KR101767503B1

KR101767503B1 - Scanning Projector

Info

Publication number: KR101767503B1
Application number: KR1020150109600A
Authority: KR
Inventors: 임재혁; 김지덕; 이승찬
Original assignee: 엘지전자 주식회사
Priority date: 2015-08-03
Filing date: 2015-08-03
Publication date: 2017-08-11
Also published as: KR20170016175A

Abstract

A scanning projector according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a light source unit including a plurality of laser light sources arranged in a line, a first heat sink of a metal material contacting the rear surface of the plurality of laser light sources, And a scanner for scanning the light output from the light combining unit in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, thereby providing an efficient cooling structure.

Description

Scanning Projector [0002]

The present invention relates to a scanning projector. And more particularly, to a scanning projector having a cooling structure capable of efficiently cooling heat generated from a light source.

In recent years, with the increase in the consumption of high-quality, large-capacity multimedia contents, it is required to increase the size and quality of the display screen.

Among the display devices, a projector is a device for projecting an image, and can be used for presentation of a conference room, a projector of a theater, a home theater of a home, and the like.

The scanning projector has a merit that a large screen can be implemented more easily than other display devices by implementing an image by scanning light on a screen using a scanner.

On the other hand, a scanning projector can use a plurality of laser light sources for improving brightness and the like.

As the number of light sources increases, the heat generated from the light source increases, the life of the light source decreases, and the optical performance may deteriorate.

Therefore, it is very important to operate the projector and the light source within a proper temperature range by dissipating heat generated from the light source.

Accordingly, a solution for efficiently cooling the heat generated from the light source is required.

An object of the present invention is to provide a scanning projector capable of securing the reliability of the optical performance and the lifetime of the light source by improving the cooling performance.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a scanning projector structure in which component parts are reduced in cost and assemblability is improved by simplifying component parts constituting a cooling structure.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a scanning projector including a light source unit including a plurality of laser light sources arranged in a line, a first heat sink of a metal material contacting the rear surface of the plurality of laser light sources, and a scanner for scanning the light output from the light combining unit in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction.

According to at least one of the embodiments of the present invention, the lifetime of the light source and the reliability of the optical performance can be secured by improving the cooling performance.

Further, according to at least one of the embodiments of the present invention, by simplifying the constituent parts constituting the cooling structure, it is possible to reduce the unit cost and improve the assemblability.

In addition, according to at least one embodiment of the present invention, a compact size scanning projector can be realized even when a plurality of light sources are used.

Meanwhile, various other effects will be directly or implicitly disclosed in the detailed description according to the embodiment of the present invention to be described later.

1 schematically shows examples of a cooling structure of a conventional scanning projector.
2 is an example of a simplified internal structure of a scanning projector according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 3-8 are diagrams referenced in the description of various cooling schemes of a scanning projector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and can be modified into various forms.

In the drawings, the same reference numerals are used for the same or similar parts throughout the specification.

The suffix "module" and " part "for components used in the following description are given merely for convenience of description and do not give special significance or role in themselves. Accordingly, the terms "module" and "part" may be used interchangeably.

1 schematically shows examples of a cooling structure of a conventional scanning projector.

Referring to FIG. 1 (a), the laser light source 110 may be mounted on the holders 111a and 111b. In addition, the optical engine 200 including the optical system may include a structure in which the holders 111a and 111b can be mounted. In some cases, the structure in which the holders 111a and 111b can be mounted may be another holder.

The holders 111a and 111b may be a cooling means for the laser light source 110 as well as a function of mounting the laser light source 110 and adjusting the laser light source 110. [

Thus, the structure illustrated in FIG. 1 (a) has a cooling structure for transferring heat from the laser light source 110 to a holder made of a metal such as aluminum, magnesium, or copper.

However, as the number of light sources provided in the projector increases, the overall size of the optical engine 200 also increases, making it difficult to realize a compact size scanning projector.

Referring to FIG. 1 (b), the laser light source 110 may be housed in the optical engine 200.

The structure illustrated in FIG. 1 has a cooling structure that transfers heat to the area A in contact with the optical engine 200 made of a metal such as aluminum, magnesium, copper, or the like in the laser light source 110.

However, since the contact area A is small, there is a limit in improving the cooling performance.

2 is an example of a simplified internal structure of a scanning projector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, a scanning projector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a light source unit 210 including a plurality of color light sources, a light source unit 210 configured to scan light output from the light source unit 210 in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction Scanner 240 as shown in FIG.

