Light machine and projector

Abstract

The utility model relates to the field of light machine heat dissipation, and discloses a light machine, which comprises a shell provided with a closed cavity filled with a thermal medium, and is characterized in that the closed cavity is provided with an internal circulation heat exchanger, an internal circulation fan, a light valve, a first flow channel and a second flow channel, and the light valve, the first flow channel and the second flow channel are all pervious to light and are stacked with one another; the light-emitting face of the light valve communicates with the first flow channel so that a thermal medium can flow on the light-emitting face of the light valve in the short edge direction, and the light-incident face of the light valve communicates with the second flow channel so that the thermal medium can flow on the light-incident face of the light valve in the short edge direction. An outlet of the internal circulation fan is communicated with a heat exchange inlet of the internal circulation heat exchanger, a heat exchange outlet of the internal circulation heat exchanger is communicated with the head end of the second flow channel, the tail end of the second flow channel is communicated with the head end of the first flow channel, and the tail end of the first flow channel is communicated with an inlet of the internal circulation fan to form a circulation loop. The utility model further discloses a projector. The ray machine and the projector have the advantages of being good in heat dissipation effect and compact in structure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of optical engine heat dissipation, specifically to an optical engine and a projector. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, optical components in the optical path are often sealed to prevent dust accumulation or for waterproofing purposes. The various optical or electronic light-transmitting components of the optical engine are also housed within a sealed cavity. The heat generated or absorbed by these components, such as the front Fresnel lens, heat-insulating glass, rear Fresnel lens, and light valves (DMD / LCOS / LCD display chips), raises the temperature of the sealed cavity. Because heat dissipation can only occur through internal circulation, the heat from the sealed cavity within the optical engine is difficult to transfer efficiently to the outside of the projector, easily leading to poor overall uniformity and color uniformity of the projected image, and even causing electronic component failure.

[0003] To reduce the temperature of components such as the light valves or lenses, different flow channels are designed so that the airflow through each component's surface flows in different directions. A fan forces the air cooled by the heat exchanger to blow onto the components that need heat dissipation, ultimately aiming to achieve a more uniform temperature on the light valves or lenses. However, if... Figure 5 As shown in Figure a, because the airflow travels along the long side of the light valve surface, the path is long and the air resistance is high. The heat dissipation effect at the front is relatively better than at the rear, resulting in relatively uneven heat dissipation across the entire component area. As the airflow circulates through each light valve or lens, heat accumulates and the temperature increases. In particular, the uneven temperature on the light valve surface causes changes in the light transmittance of different wavelengths of the light valve, resulting in poor uniformity of the overall projected image and color uniformity, making it difficult to meet the heat dissipation requirements of the sealed cavity.

[0004] To address the aforementioned heat accumulation problem, a combination of internal and external heat exchange is typically employed: heat from the sealed cavity is first transferred to the outside of the optical engine housing via thermal conduction, and then the heat outside the optical engine housing is exhausted outside the projector housing. Generally, internal heat exchange involves a heat exchange module on each side of the optical engine, including a heat absorption end, a heat dissipation end, and a fan. External heat exchange, on the other hand, involves a heat dissipation fin assembly on each side of the light source. This results in components needing to be accommodated on both sides of the optical engine, leading to a correspondingly larger housing structure and hindering the miniaturization of optical engines.

[0005] Therefore, it is particularly important to design an optical engine that combines good heat dissipation with a compact structure. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present invention aims to provide an optical engine and a projector to solve the problems of poor heat dissipation and non-compact structure.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0008] In a first aspect, an optical engine is provided, comprising a housing, wherein the housing has a sealed cavity filled with a heat medium, the sealed cavity having an internal circulation heat exchanger, an internal circulation fan, a light valve, a first flow channel, and a second flow channel, wherein the light valve, the first flow channel, and the second flow channel are all light-transmitting and are stacked on top of each other, the light-emitting surface of the light valve communicates with the first flow channel to allow the heat medium to flow along the short side direction at the light-emitting surface of the light valve, and the light-incident surface of the light valve communicates with the second flow channel to allow the heat medium to flow along the short side direction at the light-incident surface of the light valve; the outlet of the internal circulation fan communicates with the heat exchange inlet of the internal circulation heat exchanger, the heat exchange outlet of the internal circulation heat exchanger communicates with the beginning of the second flow channel, the end of the second flow channel communicates with the beginning of the first flow channel, and the end of the first flow channel communicates with the inlet of the internal circulation fan, forming a circulation loop.

