PROJECTION OPTICAL SYSTEM AND PROJECTION IMAGE DISPLAY DEVICE

Abstract

A projection optical system includes a first lens unit adapted to make a enlargement-side imaging surface and an intermediate image conjugate with each other, a second lens unit adapted to make the intermediate image and a reduction-side imaging surface conjugate with each other. The first lens unit has positive power, and the second lens unit has negative power. Defining a focal distance of the first lens unit as fU1, a focal distance of the second lens unit as fU2, a total lens length of the first lens unit as LLU1, and a total lens length of the second lens unit as LLU2, the following expression (1) and expression (2) are satisfied.

0.3<fU1/fU2<0.005 (1)

0.5<LLU1/LLU2<0.9 (2)

Claims

1. A projection optical system comprising: a first lens unit adapted to make a enlargement-side imaging surface located on a enlargement side and an intermediate image conjugate with each other; and a second lens unit adapted to make the intermediate image and a reduction-side imaging surface located on a reduction side conjugate with each other, wherein the first lens unit has positive power, the second lens unit has negative power, and defining a focal distance on a d-line of the first lens unit as fU1, a focal distance on a d-line of the second lens unit as fU2, a total lens length of the first lens unit as LLU1, and a total lens length of the second lens unit as LLU2, following conditional expression (1) and conditional expression (2) are satisfied:
0.3<fU1/fU2<0.005 (1)
0.5<LLU1/LLU2<0.9 (2)

2. The projection optical system according to claim 1, further comprising: a first light path folding element and a second light path folding element adapted to fold a light path, wherein the first light path folding element is disposed between the first lens unit and the second lens unit, and the second light path folding element is disposed inside the second lens unit.

3. The projection optical system according to claim 2, wherein a principal beam of an off-axis light beam passing between a second lens unit intermediate image-side first lens closest to the intermediate image of the second lens unit and a first lens unit intermediate image-side lens closest to the intermediate image of the first lens unit comes closer to an optical axis as proceeding from the second lens unit intermediate image-side first lens toward the first lens unit intermediate image-side lens.

4. The projection optical system according to claim 3, wherein a focusing position of the off-axis light in the intermediate image comes closer to the second lens unit intermediate image-side first lens as proceeding toward an off-axis direction.

5. The projection optical system according to claim 2, wherein a first lens unit enlargement-side lens located on a most enlargement-side imaging surface side of the first lens unit, and the first lens unit intermediate image-side lens located on a most intermediate image side of the first lens unit are each an aspherical lens.

6. The projection optical system according to claim 1, wherein the first lens unit is provided with, in the order from the side of the enlargement-side imaging surface toward the side of the intermediate image, a first lens unit enlargement-side lens, a first lens group provided with two or more lenses each having negative power, and a second lens group provided with at least one lens having positive power, and in a case of changing a projection size on the enlargement-side imaging surface, focusing is performed by moving two or more lens groups including the first lens group and the second lens group in an optical axis direction in a state of fixing the first lens unit enlargement-side lens.

7. The projection optical system according to claim 2, wherein the second lens unit is provided with, in the order from the side of the enlargement-side imaging surface toward the side of the intermediate image, a second lens unit intermediate image-side first lens, which is provided with a concave surface on the intermediate image side and has positive power, a second lens unit intermediate image-side second lens, which is provided with a concave surface on the reduction-side imaging surface side and is provided with negative power, and a second lens unit intermediate image-side third lens having positive power, the second lens unit intermediate image-side first lens, the second lens unit intermediate image-side second lens, and the second lens unit intermediate image-side third lens are located between the first light path folding element and the second light path folding element, and defining a refractive index on a d-line of the second lens unit intermediate image-side first lens as nd(21), and an Abbe number as vd(21), a refractive index on a d-line of the second lens unit intermediate image-side second lens as nd(22), and an Abbe number as vd(22), following conditional expression (3) and conditional expression (4) are satisfied:
|nd(22)nd(21)|<0.4 (3)
|vd(21)vd(22)|<30 (4)

8. The projection optical system according to claim 1, wherein a second lens unit reduction-side first lens located on a most reduction-side imaging surface side of the second lens unit and a second lens unit reduction-side second lens located adjacent to the second lens unit reduction-side first lens are each provided with positive power, and the second lens unit reduction-side first lens is higher than 1.75 and lower than 2.00 in refractive index on the d-line, and larger than 20 and smaller than 45 in Abbe number.

9. The projection optical system according to claim 1, wherein defining a focal distance on an overall d-line as f, and an air-conversion value of an overall back focus as BF, a following conditional expression (5) is satisfied:
BF/|f|>5 (5)

10. A projection image display device comprising: the projection optical system according to claim 1; and an image display element adapted to display an image on the reduction-side imaging surface.

11. A projection image display device comprising: the projection optical system according to claim 2; and an image display element adapted to display an image on the reduction-side imaging surface.

12. A projection image display device comprising: the projection optical system according to claim 3; and an image display element adapted to display an image on the reduction-side imaging surface.

13. A projection image display device comprising: the projection optical system according to claim 4; and an image display element adapted to display an image on the reduction-side imaging surface.

14. A projection image display device comprising: the projection optical system according to claim 5; and an image display element adapted to display an image on the reduction-side imaging surface.

15. A projection image display device comprising: the projection optical system according to claim 6; and an image display element adapted to display an image on the reduction-side imaging surface.

16. A projection image display device comprising: the projection optical system according to claim 7; and an image display element adapted to display an image on the reduction-side imaging surface.

17. A projection image display device comprising: the projection optical system according to claim 8; and an image display element adapted to display an image on the reduction-side imaging surface.

18. A projection image display device comprising: the projection optical system according to claim 9; and an image display element adapted to display an image on the reduction-side imaging surface.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numbers reference like elements.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a projection image display device equipped with a projection optical system according to the invention.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the projection optical system of Example 1.

[0022] FIG. 3 is an aberration diagram of the projection optical system in the case in which lenses are located at Position 1.

[0023] FIG. 4 is an aberration diagram of the projection optical system in the case in which the lenses are located at Position 2.

[0024] FIG. 5 is an aberration diagram of the projection optical system in the case in which the lenses are located at Position 3.

[0025] FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram in the case of folding the optical path of the projection optical system of Example 1.

[0026] FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a projection optical system of Example 2.

[0027] FIG. 8 is an aberration diagram of the projection optical system in the case in which the lenses are located at Position 1.

[0028] FIG. 9 is an aberration diagram of the projection optical system in the case in which the lenses are located at Position 2.

[0029] FIG. 10 is an aberration diagram of the projection optical system in the case in which the lenses are located at Position 3.

[0030] FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram in the case of folding the optical path of the projection optical system of Example 2.

[0031] FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram of a projection optical system of Example 3.

[0032] FIG. 13 is an aberration diagram of the projection optical system in the case in which the lenses are located at Position 1.

[0033] FIG. 14 is an aberration diagram of the projection optical system in the case in which the lenses are located at Position 2.

[0034] FIG. 15 is an aberration diagram of the projection optical system in the case in which the lenses are located at Position 3.

[0035] FIG. 16 is a configuration diagram in the case of folding the optical path of the projection optical system of Example 3.

[0036] FIG. 17 is a configuration diagram of a projection optical system of Example 4.

[0037] FIG. 18 is an aberration diagram of the projection optical system in the case in which the lenses are located at Position 1.

[0038] FIG. 19 is an aberration diagram of the projection optical system in the case in which the lenses are located at Position 2.

[0039] FIG. 20 is an aberration diagram of the projection optical system in the case in which the lenses are located at Position 3.

[0040] FIG. 21 is a configuration diagram in the case of folding the optical path of the projection optical system of Example 4.

DESCRIPTION OF AN EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

[0041] A projection optical system according to the embodiment of the invention and a projection image display device equipped with the projection optical system will hereinafter be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Projection Image Display Device

[0042] FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a projector equipped with a projection optical system according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the projector (projection image display device) 1 is provided with an image light generation optical system 2 for generating image light to be projected on a screen S, a projection optical system 3 for projecting the image light in an enlarged manner, and a control section 4 for controlling an operation of the image light generation optical system 2.

Image Light Generation Optical System and Control Section

[0043] The image light generation optical system 2 is provided with a light source 10, a first integrator lens 11, a second integrator lens 12, a polarization conversion element 13, and an overlapping lens 14. The light source 10 is formed of, for example, a super-high pressure mercury lamp or a solid-state light source. The first integrator lens 11 and the second integrator lens 12 each have a plurality of lens elements arranged in an array. The first integrator lens 11 divides a light beam from the light source 10 into a plurality of light beams. Each of the lens elements of the first integrator lens 11 converges the light beam from the light source 10 in the vicinity of the corresponding one of the lens elements of the second integrator lens 12.

[0044] The polarization conversion element 13 converts the light from the second integrator lens 12 into predetermined linearly polarized light. The overlapping lens 14 overlaps the images of the respective lens elements of the first integrator lens 11 on the display area of each of a liquid crystal panel 18R, a liquid crystal 18G, and a liquid crystal 18B described later via the second integrator lens 12.

[0045] Further, the image light generation optical system 2 is provided with a first dichroic mirror 15, a reflecting mirror 16 and a field lens 17R, and a liquid crystal panel 18R. The first dichroic mirror 15 reflects R light as a part of the light beam having entered the first dichroic mirror 15 from the overlapping lens 14, and transmits G light and B light which are parts of the light beam having entered the first dichroic mirror 15 from the overlapping lens 14. The R light having been reflected by the first dichroic mirror 15 enters the liquid crystal panel 18R via be reflecting mirror 16 and the field lens 17R. The liquid crystal panel 18R is an image display element. The liquid crystal panel 18R modulates the R light in accordance with an image signal to thereby form a red image.

[0046] Further, the image light generation optical system 2 is provided with a second dichroic mirror 21, a field lens 17G, and a liquid crystal panel 18G. The second dichroic mirror 21 reflects the G light as a part of the light beam from the first dichroic mirror 15, and transmits the B light as a part of the light beam from the first dichroic mirror 15. The G light having been reflected by the second dichroic mirror 21 enters the liquid crystal panel 18G via the field lens 17G. The liquid crystal panel 18G is the image display element. The liquid crystal panel 18G modulates the G light in accordance with the image signal to thereby form a green image.

[0047] Further, the image light generation optical system 2 is provided with a relay lens 22, a reflecting mirror 23, a relay lens 24, a reflecting mirror 25 and a field lens 17B, and a liquid crystal panel 18G. The B light having been transmitted through the second dichroic mirror 21 enters the liquid crystal panel 18B via the relay lens 22, the reflecting mirrors 23, the relay lens 24, the reflecting mirror 25, and the field lens 17B. The liquid crystal panel 18B is the image display element. The liquid crystal panel 18B modulates the B light in accordance with the image signal to thereby form a blue image.

[0048] The liquid crystal panel 18R, the liquid crystal panel 18G, and the liquid crystal panel 18B surround the cross dichroic prism 19 from three directions. The cross dichroic prism 19 is a light combining prism, and combines the light modulated by the respective liquid crystal panels 18R, 18G, and 18B with each other to generate the image light.

[0049] Here, the cross dichroic prism 19 constitutes a part of the projection optical system 3. The projection optical system 3 projects the image light (the image formed by the liquid crystal panels 18R, 18G, and 18B) combined by the cross dichroic prism 19 on the screen S in an enlarged manner.

[0050] The control section 4 is provided with an image processing section 6 to which an external image signal such as a video signal is input, and a display drive section 7 for driving the liquid crystal panel 18R, the liquid crystal panel 18G, and the liquid crystal panel 18B based on the image signal output from the image processing section 6.

[0051] The image processing section 6 converts the image signal input from external equipment into the image signals including the tones and so on of the respective colors. The display drive section 7 operates the liquid crystal panel 18R, the liquid crystal panel 18G and the liquid crystal panel 18B based on the image signals of the respective colors output from the image processing section 6. Thus, the image processing section 6 displays the image corresponding to the image signals on the liquid crystal panel 18R, the liquid crystal panel 18G and the liquid crystal panel 18B.

Projection Optical System

[0052] Then, the projection optical system 3 will be described. Examples 1 through 4 will hereinafter be described as configuration examples of the projection optical system 3 implemented in the projector 1.

EXAMPLE 1

[0053] FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram (ray chart) of the projection optical system of Example 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the projection optical system 3A of the present example is formed of a first lens unit LU1 for making the screen S as the enlargement-side imaging surface and an intermediate image 30 conjugate with each other, and a second lens unit LU2 for making the intermediate image 30 and the liquid crystal panel 18 (18R, 18G, and 18B) as the reduction-aide imaging surface conjugate with each other. The first lens unit LU1 has positive power. The second lens unit LU2 has negative power.

[0054] The first lens unit LU1 is provided with a first lens unit first lens L1 (a first lens unit enlargement-side lens) provided with negative power, a first lens group LG1 provided with negative power, and a second lens group LG2 provided with positive power from the screen S side toward the intermediate image 30.