The light source unit 210 may further include an optical system for combining light output from the light source unit 210. In particular, the light output from the light source 210 may be synthesized by the light synthesizer 221 in the optical system.

The optical system may refer to a system of optical components in which a mirror, a lens, and the like are appropriately arranged in order to implement an image of an object using reflection or refraction of light.

Meanwhile, a configuration including the optical system or light source 210, the optical system, and the scanner 240 may be referred to as an optical engine. That is, the optical engine includes at least an optical system, and may be used in a sense including the light source unit 210 and / or the scanner 240 as the case may be.

Referring to FIG. 2, the scanning projector 100 may include a light source unit 210 having a plurality of light sources. That is, the red light source unit 210R, the green light source unit 210G, and the blue light source unit 210B may be provided. Meanwhile, the light source units 210R, 210G, and 210B may include laser diodes.

On the other hand, each of the light source units 210R, 210G, and 210B can be driven by an electric signal from the light source driver 185. [ The electric signal of the light source driver 185 may be generated under the control of the processor 170. [

The light output from the light source unit 210 may be transmitted to the scanner 240 via the optical system.

The optical system can be composed of various optical components. The optical system may include optical components such as a filter, a mirror, and a lens in order to implement an image using reflection or refraction of light.

The light output from each light source 210 can be collimated through an optical system, in particular, through a collimator lens 222 in the light collecting part.

That is, the scanning projector may further include a collimating lens disposed in front of the light source unit 210 to convert the light of the light source unit 210 into parallel light, May correspond to the number of the light sources.

The light combining section 221 combines the lights output from the light source sections 210R, 210G, and 210B and outputs them in one direction.

To this end, the light combining unit 221 may include a predetermined number of filters or mirrors 221a, 221b, and 221c.

For example, the first light synthesizing unit 221a, the second light synthesizing unit 221b, and the third light synthesizing unit 221c may respectively receive the red light output from the red light source unit 210R, the green light source unit 210G, And the blue light output from the blue light source unit 210B may be output in the direction of the scanner 240. [

On the other hand, the individual optical composing parts may be composed of one or more optical parts, and a set of such optical parts may be collectively referred to as a light combining part.

The light reflecting portion 226 reflects the red light, the green light, and the blue light, which have passed through the light combining portion 221, toward the scanner 240. The light reflecting portion 226 reflects light of various wavelengths and, for this purpose, it can be realized with Total Mirror (TM).

On the other hand, the optical system can be collectively referred to as a configuration of optical components such as a filter, a mirror, and a lens in order to realize an image of an object by using reflection or refraction of light.

Meanwhile, the scanning projector may have an interface (not shown) functioning as an interface with all external devices connected by wire or wireless. The interface can receive data from the external device or supply power to each component in the scanning projector, and data in the scanning projector can be transmitted to the external device.

Meanwhile, the scanner 240 may receive visible light (RGB) from the light source unit 210 and sequentially perform the first direction scanning and the second direction scanning sequentially and repeatedly. Such a scanning operation can be repeatedly performed for the whole of the external scan area.

In particular, the visible light (RGB) output from the scanner 240 can be output to the projection area of the screen 202. [

The scanner 240 is a device that horizontally / vertically scans a light beam from a light source unit 210, for example, a laser diode, to form an image on the image. Directional scanning can be sequentially and repeatedly performed and output to the outside.

The scanner 240 may perform scanning for the entire external scan area on a frame-by-frame basis, while sequentially and repeatedly performing left-to-right scanning and right-to-left scanning with respect to the external scan area. By this scanning, the projection image based on the visible light can be outputted to the external scan region.

By using the 2D scanner capable of sequentially performing the first direction scanning and the second direction scanning, a plurality of scanners are not required, and thus the scanning projector can be miniaturized. In addition, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

Meanwhile, the scanner 240 may be a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) scanner. The scanner 240 has a magnetic field formed by a permanent magnet and a coil in a magnetic manner, and can be horizontally / vertically driven according to resolution and system conditions, and can reflect light.

Meanwhile, according to the embodiment of the present invention, even if the screen 202 on which the projection image is displayed has a free-form, it is possible to display the projection image corresponding to the curved surface of the screen.

On the other hand, the processor 170 can perform the overall control operation of the scanning projector 100. [ Specifically, the operation of each unit in the scanning projector 100 can be controlled.

The processor 170 may control the video image received from the outside to be output to the external scan area as a projection image.

For this purpose, the processor 170 may control the light source driver 185 that controls the light source unit 210 that outputs visible light such as R, G, B, and the like. Specifically, the R, G, and B signals corresponding to the video image to be displayed can be output to the light source driver 185.

