Rotary Compressor Vane Structure for Lower Abrasion and Easier Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

The apical end portion of the vane in rotary compressors is prone to abrasion due to contact with the roller, leading to high costs for special surface treatments and inefficient vane attachment processes.

Innovation Solution

The design features symmetrical first and second vanes with arc-shaped apical end portions that come into line contact with the roller, utilizing coil springs to bias the vanes and reduce contact pressure, and dividing the vane into two units to halve the affected area, thereby preventing abrasion and improving attachment efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If special surface treatment is applied to the apical end portion of the vane to prevent abrasion, then abrasion resistance is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveabrasion resistanceVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the physical parameter of the apical end portion by forming it with a specific curvature radius (R1) that is larger than the curvature radius (R2) of the roller contact surface. This parameter change allows the vane to roll over the roller apex rather than slide, preventing abrasion without requiring special surface treatments, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and manufacturing cost

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the vane attachment process is simplified, then attachment efficiency is improved, but vane positioning precision may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment efficiencyVSAvoidvane positioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses asymmetric positioning structures including a positioning protrusion and positioning groove, along with asymmetric spring placement (first spring on one side, second spring on the other side). These asymmetric features provide automatic self-positioning during assembly, allowing simple attachment processes while maintaining precise vane positioning through the inherent geometric constraints of the asymmetric design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

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 solution effectively reduces abrasion and improves the efficiency of vane attachment, decreasing contact pressure and manufacturing complexity while maintaining operational effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

coil springs to bias the vanes and reduce contact pressure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The apical end portion of the vane is abraded as it slidably comes into contact with the roller

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2980410B1Rotary compressor and refrigeration cycle device
Publication Date: 2019.03.27 TOSHIBA CARRIER CORP
  • EP2980410B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2980410B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2980410B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

According to one embodiment, a compression mechanism unit of a rotary compressor includes a cylinder comprising a cylinder chamber, a roller which is housed in the cylinder chamber, first and second vanes which come into contact with the roller and partition the cylinder chamber into a compression side and an absorption side, and a bias member which biases the first and second vanes toward the roller. On both end sides of a posterior end portion of the first vane along an axial direction of the rotational axis, first vane side attachment portions having an equal dimension in the axial direction are provided. On both end sides of a posterior end portion of the second vane along the axial direction of the rotational axis, second vane side attachment portions having an equal dimension in the axial direction are provided. The first and second vanes are attached to the bias member via the first and second vane side attachment portions.