Inverter-Integrated Electric Compressor Vent Valve

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Solution Overview

Problem

Inverter-integrated electric compressors face issues with thermal expansion of gel materials used for vibration and moisture protection, leading to increased internal pressure and potential damage to components due to the inability to effectively release pressure and water vapor while preventing external water ingress.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a vent valve with a moisture-permeable waterproof membrane that allows air and water vapor to escape while keeping water out, positioned away from the inverter device components and integrated with a high-damping steel sheet cover member to manage thermal expansion and maintain functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If gel material is filled in the inverter accommodating section for vibration and moisture protection, then protection effectiveness is improved, but internal pressure increases due to thermal expansion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection effectivenessVSAvoidinternal pressure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a porous membrane material in the vent valve that allows water vapor to pass through while blocking liquid water. This porous structure enables pressure relief from thermal expansion of gel material and air, preventing seal breakage and component damage while maintaining the protective functions of the gel material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

2Stress or pressure

If vent port is provided to release internal pressure, then pressure management is improved, but water ingress risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure managementVSAvoidwater ingress

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The vent valve incorporates a venting hole with a porous membrane that has different permeability properties for different substances. The membrane allows water vapor to pass through while blocking liquid water, creating local quality differentiation that simultaneously achieves pressure management and water protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The vent valve uses a composite structure combining a porous membrane material with water-blocking properties and a venting hole. This composite design enables the valve to selectively permit water vapor transmission while preventing liquid water ingress, resolving the contradiction between pressure release and water protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Stress or pressure

If infill amount of gel material is reduced to lower internal pressure, then pressure increase is mitigated, but protection effectiveness decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinternal pressure increaseVSAvoidprotection effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the pressure management function from the gel material system by introducing a separate vent valve component. This allows the gel material to maintain its full protective infill amount for vibration and moisture protection, while the vent valve independently manages internal pressure through selective vapor transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 effectively reduces the risk of seal breakage and component damage from thermal expansion, maintaining the compressor's reliability and functionality while allowing for efficient moisture and pressure management.

Implementation Method 1

a vent valve formed of a moisture-permeable waterproof membrane is provided in the cover member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPermeation: Permeation

Implementation Method 2

a vent valve formed of a moisture-permeable waterproof membrane is provided in the cover member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrophobe: Hydrophobe

Implementation Method 3

when the enclosed gel material and inner air inside the inverter accommodating section thermally expand due to a rise in the ambient temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentEP2192301B1Electric compressor integrating inverter

Publication Date: 2018.10.31 MITSUBISHI HEAVY IND LTD

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AI summary

An inverter-integrated electric compressor that is capable of solving various problems caused by thermal expansion of a gel material filled inside an inverter accommodating section for vibration prevention and moisture prevention and capable of increasing reliability is provided. In the inverter-integrated electric compressor, an inverter accommodating section (11) is integrated with a periphery of a housing (2) accommodating an electric compressor; an inverter device (20) is accommodated inside the inverter accommodating section; a gel material (30) for vibration prevention and moisture prevention is filled in the upper section thereof so as to leave an air layer (31); an upper opening in the inverter accommodating section is sealed with a cover member (18); and a vent valve (40) formed of a moisture-permeable waterproof membrane (42) is provided in the cover member.