Linear Compressor Cylinder Support to Prevent Wall Deformation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Linear compressors face deformation of the inner cylinder wall due to compression by the discharge cover, and existing designs require a large space between the cylinder and discharge cover, which is inefficient.

Innovation Solution

The linear compressor design includes a cylinder mounted on a frame with a discharge cover spaced a predetermined distance from the cylinder, using coupling members and a support rib to minimize deformation and external forces, allowing the cylinder to be securely coupled without direct metal contact and maintaining efficient space usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the discharge cover metal-contacts the cylinder to compress it, then the cylinder is securely supported, but the inner wall of the cylinder deforms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecylinder support strengthVSAvoidcylinder inner wall precision
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

A support rib is introduced as an intermediary element between the discharge cover and the cylinder. The support rib transmits the supporting force from the discharge cover to the cylinder without causing direct metal contact deformation, thus maintaining both support strength and manufacturing precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure is segmented into discrete support ribs rather than continuous metal-to-metal contact. This segmentation concentrates the supporting force at specific points through the support ribs, preventing deformation of the cylinder inner wall while maintaining structural support

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If the discharge cover is spaced a predetermined distance from the cylinder, then the cylinder is prevented from deforming, but the space requirement increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecylinder inner wall precisionVSAvoidcompressor volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The support rib acts as a mediator that enables close spacing between the discharge cover and cylinder while preventing deformation. The support rib transmits necessary forces without requiring large clearance, thus maintaining manufacturing precision without increasing volume

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The design changes the structural parameters by introducing a support rib with specific geometry and material properties. This allows the discharge cover to be positioned closer to the cylinder (reducing spacing parameter) while the support rib compensates for force transmission needs, maintaining deformation prevention

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 design effectively prevents deformation of the inner cylinder wall and optimizes space usage by ensuring the cylinder is not directly compressed by the discharge cover, enhancing the compressor's operational stability and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

The permanent magnet may be linearly reciprocated by a mutual electromagnetic force between the permanent magnet and the inner (or outer) stator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic force: Lorentz Force

Data Source

PatentEP2977610B1Linear compressor and refrigerator including a linear compressor
Publication Date: 2018.06.06 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP2977610B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2977610B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2977610B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A linear compressor and a refrigerator including a linear compressor are provided. The linear compressor may include a shell coupled to a suction inlet, through which a refrigerant may be introduced, and a discharge outlet, through which the refrigerant may be discharged, a cylinder disposed within the shell to accommodate a piston reciprocated to compress the refrigerant introduced through the suction inlet, a frame that accommodates the cylinder, the frame being mounted inside the shell, and a discharge cover coupled to a front surface of the frame to discharge the refrigerant compressed by the piston to the discharge outlet. A front surface of the cylinder that faces the discharge cover may be spaced a predetermined distance from the discharged cover.