Air Conditioner Supercooling Oil Return for Compressor Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
The efficiency of air conditioner compressors is deteriorated when oil separated from the oil separator is directly collected, leading to reduced performance.
Innovation Solution
The air conditioner design includes a supercooling part where oil collected from the oil separator is cooled and reintroduced into the compressor, using a system of passages and valves to manage the refrigerant and oil flow, ensuring efficient compressor operation by selectively cooling and injecting the oil during both cooling and heating operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If oil separated from the oil separator is directly collected into the compressor, then the oil collection process is simple, but the compressor efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by cooling the oil in the supercooling part before it is collected into the compressor. This pre-cooling process ensures that the oil temperature is reduced to an appropriate level before compression, thereby maintaining compressor efficiency while keeping the overall system relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The supercooling part acts as an intermediary component between the oil separator and the compressor. It provides a dedicated space where oil can be cooled before re-entering the compressor, serving as a mediating structure that resolves the conflict between simple oil collection and compressor efficiency maintenance.
2Reliability
If oil is cooled in the supercooling part before being collected into the compressor, then compressor efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The supercooling part serves multiple functions: it cools the oil before compressor intake, and it also contributes to the refrigeration cycle by supercooling the refrigerant. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving oil cooling for improved compressor efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the oil cooling function with the existing supercooling process in the refrigeration cycle. By combining these functions in a single integrated structure rather than adding a completely separate oil cooling system, the increase in device complexity is minimized while still achieving the goal of improving compressor efficiency through cooled oil.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design enhances the compressor's efficiency and performance by effectively managing oil flow, improving cooling performance and sealing, and preventing refrigerant leakage, especially during low heating loads.
Implementation Method 1
a supercooling part in which a main refrigerant that is the refrigerant condensed by the condenser is heat-exchanged with a branch refrigerant branched from the main refrigerant, wherein at least a portion of the oil collected into the compressor passes through the supercooling part
Implementation Method 2
a condenser for condensing the refrigerant separated from the oil separator
Implementation Method 3
a compressor for compressing a refrigerant
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioner is provided. The air conditioner includes a compressor for compressing a refrigerant, an oil separator for separating an oil of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor to collect the separated oil into the compressor, a condenser for condensing the refrigerant separated from the oil separator, and a supercooling part in which a main refrigerant that is the refrigerant condensed by the condenser is heat-exchanged with a branch refrigerant branched from the main refrigerant. At least a portion of the oil collected into the compressor passes through the supercooling part.