Linear Compressor Piston Elastic Coupling Misalignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Linear compressors face issues with piston misalignment leading to wear and fatigue, resulting in reduced reliability and increased manufacturing costs due to the need for lubricants and complex coupling structures.

Innovation Solution

A compressor design incorporating a piston structure with a guide member and an elastic member that allows for elastic deformation, reducing contact pressure and misalignment by using a bushing member that can absorb forces and maintain alignment through lubrication surface pressure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a rigid coupling structure is used to connect the piston to the driving unit, then the structural strength is improved, but the piston misalignment and contact wear with the cylinder increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidpiston alignment stability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a flexible coupling structure consisting of a resilient element (such as a rubber or elastomer component) that connects the piston to the driving unit. This flexible coupling allows the piston to self-align with the cylinder during operation, preventing misalignment and contact wear while maintaining sufficient structural strength to transmit the driving force effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If a flexible rod is inserted into the piston to provide flexibility, then the alignment stability is improved, but the flexible function is lost due to fatigue failure from repeated external forces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment stabilityVSAvoidservice life of flexible component

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a resilient coupling element made of elastomeric material that can continuously deform and recover without fatigue failure. This flexible coupling maintains its alignment-stabilizing function throughout the service life of the compressor, unlike rigid rods that fail under repeated loading.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling structure utilizes composite construction combining rigid and flexible materials - typically a metal housing with an elastomeric resilient element inside. This composite design provides both the structural strength needed for force transmission and the flexibility required for continuous alignment correction without fatigue failure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If joint-coupling pistons are used to maintain alignment, then the alignment stability is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases due to the need for lubricants and complex assembly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The resilient coupling element provides continuous alignment stability through its elastic deformation capability, eliminating the need for separate lubrication systems and complex joint assemblies. This simplifies manufacturing while maintaining reliable piston alignment throughout operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible coupling structure is self-aligning and self-lubricating through the properties of the elastomeric material itself, which naturally accommodates misalignment and reduces friction without requiring external lubricants or complex maintenance systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Strength

If the piston is made rigid to maintain structural integrity, then the strength is improved, but the contact pressure with the cylinder wall increases causing wear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepiston structural integrityVSAvoidcontact pressure and wear

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The resilient coupling element allows the piston to dynamically adjust its position and orientation during operation, maintaining optimal alignment with the cylinder wall. This reduces contact pressure and wear on both the piston and cylinder surfaces while the piston itself maintains its rigid structural integrity for withstanding compression forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 solution enhances compression reliability by minimizing piston-cylinder contact, reducing friction and wear, and maintaining alignment without the need for separate lubricants, thus improving operational stability and durability.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic member provided between the guide member and the mount member and capable of elastic deformation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11603834B2Linear compressor

Publication Date: 2023.03.14 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

A compressor is disclosed. A compressor according to the present discloser includes a piston structure which has a guide member reciprocating inside a cylinder in an axial direction, and a magnet frame which supports a mover moving together with the piston structure, in which the piston structure includes the guide member, a mount member connected to the magnet frame, and an elastic member provided between the guide member and the mount member and capable of elastic deformation.