can be secured. Further, a partition plate may be provided between each of fans 503 to 506. Further, when fans 503 to 506 perform air intake from both sides, the position of the partition plate may be determined based on the ratio of the air intake capacity from one side to the air intake capacity from the other side. Specifically, for example, when the air intake capacity from the left side surface of fans 503 to 506 is larger than the air intake capacity from the right side surface, the distance from the left side surface of fans 503 to 506 to the partition plate on the left side may be longer than the distance from the right side surface of fans 503 to 506 to the partition plate on the right side.

Also, the positions of the respective air outlets of fans 503-506 relative to cooling ducts 304, i.e., the distances from the air outlets of fans 503-506 to the receptacles of cooling ducts 304, are preferably equal to each other.

Further, as shown in FIG. 15, since liquid crystal panels 123 to 125 are disposed as shown in FIG. 14, LCD cooling openings 301 to 303 for cooling liquid crystal panels 123 to 125, respectively, are disposed at different distances from each other from fans 503 to 506, as shown in FIG. 14. That is, as shown in FIG. 15, among fans 503 to 506, the distance from the air outlet of fan 504,505 for cooling liquid crystal panel 124 to LCD cooling opening 302 (liquid crystal panel 124) is shorter than the distance from the air outlet of fan 503 to LCD cooling opening 301 (liquid crystal panel 123) and the air outlet of fan 506 to LCD cooling opening 303 (liquid crystal panel 125).

FIG. 16 is a side view of fan 504, cooling duct 304 and illumination optics 112 shown in FIG. 15, viewed from the side direction of projector 411. As shown in FIG. 16, cooling duct 304 is disposed at the bottom of illumination optical system 112. Cooling air blown out from fan 504 cools liquid crystal panel 124 from LCD cooling opening 302 through cooling duct 304.

FIG. 17 is a diagram of the arrangement of fans 503 to 506 shown in FIG. 14 viewed from the side of illumination optical system 112. As shown in FIG. 17, it is preferable that fans 503 to 506 have the same height h1 of the air outlet. Fans 503-506 may also have their own heights h2 identical to each other. The state of fan 203 shown in FIG. 6 is a state when fan 203 is vertically placed. FIG. 17 shows a state in which fans 503 to 506 are arranged in such a vertically oriented state. In other words, in the arrangement of fans 503 to 506, when projector 411 is placed in a plane, the air inlets of fans 503 to 506 are not arranged to face in the vertical direction, but are arranged to face in the horizontal direction.

In this embodiment, the long side of the illumination optical system optical layout becomes rectangular, fans for cooling the liquid crystal panel are arranged side by side. In this way, it is possible to secure a wider width of the flow path of the cooling duct than those arranged side by side the cooling fan on the short side. Further, the length of the flow path of the cooling duct from the cooling fan to the liquid crystal panel is shorter than that arranged side by side the cooling fan on the short side. Thus, it is possible to improve the cooling efficiency of the liquid crystal panel. Further, the bending of the cooling duct (passage of the cooling air) is reduced, the flow path resistance in the cooling duct is reduced and it is thus possible to minimize the loss of the flow of the cooling air. Further, the layout area occupied in the fan arrangement is reduced and miniaturization of the device can be realized.

Further, a cooling duct is disposed in the bottom portion of the illumination optical system, on the side opposite to the projection lens side of the liquid crystal panel, the four blower fans are arranged in a direction in which the two liquid crystal panels face each other, their air inlets are arranged side by side so as to face each other. Thus, by using a blower fan having a feature in which the direction of the intake air and the direction of the outlet are orthogonal, the wide width of the intake duct of the blower fan can also be ensured. Furthermore, when using blower fans for performing air intake from both sides, by providing a partition plate between the fan and the fan, it is possible to achieve further cooling efficiency. In addition, the four air outlets of the blower fans are aligned, and the cooling duct takes on a simple shape. Further, by this arrangement, the height of the top surface of the illumination optical system and the height of the blower fan are the same and it is possible to reduce the height of the projector apparatus. Further, by placing the blower fan vertically, it is possible to place the illumination optical system in the portion created by the difference between the height of the cooling duct and the height of the blower fan and the space can be effectively used.

