SCROLL COMPRESSOR

Abstract

 A scroll compressor according to the present disclosure may include a first scroll; a second scroll that forms a compression chamber between the first scroll and the second scroll while being engaged with the first scroll to perform an orbiting movement; a frame fixed in a radial direction on an opposite side of the first scroll with the second scroll interposed therebetween to support the second scroll in an axial direction; and an oldham ring provided with a ring portion formed in an annular shape and a key portion protruded from the ring portion, the key portion being slidably coupled to a key groove provided in the frame or the second scroll to allow the second scroll to perform an orbiting movement with respect to the first scroll, wherein the key portion of the oldham ring is formed of the same material as that of the frame or the second scroll, and the key portion or the key groove into which the key portion is inserted is provided with a reinforcing member or formed with an oil storage unit.

Description

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a compressor, and more particularly, to a scroll compressor.

[0002] A scroll type compressor is provided with an electric motor unit formed with a rotary motor inside a closed casing, and provided with a compression unit composed of a fixed scroll and an orbiting scroll on one side of the electric motor unit, and the electric motor unit and the compression unit are connected by a rotation shaft to transmit a rotational force of the electric motor unit to the compression unit. The rotational force transmitted to the compression unit causes the orbiting scroll to perform an orbiting movement with respect to the fixed scroll to form a pair of two compression chambers composed of a suction chamber, an intermediate pressure chamber, and a discharge chamber so that refrigerant is sucked into both the compression chambers, respectively, and compressed and discharged simultaneously.

[0003] Such a scroll type compressor is provided with a rotation prevention mechanism for preventing a rotational movement of the orbiting scroll. The rotation prevention mechanism may be applied with an oldham ring or a pin-and-ring.

[0004] The pin-and-ring method is advantageous compared to the oldham ring method in that reliability improvement due to improvement of the durability of the rotation prevention mechanism and suppression of weight increase of the compressor due to the rotation prevention mechanism. On the contrary, the pin-and-ring method is relatively disadvantageous in terms of assembly since a plurality of pins and rings must be respectively installed in the orbiting scroll and a member in contact therewith. Accordingly, research for improving the quality of the material of the oldham ring to replace the pin-and-ring method has been continuously carried out.

[0005] In particular, when the scroll compressor is applied to an automotive air conditioning system, the oldham ring may be formed of an aluminum material in consideration of the weight and machinability of the compressor. When aluminum is applied to the oldham ring, it is advantageous in reducing the weight of the oldham ring, and enhancing machinability and productivity.

[0006] However, considering the weight of the compressor, it is advantageous to fabricate the oldham ring as well as the orbiting scroll, the main frame or the fixed scroll therearound with aluminum, and in this case, the friction characteristics are significantly deteriorated since the materials of an aluminum oldham ring and a counterpart friction surface are the same. In recent, technologies for improving the wear reliability of a key portion of the oldham ring have been introduced.

[0007] Prior Art 1 (US 2017-0234313 A) is a technology capable of enhancing wear resistance while reducing the weight of the oldham ring by forming a ring portion and a key portion of the oldham ring with different materials. Prior Art 2 (KR 10-1997-0021751) is a technology of treating the surface of the oldham ring to suppress the oldham ring from being deposited to the orbiting scroll or the fixed scroll.

[0008] However, in the conventional scroll compressor as described above, when the ring portion and the key portion of the oldham ring are made of different materials, the ring portion and the key portion must be respectively fabricated and assembled, thereby complicating the fabrication process.

[0009] Furthermore, when the ring porting and the key portion of the oldham ring are formed of different materials and assembled, the key portion may be inserted into the ring portion and assembled. However, in this case, a cross-sectional area at a portion where the ring portion and the key portion are assembled may be reduced, thereby weakening support strength with respect to the key portion. Due to this, the reliability of the oldham ring may be deteriorated. In addition, when assembling the ring portion and the key portion, a gap may occur at a joint portion between the ring portion and the key portion due to a machining error or an assembly error, and as a result, when the compressor is driven, the orbiting scroll may be pushed out in a circumferential direction while the key portion is warped against the ring portion. Then, a gap between the wraps may occur to decrease the compression efficiency while increasing the compression loss.

[0010] Furthermore, when the ring portion and the key portion are made of different materials, the coefficients of thermal expansion of the ring portion and the key portion are different from each other, and therefore, the key portion may be detached from the ring portion or a phenomenon of idling may occur.

[0011] In addition, in the scroll compressor in the related art, a coating layer may be formed with lubricant on a surface of the oldham ring. However, it not only increases the fabrication cost due to the formation of an additional coating layer but also causes the coating layer to peel off or wear during its prolonged use to damage the oldham ring or increase the friction loss.

[0012] Besides, in the scroll compressor in the related art, in the case of a transverse type scroll compressor in which the axial direction of the rotation shaft is horizontal or inclined at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the ground, when the compressor stops as the frame and the orbiting scroll are arranged in parallel to the ground, most of oil between the frame and the orbiting scroll is discharged. Then oil may not be left around the oldham ring, and friction loss and abrasion may occur between the oldham ring and a portion coupled to the oldham ring due to oil shortage while restarting the compressor.

[0013] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a scroll compressor capable of reducing a weight of an oldham ring to decrease an overall weight of the compressor when the oldham ring is applied thereto.

[0014] Moreover, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a scroll compressor capable of forming an oldham ring with the same material as that of a frame, an orbiting scroll, or a fixed scroll and the like, to which the oldham ring is coupled.

[0015] Moreover, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a scroll compressor capable of forming both members with the same material, and forming an oldham ring and the both members to which the oldham ring is coupled with the same material.

[0016] Moreover, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a scroll compressor capable of forming a ring portion and a key portion constituting an oldham ring with the same material.

[0017] Furthermore, another object of the present disclosure is to provide a scroll compressor capable of enhancing machinability and productivity for an oldham ring.

[0018] In addition, another object of the present disclosure is to provide a scroll compressor capable of suppressing a gap above an allowable value from occurring between a key portion of an oldham ring and a frame or an orbiting scroll or a key groove of a fixed scroll to which the key portion is coupled to enhance efficiency.

[0019] Besides, another object of the present disclosure is to provide a scroll compressor capable of securing the support strength of a key portion with respect to a ring portion constituting the oldham ring to enhance reliability.

[0020] Moreover, another object of the present invention is to provide a scroll compressor capable of suppressing a key portion from idling with respect to a ring portion constituting the oldham ring to enhance reliability.

[0021] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a scroll compressor capable of forming a ring portion and a key portion constituting an oldham ring into a single body.

[0022] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a scroll compressor capable of preventing oil supply shortage between an oldham ring and a member in contact therewith in a transverse type motor-driven compressor to which the oldham ring is applied.

[0023] Moreover, still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a scroll compressor capable of carrying a predetermined amount of oil between an oldham ring and a member in contact therewith.

[0024] Moreover, still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a scroll compressor capable of preventing the strength of an oldham ring from being deteriorated even when oil is carried.

[0025] The invention is defined by the appended independent claim, and preferred aspects of the invention are defined by the appended dependent claims.

[0026] In order to accomplish the objective of the present disclosure, there may be provided a scroll compressor, including a first scroll; a second scroll engaged with the first scroll to perform an orbiting movement; and an oldham ring provided with a ring portion formed in an annular shape, and a key portion protruded from the ring portion, the key portion being slidably coupled to a key groove provided in the second scroll to allow the second scroll to perform an orbiting movement with respect to the first scroll, wherein the key portion of the oldham ring is formed of the same material as that of the second scroll.

[0027] Here, a reinforcing member made of a material different from that of the second scroll or the oldham ring may be provided between the key portion and the key groove.

[0028] Furthermore, the reinforcing member may be inserted into and coupled to the key portion.

[0029] Furthermore, a release preventing portion for preventing the reinforcing member from being released may be formed between the reinforcing member and a member to which the reinforcing member is coupled.

[0030] In addition, in order to accomplish the objective of the present disclosure, there may be provided a scroll compressor, including a first scroll; a second scroll that forms a compression chamber between the first scroll and the second scroll while being engaged with the first scroll to perform an orbiting movement; an oldham ring provided with a ring portion formed in an annular shape and a key portion protruded from the ring portion, the key portion being slidably coupled to a key groove provided in the second scroll to allow the second scroll to perform an orbiting movement with respect to the first scroll; and a reinforcing member coupled to the key portion of the oldham ring, and provided between the key groove of the second scroll and the key portion of the oldham ring.

[0031] Here, a release preventing portion may be provided in the reinforcing member to be inserted into and fixed to the key portion.

[0032] Furthermore, the release preventing portion may be formed to be bent or protruded in a direction toward the key portion, and a release preventing groove is formed in the key portion to insert and fix the release preventing portion.

[0033] Here, the reinforcing member may include a plurality of reinforcing surfaces facing both circumference side surfaces of the key portion; a connecting surface connecting respective one ends of the plurality of reinforcing surfaces to each other to face an outer circumferential side surface of the key portion; and a plurality of fixing surfaces bent toward the reinforcing surfaces facing each other at respective the other ends of the plurality of reinforcing surfaces to face an inner circumferential side surface of the key portion.

[0034] Furthermore, a release preventing groove having a predetermined depth in a radial direction may be formed on an inner circumferential side surface of the key portion, and release preventing portions bent toward the release preventing groove may be formed on both fixing surfaces of the reinforcing member.

[0035] Furthermore, a release preventing groove having a predetermined depth in a radial direction may be formed on an inner circumferential side surface of the key portion, and the release preventing groove may be formed to have one end open in an axial direction, and release preventing portions bent toward the release preventing groove may be formed on both fixing surfaces of the reinforcing member.

[0036] Furthermore, a release preventing groove having a predetermined depth in a radial direction may be formed on an inner circumferential side surface of the key portion, and the release preventing groove may be formed to have an engaging surface in a shape closed in an axial direction, and both the fixing surfaces of the reinforcing member may be inserted into the release preventing groove and supported in an axial direction by the engaging surface.

[0037] Furthermore, release preventing grooves having a predetermined depth may be formed on both circumferential side surfaces of the key portion, and release preventing portions may be formed in a protrusion shape on both reinforcing surfaces of the reinforcing member to be inserted into the release preventing grooves.

