JP2008083500A - Method of maintaining cooling function for electronic equipment, cooling mechanism and projector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method of maintaining function for cooling electronic equipment that maintains the functions of a cooling device that cools a semiconductor, or the like, and to provide a cooling mechanism and a projector. <P>SOLUTION: The cooling mechanism 17 includes a cooling fin 40, arranged in the immediate vicinity of an LED light source 11 for cooling the LED light source 11, a cleaning fin 42 for cleaning the cooling fins 40, and a movement drive unit 29 for moving the cleaning fin 42. At heating generation of the LED source 11, the cleaning fin 42 moves away from the cooling fin 40, and at non-heat generation of the light source 11, the cleaning fin 42 moves so as to overlap with the cooling fin 40, and cleans the surface portion of the cooling fins 40. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a cooling function maintaining method for maintaining a cooling function for cooling a heating element of an electronic device, a cooling mechanism, and a projector equipped with the cooling mechanism.

  Conventionally, in order to maintain a cooling function of a cooling mechanism that cools a heating element, a method of cleaning dust or the like that adheres to the cooling mechanism and lowers the cooling function is known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a method of maintaining a cooling function of a heat sink by cleaning cooling fins of a heat sink provided to cool heat generated by a lamp or the like in a photographic processing apparatus. According to this method, the cleaning means such as a cleaning brush is configured to pass through the gaps between the heat dissipating fins to clean dust and the like, and the cleaning means includes a cover that opens and closes for maintenance inspection of the photographic processing apparatus, etc. Operates in conjunction with the moving member. Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a method of cleaning a fin tube condenser provided in a refrigerator built in a vending machine with a cleaning brush. In this case, the cleaning brush is configured to operate in conjunction with an opening / closing door for replenishment of goods and maintenance / inspection.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-83631 JP-A-11-102477

  Conventionally, in an electronic device such as a projector, cooling air is sent to cool a heat generating part such as a light source part. In recent years, light emitting diodes (LEDs), which are semiconductors, have been employed as light source units, and optical systems have been reduced in size and power consumption. Therefore, in order to maintain the light emitting function of the LED, which is a semiconductor, further cooling is required, and cooling fins are installed on the LED. Similarly, in a personal computer or the like, a cooling fin is provided to cope with heat dissipation for a semiconductor such as a CPU that generates heat due to a high clock. However, in the conventional technique, in an electronic apparatus having no moving member such as an opening / closing cover, it has not been possible to clean the cooling fin of the heat generating portion by a cleaning unit interlocked with the moving member. Therefore, in any case, the cleaning of dust adhering to the cooling fin has not been considered. Due to the further enhancement of functions of electronic devices, the amount of heat generated by semiconductors tends to increase, and it has become a problem to suppress the deterioration of the cooling function of the cooling fins due to dust adhesion.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an electronic device cooling function maintaining method, a cooling mechanism, and a projector for maintaining the function of a cooling mechanism for cooling a semiconductor or the like. To do.

  In the electronic device cooling function maintaining method of the present invention, in order to maintain the cooling function of the cooling fin for cooling the heating element, when the power is supplied to the heating element, the cleaning unit is in a standby state where the cleaning unit is separated from the cooling fin. And a cleaning step of cleaning the surface portion of the cooling fin by moving the cleaning portion so as to overlap the cooling fin when the supply of electric power to the heating element is stopped.

  According to this method for maintaining a cooling function of an electronic device, deposits on the cooling fin, which is a main factor hindering the cooling function of the cooling fin, are removed in the cleaning step. As for the method of removing the deposits, the cleaning unit is separated from the cooling fin when power is supplied to the heating element (standby step), and the movable cleaning is possible when the supply of power to the heating element is stopped. When the portion moves to the position of the cooling fin and overlaps the cooling fin, the surface portions of the cooling fin are sequentially cleaned while being overlapped (cleaning step). By executing this cleaning step, it is possible to always maintain the cooling function of the cooling fins. Further, the cleaning unit does not hinder heat radiation from the cooling fin. Thus, the cooling fin can maintain the function of sufficiently cooling the heating element when the heating element generates heat by the method of cleaning the cooling fin cleanly by the cleaning unit when the heating element does not generate heat. .

  In this case, in the cleaning step, it is preferable that each of the plurality of cooling fins that respectively cool the plurality of heating elements moves so as to overlap another cooling fin, and each cooling fin functions as a cleaning unit.

