Linear Compressor Oil Filtration for Compact Refrigerator Cooling

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing linear compressor used in refrigerators has a large volume, which limits its applicability in designs seeking increased inner storage space, and reducing its size to compensate for this results in performance deterioration due to increased friction from oil circulation.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a linear compressor with a gas bearing system using refrigerant as a lubricant, combined with a refrigerant filter device in the dryer that includes adsorbents to remove oil from the refrigerant, reducing friction and maintaining performance while minimizing compressor size.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of stationary object

If the linear compressor size is reduced to increase inner storage space, then the volume of the refrigerator machine room is reduced, but the friction force due to oil circulation increases and performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemachine room volumeVSAvoidcompressor performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes oil from the refrigerant circulation system by installing a dryer with an oil adsorbent. This eliminates the harmful friction force caused by oil circulation, allowing the compressor to be miniaturized without performance deterioration. The oil removal function is separated from the compression function, enabling independent optimization of each system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a dryer with oil adsorbent as an intermediary component between the compressor and refrigerant circulation system. This intermediary captures and removes oil from the refrigerant, preventing it from causing friction in the compressed refrigerant. The adsorbent acts as a mediator that selectively interacts with oil while allowing refrigerant to pass through.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Volume of moving object

If the linear compressor size is reduced, then the inner storage space of the refrigerator is increased, but the friction force due to oil circulating in the compressor increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompressor volumeVSAvoidfriction force

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of oil circulation (increased friction) into a beneficial situation by using the dryer to selectively adsorb oil while allowing refrigerant to pass. The oil that would normally cause friction is now captured and removed, transforming a harmful factor into a controlled and eliminated element.

Inventive Principle:

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

Solution Approach 2:

The dryer with oil adsorbent serves as an intermediary that separates oil from refrigerant. This intermediary component protects the compressor from oil-induced friction, enabling safe miniaturization of the compressor without performance loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If the drive frequency of the compressor is increased to compensate for deteriorated performance, then the compressor performance is improved, but the friction force due to oil circulating in the compressor increases further

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompressor performanceVSAvoidfriction force

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts oil from the refrigerant circulation path using the dryer and adsorbent material. By removing oil entirely from the system, the compressor can operate at higher drive frequencies to improve performance without the penalty of increased friction force from oil circulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

This solution allows for a smaller compressor size that maintains performance by reducing friction and preventing oil-related issues, thereby increasing inner storage space in refrigerators.

Implementation Method 1

a refrigerant filter device in the dryer that includes adsorbents to remove oil from the refrigerant

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentUS9982926B2Cooling system and refrigerator including a cooling system

Publication Date: 2018.05.29 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

A cooling system and a refrigerator including a cooling system are provided. The cooling system may include a linear compressor including a reciprocating piston and a cylinder that accommodates the piston and having an outer circumferential surface, into which a refrigerant may be introduced, a refrigerant filter device provided in the linear compressor to filter the refrigerant introduced into one or more gas inflow of the cylinder, a condenser that condenses the refrigerant compressed in the linear compressor, and a dryer that removes foreign substances or oil from the refrigerant condensed in the condenser. The dryer may include a dryer body including a refrigerant inflow, through which the refrigerant condensed in the condenser may be introduced, and a refrigerant discharge, through which the refrigerant may be discharged, and an adsorption filter accommodated in the dryer body to filter the oil in the refrigerant introduced through the refrigerant inflow.