[0038] Here, the reinforcing member may include a first reinforcing member provided to face one circumferential side surface of the key portion and a second reinforcing member provided to face the other circumferential side surface of the key portion.

[0039] Furthermore, release preventing grooves having a predetermined depth in radial directions opposite to each other may be respectively formed on an outer circumference side surface and an inner circumferential side surface of the key portion, and the first reinforcing member and the second reinforcing member may respectively include reinforcing surfaces facing both circumferential side surfaces of the key portion, a plurality of fixing surfaces respectively bent at both ends of the reinforcing surface, and a plurality of release preventing portions respectively bent toward the both release preventing grooves on the plurality of fixing surfaces.

[0040] Here, the reinforcing member may include a connecting surface facing one axial side surface of the key portion; and a plurality of fixing surfaces respectively bent at both ends of the connecting surface to face both circumferential side surfaces of the key portion.

[0041] Here, the reinforcing member may be formed by bending a plate material having rigidity so as to be brought into contact with at least three sides of the side faces of the key portion.

[0042] Furthermore, the key portion of the oldham ring may be formed of the same material as that of the second scroll, and the reinforcing member may be formed of a material different from that of the key groove of the second scroll or the key portion of the oldham ring.

[0043] Furthermore, for the oldham ring, the key portion and the ring portion may be formed of the same material.

[0044] Furthermore, for the oldham ring, the key portion and the ring portion may be formed as a single body.

[0045] Here, an oil storage unit may be provided at the oldham ring or a member to which the oldham ring is coupled to store oil.

[0046] Furthermore, the oldham ring may include a ring portion formed in an annular shape; and key portions formed at intervals along a circumferential direction on the ring portion to be slidably inserted into key grooves provided in the frame or the second scroll, wherein the oil storage unit is formed to be recessed by a predetermined depth in the key portion toward the ground.

[0047] Furthermore, the oil storage unit may be formed on an outer side from a key root portion where the key portion starts to protrude from the ring portion.

[0048] Furthermore, the oil storage unit may include an oil storage member capable of containing oil.

[0049] Furthermore, a communication hole being open toward the oil storage unit may be formed on a surface of the reinforcing member facing the oil storage unit.

[0050] In addition, in order to accomplish the objective of the present disclosure, there may be provided a scroll compressor, including a first scroll; a second scroll that forms a compression chamber between the first scroll and the second scroll while being engaged with the first scroll to perform an orbiting movement; a frame fixed in a radial direction on an opposite side of the first scroll with the second scroll interposed therebetween to support the second scroll in an axial direction; and an oldham ring coupled between the second scroll and the frame or between the second scroll and the first scroll to suppress the rotation of the second scroll, wherein an oil storage unit is provided at the oldham ring or a member to which the oldham ring is coupled to store oil.

[0051] Here, the oldham ring may include a ring portion formed in an annular shape; and key portions formed at intervals along a circumferential direction on the ring portion to be slidably inserted into key grooves provided in the frame or the second scroll, and formed with the oil storage unit, wherein the oil storage unit is formed to be recessed by a predetermined depth on an outer side from a key root portion where the key portion starts to protrude toward the ground surface of the key portion.

[0052] In the scroll compressor according to the present disclosure, the reinforcing member may be provided between the key portion of the oldham ring and the key groove of the frame, the orbiting scroll or the fixed scroll to which the key portion is inserted, thereby preventing the oldham ring from being directly brought into contact with the frame, the orbiting scroll or the fixed scroll. Accordingly, the ring portion and the key portion forming the oldham ring may be made of lightweight aluminum, thereby reducing the weight of the oldham ring and the compressor to which the oldham ring is applied.

[0053] Moreover, in the oldham ring of the scroll compressor according to the present disclosure, the key portion of the oldham ring may be formed of the same material as that of the frame, the orbiting scroll or the fixed scroll coupled thereto while preventing frictional characteristics due to a friction between homogeneous materials from be deteriorated. Accordingly, a friction between the oldham ring and a member to which the oldham ring is coupled may be reduced to suppress the damage of the oldham ring or the counterpart as well as to reduce a friction loss, thereby improving compressor efficiency.

[0054] Moreover, in the oldham ring of the scroll compressor according to the present disclosure, the ring portion and the key portion constituting the oldham ring may be formed as a single body, thereby facilitating the fabrication of the oldham ring. Furthermore, when the compressor is driven, it may be possible to suppress a phenomenon in which the key portion of the oldham ring is twisted in the key groove of the counterpart so as to suppress the orbiting scroll from being pushed in a circumferential direction, thereby reducing a compression loss caused by a gap between the wraps. Furthermore, it may be possible to secure a strength against the root portion of the key portion protruded from the ring portion so as to suppress the key portion from being damaged, thereby enhancing the reliability.

[0055] Moreover, in the oldham ring of the scroll compressor according to the present disclosure, the ring portion and the key portion constituting the oldham ring may be formed of a single body and the same material, thereby preventing the key portion from being excessively deformed or idling when the compressor is driven. Accordingly, it may be possible to prevent the behavior of the orbiting scroll from becoming unstable due to the oldham ring.

[0056] Furthermore, in the scroll compressor according to the present disclosure, the reinforcing member may be provided between the key portion of the oldham ring and the key groove of the frame, the orbiting scroll or the fixed scroll to which the key portion is inserted, and the release preventing portion may be formed between an end of the reinforcing member and the corresponding key portion, thereby fixing the reinforcing member. Accordingly, it may be possible to effectively suppress the reinforcing member from being released from the key portion, thereby increasing reliability.

[0057] Moreover, it may also be possible to form a protrusion in the reinforcing member and a groove in the corresponding key portion, respectively, thereby suppressing the reinforcing member from being released. Through this, the shape of the reinforcing member and the key portion to which the reinforcing member is coupled may be simplified, thereby reducing fabrication cost.

[0058] Moreover, the release preventing groove may be formed in the key portion, but the axial direction of the release preventing groove may be formed in an open shape. Through this, the reinforcing member may be pushed and inserted in an axial direction to facilitate the assembly of the reinforcing member in the axial direction.

[0059] Moreover, the release preventing groove may be formed in the key portion, but may also be formed in a shape in which the axial direction of the release preventing portion is closed and both the circumferential directions are open. Through this, it may not be required to bend additional release preventing portions at both ends of the reinforcing member, thereby facilitating the fabrication and assembly of the reinforcing member.

[0060] Moreover, the reinforcing member may also be formed to be inserted in an axial direction. Through this, it may be possible to further facilitate the assembly of the reinforcing member.

[0061] Moreover, a plurality of reinforcing members may be formed and assembled in both circumferential directions of the key portion. Through this, the reinforcing member may be formed to be small, thereby facilitating assembly.

[0062] Moreover, the reinforcement member may be fixed by an elastic force. Through this, it may be possible to facilitate the assembly of the reinforcing member.

[0063] Furthermore, in the scroll compressor according to the present disclosure, the oil storage unit may be formed in the key portion of the oldham ring in a transverse motor-driven compressor to which the oldham ring is applied, thereby allowing a predetermined amount of oil to remain in the oil storage unit of the key portion even when the compressor is stopped. Through this, it may be possible to suppress the shortage of oil feeding between the oldham ring and the frame or the orbiting scroll in contact therewith, thereby reducing friction loss and reducing the wear-out of the key portion or the key groove.

[0064] Moreover, by forming the oil storage unit in the key portion of the oldham ring and inserting an oil storage member into the oil storage unit, oil may be effectively stored between the oldham ring and the frame or the orbiting scroll in contact therewith, thereby further enhancing the foregoing friction loss reduction and wear-out prevention effect.

[0065] Moreover, the oil storage unit provided in the key portion of the oldham ring may be formed out of the key root portion to suppress the strength of the oldham ring from being deteriorated due to the oil storage unit, thereby preventing the life of the oldham ring from being shortened.

[0066] Moreover, by forming the ring portion and the key portion of the oldham ring with different materials and forming the oil storage unit prior to the key portion, thereby enhancing the friction loss reduction and wear-out prevention effect while reducing the weight of the oldham ring.

[0067] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0068] In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an inside of a motor-driven compressor as an example of a scroll compressor according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which an oldham ring is coupled between a frame and an orbiting scroll in a compression unit according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the compression unit according to FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a state in which a reinforcing member is separated from an oldham ring in the compression unit according to FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which the reinforcing member is coupled to the oldham ring in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the reinforcing member is coupled to the oldham ring and inserted into a key groove of an orbiting scroll in a radial direction;

FIG. 7A is an exploded perspective view showing another embodiment of the fixing structure of a reinforcing member according to the invention;

FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the reinforcing member is coupled to a key portion of the oldham ring in FIG. 7A;

FIG. 8A is an exploded perspective view showing another embodiment of the fixing structure of a reinforcing member according to the invention;

FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the reinforcing member is coupled to a key portion of the oldham ring in FIG. 8A;

FIG. 9A is an exploded perspective view showing another embodiment of the fixing structure of a reinforcing member according to the invention;

FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the reinforcing member is coupled to a key portion of the oldham ring in FIG. 9A;

FIG. 10A is an exploded perspective view showing another embodiment of the fixing structure of a reinforcing member according to the invention;

FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the reinforcing member is coupled to a key portion of the oldham ring in FIG. 10A;

FIG. 11A is an exploded perspective view showing another embodiment of the fixing structure of a reinforcing member according to the invention;

FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the reinforcing member is coupled to a key portion of the oldham ring in FIG. 11A;

FIGS. 12A and 12B are perspective views in which an oldham ring provided with an oil storage unit according to the present embodiment is seen from both sides;

FIG. 13A is a cross-sectional view taken along line "IV-IV" in Fig. 12A;

FIG. 13B is a cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the oil storage unit according to FIG. 12A;

FIG. 14 is a plan view showing an oil storage unit according to the invention;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing still another embodiment of the oil storage unit according to the invention;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a state in which an oldham ring according to the invention is assembled between a frame and a second scroll;

FIGS. 17A and 17B are a plan view and a partially fractured perspective view showing an example in which an oil storage unit according to the invention is formed in a key groove of a second scroll;

FIGS. 18 and 19 are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view showing an example in which an oil storage member according to the invention is coupled to a key portion of the oldham ring;

FIGS. 20 and 21 are exploded perspective views showing a state in which a key portion is separated from a ring portion to explain other embodiments of an oldham ring in a motor-driven compressor according to the invention;

FIG. 22 is an exploded perspective view showing a reinforcing member in a key portion of an oldham ring according to the invention; and

FIG. 23 is a fractured perspective view showing the key portion and the reinforcing member in a state in which the reinforcing member is assembled to the key portion of the oldham ring in FIG. 22.

