U.S. patent application number 14/066043 was filed with the patent office on 2014-02-27 for light source device and projector.
This patent application is currently assigned to Seiko Epson Corporation. The applicant listed for this patent is Seiko Epson Corporation. Invention is credited to Hiroshi Onodera, Takahiro Takizawa.
Application Number | 20140055759 14/066043 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42117146 |
Filed Date | 2014-02-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140055759 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Onodera; Hiroshi ; et
al. |
February 27, 2014 |
LIGHT SOURCE DEVICE AND PROJECTOR
Abstract
In one embodiment, a light source device comprises an arc tube
having a first sealing portion extending from a light emission
portion. A reflection mirror is attached to neighbor the first
sealing portion and has a concave reflection surface. A container
accommodates the arc tube and the reflection mirror. A branch
portion has a first opening which branches a part of a cooling air
flowing within the container to guide the cooling air to the arc
tube. First and second duct portions are each connected to the
branch portion. The first and second duct portions extend along a
center axis of a light reflected by the reflection mirror such that
the air flows in a direction opposite to a traveling direction of
the light reflected by the reflection surface. A guiding member
directs the air toward the first or second duct portion by moving
by its own weight.
Inventors: |
Onodera; Hiroshi;
(Matsumoto-shi, JP) ; Takizawa; Takahiro;
(Matsumoto-shi, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Seiko Epson Corporation |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
Seiko Epson Corporation
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
42117146 |
Appl. No.: |
14/066043 |
Filed: |
October 29, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13782634 |
Mar 1, 2013 |
8596797 |
|
|
14066043 |
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|
12578983 |
Oct 14, 2009 |
8408714 |
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13782634 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
353/61 ;
313/36 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01J 61/526 20130101;
G03B 21/16 20130101; H01J 61/523 20130101; G03B 21/2026 20130101;
G03B 21/2066 20130101; H01J 61/86 20130101; H04N 9/3144 20130101;
H01J 61/025 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
353/61 ;
313/36 |
International
Class: |
H01J 61/52 20060101
H01J061/52; G03B 21/16 20060101 G03B021/16 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 28, 2008 |
JP |
2008-276913 |
Claims
1. A light source device comprising: an arc tube having a light
emission portion and a first sealing portion extending from an end
of the light emission portion; a reflection mirror attached to
neighbor the first sealing portion and having a substantially
concave reflection surface for reflecting a light emitted from the
light emission portion; a container which accommodates the arc tube
and the reflection mirror; a branch portion having a first opening
which branches a part of a cooling air flowing within the container
to guide the part of the cooling air to the arc tube; a first duct
portion and a second duct portion each connected to the branch
portion, wherein the first duct portion and the second duct portion
extend along a center axis of a light reflected by the reflection
mirror such that the cooling air can flow in a direction opposite
to a traveling direction of the light reflected by the reflection
surface; and a guiding member which directs the cooling air toward
the first duct portion or the second duct portion positioned above
the arc tube by moving by its own weight.
2. The light source device according to claim 1, wherein the first
duct portion and the second duct portion are disposed opposed to
each other with a center of the arc tube interposed between the
first duct portion and the second duct portion.
3. The light source device according to claim 1, further
comprising: a second opening that is open to the arc tube and
disposed at a position shifted toward a traveling direction side
from an opening end of the reflection mirror; and a metal
plate-shaped member attached to an upper surface over the second
opening such that the cooling air is reflected by the metal
plate-shaped member toward the light emission portion.
4. A projector comprising: the light source device according to
claim 1; a light modulation device which modulates a light emitted
from the light source device and forms an image light; and a
projection device which projects the image light.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE
[0001] The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/782,634 filed Mar. 1, 2013 which is a
continuation application of U.S. Pat. No. 8,408,714 issued Apr. 2,
2013, which claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No.
2008-276913 filed on Oct. 28, 2008, which are hereby incorporated
by reference in their entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Technical Field
[0003] The present invention relates to a light source device and a
projector.
[0004] 2. Related Art
[0005] A light source device and a projector which forms image
light corresponding to image information by modulating light
emitted from the light source device and projects the expanded
image light on a projection surface such as a screen are known.
Atypical light source device of this type includes a discharge type
arc tube such as extra-high pressure mercury lamp, and a reflection
mirror for reflecting light emitted from the arc tube. In this
case, the arc tube has high temperature at the time of light
emission.
[0006] More specifically, the arc tube of the projector includes a
substantially spherical light emission portion and a pair of
sealing portions extending from both ends of the light emission
portion in directions away from each other. The arc tube further
includes light emission substance such as mercury sealed into the
light emission portion. At the time of lighting of the arc tube
having this structure, the temperature of the upper region of the
light emission portion becomes the highest, and the temperature of
the lower region becomes the lowest. When high temperature
condition of the upper region of the light emission portion
continues, devitrification is easily caused. Moreover, blacking is
easily produced with increase in temperature difference between the
upper region and the lower region. In this case, the arc tube
easily deteriorates. Thus, the upper region of the arc tube needs
to be cooled with high efficiency.
[0007] This type of projector is placed on an installation surface
such as a desk in a normal position, or fixed to a ceiling or the
like in a suspended position in the direction opposite to the
normal position in the vertical direction. According to these
installation positions, the area where heated air remains within
the projector placed in the normal position is different from that
area of the projector in the suspended position. Thus, in case of a
structure including a flow path of cooling air for cooling the
components of the projector as a path established before use, the
light source device of the projector cannot be adequately cooled in
the normal position or the suspended position depending on the
installation condition. For overcoming this problem, a light source
device capable of supplying cooling air to the upper region of the
light emission portion by using an air direction changing plate
rotatable by its own weight in both cases of the normal position
and suspended position has been proposed (for example, see
JP-A-2002-189247; Fig. 8).
[0008] According to the light source device disclosed in
JP-A-2002-189247, cooling air for cooling the light emission
portion is guided in a slightly downward direction by the air
direction changing plate after flowing in a duct, and introduced
into a reflection mirror (reflector) via air intake port and air
supply hole. In this case, the cooling air cannot reach the arc
tube with appropriate inclination, and thus cannot be adequately
supplied to the upper region of the arc tube.
