A diaphragm-type compressor includes a substrate, an actuator, a diaphragm provided between the substrate and the actuator, and a case in which the diaphragm, the actuator, and the substrate are provided. A recessed section formed at the actuator side of the substrate and the actuator overlap in a plan view. The case has an inflow port of fluid further on the actuator side than the substrate based on the position of the diaphragm. The substrate includes a suction port for causing the recessed section to suck the fluid.

The present application is based on, and claims priority from, JP Application Serial Number 2018-143268, filed Jul. 31, 2018, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a diaphragm-type compressor, a cooler, a projector, and a method for compressing fluid.

2. Related Art

Various compressors have been used. Among such compressors, there is a diaphragm-type compressor that causes a diaphragm to reciprocate to transfer fluid.

For example, JP-A-2009-97415 (Patent Literature 1) discloses a diaphragm-type compressor that causes, with a hydraulic fluid port functioning as an actuator, a diaphragm to reciprocate to transfer fluid.

However, in the diaphragm-type compressor in the past described in Patent Literature 1, the actuator sometimes rises in temperature because the reciprocation of the diaphragm by driving of the actuator is repeated.

SUMMARY

A diaphragm-type compressor according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes: a substrate; an actuator; a diaphragm provided between the substrate and the actuator and partitioning the substrate and a compression chamber (a recessed section); and a case in which the diaphragm, the actuator, and the substrate are provided. The case has an inflow port of fluid. The substrate includes a suction port for causing the compression chamber (the recessed section) to suck the fluid. The actuator is a member configuring a moving path of the fluid from the inflow port to the suction port.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

First, the present disclosure is schematically explained.

A diaphragm-type compressor according to a first aspect of the present disclosure includes a substrate, an actuator, a diaphragm provided between the substrate and the actuator and partitioning the substrate and a compression chamber, and a case in which the diaphragm, the actuator, and the substrate are provided. The case has an inflow port of fluid. The substrate includes a suction port for causing the compression chamber to suck the fluid. The actuator is a member configuring a moving path of the fluid from the inflow port to the suction port.

According to this aspect, since the actuator is the member configuring the moving path of the fluid from the inflow port to the suction port, it is possible to directly cool the actuator with the fluid. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a temperature rise of the actuator.

A diaphragm-type compressor according to a second aspect of the present disclosure includes a substrate, an actuator, a diaphragm provided between the substrate and the actuator and partitioning the substrate and a compression chamber (a recessed section), and a case in which the diaphragm, the actuator, and the substrate are provided. The case has an inflow port of fluid. The substrate includes a suction port for causing the compression chamber (the recessed section) to suck the fluid. A wall made of metal is formed between the actuator and a moving path of the fluid from the inflow port to the suction port.

According to this aspect, the wall made of metal is formed in a position between the actuator and the moving path of the fluid from the inflow port to the suction port. Since the metal has high thermal conductivity, it is possible to cool the actuator with the fluid indirectly via the wall made of the metal. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a temperature rise of the actuator.

In a third aspect of the present disclosure, the diaphragm-type compressor according to the first or second aspect includes a diffusing member configured to diffuse the fluid flowing in from the inflow port.

According to this aspect, since the diaphragm-type compressor includes the diffusing member configured to diffuse the fluid flowing in from the inflow port, it is possible to efficiently cool the actuator with the diffused fluid. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently suppress a temperature rise of the actuator.

In a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, in the diaphragm-type compressor according to any one of the first to third aspects, the actuator is a piezoelectric element.

According to this aspect, it is possible to simply configure the piezoelectric element that can finely set a pressurizing force by controlling an applied voltage to the actuator. It is possible to simply configure the diaphragm-type compressor capable of compressing the fluid at different compression ratios.

A cooler according to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure includes the diaphragm-type compressor according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, a heat exchanging section configured to radiate heat of a coolant that rises in temperature by being compressed by the diaphragm-type compressor, and a coolant expanding section configured to expand the coolant.

According to this aspect, it is possible to suppress a temperature rise of the actuator.

A projector according to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure includes the cooler according to the sixth aspect.

According to this aspect, it is possible to project a video with the projector in which a temperature rise of the actuator is suppressed.

A method for compressing fluid according to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure is a method of compressing fluid using a diaphragm-type compressor including a diaphragm, an actuator configured to apply a force to the diaphragm, a substrate partitioning the diaphragm and a compression chamber (a recessed section), and a case which has an inflow port of fluid and in which the diaphragm, the actuator, and the substrate are provided. The method includes an inflow step of causing the fluid to flow into the inside of the case from the inflow port, a heat transfer step of transferring heat from the actuator to the fluid flowing in from the inflow port, a suction step of causing the compression chamber (the recessed section) to suck the fluid to which the heat is transferred from the actuator, and a compression step of compressing the fluid sucked by the compression chamber (the recessed section).