[0069] Hereinafter, a scroll compressor according to the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to an embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

[0070] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an inside of a motor-driven compressor as an example of a scroll compressor according to the present disclosure, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which an oldham ring is coupled between a frame and an orbiting scroll in a compression unit according to FIG. 1.

[0071] As illustrated in the drawings, the scroll compressor according to the present embodiment includes a drive motor 103, which is an electric motor, and a compression unit 105 for compressing refrigerant using a rotational force of the drive motor 103 within a compressor casing 101.

[0072] The compressor casing 101 is provided with an intake port 111a to which a suction pipe is connected and an exhaust port 121a to which a discharge pipe is connected, and a suction space (S1) and a discharge space (S2) are communicated with the suction port 111a and the discharge port 121a, respectively. The drive motor 103 is installed in the suction space (S1), and the compressor of the present embodiment forms a low pressure compressor.

[0073] Furthermore, the compressor casing 101 includes a main housing 110 in which the drive motor 103 is installed and a rear housing 120 coupled to an open rear end of the main housing 110. An inner space of the main housing 110 forms the suction space (S1) together with one side of the compression unit 105 ,and an inner space of the rear housing 120 forms the discharge space (S2). In the rear housing 120, the above-described exhaust port 121a is formed.

[0074] The main housing 110 may be formed with a cylindrical portion 111 formed in a cylindrical shape, and a front end of the cylindrical portion 111 may be integrally extended to form a closed sealing portion 112, and an inverter module 200 may be coupled on a front side of the closed portion 112. The rear end of the cylindrical portion 111 is open and the rear housing 120 is sealed and coupled thereto.

[0075] On the other hand, a drive motor 103 constituting an electric motor unit is pressed and coupled to the main housing 110. The drive motor 103 includes a stator 131 fixed inside the main housing 110 and a rotor 132 positioned inside the stator 131 and rotated by an interaction between the stator 131 and the rotor 132.

[0076] For the stator 131, a stator core (not shown) is shrink-fitted and fixed to an inner circumferential surface of the main housing 110. For the rotor 132, a rotation shaft 133 is press-fitted to and coupled to an inner circumferential surface of a rotor core (not shown).

[0077] The rotation shaft 133 is coupled to the center of the rotor 132 such that a rear end facing the compression unit 105 is supported by the frame 140 and the fixed scroll 150, which will be described later, in a cantilever manner.

[0078] On the other hand, the compression unit 105 includes a frame 140, a fixed scroll (hereinafter, referred to as a first scroll) 150 supported by the frame 140, and an orbiting scroll (hereinafter, referred to as a second scroll) 160 disposed between the frame 140 and the first scroll 150 to perform an orbiting movement.

[0079] The frame 140 is coupled to a front opening end of the main housing 110, and the first scroll 150 is fixedly supported on a rear side of the frame 140, and the second scroll 160 is orbitably supported by the rear side of the frame to perform an orbiting movement between the first scroll 150 and the frame 140. Furthermore, the second scroll 160 is eccentrically coupled to the rotation shaft 133 coupled to the rotor 132 of the drive motor 103 to form a pair of compression chambers (V) formed of a suction chamber, an intermediate pressure chamber, and a discharge chamber along with the first scroll 150 while performing an orbiting movement with respect to the first scroll 150.

[0080] In addition, the frame 140 is formed with a frame end plate portion 141 in a circular plate shape, and formed with a frame sidewall portion 142 protruded from a rear side of the frame end plate portion 141 toward the first scroll 150 and coupled to to a sidewall portion 152 of the first scroll 150 which will be described later.

[0081] Furthermore, a frame thrust surface 143 on which the second scroll is placed and supported in an axial direction is formed on an inner side of the frame sidewall portion 142, and a back pressure space 144 in which part of refrigerant compressed in the compression chamber (V) is filled along with oil to support a back surface of the second scroll 160 is formed at the center of the frame thrust surface 143. Accordingly, a pressure of the back pressure space 144 forms an intermediate pressure between the pressure of the suction space (S1) and a final pressure (i.e., the discharge pressure) of the compression chamber (V).

[0082] Furthermore, a frame shaft hole 145 through which the rotation shaft 133 passes is formed at the center of the back pressure space 144, and a first bearing (with no reference numeral) is provided on an inner circumferential surface of the frame shaft hole 145. The first bearing may be made of a bush bearing, but in some cases, may be made of a ball bearing. However, the bush bearing is advantageous in terms of cost since it is less expensive than the ball bearing as well as advantageous due to ease of assembly and reduced weight and noise.

[0083] A second key groove 146 into which a second key portion 176 of an oldham ring 170 which will be described later is slidably inserted is formed on an inner side of the frame thrust surface 143. Two second key grooves 146 are typically formed at intervals of 180 degrees. The second key groove will be described later together with a reinforcing member.

[0084] Meanwhile, the first scroll 150 may be fixedly coupled to the frame 140 or may be press-fitted into the casing 110 to be fixed.

[0085] For the first scroll 150, a fixed scroll end plate portion (hereinafter, referred to as a fixed side end plate portion) 151 may be formed in a substantially disk shape, and a fixed scroll sidewall portion (hereinafter, referred to as a first sidewall portion) 152 coupled to a sidewall portion 142 of the frame 140 may be formed at an edge of the fixed side end plate portion 151. A fixed side wrap 153 engaged with an orbiting side wrap 162 which will be described later to form a compression chamber (V) is formed on a front surface of the fixed side longitudinal plate portion 151,

[0086] A suction passage (not shown) is formed at one side of the first side wall portion 152 to allow the suction space (S1) and the suction chamber (not shown) to communicate with each other, and a discharge port 155 communicated with the discharge chamber to discharge the compressed refrigerant into the discharge space (S2) is formed at a central portion of the fixed side end plate portion 151.

[0087] Meanwhile, the second scroll 160 is provided between the frame (frame) and the first scroll 150, and eccentrically coupled to the rotation shaft 133 in an orbital manner.

[0088] For the second scroll 160, an orbiting scroll end plate portion (hereinafter, referred to as an orbiting side end plate portion) 161 is formed in a substantially disc shape, and an orbiting side wrap 162 engaged with the fixed side wrap 153 to form a compression chamber is formed on a rear side of the orbiting side end plate portion 161. The orbiting side wrap 162 may be formed in an involute shape together with the fixed side wrap 153, but may be formed in various other shapes.

[0089] Furthermore, a scroll side thrust surface 165 that forms a thrust surface together with respect to the frame side thrust surface 143 is formed on a front surface of the orbiting side end plate portion 161. However, since the second scroll 160 floats against the frame 140 when the compressor is driven, the frame side thrust surface 143 and the scroll side thrust surface 165 are substantially not in contact with each other. Rather, the frame 140 and the second scroll 160 form a thrust surface with the ring portion 171 of the oldham ring 170 which be described later.

[0090] Furthermore, a first key groove 166 into which a first key portion 175 of an oldham ring 170 which will be described later is slidably inserted is formed at the center of the scroll side thrust surface 165. Two first key grooves 166 are formed at intervals of 180 degrees. In the axial projection, the first key groove 166 is formed with a phase difference of about 90 degrees from the second key groove 146. The first key groove will be described later together with a reinforcing member.

[0091] On the other hand, a rotation prevention mechanism for preventing a rotational movement of the second scroll 160 is provided between the frame 140 and the second scroll 160. The rotation prevention mechanism may be installed between the first scroll 150 and the second scroll 160 according to circumstances. Hereinafter, an example in which the rotation prevention mechanism is provided between the frame 140 and the second scroll 160 will be described as an example.

[0092] For the rotation prevention mechanism, a pin-and-ring type or an oldham ring type may be applicable thereto as described above. The present embodiment relates to a case where the oldham ring type is applied thereto.

[0093] The oldham ring 170 includes a ring portion 171 formed in an annular shape, and a plurality of first key portions 175 and a plurality of second key portions 176 protruded from both side surfaces in the axial direction of the ring portion 171. The structure of the oldham ring will be described later together with the reinforcing member.

[0094] Reference numerals 137 and 152 denote a balance weight and a reinforcement member, respectively.

[0095] The foregoing scroll compressor according to the present embodiment operates as follows.

[0096] In other words, when power is applied to the drive motor 103, the rotating shaft 133 transmits a rotational force to the second scroll 160 while rotating together with the rotor 132, and the second scroll 160 performs an orbiting movement by the oldham ring 170, which is a rotation prevention mechanism, and the volume of the compression chamber (V) continuously decreases while moving toward the center side.

[0097] Then, refrigerant flows into the suction space (S1) through the intake port 111a and the refrigerant flowed into the suction space (S1) flows through a passage formed on an outer circumferential surface of the stator 131 and an inner circumferential surface of the main housing 110, and a gap between the stator 131 and the rotor 132 and is sucked into the compression chamber (V) through the suction passage 154.

[0098] At this time, part of the refrigerant sucked into the suction space (S1) through the intake port 111a first comes into contact with the sealing portion 112, which is a front side of the main housing 110, prior to passing through the drive motor 103. Accordingly, the sealed portion 112 is cooled by exchanging heat with cold suction refrigerant, thereby dissipating heat of the inverter module 200 attached to the sealing portion 112 of the main housing 110.

[0099] On the other hand, refrigerant sucked into the compression chamber (V) through the suction space (S1) is compressed by the first scroll 150 and the second scroll 160 and discharged into the discharge space (S2) through the discharge port 155, and the refrigerant discharged to the discharge space (S2) is separated from the discharge space (S2), and the refrigerant is discharged to the refrigeration cycle through the discharge port 121a while oil is collected at a lower portion of the discharge space (S2) and supplied to the respective bearing surfaces or to the compression chamber through an oil passage (not shown).

