Twin-Rotor Compressor Assembly for Axial Collision Prevention

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing compressors with parallel helical rotors face issues of axial forces causing rotor collisions due to pressure differences at suction and exhaust ports, necessitating additional thrust bearings that increase component count and compressor size.

Innovation Solution

A compressor design that uses a connecting assembly to limit the relative positions of first and second rotors, maintaining a clearance without additional components by employing limiting members on the shaft to control rotor movements and prevent collisions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an additional thrust bearing is provided between the two helical rotors to prevent collision, then the reliability of preventing rotor collision is improved, but the device complexity and size of the compressor increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of rotor collisionVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the thrust bearing function into the connecting assembly that already exists to connect the two helical rotors. The connecting assembly is designed with a limiting structure that integrates the collision prevention function, eliminating the need for a separate additional thrust bearing between the rotors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting assembly is designed to serve multiple functions: it connects the two helical rotors together and simultaneously limits their relative movement to prevent collision. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated thrust bearings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If an additional thrust bearing is provided between the two helical rotors to prevent collision, then the reliability of preventing rotor collision is improved, but the volume of the compressor increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of rotor collisionVSAvoidsize of compressor
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The thrust bearing function is merged into the connecting assembly, eliminating the need for additional space-d-consuming separate thrust bearing components between the rotors, thus maintaining compact compressor volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4234935B1Compressor and air conditioner
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 GREE ELECTRIC APPLIANCE INC OF ZHUHAI
  • EP4234935B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4234935B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4234935B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a compressor and an air conditioner. The compressor (200) comprises: a housing (10); a first rotating shaft (20) mounted in the housing (10); a connecting assembly (30) sleeved on the first rotating shaft (20); and a first rotor assembly (40) comprising a first rotor (41) and a second rotor (42) coaxially disposed on the connecting assembly (30), the connecting assembly (30) carrying the first rotor (41) and the second rotor (42) to rotate about the first rotating shaft (20) together, wherein the connecting assembly (30) is configured to limit the relative positions of the first rotor (41) and the second rotor (42), such that there exists a clearance between the first rotor (41) and the second rotor (42). The present disclosure can maintain a clearance between the first rotor and the second rotor without increasing the number of components of the compressor.