Light Source Apparatus Temperature Control via Sensor Redundancy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light source apparatuses using semiconductor light emitting elements face temperature imbalances and resulting brightness variations due to differences in heating values among multiple elements, particularly when some elements have reduced output or fail, leading to complex structures and increased costs with individual temperature sensors.
Innovation Solution
A light source apparatus with a heat receiver, cooler, and temperature detectors for selected light sources, where a controller adjusts cooling based on detection results from these sensors to maintain constant temperature, even when some sensors are unavailable or light sources are not emitting, using average temperature values to ensure balanced cooling across all elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a temperature sensor is provided for each of the plurality of semiconductor light emitting elements, then the temperature of each element can be monitored, but the structure becomes complicated and the manufacture cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the monitoring function by placing temperature sensors at multiple discrete locations (first sensor near first light source, second sensor near second light source) rather than using a single comprehensive sensor, enabling localized temperature measurement while maintaining manageable system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a controller as an intermediary that receives temperature data from multiple sensors and processes this information to determine cooling control strategies, thereby managing the complexity of coordinating multiple sensors and actuators
2Temperature
If the semiconductor light emitting elements are arranged along a cooling direction, then the cooling path is optimized, but the cooling efficiency is different between upper side and lower side causing temperature imbalance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different cooling control strategies to different regions by using separate temperature sensors for first and second light sources and providing different controls based on their respective temperature readings, thereby addressing local temperature variations caused by positional differences in the cooling direction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback control mechanism where temperature sensors continuously monitor temperatures near different light sources, and the controller adjusts cooling based on these readings to maintain temperature balance despite positional variations in the cooling path
3Illumination intensity
If there is an imbalance in the heating value among a plurality of semiconductor light emitting elements, then the brightness and white balance vary, but providing different controls for each element increases system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal control approach where the controller uses a standardized method to process temperature data from multiple sensors and determine cooling control, applicable regardless of which specific light source is being monitored, thereby managing complexity through consistent control logic
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adjusts cooling control parameters based on detected temperature values and operational states (such as when detection results cannot be used or when light sources are not emitting), allowing the system to adapt to varying heating conditions without requiring complex individual control for each element
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 effectively maintains constant temperature and minimizes brightness changes, reducing the complexity and cost of the system while ensuring consistent light output across semiconductor light emitting elements.
Implementation Method 1
a cooler configured to cool the heat receiver
Implementation Method 2
a first detector configured to detect a temperature near a first light source among the plurality of light sources
Data Source
AI summary
A light source apparatus includes a plurality of light sources, a heat receiver configured to receive heat from the plurality of light sources, a cooler configured to cool the heat receiver, a first detector configured to detect a temperature near a first light source among the plurality of light sources, a second detector configured to detect a temperature near a second light source among the plurality of light sources; and a controller configured to control the cooler based on detection results of the first detector and the second detector. When the detection result of the first detector cannot be used, the controller controls the cooler based on a value of the detection result of the second detector without using the detection result of the first detector.