Scroll Compressor Bearing Overlap for Lower Friction and Easier Grinding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing scroll compressors face challenges in reducing friction loss and manufacturing costs due to the design of bearings, particularly the second bearing, which is integrated with the rotating shaft, leading to complexities in grinding and assembly processes.

Innovation Solution

The design of a scroll compressor where the first and second bearings are arranged to overlap in the axial direction, with a separable bearing support that is press-fit to the rotating shaft, allowing for external grinding and separate manufacturing of the shaft, thereby reducing friction loss and costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the second bearing is integrated with the rotating shaft, then the structure is compact, but the grinding process becomes complex and friction loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebearing structureVSAvoidgrinding process
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing support is separated from the rotating shaft into two independent components. The bearing support is manufactured separately and then press-fitted onto the rotating shaft, allowing the eccentric portion to be ground externally without complexity while maintaining compact integration through the press-fit connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of manufacture

If the first and second bearings are arranged to overlap in the axial direction, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but the bearing support becomes separable requiring additional assembly steps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidassembly process
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing support integrates multiple functions: it houses the first bearing, supports the second bearing, and provides a press-fit connection to the rotating shaft. This merging of functions into a single component reduces the total number of parts and manufacturing costs while the simple press-fit assembly maintains ease of installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If the bearing support is separable from the rotating shaft, then grinding of the eccentric portion is simplified, but the connection between bearing support and shaft requires press-fit assembly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrinding processVSAvoidassembly process
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing support is designed with a press-fit connection that is prepared in advance during manufacturing. The external cylindrical grinding of the eccentric portion is performed before final assembly, ensuring the bearing support can be easily separated and reassembled while maintaining precise dimensional tolerances through the pre-designed press-fit interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 configuration reduces friction loss and manufacturing costs by enabling efficient grinding of the eccentric portion of the rotating shaft and simplifying assembly, enhancing the overall performance and efficiency of the scroll compressor.

Implementation Method 1

a first bearing disposed in the shaft hole between the shaft hole of the main frame and a bearing support coupled to an outer circumferential surface of the rotatable shaft; and a second bearing disposed between the boss of the orbiting scroll and the eccentric portion of the rotatable shaft

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRolling contact bearing: Ball Bearing

Data Source

PatentEP4711615A1Scroll compressor
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4711615A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4711615A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4711615A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A scroll compressor includes a main frame including a shaft hole; a fixed scroll disposed on an upper side of the main frame; an orbiting scroll disposed in a space formed by the fixed scroll and the main frame, a lower surface of the orbiting scroll including a boss inserted into the shaft hole of the main frame; a rotatable shaft including an eccentric portion inserted into the boss of the orbiting scroll and inserted into the shaft hole of the main frame; a first bearing disposed in the shaft hole between the shaft hole of the main frame and a bearing support coupled to an outer circumferential surface of the rotatable shaft; and a second bearing disposed between the boss of the orbiting scroll and the eccentric portion of the rotatable shaft. A location of the second bearing overlaps the first bearing in an axial direction of the rotatable shaft. An inner circumferential surface of the first bearing is supported by an outer circumferential surface of the bearing support, and the bearing support is separatable from, and couplable to, the rotatable shaft.