An optical engine and projector with varying duct cross-section

Abstract

This utility model relates to an optical engine and a projector with varying cross-sections of the air duct. The optical engine includes a housing, an imaging component, an internal circulation fan, and a heat exchange module. The housing contains an imaging mounting cavity, a heat exchange cavity, a fan cavity, and an external heat dissipation channel. The lower end of the first cooling air duct is connected to the upper end of the third cooling air duct through the fan cavity and the heat exchange cavity. The top variable cross-section air duct is used to ensure that the airflow through the middle of the LCD screen in the second cooling air duct is greater than the airflow through the left and right sides of the LCD screen. The bottom variable cross-section air duct is used to ensure that the airflow through the middle of the LCD screen in the third cooling air duct is greater than the airflow through the left and right sides of the LCD screen. The optical engine of this application dissipates heat from the LCD screen through internal circulation, resulting in good heat dissipation effect and high heat dissipation efficiency. The internal circulation air duct is reasonably designed, which is conducive to the miniaturization of the optical engine. Furthermore, the air duct is designed and adjusted to address the temperature inconsistencies in different areas of the LCD screen, ensuring that the airflow in the middle of the LCD screen is greater than that on the left and right sides, resulting in more uniform overall heat dissipation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of LCD projector technology, and in particular to an optical engine and projector with a variable cross-section of the air duct. Background Technology

[0002] The key component of an LCD projector is the optical engine, which generally includes an imaging module, a light source, and a light funnel. The main imaging process involves light emitted from the light source being focused by the light funnel and then passing through the imaging module (LCD screen, front and rear Fresnel lenses, heat-insulating glass, etc.) to form the image light. Because the LCD screen has low light transmittance and the heat-insulating glass provides insulation, the LCD screen and heat-insulating glass generate a significant amount of heat when the optical engine is operating.

[0003] To prevent dust contamination of the LCD screen, existing optical engines are generally designed as sealed systems. These sealed engines create an internal airflow channel, where air, driven by a fan, flows through a heat sink to cool the LCD screen. However, the design of this internal airflow channel is not ideal; the airflow direction is the same on both sides of the LCD screen. This results in the internal airflow channel occupying a significant amount of internal space, hindering the miniaturization of the optical engine. Furthermore, considering the "high in the center, low on the sides" trend in the light power distribution projected onto the LCD screen, to achieve uniform cooling, the airflow through the center and sides of the LCD screen should also have a "higher in the center, lower on the sides" characteristic.

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to redesign the internal circulation duct of the existing optical engine. Utility Model Content

[0005] Based on this, the purpose of this utility model is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide an optical engine and projector with variable duct cross-section.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by this utility model is as follows:

[0007] An optomechanic with varying cross-section of a duct, comprising:

[0008] Housing, imaging components, internal circulation fan, and heat exchange module;

[0009] The housing is provided with an imaging mounting cavity, a heat exchange cavity, a fan cavity, and an external heat dissipation channel;

[0010] The imaging assembly is disposed in the imaging mounting cavity. The imaging assembly includes a first lens, a heat-insulating glass, an LCD screen, a polarizing glass, and a second lens arranged sequentially along the light emission direction. The first lens, heat-insulating glass, LCD screen, polarizing glass, and second lens divide the imaging mounting cavity into a first cooling air duct, a second cooling air duct, and a third cooling air duct with airflow directions parallel to the vertical direction. The first cooling air duct is located between the first lens and the heat-insulating glass. The second and third cooling air ducts are located on opposite sides of the LCD screen. The upper end of the second cooling duct is connected to the first cooling duct through a top variable cross-section air duct, and the lower end of the second cooling duct is connected to the third cooling duct through a bottom variable cross-section air duct. The lower end of the first cooling duct is connected to the upper end of the third cooling duct through the fan cavity and the heat exchange cavity. The top variable cross-section air duct is used to make the airflow in the second cooling duct through the middle of the LCD screen greater than the airflow through the left and right sides of the LCD screen. The bottom variable cross-section air duct is used to make the airflow in the third cooling duct through the middle of the LCD screen greater than the airflow through the left and right sides of the LCD screen.

[0011] The internal circulation fan is disposed in the fan cavity;

[0012] The heat exchange module includes a cold-side heat sink and a hot-side heat sink connected to each other for conducting heat. The cold-side heat sink is disposed in the heat exchange cavity, and the hot-side heat sink is disposed in the external heat dissipation channel.

