Patent Application
20100033105
This application claims priority to Japanese Application No. 2008-204637 filed in Japan on Aug. 7, 2008, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a technology for driving an electric discharge lamp which emits light by discharge generated between electrodes.
2. Related Art
A high intensity discharge lamp such as high-pressure gas discharge lamp is used as a light source of an image display apparatus such as projector. For lighting the high intensity discharge lamp, alternating current (AC ramp current) is supplied to the high intensity discharge lamp. As a method for lighting the high intensity discharge lamp by the supply of AC ramp current, such a technology has been proposed which uses AC ramp current having an approximately constant absolute value and modulated pulse width ratio of positive and negative pulse widths to be supplied to the high intensity discharge lamp so as to increase stability of light arc generated within the high intensity discharge lamp (for example, see JP-T-2004-525496).
When the high intensity discharge lamp is lighted with AC ramp current having modulated pulse width, the period for use of the high intensity discharge lamp is limited due to deterioration of electrodes or deposition (blacking) of electrode material on the interior of the high intensity discharge lamp. This problem arises not only from the high intensity discharge lamp but also from various types of discharge lamp (electric discharge lamp) which emit light by arc discharge between electrodes.
It is an advantage of some aspects of the invention to provide a technology for increasing use period of an electric discharge lamp.
The invention can be embodied as the following aspects or embodiments.
An aspect of the invention is directed to a driving device of an electric discharge lamp including: a discharge lamp lighting unit which supplies power to the electric discharge lamp while alternately switching polarity of voltage applied between two electrodes of the electric discharge lamp to light the electric discharge lamp; and an anode duty ratio modulating unit which sets at least a first retention period and a second retention period having an anode duty ratio different from that of the first retention period and provided after the first retention period to modulate the anode duty ratios, assuming that each of the retention periods is a period for retaining an anode duty ratio as ratio of an anode period in which one of the electrodes operates as anode at a constant value in one cycle of the polarity switching. The anode duty ratio modulating unit has a first modulation mode for operating the electric discharge lamp in steady condition and a second modulation mode for providing larger change of the anode duty ratio between the first retention period and the second retention period than change of the first modulation mode.
Projections formed at the electrode tips of the electric discharge lamp grow toward the opposed electrodes with increase in change of the anode duty ratio. Also, deposition (blacking) of electrode material on the inner wall of the electric discharge lamp proceeds with increase in change of the anode duty ratio. In this case, the amount of light emission from the electric discharge lamp may decrease. According to this aspect, promotion of projection growth and restoration of the deteriorated electrodes can be achieved by providing larger change of the anode duty ratio between the continuous two retention periods in the second mode than the corresponding change in the first modulation mode for steady operation. During steady operation, blacking of the electric discharge lamp can be prevented by reducing the change. Thus, the electric discharge lamp can be used for a long period.
An aspect of the invention is directed to the driving device of an electric discharge lamp, wherein the anode duty ratio in the first retention period and the anode duty ratio in the second retention period vary in such a manner as to cross a duty ratio reference value established in advance based on an intermediate value in the modulation range of the anode duty ratios in the second modulation mode.
According to this aspect, the two electrodes can be restored in a balanced manner with sufficient change of the anode duty ratios provided.
An aspect of the invention is directed to the driving device of an electric discharge lamp, wherein the length of the first retention period and the length of the second retention period are different from each other.
Generally, when an electrode has high temperature under the condition that the anode duty ratio is high, sputter of electrode material increases during the period in which the corresponding electrode is operating as cathode. That is, when the electrode has high temperature immediately after inversion of the polarity from anode to cathode under the condition that the anode duty ratio is high, electrode material is easily separated. According to this aspect, the first retention period and the second retention period having considerably different anode duty ratios are set at different lengths. In this case, the period in which the corresponding electrode is operating as cathode can be shortened under the condition of high anode duty ratio and high temperature of the electrode. Thus, reduction of sputter and further prevention of blacking can be achieved. Accordingly, the electric discharge lamp can be used for a longer period.
