Scroll Compressor Bypass Valve Assembly for Low Dead Volume
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing scroll compressors suffer from overcompression due to delayed refrigerant discharge through bypass holes, leading to increased dead volume and efficiency loss, with existing bypass valves increasing component count and assembly complexity.
Innovation Solution
A scroll compressor design with reduced bypass hole lengths and integrated bypass valves, utilizing a block insertion groove to minimize dead volume and simplify assembly, featuring a back pressure chamber assembly and valve assembly that includes a discharge valve and bypass valve fixed to a retainer block.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single bypass valve in an annular shape is used to open and close multiple bypass holes, then the bypass function is improved, but the number of components increases and assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple bypass valves are merged into a single integrated bypass valve assembly. The patent shows a bypass valve body with multiple valve elements (first bypass valve, second bypass valve, third bypass valve) integrated into one component structure, eliminating the need for separate valve bodies and reducing assembly complexity while maintaining the bypass function across multiple holes.
Solution Approach 2:
The bypass valve assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously - it controls multiple bypass holes (first bypass hole, second bypass hole, third bypass hole) with a single integrated component. The valve body incorporates multiple valve elements that can independently control different bypass passages, providing multi-functionality without increasing component count.
2Reliability
If the length of bypass hole is increased, then overcompression is reduced, but dead volume increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The bypass holes are strategically positioned at different locations (first bypass hole at first location, second bypass hole at second location, third bypass hole at third location) around the discharge port. This local distribution allows refrigerant to bypass at multiple points along the compression chamber, effectively preventing overcompression while keeping each individual hole length short to minimize dead volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The bypass valves are configured to open before the compression chamber pressure becomes excessively high, allowing refrigerant to bypass in advance. The valve elements are positioned to activate at specific pressure thresholds, performing the bypass action preliminarily to prevent overcompression rather than correcting it after the fact.
3Strength
If bypass valve is fixed to non-orbiting scroll using rivet or pin, then the bypass valve is secured, but the end plate thickness must increase and bypass hole length increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bypass valve assembly is nested within the end plate structure rather than requiring the end plate to be thick enough to accommodate rivets or pins through its entire thickness. The valve body is positioned in a recess or designated area within the end plate, allowing secure fixation without increasing the overall plate thickness to the depth of fasteners.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of fixing the bypass valve purely in the axial dimension (requiring thick end plate for rivet/pin depth), the fixation is distributed across multiple dimensions - radial positioning, circumferential positioning, and axial positioning. This multi-dimensional fixation approach secures the valve without requiring excessive end plate thickness in any single dimension.
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 prevents overcompression, reduces dead volume, and enhances efficiency by minimizing the length of bypass holes and simplifying assembly processes.
Implementation Method 1
A bypass valve is disposed in the bypass hole to open and close the bypass hole according to pressure in the compression chamber
Implementation Method 2
an orbiting scroll and a non-orbiting scroll are engaged with each other, and a pair of compression chambers is disposed between the orbiting scroll and the non-orbiting scroll while the orbiting scroll performs an orbiting motion
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A scroll compressor is provided that may include a block insertion groove (155) configured to accommodate a discharge port (1511) and at least one bypass hole (1512) disposed in an upper surface of a non-orbiting end plate (151) of a non-orbiting scroll (150), and a retainer block (171) including at least one bypass valve (1751) configured to open or close the at least one bypass hole (1512) inserted into the block insertion groove. The at least one bypass hole may include a first bypass hole (1512a) and a second bypass hole (1512b). The at least one bypass valve may include a first bypass valve (1752) configured to open or close the first bypass hole and a second bypass valve (1753) configured to open or close the second bypass hole, and may be disposed between the block insertion groove and the retainer block facing the block insertion groove. Accordingly, the first and second bypass valves that suppress or prevent overcompression in a compression chamber are not fastened to the non-orbiting end plate, which may allow the non-orbiting end plate to be made thin. As the non-orbiting end plate may be reduced in thickness, a length of the first and second bypass holes may be reduced, thereby decreasing a dead volume in the first and second bypass holes.