Linear Compressor Machined Spring Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Linear compressors in refrigerator appliances face efficiency issues due to friction between the piston and chamber walls and challenges in maintaining a uniform air gap between the magnet and driving coil, leading to suboptimal performance.
Innovation Solution
A linear compressor design featuring a machined spring that couples the inner back iron assembly to the cylinder assembly, reducing friction and maintaining a single air gap for improved magnetic field transmission and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a piston is used in a linear compressor, then refrigerant compression is achieved, but friction between the piston and chamber wall reduces efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the piston component entirely from the linear compressor design. Instead of using a traditional piston that slides within a chamber, the invention uses a reciprocating compressor element that eliminates the need for a separate piston, thereby eliminating the friction losses between piston and chamber wall while maintaining refrigerant compression capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical piston-chamber friction system with an alternative mechanical arrangement where the compressor element integrates the compression function without requiring a sliding piston. This substitution eliminates the harmful friction interface while preserving the essential compression function.
2Reliability
If multiple air gaps are provided in the linear compressor, then magnetic field transmission is interrupted, but maintaining uniform air gap is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates one of the multiple air gaps present in conventional linear compressors by repositioning the magnet assembly. Instead of having air gaps on both sides of the magnet, the design configures the magnetic circuit to require only a single air gap, thereby maintaining magnetic field transmission while simplifying the manufacturing precision requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the conventional arrangement by positioning the magnet such that the magnetic field path requires only one air gap rather than multiple gaps. This inversion of the magnetic circuit configuration resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliable magnetic field transmission while reducing the complexity of maintaining uniform air gaps.
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 reduces friction and maintains a uniform air gap, enhancing the operational efficiency and reliability of the linear compressor by minimizing side pull forces and dampening effects, resulting in improved performance and reduced energy losses.
Implementation Method 1
The driving coil receives a current that generates a force for sliding the piston forward and backward within a chamber
Implementation Method 2
A machined spring of the linear compressor extends between an inner back iron assembly of the linear compressor and the cylinder assembly in order to couple the inner back iron assembly to the cylinder assembly
Implementation Method 3
The magnet is spaced apart from the driving coil by an air gap... maintaining a uniform air gap between the magnet and the driving coil
Data Source
AI summary
A linear compressor is provided. The linear compressor includes a piston slidably received within a chamber of a cylinder assembly. A machined spring of the linear compressor extends between an inner back iron assembly of the linear compressor and the cylinder assembly in order to couple the inner back iron assembly to the cylinder assembly.