  According to the cleaning step according to this method, in the case of a configuration including a plurality of heating elements and cooling fins, any one of the cooling fins can move, and the movable cooling fin moves to the position of the other cooling fin. When it overlaps with the other cooling fins, the surface portions of the other cooling fins are sequentially cleaned while overlapping. At this time, the other cooling fins also clean the surface portions of the movable cooling fins. In other words, the cooling fin functions as a cleaning unit when the heating element does not generate heat. For example, if there are two cooling fins, one cooling fin moves to another cooling fin and performs a cleaning action. If there are three cooling fins, one cooling fin moves to the other two cooling fins to perform a cleaning action. If there are four cooling fins, the two cooling fins move to one of the other two cooling fins to perform a cleaning action. Thus, since the cooling fin moves and fulfills the function of the cleaning unit, it is not necessary to separately arrange the cleaning unit, and the space can be saved.

  The electronic device cooling mechanism according to the present invention includes a cooling fin provided in the immediate vicinity of the heating element to cool the heating element, a cleaning fin for cleaning the cooling fin, and a moving drive unit for moving the cleaning fin. When the electric power is supplied to the heating element, the cleaning fin moves away from the cooling fin, and when the supply of electric power to the heating element is stopped, the cleaning fin moves so as to overlap the cooling fin. The surface part of the cooling fin is cleaned.

  According to this electronic device cooling mechanism, the cleaning fin removes deposits on the cooling fin, which are the main factors that hinder the cooling function of the cooling fin. The removal of the deposits by the cleaning fin is performed when the power supply to the heating element is stopped and the movable cleaning fin moves to the position of the cooling fin and overlaps the cooling fin. This is done by sequentially cleaning the surface part of the. Thereby, it is possible to always maintain the cooling function of the cooling fins. When the power is supplied to the heating element, the cleaning fins are separated from the cooling fins, so that the cleaning fins do not hinder heat dissipation from the cooling fins. Thus, when the supply of electric power to the heating element is stopped, the cooling fin can clean the heating fin sufficiently by the cleaning fin so that the heating element can sufficiently cool the heating element when the heating element generates heat. It is.

  In this case, it is preferable that the cooling fin and the cleaning fin have substantially the same shape.

  According to this configuration, since the cooling fin and the cleaning fin have substantially the same shape, the cooling fin can be partially processed and used as the cleaning fin. Therefore, it is possible to save the trouble of designing and manufacturing the cleaning fins completely separately, and to share parts materials.

  The cooling mechanism of the electronic device includes a plurality of cooling fins that respectively cool the plurality of heating elements, and one of the cooling fins is moved by the movement drive unit so as to overlap another cooling fin, and each cooling fin is Preferably functions as a cleaning fin.

  According to this configuration, the cooling mechanism of the electronic device includes the plurality of heating elements and the cooling fins, and any one of the cooling fins is movable. The movable cooling fin moves to the position of another cooling fin when the heating element is not generating heat. When the cooling fin overlaps with another cooling fin, the surface portions of the other cooling fins are sequentially cleaned while overlapping. At this time, the other cooling fins also clean the surface portions of the movable cooling fins. That is, the cooling fin functions as a cleaning fin. For example, if there are two cooling fins, one cooling fin moves to another cooling fin and performs a cleaning action. If there are three cooling fins, one cooling fin moves to the other two cooling fins to perform a cleaning action. If there are four cooling fins, the two cooling fins move to one of the other two cooling fins to perform a cleaning action. Thus, since the cooling fin moves and fulfills the function of the cleaning fin, it is not necessary to separately arrange the cleaning fin, and the space can be saved.

  A projector according to the present invention is a projector that projects a light source and light emitted from the light source in accordance with an image signal, and includes any one of the cooling mechanisms described above.

  According to this projector, the cooling mechanism for cooling the built-in heating element is provided, and this cooling mechanism has a mechanism for cleaning the cooling fins in order to prevent the cooling function from being lowered. Thereby, it is possible to always keep the cooling fins clean without removing the exterior of the projector or providing an opening / closing cover on the exterior. By providing the cooling mechanism, it is possible to provide a projector that always maintains a constant cooling capacity.

  In this case, the heating element to be cooled is preferably a light source composed of a solid light source element.

