Scroll Compressor Wrap Grooves for Liquid Tolerance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing scroll compressors, particularly those requiring higher compression ratios, face issues with damage to the fixed wrap due to excessive pressure, especially when liquid refrigerant or oil flows into the compression chamber, as the discharge port is eccentric and leads to uneven compression ratios and reduced wrap thickness.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates refrigerant accommodating grooves in the fixed and orbiting wraps, along with auxiliary discharge ports, to increase the volume of the compression chamber and ensure a space for refrigerant escape, maintaining wrap rigidity and preventing damage by allowing quick discharge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the discharge port is provided eccentrically in the fixed scroll to accommodate the rotating shaft, then the through-shaft structure is achieved, but the compression ratios in compression chambers become uneven and wrap thickness decreases near the discharge end

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethrough-shaft structureVSAvoidwrap thickness
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by providing an increase portion on the orbiting wrap at the innermost portion, specifically thickening the wrap in the discharge chamber region where it is needed most to withstand high pressure, while maintaining the eccentric discharge port configuration for the through-shaft structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the geometric parameter of the orbiting wrap by adding an increase portion that extends in the radial direction at the innermost portion, thereby increasing the wrap thickness locally in the discharge chamber region to prevent damage under high compression pressure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If the wrap thickness is reduced near the discharge end to accommodate the eccentric discharge port, then the through-shaft scroll compressor is enabled, but the fixed wrap cannot withstand the high pressure and may be damaged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethrough-shaft configurationVSAvoidwrap damage resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by pre-providing an increase portion on the orbiting wrap at the innermost portion before the compression process occurs, creating a structural buffer that prevents wrap damage when high pressure liquid refrigerant or oil enters the discharge chamber.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses asymmetry by creating an uneven wrap thickness distribution on the orbiting wrap, with the increase portion located specifically at the innermost portion in the discharge chamber region, rather than maintaining uniform thickness throughout the wrap structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

3Productivity

If liquid refrigerant or oil flows into the compression chamber, then the compression process continues, but excessive pressure causes damage to the fixed wrap

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompression process continuityVSAvoidexcessive pressure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of liquid refrigerant or oil entering the compression chamber by designing the increase portion on the orbiting wrap to specifically accommodate these fluids, transforming the potential damage scenario into a protected design where the thickened wrap region serves as a pressure buffer zone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentEP4273401B1Scroll compressor
Publication Date: 2025.06.25 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP4273401B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4273401B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4273401B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a scroll compressor. The scroll compressor may be provided with at least one refrigerant accommodating groove recessed to a preset depth in at least one from a side surface of a fixed wrap constituting a compression chamber and a side surface of an orbiting wrap. Thus, a volume of the compression chamber in a discharge area may be increased in correspondence with a volume of the at least one refrigerant accommodating groove, and a space into which liquid refrigerant, etc. may escape may be ensured to resolve excessive compression in the compression chamber. Then, a stress exerted on the fixed wrap is reduced, and a damage to the fixed wrap due to pressure in the compression chamber may be suppressed.