Linear Compressor Noise Damping via Elastic Steel Member

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Solution Overview

Problem

Linear compressors generate noise in the middle to high frequency range (1 kHz to 4 kHz) due to their operational mechanisms, which is a limitation that existing technologies have not effectively addressed.

Innovation Solution

A linear compressor design incorporating a noise reducing member made of steel with strong elasticity, rolled into a cylindrical shape and mounted inside the compressor casing using fixing members to absorb and dissipate noise, ensuring it is not transmitted outside the casing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-generated harmful factors

If a linear compressor operates with a piston reciprocating in a cylinder, then compression function is achieved, but noise in the middle to high frequency range (1 kHz to 4 kHz) is generated and transmitted outside the compressor casing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise transmissionVSAvoidcompression function

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A noise reducing member is introduced as an intermediary element disposed between the compressor body and the compressor casing. This member acts as a mediator that blocks the transmission path of noise from the compression mechanism to the external environment, while allowing the compression function to continue operating normally through the casing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The noise reducing member is designed as a simple, cost-effective component that can be easily replaced. It uses a relatively thin steel plate (0.4T to 1.0T) that serves its noise reduction purpose effectively without requiring complex structures or expensive materials, accepting that it may need periodic replacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Object-generated harmful factors

If a noise reducing member is added inside the compressor casing, then noise transmission is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise transmissionVSAvoidcompressor structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The noise reducing member is divided into multiple segments or pieces that can be separately installed and positioned at different locations within the compressor casing. This segmentation allows for targeted noise reduction at specific noise sources while maintaining overall structural simplicity and ease of installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The noise reducing member utilizes a thin steel plate structure that provides effective noise reduction without adding significant structural complexity. The thin film approach allows the noise reducing member to be easily formed into required shapes and positioned within the existing casing geometry without requiring major structural modifications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Object-generated harmful factors

If the noise reducing member is made of steel with strong elasticity and rolled into cylindrical shape, then noise absorption and dissipation is enhanced, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise absorptionVSAvoidnoise reducing member fabrication

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The noise reducing member is rolled into a cylindrical shape with curved surfaces that effectively absorb and dissipate noise through geometric scattering and resonance. The curved geometry enhances noise reduction performance compared to flat plates, while the rolling process is a straightforward manufacturing operation that does not significantly increase fabrication complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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

Significantly reduces noise transmission from the compressor, particularly in the middle to high frequency range, by effectively mounting a noise reducing member within the compressor casing to absorb and dissipate noise generated during operation.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNoise absorption: Acoustic Absorption

Implementation Method 2

A linear compressor design incorporating a noise reducing member made of steel with strong elasticity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

to absorb and dissipate noise, ensuring it is not transmitted outside the casing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnergy dissipation: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP3540231B1Compressor with noise damping

Publication Date: 2020.11.25 LG ELECTRONICS INC

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AI summary

A compressor that include a compressor casing (300) coupled to each of a suction inlet (100), into which a refrigerant may be introduced, and a discharge outlet (200), through which the refrigerant may be discharged, a compressor body (400) mounted inside the compressor casing to compress the refrigerant suctioned in through the suction inlet, and then discharge the refrigerant through the discharge outlet, a noise reducing member (520,530) disposed between the compressor body and the compressor casing, and at least one fixing member (540) mounted inside the compressor casing to fix the noise reducing member to an inner wall of the compressor casing.