SUMMARY
[0009] It is an advantage of some aspects of the invention to
provide a light source device and a projector capable of cooling an
arc tube in an appropriate manner.
[0010] A light source device according to a first aspect of the
invention includes: an arc tube having a light emission portion and
a first sealing portion extending from one end of the light
emission portion; a first reflection mirror attached to the first
sealing portion and having a substantially concave surface for
reflecting light emitted from the light emission portion; and a
container which accommodates the arc tube and the first reflection
mirror. The container has a duct unit disposed above the arc tube
and extending along the center axis of light reflected by the
reflection surface such that cooling air can flow in the direction
opposite to the traveling direction of light reflected by the
reflection surface. The duct unit includes a first opening open to
the arc tube and disposed at a position shifted toward the
traveling direction side from an opening end of the first
reflection mirror, a wall portion which forms the edge of the first
opening on the side opposite to the traveling direction side as a
final end of the duct unit, and an inclined portion disposed in the
vicinity of the edge of the first opening on the traveling
direction side to bend the flowing direction of the cooling air
toward the surface opposite to the surface having the first
opening.
[0011] According to this structure, the flowing direction of
cooling air flowing within the duct unit is bent toward the surface
opposite to the surface having the first opening by the inclined
portion provided in the vicinity of the first opening. Thus, the
flowing direction of the cooling air is inclined to the flowing
direction within the duct unit by the opposite side surface and the
wall portion while the cooling air is flowing through the first
opening open to the arc tube. By disposing the light emission
portion in the flowing direction of the cooling air thus inclined,
the cooling air flowing within the duct unit can be linearly
supplied to the light emission portion.
[0012] Since the duct unit is provided above the arc tube, the
cooling air flowing within the duct unit is supplied to the upper
region of the light emission portion. In this case, the upper
region of the light emission portion can be positively cooled, and
temperature difference between the upper region and the lower
region can be reduced. Thus, deterioration of the arc tube can be
prevented.
[0013] Accordingly, the upper region of the arc tube can be
adequately cooled, and the life of the arc tube can be
increased.
[0014] It is preferable that the opening end of the first
reflection mirror contacts the end surface of the wall portion on
the side opposite to the traveling direction side.
[0015] According to this structure, the first opening and the
opening end of the first reflection mirror are positioned close to
each other. In this case, cooling air can be supplied to the upper
region of the light emission portion linearly from a short distance
compared with a structure in which the first opening and the
opening end of the first reflection mirror are positioned away from
each other. Accordingly, cooling air can be securely supplied to
the upper region of the arc tube.
[0016] It is preferable that the arc tube has a second sealing
portion extending from the end of the light emission portion
opposite to the end from which the first sealing portion extends.
The duct unit includes a branch portion having a second opening
which branches apart of the cooling air flowing within the duct
unit to guide the part of the cooling air to the second sealing
portion.
[0017] According to this structure, the arc tube on the first
sealing portion side can be cooled by cooling air flowing through
the first opening, and the arc tube on the second sealing portion
side can be cooled by cooling air flowing through the second
opening. Thus, the entire area of the arc tube can be cooled, and
the life of the arc tube can be further increased.
[0018] It is preferable that the arc tube has a second reflection
mirror which covers the light emission portion on the light
traveling direction side and reflects received light toward the
first reflection mirror.
[0019] According to this structure, apart of light emitted from the
light emission portion and not directly reaching the first
reflection mirror is reflected by the second reflection mirror
toward the first reflection mirror. Thus, utilization efficiency of
light emitted from the light emission portion can be increased.
[0020] Even in the structure covering the light emission portion by
the second reflection mirror, cooling air flowing through the first
opening linearly flows downward as discussed above. Thus, the
cooling air can reach the upper region of the light emission
portion without flowing toward the second reflection mirror.
Accordingly, the upper region of the light emission portion can be
adequately cooled even in the structure including the second
reflection mirror.
[0021] It is preferable that the duct unit includes: a first duct
portion and a second duct portion disposed so as to be opposed to
each other with the center of the arc tube interposed between the
first and second duct portions, each of the first and second duct
portions has the first opening, the wall portion, and the inclined
portion; and a guiding member which directs the cooling air toward
the first duct portion or the second duct portion positioned above
the arc tube by moving by its own weight.
[0022] According to this structure, since cooling air can be
supplied to the first duct portion or the second duct portion
positioned above the arc tube by the guiding member shifting by its
weight even when the container is reversely positioned in the
up-down direction, cooling air can be directly supplied to the
upper region of the light emission portion. Thus, the arc tube can
be appropriately cooled when either the first duct portion or the
second duct portion of the container is positioned above the arc
tube.
[0023] A projector according to a second aspect of the invention
includes: the light source device described above; a light
modulation device which modulates light emitted from the light
source device and forms image light; and a projection device which
projects the image light.
[0024] According to this structure, the same advantages as those of
the light source device described above are provided, and the life
of the light source device as well as the life of the arc tube are
increased. Thus, the necessity for frequently replacing the light
source device can be eliminated, and the labor for maintenance can
be reduced.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] The invention will be described with reference to the
accompanying drawings, wherein like numbers reference like
elements.
[0026] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a structure of a projector
according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0027] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a light source lamp
according to the embodiment.
[0028] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a light source device
according to the embodiment.
[0029] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the light source device
according to the embodiment.
[0030] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the light source device
according to the embodiment.
[0031] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a container main body
according to the embodiment.
[0032] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a duct member according to
the embodiment.
[0033] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a flow path of cooling
air for cooling the light source device according to the
embodiment.
[0034] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a flow path of cooling
air for cooling the light source device according to the
embodiment.
[0035] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a flow path of
cooling air for cooling the light source device according to the
embodiment.
[0036] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a light source device
according to a comparison example of the embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT
[0037] An embodiment according to the invention is hereinafter
described with reference to the drawings.
Structure of Projector
[0038] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a structure of a projector
1 according to this embodiment.
[0039] The projector 1 forms image light according to image
information by modulating light emitted from a light source device
and projects the expanded image light on a projection surface (not
shown) such as a screen. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the projector 1
includes a substantially rectangular outer housing 2 in the plan
view, and a device main body 3 accommodated in the outer housing
2.
