Refrigerant Compressor Oil Level Sensor with Replaceable Passage

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional refrigerant compressors have oil level sensor arrangements that are not accessible for replacement, leading to potential failures and increased maintenance costs due to the inability to replace the tubular and floating elements within the compressor casing.

Innovation Solution

The refrigerant compressor design includes a passage opening that allows for the easy insertion and removal of the tubular and floating elements of the oil level sensor arrangement, enabling their replacement and ensuring continuous operation by allowing the tubular element and floating element to be inserted and removed through the compressor casing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the oil level sensor arrangement is sealed inside the compressor casing, then the reliability of the compressor is improved, but the ease of repair deteriorates because the tubular element and floating element cannot be replaced

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereliabilityVSAvoidease of repair

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The oil level sensor arrangement is divided into separate replaceable components (tubular element and floating element) that can be independently accessed and replaced through the passage opening, while the compressor casing remains sealed. This segmentation allows maintenance without compromising the overall sealing integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The passage opening serves as an intermediary access point that enables replacement of internal sensor components without breaking the seal of the compressor casing. It acts as a mediator between the sealed environment and maintenance requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of repair

If the tubular element and floating element are made accessible for replacement, then the ease of repair is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the additional passage opening and sealing requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of repairVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The passage opening is designed to serve multiple functions: it allows insertion and removal of the tubular element, enables replacement of the floating element, and maintains the sealed environment. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate access points for each component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing mechanism and passage opening are combined into an integrated solution where the passage opening itself incorporates sealing capabilities, eliminating the need for separate sealing components and reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Duration of action of stationary object

If the oil level sensor components are made replaceable, then the lifetime of the compressor is extended, but the manufacturing cost increases due to additional sealing and passage opening requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovelifetimeVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The passage opening and sealing mechanisms are pre-designed and pre-positioned during manufacturing to facilitate future maintenance. This preliminary action ensures that replacement procedures are straightforward and do not require additional manufacturing steps later.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The design allows for selective replacement of only the worn sensor components (tubular element or floating element) while retaining the compressor casing and other functional parts, maximizing resource utilization and reducing overall manufacturing costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

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 allows for the easy replacement of the oil level sensor components, maintaining proper function and control of the refrigerant compressor throughout its lifetime, thereby extending its operational lifespan while minimizing manufacturing costs.

Implementation Method 1

a floating element surrounding the tubular element and being movably mounted with respect to the tubular element, the floating element being configured to float on lubricant oil contained in the oil sump

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Implementation Method 2

a magnetically sensitive sensor arranged inside the tubular element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field interaction: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentUS20220412359A1Refrigerant compressor including an oil level sensor arrangement

Publication Date: 2022.12.29 DANFOSS COMML COMPRESSORS SA

AI summary

The refrigerant compressor includes a compressor casing (2); an oil sump (13) arranged in the compressor casing (2); and an oil level sensor arrangement (14) configured to detect an oil level in the oil sump (13), the oil level sensor arrangement (14) including a tubular element (16) secured to the compressor casing (2) and a floating element (17) surrounding the tubular element (16) and being movably mounted with respect to the tubular element (16). The compressor casing (2) includes a passage opening (24) and dimensions of the tubular element (16), the floating element (17) and the passage opening (24) are defined to allow an insertion and a removal of the tubular element (16) and the floating element (17) into and out of the compressor casing (2) through the passage opening (24).