The processor 170 may control the operation of the scanner 240. Specifically, it is possible to control the first direction scanning and the second direction scanning to be performed sequentially and repeatedly so as to be output to the outside.

The processor 170 may further include a scanner driver (not shown) for driving the scanner 240. The processor 170 may control a scanner driver (not shown) for controlling the scanner 240 .

The scanner driving section may include a sine wave generating circuit, a triangle wave generating circuit, a signal synthesizing circuit, and the like. The scanner driving unit generates a driving frequency for driving the scanner 240 according to the received scanner driving signal and the scanner 240 horizontally and vertically drives the light to the screen 202 according to the horizontal and vertical driving frequencies By scanning, the image can be implemented on the screen 202.

In the scanner driving unit, the horizontal direction scanning may be driven by a sine waveform, and the vertical direction scanning may be performed by a sawtooth waveform.

The light source unit 210 may include a blue light source unit that outputs a blue single light, a green light source unit that outputs a green single light, and a red light source unit that outputs a red single light. At this time, each light source unit may be implemented with a laser diode.

The light source driver 185 controls the red light source, the green light source, and the blue light source in the light source driver 185 to output red light, green light, and blue light, respectively, corresponding to the R, G, and B signals received from the processor 170 can do.

The light source driver 185 may perform current modulation of the laser diode according to control of the video data and the processor 170.

The power supply unit (not shown) may receive external power or internal power under the control of the processor 170 to supply power necessary for operation of the respective components.

FIGS. 3-8 are diagrams referenced in the description of various cooling schemes of a scanning projector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 schematically shows an optical engine 200 of a scanning projector according to an embodiment of the present invention. The scanning projector may include an optical engine 200, and the optical engine 200 may be mounted to a lower case of the scanning projector.

Referring to FIG. 3, a scanning projector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a light source 210 including a plurality of laser light sources arranged in a line, A first heat sink 310, a light synthesizing unit 231 for synthesizing the light output from the light source unit 210, and a second synthesizer 231 for synthesizing the light output from the light synthesizing unit 231 in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction And a scanner 240 for scanning.

Referring to FIG. 3, the light source unit 210 including a plurality of light sources may be coupled to the optical engine 200 by being coupled to one heat sink joint 310.

Meanwhile, the optical engine 200 assembly may include an opening 201 through which the light source unit 210 can be inserted and / or mounted.

The first heat sink 310 may be in contact with the rear surface of the light source unit 210. That is, one first heat sink 310 may be coupled to the rear surface of all the plurality of light sources of the light source unit 210.

Meanwhile, the first heat sink 310 may be made of a metal having a high thermal conductivity. For example, aluminum, magnesium, copper, or the like.

Accordingly, the heat generated from the plurality of light sources can be transferred to the first heat sink 310, and can be radiated and cooled.

The scanning projector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may further include a collimating lens 222 disposed in front of the light source 210 and converting the light output from the light source 210 into parallel light. have.

The scanning projector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may further include a light reflector 226 that reflects the light output from the light combining unit 231 to the scanner 240.

The driving pins of the light sources included in the light source unit 210 may be connected to a flexible printed circuit (FPC) 270 to receive a power supply.

The flexible printed circuit 270 is flexible and flexible, unlike a printed circuit board.

Therefore, since the flexible printed circuit 270 can be bent and has a limited structure, various combinations and configurations are possible in terms of structure, and the degree of freedom in designing can be increased.

Meanwhile, the plurality of laser light sources may be a laser diode package. Various laser diode packages known as the plurality of laser light sources can be used.

For example, various laser diode packages may include a laser diode for generating laser light, a base on the base, a cap sealed to protect each element in the package, a transmissive portion for outputting the laser light to the outside, And a driving pin formed to penetrate through the base to supply driving power to each element in the package.

Referring to FIG. 4, the rear surface of the light source unit 210, particularly, a plurality of laser light sources may be bonded onto the first heat sink 310, or may be coupled by fastening members.

For example, the back surface of the laser light source and the front surface of the first heat sink 310 may be bonded to each other by using an adhesive such as UV bonding, RTV, epoxy hardener, or the like.

Alternatively, a plurality of laser light sources and the first heat sink 310 may be fastened using a fastening member such as a screw.

4, the first heat sink 310 may include a hole into which the driving pins of the plurality of laser light sources of the light source unit 210 are inserted.

4, the driving pins of the laser light sources may be inserted into the holes 315 of the first heat sink 310 and connected to the flexible printed circuit 270.