[0040] The outer housing 2 constitutes an upper surface (not
shown), a front surface 2B, a back surface 2C, a left side surface
2D, a right side surface 2E, and a bottom surface (not shown) of
the projector 1, and has not-shown plural legs attached to the
bottom surface. The projector 1 is installed in a normal position
by contact between the legs and an installation surface, and in a
suspended position by attachment of the legs to the ceiling or the
like in the direction opposite to that of the normal position in
the vertical direction such that the bottom surface faces the
ceiling or the like.
[0041] The device main body 3 includes an optical unit 4 and a
cooling device 9. Though not shown in the figure, the device main
body 3 further includes a power source device for supplying power
to the respective components of the projector 1, a control device
for controlling operations of the components of the projector 1,
and others.
[0042] The cooling device 9 has a plurality of fans 91 through 94,
and supplies air introduced from the outside of the outer housing 2
to the optical unit 4, the power source device, and the control
device to cool these units. The pair of the fans 91 and 92 disposed
with a projection device 45 described later interposed therebetween
are sirocco fans for introducing outside cooling air through an
intake port (not shown) formed on the outer housing 2 and supplying
the cooling air to an optical device 44 described later.
[0043] As for the fans 93 and 94 disposed close to a light source
device 5 described later, the fan 93 located on the back surface 2C
side of the projector 1 is a sirocco fan which attracts air within
the outer housing 2 and supplies the air to the light source device
5. The fan 94 is an axial fan which attracts air having cooled the
light source device 5 and directs the air toward the front surface
2B of the projector 1 to discharge the air through a discharge port
2B1 formed on the front surface 2B. The fans 93 and 94 may be
constituted by axial fan and sirocco fan, respectively. The
discharge port 2B1 may be formed on any surface of the outer
housing 2.
Structure of Optical Unit
[0044] The optical unit 4 forms image light according to image
information under control of the control device. The optical unit 4
includes the light source device 5, an illumination device 41, a
color separation device 42, a relay device 43, the optical device
44, the projection device 45, an optical component housing 46, and
a light source container 47.
[0045] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a light source lamp
50.
[0046] The light source device 5 includes the light source lamp 50
having an arc tube 51 made of quartz glass and a main reflection
mirror 52 attached to the arc tube 51, a collimating concave lens
53, and a container 6 for accommodating these components. The
detailed structure of the container 6 will be described later.
[0047] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the arc tube 51 has a light
emission portion 511 expanded in substantially spherical shape, and
a pair of sealing portions 512 and 513 extended from both ends of
the light emission portion 511 in directions away from each other
with the light emission portion 511 interposed between the sealing
portions 512 and 513 (sealing portion 512 on the main reflection
mirror 52 side and sealing portion 513 on the side opposite to the
main reflection mirror 52 in FIG. 2). The sealing portion 512
corresponds to a first sealing portion, and the sealing portion 513
corresponds to a second sealing portion in the appended claims.
[0048] A pair of electrodes E (E1 and E2) made from tungsten are
provided inside the light emission portion 511. A discharge space S
into which light emission substance containing mercury, rare gas,
and a small amount of halogen is sealed is provided between the
pair of the electrodes E1 and E2.
[0049] Metal foils 5121 and 5131 made of molybdenum electrically
connected with the electrodes E1 and E2 are inserted into the pair
of the sealing portions 512 and 513, respectively. The ends of the
sealing portions 512 and 513 on the sides opposite to the light
emission portion 511 are sealed by glass material or the like.
Electrode extension lines 514 and 515 extended to the outside of
the arc tube 51 are connected with the metal foils 5121 and 5131,
respectively, such that the interior of the light emission portion
511 emits light when voltage is applied to the electrode extension
lines 514 and 515.
[0050] A sub reflection mirror 54 as a second reflection mirror is
fixed to the arc tube 51 such that light emitted from the light
emission portion 511 toward the sealing portion 513 can be
reflected toward the main reflection mirror 52 by the sub
reflection mirror 54. The sub reflection mirror 54 has a
substantially cylindrical neck-shaped portion 541 having an opening
5411 through which the sealing portion 513 is inserted, and a
reflection portion 542 expanded from the neck-shaped portion
541.
[0051] The reflection portion 542 is disposed in such a position as
to cover the light emission portion 511 on the sealing portion 513
side. The reflection portion 542 has a substantially concave shape
in the cross-sectional view corresponding to the outer shape of the
light emission portion 511 on the sealing portion 513 side. A
reflection surface 5421 is formed on the surface of the reflection
portion 542 opposed to the light emission portion 511. The
reflection surface 5421 is provided as cold mirror for reflecting
visible light and transmitting infrared light and ultraviolet
light.
[0052] The main reflection mirror 52 corresponds to a first
reflection mirror in the appended claims, which is a component
integrally formed from glass for reflecting received light and
converging the light at a focus position on an illumination optical
axis A. The main reflection mirror 52 is fixed to the sealing
portion 512 by adhesive B. The main reflection mirror 52 has a
substantially cylindrical neck-shaped portion 521 having an opening
5211 into which the sealing portion 512 is inserted, and a
reflection portion 522 having a concave surface and expanded from
the neck-shaped portion 521.
[0053] A reflection surface 5221 on which metal thin film is
evaporated is provided on the surface of the reflection portion 522
opposed to the light emission portion 511. The reflection surface
5221 reflects visible light and transmits infrared light and
ultraviolet light as cold mirror.
[0054] While the main reflection mirror 52 is constituted by an
ellipsoidal reflector having a spheroidal surface in this
embodiment, the main reflection mirror 52 may be constituted by a
parabolic reflector having a paraboloidal surface. In this case,
the collimating concave lens 53 can be eliminated. Alternatively,
the main reflection mirror 52 may be constituted by a free-curve
surface reflector.
