MAGNIFICATION OPTICAL SYSTEM

Abstract

A magnification optical system forms an enlarged image of an object. It includes a refractive optical system including a plurality of lens groups; and a mirror train including a curved mirror, arranged in this order from an object side, a first focus structure configured to move the respective lens groups of the refractive optical system by different amounts along a normal line of a conjugate surface on the object side, and a second focus structure configured to move the respective lens groups along the normal line of the conjugate surface on the object side by different amounts from those of the first focus structure.

Claims

1. (canceled)

2. A magnification optical system that enlarges an image of an object, the magnification optical system comprising: a refractive optical system including, in order from an object side to an enlarged side, a first lens group having a positive power, a second lens group, a third lens group including a plurality of lenses, and a fourth lens group; a curved mirror that reflects light from the refractive optical system; and a focus structure that moves the third lens group and the fourth lens group and does not move the first lens group and the curved mirror.

3. The magnification optical system according to claim 2, wherein the focus structure further moves the second lens group, and the focus structure moves the second lens group, the third lens group, and the fourth lens group by different amounts.

4. The magnification optical system according to claim 3, wherein the focus structure includes a first focus structure that moves the second lens group and the third lens group, and a second focus structure that moves the fourth lens group.

5. The magnification optical system according to claim 4, wherein the second focus structure is fixed after a focus adjustment is performed by the second focus structure.

6. The magnification optical system according to claim 2, wherein the fourth lens group comprises a single lens that is closer to the curved mirror in the refractive optical system than each of the other lenses in the refractive optical lens system.

7. The magnification optical system according to claim 2, wherein the fourth lens group is adjacent to the third lens group.

8. The magnification optical system according to claim 7, wherein the third lens group is adjacent to the second lens group.

9. A magnification optical system that enlarges an image of an object, the magnification optical system comprising: a first optical system including a plurality of lens groups; a second optical system including a curved mirror that reflects light received from the first optical system; and a focus structure that moves a part of the plurality of lens groups of the first optical system, wherein the plurality of lens groups includes, in order from an object side to an enlarged side, a first lens group, a second lens group, a third lens group, and a fourth lens group, and the focus structure moves the third lens group and the fourth lens group, and does not move the first lens group and the curved mirror, to change an interval between the fourth lens group and the third lens group.

10. The magnification optical system according to claim 9, wherein the focus structure further moves the second lens group, and the focus structure moves the second lens group, the third lens group, and the fourth lens group by different amounts.

11. The magnification optical system according to claim 10, wherein the focus structure includes a first focus structure that moves the second lens group and the third lens group, and a second focus structure that moves the fourth lens group.

12. The magnification optical system according to claim 11, wherein the second focus structure is fixed after a focus adjustment is performed by the second focus structure.

13. The magnification optical system according to claim 9, wherein the fourth lens group comprises a single lens that is closer to the curved mirror in the refractive optical system than each of the other lenses in the first optical system.

14. The magnification optical system according to claim 11, wherein the fourth lens group is adjacent to the third lens group.

15. The magnification optical system according to claim 14, wherein the third lens group is adjacent to the second lens group.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] Features, embodiments, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings:

[0039] FIG. 1 shows the structure of a general projector;

[0040] FIGS. 2A, 2B show the focus adjustment of a projected image;

[0041] FIGS. 3A, 3B show a trapezoidal distortion of a projected image;

[0042] FIGS. 4A, 4B show the correction of the trapezoidal distortion;

[0043] FIGS. 5A, 5B show an example of insufficient correction of the trapezoidal distortion of an image projector using a mirror train;

[0044] FIGS. 6A to 6D show another example of insufficient correction of the trapezoidal distortion;

[0045] FIG. 7 shows the image projector using a mirror train when the position of a screen is changed;

[0046] FIG. 8 shows the essential part of an image display device including a magnification optical system according to a first embodiment;

[0047] FIG. 9 shows an image display device including a magnification optical system according to a second embodiment;

[0048] FIG. 10 shows an image display device including a magnification optical system according to a third embodiment;

