Scroll Compressor Cooling Fins with Central Height Variation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Scroll compressors face challenges in effectively cooling the central portion, where the temperature rises due to compression, leading to potential thermal expansion issues that can hinder the orbiting motion of the scrolls.

Innovation Solution

The design features taller cooling fins in the central portion of both the fixed and orbiting scrolls, with a stepwise or continuous height increase towards the center, enhancing the heat-transfer area and cooling power, while maintaining a flat front end alignment to avoid unnecessary space occupation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If uniform cooling fins are provided across the scroll surface, then manufacturing is simple, but the central portion cannot be cooled effectively due to high compression temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecentral portion temperatureVSAvoidcooling fin configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling fins are configured with varying heights according to the radial position, with central fins being taller than outer fins. This local differentiation addresses the higher temperature conditions in the central compression region while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that is easy to manufacture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Temperature

If taller cooling fins are provided in the central portion, then cooling effectiveness improves, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecentral portion cooling effectivenessVSAvoidcooling fin structure
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling fin structure implements local quality by making central fins taller than outer fins. This targeted approach enhances cooling where it is most needed (central compression region) while keeping the overall structure relatively simple and avoiding unnecessary complexity throughout the entire scroll.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 effectively cools the central portion of the scrolls, suppressing thermal expansion and maintaining smooth operation by increasing the cooling capacity and preventing unnecessary space usage.

Implementation Method 1

a large number of cooling fins are provided on the back of each of an end plate of a fixed scroll and an end plate of an orbiting scroll to dissipate heat of compression with the compression of fluid and frictional heat with rotations of components

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat dissipation: Convection

Implementation Method 2

air cooling via cooling fins is employed in oil-free scroll compressors

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir cooling: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3109476B1Scroll compressor
Publication Date: 2021.12.22 MITSUBISHI HEAVY IND LTD
  • EP3109476B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3109476B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3109476B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

Provided is a scroll compressor in which a fixed scroll and an orbiting scroll can be cooled effectively through cooling fins. This scroll compressor (1) is provided with a fixed scroll (20), an orbiting scroll (30) which revolves around the fixed scroll (20) and combines to form a compression space for compressing a fluid between itself and the fixed scroll (20), and cooling fins (24) disposed on the back surface of the fixed scroll (20) and cooling fins (34) disposed on the back surface of the orbiting scroll (30). The backs of the cooling fins (24) and the cooling fins (34) in the central area are higher than in the periphery.