Compressor Refrigerant Flow Path Oil Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing compressors face inefficiencies due to excessive oil flow into refrigerant flow paths, which can decrease the electric motor's efficiency and require additional components, and there is a need to control the flow of refrigerant and oil effectively.
Innovation Solution
The compressor design includes refrigerant flow paths with specific inflow and outflow paths that utilize centrifugal forces to manage the flow of refrigerant and oil, with first flow paths extending radially outward from the rotor flow paths and balance weights integrated to reduce oil flow into the refrigerant paths, and the configuration of these paths ensures efficient communication between upper and lower spaces within the compressor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If refrigerant flow paths are configured to allow free flow between upper and lower spaces, then refrigerant circulation is improved, but oil flows excessively into the refrigerant paths causing motor efficiency to decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigerant flow path is segmented into multiple sections: a first flow path for refrigerant intake, a rotor flow path extending axially across the rotor, and a second flow path extending radially outward. This segmentation allows control over oil and refrigerant flow separately, enabling refrigerant to circulate efficiently while preventing excessive oil from entering the motor space.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the flow path are given different functions: the first flow path and rotor flow path are optimized for refrigerant flow, while the second flow path extending toward the outer periphery is designed to manage oil separation. The balance weights are also given dual functionality - mechanical balancing and oil management.
2Stability of the object's composition
If balance weights are used for rotor balancing, then rotor stability is improved, but they become additional components that increase device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The balance weights are merged with the rotor structure, forming an integrated component rather than separate parts. The rotor includes balance weights as an integral part of its structure, eliminating the need for additional balancing components and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining rotor stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The balance weights serve multiple functions: they provide mechanical balancing for rotor stability and simultaneously act as part of the refrigerant flow path structure. The balance weights include flow path sections that guide refrigerant and oil flow, making them multi-functional components that reduce the need for separate parts.
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 effectively reduces oil flow into refrigerant paths, maintains motor efficiency, and eliminates the need for additional components by utilizing existing balance weights, creating a controlled flow that optimizes refrigerant and oil transfer within the compressor.
Implementation Method 1
refrigerant flow paths with specific inflow and outflow paths that utilize centrifugal forces to manage the flow of refrigerant and oil
Data Source
AI summary
A compressor includes a casing, an electric motor housed in an internal space of the casing, a drive shaft rotated by the electric motor, and a compression mechanism driven by the drive shaft discharge compressed refrigerant to the internal space. The internal space includes a first and second spaces formed near axial ends of the electric motor. The electric motor includes a stator and a rotating member. The stator is fixed to the casing. The rotating member includes a rotor rotatably inserted into the stator. The electric motor has a refrigerant flow path through which the first and second spaces communicate with each other. The refrigerant flow path includes a first flow path into which the refrigerant in the first space or the second space flows, and a rotor flow path extending axially across the rotor and connected to an outflow end of the first flow path.