PEEK Synthetic Resin Bearing for Scroll Compressor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing scroll compressors face challenges in reducing size and weight while maintaining sufficient lubricating performance and abrasion resistance, which limits their efficiency and design flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A synthetic resin bearing made of PEEK material with a thickness between 0.17mm and 1mm is used as a journal bearing, press-fit to the orbiting scroll or main frame, providing enhanced lubrication and abrasion resistance comparable to conventional bearings but with reduced size, and allowing for a higher compression ratio.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional steel-based bearing with coating is used, then lubricating performance and abrasion resistance are sufficient, but the bearing thickness must be about 2 mm which increases compressor size and weight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from conventional steel-based materials to PEEK (polyether ether ketone) synthetic resin, which inherently provides sufficient lubricating performance and abrasion resistance without requiring thick construction or additional coatings. This material parameter change enables the bearing to achieve the same reliability with reduced thickness of about 1 mm or less.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs PEEK as a high-performance synthetic resin material that combines lubricating properties, wear resistance, and mechanical strength in a single composite material system, eliminating the need for multi-layer coatings or composite structures of steel with surface treatments.
2Volume of moving object
If the bearing thickness is reduced to decrease compressor size, then compressor volume and weight are reduced, but lubricating performance and abrasion resistance may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters by selecting PEEK with specific physical and chemical properties that provide high lubricating performance and wear resistance at reduced thickness. The intrinsic material properties of PEEK allow the bearing to maintain sufficient reliability even when thickness is reduced to about 1 mm or less, thereby reducing overall compressor volume and weight.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a thinner bearing is used to reduce compressor size, then design freedom is enhanced, but heat dissipation capability may be reduced leading to fusion issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the thermal parameters by selecting PEEK material with appropriate thermal conductivity and melting point characteristics. This allows the thinner bearing structure to maintain sufficient heat dissipation capability and resistance to fusion, enabling greater design freedom while managing thermal constraints.
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 PEEK-based synthetic resin bearing reduces the compressor's size and weight, enhances design freedom, and maintains superior lubrication and abrasion resistance, while preventing heat-related issues such as fusion, thereby improving operational efficiency and compression ratio.
Implementation Method 1
a synthetic resin bearing made of PEEK material with a thickness between 0.17mm and 1mm is used as a journal bearing, press-fit to the orbiting scroll or main frame, providing enhanced lubrication and abrasion resistance
Implementation Method 2
providing enhanced lubrication and abrasion resistance comparable to conventional bearings
Data Source
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AI summary
A synthetic resin bearing and a scroll compressor (100, 200) using the same are provided. In the synthetic resin bearing as a journal bearing (122, 132, 163, 228, 234) fixed to an orbiting scroll (160, 240) or a main frame (120) and relatively rotated with respect to a rotational shaft in a scroll compressor, the journal bearing is made of a PEEK material, and a thickness t of the journal bearing is smaller than a thickness t1 with which a temperature in a contact surface thereof with the rotational shaft (143, 226) during an operation of the scroll compressor corresponds to a glass transition temperature.