Scroll Compressor Tip Seal Grooves for Pressure Equalization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing scroll type compressors and vacuum pumps suffer from increased wear of the tip seal due to high surface pressure and differential pressure between working chambers, which is not effectively addressed by existing recess designs on the sliding surface.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of grooves and communication grooves or holes in the tip seal that communicate with high-pressure working chambers, reducing surface pressure and wear by equalizing pressure distribution across the sliding surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If recesses are formed on the sliding surface of the tip seal to reduce friction, then friction is reduced, but surface pressure remains unchanged and wear is not effectively suppressed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by creating grooves at specific locations on the sliding surface where differential pressure acts most strongly. These grooves are positioned in the high-pressure region to locally redirect pressure distribution, thereby reducing surface pressure and wear at critical areas while maintaining seal functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The grooves act as intermediary structures that mediate between the high-pressure working chamber and the sliding surface. By introducing these intermediate features, the patent redistributes the pressure load and reduces the direct contact pressure between the tip seal and the mirror plate, thereby suppressing wear.
2Loss of energy
If the tip seal sliding surface area is reduced to lower friction, then friction decreases, but sealability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding surface is segmented into functional zones by introducing grooves. The seal contact area is divided into regions with and without grooves, allowing different portions to serve different functions: some areas maintain full contact for sealing, while groove-containing areas reduce friction and wear through pressure redistribution.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the sliding surface are given different properties through the selective placement of grooves. Areas with grooves have reduced friction and wear characteristics, while areas without grooves maintain full sealing contact, achieving both reduced friction and maintained sealability through local differentiation.
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 solution effectively suppresses local wear of the tip seal while maintaining sealability, extending its lifetime and reducing friction.
Implementation Method 1
The introduction of grooves and communication grooves or holes in the tip seal that communicate with high-pressure working chambers, reducing surface pressure and wear by equalizing pressure distribution across the sliding surface
Data Source
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AI summary
A scroll type gas machine that can suppress wear of tip seals is provided. The scroll type compressor includes: a fixed scroll 11 having a helical wrap 16; an orbiting scroll 12 having a helical wrap 21; a drive shaft 13 that causes the orbiting scroll 12 to orbit relative to the fixed scroll 11; and a helical tip seal 29A inserted into a seal groove 28A of the wrap 21. The tip seal 29A has: a groove 36A that has an opening at a central portion of a sliding surface 30 in the seal width direction; and a communication groove 37A that establishes communication between the inside of the groove 36A and a working chamber SH on the inner side in the wrap width direction. The groove 36A is provided in a range where the differential pressure (PH-PL) is equal to or higher than 0.1 Mpa between the working chamber SH on the inner side in the wrap width direction and a working chamber SL on the outer side in the wrap width direction. The communication groove 37A is shorter than the groove 36A in the seal extension direction.