Projector Liquid Cooling With Microchannel Peltier Heat Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing projectors face challenges in effectively cooling optical elements due to limitations in radiator efficiency for cooling liquids, leading to inadequate 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

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a radiator is used to cool the cooling liquid, then heat radiation is achieved, but the temperature of the cooling liquid cannot be lowered effectively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature of cooling liquidVSAvoidcooling effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

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 and achieving temperature reduction that passive radiators cannot accomplish.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the passive thermal radiation mechanism with an active thermoelectric conversion system. Instead of relying on natural heat radiation physics, the system uses thermoelectric elements that actively pump heat from the cooling liquid through electrical power input, fundamentally changing the heat transfer mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If pumping performance is enhanced to increase cooling efficiency, then heat transfer is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidpumping system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical pumping enhancement with thermoelectric heat pumping. Instead of increasing mechanical pump capacity or flow rate, the system uses thermoelectric elements to directly pump heat from the cooling liquid, achieving improved cooling efficiency without complicating the mechanical pumping system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Loss of energy

If radiator size is increased to enhance heat radiation, then heat dissipation is improved, but device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat dissipation efficiencyVSAvoidradiator volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces large-volume passive radiators with compact active thermoelectric heat dissipation systems. The thermoelectric conversion elements achieve effective heat dissipation in a much smaller volume by actively pumping heat rather than relying on large surface area radiation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of heat dissipation from passive thermal radiation (dependent on surface area) to active thermoelectric heat pumping (dependent on electrical power input). This parameter change enables effective heat dissipation with significantly reduced component volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 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

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

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermoelectric conversion: Peltier Effect

Implementation Method 3

The heat generated in the optical element is transferred to the cooling liquid via the optical element holding member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS9128361B2Liquid-cooling device and projector

Publication Date: 2015.09.08 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

In at least one embodiment of the disclosure, a projector comprises an optical element holding member that allows a flow of a cooling liquid therein. A plurality of liquid circulation members connect the optical element holding member and a liquid pumping unit and to define a flow channel of the cooling liquid. A heat-receiving jacket is disposed in the flow channel and has a plurality of flow channels. A thermoelectric conversion element having a heat-absorbing surface is connected to the heat-receiving jacket and a heat-radiating surface is connected to a heat transfer member. A supporting member fixes the heat-receiving jacket and the heat transfer member. A baffle member defines an internal space with the supporting member and houses the heat transfer member in the internal space. A cooling fan provides cooling air to the heat transfer member disposed in the internal space.