[0055] The first lens unit first lens L1 is an aspherical lens provided with aspherical shapes on the both surfaces.

[0056] The first lens group LG1 is provided with two or more lenses each having negative power. In the present example, the first lens group LG1 is formed of four lenses, namely a first lens unit second lens L2, a first lens unit third lens L3, a first lens unit fourth lens L4, and a first lens unit fifth lens L5 from the screen S side toward the intermediate image 30. The first lens unit second lens L2 and the first lens unit third lens L3 are each provided with negative power, and at the same time are each provided with a convex meniscus shape on the screen S side. The first lens unit fourth lens L4 is provided with negative power, and at the same time is provided with concave surfaces on the screen S side and the intermediate image 30 side, respectively. The first lens unit fifth lens L5 is provided with positive power, and is provided with convex surfaces on the screen S side and the intermediate image 30 side, respectively.

[0057] The second lens group LG2 is formed of a single lens. The first lens unit sixth lens L6 constituting the second lens group LG2 is provided with positive power. Further, the first lens unit sixth lens L6 is provided with convex surfaces on the screen S side and the intermediate image 30 side, respectively.

[0058] Further, the first lens unit LU1 is provided with a first lens unit seventh lens L7, a first lens unit eighth lens L8, a first lens unit ninth lens L9, a first lens unit tenth lens L10, a first lens unit eleventh lens L11, and a first lens unit twelfth lens L12 from the second lens group LG2 toward the intermediate image 30. Therefore, the first lens unit LU1 is formed of the 12 lenses. In the present example, the first lens unit twelfth lens L12 (a first lens unit intermediate image-side lens) is an aspherical lens provided with aspherical shapes on the both surfaces

[0059] The second lens unit LU2 is provided with a second lens unit first lens L13, a second lens unit second lens L14, a second lens unit third lens L15, a second lens unit fourth lens L16, a second lens unit fifth lens L17, a second lens unit sixth lens L18, a second lens unit seventh lens L19, a second lens unit eighth lens L20, a second lens unit ninth lens L21, and a second lens unit tenth lens L22 from the intermediate image 30 side toward the liquid crystal panel 18. Therefore, the second lens unit LU2 is formed of the 10 lenses. Between the second lens unit fourth lens L16 and the second lens unit fifth lens L17, there is disposed a stop. Between the second lens unit tenth lens L22 and the liquid crystal panel 18, there is disposed the cross dichroic prism 19.

[0060] The second lens unit first lens L13 (a second lens unit intermediate image-side first lens) has positive power. The second lens unit first lens L13 has a meniscus shape provided with a concave surface on the intermediate image 30 side, and a convex surface on the liquid crystal panel 18 side. The second lens unit second lens L14 (a second lens unit intermediate image-side second lens) has negative power. The second lens unit second lens L14 has a meniscus shape provided with a convex surface on the intermediate image 30 side, and a concave surface on the liquid crystal panel 18 side. The second lens unit third lens L15 (a second lens unit intermediate image-side third lens) has positive power. The second lens unit third lens L15 is provided with convex surfaces on the intermediate image 30 side, and the liquid crystal panel 18 side, respectively. The second lens unit fourth lens L16 has negative power. The second lens unit fourth lens L16 has a meniscus shape provided with a concave surface on the intermediate image 30 side, and a convex surface on the liquid crystal panel 18 side.

[0061] The second lens unit tenth lens L22 (a second lens unit reduction-side first lens) the closest to the liquid crystal panel 18 in the second lens unit LU2, and the second lens unit ninth lens L21 (a second lens unit reduction-side second lens) located adjacent to the second lens unit tenth lens L22 are each provided with positive power. Further, the second lens unit ninth lens L21 and the second lens unit tenth lens L22 are each provided with convex surfaces on the intermediate image 30 side, and the liquid crystal panel 18 side, respectively.

[0062] In the projection optical system 3A, as shown in FIG. 2, a principal beam of an off-axis light beam passing between the first lens unit twelfth lens L12 and the second lens unit first lens L13 respectively located on the both sides across the intermediate image 30 comes closer to the optical axis L as proceeding from the second lens unit first lens L13 toward the first lens unit twelfth lens L12. The focusing position P of the off-axis light in the intermediate image 30 comes closer to the second lens unit first lens L13 as proceeding toward the off-axis direction.

[0063] In the case of changing the projection size on the screen S in the projection optical system 3A, the first lens group LG1 and the second lens group LG2 (the first lens unit sixth lens L6) are moved in the optical axis L direction to achieve focusing in the state of fixing the first lens unit first lens L1.

[0064] Here, defining the focal distance of the projection optical system 3A as |f|, the maximum field angle (half field angle) as , the F-number as FNo, an effective image circle diameter as , an air-conversion value of the back focus as BF, the total lens length of the first lens unit LU1 as LLU1, and the total lens length of the second lens unit LU2 as LLU2, the data of the projection optical system 3A of Example 1 is as follows. It should be noted that the total lens length LLU1 is the distance from the surface on the screen S side of the first lens unit first lens L1 to the surface on the intermediate image 30 side of the first lens unit twelfth lens L12 on the optical axis L. The total lens length LLU2 is the distance from the surface on the intermediate image 30 side of the second lens unit first lens L13 to the surface on the liquid crystal panel 18 side of the second lens unit tenth lens L22 on the optical axis L.

[0065] |f|=8.1 mm

[0066] =68.4

[0067] FNo=1.92

[0068] =41.2 mm

[0069] BF=47.33 mm

[0070] LLU1=201.988 mm

[0071] LLU2=289.277 mm

[0072] Further, the lens data of the projection optical system 3A is as follows. The column of the lens shows the reference symbols attached to the respective lenses shown in FIG. 2. The surfaces having the surface number attached with * are spherical surfaces. The reference symbol R represents a curvature radius. The reference symbol d represents an on-axis surface distance (mm) (lens thickness or a lens distance). The reference symbol nd represents a refractive index. The reference symbol vd represents an Abbe number. It should be noted that the on-axis surface distance A is the distance between the screen S and the first lens unit first lens L1. The on-axis surface distance B is the distance between the first lens unit first lens L1 and the first lens group LG1. The on-axis surface distance C is the distance between the first lens group LG1 and the second lens group LG2 (the first lens unit sixth lens L6). The on-axis surface distance D is the distance between the second lens group LG2 (the first lens unit sixth lens L6) and the first lens unit seventh lens L7. The on-axis surface distance A varies with the projection size, and the on-axis surface distances B, C, and D change due to focusing in the case in which the projection size has been changed.

TABLE-US-00001 SURFACE LENS NUMBER R d nd d S INFINITY A L1 *1 127.155 6 1.50942 55.88 *2 93.46 B L2 3 65.7 3.31 1.8515 40.78 4 31.35 15.81 L3 5 120.2 2.4 1.8515 40.78 6 29.25 13.183 L4 7 82.2 2.2 1.497 81.54 8 38.6 12.72 L5 9 71.85 7.47 1.84666 23.78 10 284.4 C L6 11 175.4 4.27 1.8061 33.27 12 118 D L7 13 329 7.78 1.62299 58.16 14 45.95 0.854 L8 15 39.95 1.6 1.84666 23.78 16 2012 2.417 L9 17 209.4 1.8 1.84666 23.78 18 91.4 0.574 L10 19 109.7 13.65 1.437 95.1 20 40.95 0.3 L11 21 102 11.13 1.58913 61.14 22 102 27.953 L12 *23 124.839 8 1.693 53.21 *24 242.024 121.71 L13 25 100.25 9.64 1.51633 64.14 26 67.25 0.2 L14 27 453 3.2 1.72342 37.95 28 97.45 9.19 L15 29 1752 12.45 1.8061 33.27 30 100.3 53.518 L16 31 122.75 9.1 1.48749 70.23 32 67.4 109.583 (STOP) 33 INFINITY 9 L17 34 50.1 9.4 1.497 81.54 35 71.45 2.22 L18 36 60.8 1.6 1.84666 23.78 37 75.3 0.2 L19 38 40.4 11.75 1.497 81.54 39 86.55 23.576 L20 40 30.75 2.8 1.72047 34.71 41 97.35 4.57 L21 42 401 8.77 1.92206 20.88 43 61.25 0.23 L22 44 199.8 8.28 1.92206 20.88 45 101.75 5 (19) 46 INFINITY 45 1.51633 64.14 47 INFINITY 12.662

[0073] The coefficients of the odd-order aspheric expression for defining the aspherical shape of each of the surfaces (of the first lens unit first lens L1) with the surface numbers 1, 2 formed as the aspherical surfaces are as follows.

TABLE-US-00002 SURFACE NUMBER 1 2 Y CURVATURE RADIUS 127.155 93.460 CONIC CONSTANT 78.162 0.9484 3rd-ORDER ASPHERIC 1.38880E04 1.73280E04 COEFFICIENT 4th-ORDER ASPHERIC 1.31437E06 4.30293E07 COEFFICIENT 5th-ORDER ASPHERIC 7.61410E08 3.49749E08 COEFFICIENT 6th-ORDER ASPHERIC 6.25270E10 4.11747E10 COEFFICIENT 7th-ORDER ASPHERIC 1.00030E11 2.95924E13 COEFFICIENT 8th-ORDER ASPHERIC 1.18610E13 1.80842E14 COEFFICIENT 9th-ORDER ASPHERIC 5.52320E16 2.85569E15 COEFFICIENT 10th-ORDER ASPHERIC 3.66450E18 2.21878E17 COEFFICIENT 11th-ORDER ASPHERIC 3.49550E20 5.99749E19 COEFFICIENT 12th-ORDER ASPHERIC 5.02200E22 1.42705E20 COEFFICIENT 13th-ORDER ASPHERIC 2.49180E23 1.59931E22 COEFFICIENT 14th-ORDER ASPHERIC 2.89970E25 3.16009E24 COEFFICIENT 15th-ORDER ASPHERIC 5.99340E27 1.21786E25 COEFFICIENT 16th-ORDER ASPHERIC 8.17120E30 9.09008E28 COEFFICIENT 17th-ORDER ASPHERIC 8.54110E31 2.50937E29 COEFFICIENT 18th-ORDER ASPHERIC 1.45660E32 2.53188E31 COEFFICIENT 19th-ORDER ASPHERIC 6.90450E33 COEFFICIENT

[0074] Further, the coefficients of the even-order aspheric expression for defining the aspherical shape of each of the surfaces (of the first lens unit twelfth lens L12) with the surface numbers 23, 24 formed as the aspherical surfaces are as follows.

TABLE-US-00003 SURFACE NUMBER 23 24 Y CURVATURE RADIUS 124.839 242.024 CONIC CONSTANT (K) 7.680 30.433 4th-ORDER 3.03157E06 8.09122E06 COEFFICIENT (A) 6th-ORDER 8.42818E09 1.14279E08 COEFFICIENT (B) 8th-ORDER 6.52659E13 4.78197E13 COEFFICIENT (C) 10th-ORDER 4.45705E16 4.52965E15 COEFFICIENT (D) 12th-ORDER 7.52640E19 4.25747E19 COEFFICIENT (E) 14th-ORDER 5.77205E22 4.59442E22 COEFFICIENT (F) 16th-ORDER 6.42776E25 1.68605E25 COEFFICIENT (G) 18th-ORDER 1.13418E27 6.05709E28 COEFFICIENT (H) 20th-ORDER 1.31584E30 0.00000E+00 COEFFICIENT (J)

[0075] Then, the on-axis surface distances A, B, C, and D (unit: mm), the focal distance |f| (unit: mm), and the half field angle (unit: ) in the case of changing the projection size and then performing focusing are as follows. It should be noted that a set of the positions of the lenses after achieving focusing in the case of setting the on-axis surface distance A, which is the distance between the first lens unit first lens and the screen S, to 1050 mm is defined as Position 1, a set of the positions of the lenses in the case of setting the on-axis surface distance A to 730 mm is defined as Position 2, and a set of the positions of the lenses in the case of setting the on-axis surface distance A to 2500 mm is defined as Position 3.

TABLE-US-00004 POSITION 1 POSITION 2 POSITION 3 A 1050 720 2500 B 14.161 14.335 13.893 C 14.168 14.333 13.931 D 30.238 29.899 30.743 |f| 8.1 8.08 8.13 68.4 68.3 68.4

[0076] According to the projection optical system 3A of the present example, since the second lens unit first lens L13 has positive power, it is easy to form the intermediate image 30 on the first lens unit LU1 side of the second lens unit first lens L13. Further, since the intermediate image 30 is formed using the lens having positive power, it is easy for the second lens unit LU2 to correct the distortion aberration occurring in the first lens unit LU1.

[0077] Further, a principal beam of an off-axis light beam passing between the first lens unit twelfth lens L12 and the second lens unit first lens L13 respectively located on the both sides across the intermediate image 30 comes closer to the optical axis L as proceeding from the second lens unit first lens L13 toward the first lens unit twelfth lens L12, and the focusing position P of the off-axis light in the intermediate image 30 comes closer to the second lens unit first lens L13 as proceeding toward the off-axis direction. Thus, it is easy for the second lens unit LU2 to correct the distortion aberration occurring in the first lens unit LU1, and it is possible to suppress the burden of correcting the aberration by the first lens unit LU1.

