Projector Optical Element Cooling via Refrigerant Circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional projectors face challenges with noise generation and energy efficiency due to the use of fans for cooling optical elements, and thermoelectric cooling methods have poor energy efficiency and spatial restrictions.
Innovation Solution
A projector design incorporating a refrigerant circuit with a compressor, radiator, pressure reducing unit, and evaporator to cool optical elements, allowing for efficient heat exchange and reduced fan operation, with a partitioned main body to isolate the light source and optical element zones and utilize cold air for cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If fans are used to blow outside air to cool optical elements, then heat release from optical elements is improved, but noise increases and power consumption soars when outside air temperature is high
Solution Approach 1:
The main body is partitioned into a first zone containing the light source and a second sealed zone containing the optical element. This segmentation allows independent temperature control and cooling strategies for each zone, enabling the optical element zone to be cooled efficiently without being affected by the high-temperature light source zone.
Solution Approach 2:
A refrigerant circuit acts as an intermediary cooling system between the optical element and the outside environment. The refrigerant absorbs heat from the optical element through the evaporator and releases it externally through the radiator, providing efficient heat transfer without requiring high-velocity air flow that generates noise.
2Temperature
If fans increase air flow to release heat when outside air temperature is high, then heat release from optical elements is maintained, but power consumption remarkably soars
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical fan-based air cooling system is replaced with a refrigerant-based thermodynamic cooling system. The refrigerant circuit uses phase change and heat transfer principles to cool the optical element efficiently without requiring high-power fans, significantly reducing power consumption while maintaining effective heat release.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If thermoelectric cooling is used to cool liquid crystal panels, then noise from fans is reduced, but energy efficiency is poor and spatial freedom is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling method changes from thermoelectric cooling (Peltier effect) to refrigerant-based vapor compression cooling. This parameter change in the cooling mechanism provides superior energy efficiency while maintaining low noise levels, as the refrigerant system operates more efficiently and allows greater design flexibility compared to integrally constituted thermoelectric cooling sections.
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 effectively reduces noise and improves energy efficiency by maintaining a constant optical element temperature, minimizing fan size and noise, and enhancing spatial design freedom while preventing dust and moisture entry.
Implementation Method 1
air subjected to heat exchange between the air and the evaporator is supplied to the optical element to cool the optical element
Implementation Method 2
compressor, a radiator, a pressure reducing unit and an evaporator provided in the main body constitute a refrigerant circuit
Implementation Method 3
compressor, a radiator, a pressure reducing unit and an evaporator provided in the main body constitute a refrigerant circuit
Implementation Method 4
compressor, a radiator, a pressure reducing unit and an evaporator provided in the main body constitute a refrigerant circuit
Data Source
AI summary
There is disclosed a projector capable of efficiently cooling an optical element while decreasing the generation of noise as much as possible. A projector P includes a main body 1 provided with a light source 2, an optical element 4 (liquid crystal panels 5, 6 and 7, polarization plates 8A, 8B and a prism 25) which processes (modulates) light emitted from this light source 2 in accordance with image information and a projection lens 9 which projects a modulated projection optical image onto a screen, and further includes a cooling apparatus 10 in which a compressor 12, a radiator 14, a capillary tube 16 (a pressure reducing unit) and an evaporator 18 provided in the main body 1 constitute a refrigerant circuit, and air subjected to heat exchange between the air and the evaporator 18 is supplied to the liquid crystal panels 5, 6 and 7 to cool the panels.