Linear Compressor Flex Mount Decouples Side Pull Forces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Linear compressors face challenges such as heated vapor refrigerant mixing with other refrigerant, recirculation of lubricating oil, and friction losses due to misalignment of the piston within the chamber, which affect their performance and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The design includes an inner back iron with a flex mount and a compliant bellows coupled to the piston, along with a magnetic system to reduce friction and regulate fluid flow, using a compliant coupling to decouple side pull forces and minimize friction between the piston and the cylinder wall.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the piston is directly coupled to the driving coil without compliance elements, then the magnetic force is efficiently transmitted, but friction losses increase due to misalignment and rubbing against the chamber wall
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible coupling member with concertina-like folds is introduced between the driving coil and piston. This flexible structure allows relative movement and misalignment without transmitting side forces to the piston, eliminating friction losses while maintaining force transmission efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible coupling member acts as an intermediary element that decouples the driving coil from the piston. It transmits the magnetic driving force while isolating the piston from lateral forces and misalignment effects, preventing contact with the chamber wall
2Ease of operation
If the piston is rigidly mounted to the driving coil, then the structure is simple, but side pull forces cause friction and wear between the piston and chamber wall
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible coupling member with accordion-style folds provides compliance that absorbs side pull forces. This allows the piston to move freely without lateral constraints, eliminating friction and wear against the chamber wall while maintaining operational simplicity
3Productivity
If heated vapor refrigerant is allowed to mix with other refrigerant, then the system operation is simple, but compressor performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The internal space is segmented into distinct zones: a first chamber for compressing refrigerant vapor and a second chamber for receiving discharged refrigerant. This spatial segmentation prevents mixing of heated vapor with fresh refrigerant, maintaining compression efficiency while adding minimal structural complexity
4Reliability
If lubricating oil recirculates with refrigerant flow, then lubrication is maintained, but compressor efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible coupling member is positioned to extract and isolate lubricating oil from the refrigerant flow path. By creating a separate lubrication pathway, the oil can be maintained for lubrication purposes without recirculating into the compression chamber, thus preserving compressor 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 configuration enhances the operational efficiency of the linear compressor by reducing friction and preventing the recirculation of heated vapor and lubricating oil, leading to improved performance and reduced energy losses.
Implementation Method 1
The driving coil is operable to generate a magnetic field that engages the magnet to reciprocate the inner back iron within the driving coil
Implementation Method 2
The driving coil receives a current that generates a force for sliding the piston forward and backward within a chamber
Implementation Method 3
A compliant bellows is coupled to the flex mount and the piston
Data Source
AI summary
A linear compressor includes an inner back iron positioned in a driving coil. A flex mount is positioned within the inner back iron and is coupled to the inner back iron. A coupling extends between the flex mount and a piston, and a compliant bellows is coupled to the flex mount and the piston.