Adaptable Suction Muffler for Reciprocating Compressor

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Solution Overview

Problem

The design of suction mufflers for reciprocating compressors is challenged by varying appliance designs that require the suction pipe to be positioned differently, necessitating adaptable suction muffler designs to maintain low refrigerant temperature and minimize noise.

Innovation Solution

A suction muffler with a first and second housing portion, featuring a blocking member that can selectively configure one or both inlet openings as the suction muffler inlet, allowing for multiple configurations to accommodate varying suction pipe positions, ensuring efficient refrigerant flow and noise reduction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the suction muffler design is changed to accommodate varying suction pipe positions, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to varying suction pipe positionsVSAvoidsuction muffler design complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The suction muffler is divided into a first housing portion and a second housing portion that can be selectively coupled together. The second housing portion includes a blocking member that can be configured in different positions to block different inlet openings. This segmentation allows the same basic structure to serve multiple configurations without requiring completely different designs for each suction pipe position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The blocking member is designed to be movable or selectively positionable within the second housing portion, allowing it to block either the first inlet opening or the second inlet opening depending on the suction pipe position. This dynamic capability enables a single muffler design to adapt to varying configurations without increasing overall structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple inlet openings are provided in the suction muffler, then adaptability to different suction pipe positions is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with diverse compressor designsVSAvoidhousing structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The suction muffler is designed with both a first inlet opening and a second inlet opening, allowing it to accommodate suction pipes at different positions. The blocking member enables selective activation of either inlet opening, making the same structure universally applicable to multiple compressor designs without requiring custom modifications for each configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11703042B2Suction muffler for reciprocating compressor

Publication Date: 2023.07.18 PANASONIC HOLDINGS CORP

AI summary

A suction muffler for a reciprocating compressor comprises a first housing portion and a second hosing portion. The first housing portion comprising a first inlet opening, and a second inlet opening. The second housing portion comprises a blocking member configured to block one of a first refrigerant flow path from the first inlet opening to a suction muffler outlet and a second refrigerant flow path from the second inlet opening to the suction muffler outlet. The blocking member can be provided in different configurations by a selection of the second housing portion or by configuring the relative arrangement of the first housing portion and the second housing portion.