Hermetic Compressor Thrust Bearing Elastic Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hermetic compressors with thrust ball bearings face issues of uneven load distribution, leading to efficiency, noise, and reliability problems due to plastic deformation and peeling of upper and lower races under external forces and compression loads.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an elastic support mechanism, such as a wave washer or coil springs, below the rolling elements in the thrust ball bearing to maintain even load distribution and prevent excessive stress on individual balls, ensuring the upper and lower races remain parallel and the contact load remains within an optimal range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a thrust ball bearing is used to support the shaft, then the compressor achieves efficient operation with reduced friction, but the upper and lower races undergo plastic deformation and peeling under external forces and compression loads, leading to uneven load distribution on the balls
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a resilient member positioned between the thrust face and the lower race to absorb and distribute external forces before they reach the bearing races. This cushioning element prevents direct transmission of shock loads and external forces to the races, thereby avoiding plastic deformation and peeling while maintaining the low-friction rolling contact operation of the thrust ball bearing
2Device complexity
If the shaft is supported by main bearing and eccentric-shaft-side portions forming a cantilever bearing, then the compressor operates with reduced complexity, but external forces cause the shaft to move downward, creating uneven contact load on the rolling elements
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient member acts as an intermediary element between the thrust face and the lower race, mediating the transmission of loads from the shaft to the bearing races. This intermediary component distributes the concentrated shaft load across multiple contact points and absorbs dynamic variations, preventing uneven load distribution on the rolling elements while maintaining the simple cantilever bearing configuration
3Power
If the thrust ball bearing operates under compression load, then the compressor achieves necessary compression function, but the contact load between balls and races becomes excessive, causing peeling and reducing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient member provides beforehand cushioning by absorbing compression loads and external forces before they are transmitted to the ball-race contact interfaces. This prevents excessive contact loads that would cause peeling and increases friction, thereby maintaining efficient low-friction operation while preserving the necessary compression power transmission capability
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 solution enhances the reliability and efficiency of the compressor by reducing friction, preventing plastic deformation, and maintaining a low noise level by ensuring uniform load distribution across the balls, thus extending the compressor's lifespan and performance.
Implementation Method 1
a support mechanism below the rolling elements, the support mechanism being elastic
Implementation Method 2
lubricating oil for lubricating the compression element
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A hermetic compressor includes a thrust ball bearing (176) on the thrust face (160) of the main bearing (126). The thrust ball bearing (176) includes balls (166) held in a holder (168), an upper race (164) and a lower race (170) arranged respectively on and beneath the balls (166), and an elastic support member (172) below the balls (166). The hermetic compressor is prevented from causing a load to be applied unevenly to the balls (166), thereby achieving high efficiency, low noise level, and high reliability.