Grooved Annular Sliding Surface for Eccentric Friction Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The sliding surface in scroll compressors experiences high frictional resistance due to the eccentric rotation, affecting the operation of the movable scroll.
Innovation Solution
A sliding component with an annular shape featuring grooves open to a fluid space on its inner or outer diameter sides, allowing fluid to flow and generate dynamic pressure along the side walls, reducing frictional resistance and improving lubricity by forming a fluid film.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a seal ring is interposed between the thrust plate and housing to prevent back pressure leakage, then the back pressure can be maintained in the back pressure chamber, but the sliding surface of the thrust plate is pressed against the back surface of the movable scroll causing large frictional resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces grooves into the sliding surface to utilize fluid pressure (back pressure) for generating dynamic pressure that reduces friction. The grooves allow fluid to enter and create a pressure field that lifts the sliding surfaces apart, transforming a purely mechanical contact problem into a fluid-dynamic solution where the back pressure itself becomes the mechanism for friction reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state and distribution of the fluid pressure by introducing grooves with specific geometric parameters (depth, width, spacing). These parameter changes enable the fluid to generate dynamic pressure in specific regions, creating a pressure distribution that reduces contact friction while maintaining the necessary back pressure for sealing.
2Reliability
If the sliding surfaces are pressed together to maintain sealing, then back pressure leakage is prevented, but frictional resistance increases and affects movable scroll operation
Solution Approach 1:
The grooves act as intermediaries that mediate between the conflicting requirements of sealing and low friction. They allow the fluid pressure to be converted into dynamic pressure that reduces friction, while the overall structure maintains the sealing function. The grooves serve as a transitional structure that enables both sealing and efficient operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the purely mechanical contact-based sealing and friction system with a hybrid system that incorporates fluid dynamics. Instead of relying solely on mechanical contact pressure for sealing, the system uses fluid pressure and dynamic pressure generation in the grooves to reduce friction, substituting mechanical friction with fluid-based pressure 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 dynamic pressure generated in the grooves reduces frictional resistance and stabilizes the sliding component, enhancing the operational efficiency of the scroll compressor by maintaining a consistent fluid film between sliding surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
dynamic pressure can be generated along the side wall surface constituting the groove in accordance with the direction of the relative movement of the groove entailed by the eccentric rotation
Implementation Method 2
the lubricity between the sliding surfaces can be improved and the frictional resistance of the sliding surface can be reduced by the sliding surfaces being slightly separated from each other while the vibration, inclination, or the like of the sliding component attributable to dynamic pressure is suppressed and a fluid film being formed
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a sliding component capable of reducing the frictional resistance of a sliding surface entailing eccentric rotation. An annular sliding component has a sliding surface relatively sliding with eccentric rotation. A plurality of grooves open to a fluid space on the inner diameter side are circumferentially provided in the sliding surface. A side wall surface of the groove is configured by a wall surface continuous in a circular arc shape in a plan view.