Sealed Compressor Suction Muffler Oil Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

In existing sealed compressors, oil can flow into the compression chamber in large amounts, leading to increased load, reduced refrigeration efficiency, noise generation, and potential degradation of heat exchangers due to oil droplets being moved by refrigerant flow into the compression chamber.

Innovation Solution

A sealed compressor design featuring a suction muffler with a close-sided space near the bent portion of the outlet tube, where one end communicates with the outlet tube and the other end is closed, prevents oil from flowing into the compression chamber by inhibiting its movement along the inner wall of the outlet tube, using a specific angle and inclination to direct oil droplets back into the muffler space for drainage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of stationary object

If a bent portion is formed in the outlet tube to reduce the height of the suction muffler, then the height of the suction muffler is reduced, but oil flows into the compression chamber in large amounts along the inner wall of the outlet tube

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheight of suction mufflerVSAvoidamount of oil flowing into compression chamber
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The outlet tube is segmented into multiple portions (first outlet tube portion, second outlet tube portion, third outlet tube portion) with different orientations. The first portion extends downward, the second portion extends horizontally, and the third portion extends upward, creating a stepped configuration that prevents oil from flowing directly into the compression chamber while maintaining compact height.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The outlet tube transitions from a simple bent configuration to a multi-dimensional stepped structure with vertical, horizontal, and upward portions. This dimensional expansion creates multiple flow path changes that effectively block oil movement along the tube wall while preserving the compact overall height of the suction muffler.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Quantity of substance

If oil flows into the compression chamber in large amounts, then the compression chamber contains excessive oil, but this increases the load on the compressor and reduces refrigeration efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveamount of oil in compression chamberVSAvoidrefrigeration efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The outlet tube is divided into multiple segments with different orientations (downward, horizontal, upward portions) that create sequential flow direction changes. This segmentation prevents oil from following the refrigerant flow directly into the compression chamber, thereby maintaining proper oil levels and preserving refrigeration efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The outlet tube employs curved transitions between different portions rather than sharp angles. The smooth curved connections between the first, second, and third portions facilitate refrigerant flow while preventing oil droplets from adhering to and traveling along the tube wall into the compression chamber.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Device complexity

If the outlet tube has a simple bent configuration, then the structure is simple, but oil droplets are moved by refrigerant flow into the compression chamber causing noise and potential heat exchanger degradation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure of outlet tubeVSAvoidnoise and heat exchanger degradation
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The outlet tube is segmented into three distinct portions with specific orientations: the first portion extends downward from the bent portion, the second portion extends horizontally, and the third portion extends upward toward the suction valve. This segmentation creates multiple flow direction changes that prevent oil droplets from entering the compression chamber, thereby eliminating noise and protecting heat exchangers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The outlet tube structure expands from a two-dimensional bent configuration to a three-dimensional stepped structure with vertical, horizontal, and upward components. This dimensional enhancement creates effective barriers against oil droplet movement while maintaining reasonable structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 configuration effectively reduces noise and stabilizes compressor performance by preventing excessive oil from entering the compression chamber, enhancing refrigeration efficiency and maintaining a compact design.

Implementation Method 1

suction muffler 47 reduces noise generated by intermittent suction of refrigerant 5

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcoustic absorption: Acoustic Absorption

Implementation Method 2

A description will be given below of the operation of the sealed compressor such configured as described above in the prior art disclosed in Patent Document 1

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Implementation Method 3

prevents refrigerant 5 passing through suction muffler 47 from being heated since it is made of a resin having a small thermal conductivity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 4

oil supply mechanism 43 carries oil 3 from the bottom of sealed container 1 to compressive component 13 by utilizing a centrifugal force or the like generated by the rotation of crankshaft 23

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 5

crankshaft 23 and a slide portion such as bearing 41, and then, spatters inside of sealed container 1 from an upper end of crankshaft 23

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLubrication: Lubrication

Data Source

PatentEP2397693B1Sealed compressor and refrigeration device
Publication Date: 2016.04.27 PANASONIC HOLDINGS CORP
  • EP2397693B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2397693B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2397693B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is disclosed a sealed compressor in which a compressive component housed inside of a sealed container comprises a block, a suction valve, a piston, and a suction muffler, the suction muffler including a muffler body defining a muffler space and an outlet tube communicating the muffler space with the suction valve, the outlet tube having a bent portion bent in a middle portion between an opening exposed to the muffler space and an opening in a vicinity of the suction valve, a first outlet tube portion extending from the bent portion toward the muffler space, and a second outlet tube portion extending from the bent portion toward the suction valve, wherein a close sided space is formed in a vicinity of the bent portion, the close sided space having one end in communication with the outlet tube and the other end closed.