Scroll compressor and air conditioner having the same

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing scroll compressors with upper compression types have complex structures, high manufacturing costs, and inefficiencies in refrigerant injection, leading to increased compression loss and liquid refrigerant flow into the compression chamber.

Innovation Solution

A scroll compressor design with the compression unit located below the electric motor unit, featuring an injection passage and oil feeding path to enhance lubrication and prevent liquid refrigerant from entering the intermediate pressure chamber, simplifying the structure and improving refrigerant injection efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the compression unit is located above the driving unit (upper compression type), then the structure is conventional and easy to manufacture, but the device complexity increases and manufacturing cost rises due to required sealing members and back pressure chambers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompressor structureVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional upper compression type configuration by placing the compression unit below the driving unit. This inversion eliminates the need for complex sealing members and back pressure chambers required in upper compression types, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining manufacturability. The lower compression configuration naturally prevents liquid refrigerant flow into the compression chamber without additional complex components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Device complexity

If refrigerant is injected into the compression chamber from above, then the injection structure is simple, but liquid refrigerant flows into the compression chamber causing compression loss

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinjection structureVSAvoidcompression loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the refrigerant injection direction from the conventional top-down approach to bottom-up injection. The injection unit is positioned below the compression chamber, injecting refrigerant upward through the first scroll. This inverted approach prevents liquid refrigerant from directly flowing into the compression chamber, eliminating compression loss while keeping the injection structure simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Reliability

If a large capacity compressor is provided to handle poor outdoor air conditions, then the cooling and heating performance is sufficient, but the manufacturing and installation cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling and heating performanceVSAvoidmanufacturing and installation cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by injecting refrigerant into the compression chamber before the main compression process. This pre-injected refrigerant prepares the compression chamber conditions in advance, enabling the compressor to handle poor outdoor air conditions and maintain sufficient cooling and heating performance without requiring a larger compressor capacity, thereby avoiding increased manufacturing and installation costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Power

If the orbiting scroll moves away from the fixed scroll during compression, then the compression process occurs, but leakage occurs between compression chambers increasing compression loss

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompression processVSAvoidcompression loss
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary approach by using the lower compression unit configuration as a natural seal. The position of the compression unit below the driving unit creates a gravitational and pressure-based sealing effect that prevents leakage between compression chambers during the compression process, reducing compression loss without interfering with the normal compression power output.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 reduces manufacturing costs, enhances lubrication performance, and effectively suppresses liquid refrigerant flow into the compression chamber, improving the compressor's efficiency and cooling cycle performance.

Implementation Method 1

a compression chamber (V) is formed between a fixed scroll (32) and an orbiting scroll (33) which orbitally move with respect to the fixed scroll (32)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOrbital motion:

Implementation Method 2

an injection unit one end of which is connected to a refrigerant pipe between the condenser and the evaporator, and the other end of which is connected to the compression chamber through the first scroll

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefrigerant injection:

Implementation Method 3

featuring an injection passage and oil feeding path to enhance lubrication

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLubrication: Lubrication

Data Source

PatentEP3418574B1Scroll compressor and air conditioner having the same
Publication Date: 2021.05.19 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3418574B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3418574B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3418574B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A scroll compressor according to the present disclosure and an air conditioner having the scroll compressor may include a drive motor provided in an inner space of a casing; a rotation shaft coupled to the drive motor; a frame provided on a lower side of the drive motor; a first scroll provided on a lower side of the frame, one side of which is formed with a first wrap; a second scroll in which a second wrap engaged with the first wrap is formed, and the rotation shaft is eccentrically coupled to the second wrap to overlap therewith in a radial direction, a compression chamber is formed between the first scroll and the second scroll while being orbitally moved with respect to the first scroll, and the compression chamber is connected to an evaporator outlet side of the cooling cycle; and an injection unit one end of which is branched from a refrigerant pipe between the condenser and the evaporator, and the other end of which is connected to the compression chamber through the first scroll.