Compressor Bypassing Portion for Oil Separation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Scroll type compressors face inefficiencies and reliability issues due to oil discharge with refrigerant, leading to friction loss, wear, and overheating, particularly at high speeds, as the oil is not effectively separated from the refrigerant before reaching the discharger.

Innovation Solution

A compressor design featuring a bypassing portion with a separate channel to direct compressed refrigerant and oil to a separator, preventing direct contact with other components and maximizing centrifugal separation efficiency, thereby reducing frictional losses and maintaining oil speed for improved separation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the compression assembly is disposed farthest away from the discharger in a lower scroll type compressor, then the rotation shaft can be connected through the compression assembly to match points of applications of gas force and reaction force, but the oil stored in the oil storage space cannot be directly supplied to the compression assembly without passing the driver

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the refrigerant flow path into two separate channels: a main channel through the driver and a bypass channel directly to the compression assembly. This segmentation allows oil to be supplied directly to the compression assembly through the bypass channel while refrigerant is discharged through the main channel, resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a bypass channel as an intermediary path that allows oil to reach the compression assembly directly without passing through the driver. This intermediary structure enables independent oil supply while maintaining the structural arrangement where the compression assembly is farthest from the discharger

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the scroll type compressor operates at high speeds, then productivity increases, but oil is not effectively separated from refrigerant leading to friction loss, wear, and overheating

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveproductivityVSAvoidreliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts oil from the refrigerant flow by providing a dedicated bypass channel that allows oil to be separated and supplied directly to the compression assembly. This extraction of oil from the mixed refrigerant-oil flow prevents oil discharge with refrigerant while maintaining high-speed operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary separation of oil from refrigerant by directing oil through a bypass channel before the refrigerant reaches the discharger. This preliminary action of oil separation prevents the harmful effects of oil discharge at high speeds

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If oil is discharged with refrigerant to the discharger, then the refrigeration cycle continues, but friction loss, wear, and overheating occur reducing efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveefficiencyVSAvoidfriction loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of oil discharge into a beneficial effect by using the bypass channel to redirect oil away from the discharger. The oil that would otherwise cause friction loss and wear is now channeled to lubricate the compression assembly, transforming a harmful factor into a beneficial lubrication mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 compressor efficiency by minimizing friction and heat generation, ensuring effective oil separation and maintaining compressor performance even at high speeds, thus increasing reliability and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentrifugal separation: Centrifugal Separation

Data Source

PatentUS11353027B2Compressor having bypassing portion

Publication Date: 2022.06.07 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

A compressor includes a casing configured to accommodate refrigerant and oil, a discharger disposed at a side of the casing and configured to discharge the refrigerant, a driver including a stator and a rotor, a rotation shaft that is coupled to the rotor and that extends in a direction away from the discharger, a compressing assembly that is coupled to the rotation shaft, that is configured to be lubricated with the oil, and that is configured to compress the refrigerant and discharge the compressed refrigerant in the direction away from the discharger, a muffler coupled to the compressing assembly and configured to guide the refrigerant to the discharger, and a bypassing portion disposed outside the casing and configured to transfer the refrigerant or the oil from the muffler to the discharger.