Projector Duct Airflow Segmentation for Pressure Loss Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing projector cooling systems face inefficiencies due to high pressure loss and inadequate air supply to light modulation devices, leading to ineffective cooling, particularly for the downstream devices.
Innovation Solution
A duct system with a main duct portion and a second duct portion is implemented, where the main duct portion has a shorter length and fewer devices, reducing static pressure and ensuring sufficient air supply to the first and second light modulation devices, while the second duct portion branches off to directly supply air to the third device, optimizing air flow and temperature management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single long duct is used to supply air to all three light modulation devices, then the duct structure is simple, but the pressure loss increases and insufficient air reaches the downstream device
Solution Approach 1:
The single long duct is segmented into a first duct portion and a second duct portion. The first duct portion supplies air to the first and second light modulation devices, while the second duct portion branches off to supply air directly to the third light modulation device. This segmentation reduces the channel length and number of devices in each duct portion, thereby reducing static pressure and ensuring sufficient air supply to all devices.
2Device complexity
If air flows sequentially through all three light modulation devices in a single duct, then the duct structure is simple, but the air temperature rises and cooling effectiveness decreases for downstream devices
Solution Approach 1:
The duct is divided into separate portions to create independent air flow paths. The first duct portion handles cooling for the first and second devices, while the second duct portion provides a separate path to the third device. This prevents the cumulative heating effect that occurs when air sequentially passes through all three devices in a single long duct.
3Volume of moving object
If the duct channel area is narrowed to fit within the projector, then the projector size is reduced, but the pressure loss increases and air supply becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The duct system utilizes three-dimensional space efficiently by branching the second duct portion from the first duct portion. This allows air to be supplied to the third light modulation device from a different spatial direction rather than extending the duct linearly, thereby maintaining compact projector dimensions while ensuring adequate air flow and pressure to all devices.
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 effectively cools all light modulation devices by ensuring sufficient air supply and temperature management, preventing overheating and maintaining efficient cooling without interfering with other components or increasing projector thickness.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling fan 5 and a duct 6 for guiding air discharged from the cooling fan 5 toward the respective light modulation devices
Implementation Method 2
the air discharged from the cooling fan 5 and traveling within the duct sequentially passes through the light modulation devices from the sides of the light modulation devices so as to cool the three light modulation devices
Data Source
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AI summary
A projector including: a plurality of light modulation devices (351) configured to modulate a plurality of color lights; and a cooling device (4) configured to cool the light modulation devices (351), wherein the cooling device includes a cooling fan (5) configured to introduce and discharge air, and a duct (6) configured to guide air received from the cooling fan (5) toward the plural light modulation devices, and the duct (6) including a first duct portion (7A) configured to allow the air to flow through the two light modulation devices from sides of the two light modulation, and a second duct portion (7B) which communicates with the first duct portion (7A) and guides a part of the air flowing through the first duct portion (7A) toward the light modulation device (351R) or devices other than the two light modulation devices (351).