An aspect of the invention is directed to the driving device of an electric discharge lamp, wherein the length of the period in which the anode duty ratio is higher than the duty ratio reference value is longer than the length of the period in which the anode duty period is lower than the duty ratio reference value in a predetermined period of one cycle of the modulation. The length of the period in which the anode duty ratio is higher than the duty ratio reference value is shorter than the length of the period in which the anode duty period is lower than the duty ratio reference value in the remaining period of one cycle of the modulation.
According to this aspect, the temperature of one electrode is raised higher to further promote growth of projections and prevent sputter from the one electrode in the predetermined period. Also, the temperature of the other electrode is raised higher to further promote growth of projections and prevent sputter from the other electrode in the remaining period. Thus, promotion of growth of projections and prevention of sputter can be achieved for both of the electrodes. Accordingly, the electric discharge lamp can be used for a long period.
An aspect of the invention is directed to the driving device of an electric discharge lamp, wherein the driving device of the electric discharge lamp further includes an electrode condition detecting unit which detects deterioration of the electrodes by use of the electric discharge lamp. The anode duty ratio modulating unit performs the second modulation mode when the electrode condition detecting unit detects deterioration of the electrodes.
According to this aspect, change of the anode duty ratio is increased based on deterioration of the electrodes. Thus, formation of projection is promoted for the electrode having deterioration, and blacking is prevented for the electrode having no deterioration. Accordingly, the electric discharge lamp can be used for a long period.
An aspect of the invention is directed to the driving device of an electric discharge lamp, wherein the electrode condition detecting unit detects the deterioration condition based on voltage generated between the electrodes when predetermined power is supplied to the electric discharge lamp. The anode duty ratio modulating unit judges that the electrodes are deteriorated when the voltage between the electrodes is equal to or higher than reference voltage.
Generally, the length of arc increases as an electrode deteriorates, and thus voltage applied at the time of predetermined power supply rises. According to this aspect, therefore, deterioration of the electrodes can be more easily detected.
An aspect of the invention is directed to the driving device of an electric discharge lamp, wherein the electric discharge lamp satisfies such condition that the temperature of one of the two electrodes is higher than the temperature of the other electrode during operation. The anode duty ratio modulating unit sets the maximum of the anode duty ratio of the one electrode in the modulation range at a value lower than the maximum of the anode duty ratio of the other electrode in the modulation range.
According to this aspect, the maximum of the anode duty ratio of one electrode having high temperature during operation is set at a value lower than the maximum of the anode duty ratio of the other electrode. Thus, excessive temperature increase of the electrode having high temperature during operation is prevented. As a result, deterioration of the corresponding electrode can be avoided.
An aspect of the invention is directed to the driving device of an electric discharge lamp, wherein the temperature of the one electrode increases higher than the temperature of the other electrode during operation by function of a reflection mirror provided on the electric discharge lamp for reflecting light emitted between the electrodes toward the other electrode.
Heat release from an electrode can be prevented by equipping a reflection mirror on the side of the corresponding electrode. According to this aspect, excessive temperature increase of the electrode disposed on the side of the reflection mirror for preventing heat release is avoided. Thus, deterioration of the electrode disposed on the side of the reflection mirror can be prevented.
An aspect of the invention is directed to the driving device of an electric discharge lamp, wherein, when the anode duty ratio of one of the two electrodes is at least equal to or higher than predetermined reference value, the discharge lamp lighting unit sets current level to be supplied to the two electrodes at the last end of the anode period during which the corresponding one electrode continuously operates as anode at a value higher than the average of current to be supplied during the anode period at the time of the power supply.
According to this aspect, the current level at the last end of the anode period in which the one electrode having high anode duty ratio continuously operates as anode is set at a value higher than the average of current during the anode period. Thus, the temperature of the electrode having high anode duty ratio can be further raised, and growth of the projections can be further promoted.
