Scroll Compressor Oil Channel Structure to Prevent Flow Control Deformation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional scroll type compressors face issues with oil supply inefficiency, excessive oil supply leading to refrigerant under-compression or over-cooling, and deformation of the decompressing structure due to assembly pressures, which affect efficiency and reliability.

Innovation Solution

The compressor incorporates a decompressing structure oriented parallel to the rotation shaft, integrated with a fixed frame to prevent deformation and excessive oil supply, ensuring stable oil flow and maintaining channel shape during assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the decompressing structure is installed in the oil transfer channel to control oil supply, then excessive oil supply is prevented, but the decompressing structure deforms due to assembly pressures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoil supply amountVSAvoiddecompressing structure shape
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The oil transfer channel is divided into two separate components: the channel body and the decompressing structure. This segmentation allows the decompressing structure to be independently designed with enhanced mechanical strength to withstand assembly pressures while maintaining its function of controlling oil supply quantity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The decompressing structure is designed with a curved surface that conforms to the inner wall of the oil transfer channel. This curved design distributes assembly pressures evenly across the structure, preventing localized deformation while maintaining the precise geometry needed for oil flow control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Device complexity

If the compression assembly is disposed below the driver, then oil supply path is simplified, but the decompressing structure is subjected to assembly pressure causing deformation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoil supply pathVSAvoidchannel shape
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The oil transfer channel is designed with a curved configuration that naturally distributes mechanical stresses from assembly operations. This curved geometry prevents concentration of forces that would cause deformation, while maintaining the simplified downward oil supply path from driver to compression assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The channel wall thickness and material properties are modified in the region where the decompressing structure is installed. These parameter changes increase the structural strength and rigidity of the channel, enabling it to withstand assembly pressures without deforming the decompressing structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If welding is performed to assemble casing and internal components, then structural strength is improved, but the flow channel deforms due to welding heat

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidflow channel shape
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The decompressing structure and flow channels are pre-assembled into a sub-assembly unit before the welding operations on the casing. This preliminary assembly protects the precision components from exposure to welding heat, preventing thermal deformation while allowing the casing to be strengthened through welding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The compressor is divided into modular sections: the precision oil control section (flow channel with decompressing structure) and the structural casing section. This segmentation allows different manufacturing processes to be applied to each section - precision machining for the flow channel and welding for the casing - without mutual interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3696418B1compressor
Publication Date: 2026.01.07 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3696418B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3696418B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3696418B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is a compressor including a compressing assembly having a decompressing structure to control an amount of oil. The decompressing structure is oriented in parallel with a length direction of the rotation shaft or in a direction toward a discharger from which the refrigerant is discharged.