Refrigerant Cooling Circuit with Heater to Prevent Dew Condensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling apparatuses for projection-type image display systems face reliability issues due to dew condensation and compressor failures, primarily caused by inadequate temperature control of refrigerant and heat source elements, leading to short-circuits and reduced lifespan of components.
Innovation Solution
A cooling apparatus with a refrigerant circuit including a compressor, condenser, expansion valve, and evaporator, equipped with a heater that thermally connects the evaporator to the exothermic elements, preventing dew condensation and ensuring stable refrigerant vaporization for the compressor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a cooling apparatus with refrigerant circuit is used to cool light source elements, then the light emission efficiency increases and output is enhanced, but dew condensation occurs causing short-circuit and apparatus failure
Solution Approach 1:
The heating unit is activated before the cooling apparatus to preheat the refrigerant and prevent dew condensation. By applying a counter-action (heating) in advance, the harmful effect of dew condensation is prevented while maintaining the cooling function for high light emission efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit activates the heating unit prior to activating the cooling apparatus. This preliminary action ensures the refrigerant temperature is sufficiently high before cooling begins, preventing dew condensation and short-circuits that would reduce apparatus reliability.
2Temperature
If refrigerant temperature is decreased to cool light source elements, then cooling effectiveness improves, but refrigerant flows in liquid state to compressor causing compressor failure
Solution Approach 1:
The heating unit applies heating action to the refrigerant in advance before it enters the compressor. This counteracts the excessive cooling effect and prevents liquid refrigerant from reaching the compressor, thereby protecting compressor reliability while maintaining effective cooling temperatures.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit monitors refrigerant temperature and activates the heating unit when the refrigerant temperature approaches levels that would cause liquid flow to the compressor. This feedback control ensures the refrigerant remains in appropriate phase while maintaining cooling effectiveness.
3Ease of operation
If cooling apparatus is activated before heat source, then cooling is ready, but dew condensation causes short-circuit
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit activates the heating unit before activating the cooling apparatus. This preliminary heating action ensures the refrigerant is at appropriate temperature before cooling begins, preventing dew condensation and short-circuits while maintaining cooling readiness.
Solution Approach 2:
By activating the heating unit first, the system applies a counter-action to prevent the harmful effect of dew condensation before it can occur. This ensures the cooling apparatus can be activated without causing short-circuits.
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 solution enhances the reliability of the cooling apparatus by preventing dew condensation and ensuring stable operation, reducing the risk of short-circuits and extending the lifespan of light source elements while maintaining high opto-electric conversion efficiency and reducing the number of necessary laser light source modules.
Implementation Method 1
an evaporator (cooler) configured to cool the plurality of light source elements
Implementation Method 2
latent heat generated by vaporization of refrigerant is utilized
Implementation Method 3
latent heat generated by vaporization of refrigerant is utilized
Implementation Method 4
a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve and an evaporator are circularly connected sequentially
Implementation Method 5
a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve and an evaporator are circularly connected sequentially
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling apparatus includes: a refrigerant circuit in which a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve and an evaporator are circularly connected sequentially, via a pipe, and a refrigerant circulates; and a heater provided to the refrigerant circuit, in which the evaporator is thermally connected to an exothermic element.