Scroll Compressor Check Valve Arrangement
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing number of refrigerant paths in scroll compressors complicates the arrangement of check valves, leading to mutual interference and increased pressure loss, which decreases the efficiency of air-conditioning devices.
Innovation Solution
The scroll compressor design includes a support with multiple refrigerant paths and check valves, where at least one check valve is positioned away from the others in the rotation axis direction, reducing interference and complexity by placing them in a multi-layered manner, and strategically positioning the injection check valve closer to the compression chamber to minimize recompression loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple refrigerant paths are provided to improve air-conditioning device efficiency, then the number of refrigerant paths increases, but the number of check valves increases leading to mutual interference and complicated arrangement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensional arrangement by positioning check valves at different locations in the rotation axis direction (parallel to the rotating shaft). This multi-layered spatial arrangement allows multiple check valves to coexist without mutual interference, resolving the contradiction between having multiple refrigerant paths and avoiding check valve interference.
2Device complexity
If parallel check valves are used to avoid mutual interference, then check valve arrangement becomes easier, but refrigerant paths become complicated and pressure loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by strategically positioning the injection check valve closer to the compression chamber than other check valves. This localized optimization minimizes the volume of refrigerant that needs to be recompressed, thereby reducing pressure loss and energy consumption while maintaining simple refrigerant path configuration.
3Volume of moving object
If check valves are positioned close together to simplify structure, then device size decreases, but mutual interference between check valves occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the contradiction between compact size and avoiding interference by utilizing the rotation axis direction (parallel to the rotating shaft) for spatial separation. Check valves are arranged at different positions along this dimension, allowing them to be closely positioned in the radial direction while maintaining sufficient separation to prevent mutual interference.
Data Source
AI summary
A scroll compressor includes a pair of spiral plate bodies between which a compression chamber that compresses refrigerant is formed; a support configured to support one of the spiral plate bodies; a plurality of refrigerant paths extending through the support so as to provide communication between the compression chamber and an outside of the scroll compressor; and a plurality of check valves each of which is provided in the support for a corresponding one of the refrigerant paths, wherein each of the plurality of check valves includes a valve element and a valve chamber in which the valve element is accommodated, and at least one of the check valves is placed at a position away from a rest of the check valves in a rotation axis direction of the scroll compressor such that the valve chambers of the check valves do not interfere with each other.