Expansion Compressor Radial Air Routing to Reduce Cam Impact

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Solution Overview

Problem

In air conditioners, the high-pressure fluid exerts an axial impact force on the fan-shaped cam, leading to unstable operation, increased cam abrasion, and seal failure due to axial movement of the crankshaft, complicating the expander structure and reducing reliability.

Innovation Solution

The expansion compressor apparatus features a control cylinder with radial air suction and exhaust passages and a communication groove on the connecting shaft, allowing high-pressure air to enter the control cylinder without axial impact on the expansion eccentric portion, ensuring stable operation by routing air through the control cylinder's passages to the expansion cylinder.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the expander suction hole is provided at the bottom of the lower bearing with high-pressure fluid feeding, then the expander can perform air suction control, but the high-pressure fluid exerts an upward impact force on the fan-shaped cam, increasing axial movement of the crankshaft and causing unstable operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair suction controlVSAvoidoperational stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a mediator structure (the fan-shaped cam with modified geometry and the communication hole arrangement) to transfer the air suction control function while eliminating the direct axial impact force. The high-pressure fluid still enables air suction control, but the force transmission path is modified to prevent axial displacement of the crankshaft.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the geometric parameters of the fan-shaped cam and the arrangement of communication holes to alter how forces are distributed. By modifying the cam profile and hole positions, the axial component of the impact force is reduced while maintaining the air suction control functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the fan-shaped cam is used for air suction control, then air suction can be controlled, but the cam experiences increased abrasion over time, enlarging the clearance and causing seal failure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair suction controlVSAvoidcam service life
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the modified fan-shaped cam structure as an intermediary that reduces direct friction and wear. By changing the cam geometry and force distribution, the contact stress and abrasion on the cam surface are reduced, extending its service life while maintaining air suction control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the cam profile parameters and material properties to reduce wear. The optimized geometry distributes contact forces more evenly, reducing peak stresses and abrasion rates, thereby extending the operational life of the cam component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If the expander structure is designed with the fan-shaped cam and communication holes, then air suction control is achieved, but the structure becomes relatively complicated and difficult to process

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair suction controlVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions into the fan-shaped cam structure. The cam simultaneously performs air suction control, force transmission, and sealing functions through its integrated design with communication holes, reducing the need for separate components and simplifying manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The fan-shaped cam is designed as a multi-functional component that performs air suction control, transmits rotational motion, and maintains sealing. This universal component approach reduces the total number of parts and simplifies the overall structure while achieving the desired air suction control functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 design stabilizes the expansion compressor operation, enhances air suction control reliability, and reduces cam wear by eliminating axial impacts, ensuring effective air suction and expansion processes.

Implementation Method 1

a connecting shaft, on which the expansion roller is provided in a sleeving manner, connects the expansion cylinder and the compression cylinder

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRotational motion transmission:

Implementation Method 2

the expansion roller eccentrically rotates in the first inner hole

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEccentric rotation: Eccentric

Implementation Method 3

high-pressure air to enter the control cylinder without axial impact on the expansion eccentric portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure force: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP3064774B1Expansion compressor apparatus and air conditioner having the same
Publication Date: 2019.10.02 ZHUHAI GREE REFRIGERATION TECH CENT OF ENERGY SAVING & ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
  • EP3064774B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3064774B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3064774B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention discloses an expansion compressor apparatus and an air conditioner having the same, wherein the expansion compressor apparatus includes: an expansion cylinder (10), a compression cylinder (20), and a connecting shaft (30) connecting the expansion cylinder (10) and the compression cylinder (20), an expansion cylinder air suction passage (11) communicated with an air suction cavity of the expansion cylinder (10) being provided on the expansion cylinder (10), and the expansion cylinder air suction passage (11) being arranged in a radial direction of the expansion cylinder (10). The expansion compressor apparatus further includes: a control cylinder (40), the connecting shaft (30) passes through the control cylinder (40), and is provided in the control cylinder (40) the control cylinder (40) being provided with a control cylinder air suction passage (41) and a control cylinder air exhaust passage (42), both the control cylinder air suction passage (41) and the control cylinder air exhaust passage (42) being provided in a radial direction of the control cylinder (40), and a communication passage being provided between the control cylinder air exhaust passage (42) and the expansion cylinder air suction passage (11). The apparatus effectively solves the problem in the prior art that a high-pressure fluid exerts an impact force in an axial direction on a fan-shaped cam.