According to this aspect, since the heat is transferred from the actuator to the fluid flowing in from the inflow port, it is possible to cool the actuator with the fluid. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a temperature rise of the actuator.

Diaphragm-type compressors according to embodiments of the present disclosure are explained in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First Embodiment (FIGS.1to4)

A diaphragm-type compressor1according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure is explained.

First, a projector100, which is an example of an apparatus including the diaphragm-type compressor1according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, is explained with reference toFIG. 1.

The projector100shown inFIG. 1includes a light source unit102including a light source114, a phosphor111, and a dichroic mirror113. The projector100includes an optical element unit103including an optical element112including an optical element112afor red light, an optical element112bfor green light, and an optical element112cfor blue light and a projection lens104. The projector100includes a cooler101for cooling the light source unit102and the optical element unit103.

The cooler101includes the diaphragm-type compressor1according to this embodiment, details of which are explained below, a heat exchanging section107, a coolant expanding section108, and an evaporator106. The cooler101is configured such that a primary coolant flows in a direction F in a primary coolant pipe109. Since such a configuration is adopted, the cooler101can suppress a temperature rise of an actuator explained below.

The primary coolant is compressed by the diaphragm-type compressor1and rises in temperature. The primary coolant flowing into the diaphragm-type compressor1is low-pressure gas. The primary coolant flowing out from the diaphragm-type compressor1is high-pressure gas.

The primary coolant compressed by the diaphragm-type compressor1is cooled to a predetermined temperature by the heat exchanging section107. The primary coolant cooled by the heat exchanging section107is high-pressure liquid.

The primary coolant cooled by the heat exchanging section107is expanded by the coolant expanding section108and the temperature of the primary coolant drops. The primary coolant expanded by the coolant expanding section108is low-pressure liquid.

The evaporator106changes the primary coolant from liquid to gas on the inside of the evaporator106and absorbs heat on the inside of the evaporator106. The light source unit102, the optical element unit103, and the cooler101are coupled by a secondary coolant pipe110. The secondary coolant is circulated in the secondary coolant pipe110by a liquid feeding pump105. The primary coolant pipe109and the secondary coolant pipe110are disposed side by side on the inside of the evaporator106of the cooler101. Since the evaporator106has such an internal configuration, the secondary coolant is cooled on the inside of the evaporator106, the temperature of which drops because the primary coolant is changed from liquid to gas. The cooled secondary coolant circulates in the light source unit102and the optical element unit103, whereby the light source unit102and the optical element unit103are cooled.

As explained above, the diaphragm-type compressor1according to this embodiment can be suitably used in the projector100. Since the projector100shown inFIG. 1includes the diaphragm-type compressor1according to this embodiment explained in detail below, the projector100is configured to be able to suppress a temperature rise of the actuator of the diaphragm-type compressor1. Therefore, it is possible to project a video with the projector100according to this embodiment in which a temperature rise of the actuator is suppressed.

However, the diaphragm-type compressor according to the present disclosure is not limited to the use in the projector and can be used in an apparatus or the like including a constituent member that generates heat such as a printer, a computer (a notebook personal computer, a desktop computer, etc.), and a robot.

The configuration of the diaphragm-type compressor1is explained in detail with reference toFIGS. 2 and 3.

As shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, the diaphragm-type compressor1according to this embodiment includes an actuator2, a diaphragm3coupled to the actuator2, a substrate4coupled to the diaphragm3, and a case5that covers the actuator2, the diaphragm3, and the substrate4. The case5includes an inflow port9of the primary coolant, which is fluid, further on the actuator2side than the substrate4based on the position of the diaphragm3in a pressing direction P. The actuator2according to this embodiment is a piezoelectric element and is coupled to a not-shown amplifier coupled to a not-shown signal generator. The actuator2is configured to be capable of pressing the diaphragm3in the pressing direction P by driving the signal generator and the amplifier. A driving wave motion of the actuator2by the signal generator and the amplifier can be, for example, a Sin wave. The actuator2tends to be continuously driven to rise in temperature. The pressing direction P corresponds to a direction in which the diaphragm3is displaced according to the driving of the actuator2.

As shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, in the pressing direction P, the diaphragm3is configured thicker in a region3apressed by the actuator2than a region3bnot pressed by the actuator2. “The region3apressed by the actuator2is thicker in the pressing direction P than the region3bnot pressed by the actuator2” means that at least a part of a position pressed by the actuator2only has to be thicker in the pressing direction P than at least a part of a position not pressed by the actuator2.

As shown inFIG. 3, in the substrate4, a hollow is formed at a side in contact with the diaphragm3. The hollow forms a compression chamber (a recessed section)6by joining the diaphragm3and the substrate4.