The invention can be embodied in various forms such as a driving device and a driving method of an electric discharge lamp, a light source device including an electric discharge lamp and a control method of the light source device, and an image display apparatus including the light source device.
The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numbers reference like elements.
The light source device 100 has a light source unit 110 including an electric discharge lamp 500, and a discharge lamp driving device 200 for driving the electric discharge lamp 500. The electric discharge lamp 500 discharges by receiving supply of electric power from the discharge lamp driving device 200. The light source unit 110 supplies lights emitted from the electric discharge lamp 500 toward the illumination system 310. The specific structures and functions of the light source unit 110 and the discharge lamp driving device 200 will be described later.
The illuminances of the lights emitted from the light source unit 110 are equalized, and simultaneously the polarization directions of the lights are converted into one direction by the illumination system 310. The lights having uniform illuminance and equalized polarization direction after passing through the illumination system 310 are divided into three color lights in red (R), green (G), and blue (B) by the color separation system 320. The three color lights divided by the color separation system 320 are modulated by the corresponding liquid crystal light valves 330R, 330G, and 330B. The three color lights modulated by the liquid crystal light valves 330R, 330G, and 330B are combined by the cross dichroic prism 340, and enter the projection system 350. The projection system 350 projects the received light on a not-shown screen to display an image as a full-color image produced by combining images modulated by the liquid crystal light valves 330R, 330G, and 330B. While the three color lights are separately modulated by the three liquid crystal light valves 330R, 330G, and 330B, these color lights may be modulated by one liquid crystal light valve having color filter. In this case, the color separation system 320 and the cross dichroic prism 340 can be eliminated.
The electric discharge lamp 500 has a discharge lamp main body 510 and a sub reflection mirror 520 having a spherical reflection surface bonded by inorganic adhesive 522. The discharge lamp main body 510 is made of glass material such as quartz glass. Two electrodes 610 and 710 made of metal having high melting point such as tungsten as electrode material, two connecting members 620 and 720, and two electrode terminals 630 and 730 are provided on the discharge lamp main body 510. The electrodes 610 and 710 are disposed such that the tips of the electrodes 610 and 710 are opposed to each other in a discharge space 512 formed at the center of the discharge lamp main body 510. Gas as discharge medium containing rare gas, mercury, metal halogen compound and the like is sealed into the discharge space 512. The connecting members 620 and 720 are components for electrically connecting the electrodes 610 and 710 and the electrode terminals 630 and 730.
The electrode terminals 630 and 730 are connected with output terminals of the discharge lamp driving device 200. The discharge lamp driving device 200 is connected with the electrode terminals 630 and 730 to supply pulsed alternating current (AC pulse current) to the electric discharge lamp 500. When the electric discharge lamp 500 receives AC pulse current, arc AR is generated between the tips of the two electrodes 610 and 710 within the discharge space 512. The arc AR releases light from the generation position of the arc AR in all directions. The light emitted toward the electrode 710 is reflected toward the main reflection mirror 112 by the sub reflection mirror 520. By reflection toward the main reflection mirror 112, the light emitted toward the electrode 710 can be effectively used. Hereinafter, the electrode 710 located close to the sub reflection mirror 520 is referred to as “sub mirror side electrode 710”, and the other electrode 610 is referred to as “main mirror side electrode 610” as well.
The lighting circuit 220 has an inverter 222 for generating AC pulse current. The lighting circuit 220 supplies AC pulse current having constant power (such as 200 W) to the electric discharge lamp 500 by controlling the inverter 222 according to control signals received from the drive control unit 210 via the output port 850. More specifically, the lighting circuit 220 generates AC pulse current according to the power supply condition (such as frequency of AC pulse current, duty ratio, and current waveform) specified by the control signals by controlling the inverter 222. The lighting circuit 220 supplies the AC pulse current generated by the inverter 222 to the electric discharge lamp 500.
