Light Source Unit Cooling via Heat Pipes and Bulkhead
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-intensity light sources used in image projection systems, such as those employing semiconductor light emitting devices and luminescent materials, face challenges with heat dissipation and lens/mirror contamination, leading to reduced image brightness and clarity over time.
Innovation Solution
A light source unit is designed with a first and second heat sink connected by heat pipes via a bulkhead, and a cooling fan positioned between them to facilitate parallel airflow, enhancing heat dissipation and maintaining image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If high-intensity light sources (semiconductor light emitting devices and luminescent materials) are used to achieve bright color images, then image brightness and color quality are improved, but heat generation increases making it difficult to create a compact design with effective cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The light source unit is divided into multiple independent light sources (first light source, second light source, third light source) with separate heat sinks and cooling paths. Each light source module can be independently cooled, allowing for better thermal management in a compact configuration while maintaining high overall brightness output.
2Illumination intensity
If high-intensity light sources are used to achieve bright images, then image brightness is improved, but lens and mirror contamination increases leading to reduced image quality over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes harmful byproducts (soot and contamination particles) generated by high-intensity light sources through a dedicated exhaust system. The exhaust fan creates negative pressure to draw out contaminants before they can deposit on optical components, while the blowers provide positive pressure to direct clean air flow, effectively separating the harmful emissions from the optical path.
3Temperature
If conventional cooling arrangements are used, then heat dissipation is provided, but the device size increases and cooling effectiveness is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple cooling functions are merged into a integrated cooling system where exhaust fans and blowers work together, and multiple heat sinks are combined in a compact arrangement. The system merges air intake, exhaust, and heat dissipation functions into a unified thermal management architecture that achieves effective cooling in a reduced volume.
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 solution effectively dissipates heat from both the light source and optical apparatus, maintaining image brightness and clarity by preventing overheating and contamination, thus extending the projector's operational lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
the first light source and the first heat sink are connected together by a first heat pipe via a bulkhead, and wherein the second light source and the second heat sink are connected together by a second heat pipe via the bulkhead
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a light source unit including a first light source, a second light source, a first heat sink for the first light source which is disposed to a side of the first light source, a second heat sink for the second light source which is disposed to a side of the second light source, and a first cooling fan which is disposed between the first heat sink and the second heat sink, wherein the first light source and the first heat sink are connected together by a first heat pipe via a bulkhead, and wherein the second light source and the second heat sink are connected together by a second heat pipe via the bulkhead.