Angled Feed Hole Thrust Plate for Scroll Compressor Lubrication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thrust plates in scroll compressors face challenges in continuous and reliable lubrication, leading to potential friction and abrasion issues between the orbiting and non-orbiting scroll members, which can affect the compressor's efficiency and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A thrust plate design featuring a lubricant accumulation feature with an angled feed hole that allows lubricant to flow from the accumulation area to the thrust surface, utilizing gravitational force and centrifugal force from a counterweight to ensure consistent lubrication, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining compressor performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional thrust plate design is used, then the structure is simple, but the lubrication to the thrust surface is not continuous and reliable
Solution Approach 1:
The lubricant accumulation feature stores lubricant in advance before it is needed at the thrust surface. This preliminary storage ensures that lubrication is continuously available to the thrust surface during compressor operation, resolving the contradiction between reliable lubrication and simple structure by adding only a minimal storage component rather than a complex delivery system
Solution Approach 2:
The feed hole acts as an intermediary channel that transports lubricant from the accumulation feature to the thrust surface. This simple conduit structure enables continuous lubrication delivery without requiring complex pumping or pressurization systems, thus improving lubrication reliability while maintaining structural simplicity
2Object-affected harmful factors
If lubrication is improved, then friction and abrasion are reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lubricant accumulation feature and feed hole are localized modifications to the thrust plate structure, concentrating the lubrication improvement function in specific areas rather than requiring a complete structural redesign. This allows friction and abrasion to be reduced at the critical thrust surface while keeping the overall device complexity low
Solution Approach 2:
The thrust plate structure itself provides the lubrication function through its integrated accumulation feature and feed hole, eliminating the need for external lubrication systems or additional components. This self-contained approach reduces friction and abrasion without increasing overall device complexity
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
The design provides continuous and constant lubrication to the thrust surface, reducing friction and abrasion, and is simple to manufacture without increasing the compressor's load, thus enhancing the reliability and efficiency of the scroll compressor.
Implementation Method 1
The feed hole may be angled such that lubricant flows through the feed hole via a gravitational force
Implementation Method 2
the drive shaft may include a counterweight that rotates within a cavity and transfers lubricant from the cavity to the lubricant accumulation feature
Data Source
AI summary
A thrust plate for a compressor may include first and second ends and a feed hole. The first end may include a thrust surface. The second end may include a lubricant accumulation feature. The feed hole may extend between the lubricant accumulation feature and the thrust surface to provide communication therebetween. The feed hole may be angled relative to a longitudinal axis of the thrust plate such that lubricant flows through the feed hole from the lubricant accumulation feature to the thrust surface.