Thus, it is possible to secure a wide width of the flow path of the cooling air in the cooling duct, to shorten the length of the flow path, by the air outlet of the fan is aligned and it is possible to improve the configuration cooling efficiency. In addition, the number of fans can be increased to more than four. If the cooling efficiency is improved, the life cycle of the liquid crystal panel will be extended. Further, it is possible to reduce the rotational speed of the cooling fan, and thus it becomes possible to reduce the annoying noise value. Further, the structure of the cooling duct itself and the structure for holding the cooling fan by aligning the air outlet of the blower fan can be improved and production efficiency becomes simple. Further, by reducing the number of parts, it is possible to realize a reduction in the cost of all parts that are used.

In the second embodiment, the case where the number of fans is three as an example, in the third embodiment has been described as an example a case where the number of fans is four, the number is not limited to these but may be five or more.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of an embodiment with a function for cooling PBS136 shown in FIG. 14. As shown in FIG. 18, PBS cooling opening 305 for cooling PBS136 is provided in cooling duct 304, the cooling air blown out from fans 503,504 passes through cooling duct 304, is guided to LCD cooling opening 301 and PBS cooling opening 305. Thus, fans 503 to 506 may be used to cool PBS136 as well as liquid crystal panels 123 to 125.

In addition to fans 503 to 506 for cooling liquid crystal panels 123 to 125 as shown in FIG. 14, a fan for cooling PBS136 may be disposed next to fan 503 so that the air intake port thereof and the air intake port of the fan 503 face each other. FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating another example of embodiment with a function for cooling PBS136 shown in FIG. 14. As shown in FIG. 19, PBS-cooling opening 305 for cooling PBS136 is provided in cooling duct 304. Further, fans 507 are arranged side by side with fans 503 to 506 so that the air intake port thereof and the air intake port of fan 503 face each other. Cooling air blown out from fan 507 passes through cooling duct 304, is guided to PBS cooling opening 305. In this manner, other than fans 503 to 506, fan 507 may be provided to cool PBS136 as well as the liquid crystal panels 123 to 125.

This application claims precedence based on an international application PCT/JP2018/020099 filed May 25, 2018, and incorporates all of its disclosure herein.

Claims

1. An electronic device, comprising:

a plurality of blowers, wherein the plurality of blowers cool each of three liquid crystal panels, mounted on an illumination optical system for outputting light to a projection lens for light modulation, and are disposed so that a rotation axis of a motor of the blowers is arranged along a first direction in which two liquid crystal panels of the three liquid crystal panels face each other on an opposite side of the three liquid crystal panels from the projection lens side.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein

among the plurality of blowers, a distance from an air outlet of the blower for cooling the liquid crystal panel other than the two liquid crystal panels facing each other of the three liquid crystal panels to the liquid crystal panel to be cooled by the blower is shorter than a distance from an air outlet of the other blower to the liquid crystal panel to be cooled respectively.

3. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein

a height of an air outlet of the blowers is the same as a height of an air outlet of the other blowers.

4. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein

a position of an air outlet of the blowers in a direction perpendicular to the first direction is the same as a position of an air outlet of the other blowers in a direction perpendicular to the first direction.

5. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein

each of the blowers comprises a blower fan.

6. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein

the blowers are disposed at intervals at which a predetermined intake amount can be ensured.

7. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein

a number of the blowers is three, and each of the three blowers cools each of the three liquid crystal panels.

8. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein

air inlets of the plurality of blowers are disposed so as to face each other.

9. A projector, comprising:

an electronic device according to claim 1,
the projection lens; and
a light source, wherein the electronic device receives light from the light source and modulates an incident light.
Patent History
Publication number: 20210157221
Type: Application
Filed: May 23, 2019
Publication Date: May 27, 2021
Inventor: Ryosuke KAWASE (Tokyo)
Application Number: 17/058,422
Classifications
International Classification: G03B 21/16 (20060101); G02F 1/13 (20060101); G02F 1/1333 (20060101);