[0009] Optionally, the internal circulation heat exchanger includes a heat-absorbing fin group, a first heat pipe group, a first fin group, and a second fin group. The heat-absorbing fin group is located in a sealed cavity to serve as the heat-absorbing end of the internal circulation heat exchanger. The first fin group and the second fin group are located outside the sealed cavity to serve as the heat-releasing end of the internal circulation heat exchanger. The ends of the first heat pipe group are staggered with each fin group so that the heat-absorbing end and the heat-releasing end are connected through the first heat pipe group.

[0010] Optionally, the first fin group and the second fin group are located outside the sealed cavity so that the flow direction of the heat medium through the gaps between the fins is consistent and that the flow direction is parallel to the optical path.

[0011] Optionally, the housing further includes an external circulation fan, a reflector, a light source, and an external circulation heat exchanger. The external circulation heat exchanger includes a heat-conducting plate, a second heat pipe group, and a third fin group connected in sequence. The reflector is configured in conjunction with the light source so that the light emitted from the light source is incident parallel to the light-incident surface of the light valve. The light source is connected to the heat-conducting plate. The first fin group, the second fin group, the external circulation fan, and the third fin group are sequentially arranged on the same side to ensure that the flow directions are consistent. The first fin group and the second fin group are staggered in the flow direction, or the orthogonal projections of the first fin group and the second fin group in the flow direction do not overlap.

[0012] Optionally, the sealed cavity is further provided with a front Fresnel lens, a heat-insulating glass and a rear Fresnel lens. The light-incident surface of the front Fresnel lens is arranged opposite to the light-exit surface of the light valve to form the first flow channel. The heat medium flows along the short side direction of the light-exit surface and the light-incident surface of the front Fresnel lens, the light valve, the heat-insulating glass and the rear Fresnel lens, and the short side directions are consistent and in the same direction.

[0013] Optionally, the housing includes a first baffle with an arcuate surface, the first baffle being connected to the tail end of the first flow channel to change the fluid direction of the first flow channel, the fins of the heat-absorbing fin assembly being perpendicular to the first normal plane where the lowest point of the first baffle is located; the flow channel being close to or connected to the heat-absorbing fin assembly such that the angle between the flow channel and the first normal plane is 80°~100°; the internal circulation fan being connected to the heat exchange inlet such that the angle between the air outlet plane of the internal circulation fan and the first normal plane is 0°≤α≤10°, and the outlet height of the internal circulation fan being less than or equal to the height of the heat exchange inlet.

[0014] Optionally, the sealed cavity is further provided with a cooling cavity, which is connected to the tail end of the first flow channel and the inlet of the internal circulation fan, so that the tail end of the first flow channel and the inlet of the internal circulation fan are connected through the cooling cavity.

[0015] Optionally, the flow channel is close to or connected to the heat-absorbing fin assembly so that the angle between the flow channel and the first normal plane is 90°; the internal circulation fan is connected to the heat exchange inlet so that the angle between the air outlet plane of the internal circulation fan and the first normal plane is α=8°.

[0016] Optionally, the heat-absorbing fin assembly is provided with a first-order notch and a second-order notch, wherein the first-order notch communicates with the second-order notch and the inlet inner diameter of the first-order notch is larger than the inlet inner diameter of the second-order notch, so as to accommodate the first baffle section of different specifications.

[0017] In a second aspect, a projector is provided, comprising the optical engine described in any one of the first aspects above.

