Corrugated Suction Connection for Compact Refrigerant Compressors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Refrigerant compressor arrangements face challenges in maintaining small dimensions while allowing for flexible alignment and deformation to accommodate various refrigeration systems, leading to increased dimensions and potential damage during movement.

Innovation Solution

The use of a corrugated area with radial corrugations between the housing and tube sections, along with a telescopic tube and a paint-rejecting layer, allows for flexible alignment and deformation while maintaining a gas-tight connection and preventing damage, and the telescopic tube is made of fibre-reinforced plastic to reduce wear and heat transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a corrugated tube like area is used in the suction connection to permit adaptation to customer specific mounting conditions, then adaptability is improved, but the dimensions of the refrigerant compressor arrangement are increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to mounting conditionsVSAvoiddimensions of refrigerant compressor arrangement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The tube section is nested within the housing section, with the tube section projecting into the housing section rather than extending externally. This nesting arrangement allows the suction connection to maintain adaptability through the corrugated area while keeping the overall dimensions compact by utilizing the internal space of the housing section.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the tube section is allowed to move freely in the housing to maintain connection during compressor movement, then adaptability is improved, but the risk of damage to the suction connection increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment flexibilityVSAvoidrisk of damage to suction connection

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The corrugated area acts as a flexible connection element between the housing section and tube section. This flexible structure allows the tube section to move and align freely within certain limits while the corrugated area absorbs the movement stresses, preventing damage to the rigid parts of the suction connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The corrugated area is designed beforehand to cushion and absorb the stresses generated during compressor movement. By anticipating and accommodating these stresses through the flexible corrugated structure, the design prevents damage before it occurs, ensuring reliable operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Length of moving object

If the tube section extends into the housing section to keep dimensions small, then the length is reduced, but the alignment precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelength of suction connectionVSAvoidalignment precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The corrugated area changes the geometric parameters of the connection, transforming it from a rigid alignment requirement to a flexible adaptation. The radial corrugations allow for angular deviations and misalignments while maintaining a gas-tight connection, thus reducing the precision requirements for coaxial alignment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 configuration keeps the compressor dimensions small, allows for flexible alignment, enhances deformability, and prevents damage during movement, while ensuring a gas-tight and efficient refrigerant flow with reduced risk of leakage and improved mounting efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

the housing section and the tube section overlap each other and are connected to each other by a corrugated area with at least one radial corrugation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCorrugation: Corrugation

Implementation Method 2

a telescopic tube made of fibre-reinforced plastic

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFibre reinforcement: Composite Materials

Implementation Method 3

the outside of the suction connection is provided with a paint rejecting layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPaint rejecting layer: Coatings

Implementation Method 4

a telescopic tube led through the suction opening in the housing... it is possible for the compressor to move somewhat in the housing without interrupting a connection

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTelescopic movement: Displacement

Data Source

PatentUS20090229303A1Refrigerant compressor arrangement

Publication Date: 2009.09.17 SECOP GMBH

AI summary

The invention concerns a refrigerant compressor arrangement (1) with a housing (2, 3) comprising a suction opening (5), a compressor (15), which is arranged in the housing (2, 3), and is connected to the suction opening (5), and a suction connection (20) that is fixed at the housing (2, 3), and comprises a housing section (21) and a tube section (22), the housing section (21) being connected to the suction opening (5) and the diameter of the tube section (22) being different from the diameter of the housing section (21). With such a refrigerant compressor arrangement, it is endeavoured to keep the dimensions small. For this purpose, in the longitudinal direction of the suction connection (20) the housing section (21) and the tube section (22) overlap each other and are connected to each other by a corrugated area (23) with at least one radial corrugation.