Electric Compressor Reservoir Layout for Liquid Refrigerant Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electric compressors, refrigerant liquefaction during shutdown can lead to abnormal pressure increases in the compression chamber, reducing the durability and reliability of the compressor.
Innovation Solution
The compressor design includes a reservoir in the motor chamber that stores liquified refrigerant, preventing its introduction into the compression chamber through a specific suction passage configuration, thereby avoiding liquid compression and maintaining pressure stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the refrigerant in the motor chamber is cooled and liquefied during shutdown, then the refrigerant can be stored in the motor chamber, but the liquid refrigerant may be compressed in the compression chamber upon activation, causing abnormal pressure increase and reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The motor chamber is divided into two functional regions by an imaginary line: an upper region that communicates with the compression chamber via suction passage, and a lower reservoir region that stores liquid refrigerant. This segmentation prevents liquid refrigerant from entering the compression chamber while maintaining storage capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The reservoir acts as an intermediary structure between the motor chamber and compression chamber. It receives and stores liquid refrigerant during shutdown, then prevents this liquid from entering the compression chamber during activation, thereby mediating the conflict between refrigerant storage and compression safety.
2Reliability
If a reservoir is added to store liquid refrigerant and prevent it from entering the compression chamber, then reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reservoir is merged with the motor chamber housing rather than being a separate component. The reservoir utilizes the existing motor chamber space by defining a lower region bounded by the housing inner peripheral surface and an imaginary reference line, thereby avoiding additional parts and simplifying the overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor chamber housing serves multiple functions: it contains the motor, provides the suction passage for refrigerant flow, and forms the reservoir for liquid refrigerant storage. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate reservoir components, reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability.
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 enhances the durability and reliability of the electric compressor by preventing abnormal pressure increases and ensuring stable operation.
Implementation Method 1
The refrigerant in the motor chamber may be cooled and liquefied when the electric compressor is stopped
Data Source
AI summary
An electric compressor includes a rotary shaft and a housing having a motor chamber and a suction passage. In an axial view of the rotary shaft, a second imaginary line intersects an inner peripheral surface of the housing at a first intersection point. A third imaginary line intersects the inner peripheral surface of the housing at a second intersection point. A fourth imaginary line passes through the first and second intersection points located below an axis of the rotary shaft in a vertical direction. A part of the motor chamber below the fourth imaginary line in the vertical direction and surrounded by the inner peripheral surface of the housing and the fourth imaginary line serves as a reservoir. The reservoir stores a refrigerant liquified in the motor chamber while restricting the refrigerant liquified from being introduced into a compression chamber from the motor chamber through the suction passage.