Light source apparatus and projection display apparatus

• US 20050168990A1
• Filed: 01/10/2005
• Published: 08/04/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: Ikebe, Tomo, Seto, Takeshi, Takagi, Kunihiko, Nagata, Mitsuo
• Granted Patent: US 7,309,145 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/294
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/56 using liquid coolants F21V29/51 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/70 characterised by passive heat-dissipating elements, e.g. heat-sinks
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/16 Cooling; Preventing overheating
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/2033 LED or laser light sources
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 33/642 characterized by the shape
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 33/648 the elements comprising fluids, e.g. heat-pipes

Abstract

A light source apparatus including: a solid state light source that includes a pair of electrodes and emits light in response to power being supplied with from the electrodes; a liquid medium that removes heat that is generated in the solid state light source; and a mounting unit which is provided a flow path in an interior thereof in which the liquid medium flows, including: a base that defines the flow path; and a placement member which defines a remainder of the flow path and on which the solid state light source is mounted.

Claims

1. A light source apparatus comprising:

a solid state light source that comprises a pair of electrodes and emits light in response to power being supplied with from the electrodes;

a liquid medium that removes heat that is generated in the solid state light source; and

a mounting unit which is provided a flow path in an interior thereof in which the liquid medium flows, comprising;

a base that defines the flow path; and

a placement member which defines a remainder of the flow path and on which the solid state light source is mounted and,

wherein the mounting unit is made of a metal, and a thickness of the mounting unit between an outer surface of the mounting unit and the flow path is smaller than a thickness of the base between an outer surface of the base and the flow path in a region where at least the solid state light source is mounted.

2. The light source apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mounting unit is fabricated by welding the base and the mounting unit.

3. The light source apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mounting unit is made of a material that has electroconductivity, and serves as one of the electrodes that supply power to the solid state light source.

4. The light source apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a cross-sectional area of an area where at least the solid state light source is mounted is smaller than a cross-sectional area of the remainder of the flow path.

5. The light source apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising, on the flow path in a region where at least the solid state light source is located, at least one wall that divides the flow path into at least two portions.

6. The light source apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising, on the flow path in a region where at least the solid state light source is located, a turbulent flow generating member that disturbs a flow of the liquid medium.

7. The light source apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a circulation portion that is coupled to the mounting unit, and that defines a circulation flow path of the liquid medium that is flowing in the flow path;

a circulation member that causes the liquid medium to circulate; and

a heat dissipation member that dissipates heat from the liquid medium,

wherein the circulation member and the heat dissipation member are installed in the circulation portion.

8. A projection display apparatus comprising:

the light source apparatus according to claim 1;

an optical modulator that modulates light form the light source apparatus; and

a projection device that projects light that has been modulated by the optical modulator.

9. A light source apparatus comprising:

a solid state light source that emits light;

a mounting unit that mounts the solid state light source;

a liquid medium that absorbs heat generated in the solid state light source;

a heat dissipation member that dissipates heat from the liquid medium;

a circulation member that cause the liquid medium to circulate between the mounting unit and the heat dissipation member; and

a circulation portion in which the mounting unit, the heat dissipation member, and the circulation member are installed, and which defines a circulation flow path in which the liquid medium flows,

wherein a mounting unit flow path that defines a portion of the circulation flow path is provided in the mounting unit, and the mounting unit is removable from the circulation portion.

10. The light source apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the mounting unit and the circulation portion respectively comprise coupling members that couple the mounting unit and the circulation portion together.

11. The light source apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the heat dissipation member and the circulation member respectively comprise:

a flow path that defines a portion of the circulation flow path; and

coupling members that couple the heat dissipation member and the circulation member either together or to the circulation portion or to the mounting unit,

wherein the heat dissipation member and the circulation member are respectively removable from the circulation portion.

12. The light source apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the circulation portion is divided into at least two portions, and a plurality of the heat dissipation members are installed in one section of the divided circulation portion, and the divided circulation portions comprises coupling members that couple the divided circulation portions together.

13. The light source apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the circulation portion is divided into at least two portions, and a plurality of the circulation members are installed in one section of the divided circulation portion, and the divided circulation portions comprises coupling members that couple the divided circulation portions together.

14. The light source apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the circulation portion is divided into at least two portions, and at least one of the heat dissipation members and at least one of the circulation members are installed in one section of the divided circulation portion, and the divided circulation portions comprises coupling members that couple the divided circulation portions together.

15. The light source apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the circulation portion has flexibility.

16. A projection display apparatus comprising:

a light source apparatus according to claim 9;

an optical modulator that modulates light form the light source apparatus; and

a projection device that projects light that has been modulated by the optical modulator.