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

VSEngineering 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

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure complexityVSAvoidthermal insulation
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSTemperature

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.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If conversion units are thermally isolated from the substrate, then independent infrared radiation emission is improved, but response time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent emissionVSAvoidresponse time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

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.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse timeVSAvoidthermal insulation
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSTemperature

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.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

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

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

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal Insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 3

the suspended platform of each conversion unit of the array can emit infrared radiation independently

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal Radiation: Thermal Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS20180113023A1Infrared scene projector and conversion chip therefore
Publication Date: 2018.04.26 INSTITUT NATIONAL D'OPTIQUE
  • US20180113023A1 patent drawing
  • US20180113023A1 patent drawing
  • US20180113023A1 patent drawing

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.