Linear compressor
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Solution Overview
Problem
In linear compressors, the refrigerant's contact with the piston leads to overheating, reducing compression efficiency and causing refrigerant flow-back, which results in insufficient refrigerant in the compression chamber and increased piston temperature.
Innovation Solution
A muffler is designed to be in close contact with the piston's inner wall, preventing the refrigerant from coming into contact with the piston while flowing through, and is shaped to guide the refrigerant effectively, reducing heat transfer and flow losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the refrigerant flows through the piston interior space, then the refrigerant can be suctioned into the compression chamber, but the refrigerant contacts the piston inner wall causing overheating and compression efficiency deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a muffler as an intermediary component between the refrigerant flow path and the piston inner wall. The muffler provides a flow path for the refrigerant while preventing direct contact with the piston surface, thus mediating the interaction to avoid heat transfer and overheating while maintaining refrigerant suction functionality
2Quantity of substance
If the refrigerant pressure is low, then the refrigerant can flow through the muffler, but the refrigerant flows backward to the piston from the compression chamber causing insufficient refrigerant in the compression chamber
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the muffler with a specific dynamic structure that adapts to pressure changes. The muffler's internal configuration and positioning create flow resistance characteristics that prevent backward flow under low pressure conditions while maintaining forward flow efficiency, dynamically balancing the refrigerant flow in both directions
3Temperature
If the refrigerant contacts the piston inner wall, then heat transfer occurs, but this causes compression efficiency deterioration due to overheating
Solution Approach 1:
The muffler serves as a thermal intermediary that allows refrigerant flow while blocking direct thermal contact with the piston. This mediator approach maintains refrigerant temperature control without the harmful overheating effect that would reduce compression efficiency
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 prevents overheating of the piston, enhances compression efficiency by maintaining refrigerant temperature and pressure, and reduces unnecessary refrigerant flow, thereby improving overall compressor performance.
Implementation Method 1
The linear motor is configured such that a permanent magnet is positioned between an inner stator and an outer stator, and the permanent magnet is reciprocated straight by interactive electromagnetic force between the permanent magnet and the inner (or outer) stator
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a linear compressor. The linear compressor according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a shell, a cylinder, a piston, and a muffler. Also, an internal space in which at least a portion of the muffler is inserted is formed in the piston, and the muffler is disposed in contact with the inner wall of the piston forming the internal space.