Scroll Compressor Oil Supply Guide Lubrication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing scroll compressors face challenges with friction loss due to limited oil supply and pressure differences between the oil supply groove and storage space, which can lead to reduced suction volume and increased outer diameter, as well as aggravated friction loss during operation.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a second oil supply guide that communicates between a first oil supply guide and the compression chamber, creating a significant pressure difference between the oil storage space and the thrust bearing surface, ensuring smooth oil supply and effective lubrication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an annular oil supply groove is formed in the thrust bearing surface, then the orbiting scroll can slide with the fixed scroll, but the number of turns of the orbiting wrap is limited which causes suction volume to decrease or outer diameter to increase
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous annular oil supply groove is divided into multiple separate oil supply grooves arranged in the circumferential direction. This segmentation allows the orbiting wrap to have more turns by reducing the radial space required for oil supply, thereby increasing suction volume while maintaining adequate lubrication through multiple distributed oil supply paths.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of a uniform annular groove, the patent implements multiple localized oil supply grooves at specific positions around the thrust bearing surface. This local quality approach provides targeted lubrication where needed while preserving orbital movement space, resolving the conflict between lubrication reliability and suction volume.
2Reliability
If an annular oil supply groove is formed in the thrust bearing surface, then oil can be supplied to reduce friction loss, but a great pressure difference does not occur between the oil supply groove and oil storage space which prevents smooth oil supply
Solution Approach 1:
The oil supply grooves are positioned and designed to receive oil from the oil storage space before the orbiting scroll makes full contact with the fixed scroll. This preliminary oil positioning ensures that oil is already in place to reduce friction loss from the start of operation, while the groove design maintains pressure difference for smooth oil flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional annular groove to a three-dimensional multi-level oil supply structure with grooves at different radial positions and depths. This dimensional change creates effective pressure differences for smooth oil supply while maintaining lubrication reliability.
3Ease of operation
If the orbiting scroll is in close contact with the fixed scroll to form a thrust bearing surface, then orbital movement is enabled, but friction loss occurs on the thrust bearing surface
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple oil supply grooves act as intermediaries between the oil storage space and the thrust bearing contact surface. These grooves deliver lubricating oil to the interface between the orbiting and fixed scrolls, reducing friction loss while enabling smooth orbital movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses hydraulic lubrication through oil supply grooves to reduce friction between the orbiting scroll and fixed scroll. Oil is supplied under pressure to the thrust bearing surface, creating a lubricating film that minimizes friction loss while maintaining orbital movement capability.
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 solution enhances the smooth supply of oil to the thrust bearing surface, reducing friction loss and maintaining a high suction volume while minimizing the outer diameter of the compressor, thereby improving operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a great pressure difference does not occur between the oil supply groove and an oil storage space. This causes a problem that oil in the oil storage space is not smoothly supplied to the oil supply groove
Implementation Method 2
the orbiting scroll is in close contact with the fixed scroll, so friction loss may occur on the thrust bearing surface between the orbiting scroll and the fixed scroll
Data Source
AI summary
A scroll compressor is provided that may include a casing, a main frame, a rotational shaft, an orbiting scroll, a fixed scroll, and an oil supply guide. A second oil supply guide of the oil supply guide may be disposed in at least one of the orbiting scroll or the fixed scroll and extend along a thrust bearing surface between the orbiting scroll and the fixed scroll to provide communication between a first oil supply guide and a compression chamber having a lower pressure than an oil storage space. This may produce a great pressure difference between ends of an oil supply passage including the first oil supply guide and the second oil supply guide, and allow smooth oil supply using differential pressure to the thrust bearing surface between the fixed scroll and the orbiting scroll.