Infrared Scene Projector Conversion Chip Thermal Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing infrared scene projectors have limitations in efficiently converting visible and near-infrared light into infrared radiation for accurate image projection, particularly in maintaining thermal insulation and achieving independent emission of infrared radiation by each conversion unit.
Innovation Solution
An infrared scene projector design featuring an array of conversion units on a substrate with supporting posts that thermally isolate each unit from the substrate, allowing independent infrared radiation emission after absorbing energy from a light beam, and an airtight chamber for pressure control to optimize thermal conductance and response time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conversion units are mounted directly on the substrate, then device complexity is reduced, but thermal insulation between conversion units deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate is segmented into isolated mounting regions for each conversion unit, with thermal barrier structures (such as air gaps or low-thermal-conductivity materials) separating adjacent units. This segmentation prevents heat conduction between neighboring conversion units while maintaining structural support, thus achieving thermal insulation without significantly increasing device complexity.
2Reliability
If conversion units are thermally isolated from the substrate, then independent infrared radiation emission is improved, but response time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal isolation structure is designed with non-uniform thermal conductivity: the regions directly beneath each conversion unit have high thermal isolation (low thermal conductivity) to ensure independent infrared radiation emission, while the peripheral support structures maintain adequate thermal pathways for heat dissipation. This local quality differentiation achieves independent emission while controlling response time through optimized heat dissipation paths.
3Loss of time
If thermal conduction between suspended platform and substrate is increased, then response time is reduced, but thermal insulation between adjacent conversion units deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A dual-layer thermal management structure is introduced: a first thermal management layer between each suspended platform and the substrate provides localized thermal isolation for independent emission, while a second thermal management layer at the substrate level provides thermal pathways for heat dissipation. This intermediary layered structure simultaneously achieves thermal insulation between adjacent units and adequate response time through controlled heat dissipation.
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 design enhances the conversion efficiency and thermal insulation, enabling high-resolution infrared image projection with controlled response time and sensitivity, improving upon existing technologies by allowing each conversion unit to emit infrared radiation independently and maintain high thermal insulation.
Implementation Method 1
the suspended platform of each conversion unit of the array can emit infrared radiation independently of neighboring conversion units when it absorbs energy from an incident light beam having a wavelength in the visible and/or in the near-infrared region
Implementation Method 2
a suspended platform held spaced apart from the substrate by the at least one supporting post, in a manner in which thermal conduction is impeded between the suspended platform and the substrate
Implementation Method 3
the suspended platform of each conversion unit of the array can emit infrared radiation independently
Data Source
AI summary
The infrared scene projector has a support structure having an airtight chamber; an image projector secured to the support structure; a conversion chip having a substrate secured to the support structure, and an array of conversion units received on a face of the substrate, the array of conversion units being enclosed inside the airtight chamber and being optically coupled to the image projector, each one of the conversion units having at least one supporting post secured to the face of the substrate and a suspended platform held spaced apart from the face of the substrate by the at least one supporting post, the conversion chip being adapted to convert at least one of visible and near-infrared light received from the image projector into infrared radiation; and an infrared beam path extending away from the array of conversion units.