  According to this configuration, the projector includes the individual light source element, such as an LED, that can be reduced in power consumption, and the cooling mechanism can efficiently cool the individual light source element. Stable light emission and longer life.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The cooling mechanism of the present embodiment is provided in a projector, and the projector modulates light emitted from a light source configured by a solid light source element according to an image signal input from the outside, thereby generating an image signal. The image is projected according to. The cooling mechanism is provided to cool the light source of the projector, and has a cooling fin for radiating heat and a mechanism for cleaning the cooling fin.

  First, an outline of the projector will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a projector according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the projector 1 includes an image projection unit 10 that projects an image. The image projection unit 10 includes an LED light source (heating element) 11 that is a light source, a liquid crystal light valve 12 that is a light modulation device, and a projection lens 13 that is a projection optical system.

  The LED light source 11 has a plurality of LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) 11a arranged in a matrix. Solid light source elements such as the LED 11a can be downsized including a power source, and can be turned on and off instantly, and can be turned off and turned off, compared to a discharge lamp such as a metal halide lamp. It has many advantages as a light source element for a projector, such as being able to stably emit light with little burden on the light source even when repeated over time, and having a wide color reproducibility and a long lifetime. Since the LED light source 11 is a heating element that generates heat, a cooling mechanism 17 for heat dissipation is provided.

  A plurality of pixels (not shown) are formed in the liquid crystal light valve 12, and image light corresponding to the image signal is formed by modulating light emitted from the LED light source 11 for each pixel based on the image signal. . The image light formed by the liquid crystal light valve 12 is enlarged and projected by the projection lens 13 toward the screen 16 or the like.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of the image projection unit in more detail. In this schematic diagram, the cooling mechanism 17 is omitted, and the cooling mechanism 17 will be described later with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the LED light source 11 of the present embodiment includes three LED light sources 11R, 11G, and 11B that emit color lights R, G, and B of three colors (red, green, and blue) having different wavelength ranges. It is made up. The color lights R, G, B emitted from the LED light sources 11R, 11G, 11B are reflected by the mirror 14 and then illuminate the three liquid crystal light valves 12R, 12G, 12B, respectively. Each color light R, G, B is modulated for each color light by the liquid crystal light valves 12R, 12G, 12B, and then synthesized by the cross dichroic prism 15 to become color image light. This image light is projected by the projection lens 13 and an image is displayed on the screen 16.

  The LED light source 11R and the LED light source 11B are arranged in a straight line so as to sandwich the projection lens 13, and the emission directions of the color lights R and B from the LED light sources 11R and 11B are opposite to the projection direction onto the screen 16. . The LED light source 11G is located far from the screen 16 with respect to the LED light source 11R, and is arranged such that the emission direction of the color light G from the LED light source 11G is orthogonal to the projection direction on the screen 16.

  Instead of using three LED light sources 11R, 11G, and 11B that emit color lights R, G, and B of three colors (red, green, and blue) having different wavelength ranges, an LED light source that emits white light and white light And a color light separation unit that can separate into three color lights (red, green, and blue) of different colors (red, green, and blue), and after the light emitted from the LED light source is separated by the color light separation unit, The liquid crystal light valves 12R, 12G, and 12B may be made incident.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the projector 1 includes a main control unit 20 including a CPU and the like. The main control unit 20 includes a main storage unit 21, an operation unit 22, a detection circuit 23, a light source driving unit 24, An image control unit 25 and a movement drive unit 29 are connected.

  The main control unit 20 functions as a computer and performs overall control of the operation of the projector 1 according to a control program stored in the main storage unit 21.

  The main storage unit 21 is configured by a ROM (Read Only Memory) such as a flash memory, a RAM (Random Access Memory), or the like, and stores a control program and is used for storing various setting values. The operation unit 22 includes a plurality of keys for performing various operations on the projector 1 such as power on / off and image quality adjustment. When the user operates the operation unit 22, the operation unit 22 22 outputs an operation signal corresponding to the operation content to the main control unit 20.

  The detection circuit 23 detects an input signal, detects the presence / absence of an input of an image signal supplied from an external image supply device (not shown) such as a personal computer, and the detection result is sent to the main control unit 20. Output to.

  The light source driving unit 24 can turn on and off the LED light source 11 and change the luminance by supplying power to the LED light source 11 and driving it based on an instruction from the main control unit 20.

