Swash Plate Compressor Actuator Relocation for Compact Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional swash plate type variable displacement compressors face challenges in creating space for the actuator to change the inclination angle of the swash plate effectively, leading to difficulties in achieving compact size and efficient displacement control, which affects mountability on vehicles.
Innovation Solution
The compressor design includes an actuator located in the swash plate chamber on the side of the first cylinder bore, allowing it to be larger in the radial direction without increasing the housing size, with a link mechanism that moves the top dead center position of the first piston head more than the second, creating space for a larger actuator and improving displacement control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the actuator is arranged behind the swash plate closer to the rear cylinder bores, then the displacement control can be achieved, but the housing size increases in the radial direction
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator is repositioned from the rear region to the front region of the swash plate chamber, utilizing the radial space in front of the swash plate. This dimensional relocation allows the actuator to be larger without increasing the overall housing radial size, as it now occupies space in a different radial zone rather than competing with the rear cylinder bores area.
Solution Approach 2:
The swash plate chamber is functionally segmented into different regions: the front region houses the actuator while the rear region accommodates the link mechanism and rear cylinder bores. This spatial segmentation allows both the actuator and other components to coexist without interference, enabling the actuator to be sufficiently large for effective displacement control while maintaining compact overall housing dimensions.
2Productivity
If the actuator size is increased for better displacement control, then the displacement control efficiency improves, but the mountability on vehicles deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator is positioned in the front radial region of the swash plate chamber, utilizing available space that would otherwise be unused. This allows the actuator to have sufficient volume for efficient displacement control without proportionally increasing the overall compressor housing volume, thereby maintaining good vehicle mountability.
Solution Approach 2:
The compressor housing is designed with non-uniform radial distribution of components: the front region has larger radial dimension to accommodate the actuator, while the rear region maintains compact dimensions for vehicle installation. This local quality differentiation allows the actuator to be sufficiently large for its function while the overall compressor remains compact for mounting purposes.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the link mechanism moves both piston heads equally, then the mechanical symmetry is maintained, but the space for actuator is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The link mechanism is designed with asymmetric geometry where the first link arm has different dimensions and pivot positions compared to the second link arm. This asymmetry causes the first piston head to move a greater distance than the second piston head during swash plate rotation, creating additional space in the front region of the swash plate chamber for accommodating a larger actuator.
Solution Approach 2:
By making the piston movements asymmetric, the mechanism creates unused space in the front radial region of the swash plate chamber. This spatial redistribution allows the actuator to be positioned and sized appropriately without requiring increases in the overall chamber volume, maintaining a compact compressor design.
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 configuration results in a compact compressor with improved mountability and displacement control, enabling efficient operation without increasing the housing size, while allowing for effective actuator movement and piston stroke adjustment.
Implementation Method 1
An internal pressure of the control pressure chamber is changed such that the movable body is moved
Data Source
AI summary
A compressor includes an actuator. The actuator is arranged in a swash plate chamber, while being rotational integrally with a drive shaft. With reference to the swash plate, the actuator is located in a region in which a first cylinder bore is located. The actuator includes a rotation body fixed to the drive shaft, a movable body, and a control pressure chamber. A link mechanism is located between the drive shaft and the swash plate. As the inclination angle of the swash plate is changed, the link mechanism moves the top dead center position of a first head by a greater amount than the top dead center position of a second head.