Cryocooler compressor

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing design of cryocooler compressors requires laborious disassembly processes to remove the control panel, necessitating the discharge of refrigerant and coolant gases and removal of other components from the front panel.

Innovation Solution

A cryocooler compressor design featuring a front panel composed of two removably connected panel portions, where the control panel is mounted on a second panel portion that can be easily detached without disconnecting the refrigerant and coolant pipes, and includes access points for tools to facilitate easy removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the control panel is mounted on the front panel of the compressor casing, then the control panel is easily accessible, but removing the control panel requires laborious disassembly including discharging refrigerant and coolant gases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAccessibility of control panelVSAvoidComplexity of removal process
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The front panel is divided into a first panel portion and a second panel portion that are removably connected. The control panel is mounted on the second panel portion, which can be separated from the first panel portion. This segmentation allows the control panel to be accessed and removed without disassembling the entire front panel or discharging refrigerant and coolant gases, thus maintaining accessibility while simplifying the removal process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Strength

If the front panel is designed as a single integrated structure, then the structure is simple and strong, but removing components requires discharging refrigerant and coolant gases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveStructural integrity of front panelVSAvoidEase of component removal
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The front panel is segmented into a first panel portion and a second panel portion that are removably connected. The second panel portion can be separated from the first panel portion without compromising the overall structural integrity when assembled. This segmentation enables easy removal of components mounted on the second panel portion, such as the control panel, without requiring discharge of refrigerant and coolant gases.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If all pipes are connected to the front panel, then the front panel provides comprehensive connectivity, but removing the front panel requires discharging refrigerant and coolant gases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovePipe connection capabilityVSAvoidTime required for disassembly
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The front panel is segmented into a first panel portion and a second panel portion. The first panel portion retains all pipe connections for refrigerant and coolant gases, while the second panel portion can be removed independently. This segmentation maintains comprehensive pipe connection capability while enabling quick removal of the control panel without time-consuming discharge procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control panel is extracted from the main compressor body by mounting it on the removable second panel portion. This extraction allows the control panel to be accessed and removed without affecting the pipes connected to the first panel portion, eliminating the need to discharge refrigerant and coolant gases during control panel maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP4481197B1Cryocooler compressor
Publication Date: 2025.07.09 SUMITOMO HEAVY IND LTD
  • EP4481197B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4481197B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4481197B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The task is to facilitate a work of removing a control panel (50) in a cryocooler compressor (12). A compressor (12) for a cryocooler (10) includes a control panel (50), and a compressor casing (24) that includes a front panel (24a) and accommodates the control panel (50). The front panel (24a) includes a first panel portion (28) that provides a pipe connection, and a second panel portion (29) that is removably connected to the first panel portion (28) and on which the control panel (50) is mounted. The control panel (50) may be able to be extracted forward from the compressor casing (24) together with the second panel portion (29).