Linear Compressor Motor Preheating for Groove Clogging Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Linear compressors face efficiency reduction and piston wear due to groove clogging in the cylinder, primarily caused by foreign matter and oil, which leads to friction between the piston and cylinder, especially under low temperature conditions.
Innovation Solution
A control method for linear compressors that involves preheating the motor before operation by adjusting the inverter to increase the temperature of the compressor, using a controller to manage DC and AC currents based on temperature data, ensuring the groove remains unclogged and reducing viscosity of oils, thereby preventing friction and wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the compressor operates under low temperature conditions, then the viscosity of oil increases causing groove clogging, but preheating the motor increases energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs a preheating operation before the compressor starts normal operation. During this preliminary phase, the controller applies a DC current to the motor to raise its temperature, preventing oil viscosity increase and groove clogging during subsequent low-temperature operation, thereby ensuring reliable operation without excessive energy consumption during normal running
2Reliability
If the groove in the cylinder is clogged by foreign matter and oil, then friction between piston and cylinder increases, but the compressor structure cannot be modified to prevent clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The controller changes the temperature parameter of the motor by applying DC current during preheating. This temperature change prevents oil from solidifying and clogging the groove, thereby preventing friction between the piston and cylinder without requiring any structural modifications to the compressor
3Productivity
If the piston reciprocates without preheating, then the compressor operates efficiently, but wear occurs due to friction from groove clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs a preheating operation before the compressor starts normal operation. During this preliminary phase, the controller applies a DC current to the motor to raise its temperature, preventing oil viscosity increase and groove clogging during subsequent low-temperature operation, thereby ensuring reliable operation without excessive energy consumption during normal running
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 preheating method effectively prevents groove clogging, maintains compressor efficiency, and extends the lifespan of components by minimizing wear, ensuring reliable operation even under low temperature conditions.
Implementation Method 1
A linear compressor and a control method for linear compressor... preheating the linear compressor by allowing a DC current to flow through the linear motor
Implementation Method 2
The linear motor is configured such that a permanent magnet is located between an inner stator and an outer stator, and the permanent magnet is driven to linearly reciprocate by a mutual electromagnetic force between the permanent magnet and the inner (or outer) stator
Data Source
AI summary
A linear compressor according to the present disclosure may include a cylinder provided with at least one groove, a piston reciprocating within the cylinder, a motor configured to provide a driving force to move the piston within the cylinder, an inverter configured to perform a switching operation to transmit electric power to the motor, and a controller configured to receive temperature information from the electronic device and control the inverter to preheat the motor based on the received temperature information.