Linear Compressor Machined Spring Air Gap Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Linear compressors in refrigerator appliances face inefficiencies 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 reduced performance.
Innovation Solution
A linear compressor design incorporating a machined spring with an inner back iron assembly and a driving coil, where the machined spring supports the inner back iron assembly to limit friction and maintain a uniform air gap, reducing side pull forces and enhancing magnetic field transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a piston is used in a linear compressor, then refrigerant compression is achieved, but friction losses occur due to rubbing against the chamber wall
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical piston compression system with a magnetic field-based compression system. The driving coil generates a magnetic field that directly acts on the magnet attached to the piston, eliminating the need for mechanical connections and reducing friction losses between the piston and chamber wall.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a magnet as an intermediary between the driving coil and the piston. The magnet is attached to the piston and interacts with the magnetic field generated by the driving coil, enabling force transmission without direct mechanical contact and reducing friction.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple air gaps are provided in the linear compressor, then magnetic field transmission is interrupted, but structural flexibility is improved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the air gaps into a single uniform air gap between the magnet and the driving coil. This consolidation maintains structural flexibility while ensuring continuous and efficient magnetic field transmission across the gap, avoiding interruptions that would occur with multiple separate gaps.
3Loss of energy
If a uniform air gap is maintained between the magnet and driving coil, then magnetic field transmission is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the magnetic circuit and air gap structure to achieve equipotential distribution of the magnetic field across the uniform air gap. By carefully designing the geometry and magnetic properties of the components, the system maintains a uniform magnetic flux density across the gap, optimizing field transmission while managing manufacturing complexity through symmetric design.
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 losses and maintains a consistent air gap, improving the efficiency and performance of the linear compressor by minimizing side pull forces and ensuring effective magnetic field transmission.
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 includes a first cylindrical portion mounted to the casing at the first end portion of the casing, a second cylindrical portion positioned within and fixed to the inner back iron assembly
Implementation Method 3
The driving coil is operable to move the inner back iron assembly in order to reciprocate a piston within a chamber of a cylinder assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A linear compressor is provided. The linear compressor includes a machined spring. An inner back iron assembly is fixed to the machined spring at a middle portion of the machined spring. A driving coil is operable to move the inner back iron assembly in order to reciprocate a piston within a chamber of a cylinder assembly.