Segmented Cooling Plate for Projector Light Source
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing projector designs face challenges in efficiently cooling light source devices due to high pressure losses in the cooling liquid, leading to increased size and complexity, necessitating the need for a more efficient cooling solution.
Innovation Solution
A light source device with a cooling plate design that includes inflow, outflow sections, and heat transfer sections with fins and channels, where the cooling liquid flows through a meandering channel, reducing pressure loss by separating heat transfer sections to facilitate easier flow and improve cooling efficiency without requiring a large pump.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the fin elements are made long in the extending direction to increase heat transfer area, then the cooling efficiency is improved, but the pressure loss of cooling liquid increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling plate is divided into multiple sections with intermediate portions between light source modules. The fin elements are segmented into first fin elements in the upstream section and second fin elements in the downstream section, with a gap created by the intermediate portion. This segmentation reduces the continuous length of fin elements, thereby reducing pressure loss while maintaining adequate heat transfer area through distributed fins across multiple sections.
2Productivity
If a large pump is used to supply cooling liquid against high pressure loss, then the cooling liquid flow rate is improved, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the cooling plate into upstream and downstream sections with intermediate portions, the patent reduces pressure loss throughout the cooling liquid path. This allows the use of a smaller pump to achieve the required cooling liquid flow rate, thereby reducing the overall device size while maintaining adequate cooling performance.
3Temperature
If the cooling liquid path is extended to cool all light source modules, then the cooling coverage is improved, but the pressure loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling plate is segmented into multiple cooling sections, each serving specific light source modules. The intermediate portions between sections create gaps that reset the pressure buildup, allowing extended cooling coverage across multiple modules without proportionally increasing pressure loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent arranges fin elements in different directions in different sections (first direction in upstream section, second direction perpendicular to it in downstream section). This dimensional variation optimizes the cooling liquid flow path and heat transfer efficiency across different regions, achieving comprehensive cooling coverage while managing pressure loss through varied flow patterns.
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 design enhances cooling efficiency, reduces the size of the projector, and improves the flow rate of the cooling liquid, allowing for effective heat transfer from light emitting elements to the cooling liquid, thereby increasing the illuminance of the projected image.
Implementation Method 1
heat transfer sections provided in at least one flowing section of the upstream-side flowing section and the downstream-side flowing section
Implementation Method 2
cooling liquid flowing on an inside of the cooling plate
Data Source
AI summary
A light source device includes a light source module, a plurality of heat receiving plates coupled to the light source module, and a cooling plate coupled to the plurality of heat receiving plates, cooling liquid flowing on the inside of the cooling plate. The cooling plate includes an upstream-side flowing section, a downstream-side flowing section, and a plurality of heat transfer sections provided in at least one of the upstream-side flowing section and the downstream-side flowing section and aligned in a second direction. The plurality of heat transfer sections include a plurality of fins extending in the second direction and a plurality of channels provided among the plurality of fins. The plurality of heat receiving plates are disposed along the second direction. The plurality of heat transfer sections are separated from one another in positions among the plurality of heat receiving plates in the second direction.