[0018] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: By changing the flow of the heat medium from along the long side of the element to along the short side, the path is shortened, wind resistance is reduced, heat dissipation efficiency is improved, and heat dissipation becomes more uniform. Furthermore, by changing the layout of the external circulation heat dissipation structure and adjusting the positions of the first fin group, the second fin group, the external circulation fan, and the third fin group, as well as the flow direction of the external circulation hot airflow, the structure becomes more compact, avoiding heat backflow from the optical engine and heat dissipation interference between the first and second fin groups. Furthermore, by installing the internal circulation fan along the long side of the element to increase the fan size, heat dissipation efficiency is improved. Furthermore, by changing the positional relationship between the flow channel, the heat-absorbing fin group, and the internal circulation fan, the structure becomes more compact. Attached Figure Description

[0019] The invention can be better understood by referring to the following figures and description. The components in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale; rather, the focus is on illustrating the principles of the invention. Furthermore, in different views, the same reference numerals denote corresponding parts.

[0020] Figure 1 This is a planar sectional view of the optomechanic in one embodiment;

[0021] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional sectional view of the optical mechanism in one embodiment;

[0022] Figure 3 This is a planar sectional view of the optomechanic in another embodiment;

[0023] Figure 4 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the optomechanism in one embodiment;

[0024] Figure 5 a is a diagram of the airflow and heat dissipation path of a pair of proportional light valves;

[0025] Figure 5 b is a diagram of the airflow and heat dissipation path of the light valve in one embodiment;

[0026] Figure 6 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of an internal circulation heat exchanger in one embodiment;

[0027] Figure 7 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the heat-absorbing fin assembly in one embodiment.

[0028] Reference numerals: 1-Internal circulation heat exchanger; 11-Heat-absorbing fin assembly; 111-Heat exchange inlet; 112-Heat exchange outlet; 113-First-stage notch; 114-Second-stage notch; 12-First heat pipe assembly; 131-First fin assembly; 132-Second fin assembly; 2-Internal circulation fan; 31-First flow channel; 32-Second flow channel; 321-Upper branch; 322-Lower branch; 41-Front Fresnel lens; 42-Light valve; 43-Insulating glass; 44-Rear Fresnel lens; 51-Light source; 52-Reflector; 6-External circulation heat exchanger; 61-Heat-conducting plate; 62-Second heat pipe assembly; 63-Third fin assembly; 7-External circulation fan; 81-First baffle; 82-Second baffle; 9-Shell; 91-Cooling cavity. Detailed Implementation

[0029] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the invention.

[0030] Furthermore, the technical features involved in the various embodiments of the present invention described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0031] Firstly, such as Figure 1 , Figure 5As shown in b.6-7, an optical engine includes a housing 9. The housing 9 has a sealed cavity filled with a heat medium. The sealed cavity has an internal circulation heat exchanger 1, an internal circulation fan 2, a light valve 42, and at least one flow channel. The flow channel includes a first flow channel 31 and a second flow channel 32. The light valve 42, the first flow channel 31, and the second flow channel 32 are all light-transmitting and are stacked on top of each other. The light-emitting surface of the light valve 42 communicates with the first flow channel 31 so that the heat medium exits through the light valve 42. The light medium flows along the short side of the light source. The light-incident surface of the light valve 42 is connected to the second flow channel 32, allowing the heat medium to flow along the short side of the light-incident surface of the light valve 42. The outlet of the internal circulation fan 2 is connected to the heat exchange inlet 111 of the internal circulation heat exchanger, the heat exchange outlet 112 of the internal circulation heat exchanger is connected to the beginning of the second flow channel 32, the end of the second flow channel 32 is connected to the beginning of the first flow channel 31, and the end of the first flow channel 31 is connected to the inlet of the internal circulation fan 2, forming a circulation loop. The light valve 42 can be a display chip using any of the following technologies: DMD, lcos, or LCD. By changing the flow of the heat medium from along the long side of the element to along the short side of the element, the path is shortened, the wind resistance is reduced, the heat dissipation efficiency is improved, and the heat dissipation becomes more uniform.

