An oil return mechanism

Abstract

The application relates to the field of refrigeration equipment lubrication, in particular to an oil return mechanism, which comprises a support rotating assembly, a roller is sleeved on the support rotating assembly and forms an accommodating cavity in the inside, the accommodating cavity is used for collecting lubricating oil, an oil inlet of an oil return pipe on the inner wall of the accommodating cavity can be immersed in the lubricating oil, an oil return bend in the middle of the oil return pipe can temporarily store and guide the lubricating oil to flow to an oil outlet; the hollow support rotating assembly forms an oil return channel, is provided with an oil gas collecting port which is communicated with the oil return channel, the oil return channel is connected to a compressor air inlet end, and the lubricating oil is sucked through the negative pressure of the compressor. The support rotating assembly comprises an inner core shaft and an outer shaft, bearings and sealing rings are arranged between the inner core shaft and the outer shaft, the oil inlet is provided with a filtering device, and fixed rings are arranged at the two ends of the oil return channel to fix capillary tubes and the like. The application can effectively collect and send the lubricating oil back to the compressor, guarantee the normal operation of a snowflake ice maker lubrication system, and improve the equipment stability and service life.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of refrigeration equipment lubrication, and in particular to an oil return mechanism. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of refrigeration equipment, with the continuous development of technology, the application of refrigeration equipment is becoming increasingly widespread. From commercial refrigeration to household refrigeration, the support of refrigeration equipment is indispensable. As the core component of refrigeration equipment, the compressor's operating status directly affects the performance and lifespan of the refrigeration equipment. Lubricating oil plays a crucial lubricating role in the operation of the compressor, reducing wear on internal components, improving compressor operating efficiency, and thus enhancing the overall refrigeration effect and stability of the refrigeration equipment.

[0003] In existing refrigeration equipment, traditional solutions to the compressor lubricating oil backflow problem mostly rely on gravity oil return or additional oil pump structures. Gravity oil return utilizes the lubricating oil's own weight, allowing it to naturally flow back from the evaporator and other components to the compressor. This method is relatively simple and does not require additional power equipment. Additional oil pump structures, on the other hand, use a pump to provide the power to force the lubricating oil back to the compressor, ensuring timely return. Some equipment incorporates an oil pump on the return oil pipeline, using the pump's operation to draw the lubricating oil back to the compressor.

[0004] However, these traditional solutions have significant drawbacks. Gravity-based oil return relies on the gravity of the lubricating oil. When the lubricating oil enters the evaporator or other components, due to factors such as abrupt changes in the cross-sectional area of ​​the refrigerant passage and large step differences, the lubricating oil often cannot return to the compressor in time, resulting in insufficient lubrication. Although an auxiliary oil pump structure can provide the power to promote lubricating oil return, it suffers from complex structure and large size, making it unsuitable for compact ice-making equipment and unable to meet the needs of some refrigeration equipment with high space requirements. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this application is to provide an oil return mechanism.

[0006] The above-mentioned technical objective of this application is achieved through the following technical solution: an oil return mechanism, including a supporting rotating assembly, a roller sleeved on the supporting rotating assembly, a receiving cavity formed inside the roller for collecting and containing lubricating oil; an oil return pipe fixedly provided on the inner wall of the receiving cavity, an oil inlet formed at one end of the oil return pipe and an oil outlet formed at the other end, the oil inlet being able to immerse lubricating oil at the bottom of the receiving cavity during the rotation of the roller, the oil return pipe being bent in the middle to form an oil return bend, the oil return bend being able to temporarily store lubricating oil during the rotation of the roller and guide the lubricating oil to the oil outlet by gravity; the supporting rotating assembly is hollow and forms an oil return channel, the supporting rotating assembly is provided with an oil and gas collection port, the oil and gas collection port and the oil return channel are connected; the oil return channel is connected to a return gas pipe, the end of the return gas pipe away from the oil return channel is connected to the air inlet of the compressor, and the lubricating oil in the oil return channel is drawn into the compressor by the negative pressure generated by the operation of the compressor.

