Rotary Compressor Vane Wear Reduction via Axial Suction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rotary compressors face reliability issues due to high surface pressure on the vane, leading to wear and suction loss.

Innovation Solution

A rotary compressor design with a modified cylinder suction structure, featuring a suction passage that directs refrigerant flow laterally into the compression space, reducing surface pressure on the vane and incorporating suction guide portions in the main and sub bearings to efficiently direct refrigerant flow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the suction port is defined on a side surface of the cylinder, then the refrigerant gas can directly flow into the compression chamber, but the vane surface pressure increases causing wear and reliability problems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverefrigerant flow efficiencyVSAvoidvane wear resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The suction port is repositioned from a lateral position to an axial position (end surface of the cylinder), changing the spatial dimension of refrigerant intake. This dimensional shift allows the refrigerant to flow axially into the compression chamber rather than laterally, significantly reducing the vane surface pressure and wear while maintaining efficient refrigerant flow into the compression chamber.

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

2Stability of the object's composition

If a large vane contact force is formed to ensure proper sealing, then the compression sealing is improved, but the surface pressure on the vane increases causing reliability problems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompression sealingVSAvoidvane durability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the pressure distribution parameters by modifying the suction port position and introducing a suction passage. This creates a low-pressure region at the suction port that balances the pressure distribution on the vane, allowing proper sealing to be maintained with reduced contact force and surface pressure, thereby improving vane durability.

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 effectively reduces surface pressure on the vane, improving compressor reliability and efficiency by minimizing wear and suction loss.

Implementation Method 1

a suction passage of refrigerant, at one end thereof, including a suction port disposed to communicate with the compression space to suck and provide the refrigerant in a lateral direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

a plurality of vanes slidably inserted into the vane slots and rotating together with the roller, front end surfaces of which come into contact with an inner periphery of the cylinder

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP4170174B1Rotary compressor
Publication Date: 2025.02.19 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP4170174B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4170174B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4170174B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a rotary compressor including a cylinder having an inner peripheral surface formed in an annular shape to define a compression space, and configured to communicate with the compression space to suck and provide refrigerant in a lateral direction; a roller rotatably provided in the compression space of the cylinder, and provided with a plurality of vane slots providing a back pressure at one side thereinside at a predetermined interval along an outer peripheral surface; and a plurality of vanes slidably inserted into the vane slots to rotate together with the roller, front end surfaces of which come into contact with an inner periphery of the cylinder by the back pressure to partition the compression space into a plurality of compression chambers, wherein the cylinder further includes a suction passage disposed in a direction crossing the suction port to communicate between the compression space and the suction port, and the refrigerant is allowed to pass through the suction port and the suction passage to flow into the compression space.