Package Compressor Inverter Cooling via Shared Airflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing package type compressor requires a dedicated motor for the cooling fan, increasing costs and restricting the arrangement of parts, thereby decreasing productivity.
Innovation Solution
A package type compressor design where the inverter is integrated into the intake path of cooling air generated by the cooling fan within the compressor body, eliminating the need for a dedicated cooling fan for the inverter and allowing the motor to be cooled by the same air flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dedicated cooling fan is provided for cooling the inverter, then the cooling performance is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cooling functions for the inverter and motor into a single integrated cooling system. The cooling fan draws air that simultaneously cools both the inverter (through the inverter housing) and the motor, eliminating the need for separate dedicated cooling fans for each component and reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling air flow path is designed to serve multiple functions: it cools the inverter, cools the motor, and provides overall thermal management for the package type compressor. This multi-functional cooling approach allows a single cooling system to handle multiple thermal management requirements
2Reliability
If a dedicated cooling fan is provided for the inverter, then the cooling performance is improved, but the productivity decreases due to restricted part arrangement
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the inverter cooling and motor cooling into a single integrated cooling system using one cooling fan, the patent reduces the number of parts that need to be arranged and assembled. This integration eliminates the need for separate dedicated cooling fan arrangements, thereby improving manufacturing productivity and assembly efficiency
3Reliability
If a dedicated motor for the cooling fan is provided, then the cooling performance is improved, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cooling requirements of the inverter and motor into a single cooling system that uses one cooling fan driven by one motor. This consolidation reduces the total number of motors required from two (one for inverter cooling fan, one for motor cooling fan) to just one, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and material requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The single cooling fan system performs multiple cooling functions simultaneously, making the system more cost-effective by eliminating redundant motors and associated control systems while still providing adequate cooling performance for all heat-generating components
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 reduces costs, improves productivity by simplifying part arrangement, enhances reliability by eliminating the need for a separate cooling fan, and achieves energy savings by reducing unnecessary cooling operations.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling fan provided in the compressor body, in which the inverter is provided in an intake path of cooling air generated by the cooling fan
Implementation Method 2
air taken in from the air suction port cools the inverter device, then, cools the motor
Data Source
AI summary
A package type compressor includes a housing, a compressor, a motor, an inverter, and a cooling fan. The housing has an air inlet. The compressor is disposed inside the housing where it compresses the air. The compressor is disposed in a compressor body inside the housing. The motor is disposed above the compressor inside the housing, and drives the compressor. The inverter is disposed in the region of the air inlet of the housing, and controls a rotation speed of the motor. The cooling fan is disposed inside of the compressor body. The cooling fan generates a flow path of cooling air within the package type compressor. The inverter is disposed in such a way that as the flow path of cooling air enters the air inlet of the housing, the flow path of cooling air passes directly over the inverter thereby cooling the inverter.