Scroll Compressor Oil Collection Ring and Path Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing scroll compressor design leads to lubricant loss and performance deterioration due to lubricant mixing with high-pressure discharge gas refrigerant, causing oil loss and reduced reliability.
Innovation Solution
The lubricant is directed from the high-pressure space to a lower-pressure space through a dedicated oil collection path, preventing its discharge into the high-pressure area and ensuring it is collected in a lower-pressure space for efficient reuse, with additional measures like pin bearings and oil supply paths to maintain lubrication without leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the lubricant is discharged to the high-pressure space through the discharge pipe, then the lubrication function is maintained, but the lubricant mixes with the discharge gas and is lost outside the compressor
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge passage is segmented into two separate outlets: one for discharge gas and one for lubricant. This segmentation prevents mixing between lubricant and discharge gas, allowing the lubricant to be discharged to the high-pressure space for lubrication while preventing it from being lost outside the compressor with the discharge gas.
Solution Approach 2:
A separator is introduced as an intermediary component between the high-pressure space and the discharge passage. The separator divides the flow paths, directing discharge gas through one outlet and lubricant through another, thereby preventing lubricant loss while maintaining the lubrication function.
2Loss of substance
If the lubricant is returned to the oil sump portion, then lubricant loss is reduced, but the lubricant may still mix with discharge gas and be discharged outside
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge passage is divided into separate outlets for discharge gas and lubricant. This ensures that lubricant returning to the oil sump portion does not mix with discharge gas, preventing lubricant loss while maintaining compressor performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The lubricant is extracted from the mixed flow of discharge gas and lubricant through a separate outlet in the discharge passage. This extraction prevents lubricant from being carried outside the compressor with the discharge gas, allowing it to be returned to the oil sump portion for reuse.
3Reliability
If the lubricant flows into the high-pressure space, then it can lubricate the rolling bearing, but it may flow out through the discharge pipe and mix with discharge gas
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge passage is segmented with separate outlets: one for discharge gas and one for lubricant. This allows lubricant to flow into the high-pressure space for bearing lubrication while preventing it from flowing out through the discharge pipe with the discharge gas.
Solution Approach 2:
A separator acts as an intermediary that divides the discharge passage into two paths. One path allows lubricant to enter the high-pressure space for lubrication, while the other path prevents lubricant from mixing with and being discharged through the discharge gas outlet.
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 configuration significantly reduces lubricant loss, enhances the reliability of the scroll compressor by maintaining adequate lubrication levels and preventing refrigerant leakage, thereby improving performance and reducing the risk of malfunctions.
Implementation Method 1
the lubricant that has lubricated the rolling bearing (62) in the first space (54) serving as a high-pressure space flows out of the oil collection member (70) below the rolling bearing (62) through the oil collection path (71) into the second space (80, 31b) having a lower pressure than the first space (54)
Data Source
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AI summary
A high-pressure dome type scroll compressor is provided with an oil collection ring (70) and an oil collection path (71). The oil collection ring (70) is disposed below a rolling bearing (62) in a high-pressure space, and is configured to collect a lubricant that has lubricated the rolling bearing (62). The oil collection path (71) is configured to introduce the lubricant from the oil collection ring (70) into a space having a lower pressure than the high-pressure space in a casing. This makes it difficult for the lubricant that has lubricated the rolling bearing (62) supporting a drive shaft (23) to flow out of a discharge pipe (19) of the casing (11), and reduces the degree to which the performance and reliability of the scroll compressor deteriorate.