BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a motor-operated compressor.
2. Background of the Invention
[0002] Among various compression methods, a scroll compression method suitable for high
compression ratio operation is mainly applied to motor-operated compressors. In a
scroll-type motor-operated compressor, a motor part having a rotary motor is installed
inside a sealed casing, and a compression part composed of a stationary scroll and
an orbiting scroll is installed on one side of the motor part. The motor part and
the compression part are connected to each other by a rotary shaft to transfer the
rotational force of the motor part to the compression part. The rotational force transferred
to the compression part enables the orbiting scroll to orbit relative to the stationary
scroll so that a pair of two compression chambers each composed of a suction chamber,
an intermediate pressure chamber, and a discharge chamber are formed and also refrigerant
is suctioned into both of the compression chambers and then compressed and discharged
at the same time.
[0003] A scroll-type compression applied to an automobile air conditioning system (hereinafter
abbreviated as a motor-operated compressor) is mainly installed in a horizontally
long shape because of the structure of an automobile engine room. The motor part and
the compression part are arranged in a horizontal direction and connected to the rotary
shaft. Thus, a main frame and a subframe for supporting the rotary shaft are horizontally
provided on both sides of the motor part, and a main bearing is provided on the main
frame to support a central portion of the rotary shaft. A sub-bearing is provided
in the subframe to support one end of the rotary shaft.
[0004] An example of conventional motor-operated compressors is disclosed in
U.S. Patent Publication No. 2014/0134032A1 (May 14, 2004). In the motor-operated compressor, a back pressure space is formed between the main
frame and the orbiting scroll to support the orbiting scroll toward the stationary
scroll by the pressure in the back pressure space.
[0005] However, the conventional motor-operated compressor as described above has a problem
in that the number of components is increased because a sealing member is provided
to seal the back pressure space. Furthermore, the number of components may be further
increased because a conventional sealing member should be fastened to the main frame.
[0006] Also, in the conventional motor-operated compressor, as the back pressure space is
sealed such that the pressure in the back pressure space is stagnated, oil cannot
be smoothly supplied to the back pressure space, resulting in oil shortage. Thus,
there is a problem in that a frictional loss occurs in the sealing member or bearing
located inside the back pressure space.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Therefore, an aspect of the detailed description is to provide a motor-operated compressor
capable of suppressing an increase in manufacturing cost due to the use of a sealing
member by allowing a back pressure space to be formed even after the sealing member
is removed.
[0008] Also, the present invention provides a motor-operated compressor capable of forming
a back pressure space in an open shape to eliminate the use of a sealing member.
[0009] Also, the present invention provides a motor-operated compressor capable of smoothly
supplying oil to a bearing surface by enabling a back pressure space having a relatively
high pressure to communicate with an inner space of a casing having a relatively low
pressure to maintain the internal pressure in the back pressure space while preventing
stagnation of the internal pressure.
[0010] To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of this
specification, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided a motor-operated
compressor in which a plurality of scrolls is provided inside a casing and supported
by a frame, any one of the plurality of scrolls is fastened to the frame, and the
frame and the stationary fastened to the frame are axially spaced apart at a certain
interval to radially support a rotary shaft for transferring a rotational force of
a driving motor.
[0011] Here, a shaft hole passing through the rotary shaft may be formed in the frame, a
bearing for radially supporting the rotary shaft may be provided in the shaft hole,
and the back pressure space and the inner space of the casing may communicate through
a gap between an inner peripheral surface of the bearing and an outer peripheral surface
of the rotary shaft.
[0012] In order to achieve the objectives of the present invention, there is also provided
a motor-operated compressor including a casing having an inner space composed of a
suction space and a discharge space, a first scroll provided in the inner space of
the casing, a second scroll configured to orbit in engagement with the first scroll
to form a pair of two compression chambers between the first scroll and the second
scroll, a rotary shaft coupled to the second scroll and configured to transfer a rotational
force of a driving motor to the second scroll, and an intermediate pressure space
formed on one side of the second scroll to communicate with the discharge space, configured
to accommodate oil flowing in from the discharge space to form back pressure supporting
the second scroll toward the first scroll, and opened toward the suction space so
that a portion of the accommodated oil flows out into the suction space.
[0013] Here, a frame forming the intermediate pressure space along with the second scroll
may be further provided on one surface of the second scroll, a shaft hole passing
through the rotary shaft may be formed in the frame, a first bearing for radially
supporting a first bearing part of the rotary shaft may be provided inside the shaft
hole, and a first radial bearing surface may be formed between an inner peripheral
surface of the first bearing and an outer peripheral surface of the first bearing
part, and both ends of the first radial bearing surface may communicate with the intermediate
pressure space and the suction space, respectively.
