Projector Cooling via Circulator Air Path Redesign
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing projector designs face challenges in effectively cooling the cooling target due to a lengthened distance between the fan and the cooling target, leading to inadequate cooling performance.
Innovation Solution
The projector incorporates a first fan with a first suction port and ejection port, and a first circulator that guides air introduced from an external introduction port directly to the fan's suction port, ensuring the air is efficiently directed to the cooling target, which is located in a direction intersecting with the fan's operation, thereby reducing the air path length and enhancing cooling efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the fan is provided in the bottom portion of the exterior housing to fetch air from the bottom, then the air intake structure is simplified, but the distance from the fan to the cooling target is lengthened and cooling performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a circulator component that adds a new spatial dimension to the air flow path. Instead of directly blowing air from the fan to the cooling target (one-dimensional path), the air is first guided by the circulator in a perpendicular direction before reaching the fan, creating a two-dimensional air flow path that optimizes both structural simplicity and cooling efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The circulator acts as an intermediary component between the external environment and the fan. It mediates the air flow by first directing air from the introduction port to the circulator, which then guides it to the fan's suction port. This intermediary structure prevents dust accumulation at the fan inlet while maintaining efficient cooling
2Device complexity
If the air path is lengthened to simplify the air intake structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the cooling efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The air intake and cooling system is segmented into distinct functional zones: an introduction port for air intake, a circulator for dust prevention and flow guidance, and a fan for forced convection. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while maintaining overall system simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The circulator extends in a direction orthogonal to the fan's operation direction, creating a multi-dimensional air flow path. This spatial arrangement allows the air to be pre-conditioned by the circulator before reaching the fan, maintaining cooling efficiency without complicating the overall structure
3Ease of operation
If the fan directly blows air to the cooling target, then the cooling path is shortened, but dust accumulates at the air intake port
Solution Approach 1:
The circulator performs preliminary action by guiding air from the introduction port to the fan's suction port before the fan blows the air to the cooling target. This preliminary air flow guidance prevents dust accumulation at the intake port while maintaining an efficient cooling path
Solution Approach 2:
The circulator serves as an intermediary that separates the dust-prone intake area from the fan's direct airflow path. By mediating the air flow, it prevents dust from entering the fan while still providing adequate cooling to the target components
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 ensures effective cooling of the projector's components, such as the power supply device and signal processor, by shortening the air path and improving cooling efficiency, while also preventing dust accumulation and maintaining a clean air intake.
Implementation Method 1
a first fan that has a first suction port for suctioning air and a first ejection port for ejecting the air suctioned from the first suction port
Implementation Method 2
The first ejection port is open in the third direction. The cooling target includes a first cooling target to which the air ejected from the first ejection port is fed
Data Source
AI summary
One aspect of a projector according to the present disclosure includes an exterior housing, a first fan, and a first circulator. The exterior housing has a first wall portion, a second wall portion located in a direction opposite to a first direction with respect to the first wall portion, and a third wall portion facing a second direction. The second wall portion has an introduction port, and the third wall portion has a discharge port. The first circulator connects the introduction port and a first suction port of the first fan to each other. A cooling target is located in the first circulator in a direction intersecting with a direction in which air flows from the introduction port to the first suction port.