Oldham Ring Lubricant Flow Control in Scroll Compressors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional scroll compressors face challenges in precisely controlling lubricant flow into compression chambers, leading to reduced efficiency due to either excessive lubricant causing fluid compression or inadequate lubrication resulting in friction damage, and require costly and complex regulating valves.
Innovation Solution
A scroll compressor design incorporating an Oldham ring that moves reciprocally to control lubricant flow through a periodic oil opening, eliminating the need for a regulating valve by calculating and optimizing the amount of lubricant fed into the compression chamber based on the relative movement between the Oldham ring and the block.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a regulating valve is installed to control lubricant flow, then lubrication precision is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the lubricant flow control function from a separate regulating valve and integrates it into the Oldham ring structure itself. The Oldham ring's periodic movement relative to the block naturally opens and closes the oil opening, eliminating the need for an external regulating valve while maintaining precise lubrication control.
Solution Approach 2:
The Oldham ring performs dual functions: restraining the orbiting scroll from rotating and controlling lubricant flow. By utilizing the existing reciprocating motion of the Oldham ring, the system achieves self-regulated lubricant delivery without requiring additional control mechanisms or external power sources.
2Measurement precision
If a regulating valve is installed to control lubricant flow, then lubrication precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the regulating valve component entirely and extracts its flow control function into the Oldham ring's geometric design. The oil opening's position and the Oldham ring's dimensions are optimized to provide precise lubrication control, reducing part count and manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The lubrication control function is merged with the Oldham ring's existing structure. The same component that restrains scroll rotation also controls lubricant flow timing and quantity, reducing the total number of parts and simplifying assembly and manufacturing processes.
3Quantity of substance
If oil opening remains open for long period, then lubricant supply is sufficient, but compression efficiency decreases due to excessive lubricant
Solution Approach 1:
The oil opening operates in a periodic manner, opening and closing with each reciprocating cycle of the Oldham ring. This periodic action ensures lubricant is supplied only during specific phases of the compression cycle when needed, preventing excessive lubricant from entering the compression chamber and maintaining high compression efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static open oil opening to a dynamic, periodically controlled opening. The Oldham ring's reciprocating motion dynamically opens and closes the oil opening, allowing precise temporal control of lubricant flow to match the actual lubrication needs during different compression stages.
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 allows for precise lubrication control, enhancing compression efficiency, reducing manufacturing costs, and simplifying design and manufacturing complexity by eliminating the need for a regulating valve while maintaining optimal performance.
Implementation Method 1
the Oldham ring moves reciprocally to control lubricant flow through a periodic oil opening
Implementation Method 2
the crankshaft is connected to the orbiting scroll in an eccentric manner for driving the orbiting scroll to orbit around the fixed scroll
Implementation Method 3
the entering coolant is trapped in diametrically opposed pockets and compressed as the pockets move toward the center
Data Source
AI summary
A scroll compressor including a block, a fixed scroll, an orbiting scroll, a crankshaft, an Oldham ring and an oil passage is provided, wherein the fixed scroll is fixed on the block, and the orbiting scroll, the crankshaft and the Oldham ring are disposed on the block. The fixed scroll and the orbiting scroll form a gas-in area, a compressing area and a gas-out area which are connected in a series. The orbiting scroll is eccentric connected with the crankshaft to orbit over the fixed scroll and drive the Oldham ring moving. A reciprocating motion area on the block is formed via the reciprocating motion between the block and the Oldham ring, wherein the block has an oil opening in the reciprocating motion area. Besides, one terminal of the oil passage is connected to the oil opening, and another terminal of the oil passage is connected to the gas-in area and the compressing area.