Flexible assembly system and mechanism adapted for an optical projection apparatus

[0002] The present invention relates to a flexible assembly system and mechanism adapted for using on an optical projection apparatus, especially to a flexible assembly mechanism for assembling with a heat-sink element and a digital micro-mirror device module on an optical holder of the optical projection apparatus.

[0003] With the information generation, and the development of the optical and projection display technology, the digital projection device with high dot per inch and pixel can be used on the briefing, meeting, conference or training, even become the important apparatus in the family amusement. Hence, the digital projection apparatus with high image quality and brightness, light volume, reasonable price and service are important indexes for consumers.

[0004] With regard to the technology principle, there are two types of digital projection apparatuses, which are liquid crystal display (LCD) and digital light processor (DLP), respectively. Wherein the DLP is a reflecting projection technology, and a digital micro-mirror device (DMD) is the important element in the DLP for forming the image, the DMD chips compose of a plurality of the micro mirrors, and through the control board to control the deflection angle and the deflection time each of the micro mirrors, for adjusting the reflective direction of light, than through the lens to project the image.

[0005] In general, in the DLP projection system, the assembly with heat-sink element, the DMD module (which comprises a control board and a DMD) and the optical holder will generate an accumulative tolerance, to limit the arrangement of the heat-sink element in the DLP projection system, and the compact combination between the heat-sink element and the DMD module occur overpressure to damage the DMD, moreover using the light source of big power to make the l)LP projection obtain high light, to increase the volume and power consumption of DLP projection, so that it is an important question of heat dissipation on DLP projection system. In the present DLP projection system, it is very important topic to design the assembly between the DMD and the heat-sink element, for reducing the cost and increasing the heat dissipating effect.

[0006] The primary object of the present invention is to provide a flexible assembly system and mechanism adapted for using on an optical projection apparatus, wherein a flexible element eliminates the accumulative tolerance between each assembly element, for providing a compact combination between the heat-sink element and the DMD, so that the DMD can obtain a best heat dissipating effect.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide a flexible assembly system and mechanism adapted for using on an optical projection apparatus, wherein the flexible element provides a suitable pressure on a rear of the DMD, to avoid the assembly pressure too large so as to damage the DMD.

[0008] In order to achieve the above objects, the present invention provides a flexible assembly system and mechanism adapted for using on an optical projection apparatus, for assembling with a heat-sink element and a DMD module on an optical holder of the optical projection apparatus, wherein the flexible assembly mechanism comprises a flexible element, a first fixed element arranged on the DMD module, a second fixed element arranged on the optical holder and a locked element serially connected with the flexible element, the first fixed element and the second fixed element, for assembling the heat-sink element, the DMD module and the optical holder in one-piece.

[0009] The various objects and advantages of the present invention will be more readily understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the appended drawing, in which:

[0010] FIG. I is an exploded view of according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0012] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0013] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0014] Referring now to FIG. 1, an exploded view of according to a first embodiment of the present invention, which comprises a heat-sink element 1, a DMD module 2, an optical holder 3, a flexible element 4 and a locked element 5.

[0015] The heat-sink element I has a plurality of receiving holes 10 formed therearound and a heat conduction body 11 protruded thereunder, the heat conduction body 11 assembled or integrally formed on a heat-sink fin 12 of the heat-sink element 1, wherein the DMD module 2 has a control board 20, a DMD 21, a fixed holder 22 arranged around the DMD and a upon cover 23 can transform the information from the control board 20 to the DMD 21, wherein the control board 20 has an opening 200 and a first fixed element (which is a plurality of through holes 201a) formed therearound, wherein the upon cover 23 has an opening 230 be matched up the heat conduction body 11 of the heat-sink element 1, the heat conduction body 11 of the heat-sink element 1 is disposed through the opening 200 of the control board 20 to touch the rear of the DMD 21, for controlling the angular change of a plurality of micro mirrors 211 of DMD21.

[0016] The optical holder 3 has a second fixed element (which is a plurality of assembly holes 30a) arranged thereon, and an assembly interface 31aadapted for assembling the DMD module 2 therein, the flexible element 4 disposed in the receiving hole 10 of the heat-sink element 1, and the flexible element 4 has a plurality of compressing springs 4a or element with providing pressure by deformation of elasticity and plasticity, and the locked element 5 can be a plurality of screw bolts 5a.

[0017] Referring now to FIG. 2, a perspective view of according to a first embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of screw bolts 5aare serially connected with the compressing springs 4a, the receiving holes 10 of the heat-sink element 1, the through holes 201aof the DMD module 2 and the assembly holes 30 of the optical holder 3, for assembling the heat-sink element 1, the DMD module 2 and the optical holder 3 in one-piece. Referring now to FIG. 3, an exploded view of according to a second embodiment of the present invention, which comprises a heat-sink element 1, a DMD module 2, an optical holder 3, a flexible element 4 and a locked element 5.

[0018] The heat-sink element 1 has a heat conduction body 11 protruded thereunder, the heat conduction body 11 assembled or integrally formed on a heat-sink fin 12 of the heat-sink element 1, the DMD module 2 has a control board 20, a DMD 21, a fixed holder 22 arranged around the DMD 21 and a upon cover 12 can transform the information from the control board 20 to the DMD 21, the control board 20 has an opening 200, and a first fixed element (which can be a plurality of through holes 201b) is arranged therearound, wherein the heat conduction body 11 of the heat-sink element 1 is disposed through the opening 200 of the control board 20 to touch the rear of the DMD 21, for controlling the angular change of a plurality of micro mirrors 211 of DMD 21.

[0019] The optical holder 3 has a second fixed element (which is a plurality of assembly holes 30b) arranged thereon, and an assembly interface 31ais adapted for assembling the DMD module 2 therein, the flexible element 4 is disposed in the receiving hole 10 of the heat-sink element 1, the flexible element 4 can be a plurality of plate springs 4b, or element with providing pressure by deformation of elasticity and plasticity, wherein the plate spring 4bis disposed on the heat-sink element 1, the plate spring 4bhas a vaulting portion 40 and an extended section 41 horizontally extended from a terminal end of the vaulting portion 40, and a plurality of fixed holes 42 is disposed on the extended section 41, and the locked element 5 can be a plurality of screw bolts 5b.

[0020] Referring now to FIG. 4, a perspective view of according to a second embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of screw bolts 5bare serially connected with the plate spring 4b, the through hole 201bof the DMD module 2 and the assembly hole 30 of the optical holder 3, for assembling the heat-sink element 1, the DMD module 2 and the optical holder 3 in one-piece.

[0021] To sum up, the present invention discloses the flexible element 4 for eliminating the accumulative tolerance between each element, and producing a compact combination between the heat-sink element 1 and the DMD module 2, so that the DMD module 2 has a best heat dissipating effect, moreover using the flexible element 4 to provide a suitable pressure on the rear portion 210 of the DMD 21, to avoid the assembly pressure too large so as to damage the DMD 21.

[0022] Although the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the details thereof. Various substitutions and modification have suggested in the foregoing description, and other will occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, all such substitutions and modifications are intended to be embraced within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.