[0007] By adopting the above technical solution, a return oil pipe that rotates synchronously with the roller is set up, and the return oil bend in the middle realizes the temporary storage and gravity guidance of lubricating oil. Combined with the return oil channel supporting the rotating component, the oil and gas collection port, and the return gas pipe connected to the compressor intake end, the negative pressure at the compressor intake end is used to draw the lubricating oil into the compressor. This not only efficiently recovers the lubricating oil accumulated in the roller cavity, avoiding problems such as insufficient compressor lubrication, poor operation, and reduced refrigeration efficiency caused by lubricating oil retention, but also eliminates the need for an additional oil pump structure. The overall structure is compact and suitable for compact snowflake ice makers. At the same time, the directional design of the return oil pipe and the temporary storage function of the return oil bend improve the stability of oil return. The multiple sealing structures (such as sealing rings) also reduce the risk of lubricating oil leakage, which helps to extend the service life of the compressor and ensure the long-term efficient operation of the equipment.

[0008] Optionally, the supporting rotation assembly includes an inner spindle and an outer shaft. The inner spindle passes through the interior of the outer shaft. A bearing is provided between the inner spindle and the outer shaft. A sealing ring is also provided between the inner spindle and the outer shaft. The sealing ring is located inside the bearing and is sealed and fitted to the outer wall of the inner spindle. The oil return channel is formed in the hollow structure inside the inner spindle.

[0009] By adopting the above technical solution, the supporting rotating assembly uses a mating structure of an inner core shaft and an outer shaft. The inner core shaft passes through the inside of the outer shaft and achieves stable rotation through bearings. At the same time, an effective seal is formed by a sealing ring located inside the bearing and sealingly fitting against the outer wall of the inner core shaft. The oil return channel is constructed using the hollow internal structure of the inner core shaft. This design not only ensures the smooth rotation of the supporting rotating assembly through the bearings, ensuring the synchronous and stable operation of the rollers and the oil return pipe, but also enhances the sealing between the inner core shaft and the outer shaft through the sealing ring, effectively preventing lubricating oil leakage during operation. Furthermore, the hollow structure of the inner core shaft directly serves as the oil return channel, simplifying the overall structural layout, improving space utilization, and making the oil return path more direct and efficient. This further adapts to the design requirements of compact snowflake ice makers. At the same time, the combination of the dual-shaft mating and the sealing structure also enhances the stability and reliability of the equipment operation, reducing the risk of failure due to poor lubrication or leakage.

[0010] Optionally, a filter device is provided at the oil inlet.

[0011] By adopting the above technical solution and installing a filter device at the oil inlet, the lubricating oil entering the return oil pipe can be effectively filtered, intercepting any impurities that may be present (such as debris and dirt in the evaporator). This prevents impurities from entering the return oil channel and the compressor interior with the lubricating oil, thereby reducing the risk of impurities clogging various components in the return oil path (such as the return oil bend and oil-gas collection port). At the same time, it prevents impurities from wearing down the internal components of the compressor, ensuring normal lubrication and stable operation of the compressor, extending the service life of the equipment, and improving the reliability and safety of the return oil structure.

[0012] Optionally, the two ends of the oil return channel are provided with fixing rings, and a capillary tube for conveying refrigerant is inserted into the oil return channel. The capillary tube is arranged along the central axis of the oil return channel, and the fixing ring is used to fix the capillary tube in place.

[0013] By adopting the above technical solution, fixing rings are set at both ends of the oil return channel to fix the refrigerant delivery capillary tube that runs along the central axis. This not only ensures the installation stability of the capillary tube in the oil return channel and prevents it from shifting or shaking due to vibration or other factors during equipment operation, but also ensures the accuracy of the refrigerant delivery path by oriented the capillary tube along the central axis, reducing interference between the capillary tube and the inner wall of the oil return channel. At the same time, the cooperation between the fixing rings, capillary tube, and oil return channel can also enhance the overall structure, making the refrigerant delivery and lubricating oil return paths independent and compact, further optimizing space utilization, adapting to the compact design requirements of the snowflake ice maker, and improving the overall structural operational stability and reliability.

