JP3673490B2 - projector - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a projector that projects an image, and more particularly to rotation control of a cooling fan of a projector.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In projectors, lamps are used for projection onto the screen. However, since the lamp itself and other parts such as the panel and other parts become hot, the cooling fan is used to cool the parts so that they are within the temperature rating of the parts. ing.
[0003]
In addition, the projector can be installed in a variety of installation states, such as a front stationary state, a ceiling suspended state, a rear stationary projection state, and a rear suspended projection state, and the screen is set so that the image stands upright according to the installation state. In general, those having a function of vertically reversing and reversing left and right are realized by electrically changing the scanning direction of the panel.
[0004]
JP-A-9-304835 can be cited as a conventional technique for cooling a lamp. According to this publication, a lamp cooling technique capable of dealing with both a stationary state and a suspended state is disclosed. Specifically, referring to FIG. 7, lamp emission used as a light source is disclosed. An upper movable fin 114 and a lower movable fin 115 are provided for restricting the flow of wind by the blowing means for blowing air to the tube 101 in a direction to reduce the temperature difference between the upper and lower sides of the lamp arc tube. By using the upper and lower movable fins to rebound toward the upper part of the lamp arc tube, the cooling air is effectively utilized. In FIG. 7, 127 and 129 represent fin portions of the upper and lower movable fins, and 128 and 130 are weight portions of the respective fins. The G position of the upper movable fin 114 is an operating state when the A direction is the “top” direction, and the H position is an operating state when the A direction is the “ground” direction.
[0005]
Further, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-21999, referring to FIG. 8, in view of the fact that the thermal protection using the temperature sensor is difficult to achieve an appropriate thermal protection if the projector installation state changes, the inclination from the inclination sensor. Information is used to determine the installation status of the projector, and based on the temperature information from the temperature sensor, appropriate heat treatment protection according to the installation status of the projector (protection by cooling using an intake fan and exhaust fan) is automatically performed It is disclosed to do.
[0006]
Further, in JP-A-8-201916, referring to FIG. 9, the temperature of the lamp and the liquid crystal display panel to be cooled is detected by the temperature sensors 1 and 2, and the fan 1 and the fan are detected based on the temperature detection result. It is disclosed that the rotational speeds of the fans 1 and 2 are respectively set to the minimum rotational speeds by controlling the rotational speeds of the fans 2 and 2 to reduce the noise of the fans 1 and 2.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Here, although the conventional technology has a function to change the number of rotations of the internal cooling fan depending on the temperature, the cooling structure by the cooling fan is the same even if the installation state of the projector changes. It was set to the cooling fan rotation speed that satisfies the above. The reason for this setting is that if the number of revolutions of the cooling fan is increased, a large margin can be secured for the temperature rating of the internal components, but if the number of revolutions is increased, noise generated from the cooling fan that is uncomfortable to the user may also occur. It is because it becomes large similarly.
[0008]
However, depending on the installation state of the projector, even if the rotation speed is increased, the noise generated from the cooling fan may not be noticed. However, in the conventional technology, the temperature rating of the component is satisfied in any installation state. Since the number of revolutions is set to the very minimum, even under installation conditions where the noise generated by such a fan is not a concern, there is a problem that the part will have a short life due to the temperature setting at the limit of the temperature rating of the part. .
[0009]
An object of the present invention is to change the number of rotations of the cooling fan of the projector in accordance with the installation state of the projector so as to balance the noise reduction of the product and the extension of the lifetime of the components of the projector.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention adopts the following configuration.
In a projector comprising a cooling object including a lamp as a light source, and a cooling fan for cooling the cooling object,
A first cooling fan speed that satisfies the temperature rating of the object to be cooled is set to the minimum necessary, and a second cooling fan speed that is faster than the first cooling fan speed is set. Provided a switch to
Providing detection means for detecting the installation state of the projector,
A projector that controls the number of rotations of the cooling fan corresponding to the installation state of the projector by switching the switch according to the output of the detection means.
[0011]
In the projector, when the detection unit detects a rear stationary projection state of the projector, the projector switches the switch to the second cooling fan rotation speed.
[0012]
In addition, in a projector including a cooling object including a lamp as a light source, and a cooling fan for cooling the cooling object,
A first cooling fan speed that satisfies the temperature rating of the object to be cooled is set to the minimum necessary, and a second cooling fan speed that is faster than the first cooling fan speed is set. Provided a switch to
A means for extracting a switching signal for switching the screen scanning direction is provided.
