Reciprocating Compressor Thrust Bearing With Washer Rotation Constraint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional reciprocating compressors face challenges in reducing friction loss and maintaining reliability and performance, particularly in miniaturized compressors, due to the instability of ball bearings at high speeds and reduced contact areas, leading to intermittent rotation of washers and decreased viscosity.
Innovation Solution
A ball bearing assembly is installed between the thrust surfaces of the cylinder block and crankshaft, with a rotation preventing mechanism to stabilize the washers, using features like straight line parts, polygonal parts, or protrusions to prevent relative rotation, and enhancing the thrust surface area to ensure stable ball rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a ball bearing assembly is installed to reduce friction loss, then energy efficiency is improved, but washer rotation occurs at high speeds due to reduced viscosity and contact area
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces asymmetric geometric features (protrusions and corresponding recesses) on the washers to prevent rotation. The protrusion on one washer engages with a recess on the other washer, creating an asymmetric constraint that eliminates rotational movement while maintaining the ball bearing's friction-reducing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a new dimensional constraint by introducing protrusions and recesses that extend beyond the original circular washer geometry. This additional geometric dimension prevents rotation by creating mechanical interlocking, transforming the washer from a purely rotational component to one with constrained angular positioning.
2Volume of moving object
If the compressor is miniaturized, then product size is reduced, but the ball bearing becomes unstable and cannot support load effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The invention nests the ball bearing assembly within the miniaturized compressor structure, with the washers positioned between the crankshaft and cylinder block thrust surfaces. The protrusions and recesses are integrated into the washer geometry itself, allowing the entire assembly to be compact while maintaining functional integrity and load support capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite structural approach by combining the ball bearing elements (balls, cages) with modified washers that include protrusion-recess features. This composite design allows the miniaturized bearing assembly to maintain stability and load support through the geometric interlocking mechanism while occupying minimal space.
3Productivity
If the thrust surface contact area is reduced, then the ball bearing operates more efficiently, but the washer intermittently rotates due to insufficient viscous force
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the protrusion and recess features on the washers before operation. This geometric constraint is built into the component design, ensuring that rotational prevention is active from the start of operation, regardless of operating speed or oil viscosity conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the reliance on viscous forces (fluid mechanics) with a mechanical interlocking system. Instead of depending on oil viscosity to prevent rotation, the protrusion-recess mechanical feature provides direct geometric constraint, eliminating the need for sufficient viscous force to maintain washer stability.
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 significantly reduces axial friction loss, improves energy efficiency, and enhances the reliability and performance of the compressor by preventing washer rotation, even at high speeds and low viscosity conditions.
Implementation Method 1
an axial friction loss may be reduced
Implementation Method 2
a rotation preventing part that prevents relative rotation of the washer with respect to a thrust surface
Implementation Method 3
a ball bearing positioned between a thrust surface of a cylinder block and a thrust surface of a crankshaft
Data Source
AI summary
A reciprocating compressor may include a ball bearing positioned between a thrust surface of a cylinder block and a thrust surface of a crankshaft. The ball bearing may include a ball cage in a ring shape, a plurality of balls rotatably coupled to the ball cage, at least one washer positioned at least one of between the thrust surface of the cylinder block and the plurality of balls and between the thrust surface of the crankshaft and the plurality of balls, and a rotation preventing portion that limits rotation of the washer with respect to the corresponding thrust surface. According to a reciprocating compressor having the rotation preventing portion, as relative rotation of the washer with respect to the thrust surface of the cylinder block and/or the thrust surface of the crankshaft is restrained even if a rotational force higher than a viscous force acting on the washer is applied because a viscosity of oil is lowered, it is possible to eliminate the problem of deterioration of reliability and performance of the compressor.