Compressor and refrigeration cycle device having the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Compressors in refrigeration cycle devices often experience pressure imbalances when stopped, leading to refrigerant backflow and oil leaks, which can prevent quick re-operation and increase energy consumption in returning to a stable state.
Innovation Solution
A compressor design featuring a valve with a bypass flow path and a floating body that closes the main flow path and opens the bypass path when the compressor is stopped, allowing refrigerant to be detoured and preventing backflow, aided by an elastic member and sealing members to maintain pressure balance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the discharge valve blocks the discharge flow path when the compressor is stopped, then refrigerant backflow is prevented, but pressure difference between internal space and compression chamber cannot be resolved quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge valve is divided into two separate flow path control functions: the main flow path controlled by the first floating body for normal operation, and the bypass flow path controlled by the second floating body for pressure equilibrium. This segmentation allows independent control of each function, enabling the bypass to open for pressure equalization while the main path remains blocked to prevent backflow.
Solution Approach 2:
The bypass flow path acts as an intermediary channel that provides an alternative route for refrigerant flow. When the compressor stops, this intermediary path allows pressure equalization between the internal space and compression chamber without requiring the main discharge path to open, thus preventing backflow while resolving pressure difference.
2Productivity
If the compressor is re-operated while pressure is not balanced, then quick restart is attempted, but the pressure difference exceeds the compressor's operating capability
Solution Approach 1:
The bypass flow path automatically opens when the compressor stops, performing the preliminary action of pressure equalization before restart is attempted. This preliminary pressure balancing ensures that when the compressor restarts, the pressure difference is within acceptable limits, preventing operation failure and enabling quick reliable restart.
3Duration of action of moving object
If the compressor operates with unbalanced pressure, then operation continues, but a lot of time and energy are consumed to return to stable state
Solution Approach 1:
The bypass flow path converts the harmful effect of pressure imbalance into a beneficial automatic pressure equalization mechanism. When pressure difference exceeds a certain threshold, the bypass automatically activates to equalize pressures, transforming what would be an energy-consuming unstable operation into an efficient automatic balancing system that reduces overall energy consumption and stabilizes operation quickly.
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 enables quick pressure equilibrium, preventing refrigerant backflow and oil leaks, allowing for rapid re-operation of the compressor and reducing energy consumption by minimizing the time to reach balanced pressures.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member configured to elastically press the floating body such that the floating body closes the refrigerant inlet when the driving unit is stopped
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigeration cycle device includes a compressor. The compressor includes a casing, a driving unit disposed in the casing, a compression unit coupled to the driving unit and configured to compress a refrigerant, and a valve configured to control a flow of the refrigerant in the casing. The valve includes a valve chamber including a main flow path in which the refrigerant is to flow, the main flow path including a refrigerant inlet and a refrigerant outlet. The valve also includes a floating body disposed in the valve chamber to open or close the main flow path, and a bypass flow path formed in the valve chamber and which is to be opened or closed by the floating body. When the driving unit is stopped and the bypass flow path is opened by the floating body, the refrigerant is to be detoured to the bypass flow path.