Scroll Compressor Valve Assembly Guide Passage Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing scroll compressors face issues with the exhaust valve assembly, including high-speed valve piece movement leading to shortened life and increased fluid flow resistance due to small valve hole cross-sectional areas and misalignment of valve holes with exhaust ports, resulting in instability and pressure drops, particularly in high-displacement compressors.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of a guide passage with a tapered design that transitions from a larger exhaust port to smaller valve holes, along with a guide member that includes aligned and non-aligned first and second ports, respectively, to reduce fluid resistance and prolong valve piece life by increasing the cross-sectional area and guiding fluid flow effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the valve hole cross-sectional area is small, then the valve assembly structure is simple, but the valve piece moves at high speed which shortens its service life

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalve assembly structureVSAvoidvalve piece service life
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

A guide passage is introduced as an intermediary component between the exhaust port and the valve hole. This guide passage has a larger cross-sectional area than the valve hole, serving as a buffer that reduces the speed of the valve piece during opening and closing operations, thereby extending its service life without complicating the overall valve assembly structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Volume of moving object

If the valve hole cross-sectional area is small, then the valve assembly is compact, but the fluid flow resistance increases causing large pressure drops

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalve assembly sizeVSAvoidfluid pressure drop
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The solution transitions from a single-dimension small valve hole to a multi-dimensional flow path structure. The guide passage is designed with a larger cross-sectional area and optimized length, creating a three-dimensional flow path that reduces fluid resistance and pressure drops while keeping the valve assembly compact

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Device complexity

If the valve holes are not aligned with the exhaust ports, then the valve assembly can be compactly arranged, but the fluid flow resistance increases leading to exhaust instability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalve assembly arrangementVSAvoidexhaust stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The guide passage serves as a mediator that connects the exhaust port and the valve hole even when they are not aligned. It provides a smooth transition path for the fluid, reducing flow resistance and maintaining exhaust stability while allowing flexible arrangement of the valve assembly components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution significantly reduces the opening degree and moving speed of the valve piece, prolongs its service life, and improves exhaust stability and efficiency by minimizing pressure drops and fluid resistance.

Implementation Method 1

the fluid flow resistance increases, which leads to a large pressure drop as the fluid flows through the valve assembly

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow resistance: Drag

Implementation Method 2

the fluid flow resistance increases, which leads to a large pressure drop as the fluid flows through the valve assembly

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure drop: Pressure Drop

Data Source

PatentEP3961037B1Scroll compressor
Publication Date: 2025.01.01 COPELAND CLIMATE TECN (SUZHOU) CO LTD
  • EP3961037B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3961037B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP3961037B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

Provided is a scroll compressor, comprising a compression mechanism (CM) and a valve assembly (200), wherein the compression mechanism (CM) is provided with a vent (V), and the valve assembly (200) is used for selectively opening and closing the vent (V). The valve assembly (200) comprises a valve plate (220) and at least one valve piece (224), wherein the valve plate (220) comprises at least one valve orifice (222); and the valve piece (224) is configured to selectively open and close the valve orifice (222). The scroll compressor further comprises a guide passageway (L), wherein the guide passageway (L) is provided with a first port (LI) communicating with the valve orifice (222) and a second port (L2) communicating with the exhaust opening (V). The valve assembly and the compressor can significantly prolong the service life of the valve piece, and can provide good guidance for a fluid discharged from the compression mechanism, thereby significantly reducing the resistance of venting and the pressure drop in the fluid, and significantly improving the effect of venting.