Variable Displacement Swash Plate Compressor Cylinder Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional variable displacement swash plate type compressors face challenges in achieving high controllability and mounting performance while securing sufficient compression capacity, as increasing the size of the control pressure chamber leads to larger compressor sizes and reduced mounting performance.

Innovation Solution

The compressor design features a housing with a swash plate chamber, a drive shaft, a link mechanism, and an actuator that allows the inclination angle of the swash plate to be changed, with the first cylinder bore having a smaller diameter than the second cylinder bore, enabling efficient control of compression capacity without increasing the overall compressor size.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the size of the control pressure chamber is increased to improve controllability and enable rapid change of swash plate inclination angle, then the compressor size increases and mounting performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecontrollabilityVSAvoidcompressor size
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The compressor is divided into two independent cylinder blocks: a first cylinder block with smaller diameter cylinder bores and a second cylinder block with larger diameter cylinder bores. This segmentation allows the control pressure chamber to be positioned in the first cylinder block, enabling rapid inclination angle changes without increasing the overall compressor size, as the smaller bores require less control pressure volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent repositions the control pressure chamber from the traditional location (in the second cylinder block with larger bores) to the first cylinder block with smaller bores. This dimensional reorganization allows the control pressure chamber to be compact while still achieving sufficient control pressure for rapid swash plate inclination angle changes, thereby improving controllability without increasing compressor size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Volume of moving object

If the diameter of cylinder bores is reduced to decrease compressor size, then compression capacity is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompressor sizeVSAvoidcompression capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The compressor uses two separate cylinder blocks with different bore diameters. The first cylinder block has smaller diameter bores that accommodate the control pressure chamber, while the second cylinder block has larger diameter bores that provide sufficient compression capacity. This segmentation allows both small size and high compression capacity to coexist in different parts of the system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the compressor are assigned different functional qualities: the first cylinder block region is optimized for control functions with smaller bores, while the second cylinder block region is optimized for compression functions with larger bores. This local differentiation allows each region to perform its specific function efficiently without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 provides high controllability and maintains sufficient compression capacity while preventing the compressor size from increasing, thus enhancing mounting performance and operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

A pressing spring, which urges the non-rotating movable body toward the front side, is provided in the control pressure chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic force: Spring

Implementation Method 2

a pressure control valve, which changes the pressure in the control pressure chamber so as to enable the non-rotating movable body and the movable body to move in the direction of the rotational axis, is provided between the pressure regulation chamber and a discharge chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow control: Valve

Implementation Method 3

a conversion mechanism which reciprocates the piston in the cylinder bore by rotation of the swash plate and at a stroke corresponding to the inclination angle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical leverage: Swashplate

Implementation Method 4

A link mechanism, which allows the inclination angle of the swash plate to be changed, is provided between the drive shaft and the swash plate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Data Source

PatentEP2816230B1Variable displacement swash plate type compressor
Publication Date: 2016.10.26 TOYOTA INDUSTRIES CORP
  • EP2816230B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2816230B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2816230B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A variable displacement swash plate type compressor comprises a first cylinder block (21), a second cylinder block (23) and an actuator (13). The actuator (13) includes a movable body (13a), a fixed body (13b) and a control pressure chamber (13c). A first cylinder bore (21a) and a first storage chamber (21c) are formed in the first cylinder block (21). A second cylinder bore (23a) and a second storage chamber (23c) are formed in the second cylinder block (23). The first cylinder bore (21a) is formed to have a diameter smaller than the diameter of the second cylinder bore (23a).