  The image control unit 25 is connected to the A / D converter 26, the image memory 27, and the light valve drive unit 28, and projects an image corresponding to the input image signal based on an instruction from the main control unit 20. Control and processing for projection using the unit 10 are performed.

  The image signal supplied from the outside includes various sync signals (horizontal sync signal H, vertical sync signal V, etc.) defining the scanning timing of the signal, together with the RGB signal representing the image information. The signal is input to the A / D converter 26, and the synchronization signal is input to the image control unit 25.

  The image control unit 25 is provided with a mode determination unit 25a, which specifies the display mode of the image signal from a plurality of display modes having different resolutions, scanning frequencies, and the like based on the input synchronization signal and the like. Is possible. The image control unit 25 outputs a sampling clock (CLK) 30 that is a clock signal having a predetermined frequency to the A / D converter 26 based on the display mode specified by the mode determination unit 25a.

  The A / D converter 26 A / D-converts the RGB signal in synchronization with the sampling clock 30, whereby the RGB signal is accurately sampled and output to the image control unit 25 as digital image data.

  The sampled image data is converted by the image control unit 25 into resolution conversion for adjusting the resolution to the resolution (number of pixels) of the liquid crystal light valve 12, various image quality adjustments such as brightness adjustment, contrast adjustment, sharpness adjustment, or menus and messages. A process for synthesizing an OSD (on-screen display) image such as is performed and written in the image memory 27. The image data stored in the image memory 27 is output to the light valve drive unit 28.

  The light valve drive unit 28 generates a drive signal for driving the liquid crystal light valve 12 in accordance with the input image data. The liquid crystal light valve 12 modulates the light source light in accordance with the drive signal, so that the image light corresponding to the image data is projected from the projection lens 13.

  Although not shown, the projector 1 includes an intake / exhaust fan, and includes a mechanism that introduces air from the outside into the projector 1 to exhaust the internal heat. The projector 1 according to the present invention further includes a cooling mechanism 17 and can cool the LED light source 11 more effectively.

In order to maintain the cooling function of the cooling mechanism 17 that cools the LED light source 11, the movement drive unit 29 gives the cooling mechanism 17 a drive for cleaning that removes dust and the like that lower the function of the cooling mechanism 17. Details of the driving of the cooling mechanism 17 will be described in detail in the following embodiments.
(Embodiment 1)

  FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the configuration of the cooling mechanism according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the cooling mechanism 17 includes a cooling fin 40, a heat conducting pipe 41, a cleaning fin 42, a movement drive unit 29, and a support unit 43 that connects the cleaning fin 42 and the movement drive unit 29. Become. The cooling mechanism 17 corresponds to the three LED light sources 11, and cools the cooling mechanism 17R for cooling the LED light source 11R that emits red color light R and the LED light source 11G that emits green color light G. A cooling mechanism 17G for cooling, and a cooling mechanism 17B for cooling the LED light source 11B emitting blue color light B. The cooling mechanisms 17R, 17G, and 17B are provided in the immediate vicinity of the LED light sources 11R, 11G, and 11B, respectively, and dissipate heat generated by the LED light sources 11 to cool the LED light sources 11.

  The cooling mechanism 17R includes a cooling fin 40R, a heat conducting pipe 41R, and a cleaning fin 42R. Similarly, the cooling mechanism 17G has a cooling fin 40G, a heat conducting pipe 41G, and a cleaning fin 42G, and the cooling mechanism 17B has a cooling fin 40B, a heat conducting pipe 41B, and a cleaning fin 42B. In such a configuration, each cleaning fin 42 is moved by the movement drive unit 29 so as to overlap the cooling fin 40 to clean the cooling fin 40. The cleaning fin 42 is provided with a notch 44 that serves as a relief of the heat conducting pipe 41 when the cleaning fin 42 moves to the position of the cooling fin 40.

  Next, details of the cooling mechanism 17 will be described. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing cleaning of the cooling fin by the cleaning fin in the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the cooling mechanism 17G in the cooling mechanism 17 in detail. In this case, the projector 1 is in use, and power is supplied to the LED light source 11G to turn on and generate heat. Therefore, the cleaning fin 42G is separated from the cooling fin 40G in order to dissipate the heat of the LED light source 11G from the cooling fin 40G. That is, it is a waiting step state. Hereinafter, the cooling mechanism 17 will be described using the cooling mechanism 17G as a representative example.

