Weld Block Member in Scroll Compressor Discharge Check Valve

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional scroll compressor discharge check valve assemblies face issues with weld material entering the valve cavity during welding, causing damage and requiring costly manufacturing processes to maintain tight tolerances or use complex step sizing, which can lead to sealing problems.

Innovation Solution

A discharge check valve assembly with a weld block member positioned between the valve body and discharge tube, acting as a barrier to prevent weld material from entering the valve body, and securely holding the biasing spring, spring retainer, and valve member in place, allowing for welding without compromising the assembly's integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If tight diameter tolerances or interference fit between valve body and discharge tube are used, then weld material entry is prevented, but manufacturing cost and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of weld material entryVSAvoidmanufacturing cost and time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

A weld blocker member is introduced as an intermediary component between the valve body and discharge tube. This blocker member prevents weld material from entering the valve cavity during welding operations, eliminating the need for tight diameter tolerances or interference fits. The blocker member is removed after welding, achieving the same protective function as tight tolerances would provide, but with much easier manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If tight clearance or interference fit is used, then weld material entry is minimized, but sealing performance deteriorates due to warping or roundness errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of weld material entryVSAvoidsealing performance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The weld blocker member serves as a temporary intermediary that protects the valve cavity during welding without imposing strict dimensional requirements on the valve body or discharge tube. This allows the components to be manufactured with standard tolerances, avoiding the sealing problems that would arise from tight interference fits combined with welding-induced warping or roundness errors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If welding is performed before valve internals installation, then manufacturing process is simplified, but valve components are damaged by welding heat

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing process simplicityVSAvoidvalve component integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The weld blocker member is installed in advance before welding takes place. This preliminary action protects the valve cavity and its components from welding heat and spatter. The blocker member acts as a sacrificial barrier that absorbs the thermal impact, allowing welding to be performed before valve internals are installed, thus simplifying the manufacturing process while protecting component integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Reliability

If space between valve body and discharge tube is reduced, then weld material entry is prevented, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of weld material entryVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Rather than reducing the space between valve body and discharge tube through complex machining or tight tolerances, a simple weld blocker member is inserted into the valve cavity. This intermediary component effectively closes off the space that would otherwise allow weld material entry, achieving the same result with much lower manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution effectively prevents weld material from entering the valve body, reducing manufacturing complexity and costs while ensuring proper sealing and assembly of the discharge check valve assembly, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of the scroll compressor.

Implementation Method 1

A weld block member is positioned at an interface between the valve body and the discharge tube... acting as a barrier to prevent weld material from entering the valve body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical barrier: Physical Containment

Implementation Method 2

a check valve member is disposed in the valve body and biased in a closed position by a biasing spring

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

a first weld couples the discharge tube and the valve body at a first weld point

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWelding: Welding

Data Source

PatentEP3308027B1Ring weld blocker in discharge check valve
Publication Date: 2020.12.09 BITZER KUEHLMASCHINENBAU GMBH
  • EP3308027B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3308027B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3308027B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A discharge check valve assembly for a compressor having a discharge opening. The discharge check valve assembly includes a valve body adapted to be positioned at the discharge opening of the compressor. A discharge tube is assembled to the valve body, and a check valve member is disposed in the valve body. In certain embodiments, the check valve member is biased in a closed position by a biasing spring. A weld block member is positioned at an interface between the valve body and the discharge tube, and a first weld couples the discharge tube and the valve body at a first weld point.