Patent ID: 12197113

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

In the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. In this regard, directional terminology, such as “top”, “bottom”, “front”, “back” etc., is used with reference to the orientation of the Figure(s) being described. The components of the invention can be positioned in a number of different orientations. As such, the directional terminology is used for purposes of illustration and is in no way limiting. On the other hand, the drawings are only schematic and the sizes of components may be exaggerated for clarity. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including”, “comprising” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless limited otherwise, the terms “connected”, “coupled” and “mounted” and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect connections, couplings, and mountings. Similarly, the terms “facing” “faces” and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect facing, and “adjacent to” and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompass directly and indirectly “adjacent to”. Therefore, the description of “A” component facing “B” component herein may contain the situations that “A” component directly faces “B” component or one or more additional components are between “A” component and “B” component. Also, the description of “A” component “adjacent to” “B” component herein may contain the situations that “A” component is directly “adjacent to” “B” component or one or more additional components are between “A” component and “B” component. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions will be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.

FIG.1is a schematic diagram of a projection device according to an embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIG.1, the projection device200includes an illumination system210, a light valve220, a heat dissipation system100and a projection lens230. The illumination system210is configured to provide an illumination beam IB, which may include elements such as an excitation light source212, a fluorescent color wheel214, a filter color wheel216and a complementary light source218. In some embodiments, the illumination system210may include an optical element or a combination of optical elements having a light-emitting function. For example, the illumination system210may include a combination of a light-emitting element (for example, laser diode or light-emitting diode), a reflector and a lens. However, the invention is not limited thereto. In the present embodiment, the light-emitting element is, for example, the excitation light source212configured to emit an excitation beam EB, and the excitation beam EB is, for example, blue light. For example, the excitation light source212is a blue laser diode. In other embodiments, the complementary light source218is configured to emit a complementary beam CB, and the complementary beam CB is, for example, red light. For example, the complementary light source218is a red laser diode.

In the present embodiment, the fluorescent color wheel214and the filter color wheel216can form needed different color light from the excitation beam EB in different time intervals. The fluorescent color wheel214is provided with a fluorescent region and a light transmitting region (or a reflecting region), and the filter color wheel216may be provided with a red light filter, a green light filter and a light transmitting region (which may be doped with diffusing particles). For example, in the first time interval, the excitation beam EB is transmitted to the fluorescent region of the fluorescent color wheel214, fluorescent materials in the fluorescent region are excited to emit a yellow light beam, and the yellow light beam may then be transmitted to the red light filter or the green light filter of the filter color wheel216to output the red light beam or the green light beam. Further, the complementary light source218may also emit red light to enhance the intensity of red light. In the second time interval, the excitation beam EB may be transmitted to the light transmitting region (or reflecting region) of the fluorescent color wheel214, and further be transmitted to the light transmitting region of the filter color wheel216to output blue light after penetrated (or reflected) by the light transmitting region (or reflecting region) of the fluorescent color wheel. Therefore, the illumination system210may sequentially provide beams of different colors at different times to form the illumination beam IB.

In some embodiments, the light valve220may include, but is not limited to, a spatial light modulator such as a digital micro-mirror device (DMD), a liquid-crystal-on-silicon panel (LCOS Panel), or a liquid crystal panel (LCD). In the present embodiment, the light valve220may be configured to convert the illumination beam IB into an image beam IMB.

In some embodiments, the projection lens230may include a combination of a plurality of optical lenses having the same or different diopters. For example, the optical lenses may include non-planar lenses such as biconcave lenses, biconvex lenses, concave-convex lenses, convex-concave lenses, plano-convex lenses and plano-concave lenses, or may include planar lenses. The type and variety of the projection lens230are not limited in the invention.

