Lens array, light source device, projector and light source device fabrication method

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9061378-B2
Application number	US-201213607258-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 7, 2012
Priority date	Sep 7, 2011
Publication date	Jun 23, 2015
Grant date	Jun 23, 2015

Abstract

A lens array which facilitates the alignment of optical axes of light source elements with optical axes of lenses, a light source device that employs this lens array, a projector that employs this light source device and a light source device fabrication method are provided. A lens array 73 is an integrated assembly of a plurality of lens portions 73 b which collect individually light from a plurality of light source elements and has cylindrical portions 73 c for positioning the plurality of light source elements on a light entrance side of the individual lens portions 73 b.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A lens array comprising:
an assembly of a plurality of lenses which collect individually light emitted from a plurality of light source elements,
wherein each of the plurality of lenses includes, on a light exit side thereof, a lens portion and includes, on a light entrance side thereof, a cylindrical portion for positioning each of the plurality of lenses with respect to the plurality of light source elements, wherein the cylindrical portion is formed integrally with the lens portion,
wherein each cylindrical portion is insertable in a lens holder which is adapted to hold the lens array at one end thereof and to hold the plurality of light source elements at another end thereof such that the plurality of lenses are positioned with respect to each of the plurality light source elements via insertion of the cylindrical portions in the lens holder.

2. A lens array as set forth in claim 1 , wherein a center line of each of the cylindrical portions is aligned with an optical axis of the corresponding lens portion of each of the plurality of lenses.

3. A lens array as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the plurality of lenses each have a tapered surface that is formed along a distal end circumferential edge of the cylindrical portion thereof.

4. A lens array as set forth in claim 1 ,
wherein the lens array further comprises a base portion which is formed integrally with the lens portions and the cylindrical portions, and
wherein the cylindrical portions project from the base portion toward the light entrance side.

5. A lens array as set forth in claim 4 , wherein the cylindrical portions project toward a vertical of the optical axis of each of the plurality of lenses.

6. A light source device comprising:
a plurality of light source elements;
a lens array having a plurality of lenses which each include, on a light exit side thereof, a lens portion and, on a light entrance side thereof, a positioning cylindrical portion, wherein the positioning cylindrical portion is formed integrally with the lens portion, and wherein the positioning cylindrical portions of the plurality of lenses correspond respectively to the plurality of light source elements; and
a plurality of cylindrical holders (a) that are disposed between the plurality of light source elements and the lens array and (b) which each have a first cylindrical portion having as an inner surface thereof a first straight cylindrical surface which fits on the positioning cylindrical portion of a corresponding one of the plurality of lenses and a second cylindrical portion having as an inner surface thereof a second straight cylindrical surface which fits directly on part of an outer circumferential side surface of a corresponding one of the plurality of light source elements.

7. A light source device as set forth in claim 6 , wherein the lens array has a tapered surface that is formed along a distal end circumferential edge of the cylindrical portion of each of the plurality of lenses.

8. A light source device as set forth in claim 6 , wherein each of the cylindrical holders has a tapered surface or tapered surfaces at an outer end portion of an opening of at least one of the first cylindrical surface and/or the second cylindrical surface.

9. A light source device as set forth in claim 6 , further comprising:
a lens array holder (a) that holds the lens array at a front thereof and (b) which includes hole portions which accommodate the cylindrical holders which are arranged at a rear end of the lens array.

10. A light source device as set forth in claim 9 , further comprising:
a fastening plate which fastens the lens array to the lens array holder.

11. A light source device as set forth in claim 9 ,
wherein an outside diameter of the second cylindrical portion is larger than an outside diameter of the first cylindrical portion of each of the cylindrical holders,
wherein the lens array holder has at a rear end thereof pressing portions which fasten front surfaces of the second cylindrical portions, and
wherein the pressing portions press on the cylindrical holders so as to bring the cylindrical holders in abutment with the light source elements.

12. A light source device as set forth in claim 6 , further comprising:
a rear holder which presses the plurality of light source elements to frontward.

13. A light source device as set forth in claim 12 ,
wherein each light source element has a flange portion at a rear end of a main body portion thereof,
wherein each cylindrical holder has a pressing portion which fastens a front surface of the flange portion of a corresponding one of the light source elements at a rear end thereof, and
wherein the pressing portion presses the corresponding light source element so as to bring the light source element into abutment with the rear holder.

14. A light source device as set forth in claim 12 , wherein a gap is defined between a rear end face of each cylindrical holder and a front surface of the rear holder.

15. A light source device as set forth in claim 12 , wherein a gap is defined between a rear end face of the lens array holder and the front surface of the rear holder.

16. A projector comprising:
the light source device set forth in claim 6 ;
a display element;
a light source side optical system for guiding light from the light source device to the display element;
a projection side optical system for projecting an image emitted from the display element on to a screen; and
a projector control unit for controlling the light source device and the display element.

17. A light source device fabrication method comprising:
a preparation process of preparing:
a plurality of light source elements;
a lens array having a plurality of lenses which include positioning cylindrical portions which correspond to the plurality of light source elements on a light entrance side thereof;
a plurality of cylindrical holders (a) that are disposed between the plurality of light source elements and the lens array and (b) which each have a first cylindrical portion having as an inner surface thereof a first straight cylindrical surface which fits on the cylindrical portion of a corresponding one of the plurality of lenses and a second cylindrical portion having as an inner surface thereof a second straight cylindrical surface which fits on part of an outer circumferential side surface of a corresponding one of the light source elements;
a lens array holder that has hole portions and which holds the lens array at a front end thereof;
a rear holder which presses the light source elements from rear ends thereof; and
a fastening plate which fastens the lens array to the lens array holder;

a fixing process of disposing the lens array holder outwards of a circumferential edge of the lens array and fixing the lens array to the lens array holder by the fastening plate;
a first disposing process of disposing the plurality of cylindrical holders in the hole portions of the lens array holder and disposing the cylindrical holders on the cylindrical portions of the lens array;
a second disposing process of disposing the plurality of light source elements individually in the plurality of cylindrical holders so disposed; and
a third disposing process of disposing the rear holder so that lead terminals of the light source elements are inserted through the rear holder after the plurality of light source elements have been disposed in the plurality of cylindrical holders.

18. A light source device fabrication method as set forth in claim 17 , further c

Assignees

• Yoshida Kaoru
• Casio Computer Co Ltd

Inventors

• Yoshida Kaoru

Classifications

• G02B27/1033

  having a single light modulator for all colour channels · CPC title

• F21V7/0083

  Array of reflectors for a cluster of light sources, e.g. arrangement of multiple light sources in one plane (combination of two or more reflectors F21V7/0025) · CPC title

• G02B27/141

  using dichroic mirrors · CPC title

• Y10T29/49826

  Assembling or joining · CPC title

• G02B27/12

  operating by refraction only · CPC title