[0013] In one implementation, on a cross-section parallel to the surface of the heat-insulating glass, the height of the middle part of the top variable cross-section air duct is greater than the height of its left and right sides.

[0014] In one implementation, on a cross-section parallel to the surface of the LCD screen, the height of the middle part of the bottom variable cross-section air duct is greater than the height of its left and right sides.

[0015] In one embodiment, the optical engine of this application further includes a first external circulation fan, which is disposed in the external heat dissipation channel for dissipating heat from the hot surface heat sink.

[0016] In one embodiment, the optical engine of this application further includes a light source assembly and an LED heat sink. The housing is provided with a light source mounting cavity for accommodating the light source assembly. The light source assembly includes a light funnel and an LED light source. The light outlet of the light funnel faces the first lens. The LED light source is disposed at the light inlet of the light funnel. The LED heat sink includes an LED hot-end heat sink and an LED cold-end heat sink connected together to conduct heat. The LED cold-end heat sink is attached to the back of the LED light source. The LED hot-end heat sink is disposed in the external heat dissipation channel.

[0017] In one embodiment, the optical engine of this application further includes a second external circulation fan, which is disposed in the external heat dissipation channel and is used to dissipate heat from the LED hot end heat sink.

[0018] In one embodiment, the LED hot end heat sink, the second external circulation fan, the hot surface heat sink, and the first external circulation fan are arranged sequentially in the external heat dissipation channel along the airflow direction.

[0019] In one embodiment, both the cold-side radiator and the hot-side radiator are finned radiators, and the cold-side radiator and the hot-side radiator are connected by multiple first heat-conducting pipes.

[0020] In one embodiment, the LED cold end heat sink is a heat-conducting plate, and the LED hot end heat sink includes a plurality of spaced heat dissipation fins. The heat-conducting plate is connected to the heat dissipation fins through a plurality of second heat-conducting pipes.

[0021] This application provides a projector that includes a projection housing and an optomechanical system disposed within the projection housing with a cross-sectional area varying as described above.

[0022] The design of the internal air duct of this application effectively extends the overall length of the heat dissipation air duct, allowing air to pass through both sides of the LCD screen from opposite directions for sufficient heat dissipation. This also saves internal space, thus facilitating the miniaturization of the optical engine. Furthermore, due to the inclusion of top and bottom variable cross-section air ducts, the airflow through the center of the LCD screen is greater than the airflow through the left and right sides when air enters the second and third cooling air ducts. This achieves the goal of high airflow in high-heat areas and low airflow in low-heat areas of the LCD screen, making the utilization of cooling airflow more efficient and rational. Compared with existing top and bottom equal cross-section diverting air ducts, the variable cross-section air duct of this application can improve the temperature uniformity of the LCD screen by approximately 45%.

[0023] To better understand and implement this invention, the following detailed description is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the optomechanism in the embodiments of this application;

[0025] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the optomechanism in the embodiments of this application;

[0026] Figure 3 This is an exploded view of the optical engine in an embodiment of this application;

[0027] Figure 4This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of the optomechanical system in an embodiment of this application;

[0028] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the airflow of the optical engine in the embodiments of this application;

[0029] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the top variable cross-section air duct of the optical engine in an embodiment of this application;

[0030] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the bottom variable cross-section air duct of the optical engine in an embodiment of this application;

[0031] Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the external heat dissipation channel of the optomechanic in an embodiment of this application;

[0032] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0033] 1. Housing; 101. Upper Housing; 102. Middle Housing; 103. Lower Housing; 11. First Cooling Air Duct; 111. Top Variable Cross-Section Air Duct; 12. Second Cooling Air Duct; 121. Bottom Variable Cross-Section Air Duct; 13. Third Cooling Air Duct; 14. Heat Exchange Chamber; 15. Fan Chamber; 16. External Heat Dissipation Channel; 17. Light Source Mounting Chamber; 21. First Lens; 22. Heat Insulation Glass; 23. LCD Screen; 24. Polarizing Glass; 25. Second Lens; 3. Internal Circulation Fan; 41. Cold Surface Heat Sink; 42. Hot Surface Heat Sink; 43. First Heat Conductor Pipe; 51. First External Circulation Fan; 52. Second External Circulation Fan; 61. Light Funnel; 62. LED Light Source; 71. LED Hot End Heat Sink; 72. LED Cold End Heat Sink; 73. Second Heat Conductor Pipe. Detailed Implementation

[0034] To further illustrate the various embodiments, the present invention provides accompanying drawings. These drawings are part of the disclosure of the present invention and are mainly used to illustrate the embodiments, and can be used in conjunction with the relevant descriptions in the specification to explain the operating principles of the embodiments. With reference to these drawings, those skilled in the art should be able to understand other possible implementation methods and the advantages of the present invention.

