Linear Compressor Heat Transfer Design to Reduce Motor Overheating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas-lubricated linear compressors face issues with motor heat and compression heat dissipation, leading to overheating, reduced efficiency, and increased size due to gaps between the stator and frame, which also cause vibration noise and increased flow resistance.
Innovation Solution
A linear compressor design with a supporting unit that includes a frame with heat radiating portions extending along the stator, a heat transfer member with high thermal conductivity between the stator and frame, and a housing that exposes the compressor main body to enhance heat radiation and reduce gaps, allowing for efficient heat transfer and noise reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a gas-lubricated linear compressor is used to reduce size and eliminate oil shortage issues, then the compressor size is reduced and reliability is improved, but motor heat and compression heat are not smoothly cooled, lowering efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces heat radiating portions that extend in the radial direction from the frame, creating additional heat dissipation surfaces in a different spatial dimension. This allows heat to be radiated more effectively without increasing the axial length of the compressor, thus reducing compressor size while improving heat dissipation efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a heat transfer member with high thermal conductivity as an intermediary between the stator and frame. This mediator efficiently transfers motor heat and compression heat to the heat radiating portions, solving the heat dissipation problem without requiring a larger compressor structure
2Ease of manufacture
If the stator is supported on a frame with gaps due to machining error, then assembly is simplified, but motor heat is not radiated smoothly and vibration noise occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing heat radiating portions at specific locations where heat generation occurs (near the stator), while maintaining gaps in other areas for assembly simplicity. The heat transfer member is selectively positioned at critical heat transfer points rather than throughout the entire structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite structure combining the frame, heat transfer member with high thermal conductivity, and heat radiating portions. This composite design maintains the simplicity of frame-based support while adding specialized components for heat management and vibration reduction
3Strength
If the frame blocks refrigerant flow between stator cores, then structural support is provided, but flow resistance increases and heat transfer coefficient decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the frame structure to create flow passages that allow refrigerant to pass through between stator cores. The frame is divided into sections with intentional gaps or channels, maintaining structural support while enabling refrigerant flow to continue uninterrupted, thus reducing flow resistance and maintaining heat transfer 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
The design effectively radiates motor and compression heat, preventing overheating, improving efficiency, reducing size, and minimizing vibration noise while enhancing convective heat transfer and flow resistance.
Implementation Method 1
a heat transfer member with high thermal conductivity between the stator and frame
Implementation Method 2
A linear compressor design with a supporting unit that includes a frame with heat radiating portions extending along the stator
Implementation Method 3
enhancing convective heat transfer and flow resistance
Data Source
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AI summary
A linear compressor according to the present invention includes a cylinder having a compressor space for compressing a refrigerant, a piston performing a reciprocating motion in an axial direction within the cylinder, a mover coupled to the piston to transmit a driving force to the piston and perform the reciprocating motion in the axial direction, a stator having a cylinder space in which the cylinder is inserted, and generating the driving force together with the mover, and a supporting unit having at least part radially overlapping the stator, wherein the radially overlapped portion is coupled to the stator in a contact manner, whereby heat transferred through a motor can be rapidly radiated.