Phosphor Wheel Circulation Fan Cooling Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional light conversion devices in projection display apparatuses face challenges with heat management, dust accumulation, and space constraints for optical components, leading to reduced light emission efficiency and motor performance due to increased brightness requirements.
Innovation Solution
A phosphor wheel device with a disc-shaped phosphor layer, a circulation fan, and a casing unit that includes a circulation path for airflow, allowing efficient cooling and dust prevention while maintaining space for optical lenses, by using a circulation fan to blow air through openings on the phosphor wheel and a motor to rotate the phosphor wheel and fan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the motor is disposed inside the enclosed space for cooling the phosphor, then the cooling capability is improved, but the motor temperature rises and performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The enclosed space is segmented into two distinct regions: an inner enclosed space for the phosphor wheel with cooling airflow, and an outer space for the motor. The partition wall with airflow passage separates these regions, allowing independent thermal management for each component.
Solution Approach 2:
A partition wall with an airflow passage acts as an intermediary structure between the phosphor enclosed space and the motor space. This partition allows controlled thermal interaction through the airflow passage while physically separating the two components to prevent direct heat transfer from the motor to the phosphor.
2Temperature
If the cooling fan is closely disposed to the phosphor wheel for effective cooling, then the cooling efficiency is improved, but the space for optical lenses is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling fan is positioned in the inner circumferential region of the enclosed space, utilizing the radial dimension rather than occupying the axial space needed for lenses. The airflow is directed radially outward through the phosphor layer, achieving effective cooling without compromising the optical path space.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling airflow is locally directed through the phosphor layer at the inner circumferential side where dust accumulation occurs, providing targeted cooling and cleaning action in the specific region that needs it most, while leaving other areas available for optical components.
3Reliability
If the phosphor layer is rotated to prevent dust burn-in, then the light emission efficiency is maintained, but the temperature control becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The phosphor wheel is continuously rotated during operation, ensuring that no single area remains stationary and susceptible to dust burn-in. This continuous rotation distributes the excitation load evenly across the phosphor layer, maintaining consistent light emission efficiency throughout operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Cooling airflow acts as an intermediary that removes heat from the phosphor layer during rotation. The airflow passes through the phosphor layer at the inner circumferential side, providing continuous cooling that compensates for the thermal effects of rotation and maintains temperature control.
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 enhances light conversion efficiency, maintains optical system flexibility, and effectively cools both the phosphor and motor, improving reliability and performance while preventing burn-in and heat-related issues.
Implementation Method 1
The circulation fan is mounted to a second face opposite to the first face including the phosphor layer formed on the first face of the phosphor wheel, and blows air through the openings to the phosphor layer side
Implementation Method 2
The phosphor then generates fluorescent emission to be used as light
Data Source
AI summary
The phosphor wheel device includes a phosphor wheel, a circulation fan, a motor and a casing unit. The phosphor wheel is disc-shaped, and includes an annular phosphor layer formed on a first face and a plurality of openings disposed on an inner circumferential side. The circulation fan is mounted to a second face opposite to the first face, and blows air through the openings to the phosphor layer side. The motor drives and rotates the phosphor wheel and the circulation fan. The casing unit accommodates the phosphor wheel, the circulation fan, and the motor, and includes a circulation path formed for an airflow generated by the circulation fan to circulate. The casing unit includes an outer cylindrical portion and an inner cylindrical portion disposed substantially concentrically inside the outer cylindrical portion. Both ends of the outer cylindrical portion communicate with both ends of the inner cylindrical portion.