[0049] FIGS. 11A, 11B show examples of a refractive optical system used in the devices according to the first to third embodiments;

[0050] FIG. 12 shows an example of the structure of the refractive optical system;

[0051] FIG. 13 is a table showing data on the refractive optical system in the first embodiment;

[0052] FIGS. 14A to 14C show specific lens data in the first embodiment;

[0053] FIGS. 15A, 15B show data on the surface shapes of concave mirrors in the first embodiment;

[0054] FIG. 16 shows an example of a magnification optical system mounted in an exterior package OC; and

[0055] FIG. 17 shows another example of a magnification optical system mounted in the exterior package OC.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0056] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

[0057] The following embodiments will describe a DMD as a light bulb by way of example. However, an image display element should not be limited to the DMD and various light bulbs such as LD panel, LCOS panel can be used.

[0058] Note that in the drawings a light source and an illumination system to guide light to a light bulb from a light source are omitted for simplicity. In reality the illumination system in FIG. 1 comprising the integrator rod IR, lens LN, mirror M, and curved mirror to illuminate the light bulb LB is used. Needless to say that the type of a light source or an illumination system can be arbitrarily determined in accordance with the type or configuration of an image display element.

First Embodiment

[0059] FIG. 8 shows an example of a magnification optical system according to a first embodiment used in an image display device. The image display device comprises an illumination system, a magnification optical system including a refractive optical system, a light source and a light bulb LB. The light bulb LB is a digital micro mirror device (DMD) and held in a housing HS. A lens barrel CL is connected with the housing HS via a first intervenient element InA. The refractive optical system is contained in the lens barrel CL and it comprises first to fourth lens groups LI, LII, LIII, LIV arranged in this order from the light bulb side.

[0060] The image display device also comprises a reflecting mirror RM held in a holder HL via a second intervenient element InB, and a concave mirror CNM as a mirror train.

[0061] A light beam from the light source illuminates the display surface of the light bulb LB via the illumination system, and is reflected thereby, changed in intensity by an image displayed on the surface and incident on the refractive optical system.

[0062] Then, the light beam is reflected by the reflecting mirror RM and concave mirror CNM to a not-shown screen as a target surface to form, on the screen, an image enlarged from the image displayed on the light bulb.

[0063] It is preferable for the optical system to converge the light beam once via the reflecting mirror RM by forming a real image on the light bulb or the conjugate surface on the object side as an intermediate image on an optical path between the refractive optical system and the concave mirror CAN, for the purpose of reducing a dispersion of the reflected light by the reflecting mirror RM.

[0064] Now, focus adjustment by floating focusing is described. Although not shown in FIG. 8, when the position of the screen is changed from the position SC1 to SC2 in FIG. 7, different focus adjustment amounts on the top and bottom of the screen are corrected by floating focusing. In the present embodiment the second and third lens groups LII, LIII of the refractive optical system are moved along the optical axis.

[0065] The lens barrel CL includes not-shown cam grooves inside, for example, and pins of the second and third lens groups LII, LIII are fitted into the cam grooves. Thereby, the second and third lens groups LII, LIII can be moved in different directions by rotating the lens barrel CL. This cam mechanism is a first focus structure. Although not shown, the lens barrel CL is of a complex structure comprising several elements.

[0066] Meanwhile, the size of manufactured housings varies so that a distance between the light bulb LB and the first lens group LI also varies in the lens barrel CL mounted in the housing in accordance with a variation in the size of the housing HS. Similarly, manufactured lenses and concave mirrors used in the refractive optical system also vary in shape, causing a variation in the focal length of the refractive optical system and in the optimal distance between the light bulb LB and the first lens group LI.

[0067] To properly set the distance between the light bulb LB and the first lens group LI even with the two kinds of variation, the magnification optical system according to the present embodiment comprises a first intervenient element InA between the light bulb LB and the first lens group LI.