In the above embodiment, the heat dissipation system100is configured to radiate the heat generated by heat sources HS of the projection device200. For example, the heat sources HS may include elements that generate heat during operation. In the projection device200, for example, the excitation light source212and the complementary light source218may generate heat in the illumination process. Further, the fluorescent color wheel214and the filter color wheel216may also generate heat in the process of being irradiated by the excitation beam EB. Further, the light valve220may also generate heat in the process of converting the illumination beam IB to the image beam IMB. Therefore, the excitation light source212, the complementary light source218, the fluorescent color wheel214, the filter color wheel216and the light valve220may be used as the heat sources HS separately or in combination, but the invention is not limited thereto.

Specifically, the heat sources HS may include a first heat source HS1and a second heat source HS2according to different working temperatures. In general, the working temperature refers to a temperature is produced by different elements to achieve pre-set working efficiency. In the above embodiment, the first heat source HS1includes, for example, the excitation light source212and the complementary light source218, and the working temperature of the complementary light source218may be less than the working temperature of the excitation light source212. Further, the second heat source HS2includes, for example, the light valve220, and the working temperature of the excitation light source212may be less than the working temperature of the light valve220.

FIG.2is a schematic structural diagram of a heat dissipation system according to an embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIG.2, a heat dissipation system100includes a case110, a plurality of liquid cold plates120, at least one first radiator130, and a second radiator140.

In some embodiments, the case110is configured to protect elements inside the projection device200. Specifically, the case110may include first to fourth sidewalls SW1to

SW4are connected end to end. The first sidewall SW1is disposed opposite to the third sidewall SW3, and the second sidewall SW2is disposed opposite to the fourth sidewall SW4. Further, the projection lens230may be disposed at the first sidewall SW1. In this case, the first sidewall SW1may be called as a front cover of the case110. Correspondingly, the third sidewall SW3may be called as a back cover of the case110. However, this is only used to describe the distance, not to limit the invention.

In the present embodiment, the case110includes air inlets and an air outlet. For example, as shown inFIG.2, the case110includes a main air inlet112, three air inlets AI and an air outlet114. The main air inlet112and the air inlets AI can allow an air flow to enter the case110, and the air outlet114can allow the air flow to leave the case110. In the present embodiment, the main air inlet112, the air inlets AI and the air outlet114are openings disposed on the sidewalls of the case110, the main air inlet112is disposed on the second sidewall SW2, two air inlets AI are disposed on the first sidewall SW1, one air inlet AI is disposed in the fourth sidewall SW4, and the air outlet114is disposed in the third sidewall SW3. The main air inlet112is defined as, for example, an opening that allows the external air flow to be transmitted to the first radiator. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can change the number and position of the air inlet/air outlet according to the needs, and the invention is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the number of the main air inlet112and the air inlet AI may be, for example, five.

In the present embodiment, the first radiator130and the second radiator140may be disposed in the case110, and may be respectively disposed beside or corresponds to the main air inlet112and the air outlet114. For example, the first radiator130may be disposed beside or corresponds to the main air inlet112, and the second radiator140may be disposed beside or corresponds to the air outlet114. In some embodiments, the first radiator130and/or the second radiator140may include, for example, heat radiating plates or heat radiating fins. In the present embodiment, the number of the first radiator130is one, and the number of the second radiator140is one, but the invention is not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, the liquid cold plates120may include an internal flow channel and have a high heat transfer coefficient. Materials of the liquid cold plates120include, for example, metals, but are not limited thereto. In the present embodiment, a plurality of, such as three, liquid cold plates120are disposed, and the liquid cold plates120may be thermally coupled to, for example, in thermal contact (transfer) with, at least a part of at least one heat source HS. Corresponding to a first heat source HS1and a second heat source HS2, the liquid cold plates120may include a first liquid cold plate122and a second liquid cold plate124. The first heat source HS1(for example, the excitation light source212and complementary light source218) is thermally coupled to the first liquid cold plate122, and the second heat source HS2(for example, light valve220) is thermally coupled to the second liquid cold plate124. More specifically, the first liquid cold plate122coupled to the excitation light source212is marked as1222, and the first liquid cold plate122thermally coupled to the complementary light source218is marked as1221. In the present embodiment, the plurality of liquid cold plates120may be disposed in the case110, and the plurality of liquid cold plates120are connected with the first radiator130and the second radiator140. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can change the material, position and number of the liquid cold plate120according to the needs, and the invention is not limited thereto.