[0014] Also, an oil flow path may be longitudinally formed on the rotary shaft, the oil
flow path may have one end communicating with the discharge space, and at least one
oil supply hole may be formed through a center of the oil flow path toward an outer
peripheral surface of the rotary shaft, and also the oil supply hole may be placed
outside an axial range of the first bearing part.
[0015] Also, the oil flow path may have another end placed outside the axial range of the
first bearing.
[0016] Also, an oil flow path may be longitudinally formed on the rotary shaft, the oil
flow path may have one end communicating with the discharge space, and a plurality
of oil supply holes may be formed to pass through a center of the oil flow path toward
an outer peripheral surface of the rotary shaft, and at least one of the plurality
of oil supply holes may be placed within an axial range of the first bearing part.
[0017] Also, the oil supply hole placed within the axial range of the first bearing part
may have a smaller inner diameter than those of oil supply holes placed outside the
axial range of the first bearing part.
[0018] Also, the oil supply hole placed within the axial range of the first bearing part
may be eccentrically placed toward the discharge space with respect to an axial center
of the first bearing part.
[0019] Here, at least one bearing surface may be formed on an outer peripheral surface of
the rotary shaft, and an oil flow path and an oil supply hole for guiding the oil
of the discharge space to the bearing surface may be formed on the rotary shaft, and
the intermediate pressure space may communicate with the discharge space through the
oil flow path and the oil supply hole.
[0020] Also, an intermediate pressure hole communicating between the intermediate pressure
space and the compression chambers may be formed in the second scroll.
[0021] Here, a space part forming the intermediate pressure space may be formed in the frame,
a shaft hole through which the rotary shaft is to pass may be formed at a center of
the space part, and a bearing for radially supporting the rotary shaft may be provided
in the shaft hole, and the intermediate pressure space may communicate with the suction
space through a gap between an outer peripheral surface of the rotary shaft and an
inner peripheral surface of the bearing provided in the shaft hole.
[0022] In order to achieve the objectives of the present invention, there is also provided
a motor-operated compressor including a casing having an inner space composed of a
suction space and a discharge space; a first scroll provided in the inner space of
the casing; a second scroll configured to orbit in engagement with the first scroll
to form a pair of two compression chambers between the first scroll and the second
scroll; a frame placed opposite to the first scroll with the second scroll being interposed
therebetween; and a rotary shaft having a first bearing part radially supported by
the frame, a second bearing part radially supported by the first scroll through the
second scroll, and an eccentric part placed between the first bearing part and the
second bearing part and eccentrically coupled to the second scroll, wherein an oil
flow path having one end communicating with the discharge space is formed on the rotary
shaft, at least one oil supply hole for guiding oil of the discharge space to the
first bearing part, the second bearing part, and the eccentric part is formed to pass
through a center of the oil flow path toward an outer peripheral surface of the rotary
shaft, and the oil supply hole includes a first oil supply hole formed within a range
of the second bearing part; and a second oil supply hole formed within a range of
the eccentric part, and the oil supply hole is formed outside a range of the first
bearing part.
[0023] Here, the oil flow path may be formed from one end of the rotary shaft forming the
second bearing part up to the range of the eccentric part.
[0024] Also, a shaft support part protruding opposite to the compression chamber may be
formed on the first scroll, the second bearing part of the rotary shaft being rotatably
inserted into the shaft support part, and a communication hole for communicating between
the oil flow path and the discharge space may be formed on the shaft support part.
[0025] Also, the rotary shaft may be configured to form a first radial bearing surface together
with the frame, configured to form a second radial bearing surface together with the
first scroll or the casing that forms the discharge space together with the first
scroll, and configured to form a third radial bearing surface together with the second
scroll, and oil having passed through the second radial bearing surface or the third
radial bearing surface may be guided to the first radial bearing surface.
[0026] Also, the first radial bearing surface may have one end communicating with an intermediate
pressure space provided between the frame and the second scroll and another end communicating
with the suction space.
ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0027] With the motor-operated compressor according to the present invention, it is possible
to suppress an increase in manufacturing cost due to the use of a sealing member by
removing the sealing member from a frame forming an intermediate pressure space.
