Compressor Oil Composition and Coating for Startup Lubrication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional refrigerating machine oil compositions fail to provide adequate lubrication to compressor sliding portions, especially during startup and under high bearing surface pressures, leading to potential seizing and defective lubrication.

Innovation Solution

A refrigerating machine oil composition combining a polyoxyalkylene glycol base oil with specific additives and a lubrication film-forming composition containing a resin binder with a heat distortion temperature of 100°C or higher, along with a solid lubricant, is applied to compressor sliding surfaces to ensure effective lubrication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a coating lubrication film is formed on sliding portions using a solid lubricant, then lubrication performance during startup is improved, but the coating film suffers from abrasion under high bearing surface pressure, causing seizing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelubrication performance during startupVSAvoidcoating film resistance to abrasion
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite lubrication system combining a solid lubricant coating film (for startup protection) with a specifically formulated refrigerating machine oil composition containing polyoxyalkylene glycol base oil and additive compounds (for ongoing lubrication under high pressure). This composite approach allows each component to address different operational phases, resolving the contradiction between startup lubrication and high-pressure durability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the lubricating oil by incorporating specific compounds (formulae 1-3) with controlled concentrations (0.01-1% by mass) into the polyoxyalkylene glycol base oil. This parameter optimization enhances the oil's ability to maintain lubrication under high bearing surface pressures, preventing coating film abrasion and seizing while maintaining startup lubrication benefits

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If conventional refrigerating machine oil is used, then the system is simple, but defective lubrication occurs at sliding portions during startup operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelubrication system simplicityVSAvoidlubrication performance during startup
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a preliminary lubrication film-forming coating containing solid lubricant to the sliding portions before operation begins. This preliminary action ensures that lubrication is already in place during startup, eliminating the defective lubrication period that occurs with conventional oils alone, while the added complexity remains minimal

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 ensures consistent and durable lubrication of compressor sliding portions, preventing seizing and maintaining performance across various operational conditions, including high surface pressures.

Implementation Method 1

Lubrication of respective sliding portions of a compressor used for a refrigerator is ensured by a lubricating oil

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLubrication: Lubrication

Implementation Method 2

coating these sliding portions with a lubrication film-forming composition containing a solid lubricant

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLubrication: Lubrication

Data Source

PatentUS8822395B2Refrigerating-machine oil composition and compressor and refrigerating apparatus both employing the same
Publication Date: 2014.09.02 IDEMITSU KOSAN CO LTD

AI summary

The present invention provides a refrigerating machine oil composition for use in a compressor for a refrigerator in which a sliding surface of at least a part of constitutional members of the compressor is coated with a lubrication film-forming composition containing a resin having a heat distortion temperature of 100° C. or higher as a binder, and a solid lubricant, wherein the refrigerating machine oil composition contains a base oil made of a polyoxyalkylene glycol having a kinematic viscosity of from 3 to 50 mm2/s as measured at 100° C., and a compound selected from the group consisting of amide compounds, amidated amino acid compounds and aliphatic amines having a specific structural formula which compound is contained in an amount of from 0.01 to 1% by mass on the basis of a total amount of the refrigerating machine oil composition, the refrigerating machine oil composition being capable of ensuring a good lubrication of sliding portions of the compressor upon starting operation of the compressor and during the operation; a compressor using the refrigerating machine oil composition; and a refrigerating apparatus including the compressor.