[0078] Further, in the present example, since the first lens unit first lens L1 and the first lens unit twelfth lens L12 are the aspherical lenses, it is easy to correct the distortion aberration in the first lens unit first lens L1, and it becomes easy to correct the field curvature in the first lens unit twelfth lens L12. Further, since the first lens unit first lens L1 is the aspherical lens, it is easy to reduce the diameter of the first lens unit first lens L1.

[0079] Here, the projection optical system 3A satisfies the following conditional expression (1) defining the focal distance of the first lens unit LU1 as fU1, and the focal distance of the second lens unit LU2 as fU2.

0.3<fU1/fU2<0.005 (1)

[0080] Specifically, [0081] fU1=11.94 [0082] fU2=1046.50

[0083] and, therefore,

fU1/fU2=0.011

[0084] is obtained.

[0085] Since the projection optical system 3A of the present example satisfies the conditional expression (1), it is easy to prevent the distortion from occurring in the projection field while preventing the number of lenses from increasing to thereby make the maximum field angle as wide angle as no smaller than 120 (make the half field angle no smaller than) 60). That is, if the value of the conditional expression (1) exceeds the lower limit, the focal distance of the first lens unit LU1 becomes too long to easily make the field angle wide angle. Further, if the value of the conditional expression (1) exceeds the lower limit, the tilt of the light beam between the second lens unit LU2 and the intermediate image 30 with respect to the optical axis L becomes large to incur the deterioration of the field curvature, and at the same time, the diameter of the lens (the second lens unit first lens L13) located on the most intermediate image 30 side of the second lens unit LU2 becomes large. In contrast, if the value of the conditional expression (1) exceeds the upper limit, the light beam entering the first lens unit LU1 from the intermediate image 30 side becomes a roughly telecentric light beam or a light beam with the beam diameter increasing. Thus, the load on the first lens unit LU1 increases, and therefore, it is necessary to increase the number of lenses of the first lens unit LU1 in order to correct the aberration.

[0086] Further, in the present example, the total lens length LLU1 of the first lens unit LU1 and the total lens length LLU2 of the second lens unit LU2 satisfy the following conditional expression (2).

0.5<LLU1/LLU2<0.9 (2)

Specifically,

LLU1/LLU2=201.988/289.277=0.70

[0087] is obtained.

[0088] Therefore, according to the present example, it is easy to make the total lens length LLU1 of the first lens unit LU1 shorter than the total lens length LLU2 of the second lens unit LU2, and thus make the whole of the projection optical system 3A compact.

[0089] Further, in the present example, the second lens unit first lens L13 is provided with positive power, the second lens unit second lens L14 is provided with negative power, and the second lens unit third lens L15 is provided with positive power. Further, the second lens unit first lens L13 is provided with a concave surface on the intermediate image 30 side, and the second lens unit second lens L14 is provided with the concave surface on the liquid crystal panel 18 side. In addition thereto, defining the refractive index on the d-line of the second lens unit first lens L13 as nd(21), and the Abbe number as vd(21), the refractive index on the d-line of the second lens unit second lens L14 as nd(22), and the Abbe number as vd(22), the following conditional expression (3) and conditional expression (4) are satisfied.

|nd(22)nd(21)|<0.4 (3)

|vd(21)vd(22)|<30 (4)

Specifically,

|nd(22)nd(21)|=|1.723421.51633|=0.21

and,

|vd(21)vd(22)|=64.1437.95=26.19

[0090] are obtained.

[0091] Since the second lens unit first lens L13, the second lens unit second lens L14, and the second lens unit third lens L15 are provided with the configuration described above, and satisfy the conditional expression (3) and the conditional expression (4), it is possible for the projection optical system 3A to make the aberration occurring at a position high in image height in the second lens unit LU2 appropriate. Thus, it becomes easy for the first lens unit LU1 to correct the aberration occurring in the second lens unit LU2.

[0092] Further, in the present example, defining the focal distance on the d-line as f, and the air-conversion value of the overall back focus as BF, the following conditional expression (5)is satisfied.

BF/|f|>5 (5)

Specifically,

BF/|f|=47.33/8.1=5.8

[0093] is obtained.

[0094] Since the conditional expression (5) is satisfied, in the projection optical system 3A, a relatively long back focus can be ensured, and it is easy to make the maximum field angle as wide angle as no smaller than 120.

[0095] Further, in the present example, the second lens unit tenth lens L22 located on the most liquid crystal panel 18 side of the second lens unit LU2, and the second lens unit ninth lens L21 located adjacent to the second lens unit tenth lens L22 are each provided with positive power. Further, defining the refractive index on the d-line of the second lens unit tenth lens L22 as nd(23), and the Abbe number thereof as vd(23), the following conditional expression (6) and conditional expression (7) are satisfied.

1.75<nd(23)<2.00 (6)

20<vd(23)<45 (7)

Specifically,

nd(23)=1.92206

vd(23)=20.88

[0096] are set.

[0097] Since the second lens unit ninth lens L21 and the second lens unit tenth lens L22 are each provided with positive power, and at the same time satisfy the conditional expression (6) and the conditional expression (7), in the projection optical system 3A, it is easy to correct the field curvature and the chromatic aberration.

[0098] FIG. 3 is an aberration diagram (a spherical aberration, an astigmatism, and a distortion aberration) in the case in which the lenses of the projection optical system 3A are located at Position 1. FIG. 4 is an aberration diagram (a spherical aberration, an astigmatism, and a distortion aberration) in the case in which the lenses of the projection optical system 3A are located at Position 2. FIG. 5 is an aberration diagram (a spherical aberration, an astigmatism, and a distortion aberration) in the case in which the lenses of the projection optical system 3A are located at Position 3. As shown in FIG. 3 through FIG. 5, in the projection optical system 3A, the spherical aberration, the astigmatism, and the distortion aberration are corrected in good condition.

[0099] Then, when incorporating the projection optical system 3A into the projector 1, a first mirror 31 (a first light path folding element) is disposed between the first lens unit LU1 and the second lens unit LU2 to fold the light path (the optical axis L) in between as shown in FIG. 6. Further, a second mirror 32 (a second light path folding element) is disposed between the second lens unit fourth lens L16 and the second lens unit fifth lens L17 in the second lens unit LU2 to fold the light path (the optical axis L) in between. If the first mirror 31 and the second mirror 32 are disposed in the projection optical system 3A, it is possible to orient the optical axis L to the desired direction. Therefore, it becomes easy to incorporate the projection optical system 3A into the projector 1.

[0100] Here, the distance between the second lens unit fourth lens L16 and the second lens unit fifth lens L17 is the longest in the on-axis surface distance between two lenses adjacent to each other in the second lens unit LU2. Therefore, it is easy to dispose the second mirror 32 between the second lens unit fourth lens L16 and the second lens unit fifth lens L17.

[0101] Further, in the present example, no mirror is disposed inside the first lens unit LU1. Therefore, it becomes easy to ensure the positional accuracy of each of the lenses of the first lens unit. LU1 compared to the case of disposing the first mirror 31 inside the first lens unit LU1. Further, since the first mirror 31 is not disposed inside the first lens unit LU1, there is no need to provide a space for disposing the first mirror 31 inside the first lens unit LU1, and it is possible to prevent the total lens length LLU1 of the first lens unit LU1 from increasing. Here, the first lens unit LU1 is large in performance deterioration due to the position shift compared to the second lens unit LU2, and is required to be high in positional accuracy of the lenses. Therefore, by refraining from disposing the first mirror 31 in the first lens unit LU1, it is possible to suppress the variation in performance of the projection optical system 3A.

MODIFIED EXAMPLES

[0102] It should be noted that defining the three lenses formed of the first lens unit second lens L2, the first lens unit third lens L3, and the first lens unit fourth lens L4 as the first lens group LG1, the first lens unit fifth lens L5 as the second lens group LG2, and the first lens unit sixth lens L6 as a third lens group, in the case of changing the projection size on the screen S in the projection optical system 3A, it is also possible to achieve focusing by moving, the first lens group LG1, the second lens group LG2 and the third lens group in the state of fixing the first lens unit first lens L1. Here, the first lens group LG1 is provided with negative power, the second lens group LG2 is provided with positive power, and the third lens group is provided with positive power. Further, the first lens group LG1 has two or more lenses each provided with negative power. According also to such a configuration, it is possible to achieve focusing while preventing the aberration from occurring when the projection size has been changed.

[0103] Further, it is also possible to fold the light path (the optical axis L) using a prism instead of the mirrors 31, 32.

EXAMPLE 2

[0104] FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram (ray chart) of the projection optical system of Example 2. As shown in FIG. 7, the projection optical system 3B of the present example is formed of a first lens unit LU1 for making the screen S as the enlargement-side imaging surface and the intermediate image 30 conjugate with each other, and a second lens unit LU2 for making the intermediate image 30 and the liquid crystal panel 18 (18R, 18G, and 18B) as the v-side imaging surface conjugate with each other. The first lens unit LU1 has positive power. The second lens unit LU2 has negative power.

[0105] The first lens unit LU1 is provided with a first lens unit first lens L1 (the first lens unit enlargement-side lens) provided with negative power, a first lens group LG1 provided with negative power, and a second lens group LG2 provided with positive power from the screen S side toward the intermediate image 30.

[0106] The first lens unit first lens L1 is an aspherical lens provided with aspherical shapes on the both surfaces.

[0107] The first lens group LG1 is provided with the two or more lenses each having negative power. In the present example, the first lens group LG1 is formed of four lenses, namely a first lens unit second lens L2, a first lens unit third lens L3, a first lens unit fourth lens L4, and a first lens unit fifth lens L5 from the screen S side toward the intermediate image 30. The first lens unit second lens L2 and the first lens unit third lens L3 are each provided with negative power, and at the same time each provided with a convex meniscus shape on the screen S side. The first lens unit fourth lens L4 is provided with negative power. The first lens unit fifth lens L5 is provided with positive power.

[0108] The second lens group LG2 is formed of a single lens. A first lens unit sixth lens L6 constituting the second lens group LG2 is provided with positive power. Further, the first lens unit sixth lens L6 is provided with convex surfaces on the screen S side and the intermediate image 30 side, respectively.

[0109] Further, the first lens unit LU1 is provided with a first lens unit seventh lens L7, a first lens unit eighth lens L8, a first lens unit ninth lens L9, a first lens unit tenth lens L10, a first lens unit eleventh lens L11, and a first lens unit twelfth lens L12 from the second lens group LG2 toward the intermediate image 30. Therefore, the first lens unit LU1 is formed of the 12 lenses. In the present example, the first lens unit seventh lens L7 and the first lens unit eighth lens L8 are formed as a cemented lens. Further, the first lens unit ninth lens L9 and the first lens unit tenth lens L10 are formed as a cemented lens. Further, in the present example, the first lens unit twelfth lens L12 (a first lens unit intermediate image-side lens) is an aspherical lens provided with aspherical shapes on the both surfaces.

[0110] The second lens unit LU2 is provided with a second lens unit first lens L13, a second lens unit second lens L14, a second lens unit third lens L15, a second lens unit fourth lens L16, a second lens unit fifth lens L17, a second lens unit sixth lens L18, a second lens unit seventh lens L19, a second lens unit eighth lens L20, a second lens unit ninth lens L21, and a second lens unit tenth lens L22 from the intermediate image 30 side toward the liquid crystal panel 18. Therefore, the second lens unit LU2 is formed of the 10 lenses. Between the second lens unit tenth lens L22 and the liquid crystal panel 18, there is disposed a cross dichroic prism 19.

[0111] The second lens unit first lens L13 (the second lens unit intermediate image-side first lens) has positive power. The second lens unit first lens L13 has a meniscus shape provided with a concave surface on the intermediate image 30 side, and a convex surface on the liquid crystal panel 18 side. The second lens unit second lens L14 (the second lens unit intermediate image-side second lens) has negative power. The second lens unit second lens L14 has a meniscus shape provided with a convex surface on the intermediate image 30 side, and a concave surface on the liquid crystal panel 18 side. The second lens unit third lens L15 (the second lens unit intermediate image-side third lens) has positive power. The second lens unit third lens L15 is provided with convex surfaces on the intermediate image 30 side, and the liquid crystal panel 18 side, respectively. The second lens unit fourth lens L16 has negative power. The second lens unit fourth lens L16 has a meniscus shape provided with a concave surface on the intermediate image 30 side, and a convex surface on the liquid crystal panel 18 side.

