Use of a composition as refrigerant in compressor, compressor, and refrigeration cycle apparatus
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current refrigeration systems using HFC refrigerants have high Global Warming Potential (GWP), necessitating the development of low GWP alternatives like hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) refrigerants, but they pose risks of disproportionation reactions due to foreign substances adhering to terminal pins in compressors, which can ignite and cause system failures.
Innovation Solution
A compressor design with a terminal pin fixed using a sealing adhesive with a melting point of 1000°C or less, containing a refrigerant composition of ethylene-based fluoroolefins such as 2,3,3,3-Tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234yf) and 1,3,3,3-Tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234ze), where the adhesive melts before reaching ignition temperatures, preventing disproportionation reactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If HFO refrigerant is used to reduce GWP, then environmental performance is improved, but risk of disproportionation reaction increases due to foreign substances on terminal pins
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of foreign substances (which could cause disproportionation reactions) into a beneficial safety mechanism. By selecting adhesive materials with specific melting points (80-1000°C), the foreign substances actually serve as thermal indicators that trigger adhesive melting and refrigerant leakage before temperatures reach dangerous levels, preventing ignition and disproportionation reactions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the thermal parameter (melting point) of the adhesive material to create a safety mechanism. By carefully selecting adhesives with melting points between 80-1000°C, the system transforms the static structural component into a dynamic safety device that responds to temperature changes, preventing harmful chemical reactions through parameter-based control.
2Reliability
If terminal pin is fixed with adhesive to prevent foreign substance accumulation, then reliability is improved, but temperature control becomes critical to prevent ignition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the phase transition (melting) of the adhesive material as a safety mechanism. The adhesive transitions from solid to liquid state at specific temperatures (80-1000°C), causing terminal pin detachment and refrigerant leakage. This phase change serves as a thermal cutoff mechanism that prevents temperature from reaching ignition points, thereby controlling temperature through material phase behavior.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive material acts as an intermediary between the terminal pin fixation requirement and the temperature control safety requirement. It provides both mechanical bonding function and thermal response function, mediating between structural stability needs and temperature safety constraints through its temperature-dependent mechanical properties.
3Reliability
If adhesive melting point is set low to prevent disproportionation reaction, then safety is improved, but fixation strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the melting point parameter of the adhesive to balance safety and strength requirements. By selecting adhesives with melting points in the 80-1000°C range, the system achieves sufficient bonding strength for normal operation while ensuring melting occurs before ignition temperatures are reached, thereby optimizing the parameter to satisfy both contradictory requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive is designed as a sacrificial, short-living component that protects more valuable system components. When temperature exceeds safe limits, the adhesive melts and detaches the terminal pin, sacrificing itself to prevent catastrophic failures. This disposable approach prioritizes system safety over component longevity, accepting adhesive replacement as a protective measure.
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 effectively prevents disproportionation reactions and system failures by ensuring the adhesive melts before terminal pin temperatures rise excessively, ensuring safe operation and reducing refrigerant circuit damage.
Implementation Method 1
the terminal pin is fixed to the body with a fixing adhesive having a melting point of 1000° C. or less
Data Source
AI summary
Damages to a refrigerant circuit of a refrigeration cycle apparatus due to a disproportionation reaction are suppressed. The use of a composition as a refrigerant in a compressor is use of, as a refrigerant, a composition containing one or two or more compounds selected from a group consisting of ethylene-based fluoroolefin, 2,3,3,3-Tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234yf), and 1,3,3,3-Tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234ze) in a compressor that includes a terminal (200) including a terminal pin (220) and a body (210) to which the terminal pin (220) is fixed, and the terminal pin (220) is fixed to the body (210) with a fixing adhesive (240) having a melting point or a softening point of 1000° C. or less.