Linear Compressor Intake Muffler Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing linear compressors face challenges in effectively improving pressure reduction at the inlet side of the intake muffler and generating high pressure at the outlet side, which limits the overall compression efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a first muffler and a second muffler with communication portions, including communication holes and pipes, that allow refrigerant to flow between them, enhancing pressure reduction at the inlet and outlet portions of the intake muffler, thereby improving compression efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single muffler is used in the intake passage, then the structure is simple, but the pressure reduction at the inlet side is insufficient and compression efficiency is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The intake muffler is divided into a first muffler and a second muffler that are coupled in series along the refrigerant flow direction. The first muffler has a first body with a first cross-sectional area, and the second muffler has a second body with a second cross-sectional area that is smaller than the first. This segmentation allows progressive pressure reduction while maintaining a manageable structural complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dimensional transition by varying the cross-sectional area of the muffler bodies along the refrigerant flow path. The first muffler has a larger cross-sectional area that gradually transitions to a smaller cross-sectional area in the second muffler, creating a dimensional change that enhances pressure reduction efficiency without proportionally increasing overall complexity.
2Productivity
If the muffler cross-sectional area is reduced to improve pressure reduction, then compression efficiency increases, but refrigerant flow resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the muffler into two stages with different cross-sectional areas, the patent achieves progressive pressure reduction. The first muffler with larger area handles initial pressure reduction with lower flow resistance, while the second muffler with smaller area provides additional pressure reduction. This segmentation optimizes the balance between pressure reduction and flow resistance by distributing the compression function across two zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameter of cross-sectional area along the refrigerant flow path. The cross-sectional area transitions from a larger value in the first muffler to a smaller value in the second muffler, creating a parameter gradient that facilitates progressive pressure reduction while managing flow resistance through controlled geometric transformation.
Data Source
AI summary
A linear compressor includes a shell including an intake pipe configured to suction a refrigerant, a cylinder provided inside the shell, a piston configured to reciprocate inside the cylinder, the piston including a piston body and a piston flange, and an intake muffler coupled to the piston and configured to flow a refrigerant suctioned through the intake pipe into the piston body and reduce a flow noise of the suctioned refrigerant. The intake muffler includes a first muffler disposed in the piston body, a second muffler disposed below the first muffler and configured to communicate with the first muffler, and a third muffler configured to accommodate a portion of a rear end of the first muffler and the second muffler.