[0112] The second lens unit tenth lens L22 (the second lens unit reduction-side first lens) the closest to the liquid crystal panel 18 in the second lens unit LU2, and the second lens unit ninth lens L21 (the second lens unit reduction-side second lens) located adjacent to the second lens unit tenth lens L22 are each provided with positive power. The second lens unit ninth lens L21 is provided with a convex surface on the liquid crystal panel 18 side. The second lens unit tenth lens L22 is provided with a convex surface on the intermediate image 30 side. Further, the second lens unit eighth lens L20 neighboring on the intermediate image 30 side of the second lens unit ninth lens L21 is an aspherical lens provided with aspherical shapes on the both surfaces.

[0113] In the projection optical system 3B, as shown in FIG. 7, a principal beam of an off-axis light beam passing between the first lens unit twelfth lens L12 and the second lens unit first lens L13 respectively located on the both sides across the intermediate image 30 comes closer to the optical axis L as proceeding from the second lens unit first lens L13 toward the first lens unit twelfth lens L12. The focusing position P of the off-axis light in the intermediate image 30 comes closer to the second lens unit first lens L13 as proceeding toward the off-axis direction.

[0114] In the case of changing the projection size on the screen S in the projection optical system 3B, the first lens group LG1 and the second lens group LG2 (the first lens unit fifth lens L5) are moved in the optical axis L direction to achieve focusing in the state of fixing the first lens unit first lens L1.

[0115] Here, defining the focal distance of the projection optical system 3B as |f|, the maximum field angle (half field angle) as , the F-number as FNo, an effective image circle diameter as , an air-conversion value of the back focus as BF, the total lens length of the first lens unit LU1 as LLU1, and the total lens length of the second lens unit LU2 as LLU2, the data of the projection optical system 3B of Example 2 is as follows. It should be noted that the total lens length LLU1 is the distance from the surface on the screen S side of the first lens unit first lens L1 to the surface on the intermediate image 30 side of the first lens unit twelfth lens L12 on the optical axis L. The total lens length LLU2 is the distance from the surface or the intermediate image 30 side of the second lens unit first lens L13 to the surface on the liquid crystal panel 18 side of the second lens unit tenth lens L22 on the optical axis L. [0116] |f|=8.11 mm [0117] =68.0 [0118] FNo=1.95 [0119] =40.4 mm [0120] BF=51.42 mm [0121] LLU1=203.991 mm [0122] LLU2=294.124 mm

[0123] Further, the lens data of the projection optical system 3B is as follows. The column of the lens shows the reference symbols attached to the respective lenses shown in FIG. 7. The surfaces having the surface number attached with * are aspherical surfaces. The reference symbol R represents a curvature radius. The reference symbol d represents an on-axis surface distance (mm) (lens thickness or a lens distance). The reference symbol nd represents a refractive index. The reference symbol vd represents an Abbe number. It should be noted that the on-axis surface distance A is the distance between the screen S and the first lens unit first lens L1. The on-axis surface distance B is the distance between the first lens unit first lens L1 and the first lens group LG1. The on-axis surface distance C is the distance between the first lens group LG1 and the second lens group LG2 (the first lens unit sixth lens L6). The on-axis surface distance D is the distance between the second lens group LG2 (the first lens unit sixth lens L6) and the first lens unit seventh lens L7. The on-axis surface distance A varies with the projection size, and the on-axis surface distances B, C, and D change due to focusing in the case in which the projection size has been changed.

TABLE-US-00005 SURFACE LENS NUMBER R d nd d S INFINITY A L1 *1 103.035 6 1.50942 55.88 *2 96.784 B L2 3 82.65 4 1.8515 40.78 4 33.75 8.693 L3 5 49.65 2.94 1.8515 40.78 6 25.55 19.268 L4 7 85.6 2.2 1.497 81.54 8 38.7 16.232 L5 9 89.55 5.44 1.84666 23.78 10 568 C L6 11 104.95 6.31 1.9165 31.6 12 119.45 D L7 13 354 10.89 1.6968 55.53 L8 14 25.35 1.8 1.80518 25.46 15 58.8 2.57 L9 16 65.95 1.8 1.80518 25.46 L10 17 39.1 12.04 1.48749 70.23 18 74.75 3.359 L11 19 55 9.12 1.497 81.54 20 692 18.566 L12 *21 88.914 8.56 1.693 53.18 *22 177.341 117.796 L13 23 122.8 10.43 1.56883 56.36 24 70.9 22.652 L14 25 182 3.4 1.743 49.34 26 81.7 10.492 L15 27 5532 10.23 1.834 37.16 28 116.85 56.962 L16 29 136.5 8.99 1.497 81.54 30 67.55 95.574 L17 31 45.3 9.43 1.497 81.54 32 79.7 2.196 L18 33 67.7 1.8 1.80518 25.46 34 46.05 0.47 L19 35 36.5 11.25 1.497 81.54 36 74.4 20.223 L20 *37 29.566 4.45 1.68948 31.03 *38 124.249 9.495 L21 39 INFINITY 9.63 1.92286 20.88 40 51.65 0.2 L22 41 99.75 6.25 1.92286 20.86 42 INFINITY 5 (19) 43 INFINITY 45 1.5168 64.2 44 INFINITY 16.75

[0124] The coefficients of the odd-order aspheric expression for defining the aspherical shape of each of the surfaces (of the first lens unit first lens L1) with the surface numbers 1, 2 formed as the aspherical surfaces are as follows.

TABLE-US-00006 SURFACE NUMBER 1 2 Y CURVATURE RADIUS 103.035 96.784 CONIC CONSTANT 26.3 1.2322 3rd-ORDER ASPHERIC 1.48035E04 1.50056E04 COEFFICIENT 4th-ORDER ASPHERIC 1.11219E06 6.04831E07 COEFFICIENT 5th-ORDER ASPHERIC 7.77974E08 3.10459E08 COEFFICIENT 6th-ORDER ASPHERIC 6.30545E10 3.40364E10 COEFFICIENT 7th-ORDER ASPHERIC 1.03663E11 9.49749E14 COEFFICIENT 8th-ORDER ASPHERIC 1.12241E13 1.58316E14 COEFFICIENT 9th-ORDER ASPHERIC 6.28918E16 2.55615E15 COEFFICIENT 10th-ORDER ASPHERIC 2.39457E18 2.03155E17 COEFFICIENT 11th-ORDER ASPHERIC 2.04099E20 5.14692E19 COEFFICIENT 12th-ORDER ASPHERIC 4.97039E22 1.27488E20 COEFFICIENT 13th-ORDER ASPHERIC 2.67413E23 1.42360E22 COEFFICIENT 14th-ORDER ASPHERIC 3.27174E25 2.59219E24 COEFFICIENT 15th-ORDER ASPHERIC 5.66823E27 1.00373E25 COEFFICIENT 16th-ORDER ASPHERIC 8.71661E30 7.89080E28 COEFFICIENT 17th-ORDER ASPHERIC 9.13214E31 2.09710E29 COEFFICIENT 18th-ORDER ASPHERIC 1.31575E32 2.03911E31 COEFFICIENT 19th-ORDER ASPHERIC 0.00000E+00 5.87905E33 COEFFICIENT

[0125] Further, the coefficients of the even-order aspheric expression for defining the aspherical shape of each of the surfaces (of the first lens unit twelfth lens L12) with the surface numbers 21, 22 formed as the aspherical surfaces are as follows.

TABLE-US-00007 SURFACE NUMBER 21 22 Y CURVATURE RADIUS 88.914 177.341 CONIC CONSTANT (K) 4.655 1.233 4th-ORDER 9.53800E07 8.08155E06 COEFFICIENT (A) 6th-ORDER 7.91424E09 1.26942E08 COEFFICIENT (B) 8th-ORDER 9.08519E13 4.54625E13 COEFFICIENT (C) 10th-ORDER 1.08781E18 4.18613E15 COEFFICIENT (D) 12th-ORDER 4.14086E19 1.51873E19 COEFFICIENT (E) 14th-ORDER 1.17939E21 1.52875E22 COEFFICIENT (F) 16th-ORDER 2.05205E24 1.90536E25 COEFFICIENT (G) 18th-ORDER 2.56808E27 1.00490E27 COEFFICIENT (H) 20th-ORDER 3.17630E30 0.00000E+00 COEFFICIENT (J)

[0126] Further, the coefficients of the even-order aspheric expression for defining the aspherical shape of each of the surfaces (of the second lens unit eighth lens L20) with the surface numbers 37, 38 formed as the aspherical surfaces are as follows.

TABLE-US-00008 SURFACE NUMBER 37 38 Y CURVATURE RADIUS 29.566 124.249 CONIC CONSTANT (K) 0.061 3.114 4th-ORDER 7.82032E07 1.83905E07 COEFFICIENT (A) 6th-ORDER 8.30939E10 8.92877E10 COEFFICIENT (B) 8th-ORDER 3.12271E12 1.76429E12 COEFFICIENT (C) 10th-ORDER 6.82839E15 1.43785E15 COEFFICIENT (D)

[0127] Then, the on-axis surface distances A, B, C, and D (unit: mm), the focal distance |f| (unit: mm), and the half field angle (unit: ) in the case of changing the projection size and then performing focusing are as follows. It should be noted that a set of the positions of the lenses after achieving focusing in the case of setting the on-axis surface distance A, which is the distance between the first lens unit first lens and the screen S, to 1050 mm is defined as Position 1, a set of the positions of the lenses in the case of setting the on-axis surface distance A to 730 mm is defined as Position 2, and a set of the positions of the lenses in the case of setting the on-axis surface distance A to 2500 mm is defined as Position 3.

TABLE-US-00009 POSITION 1 POSITION 2 POSITION 3 A 1050 720 2500 B 17.691 17.885 17.403 C 13.031 13.151 12.88 D 33.481 33.167 33.92 |f| 8.11 8.08 8.15 68 67.94 68

[0128] According to the projection optical system 3B of the present example, since the second lens unit first lens L13 has positive power, it is easy to form the intermediate image 30 on the first lens unit LU1 side of the second lens unit first lens L13. Further, since the intermediate image 30 is formed using the lens having positive power, it is easy for the second lens unit LU2 to correct the distortion aberration occurring in the first lens unit LU1.

[0129] Further, a principal beam of an off-axis light beam passing between the first lens unit twelfth lens L12 and the second lens unit first lens L13 respectively located on the both sides across the intermediate image 30 comes closer to the optical axis L as proceeding from the second lens unit first lens L13 toward the first lens unit twelfth lens L12, and the focusing position P of the off-axis light in the intermediate image 30 comes closer to the second lens unit first lens L13 as proceeding toward the off-axis direction. Thus, it is easy for the second lens unit LU2 to correct the distortion aberration occurring in the first lens unit LU1, and it is possible to suppress the burden of correcting the aberration by the first lens unit LU1.

[0130] Further, in the present example, since the first lens unit first lens L1 and the first lens unit twelfth lens L12 are the aspherical lenses, it is easy to correct the distortion aberration in the first lens unit first lens L1, and it becomes easy to correct the field curvature in the first lens unit twelfth lens L12. Further, since the first lens unit first lens L1 is the aspherical lens, it is easy to reduce the diameter of the first lens unit first lens L1.

[0131] Here, the projection optical system 3B satisfies the following conditional expression (1) defining the focal distance of the first lens unit LU1 as fU1, and the focal distance of the second lens unit LU2 as fU2.

0.3<fU1/fU2<0.005 (1)

[0132] Specifically, [0133] fU1=12.077 [0134] fU2=729.86

[0135] and, therefore

fU1/fU2=0.017

[0136] is obtained.

[0137] Since the projection optical system 3B of the present example satisfies the conditional expression (1), it is easy to prevent the distortion from occurring in the projection field while preventing the number of lenses from increasing to thereby make the maximum field angle as wide angle as no smaller than 120 (make the half field angle no smaller than 60). That is, if the value of the conditional expression (1) exceeds the lower limit, the focal distance of the first lens unit LU1 becomes too long to easily make the field angle wide angle. Further, if the value of the conditional expression (1) exceeds the lower limit, the tilt of the light beam between the second lens unit LU2 and the intermediate image 30 with respect to the optical axis L becomes large to incur the deterioration of the field curvature, and at the same time, the diameter of the lens (the second lens unit first lens L13) located on the most intermediate image 30 side of the second lens unit LU2 becomes large. In contrast, if the value of the conditional expression (1) exceeds the upper limit, the light beam entering the first lens unit LU1 from the intermediate image 30 side becomes a roughly telecentric light beam or a light beam with the beam diameter increasing. Thus, the load on the first lens unit LU1 increases, and therefore, it is necessary to increase the number of lenses of the first lens unit LU1 in order to correct the aberration.

[0138] Further, in the present example, the total lens length LLU1 of the first lens unit LU1 and the total lens length LLU2 of the second lens unit LU2 satisfy the following conditional expression (2).

0.5<LLU1/LLU2<0.9 (2)

Specifically,

LLU1/LLU2=203.991/294.124=0.69

[0139] is obtained.

[0140] Therefore, according to the present example, it is easy to make the total lens length LLU1 of the first lens unit LU1 shorter than the total lens length LLU2 of the second lens unit LU2, and thus make the whole of the projection optical system 3B compact.

