Rotary Compressor Vane Spring for Trembling Suppression

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vane rotary compressors experience start operation delays, refrigerant leakage, increased vibration noise, and mechanical friction losses due to trembling of vanes caused by pressure differences and uneven pressure pulsation, especially when using high-pressure refrigerants like R32, R410a, or CO2, leading to reduced efficiency and stability.

Innovation Solution

A rotary compressor design that incorporates a vane spring on the rear surface of the vane to enhance contact with the cylinder, reducing trembling and leakage by applying elastic force, and a spring insertion groove structure to stabilize the vane and reduce friction losses, while maintaining uniform pressure and supporting the vane effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If the number of vanes is increased to reduce compression chamber volume for high-pressure refrigerants, then cooling capability is improved, but frictional area between vanes and cylinder increases leading to higher mechanical friction loss and unstable rotating shaft behavior

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling capabilityVSAvoidmechanical friction loss
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The vane spring is installed in advance on the rear surface of the vane, ready to provide elastic force before the vane operates. This preliminary action ensures the vane is pre-positioned to maintain stable contact with the cylinder, reducing friction during operation without requiring changes to the number of vanes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical state of the vane by adding elastic force from the spring, transforming it from a passive component to an actively supported one. This parameter change (adding elastic force) allows the vane to maintain optimal contact pressure with the cylinder, reducing friction loss while preserving the cooling capability provided by the existing vane configuration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If the vane is allowed to move freely due to pressure difference between front and rear surfaces, then the structure is simple, but trembling and shaking occur causing start operation failure and reduced efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidstart operation reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The vane spring acts as an intermediary element between the vane and the cylinder. It mediates the interaction by providing continuous elastic force that ensures stable contact, preventing trembling and shaking that would otherwise occur due to pressure differences, thereby ensuring reliable start operation without significantly complicating the overall structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the vane is pressed firmly against the cylinder to prevent leakage, then sealing is improved, but friction loss increases and rotating shaft behavior becomes unstable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing performanceVSAvoidfriction loss
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The vane spring provides dynamic elastic force that adapts to operating conditions. The spring allows the vane to maintain optimal contact pressure with the cylinder - firm enough to prevent leakage but not so firm as to cause excessive friction or instability. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between sealing performance and friction loss

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 solution enables quick start-up, reduces vibration noise, minimizes refrigerant leakage, and enhances compressor efficiency by stabilizing the vane and reducing mechanical friction, even under high-pressure conditions, thus improving the reliability and performance of air conditioning systems.

Implementation Method 1

a vane spring installed on a rear surface of the vane to elastically support the vane toward the inner circumferential surface of the cylinder in a slot length direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a vane inserted in a roller rotates together with the roller, and is pulled out by centrifugal force and back pressure to come into contact with an inner circumferential surface of a cylinder

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 3

a back pressure chamber is disposed in a rear end portion of each vane to communicate with a back pressure pocket

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure difference: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP4174317B1Rotary compressor
Publication Date: 2024.10.23 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP4174317B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4174317B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4174317B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A rotary compressor according to the present disclosure includes a casing, a cylinder, a main bearing, a sub bearing, a rotating shaft, a roller having a vane slot and a back pressure chamber, and at least one vane. The roller includes a spring insertion groove formed in an inner end portion of the vane slot in a slot direction, and a vane spring supporting a rear surface of the vane toward an inner circumferential surface of the cylinder may be disposed in the spring insertion groove. Accordingly, elastic force can be supplied to the rear surface of the vane, to suppress trembling of the vane caused while the vane passes through a proximal portion during operation. This can reduce an initial start failure of the compressor and prevent a reverse flow of refrigerant from a discharge stroke to a suction stroke, thereby enhancing compressor efficiency. Also, when applied to a compressor provided in an air conditioner, cooling and heating effects can be quickly exhibited, thereby improving reliability and efficiency of the air conditioner.