Compressor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Linear compressors face issues with lateral force influence and reduced levitation force due to resonant springs, affecting the piston's movement and efficiency within the cylinder.
Innovation Solution
The compressor design includes a cylindrical cylinder with a gas inlet and a piston that reciprocates axially, featuring a spring supporter, resonant spring, magnet frame, and mover, where the straight line from the piston's center of mass, spring supporter, magnet frame, and mover are strategically positioned between the first and second gas inlets to reduce lateral force and enhance levitation force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the piston is disposed inside the inner stator, then the structure is more compact, but a lateral force by the resonant spring is applied to the piston and levitation force is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the piston's center of mass asymmetrically relative to the inner stator, creating an offset configuration where the piston's center of mass does not coincide with the inner stator's central axis. This asymmetric arrangement generates a centrifugal force component that counteracts the lateral force from the resonant spring, thereby reducing the net lateral force on the piston while maintaining a compact structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a counterbalancing mechanism where the offset position of the piston's center of mass creates a centrifugal force that acts as a counterweight to the lateral force generated by the resonant spring. This counterbalancing effect reduces the overall lateral force applied to the piston, addressing the contradiction between compact structure and lateral force reduction.
2Volume of moving object
If the piston is disposed inside the inner stator, then the structure is more compact, but levitation force of the piston is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric positioning of the piston's center of mass relative to the inner stator creates a centrifugal force component during rotation. This centrifugal force contributes to the levitation force of the piston, compensating for the reduction in levitation force that would otherwise occur in a symmetric, compact configuration. The offset distance is optimized to provide sufficient levitation force while maintaining compact dimensions.
3Temperature
If oil lubrication is used, then cylinder and piston overheating is suppressed, but oil shortage may occur reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces gas (refrigerant) as an intermediary lubrication medium between the cylinder and piston. Instead of relying solely on oil lubrication, the system uses gas film lubrication where the refrigerant gas forms a lubricating film between the cylinder wall and piston surface. This intermediary gas layer provides both cooling and lubrication functions, reducing the risk of oil shortage while maintaining temperature control and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs gas film lubrication (pneumatic lubrication) where pressurized refrigerant gas is introduced between the cylinder and piston surfaces. This pneumatic lubrication system uses the pressure and flow characteristics of the gas to maintain a lubricating film, providing both thermal management and friction reduction without the reliability issues associated with oil lubrication in certain operating conditions.
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 configuration effectively reduces the influence of lateral force and improves the levitation force of the piston within the cylinder, enhancing the compressor's efficiency and performance.
Implementation Method 1
The compression unit performs a process of compressing and discharging a refrigerant while performing a resonant motion by a resonant spring through a movement generated in the drive unit.
Implementation Method 2
the gas lubricated linear compressor is configured not to store an oil in the casing, induce a part of the refrigerant discharged from the compression space between the cylinder and the piston, and lubricate between the cylinder and the piston by a gas force of the refrigerant.
Implementation Method 3
The oil lubricated linear compressor supplies the oil of a relatively low temperature between the cylinder and the piston and thus can suppress the cylinder and the piston from being overheated by motor heat or compression heat, etc.
Data Source
AI summary
A compressor is provided that may include a cylinder comprising at least one gas inlet formed on an outer circumferential surface, the cylinder being formed in a cylindrical shape; a piston disposed inside of the cylinder and configured to reciprocate axially; a spring supporter disposed outside of the cylinder and coupled to a rear of the piston; a resonant spring coupled to the spring supporter; a magnet frame coupled to a front of the spring supporter; and a mover disposed on the magnet frame. The at least one gas inlet may include a first gas inlet, and a second gas inlet disposed at a rear of the first gas inlet. A straight line extending radially from a center of mass of the piston, the spring supporter, the magnet frame, and the mover may be disposed between the first gas inlet and the second gas inlet.