Hermetic Compressor Damping Structure for Vibration Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hermetic reciprocating compressors for mobile applications face issues with vibration and noise due to uncontrolled movement of the compression unit within the housing, and existing movement limiting systems either fail to effectively restrict three-dimensional movement or add unnecessary components that increase costs and weight.

Innovation Solution

A movement limiting assembly comprising a floating upper end stop housed within a damping structure, which includes a surrounding wall and a bottom plate made from a fluoropolymer elastomer, limits the compression unit's movement by absorbing vibrations and noise without the need for additional springs, ensuring three-dimensional movement restriction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a rigid end stop and housing body are used to limit movement, then movement limitation is achieved, but vibrations and noises increase due to hard contact

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemovement limitationVSAvoidvibrations and noises
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a damping structure made of elastomeric material as an intermediary between the rigid end stop and the rigid housing body. This damping structure absorbs the mechanical contact, preventing direct hard contact between the end stop and housing body, thereby reducing vibrations and noises while maintaining movement limitation functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameter of the contact interface by replacing rigid materials with a flexible elastomeric damping structure. This parameter change transforms the contact characteristics from hard impact to compliant absorption, reducing the harmful vibrations and noises generated during movement limitation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If conventional suspension systems are used to support the compression unit, then some mobility is allowed, but the compression unit contacts the housing wall causing shocks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemobility of compression unitVSAvoidcontact shocks
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The movement limitation function is segmented into two parts: the upper end stop handles vertical movement limitation, while the damping structure handles horizontal movement limitation. This segmentation allows the compression unit to move freely in permitted directions while being constrained in critical directions, preventing contact shocks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extends movement limitation from a single vertical dimension to three-dimensional space by adding the damping structure that limits horizontal movement. This multi-dimensional approach ensures comprehensive protection against contact shocks while preserving necessary mobility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If additional components are added to limit three-dimensional movement, then movement restriction is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethree-dimensional movement restrictionVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the movement limitation function into the existing end stop structure by integrating the damping structure within the housing body. This combination achieves three-dimensional movement restriction without adding separate independent components, thereby limiting device complexity and cost increase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The damping structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it limits horizontal movement, absorbs vibrations, reduces noises, and protects the compression unit from contact shocks. This multi-functionality achieves comprehensive three-dimensional movement restriction without requiring multiple separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution effectively reduces vibrations and noise by using a flexible damping structure to absorb shocks, providing comprehensive movement limitation without increasing the compressor's weight or manufacturing costs, thus enhancing the longevity and efficiency of the compressor.

Implementation Method 1

damping structure... made from a fluoropolymer elastomer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

absorbing vibrations and noise without the need for additional springs

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP3027907B1Hermetic reciprocating compressor for mobile application provided with a movement limiting assembly
Publication Date: 2020.07.29 WHIRPOOL SA
  • EP3027907B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3027907B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present invention refers to a hermetic reciprocating compressor for mobile application provided with a movement limiting assembly of its compression unit in relation to its hermetic housing, comprising technical and functional characteristics capable of optimizing the limitation of the movement of the compression unit in relation to the hermetic housing of a hermetic reciprocating compressor, reducing at the same time the level and intensity of vibrations and noises arising from this movement limitation. Said hermetic reciprocating compressor for mobile application provided with a movement limiting assembly comprises, besides conventional elements and components, an upper end stop (4) attached to the inside upper portion of the hermetic housing (2), a housing body (5) attached to the compression unit (1) and comprising at least one housing cavity (51 ), and a damping structure (6) housed inside the housing cavity (51) of the housing body (5) comprising at least a surrounding wall (61) and at least a bottom plate (62).