[0100] At this time, part of oil flows between the frame 140 and the second scroll 160 to lubricate the oldham ring 170 and the frame 140 or the second scroll 160 coupled to the oldham ring 170.

[0101] On the other hand, the foregoing scroll compressor is widely applied not only to air conditioning systems in buildings but also to air conditioning system in vehicles. Like other scroll compressors, scroll compressors may reduce the weight of moving members to increase compressor efficiency. In particular, when installed in a vehicle, it is advantageous to reduce the weight of the compressor since the weight of the overall compressor as well as the rotating member is related to the weight of the vehicle.

[0102] Therefore, in a scroll compressor (typically, referred to as a motor-driven scroll compressor) applied to a vehicle, the oldham ring as well as the casing, the frame, the fixed scroll and the orbiting scroll may be made of a lightweight material such as aluminum (aluminum alloy).

[0103] However, as described above, when oldham ring and the frame or the orbiting scroll in contact with the oldham ring are formed of an aluminum material, frictional characteristics according to the same material may be very poor, unlike cast iron.

[0104] Taking this into consideration, it is considered to form and assemble the ring portion and the key portion of the oldham ring with different materials or forming the whole oldham ring with the same material and then forming a coating layer for improving the frictional characteristics on a surface of the oldham ring. However, these methods have limitations in machinability and reliability as described above.

[0105] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to form the whole oldham ring with the same material as as to improve the machinability of the above-mentioned oldham ring as well as prevent the frictional characteristics according to the same material from being deteriorated in advance while forming the frame or the orbiting scroll coupled to the oldham ring with the same material as that of the oldham ring, thereby ensuring the reliability of the compressor.

[0106] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the compression unit according to FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a state in which a reinforcing member is separated from an oldham ring in the compression unit according to FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which the reinforcing member is coupled to the oldham ring in FIG. 4, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the reinforcing member is coupled to the oldham ring and inserted into a key groove of an orbiting scroll in a radial direction.

[0107] As illustrated in the drawings, the frame 140, the second scroll 160, and the oldham ring 170 according to the present embodiment are all formed of an aluminum material that is lighter than cast iron. The specific gravity of cast iron is about 7.85, and the specific gravity of aluminum alloy is about 2.8. Therefore, when the frame, the second scroll, and the oldham ring are all formed of aluminum, the weight of the compressor may be greatly reduced.

[0108] The oldham ring 170 includes a ring portion 171 formed in an annular shape, and a first key portion 175 and a second key portion 176 protruded from both side surfaces in the axial direction of the ring portion 171. The first key portion 175 is formed on one axial side surface of the ring portion 171, and the second key portion 176 is formed on the other axial side surface of the ring portion 171, respectively. The plurality of first key portions 175 and the second key portions 176 are formed at intervals of 180 degrees along the circumferential direction, and thus the first key portions 175 and the second key portions 176 are formed at intervals of 90 degrees with respect to each other.

[0109] The first key portion 175 and the second key portion 176 are respectively formed in a rectangular cross-sectional shape extended in a radial direction. However, the first key portion 175 and the second key portion 176 may be formed in a shape having a square cross section or a length similar thereto according to circumstances. It will be described again later together with the key groove.

[0110] The ring portion 171 and the key portions 175, 176 are formed as a single body. In other words, the first key portion 175 and the second key portion 176 are extended integrally from the ring portion 171. Accordingly, the ring portion 171 and the key portions 175, 176 may be formed of the same material, and in other words, the whole oldham ring may be formed of an aluminum material.

[0111] On the other hand, a plurality of first key grooves 166 corresponding to the first key portion 175 of the oldham ring 170 and a plurality of second key grooves 146 corresponding to the second key portion 176 of the oldham ring 170 are respectively formed on the second scroll 160 and the frame 140. The plurality of first key grooves 166 and second key grooves 146 are formed on surfaces facing each other.

[0112] The first key groove 166 of the second scroll 160 and the second key groove 146 of the frame 140 are formed to have a sufficiently larger length in a radial direction, and formed to have a width substantially in contact with the side surfaces of the first key portion 175 and the second key portion 176 in a circumferential direction compared to to the first key portion 175 and the second key portion 176 of the oldham ring.

[0113] Accordingly, the first key portion 175 and the second key portion 176 of the oldham ring 170 may transmit a force in a circumferential direction while sliding in a radial direction with respect to the first key groove 166 of the second scroll 160 and the second key groove 146 of the frame 140.

[0114] Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the reinforcing members 180 (180a, 180b) may be inserted between a circumferential side surface of the first key groove 166 and a circumferential side surface of the first key portion 175, and between a circumferential side surface of the second key groove 146 and a circumferential side surface of the second key portion 176. In other words, the reinforcing members 180 (180a, 180b) may be inserted into and fixed to the inner surfaces of the first key groove 166 and the second key groove 146, but may also be inserted into and fixed to an outer surface of the first key portion 175 and the second key portion 146 as illustrated in the present embodiment.

[0115] The reinforcing members 180 (180a, 180b) according to the present embodiment may be preferably formed of a material having a higher rigidity than the second scroll 160 or the frame 140 or the oldham ring 170, that is a material different from that of the second scroll 160 or the frame 140 or the oldham ring 170. Accordingly, when the first key portion 175 and the second key portion 176 perform a sliding movement with respect to the first key groove 166 and the second key groove 146, respectively, it may possible to prevent the key portion from being directly brought into contact with the key groove, which is the same material. As a result, it may be possible to suppress the key portion of the second scroll 160 or the key groove of the frame 140 or the key portion of the oldham ring 170 from being worn out though the second scroll 160, the frame 140, or the oldham ring 170 are all made of a light material.

[0116] Hereinafter, the reinforcing member and the key groove into which the reinforcing member is inserted will be described in detail. The first key groove, the first key portion, and the reinforcing member provided therebetween are the same as the second key groove, the second key portion, and the reinforcing member provided therebetween, respectively. Therefore, the first key groove, the first key portion, and the reinforcing member inserted between the first key groove and the first key portion will be mainly described.

[0117] Referring again to FIGS. 3 and 4, the first key portion 175 has a larger radial length than a circumferential (or tangential) length. Here, both side surfaces in a radial direction are defined as an outer circumferential side surface 175a and an inner circumferential side surface 175b, and both side surfaces in a circumferential direction are defined as a sliding side surface 175c. Accordingly, the first key portion 175 according to the present embodiment is formed such that a length between the outer circumferential side surface 175a and the inner circumferential side surface 175b is larger than a length between the both sliding side surfaces 175c. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the two lengths may be the same or formed in an opposite manner.

[0118] The first key portion 175 according to the present embodiment is formed such that the outer circumferential side surface 175a and both the sliding side surfaces 175c are formed in a flat shape, and the inner circumferential side surface 175b is formed with a release preventing groove 175b1 such that the release preventing portions 185a, 185b of the reinforcing member 180a are inserted and hooked.

[0119] The release preventing groove 175b1 may be formed in a groove shape recessed by a predetermined depth in a central portion of the inner circumferential side surface 175b as shown in FIGS. 4 through 6. In other words, the release preventing groove 175b1 is formed lower than both the sliding side surfaces 175c around the release preventing groove 175b, while at the same time being formed lower than an axial side surface on a back side of the ring portion 171. Accordingly, the release preventing groove 175b1 may be formed in a shape in which both the axial side surface and the circumferential side surface are blocked.

[0120] Furthermore, the release preventing groove 175b1 may be formed in a rectangular cross-sectional shape when projecting on the inner circumferential surface side, or may be formed in a circular cross-sectional shape according to circumstances. However, in the case of a circular cross-sectional shape, it may be advantageous when an axial width of the reinforcing member which will be described later is small, or when an axial width of the preventing portion is small in the reinforcing member. When an axial width of the reinforcing member 180 is large, it is advantageous that the release preventing groove 175b1 is formed in a rectangular cross-sectional shape.

[0121] Furthermore, the radial cross-sectional area of the release preventing groove 175b1 may be preferably formed to be larger than the entire cross-sectional area in the longitudinal direction of the release preventing portions 185a, 185b of the reinforcing member 180 inserted into the release preventing groove 175b1. For example, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, and in a radial direction on an inner circumferential surface of the oldham ring 170, when both the release preventing portions 185a, 185b of the first reinforcing member 180a are inserted into and engaged with the release prevention groove 175b1, an area of the release preventing groove 175b1 may be formed to be wide enough to provide a space between both the release preventing portions 185a, 185b. Then, a vacant space of the release preventing groove 175b1 formed between both the release preventing portions 185a, 185b may serve as a type of oil storage groove so that oil flowing into the first key groove 166 can be contained in the release preventing groove 175b1. Then, when the compressor is driven, the oil contained in the vacant space of the release preventing groove 175b1 may lubricate between the key groove and the key portion, and may store the oil when the driving is stopped.

[0122] Meanwhile, a first reinforcing member 180a according to the present embodiment may be formed by bending a metal plate or molding a polymer material. Since the first reinforcing member 180a should be fixed while being inserted into an outer surface of the first key portion 175, the first reinforcing member 180a preferably has a predetermined elasticity. For this purpose, the first reinforcing member 180a may be formed to have a smaller width at an end portion of the fixing surfaces 183a, 183b compared to an end portion of the first reinforcing member 180a, which will be described later, in the pre-assembly state. Then, the fixing surfaces 183a, 183b may be spread to both sides and inserted into the first key portion 175 so that both the fixing surfaces 183a, 183b can be securely fixed to the first key portion 175 while being shrunk by restoring force.

[0123] As shown in FIG. 4, the first reinforcing member 180a according to the present embodiment includes a first reinforcing surface 181a, a second reinforcing surface 181b, a connecting surface 182, a first fixing surface 183a, and a second fixing surface 183b.