In a position overlapping the actuator2in the pressing direction P in the substrate4, a suction port17for enabling the primary coolant, which is fluid, to flow into the compression chamber (the recessed section)6is formed. A suction valve7is formed in the suction port17. The suction valve7is capable of changing the position of an outer side portion7ain the pressing direction P between when the primary coolant is allowed to flow into the compression chamber (the recessed section)6and when the primary coolant is not allowed to flow into the compression chamber (the recessed section)6. The suction valve7changes the position in the pressing direction P to allow the primary coolant to flow in only the direction F and prevent the primary coolant from flowing back. The substrate4is formed by stacking a plurality of tabular materials along the pressing direction P and joining the plurality of tabular materials. The suction valve7is configured integrally with the tabular materials. The valve7changes the position of the outer side portion7ain an opening direction A from a state of suppression of backflow of the primary coolant shown inFIG. 3to enable the primary coolant to flow into the compression chamber (the recessed section)6.

In a position overlapping the actuator2in the pressing direction P in the substrate4, a discharge port18for enabling the primary coolant from flowing out from the compression chamber (the recessed section)6is formed. A discharge valve8is formed in the discharge port18. The discharge valve8is capable of changing the position of an outer side portion8ain the pressing direction P between when the primary coolant flows out from the compression chamber (the recessed section)6and when the primary coolant does not flow out from the compression chamber (the recessed section)6. The discharge valve8changes the position in the pressing direction P to allow the primary coolant to flow in only the direction F and prevent the primary coolant from flowing back. Like the suction valve7, the discharge valve8is configured integrally with the tabular materials configuring the substrate4. The discharge valve8changes the position of the outer side portion8ato an opening direction B from the state of suppression of backflow of the primary coolant shown in FIG. to enable the primary coolant to flow out from the compression chamber6.

As explained above, the substrate4is formed by stacking the plurality of tabular materials along the pressing direction P and joining the plurality of tabular materials. However, the configuration of the substrate4is not limited to such a configuration. The shapes of the suction valve7and the discharge valve8are not limited to the shapes in this embodiment and may be, besides a cantilever beam shape in this embodiment, a double-supported beam shape and a circular shape.

As explained above, the inflow port9of the primary coolant is formed in the case5. The primary coolant flowing into the inside of the case5from the inflow port9is capable of coming into contact with the actuator2on the inside of the case5. In other words, the actuator2is a member configuring a moving path12of the primary coolant from the inflow port9to the suction port17. In the diaphragm-type compressor1according to this embodiment, the primary coolant flowing into the inside of the case5from the inflow port9comes into contact with the actuator2and heat is transferred to the primary coolant from the actuator2. Then, the primary coolant is sent to the compression chamber (the recessed section)6via the suction port17. “The moving path of the primary coolant” means all paths in which the primary coolant could pass.

To once summarize the above, the diaphragm-type compressor1according to this embodiment includes the substrate4, the actuator2, the diaphragm3provided between the substrate4and the actuator2and partitioning the substrate4and the compression chamber (the recessed section)6, and the case5on the inside of which the diaphragm3, the actuator2, and the substrate4are provided. In other words, the diaphragm-type compressor1according to this embodiment includes the diaphragm3, the actuator2capable of pressing the diaphragm3, the substrate4provided at the opposite side of the actuator2with respect to the diaphragm3and forming the compression chamber (the recessed section)6in conjunction with the actuator2, and the case5on the inside of which the diaphragm3, the actuator2, and the substrate4are provided. The case5includes the inflow port9of the primary coolant further on the actuator2side than the substrate4based on the position of the diaphragm3. The substrate4includes the suction port17for causing the compression chamber (the recessed section)6to suck the primary coolant flowing in from the inflow port9. The actuator2is formed in the moving path12of the primary coolant from the inflow port9to the suction port17.

In this way, in the diaphragm-type compressor1according to this embodiment, since the actuator2is the member configuring the moving path12of the primary coolant from the inflow port9to the suction port17, the diaphragm-type compressor1is configured to be capable of directly cooling the actuator2with the primary coolant. Therefore, the diaphragm-type compressor1according to this embodiment is capable of suppressing a temperature rise of the actuator2.

From the viewpoint of a method for compressing the primary coolant (the fluid), concerning the above explanation, it is possible to execute the following method for compressing fluid represented by a flowchart ofFIG. 4using the diaphragm-type compressor1including the diaphragm3, the actuator2that applies a force to the diaphragm3, and the substrate4provided at the opposite side of the actuator2with respect to the diaphragm3and partitioning the actuator2and the compression chamber (the recessed section)6. First, in an inflow step of step S110, the primary coolant is caused to flow into the inside of the case5from the inflow port9. Subsequently, in a heat transfer step of step S120, heat is transferred from the actuator2to the primary coolant flowing in from the inflow port9. Subsequently, in a suction step of step S130, the compression chamber (the recessed section)6is caused to suck the primary coolant to which the heat is transferred from the actuator2. In a compression step of step S140, the primary coolant sucked by the compression chamber (the recessed section)6is compressed. The compressed primary coolant is discharged from the discharge port18to end the method for compressing fluid according to this embodiment.