[0068] The first intervenient element InA can be made of thin plates in thickness of about 0.1 mm and the total thickness thereof is adjustable by changing the number of the thin plates. Accordingly, the distance between the light bulb LB and the first lens group LI is adjustable in unit of 0.1 mm.

[0069] Alternatively, the first intervenient element InA can be aluminum plates in different thicknesses in unit of 0.1 mm, for example. One of the plates in an optimal thickness for a combination of the housing HS and the refractive optical system is selected and inserted therebetween. Thereby, the distance between the light bulb LB and the first lens group LI is adjustable in unit of 0.1 mm.

[0070] It is preferable to fix the first intervenient element InA, housing HS, and lens barrel CL with screws, for example after adjusting their positions.

[0071] Further, the magnification optical system comprises a second intervenient element InB between the reflecting mirror RM and holder HL, to adjust an optical path length between the fourth lens group LIV and concave mirror CNM and correct a displacement of the positions thereof from the assembled positions. The displacement occurs because of the adjustment of the positions of the light bulb LB and the first lens group LI.

[0072] The second intervenient element InB can be aluminum plates in different thicknesses or made of thin plates as the first intervenient element InA, to be able to easily, precisely adjust the optical path length.

[0073] Further, with use of thin plates for the first and second intervenient elements InA, InB, the first intervenient element InA and housing HS or the second intervenient element InB and holder HL can be fixed at plural points with screws, for example. By changing the number of the plates inserted therebetween at each fixing point, it is possible to correct an error in the inclination of the light bulb LB and refractive optical system or the curved mirror CNM and refractive optical system.

[0074] The first and second intervenient element InA, InB constitute a second focus structure.

[0075] According to the present embodiment, it is made possible to adjust the distance between the lens barrel CL and the housing HS by simply inserting the first intervenient element InA of a simple structure and a special structure is unnecessary. Since the housing HS which is close to the light bulb LB and receives heat therefrom does not directly contact the lens barrel CL, the heat is not easily transmitted to the lens barrel CL. Thus, out-of-focus images due to thermal expansion of lenses can be prevented.

[0076] As described above, the magnification optical system according to the first embodiment comprises the first and second focus structures. The first focus structure is configured to perform focus adjustment of a projected image by floating focusing in which the second and third lens groups LII, LIII of the refractive optical system are moved by different amounts along the normal line of the light bulb or a conjugate surface on the object side, when the distance between the screen and concave mirror CNM is changed.

[0077] The second focus structure is configured to properly position the light bulb, refractive optical system, and concave mirror (mirror train) in the assembly of the optical systems of the image display device and bring a projected image into focus at default position.

Second Embodiment

[0078] Now, an image display device incorporating a magnification optical system according to a second embodiment is described with reference to FIG. 9. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a screw structure BS is provided to adjust the distance between the light bulb LB and first lens group LI in replace of the first intervenient element InA.

[0079] The screw structure BS adjusts the distance between the light bulb LB and first lens group LI. It constitutes the second focus structure together with the second intervenient element InB, so that the distance is adjusted with the screw structure in the assembly process of the optical systems and the screw structure BS is secured after the adjustment, so as not to allow a user to adjust it.

[0080] Note that the second focus structure should not be limited to the first and second intervenient elements InA, InB and the screw structure BS. Any structure can be arbitrarily used as long as it can achieve the same functions.

Third Embodiment

[0081] A magnification optical system according to a third embodiment is described with reference to FIG. 10. In the present embodiment the refractive optical system is comprised of the first to fourth lens groups LI to LIV.

[0082] In the present embodiment the focus adjustment of a projected image is done by floating focusing in which the second and third lens groups LII, LIII are moved. The fourth lens group LIV is fixed. That is, the second and third lens groups LII, LIII and a moving mechanism therefor constitute the first focus structure.

[0083] Meanwhile, the second focus structure is comprised of the fourth lens group LIV and a structure to move it along the optical axis.

[0084] Moving the fourth lens group LIV along the optical axis can attain the same focusing effects as those by the protrusion of the entire lens barrel in the first and second embodiments. The fourth lens group LIV is moved by a cam structure different from the one for the second and third lens groups LII, LIII in the assembly process of the optical systems. After the adjustment, it is fixed so as not to allow a user to operate it.