[0124] The first reinforcing surface 181a and the second reinforcing surface 181b are arranged in parallel to each other in a radial direction and formed to surround both sliding sides of the first key portion 175. The connecting surface 182 is formed to surround the outer circumferential side surface 175a of the first key portion 175 by connecting one end of the first reinforcing surface 181a and one end of the second reinforcing surface 181b. The fixing surfaces 183a, 183b are extended from the other end of the first reinforcing surface 181a and the other end of the second reinforcing surface 181b, respectively, which are opposite to the connecting surface 182 to surround the inner circumferential surface 175b of the first key portion 175.

[0125] The first reinforcing surface 181a and the second reinforcing surface 181b are formed to be flat and closely attached to both sliding side surfaces 175c, 175c of the first key portion 175, and an outer surface of the first reinforcing surface 181a and an outer surface of the second reinforcing surface 181b may be disposed on both circumferential surfaces of the first key groove 166 with a predetermined lubrication space to face each other.

[0126] The connecting surface 182 may be closely attached to the outer circumferential surface 175a of the first key portion 175 as described above. However, in some cases, it may be closely attached to the inner circumferential side surface 175b of the first key portion 175. In this case, the release preventing groove 175b1 is formed on the outer peripheral side surface 175a of the first key portion 175.

[0127] The first fixing surface 183a and the second fixing surface 183b are bent in a direction toward the second reinforcing surface 181b from the other end of the first reinforcing surface 181a and in a direction toward the first reinforcing surface 181a from the other end of the second reinforcing surface 181b, respectively. The first fixing surface 183a and the second fixing surface 183b may be closely attached and fixed to the inner circumferential side surface 175b of the first key portion 175, respectively.

[0128] Moreover, a first release preventing portion 185a and a second release preventing portion 185b, which are bent toward the release preventing groove 175b1, may be bent at an end portion of the first fixing surface 183a and an end portion of the second fixing surface 183b. The first release preventing portion 185a and the second release preventing portion 185b may be inserted from both the transverse sides of the release preventing groove 175b1 and fixed thereto in an engaging manner in the axial direction. As described above, a vacant space is formed between the first release preventing portion 185a and the second release preventing portion 185b by a predetermined distance, and the vacant space forms the above-described oil storage groove.

[0129] Meanwhile, as described above, the second key groove 146 may be formed in the frame 140 to slidably insert the second key portion 176 of the oldham ring 170 thereinto. The reinforcement member 180b may be coupled to the second key portion 176, and the release preventing groove and the release preventing portion may be formed on the second key portion 176 and the reinforcement member 180b, respectively.

[0130] Referring again to FIG. 2, the second key groove 146 of the frame 140 and the second key portion 176 of the oldham ring 170 may also be formed to have the same shape as those of the first key portion 166 of the second scroll 160 and the first key portion 175 of the oldham ring 170 as described above.

[0131] However, the second reinforcing member 180b inserted between the second key groove 146 and the second key portion 176 and between the second key groove 146 and the second key portion 176 is formed by the first key groove 166 has an inner direction and an outer direction opposite to each other, but has the same shape, when compared to the first reinforcing member 180a inserted between the first key portion 166 and the first key portion 175.

[0132] Furthermore, the shape of the second reinforcing member 180b and the shape of the release preventing portion including the release preventing groove for preventing the second reinforcing member 180b from being released are also the same as those of the above-described embodiments. Therefore, the detailed description thereof will be substituted by the description of the first key portion and the reinforcing member coupled to the first key portion.

[0133] The foregoing scroll compressor according to the present embodiment has the following operational effects.

[0134] In other words, as the first and second reinforcing members 180a, 180b are inserted between the first key groove 166 and the first key portion 175 and between the second key groove 146 and the second key portion 176, it may be possible to prevent the first key portion 175 of the oldham ring 170 and the second key portion 176 of the oldham ring 170 from being directly brought into contact with the first key groove 166 of the second scroll 160 and the second key groove 146 of the frame 140, respectively.

[0135] Accordingly, even when the second scroll 160, the frame 140, and the oldham ring 170 are all formed of the same material, particularly an aluminum material having a hardness lower than that of cast iron, it may be possible to suppress frictional characteristics between the oldham ring 170 and the frame 140 from being deteriorated, thereby improving the reliability of the compressor.

[0136] In addition, as the second scroll 160, the frame 140, and the oldham ring 170 are all formed of a lightweight aluminum material, the weight of the compressor may be reduced, thereby enhancing the efficiency of the compressor as well as the efficiency of a device such as a vehicle to which the compressor is applied.

[0137] In addition, as the ring portion 171 and the key portions 175, 176 of the oldham ring 170 may be formed as a single body, thereby sufficiently reinforcing a connection portion between the ring portion and the key portion. Accordingly, it may be possible to suppress a connection portion between the ring portion 171 and the key portions 175, 176 from being damaged by receiving a force, thereby improving the reliability of the compressor.

[0138] In addition, as the ring portion 171 and the key portions 175, 176 of the oldham ring 170 are formed as a single body, a machining error between the ring portion 171 and the key portions 175, 176 or a deformation of the key portions 175, 176 may be minimized. Accordingly, when the compressor is driven, the key portion being twisted from the key groove in an undesired direction may be minimized, thereby suppressing a compression loss due to a gap between the wraps.

[0139] In addition, it may not be required to form an additional coating layer on a surface of the oldham ring170, thereby reducing the fabrication cost of the oldham ring 170 and suppressing the damage of the oldham ring or a friction loss due to peeling of the coating layer.

[0140] In addition, in the foregoing embodiment, the release preventing grooves may form a type of oil storage space. Then, a predetermined amount of oil may be stored during operation and stop of the compressor, and the stored oil may flow and lubricate between the key groove and the key portion, more precisely, between the key portion and the reinforcing member. Then, the wear-out of the key portion may be suppressed more effectively.

[0141] Meanwhile, another embodiment of a structure of fixing the reinforcing member according to the present disclosure will be described as follows.

[0142] In other words, in the above-described embodiment, the release preventing groove is formed in a shape that is closed in an axial direction, but in the present embodiment, the release preventing groove is formed in a shape that is open in an axial direction. FIG. 7A is an exploded perspective view showing another embodiment of the fixing structure of a reinforcing member according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the reinforcing member is coupled to a key portion of the oldham ring in FIG. 7A.

[0143] As illustrated in the drawings, the release preventing groove 275b1 according to the present embodiment may be formed on an inner circumferential side surface 275b of the first key portion 275, but extended by a predetermined length along an axial direction on one axial side surface thereof. As a result, the release preventing groove 275b1 has a closed shape on both sides in the circumferential direction, but has an open shape on one axial side surface on the back side of the ring portion 171.

[0144] In this case, the reinforcing member 280 may be extended by bending the release preventing portions 285a, 285b from both the fixing surfaces 283a, 283b toward the connecting surface 282 as in the foregoing embodiment. Other configurations of the reinforcing member 280 may be formed in the same manner as in the foregoing embodiment.

[0145] As described above, as the release preventing groove 275b1 is formed in a shape in which one axial side surface 275b2 is open on an inner circumferential side surface 275b of the first key portion 166, the reinforcing member 280 may be easily connected to the first key portion 275. In other words, in the foregoing embodiment, as the release preventing groove 175b1 is formed in a closed shape in the axial direction as well as the circumferential direction on the inner circumferential side surface 175b of the first key portion 175, when the reinforcing member 180 is assembled, it is not easy to fit the release preventing portions 185a,185b into the release preventing groove 175b1 since both of the reinforcing surfaces 181a, 181b must be spread and inserted into the first key portion 175. However, when one axial side surface of the release preventing groove 275b1 is formed in an open shape as in the present embodiment, the reinforcing member 280 may be assembled by pushing it in the axial direction, and thus the release preventing portions 285a, 285b may be easily assembled into the release preventing groove 275b1.

[0146] Meanwhile, still another embodiment of a structure of fixing the reinforcing member according to the present disclosure will be described as follows.

[0147] In other words, in the foregoing embodiments, both circumferential side surfaces of the release preventing groove are formed in a closed shape, but in the present embodiment, both circumferential side surfaces of the release preventing groove are formed in an open shape. FIG. 8A is an exploded perspective view showing another embodiment of the fixing structure of a reinforcing member according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the reinforcing member is coupled to a key portion of the oldham ring in FIG. 8A.

[0148] As illustrated in the drawings, the release preventing groove 375b1 according to the present embodiment is formed in a closed shape on one axial side surface on a back side of the ring portion 371, and formed in an open shape on both circumferential side surfaces thereof. Accordingly, an engaging surface 375b2 is formed on one axial side surface of the release preventing groove 375b1, and thus the reinforcing member 380 may be axially supported by the ring portion 371 and the engaging surface 375b2.

[0149] In this case, the reinforcement member 380 may not be formed with the release preventing portion in a different manner from the foregoing embodiments. In other words, as both the fixing surfaces 383a, 383b of the reinforcing member 380 are inserted into and closely attached to the release preventing groove 375b, the reinforcement member 380 may be firmly fixed to the first key portion 375 without forming an additional release preventing portion on the reinforcing member 380.

[0150] As described above, when both circumferential side surfaces of the release preventing groove 375b1 are formed in an open shape, it may not be required to bend an additional release preventing portion on the reinforcing member, thereby simplifying the fabrication of the reinforcing member 380 and facilitating the assembly.

[0151] Moreover, when a depth of the release preventing groove 375b1 is formed to be equal to or greater than a thickness of the reinforcing member 380, the fixing surface 385b2 of the reinforcing member 380 may be completely embedded in the key portion 375. Accordingly, it may not be required to reduce a length of the key portion 375 in consideration of the reinforcing member 380, and a sliding area between the key portions 375, 376 and the key grooves 166, 146 may be ensured to prevent an outer diameter of the second scroll or the frame from being enlarged in advance, which is advantageous for downsizing of the compressor.

[0152] Although not illustrated in the drawings, a groove may be formed in a circumferential direction (transverse direction) on an inner circumferential side surface or an outer circumferential side surface of the key portion in the foregoing other embodiments or embodiments to be described later. Then, as described above, the reinforcement member may be embedded in the key portion to secure a sliding area between the key portion and the key groove without increasing a length of the key portion.

[0153] Meanwhile, still another embodiment of a structure of fixing the reinforcing member according to the present disclosure will be described as follows.