[0014] Optionally, the outer peripheral wall of the fixing ring is welded to the inner wall of the oil return channel, and the inner ring of the fixing ring is brazed to the outer wall of the capillary.

[0015] By adopting the above technical solution, the outer peripheral wall of the fixing ring is welded and fixed to the inner wall of the oil return channel, which ensures the installation strength of the fixing ring in the oil return channel and prevents it from loosening or shifting during equipment operation. The inner ring of the fixing ring is brazed and fixed to the outer wall of the capillary tube, which can effectively prevent the leakage of lubricating oil or refrigerant in the gap between the two. This dual fixing and sealing design not only enhances the installation stability of the capillary tube in the oil return channel and ensures the sealing of the refrigerant delivery path, but also avoids the loss of lubricating oil in the oil return channel due to leakage. At the same time, the welding fixing method can also improve the rigidity of the overall structure, reduce the impact of vibration on the fitting accuracy of the capillary tube and the oil return channel, further ensure the smoothness and reliability of the refrigerant delivery and lubricating oil return process, and enhance the overall sealing and durability of the oil return structure.

[0016] Optionally, the outer wall of the inner mandrel is provided with an annular step for positioning the bearing.

[0017] By adopting the above technical solution, an annular step for positioning the bearing is set on the outer wall of the inner mandrel. This provides a clear and stable installation reference for the bearing, ensuring that the bearing is quickly and accurately positioned during assembly. This avoids poor rotation or increased wear caused by installation position deviation. At the same time, the annular step can axially limit the bearing, preventing it from shifting due to vibration or axial force during equipment operation. This ensures the fitting accuracy between the inner mandrel and the outer shaft, maintains the smooth rotation of the supporting rotating components, and thus improves the stability and reliability of the entire oil return structure. It also reduces the risk of failure caused by inaccurate bearing positioning, simplifies the assembly process, and improves production efficiency.

[0018] Optionally, the outer shaft is provided with a retaining ring to restrict the axial position of the bearing.

[0019] By adopting the above technical solution, a retaining ring is set inside the outer shaft to restrict the axial position of the bearing. It can cooperate with the annular step on the inner mandrel to form a bidirectional limit on the bearing, further ensuring that the bearing will not move axially during operation, thereby maintaining the coaxiality between the inner mandrel and the outer shaft and ensuring the stable rotation of the supporting rotating component. This design not only avoids the increase in rotational resistance or component wear caused by bearing displacement, but also simplifies the bearing installation and positioning process, eliminating the need for a complex step structure and reducing the machining difficulty of the outer shaft. At the same time, the removability of the retaining ring facilitates subsequent maintenance and replacement of the bearing, improving the maintenance convenience of the equipment, and thus enhancing the durability and operational reliability of the entire oil return structure.

[0020] Optionally, multiple sealing rings are provided.

[0021] By adopting the above technical solution, multiple sealing rings are provided, which can form multiple sealing barriers inside the bearing, significantly improving the sealing performance between the inner spindle and the outer shaft. This effectively prevents lubricating oil leakage during high-pressure operation or long-term use, avoiding insufficient lubrication of the compressor due to lubricating oil loss. At the same time, the multiple sealing design can also enhance the barrier effect on refrigerant, preventing the refrigerant and lubricating oil from mixing and affecting their respective functions. In addition, the setting of multiple sealing rings can reduce the sealing risk caused by the failure of a single sealing ring due to aging, wear, etc., extend the overall service life of the sealing structure, ensure the long-term stable operation of the oil return structure, and further improve the reliability and safety of the equipment.

[0022] In summary, this application has at least the following beneficial effect:

[0023] 1. By setting up an oil return pipe that rotates synchronously with the roller, and cooperating with the oil return bend in the middle to achieve temporary storage and gravity guidance of lubricating oil, combined with the oil return channel supporting the rotating components, the oil and gas collection port, and the return gas pipe connected to the compressor inlet, the negative pressure of the compressor is used to draw the lubricating oil into the compressor. This not only efficiently recovers the lubricating oil accumulated in the roller cavity, avoiding problems such as insufficient lubrication, poor operation, and reduced refrigeration efficiency caused by lubricating oil retention, but also eliminates the need for an additional oil pump structure. The overall structure is compact and suitable for compact snowflake ice makers. At the same time, the directional design of the oil return pipe and the temporary storage function of the oil return bend improve the stability of oil return. The multiple sealing structures (such as sealing rings) also reduce the risk of lubricating oil leakage, which helps to extend the service life of the compressor and ensure long-term efficient operation of the equipment.

