Compressor Discharge Pipe Communication Holes for Oil Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing compressors face issues with oil backflow and overflow through the refrigerant discharge pipe, leading to increased manufacturing costs and reduced efficiency due to the need for additional oil separation devices and enlarged clearances, which affect motor performance.
Innovation Solution
A scroll compressor design with a refrigerant discharge pipe featuring communication holes and a specific insertion depth, allowing for efficient oil separation without additional oil separators, maintaining motor efficiency and reducing manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the refrigerant discharge pipe is extended toward the driving motor to increase oil separation effect, then oil separation efficiency is improved, but oil backflow or overflow occurs due to stagnant oil in the small space between the discharge pipe and driving motor
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigerant discharge pipe is divided into multiple sections with communication holes at different heights. The first communication hole is positioned in an upper section and the second communication hole in a lower section, allowing the pipe to interact with oil at multiple levels and preventing backflow/overflow by providing multiple escape paths for trapped oil
Solution Approach 2:
Communication holes are selectively positioned at specific heights along the refrigerant discharge pipe to create localized ventilation zones. The first communication hole is located in an upper section while the second is in a lower section, allowing different regions of the pipe to serve different functions in preventing oil backflow
2Object-generated harmful factors
If clearance between the casing and driving motor is enlarged to suppress oil stagnation, then oil backflow is reduced, but motor efficiency deteriorates due to reduced flux path area
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigerant discharge pipe acts as an intermediary structure that provides a controlled path for oil management. By incorporating communication holes at specific heights, the pipe mediates between the need for close clearance to maintain motor performance and the need to prevent oil backflow, eliminating the need to enlarge clearance
3Reliability
If a separate oil separation device is installed inside the casing, then oil separation effect is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigerant discharge pipe is designed to perform multiple functions: it discharges refrigerant, separates oil through its extended position and communication holes, and prevents oil backflow. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate oil separation devices, reducing part count and manufacturing complexity while maintaining effective oil separation
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to is a compressor. The compressor may be provided with a communication hole (1161) between an inlet (116a) and an outlet (116b) of a refrigerant discharge pipe (116) coupled through an upper surface of a casing (110), the communication hole penetrating between an outer circumferential surface and an inner circumferential surface of the refrigerant discharge pipe. Thus, during oil sealing through the refrigerant discharge pipe, a flux path area of a driving motor (120) may be ensured, and a number of winding wires and/or a coil diameter of a stator coil may be ensured. Thus, efficiency of the driving motor may be maintained and backflow or overflow of oil through the refrigerant discharge pipe may be suppressed. In addition, during operation of the compressor, oil may be suppressed from being excessively leaked through the refrigerant discharge pipe without having to include a separate oil separator inside or inside the casing.