Axially Opposed Dual-Piston Compressor for Reduced Vibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing compressors in household appliances like refrigerators generate significant vibrations and noise due to axial movement of pistons and electric motors, necessitating suspension springs to mitigate these issues.
Innovation Solution
A compressor design featuring two cylinder-piston arrangements aligned axially and operating in opposite directions, eliminating the need for suspension springs by balancing the system, and incorporating features like radial outlets, mufflers, and spring-biased valves to reduce vibrations and noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If a single cylinder-piston arrangement with axial movement is used, then gas compression function is achieved, but vibrations and noise are generated requiring suspension springs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two cylinder-piston arrangements into a single integrated system where the pistons are connected through a common connecting rod. This merging of two compression units into one balanced system allows the opposing pistons to counterbalance each other's vibrations, eliminating the need for separate suspension springs for each unit while maintaining effective gas compression functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs counterbalancing by positioning two pistons in opposite directions within the same cylinder, both connected to a common connecting rod. When one piston moves in one direction, the other piston moves in the opposite direction, creating counterbalancing forces that neutralize vibrations and reduce noise without requiring additional suspension mechanisms
2Object-generated harmful factors
If suspension springs are added to reduce vibrations, then vibration transfer is reduced, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the suspension spring system entirely by designing a self-balancing dual-piston mechanism. The opposing pistons inherently counterbalance each other's vibrations through their synchronized opposite movements, making external vibration reduction components unnecessary and simplifying the overall device structure
Solution Approach 2:
The dual-piston system serves itself by automatically counterbalancing vibrations through the inherent opposite movements of the two pistons. The system generates its own vibration reduction capability through the mechanical interaction of the opposing pistons and common connecting rod, without requiring external suspension springs or additional vibration control components
3Volume of moving object
If axial space is reduced by removing suspension springs, then housing space is optimized, but vibration reduction capability must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two compression functions into a single balanced system that occupies less axial space than two separate units with individual suspension springs would require. The common connecting rod and shared cylinder structure consolidate the mechanism, freeing up housing space while the counterbalancing action inherently manages vibrations without needing external spring support
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 design achieves reduced vibrations and noise by balancing the compressor, optimizing internal space, and enhancing piston response, while allowing for efficient gas compression and discharge.
Implementation Method 1
The piston is driven in axial direction between two end positions by a linear electric motor
Implementation Method 2
In order to reduce a vibration transfer in the housing, the cylinder-position arrangement and the electric motor are supported by suspension springs inside the housing
Implementation Method 3
when the pistons are moved towards each other, the cylinder chamber is minimised in order to compress the gas
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
Disclosed is a compressor for a kitchen appliance such as a refrigerator, wherein two cylinder-piston arrangements are positioned in axial alignment and operated opposite to each other, wherein a common cylinder chamber is axially limited by opposite pistons of the cylinder-piston arrangements, a method to operate the compressor and a kitchen appliance.