A projector that controls the number of rotations of the cooling fan corresponding to the installation state of the projector by switching the switch according to the output of the means.
[0013]
Further, in the projector, when the output of the means corresponds to a rear stationary projection state of the projector, the projector switches the switch to the second cooling fan rotation speed.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A projector apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a rear stationary installation state of the projector, and FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a front stationary installation state of the projector. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the screen (panel) scanning direction when the projector is stationary, and FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the screen (panel) scanning direction when the projector is stationary. FIG. 5 is a graph showing the relationship between the number of rotations of the cooling fan, the component life, and the cooling fan noise. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration block for controlling the rotational speed of the cooling fan.
[0015]
Here, 1 is a projector, 2 is a screen, 3 is a viewer, (1), (2), and (3) are screen (panel) scanning directions, 4 is a switch (SW), 5 is a control microcomputer, and 6 is a panel. A drive circuit, 7 is a liquid crystal panel, 8 is a motor driver, and 9 is a cooling fan.
[0016]
As the installation method of the projector, various installation states such as a rear stationary projection state and a rear ceiling projection state as shown in FIG. 1 and a front stationary state and a ceiling suspension state as shown in FIG. 2 are assumed. In any installation state, the screen is turned upside down and horizontally turned to correspond to an upright image.
[0017]
Corresponding to an upright image is realized by electrically changing the scanning direction of the panel. For example, in the case of the front stationary projection state of FIG. 2, the panel is scanned in the order of (1), (2), (3)... Shown in FIG. In the projection state, this is realized by scanning the panel in the order of (1), (2), (3)... Shown in FIG. That is, the scanning direction of the panel is set corresponding to each installation state of the projector.
[0018]
Regarding the noise caused by the cooling fan, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, in the case of rear projection, the projector 1 is projected from the back surface of the screen 2, so that the projector 1 is sufficiently separated from the user 3 viewing the screen 2. Therefore, the noise generated from the cooling fan 9 is not concerned at all.
[0019]
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, in the case of the front stationary state, since the projector 1 is projected from the surface of the screen 2, the user 3 viewing the screen 2 and the projector 1 are arranged close to each other. The arrangement is very worrisome about the noise that occurs.
[0020]
In the conventional example, when the arrangement in the front-standing state is the strictest in the silent design of the projector 1, the temperature rating of the part that is most rigorous to the temperature is barely reached (the lowest temperature among the parts). Cooling design is done regardless of the projector installation state so that the rating can finally be cleared.
[0021]
Here, FIG. 5 shows the relationship between the number of rotations of the cooling fan 9, the life of the internal components, and the cooling fan noise value. At x rotation (rpm), the fan 9 noise in FIG. When the temperature rating of the internal parts is barely in the installed state (when the temperature rating can be finally cleared), the noise value L (dB) is obtained, and this value does not cause the user 3 to feel uncomfortable. The projector 1 is designed so that
[0022]
Here, if the rotational speed is set to y rotation (rpm), the temperature of the internal parts can be further lowered, and the life of the internal parts can be improved from a (H) to b (H). However, since the noise increases from L (dB) to M (dB), the user 3 feels uncomfortable.
[0023]
In the conventional example, even if the fan 9 noise is not concerned about the occurrence of the fan 9 noise as shown in FIG. 1, it is set according to the arrangement where the fan 9 noise is anxious as shown in FIG. Since the rotation is controlled by x rotation (rpm), there is a problem that the life is shortened to a (H) even though the user does not feel uncomfortable even by y rotation originally.
[0024]
FIG. 6 shows a configuration example in which the rotational speed of the cooling fan 9 is increased. In this configuration example, a method of increasing the input voltage in order to increase the rotation speed of the cooling fan 9 will be described.
[0025]
In FIG. 5, the voltage VL giving the rotation number x rotation (rpm) is set to VH, the voltage giving the rotation number y rotation (rpm) is set to VH, and the rotation number can be switched depending on the installation method of the projector 1. 2 is provided, that is, a detection means for detecting the installation state of the projector (for example, the rear stationary projection state shown in FIG. 1 or the front stationary state shown in FIG. 2) is provided, and the cooling fan 9 shown in FIG. 1 is given by rotating the switch to one of the switches by the installation state detection means, and when the noise of the cooling fan 9 shown in FIG. Then, the rotational speed y rotation (rpm) is given by switching to the other switch by the installation state detecting means.