[0055] By attaching the sub reflection mirror 54 to the arc tube
51, light emitted from the light emission portion 511 to the side
opposite to the main reflection mirror 52 (that is, sealing portion
513 side) can reach the reflection surface 5221 by reflection on
the reflection surface 5421. Then, this light is further reflected
by the reflection surface 5221 and converged similarly to the light
directly reaching the reflection surface 5221 from the light
emission portion 511. Thus, light not entering a lens array 411
(see FIG. 1) disposed after the light source device 5 on the
optical path can be reduced.
[0056] A trigger line 55 is an auxiliary starting line for
improving lighting capability of the arc tube 51. One end of the
trigger line 55 is wound around the sealing portion 512 in coil
shape, the intermediate portion of the trigger line 55 is disposed
along the outer sides of the emission portion 511, the sub
reflection mirror 54 and the sealing portion 513, and the other end
is connected with the electrode extension line 515 via a connecting
member 516. One end of a lead 517 extended to the outside of the
main reflection mirror 52 via an insertion hole 5222 formed in the
vicinity of the edge of the reflection portion 522 is connected
with the connecting member 516. The other end of the lead 517 is
connected with a terminal 56 for applying voltage to the electrode
extension line 515 and the trigger line 53.
[0057] In this structure, the lighting capability of the arc tube
51 can be increased by applying high pressure pulse voltage to the
trigger line 55 thus provided.
[0058] Returning to FIG. 1, the illumination device 41 includes a
pair of lens arrays 411 and 412, a polarization conversion element
413, and a superimposing lens 414.
[0059] The color separation device 42 includes dichroic mirrors 421
and 422, and a reflection mirror 423. The relay device 43 includes
an entrance side lens 431, relay lenses 433, and reflection mirrors
432 and 434.
[0060] The optical device 44 includes field lenses 441, three
liquid crystal panels 442 as light modulation devices (liquid
crystal panel 442R for red light, liquid crystal panel 442G for
green light, and liquid crystal panel 442B for blue light), three
entrance side polarization plates 443, three visibility angle
compensating plates 444, three exit side polarization plates 445,
and a cross dichroic prism 446 as color combining device.
[0061] The projection device 45 is constituted by a combination of
plural lenses accommodated in a cylindrical lens barrel, and
expands image light formed by the optical device 44 to project the
expanded image light on the projection surface.
[0062] The optical component housing 46 is a box-shaped housing
having substantially L shape for containing the respective optical
devices 41 through 44 discussed above. The optical component
housing 46 accommodates the respective optical devices 41 through
44 at predetermined positions with respect to the illumination
optical axis A established inside the optical component housing
46.
[0063] The light source container 47 connected with one end of the
optical component housing 46 accommodates the light source device
5.
[0064] According to the optical unit 4 having this structure,
lights emitted from the light source device 5 are converted into
lights having uniform illuminance within the illumination area by
the illumination device 41, and then separated into three color
lights in R (red), G (green), and B (blue) by the color separation
device 42. The respective color lights thus separated are modulated
by the corresponding liquid crystal panels 442 according to image
information to form image lights in respective colors. Then, the
image lights in respective colors are combined by the cross
dichroic prism 446, and expanded and projected on the projection
surface by the projection device 45.
Structure of Container
[0065] FIGS. 3 through 5 are perspective views showing the light
source device 5. More specifically, FIGS. 3 and 4 are perspective
views on the light emission side of the light source device 5 on
the right side and the left side, respectively. FIG. 5 is a
perspective view of the light source device 5 on the opposite side
of the light emission side. In the following description and the
attached drawings, the light emission direction of the light source
device 5 (more specifically, main reflection mirror 52 described
later in detail) as a direction extending in the horizontal
direction when the projector 1 is placed on a horizontal plane in
the normal position corresponds to Z direction. In this case, the
light emission side in the Z direction is the front side, and the
side opposite to the light emission side is the back side. The
direction orthogonal to the Z direction and extending in the
horizontal direction and in the left direction as viewed from the
light emission side (front side) in the Z direction corresponds to
X direction. The right side in the X direction is the right surface
side, and the left side in the X direction is the left surface
side. The direction orthogonal to the Z direction and X direction
and extending upward corresponds to Y direction. The upper side in
the Y direction is the upper surface side, and the lower side in
the Y direction is the bottom surface side. Thus, the respective
directions X, Y, and Z cross one another at right angles.
[0066] As explained above, the light source device 5 is a unit
including the light source lamp 50, the collimating concave lens 53
(see FIG. 1 for both), and the container 6 for accommodating these
components.
[0067] The container 6 is made of synthetic resin containing glass
filler. As illustrated in FIGS. 3 through 5, the container 6 has a
container main body 61, a duct member 62 for covering the container
main body 61 on the light emission side in the Z direction and the
right side in the X direction, a guiding plate 63 (FIG. 3) provided
within the duct member 62 and rotating by its own weight, and a
supporting member 64 (see FIG. 7) for supporting the guiding plate
63. The container 6 further includes a duct unit 7 having a branch
portion 7A for branching cooling air introduced from the outside of
the light source device 5 by using the outer surface of the
container main body 61 and the inner surface of the duct member 62,
and a first duct portion 7B and a second duct portion 7C each of
which introduces the branched cooling air to the light emission
portion 511 when the projector 1 is installed in the normal
position or the suspended position. The detailed structure of the
duct unit 7 will be described later.
Structure of Container Main Body
[0068] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the container main body 61.
More specifically, FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the
condition of the container main body 61 from which the duct member
62 shown in FIG. 3 is removed.
[0069] As illustrated in FIG. 6, the container main body 61 has a
cylindrical shape constituted by a front surface 611, a right side
surface 612, an upper surface 613, a lower surface 614, and a left
side surface 615. A lamp container 616 (see FIG. 8) for
accommodating the light source lamp 50 is formed inside the
respective surfaces 611 through 615. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the
main reflection mirror 52 to which the arc tube 51 is fixed is
inserted into the lamp container 616 from the side opposite to the
light emission side in the Z direction.
[0070] A substantially circular opening 6111 through which light
emitted from the light source lamp 50 passes is formed on the front
surface 611. The collimating concave lens 53 is fitted to the
opening 6111.
