Electro-optic Device Thermal Management via Holding Member Gap

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electro-optic devices face challenges with heat management, as intense light usage leads to temperature increases, causing thermal expansion and potential damage due to stress from holding members, and the complexity of manufacturing with thermal conductivity fillers increases costs and manufacturing complexity.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves a reflective electro-optic device with a first holding member covering the lateral face and a second holding member with a heat-emitting portion on the back surface, featuring a predetermined gap between them to prevent stress-induced damage and enhance heat emission, using materials with different thermal expansion coefficients and potentially filling the gap with a thermal conductivity filler.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If a concave portion is provided in the holding member for filling with thermal conductivity filler, then heat emission efficiency is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat emission efficiencyVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the thermal conductivity filler from the holding member structure itself, placing it only in the necessary gap region between the electro-optic panel and holding member rather than integrating it into the holding member's complex concave structure. This simplifies manufacturing while maintaining heat emission efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention segments the thermal management function by separating the holding member's mechanical support function from the thermal conduction function, which is performed by the filler material in the gap. This allows independent optimization of both functions without requiring complex integrated structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If the holding member is in direct contact with the electro-optic panel, then structural stability is improved, but thermal expansion stress causes damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidpanel damage resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention provides beforehand cushioning by introducing a gap between the holding member and electro-optic panel, which acts as a buffer zone to absorb thermal expansion stress before it can damage the panel. This preventive measure is built into the design to accommodate future thermal variations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces an intermediary element - the gap filled with thermal conductivity filler - between the holding member and electro-optic panel. This intermediary maintains structural stability while accommodating thermal expansion, preventing direct stress transmission to the panel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of energy

If the gap between holding members is reduced for better heat conduction, then heat emission is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat conduction efficiencyVSAvoidgap dimension control

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the physical state and properties of the filler material to achieve effective thermal conduction with a larger gap. By using materials with high thermal conductivity and appropriate viscosity, the system achieves good heat transfer without requiring tight dimensional tolerances.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs composite material properties by selecting filler materials that combine high thermal conductivity with flowable characteristics, allowing them to effectively fill irregular gap spaces and maintain good thermal contact without requiring precise gap dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration effectively manages heat emission, preventing damage from thermal expansion and reducing manufacturing complexity, thereby improving the reliability and efficiency of the electro-optic device.

Implementation Method 1

a thermal conductivity filler that has a thermal conductivity of 0.3 W/m-K or more

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

the electro-optic panel generates heat to thereby cause a remarkable rise in temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 3

due to the incidence of relatively intense light when performing the display, the electro-optic panel generates heat

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption (EM radiation): Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 4

when each of the electro-optic panel and the holding member is expanded due to the heat

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentUS8988883B2Electro-optic device and electronic device

Publication Date: 2015.03.24 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

An electro-optic device includes an electro-optic panel, a first holding member that holds the electro-optic panel, and a second holding member provided with a heat emitting portion on the side opposite to a surface to which the electro-optic panel is adhered. In the electro-optic device, a predetermined gap is provided between the first holding member and the second holding member.