Projector Cooling Fan Torque Control for Orientation-Adaptive Lamp Temperature

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing projecting apparatuses struggle to maintain the discharge lamp at an appropriate temperature when installed in diverse positions, such as horizontally or upside down, leading to reduced reliability and shortened lamp life due to inadequate cooling systems.

Innovation Solution

The projecting apparatus incorporates a lamp duct for cooling and a control section that adjusts fan torques to prevent negative pressure, ensuring consistent cooling of the discharge lamp regardless of installation orientation, using a posture sensor to detect position and adjust fan operation accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If forced air cooling is used to cool the discharge lamp, then the lamp temperature can be maintained at appropriate levels, but the cooling system becomes complex and cannot adapt to different installation positions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedischarge lamp temperatureVSAvoidcooling system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling fan is designed to perform the same cooling function regardless of the projector's installation position (horizontal or vertical). The fan continuously rotates in one direction and uses the housing structure and air inlets/outlets to adapt the cooling airflow to different orientations, making the cooling system universal for all installation positions without requiring position-specific configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling system utilizes the dynamic rotation of the cooling fan combined with the static housing structure to adapt to different installation positions. The fan's continuous rotation creates a dynamic airflow pattern that, when combined with strategically positioned air inlets and outlets in the housing, ensures effective cooling whether the projector is installed horizontally or vertically.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If the cooling system is designed for horizontal installation, then cooling efficiency is optimized for that position, but the system fails to cool the lamp effectively when installed upside down

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidinstallation position adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling fan is designed to perform the same cooling function regardless of the projector's installation position (horizontal or vertical). The fan continuously rotates in one direction and uses the housing structure and air inlets/outlets to adapt the cooling airflow to different orientations, making the cooling system universal for all installation positions without requiring position-specific configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing structure incorporates asymmetrically positioned air inlets and outlets that work with the fan's rotation to create effective cooling airflow patterns for both horizontal and vertical installations. The air inlet is positioned to draw air in effectively whether the projector is horizontal or vertical, and the air outlet is positioned to exhaust heat efficiently in both orientations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

3Temperature

If multiple cooling fans are used to cool different portions of the lamp, then cooling coverage is improved, but power consumption and noise increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelamp temperature distributionVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple cooling functions are merged into a single cooling fan. The fan is positioned and oriented to create airflow that simultaneously cools both the upper and lower portions of the discharge lamp through the housing structure and air passages, eliminating the need for separate fans for different lamp regions and thereby reducing power consumption and noise.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling airflow is segmented into different paths within the housing that reach different portions of the lamp. The single fan creates a divided airflow pattern where some air flows cool the upper lamp region while other air flows cool the lower region, achieving comprehensive cooling coverage through one fan by utilizing the housing structure and air passages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 solution maintains the discharge lamp at an appropriate temperature across various installation positions, enhancing reliability and extending lamp life while reducing power consumption and noise.

Implementation Method 1

cooling air which has cooled the discharge lamp flows through the lamp duct

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced Convection: Forced Convection

Implementation Method 2

cooling air flows in the light source unit to cool the discharge lamp

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal Conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP2023202B1Projecting apparatus
Publication Date: 2016.11.30 MAXELL LTD
  • EP2023202B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP2023202B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP2023202B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A projecting apparatus cooling structure is provided in which a discharge lamp can be always kept at an appropriate temperature whether the projecting apparatus is horizontally installed on a flat surface for forward projection or for downward projection or suspended from the ceiling for forward projection or for upward projection, so that the reliability and safety of the discharge lamp is improved and so that the life of the discharge lamp can be extended. The projecting apparatus projects an image for display using a discharge lamp as a light source. The projecting apparatus includes an air inlet for taking in a cooling medium for cooling the projecting apparatus, an air outlet for exhausting the cooling medium for cooling the projecting apparatus, a plurality of fans which each let the cooling medium flow in a predetermined direction, a which detects a position in which the projecting apparatus is installed, and a control section which controls the plurality of fans according to the position detected by the .