Miniature projector module having effective utilization of light with two polarizations

1. A miniature projector module comprising:

a light source unit capable of emitting source light with first and second polarizations;

a polarization beam splitter capable of reflecting the source light with the first polarization, and permitting transmission of the source light with the second polarization therethrough;

a first image modulator capable of converting the source light with the first polarization reflected by said polarization beam splitter into image light with the second polarization, and directing the image light with the second polarization toward said polarization beam splitter for further transmission therethrough;

a second image modulator capable of converting the source light with the second polarization transmitted through said polarization beam splitter into image light with the first polarization, and directing the image light with the first polarization toward said polarization beam splitter for further reflection thereby;

a projector lens disposed to receive and project the image light with the first and second polarizations from said polarization beam splitter; and

a mounting seat that includes a light-entry side having said light source unit mounted thereto, a light-exit side having said projector lens mounted thereto, and first and second light-receiving sides having said first and second image modulators mounted thereto, respectively, said polarization beam splitter being disposed between said light-incident side and one of said first and second light-receiving sides.

2. The miniature projector module as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said mounting seat includes upper and lower plate bodies that are vertically spaced apart from each other.

3. The miniature projector module as claimed in claim 2 , wherein said first and second light-receiving sides of said mounting seat are transverse to each other and are respectively opposite to said light-exit and light-entry sides, each of said first and second image modulators being coupled to said upper and lower plate bodies.

4. The miniature projector module as claimed in claim 3 , wherein each of said upper and lower plate bodies includes a plurality of fixers, said first and second image modulators being secured to corresponding ones of said fixers.

5. The miniature projector module as claimed in claim 4 , wherein said fixers are in the form of pins that project from said upper and lower plate bodies.

6. The miniature projector module as claimed in claim 5 , wherein each of said first and second image modulators has a periphery formed with a plurality of notches to permit extension of said fixers therein.

7. The miniature projector module as claimed in claim 6 , wherein said fixers are bonded to corresponding ones of said notches of said first and second image modulators.

8. The miniature projector module as claimed in claim 3 , wherein each of said upper and lower plate bodies is formed with a groove, said polarization beam splitter being in the form of a plate having upper and lower plate edges that extend into said grooves in said upper and lower plate bodies, respectively.

9. The miniature projector module as claimed in claim 8 , wherein said grooves extend along a diagonal direction in said upper and lower plate bodies such that said polarization beam splitter forms a forty-five-degree angle with each of said first and second image modulators; and wherein said polarization beam splitter has a first end proximate to a junction of said light-entry side and said light-exit side of said mounting seat, and a second end proximate to a junction of said first and second light-receiving sides of said mounting seat.

10. The miniature projector module as claimed in claim 2 , wherein said light source unit includes a condensing lens clamped between said upper and lower plate bodies at said light-entry side.

11. The miniature projector module as claimed in claim 2 , further comprising screw fasteners for fastening said light source unit to said upper and lower plate bodies of said mounting seat at said light-entry side.

12. The miniature projector module as claimed in claim 2 , further comprising screw fasteners for fastening said projector lens to said upper and lower plate bodies of said mounting seat at said light-exit side.

13. The miniature projector module as claimed in claim 2 , wherein said light source unit includes a light-emitting member for generating the source light with the first and second polarizations, a base having said light-emitting member mounted thereto and mounted to said mounting seat such that said light-emitting member confronts said light-entry side of said mounting seat, and a plurality of heat-dissipating fins provided on said base and disposed opposite to said light-emitting member; said miniature projector module further comprising screw fasteners for fastening said base of said light source unit to said upper and lower plate bodies of said mounting seat at said light-entry side.

14. The miniature projector module as claimed in claim 2 , wherein said projector lens includes a lens-mounting ring mounted to said mounting seat at said light-exit side, and a lens unit secured to said lens-mounting ring; said miniature projector module further comprising screw fasteners for fastening said lens ring to said upper and lower plate bodies of said mounting seat at said light-exit side.

15. The miniature projector module as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said light source unit includes a light-emitting member for generating the source light with the first and second polarizations, a base having said light-emitting member mounted thereto and mounted to said mounting seat such that said light-emitting member confronts said light-entry side of said mounting seat, and a plurality of heat-dissipating fins provided on said base and disposed opposite to said light-emitting member.

16. The miniature projector module as claimed in claim 1 , wherein each of said first and second image modulators is a reflective liquid crystal on silicon panel.

17. The miniature projector module as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said light source unit includes a light-emitting diode lamp for providing the source light with the first and second polarizations.

18. The miniature projector module as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said projector lens includes a lens-mounting ring mounted to said mounting seat at said light-exit side, and a lens unit secured to said lens-mounting ring.