Oldham Ring Key Layout for Compact Scroll Compressor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional scroll compressors using Oldham rings face limitations in reducing the size of the ring portion and the orbiting scroll due to key intersections, leading to interference issues and the need for additional release portions, which restricts the compactness and orbiting radius of the compressing mechanism.
Innovation Solution
The Oldham ring is redesigned with scroll-side and main bearing-side keys disposed at locations deviated from the ring's diameter line, ensuring the keys' widths match or exceed the keyway widths, and sliding surfaces are optimized to reduce the outer diameter, eliminating the need for release portions and allowing for increased orbiting radius.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the Oldham ring uses conventional key arrangement on diameter lines, then the structure is simple, but the outer diameter increases and interferes with the bearing member inner diameter
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by deviating the key arrangement from the conventional symmetric diameter line configuration. The scroll-side keys and main bearing-side keys are positioned at locations that do not lie on the diameter lines, creating an asymmetric layout that reduces the Oldham ring's outer diameter while avoiding interference with the bearing member's inner diameter.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a one-dimensional diameter line arrangement to a two-dimensional spatial arrangement. By positioning keys at deviated locations in the radial and tangential directions, the design utilizes additional spatial dimensions to optimize the Oldham ring's compactness without compromising its functional integrity.
2Volume of moving object
If keys are made to match keyway widths for compactness, then the structure becomes compact, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by optimizing the key dimensions specifically at the interfaces with keyways. The scroll-side keys are designed with widths matching the scroll-side keyway widths, and the main bearing-side keys are designed with widths matching the main bearing-side keyway widths. This localized precision approach ensures compact fit without requiring excessive overall manufacturing precision.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If release portions are added to avoid interference, then interference is prevented, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the need for release portions by fundamentally changing the key arrangement configuration. By positioning the keys at deviated locations from the diameter lines, the design removes the source of interference rather than adding compensatory features like release portions, thereby simplifying the overall structure.
4Productivity
If the orbiting radius is increased, then the compressing mechanism performance improves, but the overall compressor size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by separating the optimization of the Oldham ring from the overall compressor design. By independently optimizing the Oldham ring's key arrangement to reduce its outer diameter, the design creates space that allows for increased orbiting radius without proportionally increasing the overall compressor size, thus improving compressing mechanism efficiency while controlling overall dimensions.
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
This design enables a more compact compressing mechanism with an enhanced orbiting radius, improved productivity, and reliability, while reducing the weight and cost of the compressor by eliminating the need for additional release portions and allowing for stable operation under unstable conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The orbiting scroll 109 is moved in a first direction which is restricted by the scroll-side keys 113 and the scroll-side keyways 115, and in a second direction which is restricted by the bearing-side keys 114 and the bearing-side keyways 116, and rotation of the orbiting scroll 109 is inhibited.
Implementation Method 2
The crankshaft 103 includes an eccentric shaft 102. Rotation of the crankshaft 103 is transmitted to the driving shaft 107 of the orbiting scroll 109.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2(a)~2(c)
Figure 3
AI summary
A scroll compressor is characterized in that by reducing an Oldham ring 57 and an orbiting scroll 12 in size, a compressing mechanism 4 is reduced in size, a pair of scroll-side keys 57b are disposed at locations deviated from each other from a diameter line of the ring portion 57a so that a distance between the pair of scroll-side keys 57b becomes not less than a width of the scroll-side keyway 12d, and a pair of main bearing-side keys 57c are disposed at locations deviated from each other from the diameter line of the ring portion 57a so that a distance between the pair of main bearing-side keys 57c becomes not less than a width of the main bearing-side keyways 51a.