[0154] In other words, in the above-described embodiments, the fixing surfaces are provided at both ends of the reinforcing member and axially attached to an inner circumferential side surface or an outer circumferential side surface of the key portion, but in the present embodiment, both the reinforcing surfaces and the connecting surface are fixed to the key portion without using the fixing surfaces. FIG. 9A is an exploded perspective view showing another embodiment of the fixing structure of a reinforcing member according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the reinforcing member is coupled to a key portion of the oldham ring in FIG. 9A.

[0155] As illustrated in the drawings, the reinforcing member 480 according to the present embodiment includes a first reinforcing surface 481a and a second reinforcing surface 481b, and a connecting surface 482 formed between the first reinforcing surface 481a and the second reinforcing surface 481b to surround an outer surface of the first key portion 475.

[0156] A gap between the first reinforcing surface 481a and the second reinforcing surface 481b may be formed to be narrower toward an opposite end with respect to the connecting surface 482. Accordingly, when the reinforcement member 480 is inserted into the first key portion 475, an opening end between the first reinforcement surface 481a and the second reinforcement surface 481b that have been spread may be closely attached and fixed to both circumferential side surfaces of the first key portion 475 while being elastically restored.

[0157] In this case, the reinforcing member 480 is formed with the release preventing portions 485a, 485b to prevent the reinforcement member 480 from being released, and the release preventing grooves 475c1, 475c1 into which the release preventing portions 485a, 485b are inserted may be respectively formed on both the sliding surfaces 475a, 475b of the first key portion 475 facing the release preventing portions 485a, 485b.

[0158] The release preventing portions 485a, 485b may be formed in a protruding shape protruded toward the first key portion 475, and the release preventing grooves 475c1, 475c1 may be formed in a shape corresponding to that of the release preventing portions 485a, 485b.

[0159] The release preventing portions 485a, 485b may be formed on the first reinforcing surface 481a and the second r
einforcing surface 481b respectively, but may also be formed on only one of the reinforcing surfaces or on the connecting surface 482.

[0160] As described above, when the fixing surface is not formed on the reinforcing member 480, and the reinforcement member 480 is fixed to the key portion 475 only by an elastic force of the reinforcing surfaces 481a or the release preventing portions 481b, 485b having a protrusion shape are formed on the protruding surfaces 481a, 481b, the reinforcing member 480 and the key portion 475 may be easily fabricated and assembled. Moreover, a sliding area between the key portion 475 and the key groove 166 can be secured without enlarging the length of the key portion 475, which is advantageous for downsizing of the compressor.

[0161] Meanwhile, still another embodiment of a structure of fixing the reinforcing member according to the present disclosure will be described as follows.

[0162] In other words, in the foregoing embodiments, one reinforcing member is inserted into and coupled to one key portion, but in the present embodiment, a plurality of reinforcing members are inserted into and coupled to one key portion. FIG. 10A is an exploded perspective view showing another embodiment of the fixing structure of a reinforcing member according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the reinforcing member is coupled to a key portion of the oldham ring in FIG. 10A.

[0163] As illustrated in the drawings, a plurality of reinforcing members 580 according to the present embodiment may be provided and coupled to both circumferential side surfaces of the first key portion 575. In this case, the first key portion 575 is provided with the release preventing grooves 575a1, 475b1 on the outer circumferential side surface 575a and the inner circumferential side surface 475b, respectively, and the release preventing portions 585a, 585a of each reinforcing member 580 may be respectively inserted into and fixed to the release preventing grooves 575a1, 575b1.

[0164] The reinforcing member 580 may be formed by bending the fixing surfaces 583a, 583b at both radial ends of the first reinforcing surface 581a or the second reinforcing surface 581b in a different manner from the foregoing embodiments, and the release preventing portions 585a, 585b may be bent in a radial direction in directions facing the release preventing grooves 575a1, 575b1, respectively, at both end portions of the fixing surfaces 583a, 583b. The release preventing portions 585a, 585b may be inserted into and fixed to the release preventing grooves 575a1, 575b1.

[0165] Here, the release preventing grooves 575a1, 575b1 may be formed at the center of the outer circumferential side 575a and the inner circumferential side 575b of the first key portion 575 as illustrated in the present embodiment, but may also be formed into an axially open shape as illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 7 according to circumstances. Furthermore, as illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 9A, protrusions and grooves may be formed on the reinforcing surfaces and the sliding surfaces, respectively, to prevent the reinforcing member from being released, and as illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 11A, the reinforcing member may be fixed to the key portion by an elastic force of the first fixing surface 583a and the second fixing surface 583b. These embodiments are the same as the above-described embodiments, and thus the description thereof will be omitted.

[0166] As described above, when the reinforcing member is formed with a plurality of reinforcing members 580, the lengths of the first and second fixing surfaces 583a, 583b constituting an elastic surface of each reinforcing member 580 may be shortened, thereby facilitating the assembly.

[0167] Moreover, the first reinforcing surface 581a and the second reinforcing surface 581b constituting a sliding surface are formed in parallel to connect the first fixing surface 583a and the second fixing surface 583b, respectively . Accordingly, the first reinforcing surface 581a and the second reinforcing surface 581b may be closely attached to both circumferential side surfaces of the first key portion 575 even if a machining error occurs in the reinforcing member 580, thereby preventing a friction loss to the key groove in advance.

[0168] Meanwhile, still another embodiment of a structure of fixing the reinforcing member according to the present disclosure will be described as follows.

[0169] In other words, in the above-described embodiments, even when the fixing surface is excluded from the reinforcing member, the assembly direction of the reinforcing member is assembled in a radial direction, that is, allowing the connecting surface to be closely attached to an outer circumferential side surface of the first key portion, but in the present embodiment, the assembly direction of the reinforcing member is formed in an axial direction, that is, allowing the connecting surface to be closely attached to an axial side surface of the first key portion. FIG. 11A is an exploded perspective view showing another embodiment of the fixing structure of a reinforcing member according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the reinforcing member is coupled to a key portion of the oldham ring in FIG. 11A.

[0170] As illustrated in the drawings, the reinforcing member 680 according to the present embodiment includes a first reinforcing surface 681a and a second reinforcing surface 681b, and a connecting surface 682 for connecting the first reinforcing surface 681a and the second reinforcing surface 681b.

[0171] The first reinforcing surface 681a and the second reinforcing surface 681b are closely attached and fixed to both sliding surfaces 675c, 675c of the first key portion 675, and the connecting surface 682 is closely attached and fixed to an axial side surface 675d of the first key portion 675.

[0172] Moreover, even in this case, the first reinforcing surface 681a and the second reinforcing surface 681b, which are bent and extended from both ends of the connecting surface 682 may be formed to be narrower toward an opposite side of the connecting surface 682 . Then, the reinforcing member 680 may be firmly fixed by an elastic force in a state where the reinforcing member 680 is inserted into the first key portion 675.

[0173] Moreover, even in this case, the first reinforcing surface 681a and the second reinforcing surface 681b of the reinforcing member 680 may be formed with protrusions constituting the release preventing portions, respectively (not shown in the drawing), and the release preventing grooves with grooves (not shown in the drawing) may be formed on both circumferential side surfaces of the first key portion 675 facing the respective reinforcing surfaces 681a,681b to receive the projections.

[0174] The operational effects of this embodiment is similar to that of the foregoing embodiment, and therefore, the description thereof will be omitted. However, the present embodiment is easier to assemble as the insertion length is shorter than that of the foregoing embodiment. Furthermore, as the connecting surface 682 of the reinforcing member 680 according to the present embodiment surrounds an axial side surface of the first key portion 675, it may be possible to suppress wear-out on an axial side surface of the key portion caused by an assembly error or an unstable behavior of the second scroll during operation.

[0175] On the other hand, in the present embodiment, an example in which the oldham ring is provided between the frame and the orbiting scroll and slidably coupled to the frame and the second scroll has been described, but the oldham ring may be slidably coupled to a key groove provided in the fixed scroll and a key groove provided in the orbiting scroll, respectively, between the fixed scroll and the orbiting scroll. Even in this case, the reinforcing members described above may be respectively coupled to the first key portion and the second key portion of the oldham ring.

[0176] In addition, although a motor-driven scroll compressor in which the casing is installed in a transverse direction has been described in the above-mentioned embodiments, the present disclosure may also be applicable to a general scroll in which the casing is installed in a longitudinal direction.

[0177] On the other hand, refrigerant sucked into the compression chamber (V) through the suction space (S1) is compressed by the first scroll 150 and the second scroll 160 and discharged into the discharge space (S2) through the discharge port 155, and the refrigerant discharged to the discharge space (S2) is separated from the discharge space (S2), and the refrigerant is discharged to the refrigeration cycle through the discharge port 121a while oil is collected at a lower portion of the discharge space (S2) and supplied to the respective bearing surfaces or to the compression chamber through an oil passage (not shown).

[0178] At this time, part of oil flows between the frame 140 and the second scroll 160 to lubricate the oldham ring 170 and the frame 140 or the second scroll 160 coupled to the oldham ring 170.

[0179] However, as described above, in a motor-driven compressor installed in a transverse type, the rotation shaft 133 is installed in a horizontal direction or in a similar form thereto, and thus the frame 140 and the second scroll 160 coupled to the rotating shaft 133 are also arranged in a direction parallel to the ground. Then, oil that has been supplied between the frame 140 and the second scroll 160 during the operation of the compressor to lubricate the oldham ring 170 is poured in a downward direction when the compressor is stopped, there is insufficient oil or almost no oil when the stop time of the compressor becomes long. When the compressor is restarted in this state, the oldham ring 170 performs a relative movement with respect to the frame 140 or the second scroll 160 in an oil insufficient state, which causes a friction loss or wear-out in the oldham ring170 or cause damage such as breakage of a vulnerable portion such as a portion where the ring portion 171 is brought into contacts with the key portion 175 in a severe case.

[0180] Accordingly, in the present invention, oil may be supplied to the oldham ring and a portion where the oldham ring comes into contact therewith while restarting the compressor, thereby providing an oil storage unit capable of suppressing friction loss, wear-out or damage of parts due to oil shortage, particularly, in a transverse type compressor.

