Linear Compressor Piston Cylinder Nonmagnetic Material Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Linear compressors face issues with interference between the cylinder and piston, leading to abrasion and efficiency loss due to magnetic flux leakage, caused by the use of magnetic materials and slight assembly errors, which result in compression gas leaks.
Innovation Solution
The use of nonmagnetic materials like aluminum for the piston and cylinder, combined with surface-treated portions to enhance abrasion resistance and heat management, and the implementation of a motor assembly with a permanent magnet made of ferrite material to reduce production costs and prevent magnetic flux leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If magnetic materials are used for the piston and cylinder, then the structural strength is improved, but magnetic flux leakage occurs causing efficiency deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
A non-magnetic material layer is introduced as an intermediary between the magnetic components and the external environment. This layer acts as a magnetic flux barrier, preventing leakage while allowing the structural components to maintain their required strength through proper material selection and design.
Solution Approach 2:
The piston and cylinder are constructed using composite material structures that combine magnetic materials for structural strength with non-magnetic material layers for magnetic flux containment. This composite approach allows simultaneous achievement of mechanical strength and magnetic efficiency.
2Ease of manufacture
If the piston and cylinder are made of magnetic materials, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but interference and abrasion occur causing component damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite material construction where magnetic materials provide structural integrity and cost-effectiveness, while non-magnetic material layers provide abrasion resistance and prevent interference. This layered composite structure resolves the contradiction between manufacturing cost and component durability.
3Productivity
If clearance between piston and cylinder is reduced to prevent gas leakage, then compression efficiency is improved, but interference and abrasion increase
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the piston and cylinder are given different material properties. The surface layers have enhanced abrasion resistance through non-magnetic material coating, allowing tighter clearances for improved compression efficiency without suffering from increased wear. The bulk materials maintain structural strength to handle the increased contact pressure.
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
Prevents interference and abrasion between the piston and cylinder, maintains efficiency by containing magnetic flux, and reduces production costs through the use of inexpensive materials, while ensuring similar heat expansion rates to maintain a proper clearance and lubrication.
Implementation Method 1
The permanent magnet may be linearly reciprocated by a mutual electromagnetic force between the permanent magnet and the inner (or outer) stator
Implementation Method 2
a piston (130) that linearly reciprocates inside the cylinder (120) to compress a refrigerant in a compression space, the piston (130) including a piston body (131) having a cylindrical outer circumference and a surface-treated portion (310)
Data Source
AI summary
A linear compressor is provided that may include a shell provided with a refrigerant inlet; a cylinder provided inside of the shell to form a compression space; a piston that reciprocates inside of the cylinder to compress a refrigerant in the compression space; and a motor assembly that provides a drive force to the piston and provided with a permanent magnet. The piston may include a piston body having a cylindrical outer circumferential surface and a surface-treated area, which may be processed with a material having a predetermined hardness value, and a valve support provided at an end of the piston body and having a suctioning hole be in communication with the compression space. The valve support may form a first non-surface-treated area, which is not surface-treated.