[0085] While an image is projected on a target surface, the first focus structure moves the second and third lens groups LII, LIII for the focus adjustment of the image. Moving the fourth lens group IV is more preferable than the focusing by the protrusion of the entire lens barrel since the first and second focus structures are independent cam mechanisms and a unit of lens moving amount for focusing is small so that an error such as inclination caused from the adjustment is reduced.

[0086] However, with use of the reflecting mirror RM in FIGS. 8, 9, in moving the fourth lens group LIV away from the light bulb LB s shown in FIG. 10, it is necessary to dispose the fourth lens group IV so as not to block the light beam reflected by the reflecting mirror RM to the concave mirror CNM.

[0087] The examples of the structure of the refractive optical system according to the first to third embodiments are described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 17.

[0088] In FIGS. 11A, 11B an illumination system includes a lamp 1 as a light source, an integrator rod 2, a lens 3, a mirror 4, a curved mirror 5, and a concave mirror with a free-form curved surface (equivalent to the concave mirror CNM). The curved mirror 5 is a concave mirror with a spherical reflective surface. FIG. 11B shows a refractive optical system 81.

[0089] A projector system 8 includes a light bulb 7, and a protective cover glass 6 for the light bulb, a protective glass 9 for the concave mirror, a lens barrel 10 containing the first to fourth lens groups.

[0090] The lens barrel 10 includes three different cam grooves to move three of the four lens groups separately. Note that the cam groove closest to the light bulb 7 does not move at all so that it is irrelevant of focusing.

[0091] FIG. 12 shows an example of the structure of the refractive optical system 81. It is made up of four lens groups of 11 lenses. A first lens group LI is made of 6 lenses, a second lens group LII is a single lens, a third lens group LIII is made of 3 lenses and a fourth lens group LIV is a single lens.

[0092] Specific data on the lenses of the refractive optical system in FIG. 12 are shown in FIGS. 13 to 15. FIG. 13 shows the curvature radius of each lens surface, face interval (mm), the refractive index and Abbe number of material, the aperture radius of a diaphragm, eccentricity Y and α, and aspheric surfaces.

[0093] Curvature radius at 0.000 represents infinity ∞, that is, planar surface. Eccentricity Y is a shift amount (mm) of the refractive optical system 81 along the optical axis downward in Y (vertical) direction (FIG. 5A). Eccentricity α is a shift amount (mm) of the concave mirror and protective glass relative to a plane including the optical axis (Z direction) and a lateral direction of the light bulb. The asterisk * in the aspheric surface represents that the lens surface is aspherical.

[0094] LB (0) in the face No. column represents a display surface of the light bulb and No. 1, 2 are both surfaces of a cover glass.

[0095] Curvature radius “1.0E+18” represents “1*10.sup.18” and the surfaces with this curvature radius is approximately planar. The values of the aspheric surface are paraxial curvature radius.

[0096] FIG. 14A shows data on the aspheric surfaces in FIG. 13. The aspheric surfaces can be expressed by a known formula:

D=CH.sup.2/[1+√{1−(1+K)}C.sup.2H.sup.2]+ΣE.sub.2jH.sup.2j (j=1 to 8)

where C is paraxial curvature (inverse of paraxial curvature radius), K is conic constant. E2j is high-order aspheric coefficient (J=2 to 8), H is coordinate in orthogonal direction to the optical axis, and S is depth along the optical axis.

[0097] In the fourth embodiment the conic constants of the aspherical surfaces of the refractive optical system are all zero.

[0098] FIG. 14B shows the position data of the reflecting mirror, concave mirror, first and second surfaces of the protective glass, and first and second screen distances (SC1, SC2 in FIG. 7) in X, Y, Z directions relative to the vertex of the lens surface closest to the reflecting mirror.

[0099] FIG. 14C shows specific moving amounts (mm) of the lens groups at the first and second screen distances. FIGS. 15A, 15B show data on the surface shape of the concave mirror CNM.