[0181] FIGS. 12A and 12B are perspective views in which an oldham ring provided with an oil storage unit according to the present embodiment is seen from both sides, FIG. 13A is a cross-sectional view taken along line "IV-IV" in Fig. 12A, FIG. 13B is a cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the oil storage unit according to FIG. 12A, FIG. 14 is a plan view showing an oil storage unit according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing still another embodiment of the oil storage unit according to the present embodiment. As illustrated in the drawings, the oldham ring according to the present embodiment may be provided with an oil storage unit capable of storing oil.

[0182] For example, the oldham ring 170 according to the present embodiment may be formed entirely of a material such as aluminum to reduce the weight, or a portion where friction is not generated, such as the ring portion 171, may be formed of aluminum, whereas the key portion 175 inserted into the key groove (not shown) of the frame 140 or the key groove 166 of the second scroll 160 to perform a sliding movement may be formed of a material having higher strength than aluminum.

[0183] To this end, the key portion 175 formed in a piece may be inserted into and coupled to the ring portion 171 formed in a ring shape along a circumferential direction, or both the ring portion 171 and the key portion 175 may be made of aluminum, and then coated with a wear resistant material. Here, when the key portion 175 is inserted into the ring portion 171, the protrusions and the grooves may be formed in an angular shape or a rectangular shape to prevent the key portion 175 from rotating with respect to the ring portion 171.

[0184] On the other hand, the oil storage unit 175d may be formed in each of the key portions 175, respectively. Accordingly, while restarting the compressor, oil stored in the oil storage unit 175d may quickly wet the key portion 175 to lubricate the key portion 175 and the key groove 166 brought into contact therewith.

[0185] The oil storage unit 175d may be formed in a groove shape having a predetermined depth to carry oil. When the oil storage unit 175d is formed with a groove, a structure in which a side facing the ground, that is, a lower side, is formed in a closed shape in consideration of the fact that the compressor is installed in a transverse type, and an open end of the oil storage unit 175d is formed toward an opposite side to the ground, that is, an upper side, may be suitable to carry oil. However, an opening end direction of the oil storage unit 175d does not necessarily have to be directed to an opposite side to the ground, but may also be formed at an oblique inclination. However, even when the oil storage unit 175d is formed to be inclined, an opening end of the oil storage unit should be formed to be positioned higher than the closed end.

[0186] In addition, the oil storage unit 175d may be preferably formed to have the same cross-sectional area along the longitudinal direction during machining, but a closed lower end thereof may be wide or may be formed to be wider toward the lower end in some cases. Of course, on the contrary, an upper end thereof may be wide or may be formed to be wider toward the upper end. When an upper end of the oil storage unit 175d is wide, it may be possible to compensate to some extent that the strength of the key portion is weakened due to the oil storage unit. In other words, the key portion 175 is extended and protruded from a side surface of the ring portion 171, and thus the key root portion where the key portion 175 starts to protrude from the ring portion 171 may be weakened. In order to prevent the root portion from being weakened, it may be preferable to form the oil storage unit 175d narrowly or to form shallowly even when the oil storage unit 175d is formed wide. Hereinafter, the key portion 175 inserted into the key groove 166 of the second scroll among the plurality of key portions will be described, but the other key portions are the same.

[0187] For example, as shown in Fig. 13A, the oil storage unit 175d may be formed so as to be positioned outside the key root portion 175e, that is, away from the ring portion 171 so as not to overlap with the key root portion 175e. As a result, a cross-sectional area of the key root portion 175e excluding the oil storage unit 175d is reduced to prevent the strength of the key root portion from being weakened. However, in some cases, the oil storage unit 175d may be formed to overlap with the key root portion 175e. In this case, as shown in FIG. 4B, a depth (H1) of the oil storage unit 175d may be preferably set to be 1/2 or less than a height (H2) of the key portion 175 to maintain the strength of the key root portion 175e.

[0188] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 14, an axial cross-sectional area (A) of the oil storage unit 175d may be formed to be smaller than or equal to that of the key portion 175 excluding the ring portion 171, that is, an axial cross-sectional area (A2) from the key root portion 175e to an outer end thereof. Accordingly, it may be possible to prevent an overall cross-sectional area (A2) of the key portion 175 from being reduced as well as prevent the strength of the key portion 175 including the key root portion 175e from being weakened due to the oil storage unit 175d. These axial directions are directions based on the rotation shaft.

[0189] However, in some cases, an axial cross-sectional area (A1) of the oil storage unit 175d may be formed to be larger than the axial cross-sectional area (A2) of the key portion 175 excluding the ring portion. In this case, as shown in FIG. 15, the oil storage unit 175d may be formed with a plurality of grooves to sufficiently secure an axial cross-sectional area of the key portion 175 excluding the oil storage unit 175d. As a result, the reduction of the strength of the key portion 175 may be minimized while the oil storage unit 175d is formed with a plurality of grooves. At this time, each of the grooves forming the oil storage unit 175d may be formed to be smaller than that of the oil storage unit having one groove as described above.

[0190] Of course, even when the axial cross-sectional area (A1) of the oil storage unit 175d may be formed to be smaller than or equal to the axial cross-sectional area (A2) of the key portion 175 excluding the ring portion, the oil storage unit 175d may be formed with a plurality of grooves.

[0191] The operational effects of the oldham ring provided with an oil storage unit according to the present embodiment are as follows. FIG. 16 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a state in which an oldham ring according to the present embodiment is assembled between a frame and a second scroll.

[0192] In other words, when the compressor performs a normal operation, part of oil flowing into the compression chamber (V) or the back pressure space 144 flows between the frame 140 and the second scroll 160 as described above, and the oil flows between the key groove 166 of the second scroll 160 and the key portion 175 of the oldham ring 170 and between the key groove 146 of the frame 140 and the key portion 175 of the oldham ring to lubricate between the respective key grooves and key portions.

[0193] On the contrary, when the compressor is stopped, most of oil filled between the respective key grooves 146, 166 and key portions 175 flows out due to its own weight and is accumulated at a lower portion of the compressor casing 101. In this case, oil shortage may occur between the respective key grooves and key portions while restarting the compressor.

[0194] In this embodiment, however, as grooves forming the oil storage unit 175d are formed in the key portion 175 of the oldham ring 170, part of oil flowing between the respective key grooves 146 and the key portions 175 during the operation of the compressor is filled and carried in the oil storage unit 175d, and the oil is maintained without getting out even when the compressor is stopped.

[0195] Then, while restarting the compressor, oil filled in the respective the oil storage units 175d flows out to lubricate between the respective key grooves 146, 166 and the key portions 175, thereby preventing oil shortage from occurring between the frame 140 and the oldham ring 170 or between the second scroll 160 and the oldham ring 170 in advance.

[0196] In a motor-driven compressor according to the present invention, another embodiment of the oil storage unit will be described as follows.

[0197] In other words, in the foregoing embodiment, the oil storage unit may be formed in the oldham ring, but the oil storage unit may also be provided in the frame or the second scroll in contact with the oldham ring. FIGS. 17A and 17B are a plan view and a partially fractured perspective view showing an example in which an oil storage unit according to the present embodiment is formed in a key groove of a second scroll.

[0198] As illustrated in the drawings, the oil storage unit 167 may be formed on both sides of the key groove 166 of the second scroll 160 perpendicular to the sliding direction of the key portion 175. The oil storage unit 167 may be formed in a structure in which both longitudinal ends thereof are closed, but in some cases, the oil storage unit 167 may be formed in a structure in which at least either one of them is open. It is a structure when the key groove 166 of the second scroll 160 is positioned in a direction parallel to the ground.

[0199] As described above, even when the oil storage unit 167 is formed in the key groove 166, the same effect as that described above may be expected. In other words, when the oil storage unit 167 is formed in the key groove 166, part of oil flows into the oil storage unit 167 during the operation of the compressor, and the oil may be maintained even when the compressor is stopped. Then, when the compressor is restarted, oil filled in the oil storage unit 167 is released to lubricate between the key groove 166 and the key portion 175. Accordingly, oil shortage between the key groove and the key portion may be prevented in advance while restarting the compressor.

[0200] On the other hand, in a motor-driven compressor according to the present invention, still another embodiment of the oil storage unit will be described as follows.

[0201] In other words, in the foregoing embodiments, a groove for storing oil is formed in the key groove of the frame and the key groove of the second scroll, in which an oldham ring or a key portion of the oldham ring is inserted, but in the present embodiment, an oil storage member is inserted into a position where an oil storage unit is formed in the above-described embodiments. FIGS. 18 and 19 are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view showing an example in which an oil storage member according to the present embodiment is coupled to a key portion of the oldham ring. Hereinafter, the key portion 175 inserted into the key groove 166 of the second scroll among the plurality of key portions will be described, but the other key portions are the same.

[0202] As illustrated in the drawings, the oil storage unit 175d having a predetermined width and depth is formed in the key portion 175 of the oldham ring 170, and an oil storage member 176 may inserted into and coupled to the oil storage unit 175d.

[0203] The oil storage unit 175d may be formed not only in a groove shape but also in a hole shape as described above. However, in order to form the oil storage unit 175d in a hole, it may be applicable to a case where the oil storage capacity of the oil storage member 176 is remarkably high. Accordingly, the oil storage unit 175d may be formed at the same position as illustrated above in FIG. 13A. However, in the case of the present embodiment, since the oil storage member 176 is inserted into the oil storage unit 175d, the oil storage unit 175d may be coupled thereto in a direction parallel to the ground, that is, a horizontal direction of the key portion 175.

[0204] The oil storage member 176 may be formed of a material or a shape capable of containing oil, but may be preferably formed of a material having a porous shape as well as a predetermined strength as shown in the drawing. When the oil storage member 176 has a predetermined strength, even if the width and depth of the oil storage portion 175d are somewhat increased, the strength of the oil storage portion 176 can be increased by the oil storage member 176. [In this case, an axial cross-sectional area of the oil storage unit 175d or the low oil member 176 may be formed to be larger than or equal to the that of the key portion 175.

