Optical Device Cooling via Annular Flow Channel Projections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing projector designs face inefficiencies in cooling optical elements due to the configuration of liquid circulation tubes, leading to insufficient cooling, increased size, and higher power requirements, along with issues like volatilization and leakage.
Innovation Solution
An optical device with a holding section featuring an annular flow channel along the circumferential edge of the optical element, incorporating projections to enhance turbulent flow and reduce thermal boundary layers, allowing for efficient heat transfer and miniaturization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the liquid circulation tube is made thicker to increase the flow rate, then the cooling performance is improved, but the optical device grows in size
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid circulation tube is divided into multiple separate tubes instead of using a single thick tube. This segmentation allows the cooling function to be maintained while reducing the overall device size, as multiple thinner tubes can be arranged more compactly than one large tube.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid circulation tubes are arranged in a nested or bundled configuration within the optical element holder, allowing efficient space utilization. This nesting approach enables the cooling system to be compact while maintaining adequate flow rate for effective cooling.
2Temperature
If the number of bending parts of the liquid circulation tube is increased to surround the image forming area in four directions, then the cooling coverage is improved, but the working difficulty and pressure loss increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single complex tube with multiple bends, the cooling system uses multiple separate straight or simple-bent tubes distributed around the image forming area. This segmentation simplifies the manufacturing of each individual tube while achieving comprehensive cooling coverage through strategic placement.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling tubes are arranged in a two-dimensional distribution pattern around the image forming area rather than following a single three-dimensional path with multiple bends. This dimensional arrangement reduces the number of bending operations required while maintaining effective cooling coverage.
3Temperature
If the number of bending parts of the liquid circulation tube is increased, then the cooling coverage is improved, but the pressure loss increases causing volatilization and leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The circulation system is divided into multiple separate tube paths, each with fewer bends, rather than one continuous tube with many bends. This reduces the cumulative pressure loss from multiple bending operations while maintaining comprehensive cooling coverage through the distributed tube arrangement.
4Temperature
If the liquid circulation tube is configured to surround the image forming area, then the cooling effectiveness is improved, but the optical element holder grows in size
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid circulation tubes are positioned to closely follow the circumferential edge of the optical element, concentrating the cooling function in the specific region where heat generation occurs. This localized arrangement provides effective cooling without requiring the holder to expand into additional space.
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 suppresses the rise in temperature of optical elements, reduces component count and manufacturing costs, and enables the projection of bright, high-quality images for a longer period while minimizing device size and power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a flow channel through which the liquid flowed from the inflow part circulates... the liquid having flowed through the flow channel outflows... effectively suppresses the rise in temperature of optical elements
Implementation Method 2
at least one of an inside of the inflow part and an inside of the flow channel is provided with at least one projection... incorporating projections to enhance turbulent flow and reduce thermal boundary layers
Data Source
AI summary
An optical device includes a light modulation device disposed on an optical axis of incident light, and a holding section configured to hold the light modulation device. The holding section includes an inflow part to which a liquid supplied from an outside of the holding section inflows, a flow channel forming part disposed along a circumferential edge of the light modulation device so as to have an annular shape, and having a flow channel through which the liquid flowed from the inflow part circulates, and an outflow part from which the liquid having flowed through the flow channel outflows to the outside of the holding section. At least one of an inside of the inflow part and an inside of the flow channel is provided with at least one projection.