Scroll Compressor Orbital Disc Lubrication System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional scroll compressors face issues with inadequate lubrication of outer circumferential bearing surfaces, particularly in high-capacity models, leading to reduced reliability and lifetime, and complex manufacturing processes due to improper oil supply and reduced thrust bearing surface area.
Innovation Solution
A lubrication system with an oil reservoir defined by a receiving chamber and lubrication passages connected to it, ensuring proper lubrication of outer bearing surfaces through centrifugal effect, and an oil return passage for efficient oil circulation, along with an oil supplying channel and counterweight to maintain oil supply after compressor start.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If lubrication grooves are formed in the thrust bearing surface, then lubrication is provided to bearing surfaces, but the surface area of the thrust bearing surface is decreased, harming reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The lubrication system is segmented into multiple independent lubrication passages (first, second, and third lubrication passages) that deliver oil to different locations. This segmentation allows comprehensive lubrication coverage without requiring grooves that would reduce the overall thrust bearing surface area, thus maintaining both reliability and surface area.
2Reliability
If the second end of lubrication grooves is located at high load positions, then lubrication is provided to high load areas, but high loads avoid or limit oil supply between bearing surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
Different lubrication passages are designed with different characteristics to address local needs: the first lubrication passage provides oil to the thrust bearing surface, the second lubrication passage delivers oil to the inner circumferential bearing surface of the circular receiving hole, and the third lubrication passage supplies oil to the orbital disc. This localized quality approach ensures each bearing surface receives appropriate lubrication regardless of load conditions.
3Ease of manufacture
If lubrication passages are formed within the support arrangement with oil outlet apertures at low load positions, then manufacturing is simplified, but sufficient oil delivery to circular receiving holes is not ensured particularly at compressor start
Solution Approach 1:
The third lubrication passage is configured to supply oil to the orbital disc before the compressor reaches full operating conditions. This preliminary action ensures that the circular receiving hole and its bearing surfaces are adequately lubricated at startup and under varying load conditions, preventing wear and ensuring reliable operation from the moment the compressor starts.
4Device complexity
If conventional lubrication systems are used, then structure is simple, but optimized oil supply to rotation preventing device is not ensured, harming reliability and lifetime
Solution Approach 1:
The lubrication system is designed with multi-functionality: the same oil supply system serves multiple purposes by providing lubrication to the thrust bearing surface, the inner circumferential bearing surface of the circular receiving hole, and the orbital disc itself. This universal approach ensures comprehensive protection of all bearing surfaces without requiring separate complex systems, thereby improving reliability while maintaining reasonable simplicity.
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
Enhances the reliability and lifetime of scroll compressors by ensuring consistent lubrication of all bearing surfaces, simplifying manufacturing by eliminating complex lubrication groove configurations and maintaining oil supply without relying on the oil sump at startup.
Implementation Method 1
ensuring proper lubrication of outer bearing surfaces through centrifugal effect
Data Source
AI summary
The scroll compressor includes a fixed scroll; an orbiting scroll (8); a drive shaft (16); a support arrangement (5) on which is slidably mounted the orbiting scroll (8); a rotation preventing device configured to prevent rotation of the orbiting scroll (8) with respect to the fixed scroll, the rotation preventing device including orbital discs (28) respectively arranged in circular receiving holes (29) provided on the support arrangement (5), each orbital disc (28) being provided with an outer circumferential bearing surface (31) configured to cooperate with an inner circumferential bearing surface (32) provided on the respective circular receiving hole (29); and a lubrication system configured to lubricate the inner and outer circumferential bearing surfaces (32, 31) with oil supplied from an oil sump, the lubrication system including an oil reservoir (38) in which part of the oil supplied to the lubrication system is collected during operation of the scroll compressor, and a plurality of lubrication passages (41) provided on the support arrangement (5), each lubrication passage (41) including an oil outlet aperture (41.2) emerging in a bottom surface of a respective circular receiving hole (29) and an oil inlet aperture (41.1) emerging in the receiving chamber (27).