Scroll Compressor Floating Member Back-Pressure Seal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional low-pressure dome-type scroll compressors face difficulties in adjusting the pushing force between the fixed and movable scrolls, leading to increased thrust loss and refrigerant leakage loss across a wide range of operating conditions.
Innovation Solution
The scroll compressor incorporates a floating member pushed by a back-pressure space partitioned into two chambers with different stages of compression, allowing for adjustable force application between the scrolls, reducing refrigerant leakage, and simplifying the structure by pushing the movable scroll against the fixed scroll, rather than vice versa, and utilizing a U-seal and plate spring for enhanced sealability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single space (fluid passageway) is utilized to push the fixed scroll and movable scroll against each other, then the structure is simple, but it is difficult to adjust the pushing force, leading to excessive thrust loss or increased refrigerant leakage loss depending on operating conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The single fluid passageway is segmented into two separate passageways: a first fluid passageway that guides refrigerant to push the fixed scroll against the movable scroll, and a second fluid passageway that guides refrigerant to push the movable scroll against the fixed scroll. This segmentation enables independent control of pushing forces in both directions, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and pushing force adjustability.
2Device complexity
If the fixed scroll is pushed against the movable scroll, then the structure requires relief mechanisms for preventing over-compression, but this increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of pushing the fixed scroll against the movable scroll (conventional approach), the invention inverts the pushing direction by using the first fluid passageway to push the fixed scroll against the movable scroll, and the second fluid passageway to push the movable scroll against the fixed scroll. This inversion eliminates the need for complex relief mechanisms while maintaining over-compression prevention, as the movable scroll can naturally accommodate pressure variations.
3Ease of manufacture
If the fixed scroll is pushed against the movable scroll, then relief mechanisms are required, but this reduces ease of manufacture and increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention inverts the conventional pushing arrangement by enabling bidirectional pushing through separate fluid passageways. The fixed scroll is pushed against the movable scroll via the first fluid passageway, while the movable scroll is pushed against the fixed scroll via the second fluid passageway. This inversion simplifies manufacturing by eliminating complex relief mechanisms while maintaining reliable over-compression protection through the bidirectional pressure balance.
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 enables high-efficiency operations across various conditions by optimizing the pushing force and reducing refrigerant leakage, while allowing for simpler integration of relief mechanisms and improved sealability, preventing excessive pressure and startup defects.
Implementation Method 1
The floating member is pushed toward the movable scroll by pressure in a back-pressure space formed between the floating member and the housing
Data Source
AI summary
A scroll compressor includes a compression mechanism having fixed and movable scrolls forming a compression chamber, a motor to drive the movable scroll, a casing accommodating the compression mechanism and the motor, a housing accommodated inside the casing, a floating member supported by the housing, a first seal member, and first and second flow passages. An inside of the casing is partitioned into first and second spaces. The floater member can be pushed toward the movable scroll by pressure in a back-pressure space formed between the floating member and the housing. The first seal partitions the back-pressure space into first and second chambers. The first flow passage guides the refrigerant in the middle of compression in the compression mechanism to the first chamber. The second guides the refrigerant discharged from the compression mechanism to the second chamber.