Referring toFIG.2again, the heat dissipation system100may further include first fans150, second fans160, at least one pipeline PL, a pump P, a storage tank T, and a cooling fluid. The liquid cold plates120, the first radiator130and the second radiator140are connected with one another through the pipeline PL, and the cooling fluid flows in the pipeline PL and the above elements.

In some embodiments, the first fans150and the second fans160may provide air flows. In the present embodiment, the number of the first fan150and the second fan160may be respectively three. For example, three first fans150are disposed to correspond to the position of the first radiator130, and three second fans160are disposed corresponding to the position of the second radiator140. In detail, the first fans150are disposed on one side of the first radiator130, and the second fans160are disposed on one side of the second radiator140. In this configuration, the first fans150and the second fans160are respectively configured to provide air flows to radiate the heat generated by the first radiator130and the second radiator140. In other embodiments not shown, the number of the first fan150and the second fan160may be one, two or more than three, and those skilled in the art can correspondingly change the number or position of the first fans150and the second fans160according to the needs. However, the invention is not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, the pump P is connected to the pipeline PL to draw the cooling fluid (not shown) to flow in the pipeline. The pump P includes a mechanism that works on the fluid to move it. In some embodiments, the storage tank T is connected to the pipeline PL and may be configured to store the cooling fluid (not shown). Further, as shown inFIG.2, in a flow path of the cooling fluid, the pump P is disposed between the first radiator130and the second radiator140, and the storage tank T is disposed between the pump P and the second radiator140. The cooling fluid may circulate inside the pipeline PL. The cooling fluid may be, for example, water, but is not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, referring toFIG.2, in the flow path of the cooling fluid, the first liquid cold plates122(for example, the first liquid cold plates1221,1222) may be connected between the first radiator130and the second radiator140through the pipeline PL. The second liquid cold plate124is disposed at the downstream pipeline PL of the second radiator140through the pipeline PL. Further, the pump P may be disposed at the pipeline PL between the first radiator130and the second radiator140, and the storage tank T may be disposed at the pipeline PL between the pump P and the second radiator140. In the present embodiment, the pipeline PL is a closed pipeline, and is connected to the liquid cold plates120(for example, the first liquid cold plates1221,1222and the second liquid cold plate124), the first radiator130, the second radiator140, the pump P and the storage tank T, such that the cooling fluid can circulate between these elements.

In some embodiments, for illustration, five positions along the pipeline PL may be marked as P1to P5respectively, and the temperature is T1to T5respectively.

Referring toFIG.2, the cooling fluid stored in the storage tank T can flow to the position P1through the pipeline PL and then to the first liquid cold plate1221under the drawing effect of the pump P. The heat emitted by the first heat source HS1(for example, the complementary light source218) is transferred through the first liquid cold plate1221to the cooling fluid flowing therethrough, so as to achieve the effect of radiating the heat generated by the first heat source HS1. Correspondingly, the temperature of the cooling fluid in the first liquid cold plate1221may be increased. Therefore, the temperature T2of the cooling fluid at the position P2at the downstream of the first liquid cold plate1221is greater than the temperature T1at the position P1. In the present embodiment, the liquid cold plates can be regarded as a heat exchanger between the cooling fluid and the heat source HS.

Further, under the drawing effect of the pump P, the cooling fluid flows into the first liquid cold plate1222, and the effect of radiating the heat generated by the first heat source HS1(for example, the excitation light source212) is similar to that of the first liquid cold plate1221, which will not be repeated here. Similarly, the temperature T3of the cooling fluid at the position P3at the downstream of the first liquid cold plate1222is greater than the temperature T2at the position P2. Further, the cooling fluid flows into the second radiator140. At the second radiator140, since the second fan160can provide the air flow to the second radiator140, the second radiator140can radiate heat. Correspondingly, the temperature T4of the cooling fluid at the position P4at the downstream of the second radiator140may be less than the temperature T3at the position P3.

