Scroll Compressor Funnel Assembly for Stable Suction Conduit Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing compressors in climate-control systems face challenges in efficiently and reliably circulating working fluids, such as refrigerant or carbon dioxide, between indoor and outdoor heat exchangers, affecting the system's cooling and heating performance.

Innovation Solution

A compressor design incorporating an orbiting scroll and a non-orbiting scroll with a suction conduit, where the suction conduit is securely mounted between the upper and lower scroll pieces using a mounting flange and locating pins or lips, ensuring stable fluid communication and easy installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the suction conduit is mounted to the non-orbiting scroll using conventional methods, then the compressor can circulate working fluid, but the suction conduit may become disengaged during operation, reducing reliability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuction conduit engagement stabilityVSAvoidmounting structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting flange is nested between the upper and lower scroll pieces, with locating pins inserted through aligned openings in both scroll pieces and the flange. This nested configuration secures the suction conduit to the non-orbiting scroll, preventing disengagement during compressor operation while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The locating pins act as intermediary elements that bridge the mounting flange and the scroll pieces. These pins physically connect the three components (upper scroll piece, lower scroll piece, and mounting flange), ensuring stable engagement of the suction conduit without requiring complex fastening mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the suction conduit is securely mounted between scroll pieces, then engagement stability improves, but assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuction conduit engagement stabilityVSAvoidassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The non-orbiting scroll is divided into separate upper and lower scroll pieces that can be assembled around the suction conduit. The mounting flange with its openings is positioned between these segments, allowing the locating pins to pass through all components and secure the assembly. This segmentation enables a reliable connection while maintaining manufacturability through modular assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If conventional mounting methods are used, then device complexity is low, but the suction conduit may disengage affecting fluid circulation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting structure complexityVSAvoidsuction conduit engagement stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The compression mechanism utilizes spiral wraps with curved geometries that mesh together between the orbiting and non-orbiting scrolls. This curved design creates progressive compression chambers that efficiently circulate working fluid. The mounting structure integrates with this curved architecture, with the suction conduit positioned to align with the spiral geometry for optimal fluid flow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentEP4390131B1Compressor with funnel assembly
Publication Date: 2026.02.04 COPELAND LP
  • EP4390131B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4390131B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4390131B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A compressor (10) may include an orbiting scroll (70), a non-orbiting scroll (72), and suction conduit (30). The non-orbiting scroll (72) is meshingly engaged with the orbiting scroll (70) and includes a lower scroll piece (86) and an upper scroll piece (94) that is mounted to the lower scroll piece. The suction conduit (30) is mounted to the non-orbiting scroll (72). The suction conduit includes an inlet (138), an outlet (138), and a mounting flange (132). The outlet is disposed adjacent to and in fluid communication with a suction inlet (89) of the non-orbiting scroll (72). At least a portion of the mounting flange (132) is captured between the upper (94) and lower (86) scroll pieces.