Rotary Compressor Partition Wall Elastic Portion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Rotary compressors face inefficiencies due to excessive contact between the vane and the inner surface of the vane slot, leading to increased motor pressure, refrigerant leakage, and reduced elasticity of the partition wall, which affects compression efficiency and reliability.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an elastic portion on the partition wall between the vane slot and the suction port, recessed in a penetrating or recessed manner, to reduce friction loss, enhance sealing, and increase the elastic strain of the partition wall, thereby improving lubrication and preventing refrigerant leakage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the suction port is formed through the cylinder in the radial direction, then the suction port structure is simple, but the partition wall does not secure adequate elasticity and the vane adheres excessively to the partition wall

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuction port structureVSAvoidpartition wall elasticity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The suction port is divided into a first suction port formed through the cylinder in the radial direction and a second suction port formed at an inner circumferential side surface of the cylinder in the axial direction. This segmentation allows the partition wall to have adequate elasticity while maintaining simple suction port structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The suction port configuration transitions from a single radial opening to a multi-dimensional structure with both radial and axial openings, allowing the partition wall to achieve proper elasticity without increasing overall device complexity.

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

2Device complexity

If both side surfaces in the circumferential direction constituting the partition wall are formed to be flat, then the partition wall structure is simple, but the width of the partition wall increases and elasticity cannot be secured

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepartition wall structureVSAvoidpartition wall elasticity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The partition wall incorporates a curved surface instead of flat surfaces, specifically with a predetermined curvature radius, allowing the partition wall to maintain elasticity while keeping the structure relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Ease of manufacture

If the recess depth is about 0.1 mm, then the recess is shallow and easy to manufacture, but the elastic force is insufficient and the partition wall bends in the direction of pressure load

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverecess depthVSAvoidelastic force
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The recess depth is optimized to a specific range (0.5-2.0 mm) that provides sufficient elastic force to prevent partition wall bending while remaining manufacturable. The curvature radius is also optimized (5-20 mm) to enhance elasticity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Device complexity

If the recess is formed from the axial side surface across both side surfaces, then the recess is symmetric, but the sealing distance between the vane slot and suction port is insufficient causing refrigerant leakage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverecess symmetryVSAvoidsealing distance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The recess is positioned asymmetrically at one of the circumferential side surfaces of the partition wall rather than symmetrically across both surfaces. This localized placement ensures adequate sealing distance between the vane slot and suction port while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 elastic portion reduces friction loss between the vane and the vane slot, secures an appropriate sealing distance, and increases the amount of refrigerant or oil stored, enhancing energy efficiency and compressor reliability by mitigating excessive contact and leakage issues.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic portion formed in a penetrating or recessed manner at at least one of both circumferential side surfaces of the partition wall... increasing an elastic strain of the partition wall

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

increasing an amount of oil or refrigerant stored between the vane and the vane slot, thereby improving a lubrication efficiency

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentEP4108926B1Rotary compressor
Publication Date: 2024.10.02 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP4108926B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4108926B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4108926B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A rotary compressor is disclosed. A vane slot is formed in each cylinder, a suction port is disposed at one side of the vane slot in a circumferential direction with a partition wall interposed therebetween, and an elastic portion is formed in a penetrated or recessed manner at at least one circumferential side surface of the partition wall or between both circumferential side surfaces. Accordingly, an elastic strain of the partition wall can increase to reduce a friction loss between the vane slot and the vane, a sealing distance can be secured between axial side surfaces of the partition wall to prevent refrigerant leakage between the vane slot and the suction port, an amount of oil or refrigerant stored between the vane and the vane slot can increase by virtue of an elastic portion formed on an inner surface of the vane slot defining the partition wall, thereby improving lubricity.