Phosphor Wheel Vortex Generators for Heat Dissipation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional phosphor wheels in projectors suffer from poor temperature uniformity and reduced light output efficiency due to high energy density laser beams causing localized high-temperature hotspots, which can lead to binder burnout and inadequate heat dissipation, especially when relying on fixed heat-dissipating fans or heavy heatsinks.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a phosphor wheel with a substrate featuring a first region for phosphor agent and a second region with openings and guide vanes that generate vortices during rotation, enhancing airflow and heat exchange between the front and back sides, thereby reducing operational temperatures and improving light output efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If heat-dissipating fans or heatsinks are utilized in conventional phosphor wheels, then heat dissipation capability is improved, but the weight and volume of the phosphor wheel are significantly increased
Solution Approach 1:
The phosphor wheel is segmented into two functional regions: a first region with phosphor powder for light conversion and a second region without phosphor powder for heat dissipation. This segmentation allows the second region to serve as a dedicated heat dissipation area, improving thermal management without requiring additional heavy heatsinks or fans.
Solution Approach 2:
The second region of the substrate serves multiple functions: it acts as a heat dissipation area, provides airflow passage, and maintains structural integrity. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated heat dissipation components, reducing overall weight and volume.
2Temperature
If heat-dissipating fans or heatsinks are utilized in conventional phosphor wheels, then heat dissipation capability is improved, but the volume of the phosphor wheel is significantly increased
Solution Approach 1:
The phosphor wheel is segmented into a first region with phosphor powder and a second region without phosphor powder. The second region creates internal airflow passages that enable efficient heat dissipation within the existing volume, eliminating the need for external heatsinks or fans that would increase overall volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes the radial and axial dimensions of the rotating phosphor wheel to create three-dimensional airflow patterns. The second region allows air to flow through the substrate thickness and along the rotational path, achieving enhanced heat dissipation in the existing volume without adding external components.
3Use of energy by moving object
If laser source is fixedly projected on the same position of phosphor rim, then excitation efficiency is improved, but temperature uniformity deteriorates due to high energy density causing localized high-temperature hotspots
Solution Approach 1:
The phosphor wheel is divided into a first region with phosphor powder for efficient light excitation and a second region without phosphor powder for heat dissipation. This segmentation separates the excitation function from the thermal management function, allowing high-energy laser excitation in the first region while the second region provides a heat sink effect to maintain temperature uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the phosphor wheel are given different properties: the first region has phosphor powder for high excitation efficiency, while the second region is phosphor-free to facilitate heat dissipation. This local differentiation allows each region to optimize its specific function, balancing excitation efficiency with 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 design effectively enhances heat dissipation and light output efficiency without increasing the volume or weight of the phosphor wheel, maintaining effective airflow and reducing operational temperatures across the light spot.
Implementation Method 1
Each vortex generator includes at least one guide vane disposed on the second region and projects over at least one of the openings. The vortex generator is configured to generate an airflow through the openings proximal to the guide vanes during a rotation of the phosphor wheel.
Implementation Method 2
a vortex may be generated during rotation of the substrate. With this, the efficiency of heat exchange may be enhanced
Implementation Method 3
The phosphor agent is disposed on the first region for converting the wavelength of waveband light
Data Source
AI summary
A phosphor wheel includes a substrate, at least a phosphor agent and a plurality of vortex generators. The substrate has a first region and a second region. The second region has a plurality of openings. The phosphor agent is disposed on the first region for converting the wavelength of waveband light. Each vortex generator includes at least a guide vane. Each guide vane is disposed on the second region, and the projection, which is on the second region, of each guide vane is corresponded to one of the openings, such that a vortex is generated during a rotation of the substrate. Therefore, the efficiency of heat exchange is enhanced, the temperature of light spot is reduced, and further the output efficiency of light of the phosphor agent is increased.