[0141] Further, in the present example, the second lens unit first lens L13 is provided with positive power, the second lens unit second lens L14 is provided with negative power, and the second lens unit third lens L15 is provided with positive power. Further, the second lens unit first lens L13 is provided with a concave surface on the intermediate image 30 side, and the second lens unit second lens L14 is provided with the concave surface on the liquid crystal panel 18 side. In addition thereto, defining the refractive index on the d-line of the second lens unit first lens L13 as nd(21), and the Abbe number as vd(21), the refractive index on the d-line of the second lens unit second lens L14 as nd(22), and the Abbe number as vd(22), the following conditional expression (3) and conditional expression (4) are satisfied.

|nd(22)nd(21)|<0.4 (3)

|vd(21)vd(22)|<30 (4)

Specifically,

|nd(22)nd(21)|=|1.7431.56883|=0.17

and,

|vd(21)vd(22)|=56.3649.34=7.02

[0142] are obtained.

[0143] Since the second lens unit first lens L13, the second lens unit second lens L14, and the second lens unit third lens L15 are provided with the configuration described above, and satisfy the conditional expression (3) and the conditional expression (4), it is possible for the projection optical system 3B to make the aberration occurring at a position high in image height in the second lens unit LU2 appropriate. Thus, it becomes easy for the first lens unit LU1 to correct the aberration occurring in the second lens unit LU2.

[0144] Further, in the present example, defining the focal distance on the d-line as f, and the air-conversion value of the overall back focus as BF, the following conditional expression (5) is satisfied.

BF/|f|>5 (5)

Specifically,

BF/|f|=51.42/8.11=6.3

[0145] is obtained.

[0146] Since the conditional expression (5) is satisfied, in the projection optical system 3B, a relatively long back focus can be ensured, and it is easy to make the maximum field angle as wide angle as no smaller than 120.

[0147] Further, in the present example, the second lens unit tenth lens L22 located on the most liquid crystal panel 18 side of the second lens unit LU2, and the second lens unit ninth lens L21 located adjacent to the second lens unit tenth lens L22 are each provided with positive power. Further, defining the refractive index on the d-line of the second lens Unit tenth lens L22 as nd(23), and the Abbe number thereof as vd(23), the following conditional expression (6) and conditional expression (7) are satisfied.

1.75<nd(23)<2.00 (6)

20<vd(23)<45 (7)

[0148] Specifically, [0149] nd(23)=1.92286 [0150] vd(23)=20.86

[0151] are set.

[0152] Since the second lens unit ninth lens L21 and the second lens unit tenth lens L22 are each provided with positive power, and at the same time satisfy the conditional expression (6) and the conditional expression (7), in the projection optical system 3B, it is easy to correct the field curvature and the chromatic aberration.

[0153] FIG. 8 is an aberration diagram (a spherical aberration, an astigmatism, and a distortion aberration) in the case in which the lenses of the projection optical system 3B are located at Position 1. FIG. 9 is an aberration diagram (a spherical aberration, an astigmatism, and a distortion aberration) in the case in which the lenses of the projection optical system 3B are located at Position 2. FIG. 10 is an aberration diagram (a spherical aberration, an astigmatism, and a distortion aberration) in the case in which the lenses of the projection optical system 3B are located at Position 3. As shown in FIG. 8 through FIG. 10, in the projection optical system 3B, the spherical aberration, the astigmatism, and the distortion aberration are corrected in good condition.

[0154] Then, when incorporating the projection optical system 3B into the projector 1, a first mirror 31 (the first light path folding element) is disposed between the first lens unit LU1 and the second lens unit LU2 to fold the light path (the optical axis L) in between as shown in FIG. 11. Further, a second mirror 32 (the second light path folding element) is disposed between the second lens unit fourth lens L16 and the second lens unit fifth lens L17 in the second lens unit LU2 to fold the light path (the optical axis L) in between. If the first mirror 31 and the second mirror 32 are disposed in the projection optical system 3B, it is possible to orient the optical axis L to the desired direction. Therefore, it becomes easy to incorporate the projection optical system 3B into the projector 1.

[0155] Here, the distance between the second lens unit fourth lens L16 and the second lens unit fifth lens L17 is the longest in the on-axis surface distance between two lenses adjacent to each other in the second lens unit LU2. Therefore, it is easy to dispose the second mirror 32 between the second lens unit fourth lens L16 and the second lens unit fifth lens L17.

[0156] Further, in the present example, no mirror is disposed inside the first lens unit LU1. Therefore, it becomes easy to ensure the positional accuracy of each of the lenses of the first lens unit LU1 compared to the case of disposing the first mirror 31 inside the first lens unit LU1. Further, since the first mirror 31 is not disposed inside the first lens unit LU1, there is no need to provide a space for disposing the first mirror 31 inside the first lens unit LU1, and it is possible to prevent the total lens length LLU1 of the first lens unit LU1 from increasing. Here, the first lens unit LU1 is large in performance deterioration due to the position shift compared to the second lens unit LU2, and is required to be high in positional accuracy of the lenses. Therefore, by refraining from disposing the first mirror 31 in the first lens unit LU1, it is possible to suppress the variation in performance of the projection optical system 3B.

MODIFIED EXAMPLES

[0157] It should be noted that defining the three lenses formed of the first lens unit second lens L2, the first lens unit third lens L3, and the first lens unit fourth lens L4 as the first lens group LG1, the first lens unit fifth lens L5 as the second lens group LG2, and the first lens unit sixth lens L6 as a third lens group, in the case of changing the projection size on the screen S in the projection optical system 3B, it is also possible to perform focusing by moving the first lens group LG1, the second lens group LG2 and the third lens group in the state of fixing the first lens unit first lens L1. Here, the first lens group LG1 is provided with negative power, the second lens group LG2 is provided with positive power, and the third lens group is provided with positive power. Further, the first lens group LG1 has two or more lenses each provided with negative power. According also to such a configuration, it is possible to achieve focusing while preventing the aberration from occurring when the projection size has been changed.

[0158] Further, it is also possible to fold the light path (the optical axis L) using a prism instead of the mirrors 31, 32.

EXAMPLE 3

[0159] FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram (ray chart) of the projection optical system of Example 3. As shown in FIG. 12, the projection optical system 30 of the present example is formed of a first lens unit LU1 for making the screen S as the enlargement-side imaging surface and the intermediate image 30 conjugate with each other, and a second lens unit LU2 for making the intermediate image 30 and the liquid crystal panel 18 (18R, 18G, and 18B) as the reduction-side imaging surface conjugate with each other. The first lens unit LU1 has positive power. The second lens unit LU2 has negative power.

[0160] The first lens unit LU1 is provided with a first lens unit first lens L1 (the first lens unit enlargement-side lens) provided with negative power, a first lens group LG1 provided with negative power, and a second lens group LG2 provided with positive power from the screen S side toward the intermediate image 30.

[0161] The first lens unit first lens L1 is an aspherical lens provided with aspherical shapes on the both surfaces.

[0162] The first lens group LG1 is provided with the two or more lenses each having negative power. In the present example, the first lens group LG1 is formed of four lenses, namely a first lens unit second lens L2, a first lens unit third lens L3, a first lens unit fourth lens L4, and a first lens unit fifth lens L5 from the screen S side toward the intermediate image 30. The first lens unit second lens L2 and the first lens unit third lens L3 are each provided with negative power, and at the same time each provided with a convex meniscus shape on the screen S side. The first lens unit fourth lens L4 is provided with negative power, and at the same time is provided with concave surfaces on the screen S side and the intermediate image 30 side, respectively. The first lens unit fifth lens L5 is provided with positive power, and is provided with convex surfaces on the screen S side and the intermediate image 30 side, respectively.

[0163] The second lens group LG2 is formed of a single lens. A first lens unit sixth lens L6 constituting the second lens group LG2 is provided with positive power. Further, the first lens unit sixth lens L6 is provided with convex surfaces on the screen S side and the intermediate image 30 side, respectively.

[0164] Further, the first lens unit LU1 is provided with a first lens unit seventh lens L7, a first lens unit eighth lens L8, a first lens unit ninth lens L9, a first lens unit tenth lens L10, and a first lens unit eleventh lens L11 from the second lens group LG2 toward the intermediate image 30. Therefore, the first lens unit LU1 is formed of the 11 lenses. The first lens unit seventh lens L7, the first lens unit eighth lens L8 and the first lens unit ninth lens L9 constitute a cemented lens. In the present example, the first lens unit eleventh lens L11 (the first lense unit intermediate image-side lens) is an aspherical lens provided with aspherical shapes on the both surfaces.

[0165] The second lens unit LU2 is provided with a second lens unit first lens L12, a second lens unit second lens L13, a second lens unit third lens L14, a second lens unit fourth lens L15, a second lens unit fifth lens L16, a second lens unit sixth lens L17, a second lens unit seventh lens L18, a second lens unit eighth lens L19, a second lens unit ninth lens L20, and a second lens unit tenth lens L21 from the intermediate image 30 side toward the liquid crystal panel 18. Therefore, the second lens unit LU2 is formed of the 10 lenses. Between the second lens unit fourth lens L15 and the second lens unit fifth lens L16, there is disposed a stop. Between the second lens unit tenth lens L21 and the liquid crystal panel 18, there is disposed a cross dichroic prism 19.

[0166] The second lens unit first lens L12 (the second lens unit intermediate image-side first lens) has positive power. The second lens unit first lens L12 has a meniscus shape provided with a concave surface on the intermediate image 30 side, and a convex surface on the liquid crystal panel 18 side. The second lens unit second lens L13 (the second lens unit intermediate image-side second lens) has negative power. The second lens unit second lens L13 has a meniscus shape provided with a convex surface on the intermediate image 30 side, and a concave surface on the liquid crystal panel 18 side. The second lens unit third lens L14 (the second lens unit intermediate image-side third lens) has positive power. The second lens unit third lens L14 is provided with convex surfaces on the intermediate image 30 side, and the liquid crystal panel 18 side, respectively. The second lens unit fourth lens L15 has negative power. The second lens unit fourth lens L15 has a meniscus shape provided with a concave surface on the intermediate image 30 side, and a convex surface on the liquid crystal panel 18 side.

[0167] The second lens unit tenth lens L21 (the second lens unit reduction-side first lens) the closest to the liquid crystal panel 18 in the second lens unit LU2, and the second lens unit ninth lens L20 (the second lens unit reduction-side second lens) located adjacent to the second lens unit tenth lens L21 are each provided with positive power. The second lens unit ninth lens L20 is provided with a convex surface on the liquid crystal panel 18 side. The second lens unit tenth lens L21 is provided with a convex surface on the intermediate image 30 side. Further, the second lens unit eighth lens L19 neighboring on the intermediate image 30 side of the second lens unit ninth lens L20 is an aspherical lens provided with aspherical shapes on the both surfaces.

[0168] In the projection optical system 3C, as shown in FIG. 12, a principal beam of an off-axis light beam passing between the first lens unit eleventh lens L11 and the second lens unit first lens L12 respectively located on the both sides across the intermediate image 30 comes closer to the optical axis L as proceeding from the second lens unit first lens L12 toward the first lens unit eleventh lens L11. The focusing position P of the off-axis light in the intermediate image 30 comes closer to the second lens unit first lens L12 as proceeding toward the off-axis direction.

[0169] In the case of changing the projection size on the screen S in the projection optical system 3C, the first lens group LG1 and the second lens group LG2 (the first lens unit sixth lens L6) are moved in the optical axis L direction to achieve focusing in the state of fixing the first lens unit first lens L1.

[0170] Here, defining the focal distance of the projection optical system 3C as |f|, the maximum field angle (half field angle) as , the F-number as FNo, an effective image circle diameter as , an air-conversion value of the back focus as BF, the total lens length of the first lens unit LU1 as LLU1, and the total lens length of the second lens unit LU2 as LLU2, the data of the projection optical system 3C of Example 3 is as follows. It should be noted that the total lens length LLU1 is the distance from the surface on the screen S side of the first lens unit first lens L1 to the surface on the intermediate image 30 side of the first lens unit eleventh lens L11 on the optical axis L. The total lens length LLU2 is the distance from the surface on the intermediate image 30 side of the second lens unit first lens L12 to the surface or the liquid crystal panel 18 side of the second lens unit tenth lens L21 on the optical axis L. [0171] |f|=8.05 mm [0172] =68.6 [0173] FNo=2.00 [0174] =41.2 mm [0175] BF=51.77 mm [0176] LLU1=214.973 mm [0177] LLU2=271.63 mm

[0178] Further, the lens data of the projection optical system 3C is as follows. The column of the lens shows the reference symbols attached to the respective lenses shown in FIG. 12. The surfaces having the surface number attached with * are aspherical surfaces. The reference symbol R represents a curvature radius. The reference symbol d represents an on-axis surface distance (mm) (lens thickness or a lens distance). The reference symbol nd represents a refractive index. The reference symbol vd represents an Abbe number. It should be noted that the on-axis surface distance A is the distance between the screen S and the first lens unit first lens L1. The on-axis surface distance B is the distance between the first lens unit first lens L1 and the first lens group LG1. The on-axis surface distance C is the distance between the first lens group LG1 and the second lens group LG2 (the first lens unit sixth lens L6). The on-axis surface distance D is the distance between the second lens group LG2 (the first lens unit sixth lens L6) and the first lens unit seventh lens L7. The on-axis surface distance A varies with the projection size, and the on-axis surface distances B, C, and D change due to focusing in the case in which the projection size has been changed.