Referring toFIG.2again, the cooling fluid then flows into the second liquid cold plate124. The effect of radiating the heat generated by the second heat source HS2(for example, the light valve220) is similar to that of the first liquid cold plate122, which will not be repeated here. In some embodiments, a first working temperature of the first heat source HS1may be less than a second working temperature of the second heat source HS2. Before the cooling fluid flows into the first liquid cold plate1221, the temperature at the position P1is T1, and before the cooling fluid flows into the second liquid cold plate124, the temperature at the position P4is T4, and T1≤T4. In the present embodiment, the temperature T5of the cooling fluid at the position P5may be the highest.

Further, after flowing through the second liquid cold plate124, the cooling fluid can continue to flow into the first radiator130. Further, through the first fan150, the cooling fluid exchanges heat in the first radiator130to transfer the heat energy of the first radiator130to a space in the case110. Since the first radiator130is adjacent to the main air inlet112, after the cooling fluid flows through the first radiator130, the temperature T1of the cooling fluid at the position P1at the downstream of the first radiator130may be the lowest. In this way, the cooling fluid flows to the pump P, thus forming a heat radiating cycle.

In the embodiment shown inFIG.2, in the projection process of the projection device200, the air flow will enter the case110from the main air inlet112and the air inlets AI, exchange heat in the case110, and leave the case110through the air outlet114. The sum of the air inflow Fin1, Fin2, Fin3and Fin4of the main air inlet112and the plurality of air inlets AI is roughly equal to the air outflow Foutof the air outlet114, that is, Fin1+Fin2+Fin3+Fin4=Fout. Since the air outflow Foutof the air outlet114is large, the heat at the second radiator140can be quickly carried away from the heat dissipation system100.

FIG.3toFIG.5are schematic structural diagrams of heat dissipation systems according to different embodiments of the invention. Referring toFIG.3, a heat dissipation system100ainFIG.3is similar to the heat dissipation system100inFIG.1. The main difference is that in a case110a,a main air inlet112is disposed in a fourth sidewall SW4, and one air inlet AI is disposed in a first sidewall SW1. In the present embodiment, no air inlet is disposed in a second sidewall SW2. In other embodiments, more air inlets or no air inlet is disposed in the first sidewall, and one or more air inlets may be disposed in the second sidewall. However, the invention is not limited thereto.

Referring toFIG.4, a heat dissipation system100binFIG.4is similar to the heat dissipation system100inFIG.1. The main difference is that in a case110b,an air inlet AI, a first main air inlet1121(112) and a second main air inlet1122(112) are respectively disposed in a first sidewall SW1, a second sidewall SW2and a fourth sidewall SW4. Corresponding to the first main air inlet1121(112) and the second main air inlet1122(112), two first radiators130are respectively disposed. In the present embodiment, after leaving the first liquid cold plate1222, the cooling fluid flows to the second radiator140and the other first radiator130for heat exchange, such that the heat dissipation system100baccording to the present embodiment can meet higher heat radiating requirements.

Referring toFIG.5, a heat dissipation system100cinFIG.5is similar to the heat dissipation system100inFIG.4. The main difference is that in a case110c,a first main air inlet1121(112) is disposed in a first sidewall SW1, that is, it is disposed on the same side as the air inlet AI. Correspondingly, the other first radiator130is disposed corresponding to the first main air inlet1121(112). It is worth mentioning that in the above-mentioned embodiments, at least one first fan150may be disposed on one side of each first radiator13, and at least one second fan160may be disposed on one side of the second radiator140. However, the position and the number of the first fan150or the second fan160are not limited thereto. In other embodiments not shown, the first fan may be disposed on the other side or both sides of the first radiator130, or the first fan may be omitted.

