Vane Rotary Compressor Oil Supply Passage Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

In high-pressure type vane rotary compressors, the instability of oil pressure in back pressure pockets leads to unstable vane behavior, increased leakage between compression chambers, and reduced mechanical efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A vane rotary compressor design that includes an oil supply passage in the bearing to constantly and continuously supply oil to pockets forming low intermediate pressure, ensuring stable oil pressure and vane support.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If oil is supplied through a narrow gap between the bearing and the roller, then the structure is simple, but the oil pressure becomes unstable and the vane behavior becomes unstable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidoil pressure stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an oil supply passage as an intermediary channel between the bearing and the roller. This dedicated passage mediates the oil supply process, providing a controlled and stable oil flow path that eliminates the instability caused by relying solely on the narrow gap between rotating components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The oil supply passage is pre-formed in the bearing structure before operation. This preliminary preparation ensures that oil is continuously and stably supplied to the roller contact portion from the beginning of operation, preventing oil pressure fluctuations and vane behavior instability that would occur with gap-based supply.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the gap between the bearing and the roller is narrow, then the sealing is improved, but the oil flow is interrupted and excessive oil is introduced into the first pocket

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing performanceVSAvoidoil flow control
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the oil supply function into two distinct pathways: the narrow gap between the bearing and roller maintains sealing performance, while the dedicated oil supply passage handles oil flow control. This segmentation allows each pathway to optimize its specific function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The oil supply passage serves as an intermediary that regulates oil flow independently of the sealing gap. It provides controlled oil supply to the first pocket, preventing both oil starvation and excessive oil introduction that would occur with uncontrolled gap-based supply.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If no oil supply passage is provided, then the device is simpler, but the vane sealing force decreases and leakage occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidleakage between compression chambers
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The oil supply passage acts as an intermediary mechanism that directly addresses the sealing issue. By providing stable oil supply to the roller contact portion, it maintains the sealing force between the vane and cylinder, thereby preventing leakage between compression chambers without adding complex sealing mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies hydraulic principles by using oil pressure to maintain the sealing force between the vane and cylinder. The oil supply passage delivers pressurized oil to the roller contact portion, creating a hydraulic sealing effect that prevents refrigerant leakage between compression chambers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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

The design achieves stable oil supply to back pressure pockets, maintaining constant pressure in back pressure chambers, which enhances vane sealing, reduces leakage and noise, and improves mechanical efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a vane inserted in a roller rotates together with the roller, and is pulled out by centrifugal force and back pressure to come into contact with an inner circumferential surface of a cylinder

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 2

at least one of the main bearing and the sub bearing is provided with an oil supply passage for communicating a space between an outer circumferential surface of the rotation shaft and an inner circumferential surface of the main bearing with the back pressure pocket

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow through passage:

Implementation Method 3

The design achieves stable oil supply to back pressure pockets, maintaining constant pressure in back pressure chambers, which enhances vane sealing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure maintenance:

Implementation Method 4

a roller provided with a plurality of vane slots formed along a circumferential direction and each having one end opened toward an outer circumferential surface, and a plurality of vanes slidably inserted into the vane slots of the roller

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRotational motion:

Data Source

PatentEP3702618B1Vane rotary compressor
Publication Date: 2025.04.23 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3702618B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3702618B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3702618B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A vane rotary compressor according to the present disclosure includes a main bearing and a sub bearing provided with a plurality of back pressure pockets each having different pressure formed on a surface facing the cylinder, a rotation shaft radially supported by the main bearing and the sub bearing, a roller provided with a back pressure chamber communicating with the back pressure pocket and a plurality of vanes configured to divide a compression space into a plurality of compression chambers. At least one of the main bearing and the sub bearing is provided with an oil supply passage communicating with a back pressure pocket having relatively low pressure among the plurality of back pressure pockets. Accordingly, oil may also be smoothly supplied to a back pressure pocket having low pressure.