[0071] The area of the right side surface 612 on the light emission
side in the Z direction forms the branch portion 7A when combined
with the duct member 62. As illustrated in FIG. 6, a pair of
rotation regulating members 6121 and 6122 (rotation regulating
member 6121 on the lower side in the Y direction and rotation
regulating member 6122 on the upper side in the Y direction) for
regulating rotation of the guiding plate 63 described later project
from the right side surface 612 to the outside. The ends of the
rotation regulating members 6121 and 6122 on the side opposite to
the light emission side in the Z direction are disposed close to
each other, and the opposite ends on the light emission side in the
Z direction are disposed away from each other, providing
inclination of the rotation regulating members 6121 and 6122 at the
same angle with respect to the Z direction.
[0072] A slit-shaped opening 6123 extending in the Y direction is
formed between the rotation regulating members 6121 and 6122. The
opening 6123 penetrating through the right side surface 612
corresponds to a second opening in the appended claims. Thus, a
part of cooling air introduced into the duct member 62 is guided
into the lamp container 616 (see FIG. 8) to cool the arc tube 51 on
the sealing portion 513 side accommodated in the lamp container
616.
[0073] A pair of bosses 6124 and 6125 projecting to the outside of
the surface are provided on the right side surface 612 on the side
opposite to the light emission side in the Z direction. The boss
6124 on the lower side in the Y direction is a positioning member
for positioning the duct member 62. The boss 6125 on the upper side
in the Y direction is a fixing member into which a screw for fixing
the duct member 62 is screwed.
[0074] The area of the upper surface 613 on the light emission side
in the Z direction forms the first duct portion 7B when combined
with the duct member 62. This area has a stepped portion 6131 on
the right side in the X direction, which is lower than the
substantially center area of the upper surface 613. This area also
has an inclined portion 6132 substantially at the center in the X
direction, which is inclined upward in the Y direction toward the
side opposite to the light emission side in the Z direction. A
curved portion 61321 curved upward in the Y direction toward the
side opposite to the light emission side in the Z direction is
formed at the end of the inclined portion 6132 on the side opposite
to the light emission side in the Z direction.
[0075] A standing portion 6133 standing to the outside of the upper
surface 613 is provided on the inclined portion 6132 on the left
side in the X direction. A substantially rectangular opening 6134
as a first opening is formed on the inclined portion 6132 on the
side opposite to the light emission side in the Z direction. A wall
portion 6135 extending in the X direction and Y direction is
provided on the opening 6134 on the side opposite to the light
emission side in the Z direction. The edges of the opening 6134 on
the light emission side and the opposite side in the Z direction
and the left side in the X direction are formed by the inclined
portion 6132, the standing portion 6133, and the wall portion
6135.
[0076] A standing portion 6136 extending in the Z direction and
standing toward the upper side in the Y direction is provided on
the standing portion 6133 on the left side in the X direction. The
standing portion 6136 contacts a standing portion 6243 of the duct
member 62 described later.
[0077] A pair of openings 6137 disposed in the X direction are
formed on the wall portion 6135 on the side opposite to the light
emission side in the Z direction to introduce cooling air for
cooling the outer circumference of the main reflection mirror 52
via the openings 6137.
[0078] A stepped portion 6141, an inclined portion 6142, a standing
portion 6143, an opening 6144, and a wall portion 6145 (see FIG. 8)
similar to the stepped portion 6131, the inclined portion 6132, the
standing portion 6133, the opening 6134, and the wall portion 6135
are provided on the lower surface 614 opposite to the upper surface
613 to form the second duct portion 7C when the container main body
61 and the duct member 62 are combined.
[0079] As illustrated in FIG. 4, a substantially rectangular
opening 6151 for discharging cooling air having cooled the light
source lamp 50 in the lamp container 616 is formed on the left side
surface 615 on the light emission side in the Z direction. The
opening 6151 is located at a position shifted on the light emission
side in the Z direction from the main reflection mirror 52. A frame
member 6152 having a mesh is attached to the inside of the opening
6151 so as to prevent scattering of fragments of the arc tube 51
when the arc tube 51 is broken.
[0080] A connector container 6153 concaved to the inside is
provided on the left side surface 615 on the side opposite to the
light emission side in the Z direction. A connector CN connected
with the terminal 56 and the electrode extension line 514 is
attached to the inside of the connector container 6153.
Structure of Duct Member
[0081] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the duct member 62.
[0082] The duct member 62 is attached to the container main body 61
by screw or the like to form the duct unit 7 by using the right
side surface 612, the upper surface 613, the lower surface 614 of
the container main body 61 (see FIG. 6), and the inner surface of
the duct member 62. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the duct member 62
has substantially C shape opened on the left side in the X
direction as viewed on the side opposite to the light emission side
in the Z direction. The duct member 62 having this structure has a
front surface 621, aback surface 622, aright side surface 623, an
upper surface 624, and a bottom surface 625. When the duct member
62 is attached to the container main body 61, the right side
surface 623, the upper surface 624, and the bottom surface 625 are
located opposed to the right side surface 612, the upper surface
613, and the lower surface 614, respectively.
[0083] The front surface 621 has a notch 6221 shaped to agree with
the external shapes of the respective surfaces 612, 613, and 614.
Thus, the front surface 621 and the front surface 611 have the same
level.
[0084] A substantially rectangular introduction opening 6212 whose
longitudinal direction corresponds to the Y direction is formed on
the front surface 621 on the right side in the X direction. The
introduction opening 6212 is connected with a delivery opening of
the cooling fan 93 (see FIG. 1) to introduce cooling air delivered
from the cooling fan 93 into the duct member 62. A frame member
6213 having a mesh is fitted to the inside of the introduction
opening 6212 to prevent scattering of fragments of the arc tube 51
similarly to the frame member 6152.
[0085] Projecting portions 6214 projecting to the outside of the
surface from the edges of the introduction opening 6212 on the
lower side and the upper side in the Y direction are provided on
the area of the front surface 621 on the side opposite to the light
emission side in the Z direction. The end of the guiding plate 63
rotatable by its weight contacts one of the projecting portions
6214.
[0086] The back surface 622 faces the front surface 621 in the
outside of the container main body 61 and constitutes a part of the
branch portion 7A and each of the duct portions 7B and 7C together
with the front surface 621 and the right side surface 623 when the
duct member 62 is attached to the container main body 61.
