Heat source unit and scroll compressor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing refrigerant cycle apparatuses face malfunctions due to vibration during operation and excitation during transportation, which can lead to pipe breakage and reduced reliability, particularly in scroll compressors.

Innovation Solution

A configuration where the suction, discharge, and injection pipes of a scroll compressor are fixed to each other at vertical portions along a straight line, with additional support from vibration-proof rubbers and legs, to suppress vibrations and excitation forces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If pipes are connected to the compression chamber for gas injection and refrigerant circulation, then the compressor can perform gas injection to improve performance, but the pipes vibrate due to pressure pulsation causing noise and excessive stress

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompressor performanceVSAvoidpipe stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple pipes (suction pipe, discharge pipe, injection pipe) into a single integrated pipe assembly that is collectively fixed to the compressor body. This merging approach allows the pipes to mutually support each other against vibration while maintaining their individual functions for refrigerant circulation and gas injection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements vibration suppression measures during the design and assembly stage by pre-positioning the pipes in a configuration that minimizes vibration susceptibility and pre-fixing them to the compressor body. This preliminary action prevents vibration-related issues before they occur during operation, rather than addressing them after malfunction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If pipes are connected to the compression chamber, then the compressor can function properly, but the pipes are susceptible to breakage due to excitation during transportation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompressor functionalityVSAvoidpipe resistance to excitation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple pipes into a unified assembly that is collectively fixed to the compressor body with enhanced strength. This combined fixation approach distributes excitation forces across multiple connection points and the rigid compressor body, preventing pipe breakage during transportation while maintaining proper compressor functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extends pipes vertically from the compression chamber connection points, creating a spatial arrangement where pipes extend in the vertical dimension. This dimensional configuration, combined with fixed positioning, provides structural stability against excitation forces during transportation while preserving the pipes' functional connectivity for compressor operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 effectively reduces rigid body vibrations and enhances the reliability of the scroll compressor without increasing production costs, thereby preventing pipe breakage and improving operational stability.

Implementation Method 1

each of the three or four legs is attached with a vibration-proof rubber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration isolation: Damping

Implementation Method 2

The fixing member fixes at least two pipes of three of the pipes to each other at the vertical portions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical fastening: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentEP4177470B1Heat source unit and scroll compressor
Publication Date: 2025.08.06 DAIKIN INDUSTRIES LTD
  • EP4177470B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4177470B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4177470B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A heat source unit (3) of a refrigerant cycle apparatus (1) includes a compressor (10), a pipe, and a fixing member (24) in order to suppress malfunction caused by vibration during operation and excitation during transportation. The compressor (10) has two or three connection portions among a first connection portion (21A) that connects a suction pipe (21), a second connection portion (22A) that connects a discharge pipe (22), and a third connection portion (23A) that connects an injection pipe (23). Each of the pipes includes a vertical portion at least a part of which extends vertically from each of the two or three connection portions. The fixing member (24) fixes two or three of the pipes to each other at the vertical portions. In top view, the connection portions are located on one first straight line (L1). The pipes extending from the connection portions located on the first straight line (L1) are fixed by the fixing member (24).