[0024] 2. The supporting rotating assembly adopts a mating structure of inner and outer shafts. The inner shaft passes through the outer shaft and achieves stable rotation through bearings. At the same time, an effective seal is formed by a sealing ring located inside the bearing and sealingly fitting against the outer wall of the inner shaft. The oil return channel is constructed using the hollow structure inside the inner shaft. This design not only ensures the smooth rotation of the supporting rotating assembly through the bearings, ensuring the synchronous and stable operation of the rollers and the oil return pipe, but also enhances the sealing between the inner and outer shafts through the sealing ring, effectively preventing lubricating oil leakage during operation. Furthermore, the hollow structure of the inner shaft directly serves as the oil return channel, simplifying the overall structural layout, improving space utilization, and making the oil return path more direct and efficient. This further adapts to the design requirements of compact snowflake ice makers. At the same time, the combination of dual-shaft mating and sealing structure also enhances the stability and reliability of equipment operation, reducing the risk of failure due to poor lubrication or leakage. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a return oil mechanism;

[0026] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the first state of the return oil pipe;

[0027] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the second state of the return oil pipe;

[0028] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure supporting the rotating assembly;

[0029] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram showing the direction of the oil inlet aligned with the rotation direction of the roller.

[0030] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram showing the oil inlet facing a direction perpendicular to the rotation direction of the roller.

[0031] Figure Labels

[0032] 1. Supporting rotating assembly; 101. Inner spindle; 102. Outer shaft; 103. Bearing; 104. Sealing ring; 105. Snap ring; 2. Roller; 3. Receiving cavity; 4. Oil return pipe; 5. Oil inlet; 6. Oil outlet; 7. Oil return bend; 8. Oil return channel; 9. Oil and gas collection port; 10. Gas return pipe; 11. Fixing ring; 12. Capillary tube; 13. Annular step. Detailed Implementation

[0033] The present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0034] Example 1

[0035] In this embodiment, refer to Figures 1-6 An oil return mechanism includes a support rotating component 1 and a roller 2, wherein the roller 2 is sleeved on the support rotating component 1, and the two form a rotational engagement. This structural design allows the roller 2 to rotate smoothly on the support rotating component 1, creating conditions for the subsequent collection and transportation of lubricating oil.

[0036] Specifically, the supporting rotating assembly 1 includes an inner spindle 101 and an outer shaft 102. The inner spindle 101 passes inside the outer shaft 102, and a bearing 103 is provided between the inner spindle 101 and the outer shaft 102. The bearing 103 can be a rolling bearing, such as a deep groove ball bearing, which has the advantages of low friction coefficient and smooth operation; or it can be a sliding bearing, which has a simple structure and low cost. The function of the bearing 103 is to support the rotation of the inner spindle 101 within the outer shaft 102, reduce the frictional resistance between the two, and ensure smooth rotation. A sealing ring 104 is also provided between the inner spindle 101 and the outer shaft 102. The sealing ring 104 is located inside the bearing 103 and is in a sealing fit with the outer wall of the inner spindle 101. The sealing ring 104 can be a rubber O-ring, which has good elasticity and sealing performance; or it can be a lip seal or a composite structure Glycol ring, which can better adapt to different working environments. The arrangement of multiple sealing rings 104 forms a multi-layer sealing structure to prevent lubricating oil leakage under refrigerant high pressure. An annular step 13 is provided on the outer wall of the inner spindle 101 for positioning the bearing 103. The annular step 13 can accurately determine the installation position of the bearing 103, ensuring the installation accuracy of the bearing 103. A retaining ring 105 is provided inside the outer shaft 102. The retaining ring 105 can be an elastic retaining ring 105, which can be easily installed and removed to limit the axial position of the bearing 103 and prevent axial movement of the bearing 103 during rotation. The oil return channel 8 is formed in the hollow structure inside the inner spindle 101. This design allows lubricating oil to flow in the channel inside the inner spindle 101, realizing the oil return function.

