Projector Light Modulating Device Cooling via Protruding Fixing Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing projectors face difficulties in effectively cooling light modulating devices due to air circulation limitations, as the air sent for cooling is split between the light incident and exiting sides, preventing efficient heat transfer and cooling of both ends of the device.
Innovation Solution
The projector design includes fixing members with openings that allow the light modulating devices to be inserted, increasing the contact area and enabling effective heat transfer through a highly thermal conductive material, and the light modulating devices are fixed with their ends jutting from the plate face to allow unobstructed air circulation to both sides, using protruding sections to form air passages for enhanced cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the light modulating device is fixed to the light combining optical device using a plate-like fixing member with an opening, then the assembly is easier, but the cooling efficiency of the light modulating device deteriorates because air cannot be effectively sent to both the light incident-side end and the light exiting-side end
Solution Approach 1:
The light modulating device is positioned to protrude from the plate face of the fixing member in the direction parallel to the plate face, creating a three-dimensional arrangement where both ends are accessible for cooling. This dimensional change allows air to be sent to both the light incident-side end and the light exiting-side end simultaneously, resolving the cooling efficiency problem while maintaining the simple plate-like fixing structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing member serves as a thermal conductor intermediary between the light modulating device and the surrounding environment. By making the fixing member highly thermal conductive and increasing the contact area through the insertion structure, heat is efficiently transferred from the light modulating device to the fixing member, which then dissipates the heat to the environment.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the light modulating device is screwed to close the opening of the fixing member, then the fixation is stable, but the contact area for heat transfer is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of completely closing the opening with the light modulating device, the design allows the device to be inserted partially such that it protrudes from the plate face. This partial insertion maintains stable fixation through the screw connection while preserving excessive contact area between the fixing member and the light modulating device, enabling efficient heat transfer.
3Device complexity
If air is sent to cool the light modulating device from a direction parallel to the plate face, then the cooling structure is simple, but the air is split and cannot effectively cool both ends of the device
Solution Approach 1:
The light modulating device is arranged to protrude from the plate face in the direction parallel to the plate face, creating accessibility to both ends from the same cooling direction. This dimensional arrangement allows a single cooling air flow to contact both the light incident-side end and the light exiting-side end, achieving effective cooling of both ends without complicating the cooling structure.
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 allows for effective cooling of both the light incident and exiting sides of the light modulating devices, improving heat exchange efficiency and stabilizing the device's fixation, while preventing stray light from entering the projected image through antireflection treatment.
Implementation Method 1
since the light modulating device is in a state in which the light modulating device is inserted in the opening of the fixing member, it is possible to increase the area of contact between the light modulating device and the fixing member (the area of contact between the side edge part of the light modulating device and the edge of the opening). As a result, when the fixing member is formed of a highly thermal conductive material such as metal, it is possible to transfer heat from the light modulating device to the fixing member effectively and cool the light modulating device more effectively.
Data Source
AI summary
A projector includes: a plurality of light modulating devices; a light combining optical device having a plurality of light incidence planes that faced a corresponding one of the light modulating devices, the light combining optical device configured to combine the color lights modulated by the plurality of light modulating devices; and fixing members each having a plate-like base in which an opening is formed, the fixing members configured to fix the light modulating devices to the light combining optical device, the light modulating devices are fixed to the fixing members in a state in which the light modulating devices are inserted in the openings.