Lamp module with kinematic mount

A system for aligning a prefocused lamp-reflector assembly with a light-path aperture of an image projector, the lamp-reflector assembly including a concave reflector bounded by a periphery rim and a light source fixedly positioned adjacent the concave reflector, the system comprising:

• a plurality of hemispherical mounting points positioned in a predetermined spatial relationship around one of the light-path aperture of the image projector and the periphery rim of the concave reflector;
• a plurality of kinematic mounting features complementary to the plurality of mounting points and rigidly positioned in a predetermined spatial relationship around the other of the light-path aperture of the image projector and the periphery rim of the concave reflector for seating against the mounting points;
• and
• a biasing mechanism urging the kinematic mounting features of the lamp-reflector assembly against the mounting points to precisely orient the lamp-reflector assembly and provide six independent constraints on movement of the lamp-reflector assembly relative to the light-path aperture.

In an image projector having a light-path aperture, a method of removably mounting a prefocused lamp-reflector assembly of a replaceable lamp module in precise alignment with the light-path aperture, the method requiring no post-mounting adjustment, and the lamp-reflector assembly including a concave reflector bounded by a periphery rim and a light source fixedly positioned adjacent the concave reflector, the method comprising:

• providing a plurality of stationary hemispherical mounting points in a predetermined spatial relationship around one of the light-path aperture of the image projector and the periphery rim of the concave reflector;
• providing a plurality of kinematic mounting features around the other of the light-path aperture of the image projector and the periphery rim of the concave reflector, the kinematic mounting features complementary to the mounting points;
• positioning the lamp-reflector assembly adjacent to the light-path aperture so that the mounting points are seated in the kinematic mounting features;
• and
• biasing the lamp-reflector assembly to urge the kinematic mounting features against the mounting points and thereby precisely orient the lamp-reflector assembly and provide six independent constraints on movement of the lamp-reflector assembly relative to the light-path aperture.

A replaceable lamp module for installation in and use with an image projector having a light-path aperture, the lamp module comprising:

• a prefocused lamp-reflector assembly including a concave reflector and a light source positioned adjacent the concave reflector;
• a lamp frame removably mountable on an image projector adjacent a light-path aperture of the image projector, the lamp frame supporting the lamp-reflector assembly, and the lamp frame and lamp-reflector assembly removably installed as a unit in the image projector for convenient installation and replacement of the lamp module;
• a plurality of kinematic mounting features positioned on the lamp-reflector assembly in a predetermined spatial arrangement for seating against corresponding ones of a plurality of complementary mounting points rigidly positioned on the image projector to precisely align the lamp-reflector assembly relative to the light path aperture when the lamp module is installed in the image projector;
• and
• a biasing mechanism operatively connected to the lamp-reflector assembly and positioned to urge the kinematic mounting features of the lamp-reflector assembly against the mounting points when the lamp module is installed in the image projector so that the lamp-reflector assembly is self-aligning relative to the light-path aperture.