TABLE-US-00010 SURFACE LENS NUMBER R d nd d S INFINITY A L1 *1 96.703 5.5 1.50942 55.88 *2 99.758 B L2 3 66.291 3.4 1.8515 40.78 4 32.717 10.862 L3 5 51.76 2.4 1.8515 40.78 6 24.481 17.994 L4 7 70.525 2.2 1.497 81.54 8 49.107 24.31 L5 9 138.637 3.9 1.85026 32.27 10 633.956 C L6 11 121.765 5.28 1.9036 31.32 12 130.414 D L7 13 102.715 16.63 1.6968 55.53 L8 14 29.358 1.8 1.80518 25.46 L9 15 39.792 16.05 1.437 95.1 16 85.724 0.2 L10 17 63.55 11.12 1.53775 74.7 18 346.416 17.704 L11 *19 79.016 10.7 1.693 53.21 *20 217.865 114.848 L12 21 197.242 11.18 1.834 37.16 22 88.897 46.212 L13 23 192.954 3.8 1.8061 33.27 24 79.480 8.992 L14 25 393.353 10.68 1.8515 40.78 26 127.066 48.285 L15 27 99.912 6.27 1.497 81.54 28 61.703 64.794 (STOP) 29 INFINITY 4.726 L16 30 38.234 8.59 1.437 95.1 31 79.843 1.94 L17 32 82.037 1.8 1.80518 25.46 33 3.60E+01 0.618 L18 34 33.809 8.58 1.497 81.54 35 75.075 16.121 L19 *36 30.692 2.2 1.68893 31.09 *37 167.281 11.052 L20 38 359.843 8.15 1.92286 20.88 39 51.036 0.2 L21 40 76.25 7.44 1.84666 23.78 41 INFINITY 5 (19) 42 INFINITY 45 1.51633 64.14 43 INFINITY 17.112

[0179] The coefficients of the odd-order aspheric expression for defining the aspherical shape of each of the surfaces (of the first lens unit first lens L1) with the surface numbers 1, 2 formed as the aspherical surfaces are as follows.

TABLE-US-00011 SURFACE NUMBER 1 2 Y CURVATURE RADIUS 96.703 99.758 CONIC CONSTANT 49.86 1.83 3rd-ORDER ASPHERIC 1.52345E04 2.08000E04 COEFFICIENT 4th-ORDER ASPHERIC 1.09000E06 9.09000E07 COEFFICIENT 5th-ORDER ASPHERIC 7.81000E08 4.27000E08 COEFFICIENT 6th-ORDER ASPHERIC 6.29000E10 4.52000E10 COEFFICIENT 7th-ORDER ASPHERIC 1.04000E11 2.12000E13 COEFFICIENT 8th-ORDER ASPHERIC 1.11000E13 8.33000E16 COEFFICIENT 9th-ORDER ASPHERIC 6.30000E16 2.92000E15 COEFFICIENT 10th-ORDER ASPHERIC 3.02000E18 1.61000E17 COEFFICIENT 11th-ORDER ASPHERIC 9.12000E21 5.83000E19 COEFFICIENT 12th-ORDER ASPHERIC 4.94000E22 1.24000E20 COEFFICIENT 13th-ORDER ASPHERIC 3.29000E23 1.53000E22 COEFFICIENT 14th-ORDER ASPHERIC 2.69000E25 2.30000E24 COEFFICIENT 15th-ORDER ASPHERIC 6.19000E27 6.29000E26 COEFFICIENT 16th-ORDER ASPHERIC 1.07000E29 9.30000E28 COEFFICIENT 17th-ORDER ASPHERIC 8.88000E31 2.13000E29 COEFFICIENT 18th-ORDER ASPHERIC 1.46000E32 1.59000E31 COEFFICIENT 19th-ORDER ASPHERIC 7.67000E33 COEFFICIENT

[0180] Further, the coefficients of the even-order aspheric expression for defining the aspherical shape of each of the surfaces (of the first lens unit eleventh lens L11) with the surface numbers 19, 20 formed as the aspherical surfaces are as follows.

TABLE-US-00012 SURFACE NUMBER 19 20 Y CURVATURE RADIUS 79.016 217.865 CONIC CONSTANT (K) 4.823 0.000 4th-ORDER 1.78472E06 1.04211E05 COEFFICIENT (A) 6th-ORDER 7.14453E09 1.18147E08 COEFFICIENT (B) 8th-ORDER 2.30325E13 1.53408E13 COEFFICIENT (C) 10th-ORDER 2.23283E16 4.34881E15 COEFFICIENT (D) 12th-ORDER 1.96640E20 3.99251E19 COEFFICIENT (E) 14th-ORDER 8.94749E22 2.58733E22 COEFFICIENT (F) 16th-ORDER 1.87247E24 4.35760E25 COEFFICIENT (G) 18th-ORDER 2.28267E27 2.37122E28 COEFFICIENT (H) 20th-ORDER 3.79605E30 0.00000E+00 COEFFICIENT (J)

[0181] Further, the coefficients of the even-order aspheric expression for defining the aspherical shape of each of the surfaces (of the second lens unit eighth lens L19) with the surface numbers 36, 37 formed as the aspherical surfaces are as follows.

TABLE-US-00013 SURFACE NUMBER 36 37 Y CURVATURE RADIUS 30.692 167.281 CONIC CONSTANT (K) 0.197 33.539 4th-ORDER 1.29653E07 9.52211E08 COEFFICIENT (A) 6th-ORDER 1.16767E09 4.89031E10 COEFFICIENT (B) 8th-ORDER 3.05397E12 6.12762E13 COEFFICIENT (C) 10th-ORDER 2.57851E15 1.67108E15 COEFFICIENT (D)

[0182] Then, the on-axis surface distances A, B, C, and D (unit: mm), the focal distance |f| (unit: mm), and the half field angle (unit: ) in the case of changing the projection size and then performing focusing are as follows. It should be noted that a set of the positions of the lenses after achieving focusing in the case of setting the on-axis surface distance A, which is the distance between the first lens unit first lens and the screen S, to 1050 mm is defined as Position 1, a set of the positions of the lenses in the case of setting the on-axis surface distance A to 730 mm is defined as Position 2, and a set of the positions of the lenses in the case of setting the on-axis surface distance A to 2500 mm is defined as Position 3.

TABLE-US-00014 POSITION 1 POSITION 2 POSITION 3 A 1050 720 2500 B 17.106 17.279 16.812 C 8.774 8.934 8.571 D 39.053 38.72 39.55 |f| 8.05 8.02 8.09 68.6 68.6 68.6

[0183] According to the projection optical system 3C of the present example, since the second lens unit first lens L12 has positive power, it is easy to form the intermediate image 30 on the first lens unit LU1 side of the second lens unit first lens L12. Further, since the intermediate image 30 is formed using the lens having positive power, it is easy for the second lens unit LU2 to correct the distortion aberration occurring in the first lens unit LU1.

[0184] Further, a principal beam of an off-axis light beam passing between the first lens unit eleventh lens L11 and the second lens unit first lens L12 respectively located on the both sides across the intermediate image 30 comes closer to the optical axis L as proceeding from the second lens unit first lens L12 toward the first lens unit eleventh lens L11, and the focusing position P of the off-axis light in the intermediate image 30 comes closer to the second lens unit first lens L12 as proceeding toward the off-axis direction. Thus, it is easy for the second lens unit LU2 to correct the distortion aberration occurring in the first lens unit LU1, and it is possible to suppress the burden of correcting the aberration by the first lens un it LU1.

[0185] Further, in the present example, since the first lens unit first lens L1 and the first lens unit eleventh lens L11 are the aspherical lenses, it is easy to correct the distortion aberration in the first lens unit first lens L1, and it becomes easy to correct the field curvature in the first lens unit eleventh lens L11. Further, since the first lens unit first lens L1 is the aspherical lens, it is easy to reduce the diameter of the first lens unit first lens L1.

[0186] Here, the projection optical system 3C satisfies the following conditional expression (1) defining the focal distance of the first lens unit LU1 as fU1, and the focal distance of the second lens unit LU2 as fU2.

0.3<fU1/fU2<0.005 (1)

[0187] Specifically, [0188] fU1=11.98 [0189] fU2=517.88

[0190] and, therefore

fU1/fU2=0.023

[0191] is obtained.

[0192] Since the projection optical system 3C of the present example satisfies the conditional expression (1), it is easy to prevent the distortion from occurring in the projection field while preventing the number of lenses from increasing to thereby make the maximum field angle as wide angle as no smaller than 120 (make the half field angle no smaller than 60). That is, if the value of the conditional expression (1) exceeds the lower limit, the focal distance of the first lens unit LU1 becomes too long to easily make the field angle wide angle. Further, if the value of the conditional expression (1) exceeds the lower limit, the tilt of the light beam between the second lens unit LU2 and the intermediate image 30 with respect to the optical axis L becomes large to incur the deterioration of the field curvature, and at the same time, the diameter of the lens (the second lens unit first lens L12) located on the most intermediate image 30 side of the second lens unit LU2 becomes large. In contrast, if the value of the conditional expression (1) exceeds the upper limit, the light beam entering the first lens unit LU1 from the intermediate image 30 side becomes a roughly telecentric light beam or a light beam with the beam diameter increasing. Thus, the load on the first lens unit LU1 increases, and therefore, it is necessary to increase the number of lenses of the first lens unit LU1 in order to correct the aberration.

[0193] Further, in the present example, the total lens length LLU1 of the first lens unit LU1 and the total lens length LLU2 of the second lens unit LU2 satisfy the following conditional expression (2).

0.5<LLU1/LLU2<0.9 (2)

Specifically,

LLU1/LLU2=214.973/271.63=0.79

[0194] is obtained.

[0195] Therefore, according to the present example, it is easy to make the total lens length LLU1 of the first lens unit LU1 shorter than the total lens length LLU2 or the second lens unit LU2, and thus make the whole of the projection optical system 3C compact.

[0196] Further, in the present example, the second lens unit first lens L12 is provided with positive power, the second lens unit second lens L13 is provided with negative power, and the second lens unit third lens L14 is provided with positive power. Further, the second lens unit first lens L12 is provided with a concave surface on the intermediate image 30 side, and the second lens unit second lens L13 is provided with the concave surface on the liquid crystal panel 18 side. In addition thereto, defining the refractive index on the d-line of the second lens unit first lens L12 as nd(21), and the Abbe number as vd(21), the refractive index on the d-line of the second lens unit second lens L13 as nd(22), and the Abbe number as vd(22), the following conditional expression (3) and conditional expression (4) are satisfied.

|nd(22)nd(21)|<0.4 (3)

|vd(21)vd(22)|<30 (4)

Specifically,

|nd(22)nd(21)|=|1.80611.834|=0.03

and,

|vd(21)vd(22)|=37.1633.27=3.89

[0197] are obtained.

[0198] Since the second lens unit first lens L12, the second lens unit second lens L13, and the second lens unit third lens L14 are provided with the configuration described above, and satisfy the conditional expression (3) and the conditional expression (4), it is possible for the projection optical system 3C to make the aberration occurring at a position high in image height in the second lens unit LU2 appropriate. Thus, it becomes easy for the first lens unit LU1 to correct the aberration occurring in the second lens unit LU2.

[0199] Further, in the present example, defining the focal distance on the d-Line as f, and the air-conversion value of the overall back focus as BF, the following conditional expression (5) is satisfied.

BF/|f|>5 (5)

Specifically,

BF/|f|=51.78/8.05=6.4

[0200] is obtained.

[0201] Since the conditional expression (5) is satisfied, in the projection optical system 3C, a relatively long back focus can be ensured, and it is easy to make the maximum field angle as wide angle as no smaller than 120.

[0202] Further, in the present example, the second lens unit tenth lens L21 located on the most liquid crystal panel 18 side of the second lens unit LU2, and the second lens unit ninth lens L20 located adjacent to the second lens unit tenth lens L21 are each provided with positive power. Further, defining the refractive index on the d-line of the second lens unit tenth lens L21 as nd(23), and the Abbe number thereof as vd(23), the following conditional expression (6) and conditional expression (7) are satisfied.

1.75<nd(23)<2.00 (6)

20<vd(23)<45 (7)

[0203] Specifically, [0204] nd(23)=1.84666 [0205] vd(23)=23.78

[0206] are set.

[0207] Since the second lens unit ninth lens L20 and the second lens unit tenth lens L21 are each provide with positive power, and at the same time satisfy the conditional expression (6) and the conditional expression (7), in the projection optical system 3C, it is easy to correct the field curvature and the chromatic aberration.

