Compressor Lower Frame Press-Fit Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Compressors with a lower frame face challenges in manufacturing due to thermal expansion during welding, leading to potential misalignment and biasing of the lower frame, which can cause noise, abrasion, and leakage issues.
Innovation Solution
A compressor design that includes a cylindrical shell with a press-fitted lower frame and a base, where the lower frame has a press-fit portion and a press-fit limit portion to ensure concentric alignment and prevent biasing, allowing for a single welding step and improved coupling strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If welding is used to couple the lower frame to the shell, then coupling strength is improved, but thermal expansion causes misalignment and biasing
Solution Approach 1:
The lower frame is press-fitted into the shell before welding, establishing precise concentric alignment in advance. The press-fit portion of the lower frame is inserted into the shell and positioned concentrically, then welded in that pre-established position, preventing thermal expansion from causing misalignment
Solution Approach 2:
The press-fit portion acts as an intermediary element between the lower frame and the shell. It provides a precision-fitted interface that maintains concentric alignment during the welding process, mediating between the mechanical coupling requirement and the thermal distortion issue
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple manufacturing steps are used to ensure alignment, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The press-fitting and alignment functions are merged into a single integrated feature of the lower frame structure. The press-fit portion simultaneously provides mechanical coupling and concentric alignment, eliminating the need for separate alignment operations or additional alignment features
Solution Approach 2:
The press-fit portion serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical coupling between the lower frame and shell, establishes concentric alignment, and serves as a positioning feature for welding. This multi-functionality reduces the overall complexity of the manufacturing process
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 enhances the concentricity and stability of the compressor components, reducing noise, abrasion, and leakage while simplifying the manufacturing process and maintaining quality.
Implementation Method 1
a press-fit portion press-fitted onto an inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical shell
Implementation Method 2
press-fitted onto the inner circumferential surface to secure concentric alignment
Data Source
AI summary
A compressor having a lower frame and a method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The compressor may include a cylindrical shell, a rotational shaft rotatably mounted in the cylindrical shell, a rotor and a stator that rotates the rotational shaft, a compression device driven by the rotational shaft, a lower bearing configured to rotatably support one side of the rotational shaft, a lower frame configured to support the lower bearing, the lower frame being configured to be press-fitted into a lower end portion of the cylindrical shell, and a base configured to seal the lower end portion of the cylindrical shell. The lower frame may include a main body configured to be press-fitted onto an inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical shell and a flange that extends from the main body, the flange being configured to limit a press-fit depth by contacting the lower end portion of the cylindrical shell.