Projector Refrigerant-Based Cooling to Reduce Noise and Size

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing projector cooling systems face challenges in improving cooling performance without increasing size or noise, particularly as projector luminance increases, and traditional air and liquid cooling methods lead to larger coolers and higher noise levels.

Innovation Solution

A projector cooling system that utilizes a refrigerant generator to produce a gas refrigerant, which is transmitted to a cooling target through a refrigerant sender, with a dust-proof case and a circulation duct to enhance cooling efficiency and reduce noise, featuring a blower to deliver air and a heat dissipation structure with inner and outer fins for effective heat release.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If air cooling using a blower is used, then cooling performance is improved, but the sound noise increases and the cooler grows in size

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling performanceVSAvoidsound noise

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses evaporation of a refrigerant (liquid to gas phase transition) to achieve cooling. The refrigerant evaporates at the cooling target surface, absorbing heat directly, which eliminates the need for high-speed blowers and reduces noise while maintaining effective cooling performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical air blowing system with a phase-change-based cooling system. Instead of using a blower to force air circulation, the system uses the natural evaporation process of the refrigerant to transfer heat, eliminating mechanical noise sources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Temperature

If liquid cooling using a pump and pipe is used, then cooling performance is improved, but the cooler grows in size

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling performanceVSAvoidcooler size

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the cooling function from a complex liquid cooling system (pump, pipes, reservoirs) and implements it through a simplified refrigerant delivery system. The refrigerant is delivered directly to the cooling target without requiring extensive piping or pump mechanisms, significantly reducing the cooler size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses the phase transition of the refrigerant from liquid to gas at the cooling target to achieve cooling. This eliminates the need for liquid circulation systems with pumps and pipes, thereby reducing the overall cooler size while maintaining cooling effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

3Temperature

If cooling performance is improved for high luminance projectors, then heat dissipation is enhanced, but the projector grows in size

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat dissipation capabilityVSAvoidprojector size

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the high heat absorption capacity of refrigerant evaporation to efficiently dissipate heat from high luminance projectors. The phase change process absorbs large amounts of heat quickly, enabling effective cooling of high-power projectors without requiring large cooling systems, thus maintaining compact projector size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

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 achieves improved cooling performance while maintaining a compact size and reducing noise, as the refrigerant's evaporation actively draws heat from the cooling target, and the design prevents humidity issues that could affect optical elements, enhancing projector reliability.

Implementation Method 1

a cooler configured to cool the cooling target based on transformation of a refrigerant into a gas

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase change (liquid to gas): Phase Change

Implementation Method 2

a refrigerant generator configured to generate the refrigerant... the refrigerant's evaporation actively draws heat from the cooling target

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 3

a heat dissipation structure with inner and outer fins for effective heat release

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat dissipation: Thermal Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS11175571B2Projector

Publication Date: 2021.11.16 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A projector having a cooling target includes a light source configured to emit light, a light modulator configured to modulate the light emitted from the light source, a projection optical device, a cooler configured to cool the cooling target based on transformation of a refrigerant into a gas, and a dust-proof case configured to house at least a part of the cooling target inside. The cooler includes a refrigerant generator configured to generate the refrigerant, and a refrigerant sender configured to transmit the generated refrigerant toward the cooling target. The cooling target includes a cooling target main body part, and a cooling target part which is thermally coupled to the cooling target main body part, and to which the refrigerant is transmitted from the refrigerant sender. The cooling target main body part is disposed inside the dust-proof case. The cooling target part is disposed outside the dust-proof case.