Cross-Groove Fluid Machine for Stable Low-Noise Compression

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing compressors in the air-conditioning industry face challenges with low energy efficiency and high noise levels due to their structural limitations, particularly in rolling rotor compressors, which have limited optimization potential.

Innovation Solution

A fluid machine with a cross groove structure and double slide blocks is introduced, featuring two eccentric portions on the crankshaft, two limiting channels in the cylinder sleeve, and slide blocks that form a volume-variable cavity, ensuring stable operation by avoiding dead points and optimizing the exhaust process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a rolling rotor compressor structure is used, then the compressor achieves mature structural design and reliable operation, but the energy efficiency is limited and noise levels are high due to structural optimization constraints

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational reliabilityVSAvoidenergy efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The compressor is divided into multiple independent working chambers (first working chamber and second working chamber) with separate compression processes. Each chamber has its own piston, connecting rod, and valve system, allowing independent optimization of each compression cycle to improve overall energy efficiency while maintaining reliable operation through modular redundancy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from a single-cylinder vertical compression structure to a multi-chamber arrangement with pistons moving in different directions (one piston moving upward while another moves downward). This spatial reconfiguration allows simultaneous compression in multiple dimensions, reducing noise from single-point vibrations and improving energy efficiency through parallel compression processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of manufacture

If a rolling rotor compressor structure is used, then the compressor achieves structural maturity, but noise levels remain high due to limited optimization space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural maturityVSAvoidnoise level
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The noise-generating compression process is segmented into multiple chambers operating simultaneously. The first working chamber and second working chamber each have separate piston movements and valve operations, distributing acoustic energy across multiple sources rather than one concentrated source, thereby reducing overall noise levels while maintaining structurally mature designs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The compressor employs periodic compression cycles in alternating chambers. While one chamber is compressing, another is in suction or exhaust phase, creating a continuous but distributed noise pattern. This periodic alternation smooths out peak noise levels compared to a single continuous compression cycle, reducing perceived noise while preserving reliable mechanical operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Device complexity

If traditional exhaust port design is used, then the exhaust process is simple, but exhaust efficiency is limited affecting energy performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexhaust port design complexityVSAvoidexhaust efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The exhaust system is segmented into multiple exhaust ports (first exhaust port and second exhaust port) corresponding to different working chambers. Each chamber has dedicated exhaust pathways, allowing simultaneous or sequential exhaust operations that improve overall exhaust efficiency. This segmentation enables better control of exhaust timing and flow distribution, reducing energy losses from restricted exhaust paths

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces intermediate exhaust components including exhaust valves and exhaust passages that mediate between the compression chambers and the external environment. These intermediaries optimize the exhaust flow path, controlling pressure differentials and flow rates to maximize exhaust efficiency while minimizing energy losses from improper exhaust timing or restricted pathways

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 achieves higher energy efficiency and lower noise levels by ensuring stable operation and improved motion reliability, enhancing the performance of the heat exchange apparatus.

Implementation Method 1

The crankshaft is provided with two eccentric portions in an axial direction of the crankshaft. The crankshaft and the cylinder sleeve are arranged in an eccentric manner with a fixed eccentric distance.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEccentric mechanism: Eccentric

Implementation Method 2

thereafter, the adiabatic expansion of refrigerant gas is effected once in an enclosed space until arriving at the maximum volume and, then, compression is effected

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdiabatic expansion: Adiabatic Cooling

Data Source

PatentEP4484750B1Fluid machine and heat exchange equipment
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 GREE ELECTRIC APPLIANCE INC OF ZHUHAI
  • EP4484750B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4484750B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4484750B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A fluid machine and a heat exchange apparatus are provided. The fluid machine includes a crankshaft (10), a cylinder sleeve (20), a cross groove structure (30), a slide block (40) and two flanges (50), where the crankshaft (10) is provided with two eccentric portions (11); the crankshaft (10) and the cylinder sleeve (20) are arranged in an eccentric manner with a fixed eccentric distance; the cross groove structure (30) is rotatably disposed in the cylinder sleeve (20), two limiting channels (31) of the cross groove structure (30) are sequentially arranged in an axial direction, and the limiting channels (31) extend perpendicularly to an axial direction of the crankshaft (10); the two eccentric portions (11) correspondingly extend into two through holes (41) of the two slide blocks (40), at least one flange (50) has a first axial exhaust hole (511), and at least one flange (50) has a second axial exhaust hole (512); and an inclined notch (27) is provided at an edge of an inner circle of at least one end of the cylinder sleeve (20), the inclined notch (27) is in communication with the first axial exhaust hole (511), at least one exhaust port (22) is arranged on a side wall surface of the cylinder sleeve (20), and the exhaust port (22) is in communication with the second axial exhaust hole (512). The fluid machine has high energy efficiency, low noise and stable operation.