Helium Sealed Drive Device for Projection Display Heat Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional projection-type image display devices face challenges in maintaining the concentration of low-density gases like helium within the housing, which affects the heat radiation performance and operational efficiency of the phosphor wheel, leading to increased drag and noise during rotation.

Innovation Solution

A drive device with a housing that seals a low-density gas such as helium, equipped with a current detector and controller to determine the gas concentration and adjust the rotation rate of the phosphor wheel, ensuring optimal heat radiation and reduced power consumption by compensating for gas concentration changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a low-density gas like helium is sealed in the housing to improve heat radiation performance, then heat dissipation efficiency is improved, but gas concentration decreases over time leading to increased drag and noise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat radiation performanceVSAvoidgas concentration maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a feedback mechanism where a sensor detects the concentration of low-density gas in the housing, and this information is fed back to the control unit. When the gas concentration falls below a threshold, the system automatically replenishes the gas, forming a closed-loop control system that maintains optimal heat radiation performance throughout the device lifecycle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-maintenance by automatically detecting gas concentration levels and replenishing helium or other low-density gases as needed. This self-service capability eliminates the need for manual intervention to maintain optimal thermal performance, ensuring continuous efficient operation without user awareness of the maintenance process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If the phosphor wheel rotates at high speed to improve image projection performance, then productivity is improved, but power consumption increases and heat generation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage projection performanceVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically adjusts the rotation speed of the phosphor wheel based on detected gas concentration levels. When low-density gas concentration is optimal, the wheel can rotate at higher speeds for better projection performance. When gas concentration decreases, the system replenishes the gas to restore optimal rotational conditions, allowing sustained high-performance operation without excessive power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements dynamic control of the phosphor wheel rotation speed, adjusting it according to the thermal environment created by the low-density gas. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize the balance between projection performance and power consumption based on real-time gas concentration conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Temperature

If the phosphor wheel rotates faster to compensate for gas concentration changes, then heat radiation performance is maintained, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat radiation performanceVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit continuously monitors gas concentration and uses this feedback to determine the optimal rotation speed. Rather than constantly increasing speed to compensate for degrading thermal conditions, the system replenishes gas concentration to its optimal level, allowing the phosphor wheel to maintain efficient heat radiation at lower, more energy-efficient rotation speeds.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

The solution effectively maintains the heat radiation performance and reduces power consumption by adjusting the rotation rate of the phosphor wheel based on helium concentration, preventing malfunctions and extending the device's operational lifespan.

Implementation Method 1

a gas which is lower in density than air is sealed in the housing... effectively maintains the heat radiation performance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a current detector to detect a value of a current flowing into the driver... a determinator to determine a concentration of the gas inside the housing according to the value of the detected current

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical current measurement: Ohm's Law

Data Source

PatentEP3540511B1Drive device and projection-type image display device
Publication Date: 2022.05.04 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • EP3540511B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3540511B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3540511B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a drive device that includes a housing in which a gas is sealed and to house a driven object. The drive device can determine a concentration of the gas. Drive device (10) includes a housing in which a gas is sealed, wherein density of the gas is lower than density of air, driver (13) configured to drive phosphor wheel (12) housed inside the housing, current detector (14) configured to detect a value of a current flowing into driver (13), and determinator (15b) configured to determine a concentration of the gas inside the housing based on the value of the current detected.