[0087] On the edge of the back surface 622 on the upper side in the
X direction, a concave portion 6211 to which the supporting member
64 for pivotally supporting the guiding plate 63 is attached is
formed.
[0088] A pair of rotation regulating members 6231 and 6232
(rotation regulating member 6231 on the lower side in the Y
direction and rotation regulating member 6232 on the upper side in
the Y direction) having similar shapes as those of the pair of the
rotation regulating members 6121 and 6122 project from the inner
surface of the right side surface 623 (surface on the left side in
the X direction) at the positions corresponding to the positions of
the rotation regulating members 6121 and 6122. A substantially
circular concave portion 6233 is formed between the rotation
regulating members 6231 and 6232 at the position where the rotation
regulating members 6231 and 6232 come closest to each other. An
extending portion 632 as the rotation axis of the guiding plate 63
described later is inserted into the concave portion 6233. A screw
hole (not shown) into which a screw 65 for fixing the supporting
member 64 is screwed is formed on the inner surface of the right
side surface 623 on the side opposite to the light emission side in
the Z direction.
[0089] The upper surface 624 covers the stepped portion 6131, the
inclined portion 6132, the standing portion 6133, the opening 6134,
and the wall portion 6135 formed on the upper surface 613. In this
case, the area of the upper surface 624 on the lower side in the Y
direction, the edge of the standing portion 6133 on the upper side
in the Y direction, and the edge of the wall portion 6135 on the
light emission side in the Z direction contact one another to form
the first duct portion 7B by the upper surface 624, the upper
surface 613, the front surface 621, and the back surface 622.
[0090] A projecting portion 6241 projecting toward the upper side
in the Y direction is formed on the upper surface 624. Openings
6242 through which cooling air flows to the outer circumference of
the main reflection mirror 52 contained in the lamp container 616
via the openings 6137 are formed on the projecting portion 6241.
However, the openings 6242 do not communicate with the first duct
portion 7B, and the flow path for cooling air flowing through the
openings 6242 is separated from the flow path for cooling air
flowing within the first duct portion 7B.
[0091] A standing portion 6243 standing toward the upper side in
the Y direction is provided on the upper surface 624 on the upper
side in the X direction. The standing portion 6243 contacts the
standing portion 6136 provided on the upper surface 613 to dispose
the duct member 62 at an appropriate position with respect to the
container main body 61.
[0092] A metal plate-shaped member 624A1 (see FIG. 10) is attached
to an inner surface (surface on the lower side in the Y direction)
of the upper surface 624 at the position corresponding to the
opening 6134 when the duct member 62 is attached to the container
main body 61. The plate-shaped member 624A1 prevents deterioration
of the incident position of light when light emitted from the light
emission portion 511 is directly incident on the upper surface 624
via the opening 6134.
[0093] The bottom surface 625 is substantially flat, and covers the
stepped portion 6141, the inclined portion 6142, the standing
portion 6143, the opening 6144, and the wall portion 6145 formed on
the lower surface 614 by attachment of the duct member 62 to the
container main body 61 similarly to the upper surface 624 to form
the second duct portion 7C by the bottom surface 625, the lower
surface 614, the front surface 621, and the back surface 622 inside
these surfaces. A metal plate-shaped member 625A1 (see FIG. 10) is
attached to an inner surface 625A of the bottom surface 625 at the
position corresponding to the opening 6144.
Structure of Guiding Plate
[0094] The guiding plate 63 corresponds to a guiding member in the
appended claims. As explained above, the guiding plate 63 disposed
within the branch portion 7A rotates by its weight within the range
from the rotation regulating members 6121 and 6231 to the rotation
regulating members 6122 and 6232 to change the flowing direction of
a part of cooling air introduced through the introduction opening
6212 toward the first duct portion 7B or the second duct portion
7C. The guiding plate 63 is a plate-shaped member which has a
guiding portion 631 positioned at the center and extending portions
632 disposed at one end of the guiding portion 631 and extending in
the direction away from each other.
[0095] One of the extending portions 632 is inserted into the
concave portion 6233, and the other extending portion 632 is
inserted into a hole 641 formed on the supporting member 64. The
guiding plate 63 is supported by the supporting member 64 fixed to
the screw hole formed on the right side surface 623 in such a
manner as to be rotatable around the extending portions 632 as
rotation axis.
[0096] The guiding portion 631 is a component for changing the
flowing direction of cooling air upward. When the guiding plate 63
rotates by its weight, the guiding portion 63 contacts the rotation
regulating members positioned on the upper side in the vertical
direction (rotation regulating members 6121 and 6231 in the normal
position and rotation regulating members 6122 and 6232 in the
suspended position of the projector 1), and also contacts the
projecting portion 6214 positioned on the upper side in the
vertical direction. By this method, the flowing direction of a part
of the cooling air introduced through the introduction opening 6212
is changed to the upward direction. Other cooling air is introduced
into the lamp container 616 via the opening 6123 (see FIG. 6).
Flow Path of Cooling Air
[0097] A flow path of cooling air for cooling the light source lamp
50 is now discussed. In the following explanation, it is assumed
that the projector 1 is installed in the normal position.
[0098] FIGS. 8 through 10 illustrate a flow path of cooling air for
cooling the light source lamp 50. More specifically, FIGS. 8 and 10
are horizontal and vertical cross-sectional views showing the light
source device 5 cut along horizontal and vertical planes containing
the center axis of the light source lamp 50, respectively. FIG. 9
is a perspective view of the light source device 5 showing the duct
member 62 by imaginary lines.
[0099] As illustrated in FIG. 8, cooling air delivered from the fan
93 advances in a direction D1, and is introduced into the branch
portion 7A through the introduction port 6212. A part of the
cooling air thus introduced is branched in a direction D2
(direction toward the left side in the X direction), and introduced
into the lamp container 616 through the slit-shaped opening 6123 to
cool the arc tube 51 on the sealing portion 513 side.
[0100] The other cooling air is branched in a direction D3
(direction toward the upper side in the Y direction) by the guiding
plate 63 rotated by its weight in the vertical direction until
contacting the rotation regulating members 6121 and 6231, and flows
within the branch portion 7A toward the first duct portion 7B.