[0208] FIG. 13 is an aberration diagram (a spherical aberration, an astigmatism, and a distortion aberration) in the case in which the lenses of the projection optical system 3C are located at Position 1. FIG. 14 is an aberration diagram (a spherical aberration, an astigmatism, and a distortion aberration) in the case in which the lenses of the projection optical system 3C are located at Position 2. FIG. 15 is an aberration diagram (a spherical aberration, an astigmatism, and a distortion aberration) in the case in which the lenses of the projection optical system 3C are located at Position 3. As shown in FIG. 13 through FIG. 15, in the projection optical system 3C, the spherical aberration, the astigmatism, and the distortion aberration are corrected in good condition.

[0209] Then, when incorporating the projection optical system 3C into the projector 1, a first mirror 31 (the first light path folding element) is disposed between the first lens unit LU1 and the second lens unit LU2 to fold the light path (the optical axis L) in between as shown in FIG. 16. Further, a second mirror 32 (the second light path folding element) is disposed between the second lens unit fourth lens L15 and the second lens unit fifth lens L16 in the second lens unit LU2 to fold the light path (the optical axis L) in between. If the first mirror 31 and the second mirror 32 are disposed in the projection optical system 3C, it is possible to orient the optical axis L to the desired direction. Therefore, it becomes easy to incorporate the projection optical system 3C into the projector 1.

[0210] Here, the distance between the second lens unit fourth lens L15 and the second lens unit fifth lens L16 is the longest in the on-axis surface distance between two lenses adjacent to each other in the second lens unit LU2. Therefore, it is easy to dispose the second mirror 32 between the second lens unit fourth lens L15 and the second lens unit fifth lens L16.

[0211] Further, in the present example, no mirror is disposed inside the first lens unit LU1. Therefore, it becomes easy to ensure the positional accuracy of each of the lenses of the first lens unit LU1 compared to the case of disposing the first mirror 31 inside the first lens unit LU1. Further, since the first mirror 31 is not disposed inside the first lens unit LU1, there is no need to provide a space for disposing the first mirror 31 inside the first lens unit LU1, and it is possible to prevent the total lens length LLU1 of the first lens unit LU1 from increasing. Here, the first lens unit LU1 is large in performance deterioration due to the position shift compared to the second lens unit LU2, and is required to be high in positional accuracy of the lenses. Therefore, by refraining from disposing the first mirror 31 in the first lens unit LU1, it is possible to suppress the variation in performance of the projection optical system 3C.

MODIFIED EXAMPLES

[0212] It should be noted that defining the three lenses formed of the first lens unit second lens L2, the first lens unit third lens L3, and the first lens unit fourth lens L4 as the first lens group LG1, the first lens unit fifth lens L5 as the second lens group LG2, and the first lens unit sixth lens L6 as a third lens group, in the case of changing the projection size on the screen S in the projection optical system 3C, it is also possible to perform focusing by moving the first lens group LG1, the second lens group LG2 and the third lens group in the state of fixing the first lens unit first lens L1. Here, the first lens group LG1 is provided with negative power, the second lens group LG2 is provided with positive power, and the third lens group is provided with positive power. Further, the first lens group LG1 has two or more lenses each provided with negative power. According also to such a configuration, it is possible to achieve focusing while preventing the aberration from occurring when the projection size has been changed.

[0213] Further, it is also possible to fold the light path (the optical axis L) using a prism instead of the mirrors 31, 32.

EXAMPLE 4

[0214] FIG. 17 is a configuration diagram (ray chart) of the projection optical system of Example 4. As shown in FIG. 17, the projection optical system 3D of the present example is formed of a first lens unit LU1 for making the screen S as the enlargement-side imaging surface and the intermediate image 30 conjugate with each other, and a second lens unit LU2 for making the intermediate image 30 and the liquid crystal panel 18 (18R, 18G, and 18B) as the reduction-side imaging surface conjugate with each other. The first lens unit LU1 has positive power. The second lens unit LU2 has negative power.

[0215] The first lens unit LU1 is provided with a first lens unit first lens L1 (the first lens unit enlargement-side lens) provided with negative power, a first lens group LG1 provided with negative power, and a second lens group LG2 provided with positive power from the screen S side toward the intermediate image 30.

[0216] The first lens unit first lens L1 is an aspherical lens provided with aspherical shapes on the both surfaces.

[0217] The first lens group LG1 is provided with the two or more lenses each having negative power. In the present example, the first lens group LG1 is formed of four lenses, namely a first lens unit second lens L2, a first lens unit third lens L3, a first lens unit fourth lens L4, and a first lens unit fifth lens L5 from the screen S side toward the intermediate image 30. The first lens unit second lens L2 and the first lens unit third lens L3 are each provided with negative power, and at the same time each provided with a convex meniscus shape on the screen S side. The first lens unit fourth lens L4 is provided with negative power, and at the same time is provided with concave surfaces on the screen S side and the intermediate image 30 side, respectively. The first lens unit fifth lens L5 is provided with positive power, and is provided with convex surfaces on the screen S side and the intermediate image 30 side, respectively.

[0218] The second lens group LG2 is formed of a single lens. A first lens unit sixth lens L6 constituting the second lens group LG2 is provided with positive power. Further, the first lens unit sixth lens L6 is provided with convex surfaces on the screen S side and the intermediate image 30 side, respectively.

[0219] Further, the first lens unit LU1 is provided with a first lens unit seventh lens L7, a first lens unit eighth lens L8, a first lens unit ninth lens L9, a first lens unit tenth lens L10, a first lens unit eleventh lens L11, and a first lens unit twelfth lens L12 from the second lens group LG2 toward the intermediate image 30. Therefore, the first lens unit LU1 is formed of the 12 lenses. The first lens unit ninth lens L9 and the first lens unit tenth lens L10 constitute a cemented lens. In the present example, the first lens unit twelfth lens L12 (a first lens unit intermediate image-side lens) is an aspherical lens provided with aspherical shapes on the both surfaces.

[0220] The second lens unit LU2 is provided with a second lens unit first lens L13, a second lens unit second lens L14, a second lens unit third lens L15, a second lens unit fourth lens L16, a second lens unit fifth lens L17, a second lens unit sixth lens L18, a second lens unit seventh lens L19, a second lens unit eighth lens L20, a second lens unit ninth lens L21, and a second lens unit tenth lens L22 from the intermediate image 30 side toward the liquid crystal panel 18. Therefore, the second lens unit LU2 is formed of the 10 lenses. Between the second lens unit tenth lens L22 and the liquid crystal panel 18, there is disposed a cross dichroic prism 19.

[0221] The second lens unit first lens L13 (the second lens unit intermediate image-side first lens) has positive power. The second lens unit first lens L13 has a meniscus shape provided with a concave surface on the intermediate image 30 side, and a convex surface on the liquid crystal panel 18 side. The second lens unit second lens L14 (the second lens unit intermediate image-side second lens) has negative power. The second lens unit second lens L14 has a meniscus shape provided with a convex surface on the intermediate image 30 side, and a concave surface on the liquid crystal panel 18 side. The second lens unit third lens L15 (the second lens unit intermediate image-side third lens) has positive power. The second lens unit third lens L15 is provided with a convex surface on the liquid crystal panel 18 side. The second lens unit fourth lens L16 has negative power. The second lens unit fourth lens L16 has a meniscus shape provided with a concave surface on the intermediate image 30 side, and a convex surface on the liquid crystal panel 18 side.

[0222] The second lens unit tenth lens L22 (the second lens unit reduction-side first lens) the closest to the liquid crystal panel 18 in the second lens unit LU2, and the second lens unit ninth lens L21 (the second lens unit reduction-side second lens) located adjacent to the second lens unit tenth lens L22 are each provided with positive power. The second lens unit ninth lens L21 is provided with a convex surface on the liquid crystal panel 18 side. The second lens unit tenth lens L22 is provided with convex surfaces on the intermediate image 30 side, and the liquid crystal panel 18 side, respectively.

[0223] In the projection optical system 3D, as shown in FIG. 17, a principal beam of an off-axis light beam passing between the first lens unit twelfth lens L12 and the second lens unit first lens L13 respectively located on the both sides across the intermediate image 30 comes closer to the optical axis L as proceeding from the second lens unit first lens L13 toward the first lens unit twelfth lens L12. The focusing position P of the off-axis light in the intermediate image 30 comes closer to the second lens unit first lens L13 as proceeding toward the off-axis direction.

[0224] In the case of changing the projection size on the screen S in the projection optical system 3D, the first lens group LG1 and the second lens group LG2 (the first lens unit sixth lens L6) are moved in the optical axis L direction to achieve focusing in the state of fixing the first lens unit first lens L1.

[0225] Here, defining the focal distance of the projection optical system 3D as |f|, the maximum field angle (half field angle) as , the F-number as FNo, an effective image circle diameter as , an air-conversion value of the back focus as BF, the total lens length of the first lens unit LU1 as LLU1, and the total lens length of the second lens unit LU2 as LLU2, the data of the projection optical system 3D of Example 4 is as follows. It should be noted that the total lens length LLU1 is the distance from the surface on the screen S side of the first lens unit first lens L1 to the surface on the intermediate image 30 side of the first lens unit twelfth lens L12 on the optical axis L. The total lens length LLU2 is the distance from the surface on the intermediate image 30 side of the second lens unit first lens L13 to the surface on the liquid crystal panel 18 side of the second lens unit tenth lens L22 on the optical axis L. [0226] |f=7.88 mm [0227] =67.8 [0228] FNo=1.73 [0229] =41.2 mm [0230] BF=48.786 mm [0231] LLU1=203.015 mm [0232] LLU2=300.923 mm

[0233] Further, the lens data of the projection optical system 3D is as follows. The column of the lens shows the reference symbols attached to the respective lenses shown in FIG. 17. The surfaces having the surface number attached with * are aspherical surfaces. The reference symbol R represents a curvature radius. The reference symbol d represents an on-axis surface distance (mm) (lens thickness or a lens distance). The reference symbol nd represents a refractive index. The reference symbol vd represents an Abbe number. It should be noted that the on-axis surface distance A is the distance between the screen S and the first lens unit first lens L1. The on-axis surface distance B is the distance between the first lens unit first lens L1 and the first lens group LG1. The on-axis surface distance C is the distance between the first lens group LG1 and the second lens group LG2 (the first lens unit sixth lens L6). The on-axis surface distance D is the distance between the second lens group LG2 (the first lens unit sixth lens L6) and the first lens unit seventh lens L7. The on-axis surface distance A varies with the projection size, and the on-axis surface distances B, C, and D change due to focusing in the case in which the projection size has been changed.

TABLE-US-00015 SURFACE LENS NUMBER R d nd d S INFINITY A L1 *1 98.129 6 1.50942 55.88 *2 97.124 B L2 3 80.2055 3.5 1.744 44.78 4 32.218 13.486 L3 5 71.57 2.58 1.7859 44.2 6 26.452 15.371 L4 7 82.208 2.38 1.497 81.54 8 51.1925 17.196 L5 9 99.0511 6.32 1.84666 23.78 10 511.862 C L6 11 124.794 5.55 1.8061 33.27 12 129.006 D L7 13 271.395 7.56 1.744 44.78 14 46.7167 1.569 L8 15 40.767 1.6 1.84666 23.78 16 66.178 0.2 L9 17 56.493 1.81 1.80518 25.46 L10 18 40.6499 12.684 1.48749 70.23 19 76.648 0.39 L11 20 175.465 8.03 1.497 81.54 21 76.028 20.7 L12 *22 81.542 8.45 1.50942 55.88 *23 196.44 111.98 L13 24 71.227 8.19 1.61772 49.81 25 57.0399 13.436 L14 26 171.009 3.2 1.72047 34.71 27 96.659 10.42 L15 28 2853.038 11.54 1.8061 33.27 29 109.125 77 L16 30 158.499 7 1.48749 70.23 31 75.857 90.73 L17 32 58.409 9.87 1.497 81.54 33 77.195 2.637 L18 34 59.131 1.8 1.84666 23.78 35 107.222 0.2 L19 36 49.527 10.18 1.497 81.54 37 69.515 20.97 L20 38 39.258 4.5 1.72825 28.46 39 87.301 10.84 L21 40 688.428 7.95 1.92286 20.88 41 66.384 3.64 L22 42 180.439 6.82 1.92286 20.86 43 144.579 5 (19) 44 INFINITY 45 1.5168 64.2 45 INFINITY 14.12

[0234] The coefficients of the odd-order aspheric expression for defining the aspherical shape of each of the surfaces (of the first lens unit first lens L1) with the surface numbers 1, 2 formed as the aspherical surfaces are as follows.