The lighting circuit 220 detects voltage between the electrodes 610 and 710 (ramp voltage Vp) during supply of AC pulse current to the electric discharge lamp 500. The ramp voltage Vp detected by the lighting circuit 220 is inputted to the CPU 810 of the drive control unit 210 via the input port 860.
The power supply condition control unit 812 of the drive control unit 210 modulates duty ratio of AC pulse current. By modulating duty ratio of AC pulse current, the shapes of the electrode tips can be maintained in a preferable condition. Also, abnormal discharge caused by growth of needle crystals of the electrode material on the electrode surface can be prevented.
As illustrated in
When the electric discharge lamp 500 is lighted, the gas sealed into the discharge space 512 is heated by generation of the arc AR and flows by convection within the discharge space 512. When the duty ratio of the AC pulse current is not modulated, the temperature distributions of the electrodes 610 and 710 come to steady condition. Since the temperature distributions of the electrodes 610 and 710 are under steady condition, the convection of the gas also comes to steady condition. The gas flowing within the discharge space 512 contains electrode material fused and evaporated by the arc AR. Thus, under the condition of steady convection, electrode material is locally accumulated on the spindles 612 and 712 and the coil portions 614 and 714 having low temperatures, and needle crystals WSK of electrode material grow as illustrated in
When the temperatures of the main bodies 616 and 716 and the projections 618 and 718 are not sufficiently high at the time of operation start of the lamp or for other reason, arc is generated from the needle crystals WSK toward the inner wall of the discharge space 512 in some cases due to growth of the needle crystals WSK. The arc generated from the needle crystals WSK toward the inner wall of the discharge space 512 causes deterioration of the inner wall, or abnormal condition in the halogen cycle for reproducing electrode material from the halogen compound as electrode material on the main bodies 616 and 716 or the projections 618 and 718 having high temperatures.
As discussed above, the needle crystals WSK grow when the duty ratio of the AC pulse current is not modulated. In this case, deterioration of the inner wall or abnormal condition in the halogen cycle is caused, and thus the life of the electric discharge lamp may be shortened. When the duty ratio of the AC pulse current is modulated, the temperature distributions of the electrodes 610 and 710 vary with time. In this case, generation of steady convection within the discharge space 512 is prevented, and local accumulation of electrode material and growth of the needle crystals caused thereby are reduced.
The power supply condition setting unit 814 according to the first embodiment sets modulation pattern (modulation mode) for modulating the AC pulse current by using the power supply condition control unit 812 based on predetermined parameters indicating the conditions of the electrodes 610 and 710. When the AC pulse current is modulated by the power supply condition control unit 812, anode duty ratio (described later) is modulated accordingly. Thus, the power supply condition setting unit 814 and the power supply condition control unit 812 can be collectively referred to as anode duty ratio modulating unit.
When the electric discharge lamp 500 is used, electrode material is evaporated from the tip of the electrode 610. As a result, the tip portion of a main body 616a becomes flat as shown in
When AC pulse current modulated using the specific modulation pattern is supplied between the electrodes 610 and 710 under the condition shown in
For avoiding this problem, the power supply condition setting unit 814 in the first embodiment sets the duty ratio modulation pattern for the AC pulse current at a first modulation pattern for preventing blacking of the inner wall of the discharge space 512 when the ramp voltage Vp is lower than predetermined threshold voltage Vt (such as 90V). When the ramp voltage Vp is equal to or higher than the predetermined threshold voltage Vt, the power supply condition setting unit 814 sets the duty ratio modulation pattern for the AC pulse current at a second modulation pattern for promoting growth of the projections 618 and 718. Thus, the power supply condition setting unit 814 having the function for switching the modulation patterns (modulation conditions) can be referred to as modulation condition switching unit.
While the modulation patterns are switched based on whether the ramp voltage Vp is equal to or higher than the predetermined voltage Vt according to the first embodiment, it is possible to set a threshold voltage Vu during increase of the ramp voltage Vp and a threshold voltage Vd during decrease of the ramp voltage Vp at different voltages. In this case, it is preferable to set the threshold voltage Vu during increase at a higher voltage than the threshold voltage Vd during decrease for the reason that the period for using the first modulation pattern for preventing blacking of the inner wall can be increased after sufficient growth of the projections.
