Projector Liquid Cooling with Thermoelectric Heat Pumping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing projectors face challenges in effectively cooling optical elements due to the limitations of traditional radiators in lowering the temperature of cooling liquids, leading to inefficient heat dissipation and potential thermal degradation.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a thermoelectric conversion element, such as a Peltier element, connected to the liquid-cooling device to absorb heat from the cooling liquid, allowing for effective temperature reduction of the optical elements without the need for enhanced pumping performance or larger radiators, and the use of a heat-receiving jacket with micro channels for enhanced heat transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a radiator is used to radiate heat of the cooling liquid, then the cooling liquid can be cooled, but the temperature of the cooling liquid cannot be lowered effectively
Solution Approach 1:
A thermoelectric conversion element is introduced as an intermediary device between the cooling liquid and the heat dissipation system. This element actively converts electrical energy to thermal energy gradient, enabling effective heat extraction from the cooling liquid that a passive radiator cannot achieve alone
Solution Approach 2:
The passive thermal radiation mechanism of the radiator is supplemented or replaced by an active thermoelectric conversion system. The thermoelectric element uses electrical energy to create a controlled thermal gradient, substituting the limited passive radiation process with an active heat pumping mechanism
2Productivity
If the pumping performance is enhanced to increase flow rate of cooling liquid, then cooling efficiency may be improved, but the liquid pumping unit becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical pumping system is supplemented by a thermoelectric heat pumping system. Instead of relying solely on increased mechanical flow rate to improve cooling, the system uses thermoelectric conversion to actively remove heat, achieving improved cooling efficiency without requiring a more complex or powerful mechanical pump
3Temperature
If the radiator is upsized to enhance heat-radiating efficiency, then cooling performance may be improved, but the projector size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The large passive radiator is replaced or supplemented by a compact active thermoelectric cooling system. The thermoelectric conversion element achieves effective heat removal in a much smaller volume compared to a traditional radiator of equivalent cooling capacity, enabling downsizing of the projector
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 enables efficient cooling of optical elements, prolongs the projector's lifespan, simplifies the liquid-cooling device structure, and allows for downsizing by effectively lowering the temperature of the cooling liquid, even when using a smaller radiator or omitting it altogether.
Implementation Method 1
heat of the cooling liquid circulating along the flow channel may be effectively absorbed from the heat-absorbing surface
Implementation Method 2
a thermoelectric conversion element having a heat-absorbing surface and a heat-radiating surface and being connected to the liquid-cooling device in a state of being capable of transferring heat from the cooling liquid to the heat-absorbing surface
Data Source
AI summary
In at least one embodiment of the disclosure, a liquid-cooling device to cool an optical element in a projector includes an optical element holding member configured to allow a flow of a cooling liquid therein and to hold the optical element so as to transfer heat to the cooling liquid. A liquid pumping unit is configured to circulate the cooling liquid. Liquid circulation members are configured to connect the optical element holding member and the liquid pumping unit and to define a flow channel of the cooling liquid. A thermoelectric conversion element has a heat-absorbing surface and a heat-radiating surface. The thermoelectric conversion element is connected to the liquid-cooling device to transfer the heat from the cooling liquid to the heat-absorbing surface.