Variable Displacement Swash Plate Compressor Actuator Positioning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional variable displacement swash plate compressors face challenges in providing compact design and effective displacement control due to the limited space for the actuator and link mechanism, making it difficult to change the inclination angle of the swash plate and install in vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A variable displacement swash plate compressor design where the actuator is integrated with the drive shaft and located at the same side as the first cylinder bore, allowing for a partitioning body and movable body to control the pressure of the control pressure chamber, enabling efficient displacement control without enlarging the housing radially.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the actuator is located at the rear side (second side) of the swash plate as in conventional compressors, then the actuator can be positioned away from the drive shaft rotation, but the housing must be enlarged radially to accommodate the actuator and link mechanism, making the compressor non-compact and difficult to install in vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator is inverted from the conventional rear-side positioning to front-side positioning (first side) of the swash plate. This inversion allows the actuator to be integrated with the drive shaft rotation, eliminating the need for radial enlargement of the housing while maintaining actuator functionality for swash plate inclination control.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator is merged with the drive shaft by positioning it on the front side of the swash plate, allowing the actuator to rotate integrally with the drive shaft. This merging eliminates the need for separate actuator mounting space and reduces the overall compressor housing size.
2Volume of moving object
If the actuator is integrated with the drive shaft and located at the first side of the swash plate, then the compressor housing can be compact without radial enlargement, but the actuator must be designed to rotate integrally with the drive shaft while maintaining pressure control functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator is designed with multi-functionality to serve both as a pressure control device and as an integral part of the drive shaft rotation system. The actuator body rotates with the drive shaft while the piston moves axially to control swash plate inclination, combining rotational and linear motion functions in a single component.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator is designed with dynamic characteristics where the actuator body rotates integrally with the drive shaft at variable speeds, while the piston moves axially within the actuator body. This dynamic design allows the actuator to adapt to varying operational conditions while maintaining compact integration with the drive shaft.
3Volume of moving object
If the actuator is positioned at the first side of the swash plate, then sufficient space is available for actuator movement without radial enlargement, but the link mechanism must be configured to accommodate the actuator's position and movement
Solution Approach 1:
The link mechanism is segmented into multiple components including the swash plate, piston, and actuator body, allowing each component to be optimized for its specific function. The actuator is positioned at the first side of the swash plate, separating it from the second side components and allowing independent optimization of each segment.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator serves as an intermediary between the drive shaft rotation and the swash plate inclination control. The actuator body rotates with the drive shaft while the piston moves axially to control the swash plate angle, mediating between rotational and angular control functions.
4Ease of operation
If conventional actuator positioning is used at the rear side of the drive shaft, then the actuator can be stationary relative to the housing, but the housing must be enlarged radially to accommodate the actuator and control mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator positioning is inverted from the conventional rear-side stationary positioning to front-side rotational positioning. This inversion allows the actuator to be located within the radial dimensions of the drive shaft rotation, eliminating the need for radial housing enlargement while maintaining actuator functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator is nested within the radial dimensions of the drive shaft rotation by positioning it on the front side of the swash plate. The actuator body rotates with the drive shaft, nesting the actuator functionality within the existing radial envelope of the compressor without requiring additional radial space.
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 design results in a compact compressor that can perform superior displacement control, allowing for easy installation in vehicles and efficient operation by adjusting the swash plate inclination angle, thus optimizing piston stroke and compressor displacement.
Implementation Method 1
A change in the pressure of the control pressure chamber moves the movable body in the axial direction of the drive shaft
Data Source
AI summary
An actuator of a compressor includes a partitioning body, which is rotatable integrally with a drive shaft and loosely fitted to the drive shaft in the swash plate chamber, a movable body, which is coupled to a swash plate and movable relative to the partitioning body along the axis of the drive shaft, and a control pressure chamber, the pressure of which moves the movable body. A control mechanism changes the pressure of the control pressure chamber to move the movable body. A link mechanism shifts a top dead center of a first head of a piston over a longer distance than a top dead center of a second head of the piston when the inclination angle of the swash plate changes. The actuator is located at the same side as the first cylinder bore, which accommodates the first head, as viewed from the swash plate.