[0035] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "axial", "radial", "circumferential", etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as a limitation on this utility model.

[0036] Please see Figures 1 to 8 This embodiment provides an optical engine with a variable duct cross-section, which includes: a housing 1, an imaging component, an internal circulation fan 3, and a heat exchange module.

[0037] The housing 1 is provided with an imaging mounting cavity, a heat exchange cavity 14, a fan cavity 15, and an external heat dissipation channel 16.

[0038] The imaging assembly is disposed in the imaging mounting cavity. The imaging assembly includes a first lens 21, a heat-insulating glass 22, an LCD screen 23, a polarizing glass 24, and a second lens 25 arranged sequentially along the light emission direction. The first lens 21, the heat-insulating glass 22, the LCD screen 23, the polarizing glass 24, and the second lens 25 divide the imaging mounting cavity into a first cooling air duct 11, a second cooling air duct 12, and a third cooling air duct 13, with the airflow direction parallel to the vertical direction. The first cooling air duct 11 is located between the first lens 21 and the heat-insulating glass 22. The second cooling air duct 12 and the third cooling air duct 13 are respectively located on both sides of the LCD screen 23. The upper end of the second cooling duct 12 is connected to the first cooling duct 11 via the top variable cross-section air duct 111. The lower end of the second cooling duct 12 is connected to the third cooling duct 13 via the bottom variable cross-section air duct 121. The lower end of the first cooling duct 11 is connected to the upper end of the third cooling duct 13 via the fan chamber 15 and the heat exchange chamber 14. The top variable cross-section air duct 111 is used to make the airflow in the second cooling duct 12 through the middle of the LCD screen 23 greater than the airflow through the left and right sides of the LCD screen 23. The bottom variable cross-section air duct 121 is used to make the airflow in the third cooling duct 13 through the middle of the LCD screen 23 greater than the airflow through the left and right sides of the LCD screen 23.

[0039] The internal circulation fan 3 is disposed in the fan cavity 15.

[0040] The heat exchange module includes a cold-side heat sink 41 and a hot-side heat sink 42 connected to conduct heat. The cold-side heat sink 41 is disposed in the heat exchange cavity 14, and the hot-side heat sink 42 is disposed in the external heat dissipation channel 16.

[0041] like Figure 5As shown in the figure, the black arrows indicate the direction of airflow. When the internal circulation fan 3 is running, it can drive the air inside the housing 1 to circulate. First, the air output from the outlet of the internal circulation fan 3 enters the first cooling air duct 11, carrying away the heat from one side of the heat insulation glass 22 and the first lens 21. Then, it flows into the second cooling air duct 12 through the top variable cross-section air duct 111, carrying away the heat from the other side of the heat insulation glass 22 and the LCD screen 23. Next, it flows into the third cooling air duct 13 through the bottom variable cross-section air duct 121, carrying away the heat from the other side of the LCD screen 23 and the polarizing glass 24. Then, it enters the heat exchange chamber 14, where it exchanges heat with the cold surface radiator 41 to reduce its temperature. Finally, the air is drawn back into the fan chamber 15 and continues the next cycle.

[0042] Therefore, the design of the internal air duct of the optical engine in this embodiment can effectively extend the length of the overall heat dissipation air duct, allowing air to pass through both sides of the LCD screen 23 from opposite directions, thus fully dissipating heat from the LCD screen 23 and saving internal space, which is beneficial to the miniaturization of the optical engine. Furthermore, due to the provision of the top variable cross-section air duct 111 and the bottom variable cross-section air duct 121, when air enters the second cooling air duct 12 and the third cooling air duct 13, the airflow through the middle of the LCD screen 23 is greater than the airflow through the left and right sides of the LCD screen 23. This achieves the purpose of having a large airflow in the high-heat areas and a small airflow in the low-heat areas of the LCD screen 23, making the utilization of cooling airflow more efficient and reasonable. Compared with the existing top and bottom equal cross-section turning air ducts, the variable cross-section air duct of this application can improve the temperature uniformity of the LCD screen 23 by about 45%.

