Scroll Compressor Lubricant Circulation Optimization

The patent introduces an oil film as an intermediary substance between the fixed scroll and orbiting scroll at the step portion. This oil film seals the minute gap that is necessary for orbital operation, preventing compressed gas leakage while allowing the orbiting scroll to maintain its orbital motion. The lubricant acts as a mediator that simultaneously enables mechanical operation and prevents energy loss through gas leakage.

The patent optimizes the cylinder oil circulation rate parameter within a specific range (3% to 10% of the refrigerant circulation rate) to achieve the desired oil film thickness at the step portion. By adjusting this parameter, the system maintains sufficient lubricant to seal the gap and prevent gas leakage, while avoiding excessive oil circulation that would reduce compression efficiency. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction between enabling orbital operation and preventing energy loss.

The oil film serves as a critical intermediary that seals the step portion gap under high-pressure differential conditions. When high-pressure refrigerants like R410A or CO2 are used, the increased pressure difference would cause severe gas leakage through the gap. The lubricant film, maintained by the optimized circulation rate, prevents this leakage by filling and sealing the gap, thereby enabling the use of high-pressure refrigerants without suffering from excessive energy loss.

The patent adjusts the oil circulation rate parameter to be proportionally higher (3% to 10% of refrigerant circulation rate) compared to conventional systems, specifically to compensate for the increased gas leakage tendency under high-pressure differential conditions. This parameter change ensures sufficient lubricant supply to maintain an effective sealing film at the step portion, resolving the contradiction between utilizing high-pressure refrigerants for improved cooling and preventing excessive gas leakage.