[0028] Also, with the motor-operated compressor according to the present invention, it is
possible to facilitate manufacture of a rotary shaft by reducing the length of an
oil flow path of the rotary shaft and also decreasing the number of oil supply holes
because no separate oil supply hole is formed in a bearing part corresponding to a
shaft hole of a frame.
[0029] Also, with the motor-operated compressor according to the present invention, an intermediate
pressure space and a suction space may communicate through a radial bearing surface
by removing a sealing member for separating the intermediate pressure space from the
suction space. Thus, it is possible to smoothly supply oil to a bearing surface by
maintaining internal pressure in the intermediate pressure space while preventing
stagnation of the internal pressure in the intermediate pressure space.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the inside of a motor-operated compressor
according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a portion of a compression part
of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view sowing a rotary shaft and bearings of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for illustrating an oil supply passage in a scroll compressor
according to this embodiment.
FIGS. 5 and 6 are cross-sectional views of other examples of an oil supply hole according
to this embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing an example in which a pressure reducing part
is provided in an oil supply passage of the motor-operated compressor according to
this embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the intermediate pressure
space of the motor-operated compressor according to this embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0031] Hereinafter, a motor-operated compressor according to the present invention will
be described in detail with reference to an embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings.
[0032] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the inside of a motor-operated compressor
according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing
a portion of a compression part of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view sowing
a rotary shaft and bearings of FIG. 1.
[0033] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a low-pressure motor scroll compressor (hereinafter abbreviated
as a motor-operated compressor) according to this embodiment includes a frame 102
fastened to the inside of a compressor casing (hereinafter abbreviated as a casing)
101, a driving motor 103, which is a motor part, provided on one side of the frame
102, and a compression part 105 provided on the other side of the frame 102 and configured
to compress refrigerant using the rotational force of the driving motor 103.
[0034] The casing 101 is placed in a horizontal direction with respect to a ground surface,
and the driving motor 103, and thus the compression part 105 are arranged in the horizontal
direction. For convenience, in the following description, the right of FIG.1 is designated
as a front side, and the left of FIG. 1 is designated as a rear side.
[0035] The casing includes a main housing 111 in which the frame 102, the driving motor
103, and compression part 105 are installed and a rear housing 112 coupled to an open
rear end of the main housing 111 to cover the main housing 111. A suction port 101a
is formed in the main housing 111, and an exhaust port 101b is formed in the rear
housing 112. A suction space S1 is formed in the main housing 111, and a discharge
space S2 is formed in the rear housing 112.
[0036] The frame 102 is coupled to a front open end of the main housing 111. A first scroll
150, which will be described below, is fastened to and supported by a rear surface
of the frame 102. A second scroll 160, which will be described below, is turnably
supported on the rear surface of the frame 102 to orbit between the first scroll 150
and the frame 102.
[0037] The driving motor 103 includes a stator 131 fastened in the main housing 111, a rotor
132 placed inside the stator 131 and configured to rotate due to an interaction with
the stator 131, and a rotary shaft 133 coupled to the rotor 132 and configured to
transfer the rotational force of the driving motor 103 to the compression part 105
while rotating together with the rotor 132.
[0038] The compression part 105 includes a stationary scroll (hereinafter referred to as
a first scroll) 150 supported by the frame 102 and an orbiting scroll (hereinafter
referred to as a second scroll) 160 provided between the frame 102 and the first scroll
150 and configured to form a pair of two compression chambers V between the first
scroll 150 and the second scroll 160 while orbiting relative to the first scroll 150.
An oldham ring 170 is provided between the frame 102 and the second scroll 160 as
an anti-rotation mechanism for preventing rotation of the second scroll 160 coupled
to the rotary shaft 133.
[0039] In the first scroll 150, a stationary scroll end plate (hereinafter referred to as
a stationary end plate) 151 is formed in a substantially circular plate shape, and
a stationary scroll side wall (hereinafter referred to as a scroll side wall) 152
to be coupled to a frame side wall 122 is formed at an edge of the stationary end
plate 151. A stationary wrap 153 constituting the compression chamber V in engagement
with an orbiting wrap 162, which will be described below, is formed on a front surface
of the stationary end plate 151, and a shaft support part 151a for supporting a second
bearing part 133d of the rotary shaft 133, which will be described below, is formed
on a rear surface of the stationary end plate 151.
[0040] A suction flow path 154 is formed on one side of the scroll side wall 152 to enable
the suction space S1 to communicate with a suction chamber (not shown), and a discharge
port 155 for communicating with a discharge chamber and discharging compressed refrigerant
into the discharge space S2 is formed at the center of the stationary end plate 151.