[0043] The optical engine with a variable cross-section of the air duct in this embodiment dissipates heat from the LCD screen 23 through internal circulation. This method has good heat dissipation effect, high heat dissipation efficiency, and good noise reduction. It also prevents dust and dirt from entering the housing 1 and contaminating the LCD screen 23, effectively eliminating the appearance of black spots on the LCD screen 23, which is beneficial to improving the user experience. The internal circulation air duct design is reasonable and conducive to the miniaturization of the optical engine. Furthermore, the air duct design is adjusted to address the temperature inconsistencies in different areas of the LCD screen 23, so that the airflow in the middle of the LCD screen 23 is greater than that on the left and right sides, resulting in more uniform overall heat dissipation.

[0044] like Figure 6 As shown, specifically, on a cross section parallel to the surface of the heat-insulating glass 22, the height of the middle part of the top variable cross section air duct 111 is greater than the height of its left and right sides. By setting it in this way, the air flowing through the top variable cross section air duct 111 can form an effect where the air volume in the middle of the LCD screen 23 is greater than the air volume on the left and right sides when it enters the second cooling air duct 12.

[0045] like Figure 7As shown, in a cross-section parallel to the surface of the LCD screen 23, the height of the middle part of the bottom variable cross-section air duct 121 is greater than the height of its left and right sides. By setting it in this way, the air flowing through the bottom variable cross-section air duct 121 can achieve the effect that the air volume in the middle of the LCD screen 23 is greater than the air volume on the left and right sides when it enters the third cooling air duct 13.

[0046] In this embodiment, the housing 1 includes an upper housing 101, a middle housing 102, and a lower housing 103. The upper housing 101 and the middle housing 102 are mounted together to form the imaging mounting cavity, the heat exchange cavity 14, and the external heat dissipation channel 16. The lower housing 103 and the middle housing 102 are mounted together to form the fan cavity 15.

[0047] Preferably, the optical engine of this application further includes a first external circulation fan 51, which is disposed in the external heat dissipation channel 16 for dissipating heat from the hot-side heat sink 42. Since the cold-side heat sink 41 heats up during heat exchange, it needs to be connected to the hot-side heat sink 42 to absorb the heat from the cold-side heat sink 41. The hot-side heat sink 42 can quickly remove heat through the first external circulation fan 51, keeping the cold-side heat sink 41 at a low temperature. This effectively achieves rapid heat dissipation of the LCD screen 23, effectively ensuring the normal operation of the LCD screen 23 and the safety of the entire machine, and extending the service life of the LCD screen 23.

[0048] Preferably, the optical engine of this application further includes a light source assembly and an LED heat sink. The housing 1 is provided with a light source mounting cavity 17 for accommodating the light source assembly. The light source assembly includes a light funnel 61 and an LED light source 62. The light outlet of the light funnel 61 faces the first lens 21. The LED light source 62 is disposed at the light inlet of the light funnel 61. The light emitted by the LED light source 62 passes through the light funnel 61 and then through the imaging assembly to form image light.

[0049] The LED heat sink includes an LED hot-end heat sink 71 and an LED cold-end heat sink 72 connected together to conduct heat. The LED cold-end heat sink 72 is attached to the back of the LED light source 62, and the LED hot-end heat sink 71 is disposed in the external heat dissipation channel 16. The LED heat sink can dissipate heat from the LED light source 62 to effectively ensure the normal operation of the LED light source 62 and extend its service life.

[0050] Preferably, the optical engine in this embodiment further includes a second external circulation fan 52, which is disposed in the external heat dissipation channel 16 and is used to dissipate heat from the LED hot end heat sink 71.

[0051] Preferably, the LED hot-end heat sink 71, the second external circulation fan 52, the hot-side heat sink 42, and the first external circulation fan 51 are arranged sequentially in the external heat dissipation channel 16 along the airflow direction. This arrangement reduces wind resistance and makes the airflow more stable.

[0052] Specifically, in this embodiment, both the cold-side radiator 41 and the hot-side radiator 42 are finned radiators, and the cold-side radiator 41 and the hot-side radiator 42 are connected by multiple first heat-conducting pipes 43. This arrangement can improve heat dissipation efficiency and is beneficial for cooling.

[0053] The LED cold end heat sink 72 is a heat-conducting plate, and the LED hot end heat sink 71 includes a plurality of spaced heat dissipation fins. The heat-conducting plate is connected to the heat dissipation fins through a plurality of second heat-conducting pipes 73. This arrangement can improve heat dissipation efficiency and is beneficial for cooling.

[0054] Specifically, the optical engine in this embodiment also includes a projection component, which includes a reflector and a projection lens installed in the heat exchange cavity 14. The image light emitted from the imaging component is reflected by the reflector and then emitted from the projection lens.