Alternatively, the driving pins of the laser light sources may be completely connected to the flexible printed circuit 270 through the holes 315 of the first heat sink 310.

Referring to FIG. 5, the first heat sink 310 may include a groove in which the rear surface of the light source unit 210, particularly, a plurality of laser light sources is seated.

In this case, the plurality of laser light sources may be bonded to the groove of the first heat sink 310 or may be fastened with a fastening member.

For example, the back surface of the laser light source and the groove of the first heat sink 310 may be adhered and bonded by using an adhesive such as UV bonding, RTV, epoxy hardener, or the like.

Referring to FIG. 6, the scanning projector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may further include a second heat sink 320 coupled to a rear surface of the first heat sink 310.

That is, the second heat sink 320 may be coupled to the rear surface of the first heat sink 310 to secure additional cooling performance.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, the second heat sink 320 may include a base and a plurality of heat radiating fins protruding from the base.

The radiating fins increase the heat dissipating area of the second heat sink 320 to further dissipate heat transmitted from the base through contact with air.

7 and 8 are perspective views of an optical engine 200 of a scanning projector according to an embodiment of the present invention. For example, the optical engine 200 may be mounted on the lower case of the scanning projector. The scanning projector may further include a structure that allows the optical engine 200 to be assembled and mounted.

7, the optical engine 200 includes a light source unit 210 including a plurality of light sources and a base unit 262 having an opening 201 through which the light source unit 210 can be inserted and / can do.

The plurality of laser diodes may include at least one red diode, at least one green diode, and at least one blue light source, (Blue) diodes.

The optical engine 200 may include a collimating lens 222, a scanner 240, a light combining unit 221, a light reflecting unit 226, and the like. Here, the light combining unit 221 may be a dichroic mirror.

The collimating lens 222 is disposed in front of the respective laser diodes of the light source unit 210 to convert the light generated from each laser diode of the light source unit 210 into parallel light.

The lights that are collimated through the collimating lens 220 can be synthesized by the light synthesizing unit 221 and output in the direction of the scanner 240.

The light reflecting portion 226 reflects the red light, the green light, and the blue light, which have passed through the light combining portion 221, in the direction of the scanner 240.

Meanwhile, the scanning projector according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a first heat sink 310 made of a metal, which is in contact with the rear surface of the light source unit 210, more specifically, the rear surface of the plurality of laser light sources have.

That is, one first heat sink 310 may be coupled to the rear surfaces of all the plurality of light sources of the light source unit 210, and heat generated from the plurality of light sources may be transmitted to the first heat sink 310 It can be cooled and cooled.

8, the first heat sink 310 may include a plurality of heat radiating fins 311 spaced apart from each other.

The radiating fin 311 can increase the heat radiation area of the first heat sink 310 to further improve the cooling performance.

According to the present invention, by simplifying the constituent parts constituting the cooling structure, it is possible to reduce the unit cost and improve the assemblability.

In addition, it is possible to secure the lifetime of the light source and the reliability of the optical performance through the improvement of the cooling performance, and it is also possible to realize a compact size scanning projector even when a plurality of light sources are used.

The scanning projector according to the present invention is not limited to the configuration and method of the embodiments described above, but the embodiments may be modified such that all or some of the embodiments are selectively combined .

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments, but, on the contrary, It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Optical engine: 200
Light source part: 210
The first heat sink 310
Second Heatsink 320

Claims

A light source unit including a plurality of laser light sources arranged in a line;
A first heat sink of a metal material which is in contact with a rear surface of all the laser light sources of the light source unit;
An optical engine assembly including an opening into which the light source unit coupled with the first heat sink is inserted;
A light synthesizer for synthesizing light output from the light source; And
And a scanner for scanning the light output from the light combining unit in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction.

The method according to claim 1,
And a second heat sink fastened to the rear surface of the first heat sink.

3. The method of claim 2,
Wherein the second heat sink includes a base and a plurality of radiating fins protruding from the base.

The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the first heat sink includes a hole into which the driving pin of the laser light source is inserted.

The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the plurality of laser light sources are bonded onto the first heat sink or fastened with a fastening member.

The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the first heat sink includes a groove on which the plurality of laser light sources are seated.

The method according to claim 6,
Wherein the plurality of laser light sources are bonded to the grooves of the first heat sink or fastened with fastening members.

The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the first heat sink includes a plurality of heat radiating fins that are spaced apart from each other.

The method according to claim 1,
Further comprising a collimating lens disposed in front of the light source unit and converting light output from the light source unit into parallel light.

The method according to claim 1,
And a light reflector for reflecting the light output from the light combining unit to the scanner.