In the embodiments shown inFIG.4andFIG.5, two first radiators130are disposed, such that the cooling fluid can sequentially exchange heat twice in the two first radiators130, and thus, the temperature difference between the cooling fluid flowing into the second liquid cold plate124and the second heat source HS2is greater. Therefore, the heat dissipation systems100band100caccording to the present embodiment can meet higher heat radiating requirements.

FIG.6AandFIG.6Bare schematic structural diagrams of heat dissipation systems10′ and10″ according to comparative embodiments (known). Referring toFIG.6A, a heat dissipation system10includes a case1, a plurality of liquid cold plates2, a radiator3, fans4, a pump5, a storage tank6and a pipeline7. The case1includes an air inlet112. Starting from the pump5, the pump5, the storage tank6, the plurality of liquid cold plates2and the radiator3are disposed sequentially along the pipeline7. The plurality of fans4may be disposed beside or corresponds to the radiator3. A plurality of heat sources HS (for example, the complementary light source218, the excitation light source212, the light valve220) of a projection device may be thermally coupled to these liquid cold plates2respectively. The embodiment shown inFIG.6Bis similar to that inFIG.6A, and the difference is that inFIG.6B, the volume of the radiator3is larger (for example, longer), so as to provide larger heat radiating area, and more fans4may be disposed around the radiator3. In the comparative embodiments, since no radiator is disposed at the pipeline7between the liquid cold plates2, when the cooling fluid flows in the pipeline7between the plurality of liquid cold plates2, the temperature of the cooling fluid will gradually rise from the upstream to the downstream of the pipeline7. In this case, after the cooling fluid flows through the liquid cold plate of the first heat source HS1, when it flows into the liquid cold plate corresponding to the second heat source HS2, its temperature is high, so it cannot effectively discharge heat for the second heat source HS2in short time, resulting in poor effect of cooling the second heat source HS2. In the comparative embodiment shown inFIG.6B, since the heat dissipation system10′ is disposed, the overall space utilization of the case1is poor.

Referring back to the heat dissipation system according to the embodiments of the invention, the first radiator130and the second radiator140are disposed respectively beside or corresponds to the positions of the main air inlet112and the air outlet114of the case110. Since the air temperature at the main air inlet112is lower and the air volume at the air outlet114is large, the cooling fluid can exchange heat more effectively when flowing through the first radiator130and the second radiator140, so as to more effectively carry away the heat. Further, since the second radiator140is disposed, before entering the second liquid cold plate124to radiate the heat generated by the second heat source HS2, the cooling fluid is cooled at the second radiator140through heat radiating, and the heat dissipation system100and the projection device200can achieve a good heat radiating effect in a small volume.

Based on the above, in the heat dissipation system and the projection device according to the embodiments of the invention, the first radiator and the second radiator are respectively disposed beside or correspond to the main air inlet and air outlet of the case. Since the temperature at the main air inlet is lower and the air volume at the air outlet is large, the first radiator and the second radiator can effectively discharge the heat generated by the heat sources. Therefore, the heat dissipation system and the projection device have a good heat radiating effect.

The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiments of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form or to exemplary embodiments disclosed. Accordingly, the foregoing description should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Obviously, many modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in this art. The embodiments are chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its best mode practical application, thereby to enable persons skilled in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use or implementation contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents in which all terms are meant in their broadest reasonable sense unless otherwise indicated. Therefore, the term “the invention”, “the disclosure” or the like does not necessarily limit the claim scope to a specific embodiment, and the reference to particularly exemplary embodiments of the invention does not imply a limitation on the invention, and no such limitation is to be inferred. The invention is limited only by the spirit and scope of the appended claims. The abstract of the disclosure is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract, which will allow a searcher to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure of any patent issued from this disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. Any advantages and benefits described may not apply to all embodiments of the invention. It should be appreciated that variations may be made in the embodiments described by persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims. Moreover, no element and component in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element or component is explicitly recited in the following claims.