Scroll Compressor Discharge Valve Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing popularity of scroll compressors has led to a need for designs that reduce size, complexity, and cost without compromising performance, as existing designs often require multiple components and complex anti-rotation mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates an orbiting and a non-orbiting scroll member with a rapid compression scroll profile, a discharge slot, and a drive member that allows for relative rotation, utilizing an Oldham coupling or swing link to prevent rotational movement, while minimizing the need for additional components and machining complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If traditional scroll compressor designs are used, then reliable fluid compression is achieved, but device complexity and component count increase
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge valve is integrated directly into the discharge slot of the non-orbiting scroll member, eliminating the need for separate valve components. The valve members are positioned to directly cover the discharge slot opening, merging the valve function with the existing scroll structure rather than adding independent valve assemblies.
Solution Approach 2:
The non-orbiting scroll member serves multiple functions: it provides the stationary spiral wrap for compression, forms the discharge slot for fluid egress, and incorporates the discharge valve mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the overall component count while maintaining reliable fluid compression and discharge control.
2Manufacturing precision
If precise machining is used to reduce tolerance stack-ups, then manufacturing precision improves, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The valve members are nested within the discharge slot structure of the non-orbiting scroll member. The valve members fit into the discharge slot geometry, allowing the discharge valve function to be incorporated within the existing scroll member volume rather than requiring separate valve housings and mounting structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The discharge valve is merged with the non-orbiting scroll member, eliminating the need for separate valve bodies, mounting flanges, and fastening hardware. This integration reduces the number of precision-machined interfaces and tolerance-critical mating surfaces.
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 design achieves a more compact, cost-effective scroll compressor with reduced tool and vane aspect ratios, allowing for manufacturing using a powder metal process and minimizing tolerance stack-ups, while maintaining efficient fluid compression and discharge.
Implementation Method 1
the spiral wraps define a successive series of enclosed spaces, each of which progressively decreases in size as it moves inwardly from a radially outer position at a relatively low suction pressure to a central position at a relatively high discharge pressure
Implementation Method 2
Relative rotation between the two scroll members is typically controlled by an anti-rotation mechanism. One of the more popular anti-rotation mechanisms is an Oldham coupling
Data Source
AI summary
A scroll compressor is provided and may include an orbiting scroll member having an orbiting end plate and an orbiting spiral wrap extending from the orbiting end plate. The scroll compressor may also include a non-orbiting scroll member having a non-orbiting end plate and a non-orbiting spiral wrap extending from the non-orbiting end plate and intermeshed with the orbiting spiral wrap. The scroll compressor may further include a drive member for causing the orbiting scroll member to orbit relative to the non-orbiting scroll member and a discharge slot formed by one of the orbiting scroll member and the non-orbiting scroll member. A discharge valve may be rotatable with the drive member and may operate between a closed state preventing fluid communication between the pockets and the discharge slot and an open state permitting fluid communication between the pockets and the discharge slot.