Horizontal Compressor Damper Design for Heat Pump Vibration Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing heat pump systems in washer-driers experience high-frequency vibrations during compressor operation, which are transmitted to other components, affecting user experience and component service life due to direct contact and lack of effective vibration absorption.

Innovation Solution

A heat pump system with a horizontal compressor mounted on a base, supported by multiple dampers with damping convex ribs and ventilation holes, reducing vibration and noise transmission by acting as a cushion between the compressor and the base.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the compressor is directly mounted on the base, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but high-frequency vibration is transmitted to other components, affecting user experience and component service life

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidvibration transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a damper as an intermediary component between the compressor and the base. The damper includes a damping convex rib with hollow elongated shape that abuts against both the compressor and the base, serving as a mediator to reduce vibration transmission while maintaining structural simplicity. This resolves the contradiction by adding a vibration-absorbing element without significantly complicating the overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the connection between compressor and base by introducing a damper with specific damping properties. The damping convex rib with hollow elongated shape modifies the stiffness and damping characteristics of the connection, thereby reducing vibration transmission while maintaining ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If multiple dampers are added to reduce vibration, then vibration and noise are effectively reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration and noiseVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The damper is segmented into multiple functional parts: a damping convex rib with hollow elongated shape, ventilation holes, and specific abutting surfaces. This segmentation allows each part to perform its function efficiently while keeping the overall structure compact and not excessively complex. The hollow elongated shape of the damping convex rib provides vibration damping without requiring multiple separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the damping convex rib is designed with hollow elongated shape, then vibration absorption is enhanced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration absorptionVSAvoiddamping convex rib geometry
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The damping convex rib is designed with a hollow elongated shape, creating a porous or cavity-containing structure that enhances vibration absorption capabilities. The hollow structure allows for better energy dissipation through air damping and material hysteresis, while the elongated shape provides sufficient damping effect without requiring excessively tight manufacturing tolerances.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

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

Effectively reduces vibration and noise, prolongs the service life of components, and enhances the overall performance of the heat pump system by absorbing and dissipating vibrations.

Implementation Method 1

high-frequency vibration will be produced during operation of the compressor, and transmitted to other components via contact surfaces

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 2

a damper supported on the base and supporting the horizontal compressor... the damping convex rib abuts against the base and the horizontal compressor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP3252212B1Heat pump system and drier or washer-drier having the same
Publication Date: 2019.08.21 WUXI LITTLE SWAN ELECTRIC CO LTD
  • EP3252212B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3252212B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3252212B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A heat pump system (100), and a drier or washer-drier having the same are provided. The heat pump system (100) includes a base (1), a horizontal compressor (2) and a damper (31,32), in which the horizontal compressor (2) is mounted to the base (1); the damper (31,32) is supported on the base (1) and supports the horizontal compressor (2); at least two dampers (31,32) are arranged along an axial direction of the horizontal compressor (2). According to the present invention, vibration and noise of the heat pump system (100) may be reduced effectively, and the overall service life thereof may be improved.