Screw Rotor Assembly With Oil Slinger Slots for Meshing Lubrication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing opposed four-rotor screw compressors lack effective lubrication at the meshing position of female and male rotors, leading to wear of screw blades and reduced service life.

Innovation Solution

A rotor assembly design that includes oil slinger slots and storage cavities to facilitate lubricant entry into tooth slots, supported by a network of oil paths and bearings, ensuring comprehensive lubrication of rotor components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional rotor design without oil delivery structures is used, then the structure is simple, but the meshing position of female and male rotors cannot be effectively lubricated leading to wear and reduced service life

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice life of compressorVSAvoidstructure of rotor assembly
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rotor is divided into functional segments with distinct oil delivery structures. Oil slinger slots are positioned at specific locations on the rotor surface to deliver lubricant to different meshing zones, while storage cavities hold additional lubricant. This segmentation allows targeted lubrication without requiring complete structural redesign of the rotor assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Storage cavities are pre-filled with lubricant before the compressor operates. The oil slinger slots are pre-positioned to deliver lubricant to the meshing positions before wear occurs. This preliminary preparation ensures immediate lubrication upon rotor engagement, preventing dry running and extending service life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If lubricant is supplied to meshing position, then wear is reduced and service life is extended, but the structure becomes more complex with additional oil paths and slots

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation smoothnessVSAvoidlubrication system structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lubrication function is merged directly into the rotor structure itself. The rotor incorporates both storage cavities for lubricant reservoir and oil slinger slots for lubricant delivery as integral features of its surface geometry. This merging eliminates the need for separate external lubrication systems, reducing overall system complexity while ensuring reliable lubrication at meshing positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Enhances smooth operation and extends the service life of the compressor by effectively lubricating the meshing positions of female and male rotors, reducing wear and improving efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a lubrication clearance is formed between the first rotor and the first rotation shaft, and the lubrication clearance is communicated with the at least one branch oil path and the at least one oil slinger slot

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLubrication: Lubrication

Implementation Method 2

a gap is arranged between two adjacent support bearings, and the gap is communicated with the branch oil path and the lubrication clearance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP4234933B1Compressor comprising rotor assembly and air conditioner comprising the compressor
Publication Date: 2025.11.26 GREE ELECTRIC APPLIANCE INC OF ZHUHAI
  • EP4234933B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4234933B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4234933B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A rotor assembly, a compressor and an air conditioner are provided. The rotor assembly (10) includes a first rotation shaft (11) and a first rotor (12) rotatably arranged on the first rotation shaft (11), wherein the first rotor (12) includes a plurality of first screw blades (121), and a first tooth slot (122) is formed between two adjacent first screw blades (121); a suction end (123) of the first rotor (12) has at least one oil slinger slot (124), to allow a lubricant to enter the first tooth slot (122) through the at least one oil slinger slot (124). It is ensured that the lubricant can fully lubricate and seal the first tooth slot, so that the compressor can run more smoothly, reduce wear of screw blades and improve the service life of the compressor.