[0055] This embodiment also provides a projector, which includes a projection housing and an optical engine with a variable cross-section as described in this embodiment, disposed within the projection housing. This LCD projector has the advantages of the sealed optical engine of this embodiment, which will not be elaborated here.

[0056] The embodiments described above are merely examples of several implementations of this utility model, and while the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the utility model. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this utility model, and these modifications and improvements all fall within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. An optomechanic with varying cross-section of a duct, characterized in that, include: Housing, imaging components, internal circulation fan, and heat exchange module; The housing is provided with an imaging mounting cavity, a heat exchange cavity, a fan cavity, and an external heat dissipation channel; The imaging assembly is disposed in the imaging mounting cavity. The imaging assembly includes a first lens, a heat-insulating glass, an LCD screen, a polarizing glass, and a second lens arranged sequentially along the light emission direction. The first lens, heat-insulating glass, LCD screen, polarizing glass, and second lens divide the imaging mounting cavity into a first cooling air duct, a second cooling air duct, and a third cooling air duct with airflow directions parallel to the vertical direction. The first cooling air duct is located between the first lens and the heat-insulating glass. The second and third cooling air ducts are located on opposite sides of the LCD screen. The upper end of the second cooling duct is connected to the first cooling duct through a top variable cross-section air duct, and the lower end of the second cooling duct is connected to the third cooling duct through a bottom variable cross-section air duct. The lower end of the first cooling duct is connected to the upper end of the third cooling duct through the fan cavity and the heat exchange cavity. The top variable cross-section air duct is used to make the airflow in the second cooling duct through the middle of the LCD screen greater than the airflow through the left and right sides of the LCD screen. The bottom variable cross-section air duct is used to make the airflow in the third cooling duct through the middle of the LCD screen greater than the airflow through the left and right sides of the LCD screen. The internal circulation fan is disposed in the fan cavity; The heat exchange module includes a cold-side heat sink and a hot-side heat sink connected to each other for conducting heat. The cold-side heat sink is disposed in the heat exchange cavity, and the hot-side heat sink is disposed in the external heat dissipation channel.

2. The optomechanic with varying duct cross-section according to claim 1, characterized in that: On a cross-section parallel to the surface of the heat-insulating glass, the height of the middle part of the top variable cross-section air duct is greater than the height of its left and right sides.

3. The optomechanic with varying duct cross-section according to claim 1, characterized in that: On a cross-section parallel to the surface of the LCD screen, the height of the middle part of the bottom variable cross-section air duct is greater than the height of its left and right sides.

4. The optomechanic with varying duct cross-section according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a first external circulation fan, which is disposed in the external heat dissipation channel and is used to dissipate heat from the hot surface radiator.

5. The optomechanic with varying duct cross-section according to claim 4, characterized in that: It also includes a light source assembly and an LED heat sink. The housing is provided with a light source mounting cavity for accommodating the light source assembly. The light source assembly includes a light funnel and an LED light source. The light outlet of the light funnel faces the first lens. The LED light source is disposed at the light inlet of the light funnel. The LED heat sink includes an LED hot end heat sink and an LED cold end heat sink connected to conduct heat. The LED cold end heat sink is attached to the back of the LED light source. The LED hot end heat sink is disposed in the external heat dissipation channel.

6. The optomechanic with varying duct cross-section according to claim 5, characterized in that: It also includes a second external circulation fan, which is disposed in the external heat dissipation channel and is used to dissipate heat from the LED hot end heat sink.

7. The optomechanic with varying duct cross-section according to claim 6, characterized in that: The LED hot-end heat sink, the second external circulation fan, the hot-side heat sink, and the first external circulation fan are arranged sequentially in the external heat dissipation channel along the airflow direction.

8. The optomechanic with varying duct cross-section according to claim 1, characterized in that: Both the cold-side radiator and the hot-side radiator are finned radiators, and the cold-side radiator and the hot-side radiator are connected by multiple first heat-conducting pipes.

9. The optomechanic with varying duct cross-section according to claim 5, characterized in that: The LED cold end heat sink is a heat-conducting plate, and the LED hot end heat sink includes multiple spaced heat dissipation fins. The heat-conducting plate is connected to the heat dissipation fins through multiple second heat-conducting pipes.

10. A projector, characterized in that, It includes a projection housing and an optomechanical system with a variable cross-section as described in any one of claims 1-9, disposed within the projection housing.

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