Electric Compressor Rotor Stopper for Axial Bearing Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rotors in rotary machines with bearings interposed between the rotor and housing can become displaced in the axial direction due to vibration, leading to potential disassembly of the bearing components.
Innovation Solution
An electric compressor design featuring a pressurizing spring that biases the rotor in the rotation axis direction, a rolling bearing with an inner and outer ring, and a stopper that limits rotor displacement to a predetermined amount, ensuring the bearing maintains structural integrity during vibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a bearing is interposed between the rotor and housing to support the rotor, then the rotor can rotate smoothly, but the rotor may become displaced in the axial direction due to vibration, causing the bearing to become disassembled
Solution Approach 1:
The stopper is pre-installed on the rotor to prevent axial displacement before vibration occurs. This preliminary protective measure counteracts the harmful axial movement caused by vibration, preventing bearing disassembly while maintaining rotational smoothness
Solution Approach 2:
The stopper acts as an intermediary component between the rotor and bearing, limiting axial displacement without interfering with radial rotation. This mediator prevents direct contact between the displaced rotor and bearing outer ring, maintaining bearing integrity during vibration
2Reliability
If a stopper is added to limit rotor displacement, then the bearing maintains structural integrity, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stopper is integrated with the rotor as a unified structure, where the stopper protrusion is formed as part of the rotor body or securely attached to it. This merging reduces the number of separate components and simplifies assembly while maintaining the displacement limitation function
Solution Approach 2:
The stopper structure serves multiple functions: it limits axial displacement during vibration, maintains bearing preloading through the pressurizing spring, and prevents rotor over-travel. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated components, simplifying the overall device structure
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 design prevents bearing disassembly by limiting rotor displacement within a safe range, maintaining the bearing's structural integrity and avoiding irreversible deformation of the spring, thus enhancing the compressor's operational reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a pressurizing spring that biases the rotor in a rotation axis direction
Implementation Method 2
a rolling bearing that is interposed between the housing and the rotor
Data Source
AI summary
An electric compressor includes: a housing of an electric motor that is a power source of a compressor unit; a rotor that rotates inside the housing of the electric motor; a coil spring biasing the rotor in a rotation axis direction; a bearing interposed between the electric motor and the housing of the electric motor, and including an inner ring held by the rotor, and an outer ring biased by the coil spring to abut against an abutting portion of the housing of the electric motor; and a stopper that prohibits the rotor from displacing beyond a predetermined limit displacement amount against the biasing of the coil spring, and that allows the rotor to displace within the limit displacement amount. When the rotor is displaced to the limit displacement amount, the coil spring after being deformed has a closed height or more.