Orbiting Scroll Grooves for Weight Balance and Vibration Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing scroll compressors using a pin-and-ring rotation-preventing mechanism face challenges in balancing vibration forces in the radial direction due to the revolution of the orbiting scroll, necessitating a counterweight that increases the size and weight of the compressor.

Innovation Solution

The orbiting scroll is designed with grooves on its outer peripheral surface that do not communicate with the plate surfaces, allowing for reduced weight and balanced vibration forces without interfering with the spiral body, and enabling the use of a smaller counterweight.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a pin-and-ring rotation-preventing mechanism is adopted, then the vibration force in the radial direction due to the revolution of the orbiting scroll can be reduced, but the weight of the orbiting scroll remains high requiring a large counterweight

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration force in radial directionVSAvoidweight of orbiting scroll
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts material from the orbiting scroll by forming grooves in the outer peripheral surface of the orbiting end plate. These grooves remove unnecessary material while preserving the essential structural integrity and rotational function of the orbiting scroll, thereby reducing its overall weight without compromising its ability to counterbalance radial vibration forces

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality modification by creating grooves only in specific regions of the orbiting end plate's outer peripheral surface. This localized material removal optimizes the weight reduction while maintaining the structural strength where it is most needed, allowing the orbiting scroll to effectively balance vibration forces with minimal weight

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Weight of moving object

If the weight of the orbiting scroll is reduced, then the size and weight of the counterweight can be reduced, but the structural integrity and vibration balancing capability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweight of orbiting scrollVSAvoidstructural integrity and vibration balancing capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The grooves are strategically positioned in the outer peripheral surface of the orbiting end plate where material removal has minimal impact on structural integrity. This localized modification allows weight reduction while preserving the strength and vibration balancing capability of the orbiting scroll

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Weight of moving object

If grooves are added to the outer peripheral surface of the orbiting end plate, then the weight of the orbiting scroll is reduced, but the complexity of manufacturing increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweight of orbiting scrollVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The grooves can be formed using various manufacturing processes including machining, molding, or additive manufacturing techniques. The groove geometry and positioning are designed to be compatible with standard manufacturing methods, minimizing the increase in manufacturing complexity while achieving the desired weight reduction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

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 reduces the weight and size of the orbiting scroll while effectively balancing vibration forces, enhancing the compressor's efficiency and flexibility in design.

Implementation Method 1

an orbiting scroll (80) consisting of an orbiting end plate (81) located to face the fixed spiral body (73), and a spiral-shaped orbiting spiral body (82) erected from a first plate surface (81a) of the orbiting end plate (81) toward the fixed spiral body (73)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEccentric motion: Eccentric

Implementation Method 2

a vibration force (centrifugal force) in the radial direction due to the revolution of the orbiting scroll can be balanced by a counterweight provided on the driving shaft

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentEP4033101B1Scroll compressor
Publication Date: 2026.04.22 VALEO ELECTRIFICATION
  • EP4033101B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4033101B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4033101B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An object of the invention is to achieve both weight reduction and weight balance of an orbiting scroll. A scroll compressor (10) includes a fixed scroll (70) and an orbiting scroll (80) stored in a housing (20), and a pin-and-ring rotation-preventing mechanism (90) that prevents rotation of the orbiting scroll (80). The orbiting scroll (80) includes an orbiting spiral body (82) erected from a first plate surface (81a) of a disk-shaped orbiting end plate (81) toward the fixed spiral body (73). The rotation-preventing mechanism (90) consists of a plurality of circular recessed portions (91) provided in a second plate surface (81b) of the orbiting end plate (81), and a plurality of pins (93) extending from the housing (20) into the plurality of recessed portions (91) to be engaged with the recessed portions (91). The orbiting end plate (81) has, in an outer peripheral surface (81c) thereof, at least one groove (111, 112) that does not communicate with the first plate surface (81a) or the second plate surface (81b) .