[0037] Specifically, the roller 2 has an internal cavity 3 for collecting and containing lubricating oil. An oil return pipe 4 is fixedly installed on the inner wall of the cavity 3, with an oil inlet 5 at one end and an oil outlet 6 at the other end. (Refer to...) Figure 5 and Figure 6The orientation of the oil inlet 5 can be flexibly set; it can be aligned with or perpendicular to the rotation direction of the roller 2, allowing the lubricating oil at the bottom of the receiving cavity 3 to be immersed during the rotation of the roller 2. A filter device is installed at the oil inlet 5. The filter device can be a metal filter screen, such as a stainless steel filter screen, which is corrosion-resistant and high-strength; or a plastic filter screen, which is lightweight and low-cost. The function of the filter device is to filter impurities in the lubricating oil, preventing impurities from entering the return oil pipe 4 and the compressor, thus affecting the normal operation of the equipment. The return oil pipe 4 has a bend in the middle forming a return oil bend 7. The return oil bend 7 can temporarily store the lubricating oil during the rotation of the roller 2 and guide the lubricating oil to the oil outlet 6 by gravity. When the roller 2 rotates, the return oil pipe 4 rotates along with the roller 2, and the oil inlet 5 is immersed in the lubricating oil at the bottom of the receiving cavity 3, allowing the lubricating oil to enter the return oil pipe 4. As roller 2 continues to rotate, when the return oil bend 7 reaches the top position, the lubricating oil temporarily stored in the return oil bend 7 flows down under the action of gravity, flows to the oil outlet 6, and enters the return oil channel 8 through the oil and gas collection port 9.

[0038] Specifically, the supporting rotating assembly 1 is equipped with an oil and gas collection port 9, which is connected to the oil return channel 8. The oil return channel 8 is connected to a return gas pipe 10, with the end of the return gas pipe 10 furthest from the oil return channel 8 connected to the compressor's inlet. When the compressor runs, a negative pressure is generated, which draws the lubricating oil from the oil return channel 8 into the compressor, thus recovering the lubricating oil. Fixed rings 11 are provided at both ends of the oil return channel 8. A capillary tube 12 for transporting refrigerant passes through the oil return channel 8. When the compressor is working, some lubricating oil will enter the receiving cavity 3 along with the refrigerant through the capillary tube 12. The capillary tube 12 is positioned along the central axis of the oil return channel 8, and the fixed rings 11 are used to securely install the capillary tube 12. The outer peripheral wall of the fixed ring 11 is welded to the inner wall of the oil return channel 8, and the inner ring of the fixed ring 11 is brazed to the outer wall of the capillary tube 12. This connection method ensures the secure fixing and sealing of the capillary tube 12, allowing the refrigerant to be stably transported within the capillary tube 12.

[0039] Specifically, refer to Figure 4To further optimize the assembly and connection stability of the oil return structure, the return air pipe 10 and the inner mandrel 101 are connected by a threaded connection. Specifically, the inner mandrel 101 has an external thread corresponding to the connection part of the return air pipe 10, and the end of the return air pipe 10 is machined with a matching internal thread. During assembly, the two are tightly connected by screwing the threads together. This threaded connection method facilitates the quick installation and disassembly of the return air pipe 10, allowing for more efficient disassembly and assembly operations during equipment debugging, maintenance, and troubleshooting. On the other hand, the threaded engagement provides a reliable sealing and fixing effect. The axial preload between the threads enhances the sealing performance at the connection between the return air pipe 10 and the inner mandrel 101, reducing the risk of loosening and leakage caused by vibration or air pressure changes. This ensures the smoothness and sealing of oil and gas transmission between the oil return channel 8 and the return air pipe 10, further improving the reliability and maintenance convenience of the entire snowflake ice maker's oil return system from the perspective of the connection structure.

