Projection-type image display device

A projection-type image display device comprising:

• a light source;
• converging optics for converging light from the light source, the converging optics including a reflector for condensing light from the light source;
• a rod integrator having a first optical axis that receives the collected light and that includes a light beam entrance end near a point where the collected light converges and a light beam exit end at the opposite end of the rod integrator arranged so that the light exiting the exit end of the rod integrator forms a light beam with a homogeneous cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the first optical axis;
• light beam deflecting means for deflecting the light beam from the rod integrator;
• a digital micromirror device that receives said light beam from said light beam deflecting means and that includes an array of micromirrors arranged in a plane, each micromirror being rotatable between two positions for modulating said light beam by selectively reflecting incident light in a first direction or in a second direction depending on a picture signal that switches the positions of the micromirrors between the two positions;
• a projection lens having a second optical axis for projecting the modulated light beam from the digital micromirror device toward a projection screen;
• light beam separating means for directing said light beam from said light beam deflecting means to the digital micromirror device and for directing the light beam directed to the digital micromirror device and modulated by the digital micromirror device along the second optical axis;
• wherein
• the first optical axis and the second optical axis are skewed relative to one another;
• and
• the rod integrator is positioned between said light beam separating means and said projection lens in the direction of the second optical axis and is outside the optical path of the modulated light beam from the digital micromirror device as the modulated light beam passes from the digital micromirror device to the projection lens.