Linear Compressor Blocking Members for Heat Transfer Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Linear compressors face efficiency deterioration due to heat transfer from high-temperature discharge gas, leading to overheating of the suction side and increased specific volume of suction gas, which negatively impacts compression efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of blocking members with low thermal conductivity, positioned between the discharge cover and the frame or cylinder, to restrict heat transfer from the discharged refrigerant, along with a sealing member and gas passage to reduce friction and guide refrigerant flow, thereby preventing heat from reaching the deformation space and maintaining efficient compression.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the discharge cover is directly coupled to the frame or cylinder, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but heat transfer from high-temperature discharge gas overheats the suction side and deteriorates compression efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidcompression efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

A blocking member with low thermal conductivity is introduced as an intermediary component between the discharge cover and the frame/cylinder. This blocking member acts as a thermal barrier that prevents heat from the high-temperature discharge gas from transferring to the suction side components, thereby maintaining compression efficiency while preserving structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The blocking member is strategically positioned only in the regions where heat transfer would adversely affect suction gas temperature (specifically between the discharge cover and frame, and between the discharge cover and cylinder). This localized application of thermal insulation maintains overall structural simplicity while addressing the specific heat transfer problem.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If blocking members are added to restrict heat transfer, then compression efficiency is improved by maintaining lower suction temperatures, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompression efficiencyVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The blocking member serves as a simple intermediary thermal barrier that can be integrated into existing structural components. By positioning it between the discharge cover and frame/cylinder, it provides effective heat isolation without requiring complex multi-component assemblies or sophisticated thermal management systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The blocking member is designed with specific material properties (low thermal conductivity) and geometric parameters (thickness, positioning) that optimize its heat-blocking performance. By carefully selecting these parameters, effective thermal isolation is achieved with a relatively simple component design that minimizes structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 configuration effectively reduces heat transfer, maintains lower suction temperatures, and enhances compression efficiency by preventing refrigerant flow into deformation spaces, thus improving the overall performance of the linear compressor.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of blocking members that are located between the discharge cover and at least one of the frame or the cylinder. The plurality of blocking members is configured to restrict heat transfer to at least one of the frame or the cylinder from refrigerant discharged from the compression space

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

the permanent magnet may be driven to linearly reciprocate by a mutual electromagnetic force between the permanent magnet and the inner (or outer) stator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic force: Lorentz Force

Data Source

PatentEP3348830B1Linear compressor
Publication Date: 2021.11.17 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3348830B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3348830B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3348830B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A linear compressor includes a cylinder that defines a compression space configured to receive refrigerant, a piston that is located in the cylinder and that is configured to move in an axial direction of the cylinder and to compress refrigerant in the cylinder, a discharge cover that defines a discharge space configured to receive refrigerant discharged from the compression space, a frame configured to accommodate the cylinder and coupled to the discharge cover at a front side of the frame, and a plurality of blocking members that are located between the discharge cover and at least one of the frame or the cylinder. The plurality of blocking members are configured to restrict heat transfer to at least one of the frame or the cylinder from refrigerant discharged from the compression space.