Projector Cover Mechanism for Dust-Free Heat Dissipation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Projectors face the challenge of dust entering through air holes used for heat dissipation, which can affect the quality of the projected image by attaching to the lens or mirror in the projection mechanism.

Innovation Solution

A projector design that includes a drive mechanism to move a projection unit between a projection position and a storage position, where a cover member can be activated to seal the air holes when not in use, preventing dust from entering and ensuring clean air passage for heat dissipation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If air holes are provided for heat dissipation, then heat dissipation efficiency is improved, but dust enters the projector through air holes affecting image quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat dissipation efficiencyVSAvoiddust contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cover member is positioned in advance to cover the air hole when the projection unit is in the storage position, preventing dust from entering before the projector is activated. This preliminary protective action resolves the contradiction by blocking dust paths during non-operational states while allowing unrestricted air flow during projection operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The cover member is designed to be movable, dynamically switching between covering and uncovering the air hole based on the projection unit's position. When the projection unit moves to the projection position, the cover member automatically uncovers the air hole for heat dissipation; when returning to storage position, it covers the air hole to prevent dust entry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a cover member is added to prevent dust entry, then dust contamination is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust contaminationVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cover member is merged with the existing housing structure or projection unit, combining the dust protection function with the existing mechanical components. This integration approach minimizes additional complexity while achieving the dust prevention objective.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cover member serves multiple functions: it acts as a dust barrier when covering the air hole, and can be designed to contribute to the overall housing structure or aesthetic appearance. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated dust protection components.

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

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

Prevents dust from entering the projector through air holes, maintaining image quality by ensuring clean air circulation and heat dissipation without compromising the projector's ability to change projection directions.

Implementation Method 1

a cover member that is provided to cover the air hole when the projection unit is in the projection prevention position and uncover the air hole when the projection unit is in the projection position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical barrier (cover member):

Implementation Method 2

an air hole that takes in or exhausts air used to dissipate heat of the projection mechanism

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP2544454B1Projector
Publication Date: 2015.11.25 JVC KENWOOD CORP
  • EP2544454B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP2544454B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP2544454B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

In a projector, a projection unit includes a projection mechanism that projects an image and an air hole that takes in or exhausts air used to dissipate heat generated from a light source included in the projection mechanism. A housing covers the air hole when the projection unit is in a storage position in which the projection unit does not project an image and uncovers the air hole when the projection unit is in a projection position in which the projection unit projects an image. The drive mechanism moves the projection unit or a cover member. An electronic control unit controls the drive mechanism to move the projection unit to the projection position in which an image is projected when receiving a predetermined projection preparation request and move the projection unit to the storage position in which no image is projected when receiving a predetermined storage request.