Scroll Compressor Tip Seal Durability via Localized Material Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 3D-type scroll compressors, the tip seals are divided into portions on both sides of the step of the wrap, making it difficult to form integral seals, leading to high costs and reduced durability due to the need for expensive materials with high abrasion and heat resistance, especially at the central portion where temperature and pressure are high.
Innovation Solution
The scroll compressor design features a stepped portion where the inner circumferential tip seal is formed from a high-temperature, high-abrasion-resistant material, and the outer circumferential tip seal from a less expensive material, with the stepped portion positioned to optimize temperature range and rotation angle, allowing for separate materials and coatings to enhance durability without the need for costly jointing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the tip seal is made from expensive high-temperature and high-abrasion-resistant material, then the durability at the central portion is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the inner circumferential tip seal (at the central portion) from expensive high-temperature and high-abrasion-resistant material, while the outer circumferential tip seal is made from less expensive material. This localized material selection optimizes durability where needed (central portion with high temperature and pressure) while controlling overall manufacturing cost.
2Ease of manufacture
If the tip seal is formed as one piece, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but it becomes difficult to form the seal in 3D-type scroll compressors with steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the tip seal into two separate parts: an inner circumferential tip seal and an outer circumferential tip seal. This segmentation allows each seal to be manufactured independently with appropriate materials, avoiding the difficulty of forming a single integral seal across the stepped portion in 3D-type scroll compressors.
3Reliability
If the tip seal is divided into inner and outer circumferential portions, then the durability is improved through material optimization, but the number of parts increases requiring joining
Solution Approach 1:
The tip seal is divided into inner and outer circumferential portions that can be manufactured separately with optimized materials for their respective locations, improving durability through material selection while allowing independent manufacturing of each segment.
Data Source
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AI summary
An object of the present invention is to improve the reliability of a 3D-type scroll compressor by improving the durability of tip seals thereof. In a 3D-type scroll compressor 10, a pair of scrolls 20 and 30 includes wraps 21 and 31 configured to decrease in height via stepped portions 21C and 31C, and end plates 200 and 300 having stepped walls 20C and 30C being erected following the stepped portions 31C and 21C of the counterpart wraps 31 and 21, respectively. An inner circumferential tip seal 41 (51) provided in an inner circumferential side of the stepped portion 21C (31C) and lying between the wrap and the end plate 300 (200) and an outer circumferential tip seal 42 (52) provided in an outer circumferential side of the stepped portion 21C (31C) and lying between the wrap and the end plate 300 (200) are different in material at least at portions facing the end plate 300 (200).