Scroll Compressor Refrigerant Guide for Suction Loss

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Solution Overview

Problem

Low-pressure type scroll compressors experience suction loss due to increased specific volume of refrigerant as it comes into contact with the drive motor and high/low pressure separation plate, leading to reduced efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A refrigerant guide is integrated with the non-orbiting scroll, positioned between the refrigerant suction pipe and the high/low pressure separation plate, to prevent direct or indirect heating of the refrigerant, thereby reducing the specific volume of the suctioned refrigerant and enhancing compressor efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If refrigerant is suctioned through the inner space of the casing to cool the drive motor, then motor cooling efficiency is improved, but the specific volume of suctioned refrigerant increases causing suction loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemotor cooling efficiencyVSAvoidsuction loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The suction path is segmented into two separate channels: one path directs refrigerant through the inner space of the casing to cool the drive motor, while another path provides a direct suction path from the suction port to the compression chamber. This segmentation allows simultaneous achievement of motor cooling and efficient refrigerant suction by preventing heated refrigerant from entering the compression chamber.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A separation structure is introduced as an intermediary element between the suction path and the compression chamber. This separation structure includes a suction port and suction guide that directs refrigerant flow, acting as a mediator to prevent direct contact between heated refrigerant (from the motor cooling path) and the compression chamber, thereby reducing suction loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If refrigerant comes into contact with the high/low pressure separation plate or is heated by radiant heat, then heat transfer occurs, but the specific volume increases further causing additional suction loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverefrigerant temperatureVSAvoidsuction loss

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful thermal influence (both conductive heat from the separation plate and radiant heat) is extracted or removed from the refrigerant suction path. The suction port and suction guide are positioned and configured to extract refrigerant before it can be heated by the high/low pressure separation plate or subjected to radiant heat, thereby preventing specific volume increase and suction loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Loss of energy

If a direct suction path is provided from the suction port to the compression chamber, then suction loss is reduced, but motor cooling efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuction lossVSAvoidmotor cooling efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The refrigerant flow path is segmented into distinct channels: one channel provides direct suction from the suction port to the compression chamber to minimize suction loss, while another channel directs refrigerant through the inner space to cool the drive motor. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by allowing both functions to operate simultaneously without interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 refrigerant guide effectively suppresses the increase in specific volume of the refrigerant, leading to improved compressor efficiency by minimizing contact with the high/low pressure separation plate and reducing flow resistance, thus enhancing the amount of refrigerant suctioned into the compression chamber.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlow resistance reduction:

Data Source

PatentUS11739751B2Scroll compressor

Publication Date: 2023.08.29 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

A scroll compressor may include a casing having a low pressure portion and a high pressure portion, a refrigerant suction pipe that communicates with the low pressure portion and a refrigerant discharge pipe that communicates with the high pressure portion, a drive motor installed inside of the low pressure portion, an orbiting scroll coupled to the drive motor to perform an orbiting motion, a non-orbiting scroll engaged with the orbiting scroll to form a compression chamber, and a refrigerant guide provided on the non-orbiting scroll to guide a refrigerant suctioned into the low pressure portion to be suctioned into the compression chamber, whereby an increase in specific volume of refrigerant suctioned into the compression chamber may be suppressed, and thus, an amount of refrigerant suctioned into the compression chamber may increase, thereby improving efficiency of the compressor.