Light Irradiation Device Wind Flow Path Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light source devices using multiple LED elements for UV printers face challenges in maintaining uniform light intensity due to temperature differences, leading to inefficient curing and potential LED element shutdowns, and existing cooling systems either increase device size or production costs.
Innovation Solution
A light irradiation device with a housing featuring a wind flow path that includes a first and second wind flow region, where the second region has a smaller cross-sectional area and higher flow rate, enhancing heat rejection efficiency and reducing temperature differences across the LED elements, thereby maintaining uniform light intensity without increasing device size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If multiple LED elements are arranged as a light source to achieve required ultraviolet light output, then the curing capability is improved, but heat generation increases causing temperature differences that reduce light intensity uniformity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different wind flow conditions in different regions of the heat sink. The wind flow path includes a first region with larger cross-sectional area and a second region with smaller cross-sectional area, allowing cooling air to accelerate in the second region. This localized variation in flow characteristics enables targeted cooling of specific LED elements, compensating for the natural temperature gradient and achieving uniform light intensity across all LED elements.
2Illumination intensity
If a cooling system is provided to reduce temperature difference among LED elements, then light intensity uniformity is improved, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the wind flow path geometry, specifically varying the cross-sectional area along the flow direction. The first wind flow region has a larger cross-sectional area while the second wind flow region has a smaller cross-sectional area, causing the cooling air velocity to increase in the second region. This parameter variation in the fluid flow enables more effective heat removal from downstream LED elements without requiring additional cooling components or increasing overall device size.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If cooling air flows in one direction through LED elements, then heat rejection is achieved, but the amount of heat absorbed by air varies causing temperature differences among LED elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the wind flow path cross-sectional area variable rather than constant. The cross-sectional area changes along the flow direction, with the first region having a larger area and the second region having a smaller area. This dynamic variation in flow path geometry causes the cooling air velocity to increase as it progresses through the heat sink, enabling the air to absorb more heat from downstream LED elements and reducing temperature differences across the array.
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 device achieves improved uniformity of light intensity and extended LED element lifespan by optimizing heat rejection efficiency through the unique wind flow path design, reducing temperature variations and preventing LED element shutdowns.
Implementation Method 1
a wind flow path through which the cooling wind taken in through the air inlet into the housing flows toward the air outlet
Implementation Method 2
a heat sink provided at a position opposite to the first surface based on the light source part, in the wind flow path
Implementation Method 3
a system that has a heat sink through which cooling wind flows to absorb and reject heat
Data Source
AI summary
The light irradiation device includes a housing an air inlet through which cooling wind is introduced into the housing, an air outlet through which the cooling wind is discharged, a wind flow path through which the cooling wind taken in through the air inlet into the housing flows toward the air outlet, a light source part configured to be able to emit light toward the outside of the housing, and a heat sink provided at a position opposite to the first surface based on the light source part, in the wind flow path, wherein the wind flow path includes a first wind flow region and a second wind flow region located closer to the air outlet than the first wind flow region and having a smaller flow path cross sectional area than the first wind flow region.