Heat Pipe Cooling for Projector Optical Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing projector technologies face inefficiencies in cooling optical elements like liquid crystal panels due to high thermal resistance in air-based heat transfer methods, leading to inadequate temperature reduction and potential thermal degradation.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a heat pipe with a capillary structure and coolant, directly connected to the optical element in a surface-contact configuration, which enhances heat transfer by eliminating air interposition and increasing the contact area, thereby improving cooling efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If air-based heat transfer method is used to cool optical elements, then the cooling system is simple in structure, but thermal resistance is large and cooling efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a heat pipe as an intermediary heat transfer medium between the optical element and the cooling system. The heat pipe's evaporating portion directly contacts the optical element while the condensing portion contacts the heat dissipation structure, creating an efficient thermal bridge that overcomes the high thermal resistance of air-based cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat pipe utilizes phase transitions of the working fluid (evaporation at the evaporating portion and condensation at the condensing portion) to transfer heat efficiently from the optical element to the heat dissipation structure, achieving high cooling efficiency through the latent heat of vaporization and condensation.
2Device complexity
If heat pipe is disposed at a position spaced from optical elements with cooling fin in thermal contact, then the heat pipe structure is simple, but thermal resistance in heat transfer from air to evaporating portion is large
Solution Approach 1:
The heat pipe serves as a thermal intermediary that directly contacts the optical element through its evaporating portion, eliminating the air gap and associated thermal resistance. The heat pipe conducts heat efficiently from the optical element to the condensing portion, which then transfers heat to the heat dissipation structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat pipe is functionally segmented into an evaporating portion (in thermal contact with the optical element) and a condensing portion (in thermal contact with the heat dissipation structure), allowing optimized thermal contact at each interface while maintaining a simple overall structure.
3Device complexity
If conventional cooling method is used, then the system structure is simple, but optical elements cannot be efficiently cooled leading to temperature rise
Solution Approach 1:
The heat pipe acts as a high-efficiency thermal intermediary that directly couples the optical element to the heat dissipation structure, enabling efficient heat removal that prevents temperature rise and thermal degradation of the optical element, thereby improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The phase transition mechanism within the heat pipe (evaporation and condensation of working fluid) provides high heat transfer efficiency, effectively removing heat from the optical element to prevent temperature-related degradation and extend device lifespan.
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 solution effectively reduces thermal resistance and prevents temperature rises in optical elements, ensuring efficient cooling and prolonged device longevity.
Implementation Method 1
a heat-conducting member that is connected with the optical element in a heat transferable manner to cool the optical element. The heat-conducting member includes a heat pipe having: a tube; a capillary structure provided in the tube; and a coolant housed in the tube, the coolant circulating in the tube to transfer heat in the heat-conducting member
Implementation Method 2
a capillary structure provided in the tube
Implementation Method 3
a coolant housed in the tube, the coolant circulating in the tube to transfer heat in the heat-conducting member
Implementation Method 4
An optical-element-side connecting portion of the optical element to be connected with the heat-conducting member and a heat-conducting-member-side connecting portion of the heat-conducting member to be connected with the optical-element-side connecting portion are configured to be in a surface-contact when the connecting portions are connected to each other
Data Source
AI summary
A projector, includes: a light source device; an optical device that modulates a light beam irradiated from the light source device in accordance with image information; and a projection optical device that projects the light beam modulated by the optical device. The optical device includes: an optical element optically converting the light beam incident thereon and emitting the converted light beam; and a heat-conducting member that is connected with the optical element in a heat transferable manner to cool the optical element. The heat-conducting member includes a heat pipe having: a tube; a capillary structure provided in the tube; and a coolant housed in the tube, the coolant circulating in the tube to transfer heat in the heat-conducting member. An optical-element-side connecting portion of the optical element to be connected with the heat-conducting member and a heat-conducting-member-side connecting portion of the heat-conducting member to be connected with the optical-element-side connecting portion are configured to be in a surface-contact when the connecting portions are connected to each other.