[0040] The implementation principle of this embodiment is as follows: The oil return mechanism, through the cooperation of the supporting rotating component 1 and the roller 2, uses the rotation of the roller 2 to drive the rotation of the oil return pipe 4. During the rotation of the roller 2, the oil inlet 5 of the oil return pipe 4 is immersed in the lubricating oil at the bottom of the receiving cavity 3, drawing the lubricating oil into the oil return pipe 4. The oil return bend 7 allows the lubricating oil to be temporarily stored during rotation and guided to the oil outlet 6 by gravity. The connection between the oil and gas collection port 9 and the oil return channel 8, as well as the connection between the return gas pipe 10 and the compressor inlet, utilizes the negative pressure generated by the compressor operation to draw the lubricating oil in the oil return channel 8 into the compressor, achieving efficient lubricating oil recovery. This structure is compact and easy to install, avoiding the problems of complex structure and large size of traditional oil return schemes, and is particularly suitable for space-constrained equipment such as snowflake ice makers. Meanwhile, the inclusion of components such as the bearing 103, sealing ring 104, annular step 13, and retaining ring 105 ensures the stability and sealing of the structure, improving lubrication efficiency and equipment stability.

[0041] The embodiments described in this specific implementation are preferred embodiments of this application and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, all equivalent changes made in accordance with the structure, shape and principle of this application should be covered within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A return oil mechanism, characterized in that, The system includes a supporting rotating assembly (1), on which a roller (2) is fitted. The roller (2) has an internal cavity (3) for collecting and containing lubricating oil. A return oil pipe (4) is fixedly mounted on the inner wall of the cavity (3). One end of the return oil pipe (4) has an inlet (5), and the other end has an outlet (6). The inlet (5) allows lubricating oil from the bottom of the cavity (3) to be immersed during the rotation of the roller (2). The return oil pipe (4) is bent in the middle to form a return oil bend (7), which allows the lubricating oil from the roller (2) to be drawn into the cavity (3). During the rotation of the roller (2), the lubricating oil is temporarily stored and guided by gravity to flow to the oil outlet (6); the hollow support rotation assembly (1) is provided with an oil return channel (8), and the support rotation assembly (1) is provided with an oil and gas collection port (9), which is connected to the oil return channel (8); the oil return channel (8) is connected to a return gas pipe (10), and the end of the return gas pipe (10) away from the oil return channel (8) is connected to the compressor intake end. The lubricating oil in the oil return channel (8) is sucked into the compressor by the negative pressure generated by the operation of the compressor.

2. The oil return mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The supporting rotation assembly (1) includes an inner spindle (101) and an outer shaft (102). The inner spindle (101) passes through the interior of the outer shaft (102). A bearing (103) is provided between the inner spindle (101) and the outer shaft (102). A sealing ring (104) is also provided between the inner spindle (101) and the outer shaft (102). The sealing ring (104) is located inside the bearing (103) and is sealed and fitted to the outer wall of the inner spindle (101). The oil return channel (8) is formed in the hollow structure inside the inner spindle (101).

3. The oil return mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, A filter device is provided at the oil inlet (5).

4. The oil return mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The oil return channel (8) has a fixing ring (11) at both ends of the channel opening. A capillary tube (12) for conveying refrigerant is inserted inside the oil return channel (8). The capillary tube (12) is arranged along the central axis of the oil return channel (8). The fixing ring (11) is used to fix the capillary tube (12).

5. The oil return mechanism according to claim 4, characterized in that, The outer peripheral wall of the fixing ring (11) is welded and fixed to the inner wall of the oil return channel (8), and the inner ring of the fixing ring (11) is brazed and fixed to the outer wall of the capillary tube (12).

6. The oil return mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that, The outer wall of the inner mandrel (101) is provided with an annular step (13) for positioning the bearing (103).

7. The oil return mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that, The outer shaft (102) is provided with a retaining ring (105) inside, which is used to limit the axial position of the bearing (103).

8. The oil return mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that, The sealing ring (104) is provided in multiple parts.

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