[0205] Even when the storage oil member is inserted into and coupled to the oil storage groove as described above, the basic structure or the operational effect thereof is similar to the above-described embodiment. However, in the present embodiment, oil stored in the oil storage unit 175d may be more effectively preserved as the oil storage member 176 having an oil storage capacity is inserted into the oil storage unit 175d. In addition, as the storage member 176 itself has a predetermined strength, the strength reduction of the key portion 175, which may be generated while the oil storage unit 175d is formed in the key portion 175, may be suppressed, thereby preventing the key portion 175 from being broken.

[0206] Meanwhile, another embodiment of the oldham ring according to the present disclosure will be described as follows.

[0207] In other words, in the above-described embodiment, the ring portion and the key portion of the oldham ring are formed as a single body, but the present embodiment may be similarly applicable to a case where the ring portion and the key portion of the oldham ring are fabricated and assembled respectively. FIG. 20 is an exploded perspective views showing a state in which a key portion is separated from a ring portion to explain another embodiment of an oldham ring in a motor-driven compressor according to the present embodiment.

[0208] As illustrated in FIG. 20, a fixed groove 171a and a fixed protrusion 175f may be formed on the ring portion 171 and the key portion 175, respectively, so that the ring portion 171 and the key portion 175 of the oldham ring can be separately fabricated and assembled, but the key portion 175 can be fixed to the ring portion 171. Of course, the fixed groove and the fixed protrusion may be formed on opposite sides to each other.

[0209] Furthermore, the key portion 175 may be formed with the oil storage unit 175d described above. Of course, the oil storage member (not shown) described above may be inserted into and coupled to the oil storage unit.

[0210] Even when the ring portion 171 and the key portion 175 are assembled and formed as described above, the basic structure and effects are the same as those of the above-described embodiments. However, when the ring portion 171 and the key portion 175 are assembled and formed as in the present embodiment, the materials of the ring portion 171 and the key portion 175 may be formed differently if necessary.

[0211] For example, the ring portion 171 of the oldham ring is formed of a lightweight material such as aluminum because the ring portion 171 generates less friction than the key portion 175, whereas the key portion 175 may be formed of a steel or iron material having wear resistance. Thus, it may be possible to suppress the key portion from being damaged due to wear-out while reducing the overall weight of the oldham ring.

[0212] On the other hand, in the above case, the key portion itself of the oldham ring may be formed in a form capable of storing oil. FIG. 21 is an exploded perspective views showing a state in which a key portion is separated from a ring portion to explain still another embodiment of an oldham ring in a motor-driven compressor according to the present embodiment.

[0213] As shown in FIG. 21, the ring portion 171 is formed of a lightweight material such as aluminum as described above, whereas the key portion 175 may be formed of a material having wear resistance as compared to aluminum. In this case, the key portion 175 may be formed of a porous shape or material so as to have an oil storage effect.

[0214] Accordingly, even when the compressor is stopped, oil flowing between the key portion 175 and the key groove (not shown) remains in fine holes or fine grooves provided in the key portion 175 to lubricate between the key portion 175 and the key groove when the compressor is restarted.

[0215] On the other hand, even when the foregoing reinforcement member is inserted into the key portion according to the present embodiment, the oil storage unit may be formed in the key portion. However, when the oil storage unit may be formed in the key portion, a communication hole may be formed on a surface of the reinforcing member facing the oil storage unit to efficiently supply oil to the oil storage unit.

[0216] FIG. 22 is an exploded perspective view showing a reinforcing member in a key portion of an oldham ring according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 23 is a fractured perspective view showing the key portion and the reinforcing member in a state in which the reinforcing member is assembled to the key portion of the oldham ring in FIG. 22.

[0217] For example, as shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, some of the key portions 175 may be arranged in a horizontal or substantially horizontal direction. Of the key portions, for the key portion 175 arranged in a horizontal or substantially horizontal direction, the foregoing oil storage unit 175d may be formed on a circumferential one side surface, more precisely, on a sliding side surface 175c positioned on the upper side.

[0218] Here, the upper sliding side surface 175c is surrounded by the reinforcing surfaces 181a, 181b, 181c of the reinforcing member 180 together with a lower sliding side surface 175c and an outer circumferential side surface 175a on an opposite side thereto. Then, the oil storage unit 175d provided on the upper sliding side surface 181b is closed by the first reinforcing surface 181a. Then, oil flowing into the key grooves 146, 166 is guided to the oil storage unit 175d by the reinforcing member 180 and discharged as it is without being stored.

[0219] However, when the communication hole 186 is formed in the first reinforcing surface 181a of the reinforcing member 180 facing the oil storage unit 175d, as illustrated in the present embodiment, oil flowing into the key groove is efficiently moved to the oil storage unit 175d through the communication hole 186 to store oil in the oil storage unit 175d. The resultant operational effect are the same as those of the above-described embodiments, and the description thereof will be omitted. Of course, although not shown in the drawing, a clearance may be generated between the reinforcing member and the key portion due to a machining error or an assembly error, and oil may flow into the oil storage unit through the clearance. In this case, even when the communication hole is not formed in the reinforcing member, part of oil may be stored in the oil storage unit.

[0220] In addition, in the foregoing embodiments, a low-pressure scroll compressor in which an inner space of the casing constitutes a suction space has been described, but the present disclosure may be similarly applicable to a high-pressure scroll compressor in which an inner space of the casing constitutes a discharge space.

Claims

1. A scroll compressor, comprising:

a first scroll (150);

a second scroll (160) configured to form a compression chamber with the first scroll (150) while being engaged with the first scroll (150) to perform an orbiting movement;

an oldham ring (170) including a ring portion (171) formed in an annular shape and a key portion (175) protruded from the ring portion (171), the key portion (175) being slidably coupled to a key groove (166) provided in the second scroll (160) to allow the second scroll (160) to perform an orbiting movement with respect to the first scroll (150); and

a reinforcing member (180, 280, 380, 480, 580, 680) coupled to the key portion (175) of the oldham ring (170), and provided between the key groove (166) of the second scroll (160) and the key portion (175) of the oldham ring (170).

2. The scroll compressor of claim 1, wherein the reinforcing member (180, 280, 380) comprises:

a plurality of reinforcing surfaces (181a, 181b, 281a, 281b, 381a, 381b) facing both circumference side surfaces of the key portion;

a connecting surface (182, 282, 382) connecting one ends of the respective reinforcing surfaces to each other to face an outer circumferential side surface of the key portion; and

a plurality of fixing surfaces (183a, 183b, 283a, 283b, 383a, 383b) bent at one ends of the respective reinforcing surfaces toward the other reinforcing surfaces facing the respective reinforcing surfaces to face an inner circumferential side surface of the key portion (175).

3. The scroll compressor of claim 2, further comprising a release preventing groove (175b1, 275b1) having a predetermined depth in a radial direction and formed on an inner circumferential side surface of the key portion (175), and
release preventing portions (185a, 185b, 285a, 285b) bent toward the release preventing groove (175b1, 275b1) and formed on both fixing surfaces of the reinforcing member (180, 280).

4. The scroll compressor of claim 2, further comprising a release preventing groove (275b1) having a predetermined depth in a radial direction and formed on an inner circumferential side surface of the key portion (175), and the release preventing groove (275b1) being formed to have one end open in an axial direction, and
release preventing portions (285a, 285b) bent toward the release preventing groove (275b1) and formed on both fixing surfaces of the reinforcing member (280).

5. The scroll compressor of claim 2, further comprising a release preventing groove (375b1) having a predetermined depth in a radial direction and formed on an inner circumferential side surface of the key portion (175), and the release preventing groove (375b1) being formed to have an engaging surface in a shape closed in an axial direction, and
wherein the fixing surfaces (383a, 383b) of the reinforcing member are inserted into the release preventing groove (375b1) and supported in an axial direction by the engaging surface.

6. The scroll compressor of claim 1, the reinforcing member (480) comprises:

a plurality of reinforcing surfaces (481a, 481b) facing both circumference side surfaces of the key portion (175); and

a connecting surface (482) connecting one ends of the plurality of reinforcing surfaces to each other to face an outer circumferential side surface of the key portion (175), and

wherein the scroll compressor further comprising release preventing grooves (475c1) having a predetermined depth and formed on both circumferential side surfaces of the key portion (175), and

release preventing portions (485a, 485b) formed in a protrusion shape on both reinforcing surfaces of the reinforcing member and inserted into the release preventing grooves (475c1).

7. The scroll compressor of claim 1, wherein the reinforcing member (580) comprises a first reinforcing member provided to face one circumferential side surface of the key portion (175) and a second reinforcing member provided to face the other circumferential side surface of the key portion (175).

8. The scroll compressor of claim 7, wherein release preventing grooves (575a1, 575b1) having a predetermined depth in radial directions opposite to each other are respectively formed on an outer circumference side surface and an inner circumferential side surface of the key portion (175), and
the first reinforcing member and the second reinforcing member respectively comprises reinforcing surfaces (581a, 581b) facing both circumferential side surfaces of the key portion (175), a plurality of fixing surfaces (583a, 583b) respectively bent at both ends of the reinforcing surfaces, and a plurality of release preventing portions (585a, 585b) respectively bent toward the release preventing grooves (575a1, 575b1) on the plurality of fixing surfaces.

9. The scroll compressor of claim 1, wherein the reinforcing member (680) comprises:

a connecting surface (682) facing one axial side surface of the key portion (175); and

a plurality of fixing surfaces (681a, 681b) respectively bent at both ends of the connecting surface (682) to face both circumferential side surfaces of the key portion (175).

10. The scroll compressor of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein an oil storage unit (175d) is provided at the oldham ring (170) or a member to which the oldham ring (170) is coupled to store oil.

11. The scroll compressor of claim 10, wherein the oil storage unit (175d) is formed to be recessed by a predetermined depth in the key portion toward the ground.

12. The scroll compressor of claim 11, wherein the oil storage unit (175d) is formed on an outer side portion of the oldham ring (170) including a key root portion (175e) where the key portion (175) starts to protrude from the ring portion (171).

13. The scroll compressor of any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the oil storage unit (175d) comprises an oil storage member (176) capable of containing oil.

14. The scroll compressor of any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein a communication hole (186) being open toward the oil storage unit (175d) is formed on a surface of the reinforcing member (181a) facing the oil storage unit (175d).

Drawing