[0026]
Here, the projector installation state detection means uses a signal for the screen (panel) scanning direction as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, a tilt sensor that detects the tilt state of the projector, It is an appropriate means for detecting the front installation and the rear installation. In this case, the installation state of the projector may be visually checked (whether it is the back side or the front side), and the switch may be manually switched so that the rotation speed becomes y rotation in the case of the back side installation.
[0027]
Further, the switch SW4 can be switched by using a signal of a control signal line for switching the scanning direction of the panel 7. For example, in the case of the front stationary projection state of FIG. 2, the panel is scanned in the order of (1), (2), (3)... Shown in FIG. In the projection state, the panel is scanned in the order of (1), (2), (3)... Shown in FIG. 3 and the direction of the arrow (to correspond to an upright image). The switch SW4 is switched using the direction switching signal.
[0028]
In this manner, in the installation state where the noise of the cooling fan shown in FIG. 1 is not concerned, the rotational speed in FIG. 5 is set to y, and as a result, the life of the component is a (H) compared to the rotational speed x. ) To b (H). Further, since this switching is automatically switched by a projector installation state detecting means or a switching signal for setting the display state of the screen, that is, a signal for switching the scanning direction of the panel (g in FIG. 6), There is a merit that a person can obtain a long life of a part without performing any operation.
[0029]
Here, conventionally, it is common to control the rotation speed of the cooling fan, but it detects the internal temperature and ambient temperature and reduces the rotation speed of the cooling fan to the minimum as long as the temperature is acceptable. It is obvious that this method is intended to maintain the life of the parts, and is different from the cooling fan rotation control method shown in the present invention. That is, according to the present invention, since the number of rotations of the cooling fan is switched in the installed state, it can be said that the lifetime is further improved in addition to the maintenance of the conventional component life. Although the method for controlling the rotational speed of the fan has been described in the present embodiment as a method of switching the voltage in two stages, a method of switching linearly may be used.
[0030]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, when the noise of the cooling fan does not matter due to the installation state of the projector, switching of increasing the rotation speed of the cooling fan is possible in order to extend the life of the internal components.
Furthermore, based on the switching signal that sets the display state of the screen according to the projector installation state, the number of rotations of the cooling fan is automatically changed to the optimum value, so that the product can be made quieter and longer according to the installation state. It is possible to balance the lifetime, and it is possible to provide an easy-to-use projector.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a state in which a projector is installed on a rear surface.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which the projector is installed on the front surface.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a screen (panel) scanning direction in a state where the projector is stationary.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a screen (panel) scanning direction in a state where the projector is stationary.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the relationship between the number of rotations of the cooling fan, the component life, and the cooling fan noise.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration block for controlling the number of rotations of a cooling fan according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of cooling fan control in the prior art.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating another configuration example of cooling fan control in the prior art.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing still another configuration example of cooling fan control in the prior art.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Projector 2 Screen 3 User 4 Switch (SW)
5 Control microcomputer 6 Panel drive circuit 7 Liquid crystal panel 8 Motor driver 9 Cooling fan (1), (2), (3) Screen (panel) scanning direction

Claims (4)

In a projector comprising a cooling object including a lamp as a light source, and a cooling fan for cooling the cooling object,
A first cooling fan speed that satisfies the temperature rating of the object to be cooled is set to the minimum necessary, and a second cooling fan speed that is faster than the first cooling fan speed is set. Provided a switch to
Providing detection means for detecting the installation state of the projector,
A projector that controls the number of rotations of a cooling fan corresponding to an installation state of the projector by switching the switch according to an output of the detection means. The projector according to claim 1, wherein
The projector is characterized in that the switch is switched to the second cooling fan rotational speed when the detection unit detects a rear stationary projection state of the projector. In a projector comprising a cooling object including a lamp as a light source, and a cooling fan for cooling the cooling object,
A first cooling fan speed that satisfies the temperature rating of the object to be cooled is set to the minimum necessary, and a second cooling fan speed that is faster than the first cooling fan speed is set. Provided a switch to
A means for extracting a switching signal for switching the screen scanning direction is provided.
A projector characterized in that the number of rotations of the cooling fan is controlled in accordance with the installation state of the projector by switching the switch according to the output of the means. The projector according to claim 3, wherein
The projector is characterized in that the switch is switched to the second cooling fan rotational speed when the output of the means corresponds to a rear stationary projection state of the projector.

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