  In the case of FIG. 4, the cooling mechanism 17 </ b> G has four cooling fins 40 </ b> G made of an aluminum alloy having a rectangular shape in plan view, and is arranged so that one end portion is in contact with the LED light source 11 </ b> G. Furthermore, in order to more efficiently transfer the heat generated by the LED light source 11G to the cooling fins 40G, a copper heat conducting pipe 41G is arranged to connect one surface of the LED light source 11G and the four cooling fins 40G. . The heat conducting pipe 41G is formed in a tubular shape having a capillary structure (wick) inside, and a refrigerant is accommodated in the pipe, and the refrigerant flows back through the inside of the pipe, so that heat transfer in the heat conducting pipe 41G is performed. So-called heat pipe. Therefore, the heat of the LED light source 11G is efficiently transmitted to the cooling fin 40G. Four cooling fins 40G are fixed to the heat conducting pipe 41G at substantially equal intervals by press fitting or welding.

  Further, the cleaning fins 42G are composed of four aluminum alloys that are the same as the cooling fins 40G. The four cleaning fins 42G are fixed by fin fixing portions 43a at substantially the same intervals as the cooling fins 40G. And the fin fixing | fixed part 43a is further connected with the support part 43, and the role which moves the cleaning fin 42G so that it may overlap with the cooling fin 40G in conjunction with the drive of the movement drive part 29 is carried out. The cleaning fins 42G are inserted into the respective gaps of the four cooling fins 40G in order to avoid contact with the cooling fins 40G when moving to overlap the cooling fins 40G and cleaning the cooling fins 40G. So that the position is set.

  And the shape of the cleaning fin 42G which cleans the cooling fin 40G is set substantially the same as the cooling fin 40G. Therefore, it is possible to use a product obtained by processing the notch 44 in the cooling fin 40G as the cleaning fin 42G.

  Similarly, the cooling mechanism 17R includes four aluminum alloy cooling fins 40R and cleaning fins 42R having cutout portions 44 that are escapes of the heat conducting pipe 41R, and are different from the cooling mechanism 17G as described above. It faces the direction and is connected to the support part 43. The cooling mechanism 17B includes a cooling fin 40B and a cleaning fin 42B having a notch 44, and is connected to the support portion 43 in the same direction as the cooling mechanism 17R. The cooling mechanisms 17 </ b> R, 17 </ b> G, and 17 </ b> B move simultaneously by driving the movement drive unit 29 via the support unit 43.

  Next, a case where the use of the projector 1 is finished will be described. When the main power supply of the projector 1 is turned off, the supply of power to the LED light source 11G is stopped and turned off, and the cooling mechanism 17 proceeds from the standby step to the cleaning step. In the cleaning step, the movement drive unit 29 moves the cleaning fin 42 so as to overlap the cooling fin 40 via the support unit 43. That is, the cleaning fin 42R moves so as to overlap the cooling fin 40R, and the cleaning fins 42G and 42B move so as to overlap the cooling fins 40G and 40B, respectively.

  The case of the cleaning fin 42G will be described in detail as an example. As shown in FIG. 4, the cleaning fin 42G is inserted into the gap formed by the four cooling fins 40G. The cleaning fin 42G, while being inserted, cleans the cooling fin 40G by removing dust and the like adhering to the surface which is the surface portion of the cooling fin 40G and the gap. Similarly, the cleaning fins 42R and 42B clean the cooling fins 40R and 40B, respectively. In this case, the cleaning fins 42R, 42G, and 42B maintain the overlapping state with the cooling fins 40R, 40G, and 40B, respectively, until the next power is turned on. Thereby, it is possible to prevent dust and the like from adhering to the cooling fin 40 until the projector 1 is next used, and it is possible to avoid a decrease in the cooling function of the cooling fin 40.

  Hereinafter, the effect of Embodiment 1 is described collectively.

  (1) The cooling mechanism 17 has a function of cleaning the cooling fin 40 cleanly by the cleaning fin 42 when the supply of power to the LED light source 11 is stopped (when no heat is generated). The cooling fin 40 is always maintained in a state where the LED light source 11 can be sufficiently cooled.

  (2) Since the cooling fin 40 and the cleaning fin 42 have substantially the same shape, it is possible to process the notch 44 in the cooling fin 40 and use it as the cleaning fin 42, and to share parts materials.

