Compressor Groove Pressure Relief Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Compressors for air conditioning systems face challenges in managing high internal pressures, leading to oversized and costly screw connections to prevent undesired detachment, and existing safety devices increase installation space and weight with additional components.

Innovation Solution

A compressor design with a pressure chamber delimited by housing parts connected via a connecting device, featuring a groove on the sealing surfaces that allows pressure relief through a relief opening when maximum pressure is exceeded, enabling smaller device dimensions while maintaining sufficient contact pressure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If generous and space-consuming screw connections are used to connect housing parts, then the reliability against undesired detachment is improved, but the device complexity and installation space increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability against detachmentVSAvoidcomplexity of connecting device
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The groove is pre-formed in the sealing surface before the compressor operates. When maximum pressure is reached, the pressure-building medium automatically flows into the groove and triggers the relief opening, causing pressure relief without requiring complex control systems or additional safety components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The pressure relief function is achieved using the pressure-building medium already present in the system. The medium itself flows into the groove and through the relief opening to relieve pressure, eliminating the need for separate safety devices, sensors, or control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If additional safety devices are installed to prevent overpressure, then the reliability is improved, but the installation space and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety against overpressureVSAvoidweight of compressor
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure relief function is merged into the existing sealing surface structure by forming a groove directly in it. The groove serves dual purposes: maintaining sealing functionality and providing pressure relief capacity, thereby integrating safety into the existing structure without adding separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The pressure-building medium in the pressure chamber serves the additional function of triggering pressure relief by flowing into the groove and through the relief opening when maximum pressure is reached, eliminating the need for separate safety devices, sensors, or control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If additional safety devices are installed to prevent overpressure, then the reliability is improved, but the installation space increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety against overpressureVSAvoidinstallation space of compressor
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure relief function is merged into the existing sealing surface structure by forming a groove directly in it. The groove serves dual purposes: maintaining sealing functionality and providing pressure relief capacity, thereby integrating safety into the existing structure without adding separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The groove is pre-formed in the sealing surface before the compressor operates. When maximum pressure is reached, the pressure-building medium automatically flows into the groove and triggers the relief opening, causing pressure relief without requiring complex control systems or additional safety components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Strength

If larger connecting devices are used to withstand high pressures, then the strength is improved, but the cost and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestrength of connecting deviceVSAvoiddimensions of connecting device
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The groove is pre-formed in the sealing surface before the compressor operates. When maximum pressure is reached, the pressure-building medium automatically flows into the groove and triggers the relief opening, causing pressure relief without requiring complex control systems or additional safety components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The pressure relief function is achieved using the pressure-building medium already present in the system. The medium itself flows into the groove and through the relief opening to relieve pressure, eliminating the need for separate safety devices, sensors, or control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 allows for the predetermination of maximum pressure, enabling smaller connecting device dimensions, reducing costs and space requirements while ensuring secure operation without excessive weight or size increases.

Implementation Method 1

the groove being arranged such that when a predetermined maximum pressure is exceeded in the pressure chamber, the pressure-building medium, in particular a coolant, can collect in the groove and at least partially escape through the relief opening

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP2764248B1Compressor comprising a pressure-relief groove
Publication Date: 2019.03.06 MAGNA POWERTRAIN BAD HOMBURG
  • EP2764248B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2764248B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2764248B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a compressor (10) comprising a pressure chamber (12;13) which is delimited by at least two housing parts (20;30), these housing parts (20;30) comprising sealing surfaces (25;35) that are connected by means of a connection device which applies a contact pressing force between said sealing surfaces (25;35). The compressor is characterised in that at least one groove (40a;40b) extending in a circumferential direction is arranged on at least one sealing surface (25;35), and in that at least one relief opening is arranged on at least one of the housing parts (20;30), this at least one relief opening connecting the groove (40a;40b) to the surroundings (11) of the compressor and emanating from the groove (40a;40b) which extends in the circumferential direction. Said groove (40a;40b) is arranged such that when a predetermined maximum pressure is exceeded in the pressure chamber (13), a pressure-building medium (E) can gather in the groove (40a;40b) and at least partially escape through the relief opening.