Scroll Compressor Oil Separation Space Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional scroll compressors with external oil separators face increased size and vibration noise issues, and when the oil separator is integrated into the casing, it can lead to increased length and noise due to higher driving speeds, requiring a balance between oil separation efficiency and compressor size.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a discharge cover within the casing for oil separation, with optimized communication and discharge holes, and a discharge pipe configuration that maintains the compressor's length while enhancing oil separation efficiency and reducing vibration noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the oil separator is installed outside the casing, then oil separation function is provided, but the compressor size increases and vibration noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the oil separator with the casing by forming the oil separator as an integral part of the casing structure. The oil separator is formed to have substantially the same outer shape as the casing, with the discharge pipe penetrating through the casing wall into the oil separator's inner space. This integration eliminates the need for a separate external oil separator while maintaining the oil separation function, thereby reducing overall compressor size.
Solution Approach 2:
The casing serves multiple functions: it encloses the compressor components, provides structural support, and simultaneously acts as the oil separator. By making the casing itself the oil separator, the design achieves multi-functionality where a single component (the casing) performs both protective/structural roles and oil separation roles, reducing the total number of parts and overall device volume.
2Productivity
If the driving speed is increased to more than 180 Hz for high efficiency, then compression performance is improved, but centrifugal force increases causing excessive oil discharge
Solution Approach 1:
The oil separator acts as an intermediary chamber between the compression space and the discharge pipe. When the orbiting scroll rotates at high speed generating centrifugal force, oil is centrifugally separated and collected in the oil separator's inner space before the refrigerant is discharged. This intermediary structure prevents direct oil discharge while allowing high-speed operation to maintain compression performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of centrifugal force (which causes oil discharge) into a beneficial separation mechanism. By utilizing the centrifugal force generated during high-speed rotation, oil is naturally separated from the refrigerant through centrifugal action within the oil separator, turning the problematic centrifugal effect into an advantageous oil-rejection mechanism that maintains both high-speed operation and low oil discharge.
3Reliability
If the oil separator volume is increased to handle high-speed operation, then oil separation efficiency is improved, but the compressor length increases and noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing the oil separator volume along the longitudinal axis (which would increase compressor length), the patent utilizes the radial and circumferential dimensions by forming the oil separator as a circumferential chamber within the casing. The oil separator's inner space is defined by the casing wall and the discharge pipe, creating a separation chamber that extends around the circumference rather than lengthening the device axially.
Solution Approach 2:
The oil separator is nested within the existing casing structure, with the discharge pipe penetrating through the casing wall to define the oil separator's boundary. The oil separator chamber is formed by the casing interior and the discharge pipe, effectively nesting the separation function within the existing structural envelope without requiring additional external space or increasing the overall compressor dimensions.
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 allows for effective oil separation within the compressor's casing, reducing vibration noise and maintaining efficiency, even at high speeds, by optimizing the oil separator's size and flow path areas.
Implementation Method 1
The scroll compressor of high efficiency generates a large centrifugal force as a rotational shaft rotates at a high speed. In this case, a large amount of oil may be discharged to the outside of the scroll compressor.
Implementation Method 2
an oil separator is installed at one side of the casing of the compressor, thereby separating oil from a refrigerant to be discharged and collecting the separated oil in the casing
Data Source
AI summary
A scroll compressor is provided that may include a casing; a drive motor; a fixed scroll that forms a compression space by being coupled to the orbiting scroll; and a discharge cover provided at an inner space of the casing, the discharge cover having a space that communicates with the compression space and separated from the inner space of the casing, and having one or more discharge hole on a side surface thereof, the one or more discharge hole providing communication between an inside and an outside of the space. With such a configuration, vibration noise of the scroll compressor may be more reduced in comparison with a case in which an oil separator is provided outside of the casing. Further, as an area of the one or more discharge hole and a volume of the space are optimized, efficiency of the scroll compressor may be enhanced.