Scroll Compressor Sealing Member Design for Leakage Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional scroll compressors experience pressure leakage, unstable behavior of the orbiting scroll, damage at high compression ratios, and delayed formation of the back pressure chamber due to the design of the sealing member with a cut-out portion, leading to reduced sealing effectiveness and compression efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A scroll compressor design featuring a sealing member with a '-shaped sectional surface, formed as a single body without cut-out portions, including a first portion for axial sealing and a second portion for radial sealing, where the second portion is thinner and more easily levitated, enhancing sealing effectiveness and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a sealing member with a cut-out portion is used, then the sealing member can be manufactured more easily, but pressure leakage occurs and sealing effectiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing member is divided into two functional portions: a first portion with a cut-out portion for ease of manufacture and insertion, and a second portion without cut-out portions that provides continuous sealing. This segmentation allows each portion to serve its specific function optimally.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the sealing member have different structural qualities - the first portion has a cut-out structure for manufacturing convenience while the second portion has a solid continuous structure for sealing reliability. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between ease of manufacture and sealing effectiveness.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the sealing member is made thicker for durability, then abrasion resistance improves, but levitation speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing member is segmented into a first portion with greater thickness for durability and abrasion resistance, and a second portion with smaller thickness for rapid levitation. This segmentation allows the structure to satisfy both contradictory requirements in different regions.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the sealing member have different thickness characteristics - the first portion is thicker to withstand abrasion while the second portion is thinner to enable quick levitation response. This local quality variation resolves the contradiction between durability and speed.
3Speed
If the second sealing portion is made thinner for rapid levitation, then levitation speed improves, but radial sealing capability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing member is segmented into a first portion for axial sealing with sufficient thickness, and a second portion for radial sealing with smaller thickness. The second portion's thinner design enables rapid levitation while still providing radial sealing through its contact configuration with the orbiting scroll.
Solution Approach 2:
The second portion has optimized local quality with smaller thickness specifically tailored for radial sealing function and rapid levitation, while the first portion maintains greater thickness for axial sealing. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between levitation speed and radial sealing 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
The design enhances sealing efficiency, maintains constant back pressure, prevents refrigerant leakage, and reduces the risk of damage at high compression ratios, allowing rapid levitation and improved compression efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the first sealing portion... is upward moved by a pressure of a refrigerant
Implementation Method 2
the second sealing portion... performs a sealing operation between the main frame and the orbiting scroll in a radius direction by contacting an outer side wall surface of the sealing member insertion groove
Implementation Method 3
an orbiting scroll... performing an orbiting motion with respect to the fixed scroll... forming a compression chamber to compress a refrigerant
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
A scroll compressor includes: a motor part which provides a driving force; an orbiting scroll which performs an orbiting motion by the motor part; a fixed scroll coupled to the orbiting scroll, and forming a compression chamber together with the orbiting scroll; a frame coupled to the fixed scroll, and configured to support the orbiting scroll; a sealing member mounting groove having a ring shape, and formed on a first facing surface of the frame contacting the orbiting scroll, or a second facing surface of the orbiting scroll contacting the frame; and a sealing member including a first sealing portion formed in a ring shape, inserted into the sealing member mounting groove so as to be moveable in an axial direction, and configured to perform a sealing operation between the frame and the orbiting scroll in an axial direction, and including a second sealing portion extending from the first sealing portion in an axial direction, and configured to perform a sealing operation between the frame and the orbiting scroll in a radius direction by contacting an outer side wall surface of the sealing member mounting groove, wherein a thickness of the second sealing portion in a radius direction is smaller than a thickness of the first sealing portion in an axial direction.