Pressing Member Enhances Thermal Contact in Projector Light Source

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing light source devices in projectors face inefficiencies in heat transmission from the base member to the heat diffusing member due to surface contact rather than direct contact, which hampers effective cooling of light emitting elements.

Innovation Solution

A light source device configuration that includes a light emitting element, a substrate, a first heat radiating member thermally connected to the substrate, a base supporting the heat radiating member, a frame surrounding the elements, and a pressing member to press the substrate towards the heat radiating member, ensuring surface contact and efficient heat transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the base member is fixed to the heat receiving plate by screws and is in surface contact with the heat diffusing member, then the structural stability is improved, but the heat transfer efficiency deteriorates because portions fixed by screws cannot come into contact with the heat diffusing member

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidheat transfer efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

A pressing member is introduced as an intermediary component between the base member and the heat diffusing member. This pressing member applies continuous pressure to ensure intimate contact between the base member and heat diffusing member, overcoming the gap creation caused by screw fixation. The intermediary pressing member transfers and distributes the pressing force uniformly, maintaining both structural stability and thermal contact efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical state of contact between the base member and heat diffusing member from intermittent (at screw points only) to continuous through application of pressing force. By adjusting the pressing force parameter, the contact pressure is increased to eliminate air gaps and ensure complete surface contact, thereby improving heat transfer efficiency while maintaining structural stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If the base member is fixed by screws to the heat receiving plate, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the heat transfer efficiency deteriorates due to inability of screw-fixed portions to contact the heat diffusing member

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidheat transfer efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The pressing member serves as an intermediary that simplifies the manufacturing process by decoupling the fixation function (performed by screws) from the thermal contact function (performed by the pressing member). This allows independent optimization of both aspects: screws provide easy assembly while the pressing member ensures thermal contact, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and heat transfer efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If surface contact is used between the base member and heat diffusing member, then the device complexity is reduced, but the heat transfer efficiency deteriorates due to contact gaps at fixed portions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidheat transfer efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The pressing member functions as a flexible component that can deform to conform to surface irregularities between the base member and heat diffusing member. This flexibility allows the pressing member to maintain intimate contact across the entire contact surface, eliminating gaps at fixed portions while adding minimal structural complexity to the overall device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 heat transfer efficiency, effectively cooling the light emitting elements and improving the projector's overall performance by reducing heat-related issues and component deterioration.

Implementation Method 1

a first heat radiating member thermally connected to the substrate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS11789346B2Light source device and projector

Publication Date: 2023.10.17 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A light source device includes a light emitting element configured to emit light, a substrate on which the light emitting element is disposed, a first heat radiating member thermally connected to the substrate, a base supporting the first heat radiating member, a frame fixed to the base and surrounding the light emitting element and the substrate, and a pressing member fixed to the frame and configured to press the substrate toward the first heat radiating member.