[0101] The cooling air flowing in the direction D3 enters into the
first duct portion 7B surrounded by the upper surface 613 of the
container main body 61 and the front surface 621, the back surface
622, and the upper surface 624 of the duct member 62 as illustrated
in FIG. 9. Then, the cooling air flows within the first duct
portion 7B toward a direction D4 (direction toward the left side in
the X direction).
[0102] The flow direction of the cooling air flowing in the
direction D4 is changed to a direction D5 (direction toward the
side opposite to the light emission side in the Z direction) by the
standing portion 6133 as illustrated in FIG. 10.
[0103] Then, the cooling air flows along the upper surface 624, the
inclined portion 6132, and the standing portion 6133, and enters
into the lamp container 616 through the opening 6134 by colliding
with the wall portion 6135 as the final end of the first duct
portion 7B. The inclined portion 6132 is inclined upward in the Y
direction toward the side opposite to the light emission side in
the Z direction. The curved portion 61321 curved toward the upper
side in the Y direction is provided at the end of the inclined
portion 6132 on the side opposite to the light emission side in the
Z direction. Moreover, the wall portion 6135 forming the edge of
the opening 6134 is a wall extending in the direction perpendicular
to an inner surface 624A (surface 624A opposed to the upper surface
613 of the container main body 61) of the upper surface 624. Thus,
the flowing direction of the cooling air flowing along the inclined
portion 6132 is linearly changed to a direction D6, that is, toward
the upper region of the light emission portion 511 by the inclined
portion 6132, the curved portion 61321, the inner surface 624A, and
the wall portion 6135.
[0104] The cooling air flowing in the direction D6 advances in a
direction D7 in the same direction as the direction D6 to reach the
upper region of the light emission portion 511 located in the
direction D7. Since the opening end of the main reflection mirror
52 (edge of the reflection portion 522 on the light emission side
in the Z direction) contacts the end surface of the wall portion
6135 on the side opposite to the light emission side in the Z
direction, the cooling air can be supplied to the upper region of
the light emission portion 511 without changing the traveling
direction of the cooling air introduced through the opening 6134
into the lamp container 616. Thus, the cooling air flowing through
the first duct portion 7B is directly supplied to the upper region
of the light emission portion 511 without flowing along the
reflection surface 5221 of the main reflection mirror 52.
Accordingly, the cooling air can effectively cool the upper region
of the light emission portion 511.
[0105] The cooling air having cooled the light emission portion 511
discussed above and the cooling air having entered through the
opening 6123 at the branch portion 7A to cool the sealing portion
513 are both attracted by the fan 94 through the opening 6151
formed on the left side surface 615 on the side opposite to the
opening 6123 and discharged to the outside of the container 6.
[0106] When the light source device 5 is reversely positioned in
the up-down direction, that is, when the projector 1 is installed
in the suspended position, the rotation direction of the guiding
plate 63 is reversed. As a result, the cooling air branched by the
branch portion 7A flows within the second duct portion 7C. Since
the second duct portion 7C has a structure similar to that of the
first duct portion 7B, the cooling air flowing within the second
duct portion 7C is supplied to the upper region of the light
emission portion 511 to effectively cool the upper region even in
the suspended position.
[0107] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a light
source device 5A as a comparison example of this embodiment. More
specifically, FIG. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing
the light source device 5A including a flat portion 6132A in place
of the inclined portion 6132.
[0108] A flow path of cooling air in a structure not including the
inclined portion 6132 is now discussed. The light source device 5A
explained herein has a structure similar to that of the light
source device 5 except that the flat portion 6132A extending in the
Z direction and X direction is provided in place of the inclined
portion 6132. Identical reference numbers are given to parts
identical or similar to those described above, and the same
explanation is not repeated.
[0109] Cooling air flowing within the first duct portion 7B of the
light source device 5A flows in a direction F5 (direction toward
the side opposite to the light emission side in the Z direction)
along the upper surface 624, the flat portion 6132A and the
standing portion 5133. Since the flat portion 6132A has a flat
surface extending in the Z direction as well as in the direction of
the opposed inner surface 624A, the cooling air flows along the
wall portion 6135 in a direction F6 to enter into the lamp
container 616 through the opening 6134.
[0110] The cooling air having entered the lamp container 616 is
diffused within the lamp container 616. A part of the cooling air
flows in a direction F7 along the reflection surface 5221 of the
main reflection mirror 52. This cooling air flows toward the area
between the reflection surface 5221 and the light emission portion
511, and only a part of this cooling air is supplied to the upper
region of the light emission portion 511. Thus, the flow amount and
wind pressure of the cooling air supplied to the upper region of
the light emission portion 511 are lower than those of the light
source device 5 having the inclined portion 6132, and the
efficiency for cooling the upper region lowers.
[0111] The projector 1 according to this embodiment described above
offers the following advantages.
[0112] Cooling air flowing within the first duct portion 7B flows
with inclination toward the inner surface 624A opposed to the upper
surface 613 having the opening 6134. Thus, the cooling air advances
toward the light emission portion 511 through the opening 6134 with
the flowing direction changed by the inclined portion 6132, the
inner surface 624A, and the wall portion 6135. By this method, the
cooling air can be linearly supplied from the opening 6134 toward
the upper region of the light emission portion 511 without reaching
the sub reflection mirror 54. Thus, the upper region of the light
emission portion 511 can be effectively cooled. Since the curved
portion 61321 curved toward the upper side in the Y direction is
provided on the inclined portion 6132 on the side opposite to the
light emission side in the Z direction, the cooling air can be
supplied to the upper region of the light emission portion 511 with
further inclination.
[0113] When cooling air is supplied to the light source device 5
from the front of the light source device 5, supply of cooling air
to the upper region of the light emission portion 511 can be
appropriately provided. Thus, the fan 93 for cooling the light
source device 5 can be disposed at any positions regardless of the
size of the projector 1. Accordingly, cooling efficiency of the
light source device 5 can improve without increasing the size of
the projector 1.