  (3) The cooling mechanism 17 is a mechanism in which the movement drive unit 29 moves the three cleaning fins 42R, 42G, and 42B simultaneously and linearly via the support unit 43, and is simple and easy to set and arrange. It is a configuration.

(4) The projector 1 includes the cooling mechanism 17 having a cleaning function, so that the LED light source 11 can be efficiently cooled, and a lighting failure due to overheating or a problem caused by applying heat to other components. Etc. can be prevented.
(Embodiment 2)

  Next, Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described. The difference from the first embodiment is that the cooling mechanism does not have cleaning fins 42 dedicated for cleaning, and the cooling fins also function as cleaning fins.

  FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the configuration of the cooling mechanism according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the cooling mechanism 18 corresponds to the three LED light sources 11, the cooling mechanism 18 </ b> R for cooling the LED light source 11 </ b> R that emits red color light R, and the LED light source that emits green color light G. A cooling mechanism 18G for cooling 11G, and a cooling mechanism 18B for cooling the LED light source 11B emitting blue color light B. The cooling mechanisms 18R, 18G, and 18B are provided in the immediate vicinity of the LED light sources 11R, 11G, and 11B, respectively, and dissipate heat generated by the LED light sources 11 to cool the LED light sources 11.

  The cooling mechanism 18R includes cooling fins 50R and heat conducting pipes 51R. Similarly, the cooling mechanism 18G has cooling fins 50G and heat conducting pipes 51G, and the cooling mechanism 18B has cooling fins 50B and heat conducting pipes 51B. In the second embodiment, the cooling fins 50R and 50B have the same shape as the cooling fins 40R and 40B of the first embodiment, and are different only in that a notch 54 is provided. On the other hand, the cooling fin 50G is connected to the movement drive unit 29 via the support portion 53, and is movable so as to overlap both the cooling fin 50R and the cooling fin 50B that are fixedly installed. By moving the cooling fin 50G, the cooling fin 50R and the cooling fin 50B are cleaned, and dust and the like adhering to the cooling fins 50R and 50B are removed.

  Therefore, the cooling fin 50G has a size capable of cooling the LED light source 11G and cleaning the cooling fin 50R, and cleaning for cleaning the cooling fin 50B and the cooling cleaning portion P positioned in the immediate vicinity of the LED light source 11G. Part Q. The cooling cleaning part P and the cleaning part Q have the same shape and are connected by a support part 53. Thus, the cooling fin 50G is set larger than the cooling fins 50R and 50B. Since the LED light source 11G that emits green color light G has a larger amount of heat generation than other light sources, the cooling fin 50G is enlarged to improve the cooling performance. Further, the cooling cleaning part P and the cleaning part Q of the cooling fin 50G are provided with cutout parts 54 that are escapes of the heat conducting pipe 51R or the heat conducting pipe 51B, respectively.

  Next, details of the cooling mechanism 18 will be described. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing cleaning of the cooling fin in the second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a view taken in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 5 and shows the cooling mechanism 18G in the cooling mechanism 18 in detail. In this case, the projector 1 is in use, and power is supplied to the LED light source 11 to turn on and generate heat. Therefore, the cooling fin 50G that can move and also functions as a cleaning fin dissipates the heat of the LED light source 11, and is located in the immediate vicinity of the LED light source 11G. That is, it is a waiting step state. Hereinafter, the cooling mechanism 18 will be described using the cooling mechanism 18G as a representative example.

The cooling mechanism 18G includes a single cooling fin 50G ₁ that is fixed to the heat radiation position of the LED light source 11G, and a heat conducting pipe 51G ₁ that transfers the heat of the LED light source 11G to the cooling fin 50G ₁ . The four cooling fins 50G ₂ to which heat is transferred from the heat conducting pipe 51G ₁ and the cooling fins 50G ₁ and the heat conducting pipes 51G ₂ for fixing the four cooling fins 50G ₂ at equal intervals are provided. . Further, the cleaning part Q has four cooling fins 50G ₂ similar to the cooling cleaning part P and a support part 53a for fixing the four cooling fins 50G ₂ at equal intervals. The pipe 51G is not provided.

