Scroll Compressor Tip Seal Alternating Projections
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional scroll compressor tip seal structures face issues with excessive compression force and potential metal contact due to thermal expansion, leading to increased power consumption and reduced efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A tip seal structure with alternating large and small projection parts along the spiral shape of the scroll compressor, where large projection parts are pressed first, followed by small projection parts, reducing overall compression force and maintaining appropriate contact pressure to prevent galling and seize, while ensuring sealability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the tip seal projection amount is increased to ensure sealability, then sealing performance is improved, but compression force increases leading to higher power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The tip seal employs different projection amounts at different locations: larger projection at the forward end for sealing, smaller projection at the central portion for reduced compression force. This local differentiation allows the seal to maintain effectiveness where needed while minimizing energy consumption where excessive force would be harmful.
Solution Approach 2:
The tip seal is divided into multiple projection portions (first projection portion with larger projection, second projection portion with smaller projection) along the spiral direction. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function independently, resolving the contradiction between sealing requirements and power consumption.
2Reliability
If the tip seal projection amount is increased to prevent gap increase due to scroll bending, then sealing performance is improved, but metal contact and galling occur due to excessive compression force
Solution Approach 1:
The tip seal uses different projection amounts at different locations: larger projection at the forward end for sealing, smaller projection at the central portion where scroll bending occurs. This prevents excessive compression force and metal contact at the central portion while maintaining sealing at the forward end.
Solution Approach 2:
The tip seal is segmented into first projection portions (larger projection) and second projection portions (smaller projection) arranged alternately. This segmentation ensures that the central portion experiences reduced compression force preventing galling, while the forward end maintains adequate sealing projection.
3Ease of manufacture
If constant projection amount is used for tip seal, then manufacturing is simplified, but sealability deteriorates due to scroll bending and gap increase at central portion
Solution Approach 1:
The tip seal employs different projection amounts at different locations along the spiral: larger projection at the forward end and smaller projection at the central portion. This local differentiation maintains sealability despite scroll bending while remaining manufacturable through standard forming processes.
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 design decreases compression force, reduces drive torque, and stabilizes the movable scroll's movement, improving compressor efficiency and preventing galling or seize, while maintaining effective sealability.
Implementation Method 1
a tip seal is disposed in the groove so as to project from the forward end surface and be slidable on a bottom plate surface of the other scroll facing the forward end surface
Implementation Method 2
the amounts of deformation of the small projection parts due to the above-described pressing are suppressed small, the compression force generated between the forward end surface of the spiral body and the bottom plate surface of the other scroll is suppressed low
Implementation Method 3
a fixed scroll and a movable scroll each having a spiral body are engaged with each other, and by operating the movable scroll at an orbital movement relative to the fixed scroll, a fluid pocket formed between the spiral bodies of both scrolls is moved toward the center and its capacity is reduced
Data Source
AI summary
In a scroll compressor, a fixed scroll (3) and a movable scroll (5) each having a spiral body are engaged with each other, grooves (13, 14) extending along the spiral shape of the spiral body are formed on the forward end surface of the spiral body of at least either one of the fixed scroll and movable scroll, and tip seals (11, 12) are disposed in the grooves so as to project from the forward end surface and be slidable on the bottom plate surface of the other scroll facing the forward end surface. The tip seals have large projection parts (17, 18) with a larger amount of projection from the forward end surface and small projection parts (19, 20) with a smaller amount of projection from the forward end surface, and the large projection parts and small projection parts are arranged alternately in the direction along the spiral shape of the spiral body. The scroll compressor does not produce an excessive load at the end of the wall of the scroll while achieving the same sealability as in the case of conventional structures, i.e., the efficiency of the compressor can be improved.