GB2306268A - LCD projector with exchangeable modules - Google Patents

Description

2306268 1 LCID PROJECTOR The invention relates to projection devices, and

particularly concerns an LCID projector comprising a housing, which accommodates a light source, a Fresnel lens and an LCID as well as electronic components and equipment for operating the LCID, and comprising an objective.

LCID projectors of this type exist in various forms of construction, mostly being constructed in the style of an overhead projector, having an inclined mirror in the housing and being closed at the top by means of a glass plate. They further comprise a bracket which is hingedly mounted on the housing, an objective lens carried at the free end of the bracket, and a further inclined mirror carried likewise by the bracket.

Such LCID projectors, because of the high cost of their components, are very expensive. Some of the components are to some extent still in the process of development and are therefore manufactured only in small batches, which is the reason why they cost so much. Because of said high cost, many potential buyers who would like to purchase an LCID projector because of its advantages are prevented from buying one. Said components still in the process of development are also being continuously improved. For example, the LCIDs (liquid crystal displays) being used are constantly being developed to achieve improved resolution and larger effective projection areas. The interfaces and power supply units associated with said LCIDs, depending on their state of development, have different performance parameters and structural forms. The fact that this development is still in a state of flux prevents further potential customers from purchasing such a device because to work in each case with a device in the latest state of development is a very expensive business which even institutions as well funded as university institutes can hardly afford.

The technical field associated with said LCID projectors has also not yet been perfected enough to make it easy to work with said devices. LCID projectors are mostly used to project computer graphics or video displays. The devices needed for said purpose, i.e. the computer,

2 interfaces, signal generators and signal converters, are set up next to the LCID projector and connected to the projector by cables which are generally perceived as a nuisance. This is a further reason for potential purchasers not to buy such a device.

The invention avoids the drawbacks of prior art. The object of the invention is to provide an LCID projector which in its housing receives devices, which were previously set, up next to the projector, and which in a simple manner and at low cost may be modified and brought up to the latest state of the art.

The invention is such that a personal computer is accommodated in the housing, that an interface is accommodated in the housing, that for said components at least one power supply unit is accommodated in the housing, that the LCID is provided exchangeably in a holding device and that said individual components are designed as exchangeable modules and installed, inserted into holding devices, in the housing.

Said LCID projector already combines in its housing devices which previously had to be set up next to the LCID projector. This facilitates use, creates room next to the LCID projector and avoids errors when setting up the projector. It is also thereby ensured that only devices adapted to the LCD are used with the LCID. A particular advantage of said LCID projector is that it may be modified at any time. And not only in cases where a device has been purchased initially with inexpensive equipment with the intention of improving said equipment in the course of time, but also in cases where an LCID projector is to be brought repeatedly up to the latest state of development.

An advantageous embodiment of said LCID projector is such that the light source comprises a lamp housing, which receives and supports the metalvapour lamp, the reflector and the condenser, and that said lamp housing in the form of a module is exchangeable.

It is further advantageous when the Fresnel lens and the objective are exchangeable modules.

For up-dating and conversion purposes it is advantageous when two associated and/or independently operated modules are installed in such a way that the one module is plugged in to the other by means of a plug-in 3 connection. The effect thereby achieved is that associated components may be installed together into the LCID projector only when they are adapted electrically and mechanically to one another.

In order to save weight, facilitate installation and provide rapid access, it is advantageous when a part of the housing walls is formed by walls of the modules.

It is then advantageous if modules which are interchangeable have identical external dimensions and identical plug-in connection devices.

Relevant interchangeable modules in the present case are primarily LCIDs of differing resolution, window size and/or electrode spacing andlor electrode arrangement, interfaces associated with said LCIDs, power supply units, computers or computer parts.

There follows a detailed description of the nature of the invention with reference to embodiments which are diagrammatically illustrated in the drawings. The drawings show:

Figure 1 shows a side view of the projector in operating position; Figure 2 shows a side view of the projector in the transport or inoperative position; Figure 3 is a section through the projector; and Figure 4 shows the projector with modules partially disassembled and ready for exchange.

The LCID projector comprises a housing 1, which accommodates the light source 2, an inclined mirror 3, the Fresnel lens 4 and an LCID 5 and is closed at the top by a glass plate 6. A bracket 7 is hingedly mounted on the housing 1, and carries at its free end an objective 8. A further inclined mirror 9 is carried likewise by the bracket 7, intermediate its length. For cooling the LC1) 5 and the Fresnel lens 4, a tangential blower 20 is provided which moves cooling air through the spaces between Fresnei lens 4 and LCID 5 as well as between LCID 5 and glass plate 6.

A personal computer 10 is accommodated in the housing 1. Also accommodated in the housing 1 is an interface 11 and at least one power supply unit 12. The LCID 5 is exchangeably disposed in a holding device 13. These individual components are designed as exchangeable modules and are installed in the housing in holding devices.

4 The two associated andlor independently operated modules of the interface 11 and the power supply unit 12 are installed in such a way that the interface module 11 is plugged into the power supply unit module 12 by means of a piug-in connection 14.

The modules 11 and 12 are so designed that a part of the housing wall is formed by walls of the modules 11, 12. In said LCD projector, interchangeable modules have identical external dimensions and identical piug-in connection devices. Modules which may be made interchangeable in the present case are a) LCIDs of differing resolutions, window sizes and/or electrode spacing andlor arrangement, b) interfaces associated with said LCIDs, c) power supply units, and d) computers or computer parts.

The projector is moreover so designed that the light source 2 comprises a lamp housing 18, which receives and supports a lamp 15, a reflector 16 and a condenser 17, and that said lamp housing 18 in the form of an exchangeable module. The lamp 15 is preferably a metal-vapour lamp. Also situated in said lamp housing 18 is the tangential blower 19 which removes the heat generated by the metai-vapour lamp 15 from the lamp housing 18 and the projector housing 1.

A further distinctive feature of said LCID projector is that the Fresnei lens 4 and the objective 8 are exchangeable modules, and are held in mountings from which they are easily removed for maintenance and replacement.

Claims (8)

1. An LCD projector, comprising a housing, which accommodates a light source, a Fresnel lens and an LCID as well as electronic components and equipment for operating the LCID, and further comprising an objective, wherein a personal computer 10, an interface 11, and at least one power supply unit 12 for said components is accommodated within the housing 1, and wherein the LCID 5 is provided exchangeably in a holding device and these individual components are designed as exchangeable modules and are installed, inserted into holding devices, within the housing 1.

2. An LCID projector according to claim 1, wherein the light source 2 comprises a lamp housing 18, which receives and supports a metal-vapour lamp 15, a reflector 16 and a condenser 17, and that said lamp housing 18 in the form of a module is exchangeable.

3. An LCID projector according to claim 1, wherein the Fresnei lens 4 and the objective 8 are exchangeable modules.

4. An LCID projector according to claim 1, wherein two associated and/or independently operated modules 11, 12 are installed in such a way that the one module 12 is plugged into the other module 11 by means of a plug-in connection 14.

5. An LCID projector according to claim 1, wherein a part of the housing walls is formed by walls of the modules.

6. An LCID projector according to claim 1, wherein modules which are interchangeable have identical external dimensions and identical plug-in connection devices.

7. An LCID projector according to claim 1, wherein as interchangeable modules, LCIDs of differing resolution, window size andlor electrode spacing and/or electrode arrangement, interfaces associated with said LCIDs, power supply units, computers or computer parts are provided.

8. An LC1) projector substantially as herein described, with reference to Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.