Micromirror Circuit Assembly Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Micromirror components in vehicle headlight systems face temperature fluctuations, leading to inefficient heating and potential malfunction due to high power dissipation in current regulating units, especially at low ambient temperatures, where cooling bodies can have negative effects and heating elements require significant power.
Innovation Solution
The current regulating unit for the heating element is thermally connected to the micromirror component via a cooling body, allowing heat loss from the current regulating unit to be used for heating the micromirror component, reducing the required heating power and improving efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a cooling body is provided to maintain the micromirror component within the permissible operating temperature range, then the component temperature is stabilized during normal operation, but at low ambient temperatures the cooling body causes the operating temperature to fall below the permissible lower limit
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between cooling and heating modes based on ambient temperature conditions. The cooling body is selectively activated during normal operation when temperatures are high, while a heating element is activated during cold weather when ambient temperatures are low, allowing the system to adapt to varying thermal conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal state of the micromirror component is controlled by changing the operational parameters of thermal management components. The system adjusts the cooling duty cycle or heating power based on temperature sensors and control logic, modifying thermal parameters to maintain the component within its permissible operating temperature range under different ambient conditions
2Temperature
If a heating element is integrated into the micromirror component to prevent temperature from falling below the permissible operating temperature, then the component is protected during cold weather, but considerable power is required to heat the component especially when the current regulating unit dissipates significant losses
Solution Approach 1:
The system converts the harmful heat dissipation losses from the current regulating unit into a beneficial heating source for the micromirror component. The current regulating unit, which inherently dissipates power as heat, is thermally coupled to the micromirror component so that these losses contribute to maintaining the component's operating temperature, reducing the additional heating power required from dedicated heating elements
Solution Approach 2:
The current regulating unit serves dual functions: electrical regulation of the heating element and thermal contribution to micromirror component heating. By designing the system so that the current regulating unit is thermally connected to the micromirror component, the same component that regulates current also contributes to thermal management, reducing overall system power consumption
3Ease of operation
If the current regulating unit is provided to control the heating power, then the heating element can be precisely controlled, but the winding resistance temperature dependence causes significant power losses in the current regulating unit
Solution Approach 1:
The system converts the unavoidable power losses from the current regulating unit into useful thermal energy for the micromirror component. By thermally coupling the current regulating unit to the micromirror component, the energy that would otherwise be wasted as heat dissipation is redirected to maintain the component's operating temperature, turning a harmful loss into a beneficial contribution
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 reduces overall energy consumption, allows for thinner conducting paths, and enhances the operational efficiency of the micromirror component within the permissible temperature range, while maintaining effective heat transfer and light modulation capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling body (4), which is thermally connected to the at least one micromirror component (3)
Implementation Method 2
a heating element (3a), which can be controlled by means of the current regulating unit (5), is assigned to the micromirror component (3), and is thermally connected to the micromirror component (3)
Implementation Method 3
the current regulating unit (5) is also connected to the micromirror component (3), by way of a thermal connection to the cooling body (4), for purposes of transferring the heat loss occurring at the current regulating unit (5)
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a circuit assembly (1) comprising a printed circuit board (2), at least one micromirror component (3) which is connected to the printed circuit board (2) for modulating a light beam oriented towards the micromirror component (3), a cooling body which is thermally connected to the at least one micromirror component (3), and a current regulating unit (5). The micromirror component (3) has a heating element (3a) which can be controlled by the current regulating unit (5), and the current regulating unit (5) is electrically connected to the heating element (3a) in order to actuate same. The current regulating unit (5) is additionally connected to the micromirror component (3) via a thermal connection to the cooling body (4) in order to transfer heat losses occurring on the current regulating unit (5).