Linear Compressor Heat Dissipation Assembly to Reduce Oil Atomization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Linear compressors face performance issues due to high oil temperatures causing atomization and mechanical losses, with existing external heat exchangers being complex, costly, and prone to leaks.

Innovation Solution

A heat dissipation assembly that includes a distribution conduit for spraying heated lubricant onto the compressor housing to dissipate heat, using a flexible conduit with discharge ports and flow restrictors to control the oil flow and prevent atomization, enhancing thermal discharge and efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If external heat exchangers are used to cool the lubricant, then heat dissipation effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases and reliability deteriorates due to leaks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelubricant temperatureVSAvoidsystem reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the heat dissipation function with the compressor housing by integrating cooling channels directly into the housing structure. The housing serves dual purposes: structural containment and heat exchange, eliminating the need for separate external heat exchangers and their associated leakage risks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the lubricant cooling function from the external heat exchanger system and relocates it within the compressor housing. By taking out the heat exchange capability from external components and embedding it in the housing, the system eliminates leakage-prone external connections while maintaining effective heat dissipation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Productivity

If high-speed piston motion is used to increase compression efficiency, then productivity is improved, but harmful factors increase due to oil atomization and mechanical losses

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompression efficiencyVSAvoidoil atomization
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary cooling action to the lubricant before it reaches high-speed moving parts. By pre-cooling the oil through the housing channels, the system prevents oil atomization and mechanical losses that would occur during high-speed piston operation, thereby maintaining compression efficiency without the harmful effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the heat generated during high-speed compression into a beneficial cooling opportunity. The heat from the lubricant, which would normally be a harmful byproduct, is utilized to drive the cooling process through the housing channels, transforming a negative effect into a useful function that prevents oil atomization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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

The assembly effectively cools the lubricant before recirculation, improving compressor performance and reducing mechanical losses, while being cost-effective and leak-resistant.

Implementation Method 1

A heat dissipation assembly for a linear compressor includes a distribution conduit for spraying heated lubricant onto a compressor housing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

using a flexible conduit with discharge ports and flow restrictors to control the oil flow

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow control: Pressure Drop

Data Source

PatentEP4206466B1Heat dissipation assembly for linear compressor
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 HAIER SMART HOME CO LTD
  • EP4206466B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4206466B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4206466B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A linear compressor (100) and a heat dissipation assembly (230) therefore. The linear compressor (100) includes a housing (102) defining a sump for collecting a lubricant and a pump (206) for circulating the lubricant within the housing. The liner compressor further comprises a heat dissipation assembly (230) , wherein the heat dissipation assembly (230) is arranged in a cavity (108) and is conducive to promoting the discharge of thermal energy from the cavity (108) to the exterior of the housing (102) The heat dissipation assembly (230) includes a distribution conduit (240) and a flow limitation member (270) . The distribution conduit (240) is fluidly coupled to a hot oil collection point (232) and defines a plurality of discharge ports for distributing the lubricant (204) along the housing (102) and back into the sump (202) . A flow restricting member (240) may be positioned under or wrapped around the distribution conduit (240) to restrict the flow of lubricant (204) .