Variable-Capacity Compressor Control for Switching Vibration

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Solution Overview

Problem

The sudden change in load during mode switching of variable-capacity compressors causes violent vibrations, leading to potential shutdowns and pipeline breaks, hindering widespread adoption of this technology.

Innovation Solution

A variable-capacity control structure with a variable-capacity assembly and sliding vane restraint unit that controls the compressor's mode switching by using check valves, throttling elements, and on-off elements to manage refrigerant flow, ensuring a set order of operations to reduce vibrations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If variable-capacity control technology is adopted to adjust the working capacity of the compressor, then the cooling and heating output can be regulated, but the load of the compressor changes suddenly during mode switching causing violent vibration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling and heating output regulationVSAvoidcompressor stability during mode switching
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by establishing a set order of operations before mode switching occurs. The controller activates check valves, throttling elements, and on-off elements in a predetermined sequence before the variable-capacity cylinder switches between working and idling states. This pre-prepared sequence prevents sudden load changes by ensuring refrigerant flow is properly managed in advance, thereby eliminating violent vibration while maintaining the ability to regulate cooling and heating output.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the variable-capacity cylinder switches from working state to idling state or vice versa, then the working capacity can be adjusted, but violent vibration occurs causing potential shutdown and pipeline break

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworking capacity adjustmentVSAvoidviolent vibration and shock
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces intermediary components (check valves, throttling elements, and on-off elements) that mediate the refrigerant flow during mode switching. These intermediaries act as buffers between the variable-capacity cylinder and the rest of the refrigeration system, controlling and smoothing the refrigerant flow transitions. This mediation prevents direct sudden load changes from causing violent vibration, while still allowing the working capacity to be adjusted as needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Speed

If sudden load change occurs during mode switching, then the compressor can change working capacity quickly, but the compressor controller experiences violent current shock

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemode switching speedVSAvoidcontroller stability against current shock
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The controller executes a pre-programmed set order of operations before mode switching to protect against current shocks. By activating check valves, throttling elements, and on-off elements in a predetermined sequence before the variable-capacity cylinder switches states, the system prepares the refrigerant flow paths in advance. This preliminary action ensures that when the mode switching occurs, the refrigerant flow is already controlled and stabilized, preventing sudden current shocks to the controller while maintaining quick mode switching capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3663586B1Variable-capacity control structure, compressor and variable-capacity control method therefor
Publication Date: 2025.09.17 ZHUHAI GREE REFRIGERATION TECH CENT OF ENERGY SAVING & ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
  • EP3663586B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3663586B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3663586B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Disclosed are a variable-capacity control structure, a compressor and a variable-capacity control method thereof. The variable-capacity control structure includes: a variable-capacity assembly and a sliding vane restraint unit (8); the variable-capacity assembly is provided outside a housing (1) of a compressor to which the variable-capacity control structure is attached, and is configured to act in a setting order; the sliding vane restraint unit (8) is provided inside a pump body of the compressor, and is configured to cause a variable-capacity cylinder assembly in the compressor to be in a working state or an idling state under controlling the variable-capacity assembly to act in the setting order. By the solution of the present disclosure, advantages that vibration is reduced, compressor is not easy to shut down and pipeline is not easy to break are implemented.