Scroll Compressor Variable Capacity Valve Seal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional scroll compressors face challenges with refrigerant leakage and energy efficiency due to the limitations of rubber-type O-ring sealing structures, which are cost-effective but difficult to process accurately, and Teflon-type sealing structures, which are more expensive and not always effective in maintaining optimal sealing forces.
Innovation Solution
A scroll compressor design featuring a seal member with variable squeeze, utilizing an O-ring seal that increases squeeze during closing and decreases during opening, integrated with an inclined surface on either the seal member or the valve member to optimize sealing force and reduce frictional resistance, allowing for improved sealing and energy efficiency while maintaining low manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a rubber-type O-ring sealing structure is applied, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but manufacturing precision and sealing reliability deteriorate due to difficulty in processing and maintaining suitable tolerance range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the seal receiving groove, specifically making the groove depth variable along the axial direction of the piston valve. This allows the O-ring to experience different squeeze amounts at different positions, compensating for processing tolerances and material deformation without requiring high-precision manufacturing
Solution Approach 2:
The seal receiving groove is designed with dynamic characteristics where the depth varies along the axial direction, allowing the O-ring to adapt its squeeze amount based on the operational position of the piston valve. This dynamic design compensates for manufacturing variations and maintains reliable sealing
2Reliability
If the squeeze of the O-ring is increased to prevent refrigerant leakage, then sealing reliability improves, but frictional resistance increases causing delayed valve opening and reduced energy saving effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different squeeze amounts to different sections of the O-ring by designing the seal receiving groove with varying depth along the axial direction. The groove is deeper at the closing end and shallower at the opening end, creating locally optimized sealing conditions that balance leakage prevention with reduced friction during opening operation
Solution Approach 2:
The seal receiving groove is segmented into multiple sections with different depths along the axial direction of the piston valve. This segmentation allows different portions of the O-ring to experience different squeeze forces, optimizing both sealing performance and operational efficiency
3Loss of energy
If the squeeze of the O-ring is decreased to improve valve operability, then energy saving effects improve, but refrigerant leakage occurs due to insufficient sealing force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameter of the seal receiving groove depth along the axial direction, creating a gradient structure that provides sufficient squeeze at the closing position for reliable sealing while reducing squeeze at the opening position for improved operability and energy saving
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 scroll compressor effectively restricts refrigerant leakage and reduces frictional forces, enhancing energy efficiency and operational reliability by adjusting the seal member's squeeze based on the valve's operation mode, using a conventional O-ring for cost-effectiveness and improved workability.
Implementation Method 1
a seal member with elasticity provided between an outer peripheral surface of a piston valve and an inner peripheral surface of a valve receiving portion
Data Source
AI summary
A scroll compressor including a bypass passage to guide refrigerant from a compression chamber to a low pressure portion of the compressor; a valve located in a valve receiving portion and slideable between first and second positions in which the bypass passage is respectively closed and opened; a ring-shaped seal between an outer peripheral surface of the valve and an inner peripheral surface of the valve receiving portion; and a seal groove formed in at least one of the outer peripheral surface of the valve and the inner peripheral surface of the valve receiving portion, the seal being inserted into the seal groove, wherein at least one of the outer peripheral surface of the valve, the inner peripheral surface of the valve receiving portion, and the inner peripheral surface of the seal groove has an inclined surface that is inclined in the opening/closing direction of the valve.