Since the cooling fin 50G ₂ is configured to transmit the heat of the LED light source 11R through the cooling fin 50G ₁ , the position of the cooling fin 50G ₂ is different from that of the other cooling fins 50R and 50B by the thickness of the cooling fin 50G ₁ . . Therefore, when the cooling fin 50G ₂ moves so as to overlap with the cooling fins 50R and 50B via the support portion 53 in conjunction with the drive of the movement drive unit 29, each of the four cooling fins 50G ₂ , 50B, and is inserted into the gap formed by the cooling fins 50R, 50B. Therefore, the cooling fins 50R are notch 54 is provided as a relief of the heat-conducting pipe 51G _2.

Next, a case where the use of the projector 1 is finished will be described. When the main power supply of the projector 1 is turned off, the power supply to the LED light source 11 is stopped and turned off, and the cooling mechanism 18 proceeds from the standby step to the cleaning step. The cleaning step, the movement driving unit 29, via the support portion 53 moves the cooling fins 50G ₂ so as to overlap the cooling fins 50R and cooling fins 50B. In other words, cooling the cleaning portion P of the cooling fins 50G ₂ is moved so as to overlap the cooling fins 50R, the cleaning unit Q moves so as to overlap the cooling fins 50B.

By moving, the cooling fins 50G ₂ inserted into the gaps between the cooling fins 50R and 50B remove dust and the like adhering to the surfaces of the cooling fins 50R and 50B and the gaps, and clean the cooling fins 50R and 50B. At the same time, the cooling fins 50R, 50B is dust or the like adhering to the gap and the surface of the cooling fins 50G ₂ are removed to clean the cooling fins 50G _2. Thus, the cooling fins 50R and 50B also have a function as cleaning fins.

In this case, the cooling fin 50G ₂ maintains a state where it overlaps with the cooling fins 50R and 50B until the next power is turned on. Thereby, it is possible to prevent dust and the like from adhering to each cooling fin 50 until the projector 1 is next used, and it is possible to avoid a decrease in the cooling function of the cooling fin 50. Further, dust or the like is likely to adhere to the cooling fin 50G ₁ while the cooling fin 50G ₂ overlaps the cooling fins 50R and 50B. Dust or the like attached to the cooling fins 50G _1, when the projector 1 is used, a standby step, the cooling fins 50G ₂ are removed when returning to the position of the cooling fins 50G _1, according to the cooling fins 50G ₁ LED Heat dissipation of the light source 11G is ensured.

  Hereinafter, effects of the second embodiment will be described.

(1) cooling mechanism 18, by the cooling fins 50G ₂ is moved to the cooling fins 50R, 50B, since the structure for cleaning each other, it is unnecessary to clean the fin or the like of the cleaning dedicated, reduce the number of parts can be reduced .

  Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the same effects as those of the embodiment can be obtained even in the form of the following modification.

  The number of cooling fins 40 and 50 is not limited to four, and may be increased or decreased according to the amount of heat generated by the LED light source 11. Moreover, not a rectangular shape in plan view but a shape such as an ellipse or a circle may be used. The degree of freedom in design can be achieved according to the amount of heat generated by the LED light source 11 and the surrounding space.

  When the supply of power to the LED light source 11 is stopped and the LED light source 11 is turned off, the cooling mechanisms 17 and 18 have shifted from the standby step to the cleaning step. You may make it transfer to a cleaning step. By moving to the cleaning step after the LED light source is turned off and sufficiently cooled, it is possible to extend the life of the LED light source.

  The LED light source 11 may be configured to directly illuminate the liquid crystal light valve 12 without using the mirror 14. Although the installation position of the LED light source 11 is limited, the space can be reduced by shortening the optical path.

  In the first embodiment, the cooling fins 40R, 40G, and 40B may not be the same size in a plan view but may be different sizes. Corresponding to the difference in the amount of heat generated by the LED light sources 11R, 11G, and 11B that emit different color lights, precise heat dissipation can be set, and the temperature of each light source can be made substantially uniform to prevent variations in the life time.

  In the first embodiment, the cleaning fin 42 may be separated from the cooling fin 40 immediately after cleaning the cooling fin 40. Similarly, in the second embodiment, after the cooling fins 50R, 50G, and 50B function as cleaning fins, the cooling fins 50R may be separated immediately.

In the second embodiment, a fin for cleaning the surface of the cooling fin 50G ₂ located farthest from the LED light source 11G may be fixed to the cooling fin 50G ₁ . It is possible to suppress a decrease in the cooling effect of the cooling fin 50G.

