Laser Light Source Cooling via Evaporator Temperature Sequencing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light source apparatuses face reliability issues due to dew condensation and compressor failure, primarily caused by temperature inconsistencies and inadequate refrigerant management in cooling systems, leading to short-circuits and reduced lifespan of light source elements.
Innovation Solution
A light source apparatus featuring a refrigerant circuit with a compressor, condenser, expansion valve, and evaporator, where unit laser light source modules are thermally connected to the evaporator and arranged in descending temperature sequence to maintain consistent temperatures, and a heater is used to prevent dew condensation by controlling refrigerant temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a cooling apparatus with a refrigerant circuit is used to cool laser light source modules, then the temperature control effectiveness is improved, but dew condensation occurs in the apparatus causing short-circuit and reliability deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The heater is activated before the cooling apparatus to preheat the refrigerant and prevent dew condensation when the cooling apparatus starts operating. This preliminary heating action ensures that the refrigerant temperature remains above the dew point during the initial cooling phase, preventing short-circuits and maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The heater acts as an intermediary component between the refrigerant circuit and the laser light source modules. It provides controlled heating to the refrigerant to prevent dew condensation, while the cooling apparatus provides cooling when needed. This intermediary heating function resolves the contradiction by preventing harmful dew condensation while allowing effective temperature control.
2Temperature
If the cooling apparatus is activated before the heat source side, then cooling is provided, but refrigerant temperature decreases causing dew condensation and short-circuit
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit monitors the operating states of both the cooling apparatus and heater, and adjusts their operation based on feedback signals. When the cooling apparatus is activated, the control unit ensures the heater is also activated to maintain refrigerant temperature above the dew point, preventing dew condensation and short-circuits while providing effective cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The heater is activated in advance or simultaneously with the cooling apparatus to ensure the refrigerant temperature is maintained above the dew point before significant cooling occurs. This preliminary heating action prevents dew condensation during the cooling process.
3Power
If the heat source side is activated before the cooling side, then heat generation occurs, but refrigerant supply is insufficient causing temperature increase and apparatus failure
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit receives feedback on the operating state of the heat source and adjusts the cooling apparatus activation accordingly. When the heat source is activated, the control unit ensures the cooling apparatus is also activated to provide sufficient refrigerant supply and prevent temperature increase that would lead to apparatus failure.
4Measurement precision
If multiple heating units are provided on the cooling apparatus side, then temperature control precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple heating functions are merged into a single heater component that heats the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit. This single heater can effectively prevent dew condensation throughout the system without requiring multiple separate heating units, thus maintaining temperature control precision while reducing device complexity and cost.
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 enhances the reliability of the light source apparatus by preventing dew condensation, ensuring stable operation, and extending the lifespan of the laser light source modules while reducing the need for multiple heating units and improving compressor reliability.
Implementation Method 1
unit laser light source modules which emit laser light of one specific color, and a cooling device including a refrigerant circuit in which a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator are sequentially circularly connected to each other via a pipe
Implementation Method 2
there has been proposed a method in which a cooling apparatus including a refrigerant circuit including a compressor, a condenser, a fan, a pressure reducer, and an evaporator (cooler) is used, and latent heat generated by vaporization of refrigerant is utilized
Implementation Method 3
a cooling device including a refrigerant circuit in which a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator are sequentially circularly connected to each other via a pipe
Implementation Method 4
a refrigerant circuit in which a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator are sequentially circularly connected to each other via a pipe
Data Source
AI summary
A laser light source module includes a plurality of unit laser light source modules, each of which emits laser light of one specific color, and when the laser light source module includes unit laser light source modules of at least two colors, and each unit laser light source module has a median of a temperature range in which a practical luminance is obtained, the unit laser light source modules are thermally connected to an evaporator and arrayed in descending sequence of their values of the median from an upstream side in a direction in which a refrigerant flows.