TABLE-US-00016 SURFACE NUMBER 1 2 Y CURVATURE RADIUS 98.129 97.124 CONIC CONSTANT 36.951 1.195 3rd-ORDER ASPHERIC 1.40330E04 1.7042E04 COEFFICIENT 4th-ORDER ASPHERIC 1.13940E06 4.4611E07 COEFFICIENT 5th-ORDER ASPHERIC 7.72380E08 3.3800E08 COEFFICIENT 6th-ORDER ASPHERIC 6.37540E10 3.6500E10 COEFFICIENT 7th-ORDER ASPHERIC 1.02680E11 1.3558E13 COEFFICIENT 8th-ORDER ASPHERIC 1.16660E13 1.2520E14 COEFFICIENT 9th-ORDER ASPHERIC 6.31820E16 2.7759E15 COEFFICIENT 10th-ORDER ASPHERIC 2.83160E18 2.0421E17 COEFFICIENT 11th-ORDER ASPHERIC 2.35510E20 5.6647E19 COEFFICIENT 12th-ORDER ASPHERIC 5.04360E22 1.3463E20 COEFFICIENT 13th-ORDER ASPHERIC 2.65770E23 1.5068E22 COEFFICIENT 14th-ORDER ASPHERIC 3.25050E25 2.8023E24 COEFFICIENT 15th-ORDER ASPHERIC 5.66020E27 1.0900E25 COEFFICIENT 16th-ORDER ASPHERIC 8.55340E30 8.8219E28 COEFFICIENT 17th-ORDER ASPHERIC 9.13480E31 2.3294E29 COEFFICIENT 18th-ORDER ASPHERIC 1.27390E32 2.2166E31 COEFFICIENT 19th-ORDER ASPHERIC 6.4588E33 COEFFICIENT

[0235] Further, the coefficients of the even-order aspheric expression for defining the aspherical shape of each of the surfaces (of the first lens unit twelfth lens L12) with the surface numbers 22, 23 formed as the aspherical surfaces are as follows.

TABLE-US-00017 SURFACE NUMBER 19 20 Y CURVATURE RADIUS 81.542 196.440 CONIC CONSTANT (K) 4.353 21.752 4th-ORDER 1.81220E07 7.51940E06 COEFFICIENT (A) 6th-ORDER 8.41140E09 1.21140E08 COEFFICIENT (B) 8th-ORDER 7.57770E13 7.64500E13 COEFFICIENT (C) 10th-ORDER 2.90690E16 4.32840E15 COEFFICIENT (D) 12th-ORDER 7.44910E19 3.68880E21 COEFFICIENT (E) 14th-ORDER 1.51470E21 3.98230E23 COEFFICIENT (F) 16th-ORDER 2.21420E24 2.40420E26 COEFFICIENT (G) 18th-ORDER 2.47400E27 1.03450E27 COEFFICIENT (H) 20th-ORDER 3.81380E30 0.00000E+00 COEFFICIENT (J)

[0236] Then, the on-axis surface distances A, B, C, and D (unit: mm), the focal distance |f| (unit: mm), and the half field angle (unit: ) in the case of changing the projection size and then performing focusing are as follows. It should be noted that a set of the positions of the lenses after achieving focusing in the case of setting the on-axis surface distance A, which is the distance between the first lens unit first lens and the screen S, to 1200 mm is defined as Position 1, a set of the positions of the lenses in the case of setting the on-axis surface distance A to 800 mm is defined as Position 2, and a set of the positions of the lenses in the case of setting the on-axis surface distance A to 3000 mm is defined as Position 3.

TABLE-US-00018 POSITION 1 POSITION 2 POSITION 3 A 1200 800 3000 B 17.71 17.995 17.295 C 17.844 17.979 17.667 D 32.085 31.665 32.677 |f| 7.88 7.85 7.93 67.8 67.7 67.9

[0237] According to the projection optical system 3D of the present example, since the second lens unit first lens L13 has positive power, it is easy to form the intermediate image 30 on the first lens unit LU1 side of the second lens unit first lens L13. Further, since the intermediate image 30 is formed using the lens having positive power, it is easy for the second lens unit LU2 to correct the distortion aberration occurring in the first lens unit LU1.

[0238] Further, a principal beam of an off-axis light beam passing between the first lens unit twelfth lens L12 and the second lens unit first lens L13 respectively located on the both sides across the intermediate image 30 comes closer to the optical axis L as proceeding from the second lens unit first lens L13 toward the first lens unit twelfth lens L12, and the focusing position P of the off-axis light in the intermediate image 30 comes closer to the second lens unit first lens L13 as proceeding toward the off-axis direction. Thus, it is easy for the second lens unit LU2 to correct the distortion aberration occurring in the first lens unit LU1, and it is possible to suppress the burden of correcting the aberration by the first lens unit LU1.

[0239] Further, in the present example, since the first lens unit first lens L1 and the first lens unit twelfth lens L12 are the aspherical lenses, it is easy to correct the distortion aberration in the first lens unit first lens L1, and it becomes easy to correct the field curvature in the first lens unit twelfth lens L12. Further, since the first lens unit first lens L1 is the aspherical lens, it is easy to reduce the diameter of the first lens unit first lens L1.

[0240] Here, the projection optical system 3D satisfies the following conditional expression (1) defining the focal distance of the first lens unit LU1 as fU1, and the focal distance of the second lens unit LU2 as fU2.

0.3<fU1/fU2<0.005 (1)

[0241] Specifically, [0242] fU1=11.73 [0243] fU2=333.4

[0244] and, therefore

fU1/fU2=0.035

[0245] is obtained.

[0246] Since the projection optical system 3D of the present example satisfies the conditional expression (1), it is easy to prevent the distortion from occurring in the projection field while preventing the number of lenses from increasing to thereby make the maximum field angle as wide angle as no smaller than 120 (make the half field angle no smaller than 60). That is, if the value of the conditional expression (1) exceeds the lower limit, the focal distance of the first lens unit LU1 becomes too long to easily make the field angle wide angle. Further, if the value of the conditional expression (1) exceeds the lower limit, the tilt of the light beam between the second lens unit LU2 and the intermediate image 30 with respect to the optical axis L becomes large to incur the deterioration of the field curvature, and at the same time, the diameter of the lens (the second lens unit first lens L13) located on the most intermediate image 30 side of the second lens unit LU2 becomes large. In contrast, if the value of the conditional expression (1) exceeds the upper limit, the light beam entering the first lens unit LU1 from the intermediate image 30 side becomes a roughly telecentric light beam or a light beam with the beam diameter increasing. Thus, the load on the first lens unit LU1 increases, and therefore, it is necessary to increase the number of lenses of the first lens unit LU1 in order to correct the aberration.

[0247] Further, in the present example, the total lens length LLU1 of the first lens unit LU1 and the total lens length LLU2 of the second lens unit LU2 satisfy the following conditional expression (2).

0.5<LLU1/LLU2<0.9 (2)

Specifically,

LLU1/LLU2=203.015/300.923=0.67

[0248] is obtained,

[0249] Therefore, according to the present example, it is easy to make the total lens length LLU1 of the first lens unit LU1 shorter than the total lens length LLU2 of the second lens unit LU2, and thus make the whole of the projection optical system 3D compact.

[0250] Further, in the present example, the second lens unit first lens L13 is provided with positive power, the second lens unit second lens L14 is provided with negative power, and the second lens unit third lens L15 is provided with positive power. Further, the second lens unit first lens L13 is provided with a concave surface on the intermediate image 30 side, and the second lens unit second lens L14 is provided with the concave surface on the liquid crystal panel 18 side. In addition thereto, defining the refractive index on the d-line of the second lens unit first lens L13 as nd(21), and the Abbe number as vd(21), the refractive index on the d-line of the second lens unit second lens L14 as nd(22), and the Abbe number as vd(22), the following conditional expression (3) and conditional expression (4) are satisfied.

|nd(22)nd(21)|<0.4 (3)

|vd(21)vd(22)|<30 (4)

Specifically,

|nd(22)nd(21)|=|1.720471.61772|=0.10

and,

|vd(21)vd(22)|=49.8134.71=15.10

[0251] are obtained.

[0252] Since the second lens unit first lens L13, the second lens unit second lens L14, and the second lens unit third lens L15 are provided with the configuration described above, and satisfy the conditional expression (3) and the conditional expression (4), it is possible for the projection optical system 3D to make the aberration occurring at a position high in image height in the second lens unit LU2 appropriate. Thus, it becomes easy for the first lens unit LU1 to correct the aberration occurring in the second lens unit LU2.

[0253] Further, in the present example, defining the focal distance on the d-line as f, and the air-conversion value of the overall back focus as BF, the following conditional expression (5) is satisfied.

BF/|f|>5 (5)

Specifically,

BF/|f|=48.786/7.88=6.2

[0254] is obtained.

[0255] Since the conditional expression (5) is satisfied, in the projection optical system 3D, a relatively long back focus can be ensured, and it is easy to make the maximum field angle as wide angle as no smaller than 120.

[0256] Further, in the present example, the second lens unit tenth lens L22 located on the most liquid crystal panel 18 side of the second lens unit LU2, and the second lens unit ninth lens L21 located adjacent to the second lens unit tenth lens L22 are each provided with positive power. Further, defining the refractive index on the d-line of the second lens unit tenth lens L22 as nd(23), and the Abbe number thereof as vd(23), the following conditional expression (6) and conditional expression (7) are satisfied.

1.75<nd(23)<2.00 (6)

20<vd(23)<45 (7)

[0257] Specifically, [0258] nd(23)=1.92286 [0259] vd(23)=20.86

[0260] are set.

[0261] Since the second lens unit ninth lens L21 and the second lens unit tenth lens L22 are each provided with positive power, and at be same time satisfy the conditional expression (6) and the conditional expression (7), in the projection optical system 3D, it is easy to correct the field curvature and the chromatic aberration.

[0262] FIG. 18 is an aberration diagram (a spherical aberration, an astigmatism, and a distortion aberration) in the case in which the lenses of the projection optical system 3D are located at Position 1. FIG. 19 is an aberration diagram (a spherical aberration, an astigmatism, and a distortion aberration) in the case in which the lenses of the projection optical system 3D are located at Position 2. FIG. 20 is an aberration diagram (a spherical aberration, an astigmatism, and a distortion aberration) in the case in which the lenses of the projection optical system 3D are located at Position 3. As shown in FIG. 18 through FIG. 20, in the projection optical system 3D, the spherical aberration, the astigmatism, and the distortion aberration are corrected in good condition.

[0263] Then, when incorporating the projection optical system 3D into the projector 1, a first mirror 31 (the first light path folding element) is disposed between the first lens unit LU1 and the second lens unit LU2 to fold the light path (the optical axis L) in between as shown in FIG. 21. Further, a second mirror 32 (the second light path folding element) is disposed between the second lens unit third lens L15 and the second lens unit fourth lens L16 in the second lens unit LU2 to fold the light path (the optical axis L) in between. If the first mirror 31 and the second mirror 32 are disposed in the projection optical system 3D, it is possible to orient the optical axis L to the desired direction. Therefore, it becomes easy to incorporate the projection optical system 3D into the projector 1.

[0264] Here, the distance between the second lens unit third lens L15 and the second lens unit fourth lens L16 is the next longest to the on-axis surface distance between the second lens unit fourth lens L16 and the second lens unit fifth lens L17 in the on-axis surface distance between two lenses adjacent to each other in the second lens unit LU2. Therefore, it is easy to dispose the second mirror 32 between the second lens unit third lens L15 and the second lens unit fourth lens L16.

[0265] Further, in the present example, no mirror is disposed inside the first lens unit LU1. Therefore, it becomes easy to ensure the positional accuracy of each of the lenses of the first lens unit LU1 compared to the case of disposing the first mirror 31 inside the first lens unit LU1. Further, since the first mirror 31 is not disposed inside the first lens unit LU1, there is no need to provide a space for disposing the first mirror 31 inside the first lens unit LU1, and it is possible to prevent the total lens length LLU1 of the first lens unit LU1 from increasing. Here, the first lens unit LU1 is large in performance deterioration due to the position shift compared to the second lens unit LU2, and is required to be high in positional accuracy of the lenses. Therefore, by refraining from disposing the first mirror 31 in the first lens unit LU1, it is possible to suppress the variation in performance of the projection optical system 3D.

MODIFIED EXAMPLES

[0266] It should be noted that defining the three lenses formed of the first lens unit second lens L2, the first lens unit third lens L3, and the first lens, unit fourth lens L4 as the first lens group LG1, the first lens unit fifth lens L5 as the second lens group LG2, and the first lens unit sixth lens L6 as a third lens group, in the case of changing the projection size on the screen S in the projection optical system 3D, it is also possible to perform focusing by moving the first lens group LG1, the second lens group LG2 and the third lens group in the state of fixing the first lens unit first lens L1. Here, the first lens group LG1 is provided with negative power, the second lens group LG2 is provided with positive power, and the third lens group is provided with positive power. Further, the first lens group LG1 has two or more lenses each provided with negative power. According also to such a configuration, it is possible to achieve focusing while preventing the aberration from occurring when the projection size has been changed.

[0267] Further, it is also possible to fold the light path (the optical axis L) using a prism instead of the mirrors 31, 32.

[0268] The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-239108, filed Dec. 9, 2016 is expressly incorporated by reference herein.