Laser Reflection Unit Cooling via Rotational Airflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laser phosphor projectors face inefficiencies in cooling the phosphor wheel due to large, heavy, and complex heat exchanger systems that require additional fans for air circulation, leading to energy inefficiencies and increased size.
Innovation Solution
A laser reflection unit with a housing that guides air flow from cooling fins on the wheel directly to a heat exchanger, eliminating the need for additional fans by using the wheel's rotation to induce airflow and providing a compact, energy-efficient cooling solution through a toroidal air path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional cooling solutions with fans and large heat exchangers are used, then the phosphor wheel can be cooled, but the device becomes large, heavy, and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cooling fins and heat exchanger into a single integrated structure where the heat exchanger serves as the housing for the cooling fins. This merging eliminates the need for separate fan components and simplifies the overall cooling system architecture while maintaining effective heat dissipation from the phosphor wheel.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchanger structure performs multiple functions: it serves as the housing containing the cooling fins, acts as the heat dissipation component, and provides the structural framework for the entire cooling system. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby reducing device complexity.
2Temperature
If conventional cooling solutions with additional fans are used, then the phosphor wheel can be cooled, but energy efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is designed to be self-driven by the rotation of the phosphor wheel itself, which generates airflow through its rotational motion. This eliminates the need for separate fan motors that would consume additional energy, making the system energy-efficient while still achieving effective cooling of the phosphor wheel.
3Device complexity
If housing inner surface is designed to guide air flow, then additional fans become superfluous, but air flow resistance must be carefully balanced
Solution Approach 1:
The housing inner surface is designed with specifically shaped curved surfaces that guide airflow smoothly from the phosphor wheel to the heat exchanger. These curved geometries are optimized to minimize turbulence and balance air flow resistance, allowing the system to operate effectively without additional fan components.
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 reduces air flow resistance, allowing for efficient cooling without additional fans, resulting in a smaller, lighter, and more energy-efficient laser reflection unit that effectively manages heat dissipation.
Implementation Method 1
the wheel having a top side provided with a phosphor layer for converting an incident laser light beam into a reflected light beam
Implementation Method 2
the bottom side being provided, at a radial outward annular portion from a center axis of the wheel, with cooling fins inducing an air flow flowing in a radial outward direction
Implementation Method 3
the laser phosphor unit further comprising a heat exchanger received in the housing for cooling the air flow flowing from the cooling wheel
Implementation Method 4
the housing is provided with an inner surface guiding the air flow from the wheel towards and along the heat exchanger
Data Source
AI summary
A laser reflection unit for a laser phosphor projector. The unit includes a housing and a wheel rotatably drivably received in the housing. The wheel has a top side provided with a phosphor layer for an converting incident laser light beam into a reflected light beam. Further, the wheel has a bottom side opposite to the top side, the bottom side being provided, at a radial outward annular portion from a center axis of the wheel, with cooling fins inducing an air flow flowing in a radial outward direction. The laser reflection unit further includes a heat exchanger received in the housing for cooling the air flow flowing from the wheel, the heat exchanger extending along a mainly circumferential contour coaxial with the center axis of the wheel. The housing is provided with an inner surface guiding the air flow from the wheel towards and along the heat exchanger.