[0114] Since the first duct portion 7B and the second duct portion
7C having the same structure as that of the first duct portion 7B
are positioned above and below the container 6, that is, above and
below the arc tube 51, cooling air can be supplied to the upper
region of the light emission portion 511 either in the normal
position or the suspended position. Thus, the upper region of the
light emission portion 511 can be positively cooled, and the
temperature difference between the upper region and the lower
region of the light emission portion 511 can be reduced.
Accordingly, deterioration of the arc tube 51 can be further
prevented.
[0115] The opening end of the main reflection mirror 52 contacts
the end surface of the wall portion 6135 on the side opposite to
the light emission side in the Z direction. In this case, the
opening 6134 whose edge is formed by the wall portion 6135 and the
opening end of the main reflection mirror 52 are positioned close
to each other. Thus, cooling air can be supplied to the upper
region of the light emission portion 511 linearly from a short
distance compared with a structure in which the wall portion 6135
and the opening end of the main reflection mirror 52 are positioned
away from each other. Accordingly, cooling air can be securely
supplied to the upper region of the light emission portion 511, and
efficiency for cooling the upper region can be increased.
[0116] A part of the cooling air guided to the branch portion 7A is
introduced into the lamp container 616 through the opening 6123 to
cool the arc tube 51 on the sealing portion 513 side. In this case,
the entire area of the arc tube 51 can be cooled by this cooling
air thus introduced together with the cooling air flowing within
the first duct portion 7B or the second duct portion 7C. Thus,
efficiency for cooling the arc tube 51 improves, and the life of
the arc tube 51 increases.
[0117] The sub reflection mirror 54 for covering the light emission
portion 511 on the sealing portion 513 side is provided on the arc
tube 51. Thus, a part of light not directly reaching the main
reflection mirror 52 can be directed to the main reflection mirror
52 by the sub reflection mirror 54. Thus, use efficiency of light
emitted from the light emission portion 511 improves.
[0118] As explained above, cooling air can be linearly supplied to
the upper region of the light emission portion 511 even in the
structure including the sub reflection mirror 54. Thus, cooling air
can appropriately cool the upper region of the light emission
portion 511 without reaching the sub reflection mirror 54.
[0119] Since the guiding plate 63 rotatable by its weight is
provided within the branch portion 7A, cooling air can be supplied
to the first duct portion 7B or the second duct portion 7C
positioned above the arc tube 51 by the function of the guiding
plate 63. Thus, the upper region of the light emission portion 511
can be appropriately cooled by the cooling air supplied to the
upper region either in the normal position or the suspended
position.
Modified Example
[0120] The invention is not limited to the embodiment described
above, and it is therefore intended that changes and improvements
may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the
invention.
[0121] According to the embodiment, the curved portion 61321 curved
toward the upper side in the Y direction is formed on the inclined
portion 6132 on the side opposite to the light emission side in the
Z direction. However, the curved portion 61321 may be eliminated,
for example. The flat portion 6132A may have an inclined portion
curved toward the upper side in the Y direction in the vicinity of
the opening 6134 on the side opposite to the light emission side in
the Z direction. In this case, this inclined portion corresponds to
an inclined portion in the appended claims. This applies to the
inclined portion 6142 as well.
[0122] According to the embodiment, the wall portion 6135 is a wall
extending in the direction perpendicular to the inner surface 624A
of the upper surface 624. However, the angle of the wall portion
6135 with respect to the inner surface 624A may be arbitrarily
determined as long as cooling air flowing within the first duct
portion 7B can be supplied to the upper region of the light
emission portion 511. This applies to the wall portion 6145 as
well.
[0123] According to the embodiment, the opening end of the main
reflection mirror 52 contacts the wall portion 6135 on the side
opposite to the light emission side in the Z direction. However,
the opening 6134 whose edge is formed by the wall portion 6135 and
the opening end of the main reflection mirror 52 may be disposed
away from each other. This applies to the opening 6144 and the wall
portion 6145 as well.
[0124] According to the embodiment, the arc tube 51 includes the
substantially spherical light emission portion 511 and the pair of
the sealing portions 512 and 513 extending in the direction away
from each other from both ends of the light emission portion 511.
However, it is only required that a light emission portion and a
sealing portion extending from one end of the light emission
portion are provided. The sub reflection mirror 54 may be
eliminated.
[0125] According to the embodiment, the guiding plate 63 rotates by
its weight around the extending portion 632 as its rotation axis to
guide a part of cooling air introduced into the branch portion 7A
toward the first duct portion 7B or the second duct portion 7C.
However, such a guiding member may be provided which shifts by its
weight to block the flow path for the first duct portion or the
second duct portion positioned below and supply cooling air for the
duct portion positioned above, for example.
[0126] According to the embodiment, the light source device 5
includes the branch portion 7A containing the guiding plate 63, the
first duct portion 7B, and the second duct portion 7C. However, the
second duct portion 7C and the guiding plate 63 may be eliminated
when the projector 1 is not installed in the suspended position,
for example.
[0127] According to the embodiment, the projector 1 includes the
three liquid crystal panels 442R, 442G, and 442B. However, the
invention is applicable to a projector including two or a smaller
number of liquid crystal panels, or four or a larger number of
liquid crystal panels.
[0128] According to the embodiment, the optical unit 4 has
substantially L shape in the plan view. However, the optical unit 4
may have substantially U shape in the plan view, for example.
[0129] According to the embodiment, the transmission type liquid
crystal panels 442 using different surfaces for light entrance and
light exit are included. However, reflection type liquid crystal
panels using the same surface for light entrance and light exit may
be employed.
[0130] While the projector 1 including the liquid crystal panels
442 as light modulation devices has been discussed, other types of
light modulation devices may be used as long as they can modulate
received lights according to image information to form optical
images. For example, the invention is applicable to a projector
using a light modulation device other than liquid crystal type
light modulation device such as a device including micromirror. In
this case, the polarization plates 443 and 445 on the light
entrance side and light exit side can be eliminated.
[0131] While the light source device 5 included in the projector 1
has been discussed, the light source device 5 may be included in a
lighting device such as a desk lamp.
[0132] Accordingly, the invention is applicable to a light source
device, and particularly appropriate for a light source device
included in a projector.
* * * * *