Scroll Compressor Fixed Scroll Cooling via Injection Space

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing scroll compressors have difficulty effectively cooling the inside of the fixed scroll due to challenges in introducing liquid refrigerant into the center of the compression chamber, leading to insufficient cooling of the high-temperature internal components during operation.

Innovation Solution

A scroll compressor design that includes a casing divided into high-pressure and low-pressure sides, with an orbital scroll and a fixed scroll forming a compression chamber, a discharge port for refrigerant discharge, an annular injection space, and a communication path between the injection space and the low-pressure side, and an injection pipe for introducing liquid refrigerant into the injection space from outside, allowing for effective cooling of the fixed scroll.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If liquid refrigerant is introduced into the compression chamber from the outside, then the contact between scroll lap and end plate due to thermal expansion is suppressed, but the inside of the fixed scroll having relatively high temperature during operation cannot be sufficiently cooled

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature of fixed scrollVSAvoidcooling effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the cooling function into two separate systems: one for cooling the compression chamber and another for cooling the fixed scroll. The injection space is specifically designed to cool the fixed scroll's inner surface, while communication paths enable liquid refrigerant to reach the compression chamber. This segmentation allows independent optimization of cooling for different components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The injection space acts as an intermediary structure between the liquid refrigerant supply and the fixed scroll. By introducing liquid refrigerant into this intermediate space first, the system enables effective heat transfer to the fixed scroll's inner surface before the refrigerant proceeds to cool other components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If liquid refrigerant is introduced to the outside of the compression chamber, then the outside of the compression chamber is cooled, but the inside of the fixed scroll having relatively high temperature during operation is not sufficiently cooled

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature distribution in compression chamberVSAvoidliquid refrigerant introduction position
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adds a radial dimension to the refrigerant distribution system by creating an annular injection space that surrounds the discharge port. This allows liquid refrigerant to be introduced at multiple positions around the compression chamber perimeter, ensuring comprehensive cooling coverage including the fixed scroll's inner surface, rather than relying solely on central introduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The injection space is strategically positioned to provide localized cooling to the fixed scroll's inner surface, which has relatively high temperature during operation. The communication paths are configured to deliver liquid refrigerant specifically to areas requiring cooling, creating non-uniform temperature distribution that optimizes heat dissipation where most needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 efficient cooling of the inside of the fixed scroll, optimizing thermal distribution and preventing energy input into dead volumes, thus enhancing the operational efficiency of the scroll compressor.

Implementation Method 1

a scroll compressor capable of effectively cooling the inside of a fixed scroll

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

introducing a liquid refrigerant into a compression chamber from the outside of a housing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP4027015B1Scroll compressor
Publication Date: 2023.11.15 MITSUBISHI HEAVY IND THERMAL SYST
  • EP4027015B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4027015B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A scroll compressor (1) includes: a casing (10); a discharge cover (100) dividing a space in the casing into a high-pressure side space (12b) and a low-pressure side space (12a); an orbital scroll (40) positioned in the low-pressure side space and which is eccentrically rotated with respect to the axis; and a fixed scroll (30) positioned between the discharge cover and the orbital scroll, a compression chamber (31) to which refrigerant introduced from the low-pressure side space being formed between the fixed and orbital scrolls. A discharge port (36) through which the refrigerant compressed in the compression chamber is discharged to the high-pressure side space is formed so as to be passed through the fixed scroll and the discharge cover, an annular injection space (S) surrounding the discharge port and a communication path communicating the injection space with the low-pressure side space are formed between the fixed scroll and the discharge cover, and the scroll compressor further includes an injection pipe (130) through which liquid refrigerant is introduced to the injection space from an outside thereof.