Compressor Motor Terminal Sealing Against Refrigerant Leakage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional compressors experience electric leakage and component separation due to refrigerant introduction, leading to malfunction and damage, particularly between the inverter and motor, and due to vibration.

Innovation Solution

A compressor design incorporating a sealing member with annular parts and insulators to prevent refrigerant ingress into the motor terminal and inverter accommodation space, using materials with insulation and elasticity to ensure effective sealing and prevent separation of components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the motor terminal is exposed to the motor accommodation space, then the connector can be easily connected, but refrigerant can penetrate into the motor terminal causing electric leakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnector connectionVSAvoidelectric circuit

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A sealing member is introduced as an intermediary component between the motor terminal and the motor accommodation space. This sealing member includes a sealing portion that contacts the motor terminal and a blocking portion that prevents refrigerant from reaching the motor terminal, thereby maintaining both accessibility for connection and protection against refrigerant penetration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing member is divided into distinct functional portions: a sealing portion that directly contacts the motor terminal to maintain electrical connection accessibility, and a blocking portion that extends to prevent refrigerant penetration. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the motor terminal is sealed to prevent refrigerant ingress, then electric leakage is prevented, but the connector connection becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectric circuitVSAvoidmotor terminal structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing member serves multiple functions simultaneously: it seals the motor terminal to prevent refrigerant ingress, maintains the electrical connection between the connector and motor terminal, and provides structural support. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing member combines the sealing function and the connection support function into a single integrated component. The sealing portion and blocking portion are merged into one piece that both protects the motor terminal and facilitates connector connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the connector and motor terminal are firmly connected to prevent separation, then vibration resistance is improved, but the assembly process becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnector-motor terminal connectionVSAvoidassembly process

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing member is pre-installed on the motor terminal before the connector is attached. This preliminary action prepares the connection interface in advance, allowing the connector to be simply inserted and secured without complex assembly steps, thereby maintaining ease of manufacture while ensuring vibration resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 prevents electric leakage and component separation, ensuring the compressor's operational integrity by blocking refrigerant entry and maintaining insulation between critical components.

Implementation Method 1

a sealing member configured to seal a motor terminal of the motor that is electrically connected to the connector

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSealing:

Implementation Method 2

an insulator configured to insulate between the terminal pin and the terminal holder

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical insulation:

Data Source

PatentUS10454334B2Compressor

Publication Date: 2019.10.22 HANON SYST CO LTD

AI summary

Disclosed herein is a compressor including a motor configured to generate a driving force, a compression mechanism driven by the motor to compress a refrigerant, an inverter configured to control the motor, a connector configured to electrically connect the motor and the inverter, and a sealing member configured to seal a motor terminal of the motor that is electrically connected to the connector. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent an electric leakage from occurring in the terminal of the motor by blocking introduction of a refrigerant into the motor terminal. It is possible to prevent separation of the connector and the coil from the motor terminal.