[0032] Optional, such as Figure 6 As shown, the internal circulation heat exchanger 1 includes a heat-absorbing fin group 11, a first heat pipe group 12, a first fin group 131, and a second fin group 132. The heat-absorbing fin group 11 is located in a sealed cavity to serve as the heat-absorbing end of the internal circulation heat exchanger 1. The first fin group 131 and the second fin group 132 are located outside the sealed cavity to serve as the heat-releasing end of the internal circulation heat exchanger 1. The ends of the first heat pipe group 12 are staggered with each fin group (11, 131, 132) so that the heat-absorbing end and the heat-releasing end are connected through the first heat pipe group 12, thereby increasing the heat absorption area and the heat release area and improving the heat transfer efficiency.

[0033] Optional, such as Figures 3-4 As shown, the first fin group 131 and the second fin group 132 are located outside the sealed cavity so that the flow direction of the heat medium through the gaps between the fins is consistent and parallel to the optical path. The outlet direction of the gap channel between two adjacent fins in the first fin group 131 and the second fin group 132 is consistent and parallel to the optical path, so that the airflow after discharge will not be sprayed onto the outer wall of the optical engine housing and the inner wall of the projector housing, thus preventing heat from flowing back into the optical engine cavity and preventing the projector housing from overheating.

[0034] Optional, such as Figures 1-4As shown, the housing 9 is also provided with an external circulation fan 7, a reflector cup 52, a light source 51, and an external circulation heat exchanger 6. The external circulation heat exchanger 6 includes a heat-conducting plate 61, a second heat pipe group 62, and a third fin group 63 connected in sequence. The reflector cup 52 is configured in conjunction with the light source 51 so that the light emitted from the light source is incident parallel to the light-incident surface of the light valve 42. The light source 51 is connected to the heat-conducting plate 61. The first fin group 131, the second fin group 132, the external circulation fan 7, and the third fin group 63 are arranged in sequence on the same side to keep the flow direction consistent. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the first fin group 131 and the second fin group 132 are staggered in the airflow direction. This can be achieved by using heat pipes of different lengths to connect the fin groups and staggering them in a stepped manner in the airflow direction to reduce the space occupied by the structure. In other embodiments, the orthographic projections of the first fin group 131 and the second fin group 132 in the airflow direction do not overlap. After the hot airflow is discharged from the gap outlet of the first fin group 131, it is avoided that it will be drawn into the second fin group 132 in large quantities, which would affect the heat dissipation of the second fin group 132 and reduce interference.

[0035] Optional, such as Figure 1 , 2 As shown, the sealed cavity also includes a front Fresnel lens 41, a heat-insulating glass 43, and a rear Fresnel lens 44. The light-incident surface of the front Fresnel lens 41 and the light-exit surface of the light valve 42 are arranged opposite each other to form the first flow channel 31. The heat medium flows along the short side direction of the light-exit and light-incident surfaces of the front Fresnel lens 41, the light valve 42, the heat-insulating glass 43, and the rear Fresnel lens 44, with all short side directions being consistent and in the same direction. The airflow flows along the short side on the surface of the components, shortening the path, reducing wind resistance, and improving heat dissipation efficiency, resulting in relatively uniform heat dissipation on the surface of each component. On the other hand, the consistent and in the same direction of the short sides makes the structure compact and facilitates the installation of an internal circulation fan on the long side of the component. If the internal circulation fan is installed on the short side of each component, the size of the internal circulation fan is limited by the distance of the short side. However, if it is installed on the long side of the component, the fan blade size can be increased accordingly, resulting in better heat dissipation.

