accumulator

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional accumulators connected to compressors require a connection pipe that extends from the bottom surface, leading to increased height, additional vibration, and noise due to compressor vibrations.

Innovation Solution

An accumulator design with a recessed portion and connection pipes that connect to the side surface of the compressor, reducing the overall height and minimizing vibration by positioning the compressor and accumulator centers closer together.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the connection pipe extends from the bottom surface of the accumulator to connect to the compressor, then the accumulator can be connected to the compressor, but the overall height of the product increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection simplicityVSAvoidoverall height
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The connection pipe is configured to extend from the side surface of the accumulator body rather than from the bottom surface, changing the spatial dimension of connection. This allows the accumulator to be positioned at a lower height while maintaining proper connection to the compressor, thereby reducing the overall product height without compromising connection ease

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of manufacture

If the connection pipe extends from the bottom surface of the accumulator, then the accumulator can be connected to the compressor, but additional vibration occurs due to compressor vibration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection simplicityVSAvoidvibration
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A vibration isolation member is introduced as an intermediary component between the accumulator and the compressor. This member absorbs and reduces the vibration transmitted from the compressor to the accumulator, minimizing the harmful vibrational effects while maintaining the functional connection between the two components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If the connection pipe extends from the bottom surface of the accumulator, then the accumulator can be connected to the compressor, but noise is generated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection simplicityVSAvoidnoise
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The vibration isolation member serves as a mediator that also reduces noise transmission. By absorbing vibrations at the source, it prevents the generation of noise that would otherwise be produced by vibrational contact between the accumulator and compressor, thereby reducing harmful noise without complicating the connection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If the accumulator is positioned farther from the compressor, then vibration isolation may be improved, but the design height increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration isolationVSAvoiddesign height
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The vibration isolation function is localized to the specific connection point between the accumulator and compressor through the use of a vibration isolation member. This allows vibration isolation to be achieved at the critical interface without requiring increased distance between components, thereby maintaining a compact design height while providing effective vibration isolation where it is most needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3376137B1accumulator
Publication Date: 2019.08.07 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3376137B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3376137B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3376137B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An accumulator connected to a compressor, the accumulator including a case that forms a space in which liquid refrigerant and gaseous refrigerant are accommodated, a suction pipe which is connected to the case, and at least one connection pipe which connects a side surface of the case and a suction side of the compressor, whereby a space between a side surface of the compressor and a side surface of the accumulator is less than a length of a portion of the connection pipe from the side surface of the compressor to the side surface of the accumulator.