Compressor and refrigeration apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing compressor connection pipe assemblies face inefficiencies in welding due to the high cost of copper pipes and the challenge of ensuring uniform solder distribution, leading to suboptimal welding quality and increased costs.

Innovation Solution

The compressor design incorporates a copper connection pipe with strategically defined welding gaps, where the inner surface of the connection pipe is spaced apart from the outer surface of the suction pipe to form a first welding gap, and the outer surface of the connection pipe is spaced apart from the inner surface of the guide pipe to form a second welding gap. High-frequency induction brazing is used to connect the pipes, ensuring efficient solder distribution and improved welding quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If copper pipes are used for connection pipe, suction pipe, and guide pipe, then thermal conductivity is improved, but cost increases and welding efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal conductivityVSAvoidwelding efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different material properties to different parts of the system: copper is used only for the connection pipe where thermal conductivity is critical, while steel is used for the guide pipe and suction pipe where structural strength and welding efficiency are more important. This localized material selection resolves the contradiction by optimizing each component for its specific functional requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses a composite material approach by combining copper and steel pipes in the same refrigeration system. The copper connection pipe provides excellent thermal conductivity for heat transfer, while the steel guide pipe and suction pipe provide structural integrity and enable more efficient welding processes, thus resolving the contradiction between thermal conductivity and welding efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Temperature

If copper pipes are used for connection pipe, suction pipe, and guide pipe, then thermal conductivity is improved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal conductivityVSAvoidcost
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different material properties to different parts of the system: copper is used only for the connection pipe where thermal conductivity is critical, while steel is used for the guide pipe and suction pipe where structural strength and welding efficiency are more important. This localized material selection resolves the contradiction by optimizing each component for its specific functional requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses a composite material approach by combining copper and steel pipes in the same refrigeration system. The copper connection pipe provides excellent thermal conductivity for heat transfer, while the steel guide pipe and suction pipe provide structural integrity and enable more efficient welding processes, thus resolving the contradiction between thermal conductivity and welding efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If uniform solder distribution is guaranteed in welding gap, then welding quality is improved, but welding efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewelding qualityVSAvoidwelding efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the welding gap by specifying precise dimensional tolerances and gap widths between the copper connection pipe and steel guide pipe/suction pipe. These parameter optimizations enable the welding process to achieve both uniform solder distribution and high welding efficiency, resolving the contradiction between welding quality and welding efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 reduces the use of copper pipes, thereby lowering costs, while enhancing welding efficiency and ensuring high-quality welds by optimizing the welding gap dimensions and using high-frequency induction brazing.

Implementation Method 1

High-frequency induction brazing is used to connect the pipes, ensuring efficient solder distribution and improved welding quality.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHigh-frequency induction brazing: Induction Heating

Data Source

PatentEP4245996B1Compressor and refrigeration apparatus
Publication Date: 2025.05.14 GUANGDONG MEIZHI PRECISION MFG
  • EP4245996B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4245996B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4245996B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Provided are a compressor and a refrigeration apparatus. The compressor includes a compressor body (100), a reservoir (200), and a connection pipe (300). The compressor body (100) includes a housing (110) and a compression assembly (120) disposed in the housing (110). A compression cavity is defined by the compression assembly (120) and has an air suction port, and a guide pipe (130) is disposed at the housing (110). The reservoir (200) includes a suction pipe (220). The connection pipe (300) is disposed in the guide pipe (130). A first end of the connection pipe (300) is connected to the air suction port, and the suction pipe (220) is disposed in the connection pipe (300) and connected to a second end of the connection pipe (300). The connection pipe (300) is a copper pipe; and each of the suction pipe (220) and the guide pipe (130) is a steel pipe.