[0100] The surface of the concave mirror CNM is a free-form curved surface, and it is expressed by the following formula:

Z=cr.sup.2/[1+√{1−(1+k)c.sup.2r.sup.2}]+ΣC.sub.j*x.sup.my.sup.n

where c is paraxial curvature radius, K is conic constant, C.sub.j is a high-order coefficient (j=2 to 72), r is a distance in orthogonal direction relative to the optical axis, z is a sag amount of a surface parallel to the optical axis, and x, y are coordinates in X and Y directions in FIGS. 5A, 5B, respectively.

[0101] In FIGS. 15A, 15B “x**4*y**7” in C40 represents x.sup.4xy.sup.7, for example.

[0102] The first lens group LI is made of six lenses and fixed during the use of the image display device. The second and third lens groups LII, LIII are moved by different amounts for floating focusing. Further, at the assembly of the optical systems, the focus of an entire projected image is adjusted by moving the fourth lens group LIV and thereafter, the fourth lens group LIV is fixed.

[0103] FIGS. 16, 17 show examples of a projector with a magnification optical system mounted in an exterior package OC. The light bulb LB, refractive optical system POSL, and mirror trains RM, CNM are contained in the exterior package OC. A light beam is projected therefrom via a cover glass CG and imaged on the screen SC.

[0104] The lens barrel is mechanically structured so that a focus lever of the first focus structure for floating focusing is exposed outside the exterior package OC. For example, if the screen SC is moved vertically or in Y direction in FIG. 16, the image can be brought into focus by moving the focus lever. Thus, images with good resolution as a whole can be projected on the screen.

[0105] The second focus structure is accommodated inside the exterior package OC and cannot be exposed outside, so as not to allow a user to operate it.

[0106] With no use of the reflecting mirror, the second focus structure can be a protrusion mechanism to move the entire refractive optical system along the normal line of the light bulb or the conjugate surface on the object side. It can be a lens barrel with a screw mechanism to hold the refractive optical system and be protruded by the rotation of the screw mechanism.

[0107] Alternatively, the protrusion mechanism can be comprised of a lens barrel holding the refractive optical system and one or more intervenient elements provided between the lens barrel and the housing containing the light bulb. The housing and the lens barrel can be integrated via the intervenient elements.

[0108] Further, the second focus structure can be a front focus mechanism to move one lens group of the refractive optical system farthest from the light bulb along the normal line of the light bulb or the conjugate surface on the reduction side.

[0109] In the image display device the refractive optical system and the mirror train are positioned so that a light beam from the light bulb is incident on the mirror train via the refractive optical system and reflected thereby to the target surface. The magnification optical system can include, between the refractive optical system and the mirror train, a reflecting mirror to bend an optical path and be held in a structure which is adjustable of the position of the reflecting mirror.

[0110] The structure holding the reflecting mirror can be configured of a holder for the reflecting mirror and one or more intervenient elements disposed between the holder and the reflecting mirror. The curved mirror of the mirror train is a concave mirror. A real image on the light bulb or conjugate surface on the object side can be formed as an intermediate image on the optical path between the refractive optical system and the mirror train.

[0111] The first focus structure moves the lens groups of the refractive optical system along the normal line of the light bulb or the conjugate surface on the object side by different amounts for floating focusing of a projected image on the screen.

[0112] Moreover, the second focus structure moves the lens groups of the refractive optical system along the normal line of the light bulb or the conjugate surface on the object side by different amounts from those of the first focus structure. Thereby, it is possible to effectively correct blurs in the entire projected image due to a variation in the distance between the refractive optical system and the light bulb and a variation in the focal length of the refractive optical system.

[0113] The second focus structure cannot be operated by a user after the image display device is assembled into the exterior package. Thus, the two focus structures do not confuse the user when be operates the image display device.

[0114] Although the present invention has been described in terms of exemplary embodiments, it is not limited thereto. It should be appreciated that variations or modifications may be made in the embodiments described by persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims.