Scroll Compressor Dust Seal Accommodating Thermal Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing scroll compressors face issues with dust seal thermal expansion, reduced sealability due to tip seal wear, increased noise from self-rotation preventing mechanism vibration, and elevated manufacturing costs from complex assembly processes.
Innovation Solution
A scroll compressor design featuring a dust seal with elastic members to accommodate thermal expansion, tip seals with inflow grooves and spacing members for enhanced sealability, and a self-rotation preventing mechanism with damping grooves to absorb vibration, along with a cast iron bearing tube and aluminum housing formed through aluminum die casting to minimize thermal expansion effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a circular dust seal is fitted in an annular groove, then sealing is achieved, but thermal expansion during operation stretches the dust seal or deforms the annular groove causing unsuitable fitting and sealing failure
Solution Approach 1:
The dust seal is designed as a flexible component that can elastically deform to accommodate thermal expansion. The elastic members allow the dust seal to stretch slightly during operation without causing deformation of the annular groove or failure of the sealing function, thus maintaining both sealing reliability and dimensional stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention allows for parameter changes in the dust seal dimensions due to thermal expansion by incorporating elastic members. These members enable the dust seal to adapt its shape and size dynamically during operation, accommodating temperature-induced dimensional changes while maintaining effective sealing.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a slight gap is formed between the ends of the dust seal to absorb thermal expansion, then thermal expansion is accommodated, but dust enters through the gap
Solution Approach 1:
Elastic members are introduced as intermediary elements between the dust seal and the annular groove. These elastic members fill the gap created by thermal expansion while maintaining contact with the dust seal, preventing dust from entering through the gap while still accommodating the thermal expansion of the dust seal.
3Reliability
If the ends of the dust seal are tilted or overlapped to prevent dust entry, then dust sealing is improved, but the structure becomes cumbersome and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using complex tilted or overlapping structures, the invention employs a simple circular dust seal with elastic members that provide the necessary sealing function through elastic deformation. This approach maintains dust sealing reliability while significantly reducing structural complexity and manufacturing cost.
4Weight of moving object
If the housing is made of aluminum alloy to reduce weight, then weight is reduced, but the bearing tube thermally expands during operation reducing support force for the ball bearing
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a composite structure where the housing is made of aluminum alloy for weight reduction, while the bearing tube is made of a different material with lower thermal expansion characteristics. This composite material approach allows the housing to remain lightweight while the bearing tube maintains sufficient support force for the ball bearing despite thermal expansion of the aluminum housing.
5Object-generated harmful factors
If damping grooves are added to the self-rotation preventing mechanism to absorb vibration, then noise is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The damping grooves are integrated into the existing self-rotation preventing mechanism structure, adding a new functional dimension (vibration damping) without significantly increasing overall structural complexity. The grooves are formed as simple geometric features on existing components rather than adding separate damping mechanisms.
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 improves dust seal durability, increases sealability, reduces noise by damping vibrations, and simplifies assembly while maintaining structural integrity and reducing manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
heat or lateral pressure generated during operation stretches the dust seal or deforms the annular groove
Implementation Method 2
first and second elastic members which extend from the first support member and face the first and second ends
Implementation Method 3
a self-rotation preventing mechanism with damping grooves to absorb vibration
Implementation Method 4
the bearing tube is thermally expanded during operation of the scroll compressor, which reduces the force for supporting a ball bearing
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a scroll compressor which includes a housing, a stationary scroll including a stationary wrap, an orbiting scroll having an orbiting wrap, a receiving portion formed in the housing, a self-rotation preventing eccentric shaft installed in the receiving portion with a bearing interposed therebetween, a self-rotation preventing mechanism including a stopper formed in the housing to support the front of the bearing, and a bearing tube fixed to the housing to support a drive shaft, the scroll compressor including: an annular groove formed in the stationary scroll or in the orbiting scroll; a dust seal fitted in the annular groove and having first and second ends at both ends; and a stationary block including a first support member and first and second elastic members which extend from the first support member and face the first and second ends, the stationary block being fitted in the annular groove.