Linear Compressor Piston Guide Irregularities for Misalignment Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional linear compressors face issues with piston misalignment leading to abrasion and reduced reliability due to frictional contact between the piston and cylinder, which complicates manufacturing and increases production costs.
Innovation Solution
The compressor design incorporates a piston with a guide and irregularities on its outer surface that correspond to a gas inflow passage in the cylinder, enhancing the floating force and reducing friction, thereby preventing misalignment and abrasion, and a method of manufacturing involving the spraying of spherical bodies to form these irregularities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional piston and cylinder structure is used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but piston misalignment occurs leading to frictional contact and abrasion
Solution Approach 1:
The piston surface is modified with localized irregularities (protrusions and recesses) at specific positions to correspond with the gas inflow passage. This local modification creates enhanced gas cushioning exactly where needed to prevent misalignment and friction, without complicating the overall piston structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Gas is introduced as an intermediary substance through the gas inflow passage to create a cushioning effect between the piston and cylinder. The gas pressure fills the irregularities on the piston surface, forming a protective gas layer that prevents direct contact and reduces friction during operation.
2Reliability
If gas lubrication is used instead of oil lubrication, then miniaturization is possible and reliability improves, but friction reduction effectiveness decreases compared to oil lubrication
Solution Approach 1:
The physical parameters of the lubrication system are changed by introducing gas pressure and modifying the surface geometry with irregularities. The gas pressure parameter and surface irregularity geometry work together to enhance the gas lubrication effect, reducing friction to levels comparable with oil lubrication while maintaining the advantages of gas lubrication.
3Duration of action of moving object
If the piston operates without misalignment prevention, then the structure remains simple, but abrasion occurs reducing compressor lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
Gas is supplied in advance through the gas inflow passage to the irregularities on the piston surface before the piston begins its reciprocating motion. This preliminary gas cushioning prevents misalignment and friction from the start of operation, extending the compressor lifespan without requiring complex post-manufacturing adjustments.
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 design improves the durability and reliability of the compressor by minimizing friction and abrasion, maintaining consistent floating force during compression and suction cycles, and preventing oil flow into sliding parts, thus enhancing overall compressor performance and manufacturing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a gas inflow passage having one side communicating with a gas pocket outside the cylinder and the other side communicating with a space formed in the cylinder is formed in the cylinder
Implementation Method 2
the cylinder and the piston are lubricated using the refrigerant
Implementation Method 3
spraying a plurality of spherical bodies to an outer circumferential surface of the piston such that the plurality of first irregularities are formed
Data Source
AI summary
A compressor and a method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The compressor includes a piston having a cylindrical shape and having formed therein a suction space, in which refrigerant gas is sucked, and a cylinder having, as a space formed therein, formed therein a compression space, in which refrigerant gas is compressed, by reciprocation of the piston in an axial direction. A gas inflow passage having one side communicating with a gas pocket outside the cylinder and the other side communicating with a space formed in the cylinder is formed in the cylinder, and the piston includes a plurality of fine irregularities formed in an outer circumferential surface of a guide facing the cylinder and provided at a position corresponding to the gas inflow passage.