Scroll Compressor Oil Channel Layout for Thrust Surface Lubrication
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Solution Overview
Problem
In scroll compressors, the formation of a back-pressure space at the back side and external circumference of the movable scroll makes it difficult for the oil channel to adequately supply oil to the thrust sliding portion, particularly where the communication channel with the peripheral compression chamber is formed, leading to inadequate lubrication.
Innovation Solution
A scroll compressor design that includes a second oil channel communicating with the back-pressure space in the vicinity of the communication channel, ensuring oil is supplied to the entire portion where sliding occurs between the fixed and movable scrolls, with the second oil channel extending radially further than circumferentially to avoid interfering with the revolving movement of the movable scroll.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an oil channel is formed across the entire circumference of the fixed scroll to supply oil to the entire thrust sliding portion, then desirable lubrication state is ensured, but it becomes difficult to form the communication channel for back-pressure space in the same region
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of a single continuous circumferential oil channel, the system uses multiple discrete oil channels positioned at different angular locations. This segmentation allows the communication channel to be formed in regions not occupied by oil channels while still providing comprehensive oil supply to all necessary sliding portions.
Solution Approach 2:
The oil supply problem is solved by transitioning from a single-dimension continuous circumferential channel to a multi-dimensional distributed channel system. Oil channels are arranged in multiple angular positions and radial positions, creating a two-dimensional oil supply network that covers the entire thrust sliding portion without conflicting with the communication channel.
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 enhances the reliability of the scroll compressor by ensuring consistent lubrication across the thrust sliding portion, even in areas where the primary oil channel is not formed, thereby improving the compressor's operational efficiency and longevity.
Implementation Method 1
Oil is supplied to the first oil channel from a high-pressure space that communicates with the compression chamber at high pressure and retained in the first oil channel
Implementation Method 2
the communication channel communicates with the compression chamber, and communicates with the communication hole for at least a prescribed period. The second oil channel is disposed in the second angle region with respect to the centre of the first end plate as seen in plan view and communicates with the back-pressure space for at least a prescribed period
Implementation Method 3
The second oil channel is disposed in the second angle region with respect to the centre of the first end plate as seen in plan view and communicates with the back-pressure space for at least a prescribed period
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a highly reliable scroll compressor where oil is supplied to an entire sliding portion of the scroll even when a back-pressure space is formed and a communication channel which allows communication between a compression chamber and a back-pressure space communicate is formed in a fixed scroll. The scroll compressor is equipped with: a fixed scroll (31) having a fixed-side end plate (311), a fixed-side lap (312), and a peripheral portion (313); a movable scroll having a movable-side end plate and a movable-side lap; and a drive motor. The drive motor revolves the movable scroll so that refrigerant in a compression chamber formed by the fixed-side lap and movable-side lap is compressed. A back-pressure space which intermittently communicates with the compression chamber is formed at the back face side of the movable scroll. On a sliding face (R1, R2) in the peripheral portion, which slides with the movable-side end plate, a first oil channel (313d) supplied with oil from an oil-retention space is formed in a first angle region (A1) with respect to the centre of the fixed-side end plate, and a communication channel (314) allowing communication between the back-pressure space and the compression chamber and a second oil channel (80) communicating with the back-pressure space are formed in a second angle region (A2) with respect to the centre of the fixed-side end plate.