[0036] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 As shown, the light-incident surface of the light valve 42 is arranged opposite to the light-exiting surface of the heat-insulating glass 43 to form an upper branch 321, and the light-incident surface of the heat-insulating glass 43 is arranged opposite to the light-exiting surface of the rear Fresnel lens 44 to form a lower branch 322. The upper branch 321 and the lower branch 322 form a second flow channel 32, which blocks some of the heat radiation to the light valve and avoids the light transmittance of different wavelengths of the light valve from changing due to excessive temperature, thus affecting the projection effect.

[0037] Optional, such as Figure 1As shown, the housing 9 includes a first baffle 81 and a second baffle 82 with an arcuate surface. The first baffle 81 is connected to the tail end of the first flow channel 31 to change the fluid direction of the first flow channel 31. The second baffle 82 changes the fluid direction of the second flow channel 32 to connect the tail end of the second flow channel 32 and the head end of the first flow channel 31. The fins of the heat-absorbing fin assembly 11 are perpendicular to the first normal plane where the lowest point of the first baffle 81 is located. The flow channel is close to or adjacent to the heat-absorbing fin assembly. The angle between the flow channel and the first normal plane is 80°~100°; the internal circulation fan 2 is connected to the heat exchange inlet 111 so that the angle between the air outlet plane of the internal circulation fan and the first normal plane is 0°≤α≤10°, and the outlet height of the internal circulation fan 2 is less than or equal to the height of the heat exchange inlet 111. Under the premise of maintaining smooth airflow and heat dissipation, the relative positions of the flow channel, heat absorption fin group and internal circulation fan are restricted to occupy less space, making the structure more compact.

[0038] In one embodiment, the approach is defined as a distance of less than 20 mm.

[0039] Optional, such as Figure 1 As shown, the sealed cavity is also provided with a cooling cavity 91. The cooling cavity 91 is connected to the tail end of the first flow channel 31 and the inlet of the internal circulation fan 2, so that the tail end of the first flow channel 31 and the inlet of the internal circulation fan 2 are connected through the cooling cavity 91. Since the cooling cavity 91 has a large volume, after the hot air enters the cooling cavity 91, the heat is diffused to all places, which plays a certain role in cooling. On the other hand, it reduces the wind resistance to make the airflow smooth.

[0040] Optional, such as Figure 1 As shown, the flow channel is close to or connected to the heat-absorbing fin group 11 so that the angle between the flow channel and the first normal plane is 90°, making the structure of the flow channel and the heat-absorbing fin group compact, without occupying more space (which would be the case if the angle is greater than 90°) or interfering with the flow channel and blocking the light path (which would be the case if the angle is less than 90°); the internal circulation fan 2 is connected to the heat exchange inlet 111 so that the angle between the air outlet plane of the internal circulation fan 2 and the first normal plane is α=8°. This tilt angle makes the air inlet of the internal circulation fan 2 face the inlet area of ​​the cooling chamber 91, which can promptly remove the hot airflow entering the cooling chamber 91 without increasing the space occupied, making the structure compact.

[0041] Optional, such as Figure 6 As shown, the heat-absorbing fin assembly 11 is provided with a first-order notch 113 and a second-order notch 114. The first-order notch 113 and the second-order notch 114 are connected, and the inlet inner diameter of the first-order notch 113 is larger than the inlet inner diameter of the second-order notch 114, so as to accommodate the first baffle section of different specifications. The design of the flow channel embedded in the notch further reduces the space occupied and makes the structure more compact.

[0042] In a second aspect, a projector includes the optical engine described in any one of the first aspects above.

[0043] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An optical engine, comprising a housing, wherein the housing is provided with a sealed cavity filled with a heat medium, characterized in that: The sealed cavity is equipped with an internal circulation heat exchanger, an internal circulation fan, a light valve, a first flow channel, and a second flow channel. The light valve, the first flow channel, and the second flow channel are all light-transmitting and are stacked on top of each other. The light-emitting surface of the light valve is connected to the first flow channel so that the heat medium flows along the short side of the light-emitting surface of the light valve. The light-incoming surface of the light valve is connected to the second flow channel so that the heat medium flows along the short side of the light-incoming surface of the light valve. The outlet of the internal circulation fan is connected to the heat exchange inlet of the internal circulation heat exchanger. The heat exchange outlet of the internal circulation heat exchanger is connected to the beginning of the second flow channel. The end of the second flow channel is connected to the beginning of the first flow channel. The end of the first flow channel is connected to the inlet of the internal circulation fan, forming a circulation loop.

