Scroll Compressor Heat Insulation for Refrigerant Circulation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional compressors experience a decrease in refrigerant circulation and increased compression loss due to heat transfer from high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant gases, leading to inefficiencies in the refrigeration cycle.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a heat-insulating member between the fixed scroll and muffler space, which acts as a heat-insulating layer to prevent heat transfer and maintain the temperature of the refrigerant, thereby minimizing compression loss and maintaining the circulation amount of the refrigerant.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant gas is discharged into the muffler space, then the refrigerant gas can be effectively discharged from the compression mechanism, but the heat from the muffler space affects the low-temperature refrigerant in the intake chamber and compression chamber, causing the refrigerant to expand and decreasing the circulation amount

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverefrigerant circulation amountVSAvoidcompression loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

A heat-insulating member is introduced as an intermediary between the muffler space and the fixed scroll to block heat transfer. This mediator prevents the high-temperature refrigerant in the muffler space from heating the low-temperature refrigerant in the intake and compression chambers, thereby maintaining refrigerant temperature and circulation amount while still allowing effective discharge.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The harmful heat factor is extracted and isolated from the refrigeration cycle system by separating the muffler space from the intake and compression chambers using a heat-insulating member. This extraction prevents the heat from affecting the refrigerant temperature and circulation in the compression mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If the refrigerant gas passes through the fixed scroll from the muffler space, then the discharged refrigerant can be directed to the discharge pipe, but the refrigerant gas is affected by heat from the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant, causing expansion and increasing compression loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverefrigerant discharge functionVSAvoidcompression loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The heat-insulating member serves as a mediator between the muffler space and the fixed scroll, blocking heat transfer to the refrigerant as it passes through the fixed scroll. This maintains the refrigerant temperature and reduces compression loss while preserving the discharge function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Heat insulation is applied locally at the interface between the muffler space and the fixed scroll, specifically where the refrigerant passes through. This localized heat insulation prevents heat transfer to the refrigerant in the discharge path without affecting the overall discharge function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If the heat-insulating member is provided between the fixed scroll and the muffler space, then the heat transfer from the muffler space is suppressed, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverefrigerant circulation amountVSAvoidcompressor structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A thin heat-insulating member (such as a heat-insulating sheet or coating) is used to provide thermal isolation between the muffler space and the fixed scroll. This thin-film approach provides effective heat insulation while minimizing the increase in device complexity and maintaining a compact structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The heat-insulating member may be made of composite materials that provide effective thermal insulation with minimal thickness and weight. This reduces the structural complexity while achieving the desired heat blocking effect to maintain refrigerant circulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 results in a highly efficient compressor by suppressing the increase in refrigerant temperature, preventing a decrease in circulation, and reducing compression loss, while maintaining a minimal discharge dead volume without altering the shape of the fixed scroll.

Implementation Method 1

a heat-insulating member provided between the fixed scroll and a muffler space formed by the muffler

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal Insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS11231034B2Compressor

Publication Date: 2022.01.25 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD

AI summary

A compressor including fixed scroll and revolving scroll configuring compression mechanism, compression chamber formed between fixed scroll and revolving scroll, intake chamber provided on an outer circumferential side of fixed scroll, discharge port provided in a central part of fixed scroll, muffler provided to cover discharge port at an upper part of fixed scroll, and heat-insulating member provided between fixed scroll and muffler space formed by muffler. After a refrigerant gas taken into intake chamber is compressed by revolving scroll revolving and compression chamber moving while changing a volume of compression chamber, the refrigerant gas is discharged from discharge port. The refrigerant gas discharged from discharge port is discharged into muffler space.