In the first modulation pattern, the anode duty ratios Dam and Das are changed by a predetermined change ΔDa (4%) every time a step time Tsa (1 second) as 1/16 of a modulation cycle Tma (16 seconds) elapses. According to the first embodiment, the modulation cycle Tma in the first modulation pattern is 16 seconds, and the step time Tsa is 1 second. However, the modulation cycle Tma and the step time Tsa can be varied according to the characteristics and power supply condition of the electric discharge lamp 500.
As can be seen from
As can be seen from
According to the second modulation pattern shown in
According to the first embodiment, such a modulation pattern is used in which the maximums of the anode duty ratios Dam and Das of the main mirror side electrode 610 and the sub mirror side electrode 710 become the same value (70%) as the modulation pattern at high voltage as indicated by the solid line in
In case of the modulation pattern shown in
According to the first embodiment, therefore, the anode duty ratio Dam is modulated by the first modulation pattern (
While the anode duty ratio of one electrode is high, the temperature of the corresponding electrode increases. When the electrode operates as cathode at the increased temperature, release of electrode material into the discharge space 512 (sputter) caused by collision of cations (such as Ar+ and Hg+) generated by discharge increases. As a result, blacking of the inner wall of the discharge space 512 is easily produced. According to the second embodiment, therefore, generation of sputter from the main mirror side electrode 610 is reduced by decreasing the low duty ratio period in the first half of the modulation cycle Tmc in which the temperature of the main mirror side electrode 610 increases, and generation of sputter from the sub mirror side electrode is reduced by decreasing the high duty ratio period in the second half of the modulation cycle Tmc in which the sub mirror side electrode 710 increases.
Similarly to the first embodiment, step change of the modulation pattern used at high voltage is larger than that of the modulation pattern at low voltage in the second embodiment. Thus, similarly to the first embodiment, growth of the projections is promoted at high voltage, and increase of the ramp voltage Vp is prevented.
Similarly to the first embodiment, the ramp voltage Vp can be maintained at lower voltage, and blacking of the inner wall of the discharge space 512 is prevented in the second embodiment. Thus, the electric discharge lamp 500 can be used for a long period. Blacking of the inner wall of the discharge space 512 can be further prevented by setting the high duty ratio period and the low duty ratio period alternately switched at different lengths in the modulation pattern at high voltage.
Similarly to the first embodiment, the maximum of the anode duty ratio Das of the sub mirror side electrode 710 may be set at a value (65%) lower than the maximum (70%) of the anode duty ratio Dam of the main mirror side electrode 610 as indicated by a broken line in
As shown in
As discussed above, growth of the projections is promoted when the absolute value of the ramp current Ip at the last end of period in which the duty ratio exceeds the reference duty (50%) is set at a value higher than the average of the ramp current Ip in the corresponding period in the third embodiment. Thus, increase of the ramp voltage Vp can be further prevented. While the absolute value of the ramp current Ip at the last end of the period in which the duty ratio exceeds the reference duty ratio is high at both low voltage and high voltage in the third embodiment, it is possible to increase the absolute value of the ramp current Ip at the last end of the period in which the duty ratio exceeds the reference duty ratio only at high voltage.
The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but may be practiced otherwise without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. For example, the following modifications may be made.
While deterioration of the electric discharge lamp 500 is detected based on the ramp voltage Vp in the embodiments, deterioration of the electric discharge lamp 500 may be detected by other methods. For example, deterioration of the electric discharge lamp 500 may be detected based on generation of arc jump caused by flatness of the main bodies 616a and 716a (
While the liquid crystal light valves 330R, 330G, and 330B are used as light modulation units of the projector 1000 (
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008-204637 | Aug 2008 | JP | national |