The inflow step, the heat transfer step, the suction step, and the compression step explained above are executed by executing the method for compressing fluid according to this embodiment. Consequently, since heat is transferred from the actuator2to the primary coolant flowing in from the inflow port9, it is possible to cool the actuator2with the primary coolant. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a temperature rise of the actuator2by executing the method for compressing fluid according to this embodiment.

As explained above, in the diaphragm-type compressor1according to this embodiment, the actuator2is the piezoelectric element. Therefore, since the actuator is simply configured by the piezoelectric element, the diaphragm-type compressor1capable of compressing the primary coolant at different compression ratios is simply configured.

Second Embodiment (FIGS.5to7)

The diaphragm-type compressor1according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure is explained with reference toFIGS. 5 to 7.FIG. 5is a diagram corresponding toFIG. 3showing the diaphragm-type compressor1according to the first embodiment. Both ofFIGS. 6 and 7are plan sectional views of the diaphragm-type compressor1according to this embodiment.FIG. 6is a sectional view in a position of a Y-Y line, that is, the inflow port9inFIG. 5.FIG. 7is a sectional view in a position of an X-X line, that is, a slit13explained below inFIG. 5. Constituent members common to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and signs. Detailed explanation of the constituent members is omitted. The diaphragm-type compressor1according to this embodiment has the same configuration as the diaphragm-type compressor1according to the first embodiment except that a wall10made of metal is formed in the inside of the case5.

As shown inFIG. 5and the like, like the diaphragm-type compressor1according to the first embodiment, the diaphragm-type compressor1according to this embodiment includes the diaphragm3, the actuator2capable of pressing the diaphragm3, the substrate4provided at the opposite side of the actuator2with respect to the diaphragm3and forming the compression chamber (the recessed section)6in conjunction with the actuator2, and the case5on the inside of which the diaphragm3, the actuator2, and the substrate4are provided. The case5includes the inflow port9of the primary coolant further on the actuator2side than the substrate4based on the position of the diaphragm3. The substrate4includes the suction port17for causing the compression chamber (the recessed section)6to suck the primary coolant flowing in from the inflow port9. On the other hand, in the diaphragm-type compressor1according to this embodiment, as shown inFIGS. 5 and 6, the wall10made of the metal is formed in a position above an end portion3cof the diaphragm3between the actuator2and the moving path12of the primary coolant from the inflow port9to the suction port17.

In this way, in the diaphragm-type compressor1according to this embodiment, the wall10made of the metal is formed in the position between the actuator2and the moving path12of the primary coolant from the inflow port9to the suction port17. Since the metal has high thermal conductivity, the diaphragm-type compressor1according to this embodiment is capable of cooling the actuator2with the primary coolant indirectly via the wall10made of the metal. Therefore, the diaphragm-type compressor1according to this embodiment is capable of suppressing a temperature rise of the actuator2.

A constituent material of the wall10made of the metal is not particularly limited if the wall10is made of metal. However, among metals having high thermal conductivity, aluminum or the like having particularly high thermal conductivity can be suitably used.

In the diaphragm-type compressor1according to this embodiment, as shown inFIGS. 5 and 7, a plurality of slits13are formed in the wall10made of the metal. The wall10made of the metal also plays a role of a diffusing member11that diffuses the primary coolant flowing into the inside of the case5from the inflow port9toward the actuator2.

In this way, since the diaphragm-type compressor1according to this embodiment includes the diffusing member11that diffuses the primary coolant flowing in from the inflow port9, the diaphragm-type compressor1is configured to be capable of efficiently cooling the actuator2with the primary coolant diffused by the diffusing member11. Therefore, the diaphragm-type compressor1according to this embodiment is capable of efficiently suppressing a temperature rise of the actuator2.

The present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments explained above. Various modifications are possible within the scope of the inventions described in the appended claims. It goes without saying that the modifications are also included in the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the shape of the actuator2, the shape of the case5, and the like are not limited to the configurations of the embodiments. For example, an actuator having a quadrangular prism shape may be used instead of the actuator2having a columnar shape. A case having a columnar shape as an external shape may be used instead of the case5having a quadrangular prism shape as an external shape. For example, the wall10made of the metal and the diffusing member11may be separately provided. The shapes of the wall10made of the metal and the diffusing member11, the positions, the sizes, the number, and the shapes of the slits13of the diffusing member11, and the like are not particularly limited. Further, for example, the actuator is not limited to the piezoelectric element and can be transformed into a motor, a solenoid, a voice coil motor, and the like, which are included in the scope of the present disclosure.