In the second embodiment, the cooling fin 50G ₂ may not be integrated with the heat conducting pipe 51G _2, and only the cooling fin 50G ₂ may move during the cleaning step.

  In the first and second embodiments, the LED light source 11 is used as the solid light source element, but other solid light source elements such as electroluminescence (EL), semiconductor laser (LD), and the like may be used.

  In the first and second embodiments, the transmissive liquid crystal light valve 12 is used as the light modulator, but a reflective light modulator such as a reflective liquid crystal light valve can also be used. It is also possible to use a micromirror array device that modulates the light emitted from the light source by controlling the emission direction of the incident light for each micromirror as a pixel.

  In the first and second embodiments, only an example of a front type projector that projects from the direction of observing the screen has been described. However, the present invention also applies to a rear type projector that projects from the opposite side of the direction of observing the screen. Applicable.

  In recent years, due to higher functionality of electronic devices, not only the LED light source 11 of the projector 1 but also the amount of heat generated by a semiconductor such as a CPU used in a computer or the like is increasing. Therefore, more effective cooling has been achieved by attaching cooling fins. In addition, with the attachment of the fins, a decrease in the cooling function due to adhesion of dust or the like to the fins has become a problem. According to the cooling device of the present invention, the deterioration of the cooling function can be suppressed and widely used in electronic devices. It can be applied to.

1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a projector according to an embodiment. The schematic diagram for demonstrating in detail the structure of an image projection part. FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of a cooling mechanism according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing cleaning of the cooling fin by the cleaning fin in the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of a cooling mechanism according to a second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing cleaning of cooling fins in a second embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Projector, 10 ... Image projection part, 11 ... LED light source as a heat generating body, 12 ... Liquid crystal light valve, 13 ... Projection lens, 17 ... Cooling mechanism, 18 ... Cooling mechanism, 20 ... Main control part, 24 ... Light source drive 28: Light valve drive unit, 29 ... Movement drive unit, 40 ... Cooling fin, 41 ... Heat conducting pipe, 42 ... Cleaning fin, 43 ... Supporting part, 44 ... Notch, 50 ... Cooling fin, 51 ... Heat conducting pipe, 53 ... Supporting part, 54 ... Notch part, P ... Cooling cleaning part, Q ... Cleaning part.

Claims (7)

An electronic device cooling function maintaining method for maintaining a cooling function of a cooling fin for cooling a heating element of an electronic device,
When power is supplied to the heating element, a standby step in which the cleaning unit is separated from the cooling fins;
And a cleaning step of cleaning the surface portion of the cooling fin by moving the cleaning portion so as to overlap the cooling fin when the supply of power to the heating element is stopped. Cooling function maintenance method. In the cooling function maintenance method of the electronic device of Claim 1,
In the cleaning step, one of the plurality of cooling fins that respectively cool the plurality of heating elements moves so as to overlap another cooling fin, and each of the cooling fins functions as the cleaning unit. A method for maintaining a cooling function of an electronic device. A cooling mechanism for an electronic device, the cooling fin provided in the immediate vicinity of the heating element to cool the heating element;
A cleaning fin for cleaning the cooling fin;
A movement drive unit for moving the cleaning fin,
When the electric power is supplied to the heating element, the cleaning fin is separated from the cooling fin, and when the supply of electric power to the heating element is stopped, the cleaning fin moves so as to overlap the cooling fin. A cooling mechanism for electronic equipment, wherein a surface portion of the cooling fin is cleaned. In the cooling mechanism of the electronic device according to claim 3,
The cooling mechanism for an electronic device, wherein the cooling fin and the cleaning fin have substantially the same shape. The electronic device cooling mechanism according to claim 3 or 4,
A plurality of the cooling fins that respectively cool the plurality of heating elements are provided, and any one of the cooling fins is moved by the movement driving unit so as to overlap with the other cooling fins, and each of the cooling fins is cleaned. A cooling mechanism for electronic equipment, which functions as a fin. A light source, and a projector that modulates and projects light emitted from the light source according to an image signal,
A projector equipped with the cooling mechanism according to any one of claims 3 to 5. The projector according to claim 6, wherein
A projector characterized in that the heating element to be cooled is a light source composed of a solid light source element.

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