Scroll Compressor Surface Hardening and Step Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing three-dimensional scroll compressors face issues with wear and seizure due to uniform surface hardening treatments on both fixed and orbiting scrolls, which do not account for differences in step portion heights, leading to suboptimal performance.
Innovation Solution
A scroll compressor design where the scroll with the end plate step portion is treated for surface hardening, while the other scroll is not, with asymmetrical shapes and varying step portion heights to optimize contact surfaces and reduce stress concentration, using treatments like hard alumite, phosphate coating, or diamond-like coating based on material type.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If uniform surface hardening treatment is applied to both fixed and orbiting scrolls, then wear protection is provided, but the treatment does not optimize performance due to ignoring step portion height differences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies surface hardening treatment selectively based on local characteristics of the scroll components. Specifically, the orbiting scroll receives surface hardening treatment on its spiral wrap and end plate, while the fixed scroll receives treatment only on its spiral wrap. This local differentiation optimizes wear protection at contact surfaces while considering the functional differences between fixed and orbiting scrolls in the compression mechanism.
2Reliability
If surface hardening treatment is applied to increase wear resistance, then seizure is prevented, but fatigue strength may be reduced due to surface roughness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies surface hardening treatment only to specific surfaces of the scrolls that require wear protection, rather than treating entire components. The orbiting scroll is treated on its spiral wrap and end plate, while the fixed scroll is treated only on its spiral wrap. This selective approach provides seizure prevention at critical contact interfaces while minimizing the negative impact on overall fatigue strength by limiting the treated areas.
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
Significantly reduces wear and prevents seizure by optimizing surface hardening treatment distribution, enhancing the fatigue strength and performance of the scroll compressor while maintaining effective fluid compression.
Implementation Method 1
one or both of the scrolls are treated for surface hardening using a coating or the like
Implementation Method 2
one or both of the scrolls are treated for surface hardening using a coating or the like
Data Source
AI summary
A scroll compressor comprising a fixed scroll (15); an orbiting scroll (16) supported in a manner allowing for orbiting motion; a discharge port through which a fluid compressed by the two scrolls (15, 16) is discharged; an end plate step portion (16E) provided on an end plate of the orbiting scroll (16) formed so that a height of the end plate is higher on a center portion side in the direction of a spiral wrap and lower on an outer end side; and a wrap step portion (15E) provided on a wall portion of the fixed scroll (15) that corresponds to the end plate step portion (16E) so that a height of the wall portion is lower on the center portion side of the spiral and higher on the outer end side; wherein the orbiting scroll (16) is treated for surface hardening and the fixed scroll (15) is not treated for surface hardening.