Projector Discharge Lamp Cooling Control via Inter-Electrode Voltage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing projectors face challenges in effectively cooling discharge lamps due to manufacturing variations, leading to inadequate cooling and reduced lamp life, particularly due to issues like blackening and devitrification.
Innovation Solution
A projector system with a control method that adjusts the cooling fan speed based on inter-electrode voltage and cumulative lighting time, switching between different cooling controls to maintain optimal temperature and prevent devitrification, using linear functions to correlate voltage and fan speed for effective cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the cooling fan speed is increased to cool the discharge lamp, then the lamp temperature is reduced, but manufacturing variations cause inappropriate cooling leading to blackening and devitrification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the control parameter from fixed cooling fan speed to variable speed based on inter-electrode voltage. The control section adjusts the cooling fan speed according to the detected inter-electrode voltage value, ensuring appropriate cooling for each lamp while preventing blackening and devitrification, thus extending lamp life.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback control mechanism where the control section continuously detects the inter-electrode voltage and adjusts the cooling fan speed accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures the discharge lamp is cooled appropriately based on its actual operating conditions, preventing both overheating and inappropriate cooling.
2Reliability
If the cooling fan speed is controlled based on inter-electrode voltage, then appropriate cooling is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge lamp itself provides the control signal through its inter-electrode voltage, which naturally reflects its operating state and cooling needs. The control section simply detects this voltage and adjusts the cooling fan accordingly, allowing the system to self-regulate without external intervention or complex control algorithms.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the cooling fan speed is reduced at initial stage, then blackening is prevented, but insufficient cooling may occur after cumulative lighting time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic cooling control where the cooling fan speed is continuously adjusted based on the inter-electrode voltage and cumulative lighting time. The control section modifies the cooling intensity in real-time, reducing speed at initial stage to prevent blackening and increasing speed after cumulative lighting time to maintain effective cooling, thus adapting to the lamp's aging process.
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
The system ensures appropriate cooling of discharge lamps regardless of manufacturing variations, extending lamp life by preventing blackening and devitrification, and maintaining optimal temperature through adaptive cooling control.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling section configured to cool the discharge lamp
Data Source
AI summary
A projector according to the invention includes a discharge lamp, a cooling section, and a control section. The control section is configured to execute a first cooling control in which a number of revolutions of the cooling section does not depend on an inter-electrode voltage of the discharge lamp and a second cooling control for controlling the cooling section based on first control information indicating a relation between the inter-electrode voltage and the number of revolutions. The number of revolutions in the first cooling control is equal to or smaller than the number of revolutions in the second cooling control. When the inter-electrode voltage is larger than a first voltage value or when a cumulative lighting time of the discharge lamp is larger than a first time, the control section configured to switch the control of the cooling section from the first cooling control to the second cooling control.