Rotary Compressor Casing Volume Ratio for High-Speed Oil Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rotary compressors fail to sufficiently separate lubricant oil from refrigerant at high speeds, leading to increased oil discharge and reduced reliability.

Innovation Solution

A rotary compressor design with specific spatial volume ratios defined by (A+B)*D²/(Vcc*Nmax) ensures effective oil separation even at high speeds, incorporating a variable-speed electric motor and optimized casing dimensions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the compressor is downsized and operated at high speed, then productivity is improved, but lubricant oil separation becomes insufficient and reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompressor operating speedVSAvoidlubricant oil separation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the geometric parameters of the casing, specifically setting the volume ratio of the upper space to total volume between 0.25-0.65 and the lower space to total volume between 0.35-0.75. This parameter optimization ensures sufficient oil separation even at high operating speeds, resolving the contradiction between productivity improvement through speed increase and reliability maintenance through effective oil separation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the electric motor height is increased to ensure oil separation space, then reliability is improved, but the casing size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelubricant oil separation efficiencyVSAvoidcasing volume
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the height parameters by defining L1/(L1+L2) between 0.25-0.65, where L1 is the upper space height and L2 is the motor height. This allows sufficient oil separation space while controlling the overall motor and casing size, preventing upsizing of the casing while ensuring reliable oil separation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the axial dimension of the casing by creating distinct upper and lower spaces with optimized volume ratios. This dimensional approach allows effective oil separation without increasing the radial size of the casing, thus avoiding upsizing while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Volume of moving object

If the compressor is downsized, then the casing volume is reduced, but the flow velocity increases and oil separation becomes insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecasing volumeVSAvoidlubricant oil separation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the volume ratios of the upper and lower spaces within the casing. By setting the upper space volume ratio between 0.25-0.65 and the lower space volume ratio between 0.35-0.75, the patent ensures sufficient oil separation capacity even in a downsized casing with higher flow velocities, thus maintaining reliability while achieving downsizing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter 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

The design reduces oil loss and vibration, maintaining compressor reliability and efficiency, even when downsized and operated at high speeds.

Implementation Method 1

an electric motor (40) that is a variable-speed type electric motor and that is disposed in the casing (20)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a compression mechanism (30) that is disposed in the casing (20) and that is coupled with the electric motor (40)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentEP4455484B1Rotary compressor and air conditioner
Publication Date: 2025.12.03 DAIKIN INDUSTRIES LTD
  • EP4455484B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4455484B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4455484B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A relationship represented by 0.8 ≤ (A+B)*D2/(Vcc*Nmax) ≤ 1.0 is satisfied, where the axial length of the first space (S 1) is A, the axial length of the second space (S2) is B, the inner diameter of the casing (20) is D, the suction volume per rotation of the compression mechanism (30) is Vcc, and the maximum rotational speed of the compression mechanism (30) is Nmax.