Scroll Compressor Compression Subassembly With Pre-Aligned Support Plate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing scroll compressors face mis-alignment issues between the main bearing housing and scroll members, leading to potential wear of components and reduced longevity due to deflection under applied loads, necessitating improved alignment structures to enhance operational efficiency and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A compression subassembly is installed as a single unit within the compressor housing, utilizing a support plate that separates chambers and creates fluid-tight seals, with components like the non-orbiting scroll and main bearing housing aligned through a single connection point to the support plate, ensuring precise alignment and reducing mis-alignment opportunities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional separate installation of compressor components is used, then assembly flexibility is maintained, but mis-alignment between main bearing housing and scroll members occurs leading to component wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the main bearing housing, non-orbiting scroll, and support plate into a single pre-assembled unit. The main bearing housing is directly attached to the non-orbiting scroll which is already attached to the support plate, creating an integrated assembly that eliminates mis-alignment issues between these components during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The main bearing housing and non-orbiting scroll are pre-assembled and pre-aligned on the support plate before final installation in the compressor. This preliminary assembly ensures proper alignment is established beforehand, preventing mis-alignment that would occur with separate installation.
2Reliability
If tight tolerances for mis-alignment are enforced, then component wear is reduced, but manufacturing and assembly difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the main bearing housing, non-orbiting scroll, and support plate into one pre-assembled unit, the patent eliminates the need to enforce tight alignment tolerances during final assembly. The components are already aligned in the pre-assembled unit, so no additional alignment adjustments or tight tolerances are required during compressor assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The pre-assembled unit self-aligns through the integrated structure where the non-orbiting scroll is directly attached to both the support plate and main bearing housing. This self-aligning feature eliminates the need for external alignment procedures or tight tolerance enforcement during assembly.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple separate components are assembled in the compressor housing, then component independence is maintained, but alignment opportunities for mis-alignment increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges three separate components (support plate, non-orbiting scroll, main bearing housing) into one pre-assembled unit that is installed as a single component in the compressor. This reduces the number of separate assembly operations and eliminates alignment opportunities between these specific components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the compressor into two main parts: the pre-assembled compression subassembly unit and the compressor housing. This segmentation allows the complex multi-component assembly to be pre-integrated into a manageable unit that simplifies the final assembly process and reduces alignment opportunities.
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 approach facilitates superior alignment and reduces wear on components by minimizing mis-alignment, enhancing the longevity and efficiency of the compressor system.
Implementation Method 1
The raised circumferential surface and the inner circumferential surface of the support plate are in sealing engagement
Data Source
AI summary
A compressor includes a compressor housing and a compression subassembly installed in the compressor housing. The compressor housing includes a shell defining a first chamber and an end cap defining a second chamber. The compression subassembly includes a support plate positioned in the compressor housing between the shell and the end cap, a non-orbiting scroll attached to the support plate and extending from the support plate into the first chamber, a main bearing housing positioned in the first chamber and attached to the non-orbiting scroll, and an orbiting scroll positioned between the non-orbiting scroll and the main bearing housing. The support plate separates the first chamber and the second chamber and supports the compression subassembly in the compressor housing.