2. The optical engine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The internal circulation heat exchanger includes a heat-absorbing fin group, a first heat pipe group, a first fin group, and a second fin group. The heat-absorbing fin group is located in a sealed cavity to serve as the heat-absorbing end of the internal circulation heat exchanger. The first fin group and the second fin group are located outside the sealed cavity to serve as the heat-releasing end of the internal circulation heat exchanger. The ends of the first heat pipe group are staggered with each fin group so that the heat-absorbing end and the heat-releasing end are connected through the first heat pipe group.

3. The optical engine according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first fin group and the second fin group are located outside the sealed cavity so that the flow direction of the heat medium through the gaps between the fins is consistent and that the flow direction is parallel to the optical path.

4. The optical engine according to claim 3, characterized in that: The housing also includes an external circulation fan, a reflector, a light source, and an external circulation heat exchanger. The external circulation heat exchanger includes a heat-conducting plate, a second heat pipe group, and a third fin group connected in sequence. The reflector is configured in conjunction with the light source so that the light emitted from the light source is incident parallel to the light-incident surface of the light valve. The light source is connected to the heat-conducting plate. The first fin group, the second fin group, the external circulation fan, and the third fin group are sequentially arranged on the same side to ensure that the flow directions are consistent. The first fin group and the second fin group are staggered in the flow direction, or the orthogonal projections of the first fin group and the second fin group in the flow direction do not overlap.

5. The optical engine according to claim 2, characterized in that: The sealed cavity is further provided with a front Fresnel lens, a heat-insulating glass and a rear Fresnel lens. The light-incident surface of the front Fresnel lens is arranged opposite to the light-exit surface of the light valve to form the first flow channel. The heat medium flows along the short side direction of the light-exit and light-incident surfaces of the front Fresnel lens, the light valve, the heat-insulating glass and the rear Fresnel lens, and the short side directions are consistent and in the same direction.

6. The optical engine according to claim 2, characterized in that: The housing includes a first baffle with an arcuate surface, which is connected to the tail end of the first flow channel to change the fluid direction of the first flow channel. The fins of the heat-absorbing fin assembly are perpendicular to the first normal plane where the lowest point of the first baffle is located. The flow channel is close to or connected to the heat-absorbing fin assembly so that the angle between the flow channel and the first normal plane is 80°~100°. The internal circulation fan is connected to the heat exchange inlet so that the angle between the air outlet plane of the internal circulation fan and the first normal plane is 0°≤α≤10°, and the outlet height of the internal circulation fan is less than or equal to the height of the heat exchange inlet.

7. The optical engine according to claim 6, characterized in that: The sealed cavity is also provided with a cooling cavity, which is connected to the tail end of the first flow channel and the inlet of the internal circulation fan, so that the tail end of the first flow channel and the inlet of the internal circulation fan are connected through the cooling cavity.

8. The optical engine according to claim 7, characterized in that: The flow channel is close to or connected to the heat-absorbing fin assembly so that the angle between the flow channel and the first normal plane is 90°; the internal circulation fan is connected to the heat exchange inlet so that the angle between the air outlet plane of the internal circulation fan and the first normal plane is α=8°.

9. The optical engine according to claim 6, characterized in that: The heat-absorbing fin assembly is provided with a first-order notch and a second-order notch. The first-order notch is connected to the second-order notch, and the inlet inner diameter of the first-order notch is larger than the inlet inner diameter of the second-order notch, so as to accommodate the first baffle section of different specifications.

10. A projector, characterized in that: Includes the optical engine described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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