Linear Compressor Resonant Spring Design to Minimize Lateral Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing linear compressors face challenges with lateral force generation, manufacturing time, noise reduction, cost, and efficiency due to the use of coil springs and metal components.
Innovation Solution
A linear compressor design utilizing a resonant spring system with multiple first and second elastic bodies formed in a sphere shape, which are press-fitted between stator and seating portions, and back plate, respectively, to minimize lateral force and simplify assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a coil spring is used as the resonant spring, then the piston can be supported and resonant motion can be achieved, but lateral force is generated causing tilting and eccentricity
Solution Approach 1:
The coil spring is divided into multiple segments (first coil spring segment and second coil spring segment) connected by a spring connector. This segmentation allows each segment to independently absorb lateral forces while maintaining the overall resonant function, thereby reducing the harmful lateral force effect on the piston.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring connector is formed by combining multiple materials: a base material (first material) and a reinforcing material (second material) with different physical properties. This composite structure provides both flexibility for resonant motion and strength to resist lateral forces, solving the contradiction between supporting the piston and minimizing lateral force.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If multiple coil springs are used to minimize lateral force, then lateral force is reduced, but manufacturing time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple coil spring segments are merged into a single integrated resonant spring assembly with unified mounting structure. This combining approach maintains the lateral force reduction benefits of multiple springs while simplifying the assembly into one manufacturable unit, thereby improving productivity without sacrificing performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring connector serves multiple functions simultaneously: it connects the coil spring segments, provides structural support, and helps distribute lateral forces. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and assembly steps, improving manufacturing efficiency while maintaining lateral force reduction.
3Strength
If metal components are used for the resonant spring and related parts, then structural strength is ensured, but high noise is generated during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The spring connector combines a base material with a reinforcing material to create a composite structure that provides metal-level strength while incorporating damping properties that reduce noise. The different materials work together to maintain structural integrity during resonant motion while minimizing noise generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The resonant spring incorporates flexible elements that can deform and absorb vibration energy, reducing the transmission of mechanical vibrations that cause noise. These flexible components maintain the necessary structural strength while providing noise damping through their elastic deformation characteristics.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If separate plastic components are used at the seat portion of the coil spring to reduce noise, then noise is reduced, but the number of components increases and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The noise reduction function previously requiring separate plastic components is merged into the spring connector itself. The spring connector is designed with integrated noise damping features through its composite material construction, eliminating the need for additional plastic parts while maintaining noise reduction performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring connector is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides structural support, connects coil spring segments, distributes lateral forces, and reduces noise. This consolidation of multiple functions into one component reduces the total number of parts and simplifies manufacturing while achieving noise reduction without separate plastic components.
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 design effectively reduces lateral force, simplifies manufacturing, decreases noise, lowers production costs, and enhances the efficiency of the inner space by minimizing the volume occupied by the resonant spring.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of first elastic bodies disposed between the stator cover and the seating portion; and a plurality of second elastic bodies disposed between the seating portion and the back plate
Implementation Method 2
the resonant spring may be adjusted to a frequency corresponding to the natural frequency of the piston to allow the piston to perform a resonant motion
Data Source
AI summary
An elastic body and a linear compressor including the same are provided. The linear compressor comprises a cylinder; a piston reciprocating axially inside the cylinder; a drive unit disposed outside the cylinder; a stator cover coupled to a rear of the drive unit; a spring supporter comprising a body portion coupled to a rear of the piston and a seating portion extending outward from the body portion and disposed at a rear of the stator cover; a back plate disposed at a rear of the seating portion; a plurality of first elastic bodies disposed between the stator cover and the seating portion; and a plurality of second elastic bodies disposed between the seating portion and the back plate, wherein the plurality of first elastic bodies and the plurality of second elastic bodies each form a closed space in which a gas is accommodated.