Refrigerant Compressor Hub Inertia Disk Torque Transmission
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerant compressors experience vibration issues due to resonance frequencies and mechanical connection failures between the inertia disk and hub, leading to material fatigue or loosening of threaded connections under sudden torque changes.
Innovation Solution
A direct connection between the inertia disk and hub reduces torque path elasticity, using a press-fit or threaded connection with a splined interface, and additional frictional connections to enhance the mechanical linkage, ensuring reliability and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a press-fit connection is used to connect the inertia disk to the hub, then the manufacturing cost is reduced and assembly is simplified, but the connection reliability deteriorates under sudden torque changes due to material fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The connection interface is segmented into multiple keyways and corresponding keys between the hub and inertia disk, distributing the torque transmission across multiple contact points rather than relying on a single press-fit interface, thereby maintaining connection reliability while preserving manufacturing simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The connection mechanism combines press-fit interference coupling with mechanical keyway keys, creating a composite connection system that leverages both frictional holding and positive mechanical engagement to resist torque-induced fatigue
2Strength
If a threaded connection is used to connect the inertia disk to the hub, then the connection strength is improved, but the reliability deteriorates under repeated torque reversal due to loosening of the screw connection
Solution Approach 1:
The torque transmission path is segmented through multiple keyways and keys, preventing concentrated stress on a single threaded interface and eliminating the loosening problem associated with repeated torque reversal in threaded connections
Solution Approach 2:
The keyway-key mechanism acts as an intermediary between the hub and inertia disk, providing a positive mechanical engagement that transmits torque without relying on friction or threading, thereby preventing loosening under torque reversal
3Adaptability or versatility
If the inertia disk is connected indirectly via the compressor shaft, then the torque transmission path is flexible, but the elasticity in the torque flow path increases causing excessive load on the connection
Solution Approach 1:
The inertia disk is extracted from the indirect torque transmission path via the compressor shaft and connected directly to the hub, eliminating the intermediate shaft connection and its associated elasticity from the torque flow path, thereby reducing the load on the connection interface
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 mitigates resonance frequencies and improves the mechanical connection's reliability and durability, reducing the risk of disengagement and damage by minimizing torque-induced stress on the connection interface.
Implementation Method 1
The disk acts as an inertial mass, which increases the inertial moment of the compressor drive assembly and can consequently shift the natural resonance frequency of the system
Implementation Method 2
vibration can arise in the compressor drive assembly due to the various components having their own resonance frequencies
Implementation Method 3
The circular collar engages the interior of a cylindrical sleeve of the hub in a press-fit connection
Implementation Method 4
a circular collar protrudes from the inertia disk in an axial direction and engages with the hub
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention provides a refrigerant compressor comprising a shaft (16) having an axial direction (A), a hub (14) mounted on the shaft (16) and an inertia disk (20), the inertia disk (20) being directly connected to the hub (14) in a torque-transmitting manner.