[0041] In the second scroll 160, an orbiting scroll end plate (hereinafter referred to as
an orbiting end plate) 161 is formed in a substantially circular plate shape, and
an orbiting wrap constituting the compression chamber in engagement with the stationary
wrap 153 is formed on the rear surface of the orbiting end plate 161.
[0042] Also, an intermediate pressure hole 161a for enabling communication between an intermediate
pressure space S3 and a compression chamber (an intermediate pressure chamber) V,
which will be described below, is formed at the center of the orbiting end plate 161.
Through the intermediate pressure hole 161a, oil moving into the intermediate pressure
space S3 is supplied to the compression chamber V. The intermediate pressure hole
161a will be described below together with the oil supply passage.
[0043] The orbiting wrap 162 as well as the stationary wrap 153 may be formed in an involute
shape, but may be formed in a non-involute shape.
[0044] When power is applied to the driving motor 103 of the scroll compressor, the rotary
shaft 133 rotates along with the rotor 132 to transfer a rotational force to the second
scroll 160, and the second scroll 160 is orbited by the oldham ring 170. Thus, the
compression chamber V is continuously moved toward the center, thereby decreasing
the volume of the compression chamber V.
[0045] Then, refrigerant flows into the suction space S1 through the suction port 101a.
The refrigerant that has flowed into the suction space S1 is suctioned into the compression
chamber V through the suction flow path 154 via a flow path formed on the outer peripheral
surface of the stator 131 and the inner peripheral surface of the main housing 111
or via a gap between the stator 131 and the rotor 132.
[0046] Then, this refrigerant is compressed by the first scroll 150 and the second scroll
160 and discharged into the discharge space S2. In the discharge space S2, oil is
separated from the refrigerant. The refrigerant is discharged in a refrigeration cycle
through the exhaust port 101b while the oil is supplied to the compression chamber
and bearing surfaces through an oil supply passage Fo, which will be described below.
The series of processes are repeated.
[0047] Since the scroll compressor according to the present invention is installed in a
horizontal direction, the rotary shaft may be stably supported when being supported
at two or more points. To this end, the rotary shaft may be supported at both sides
with respect to the driving motor or may be supported at one side with respect to
the driving motor. In the former case, the length of the compressor is relatively
long while in the latter case, the length of the compressor is shortened.
[0048] FIG. 1, which has been disclosed above, is a diagram showing an example of the latter
case. Referring to this, an oil supply structure of the scroll compressor according
to this embodiment will be described as follows.
[0049] That is, in order to support both ends of the rotary shaft, one end of the rotary
shaft passing through the second scroll may be inserted into and supported by the
first scroll or may be inserted, through the first scroll, into and supported by the
rear housing. Therefore, the former case will be described first in this embodiment,
and the latter case will be described later in another embodiment.
[0050] Referring to FIG. 1 again, the main housing 111 has a cylindrical part 111a formed
in a cylindrical shape. A front part 111b, which is integrally extended and closed,
is formed at a front end of the cylindrical part 111a. The rear housing 112 is coupled
to an open rear end of the cylindrical part 111a to seal the cylindrical part 111a.
[0051] The rear housing 112 is coupled to the cylindrical part 111a of the main housing
111 to seal the inside of the casing 101. The discharge space S2 is formed in the
rear housing 112, and the exhaust port 101b is formed at one side of the discharge
space S2. An oil separator (not shown) for separating oil from discharged refrigerant
is separately installed inside or around the exhaust port 101b. Alternatively, an
oil separation part is formed without a separate oil separator.
[0052] Here, the discharge space S2 has an oil separation part S21, which separates oil
from refrigerant discharged from the compression chamber, formed in an upper portion
and an oil storage part S22, which stores the oil separated by the oil separation
part S21, formed in a lower portion. The oil storage part S22 communicates with the
compression part 105 through the oil supply passage Fo, which will be described below,,
and the oil of the oil storage part S22 is supplied to the compression part 105 or
the rotary shaft 133.
[0053] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the rotary shaft 133 may be composed of a shaft part 133a,
a first bearing part 133b, an eccentric part 133c, and a second bearing part 133d.
[0054] The shaft part 133a is press-fitted and coupled to a rotor core of the rotor 132.
[0055] The first bearing part 133b is rotatably coupled through a frame shaft hole 125,
which will be described below,. A first bearing 181, which is a bush bearing to be
described later, is inserted into and coupled to the inner peripheral surface of the
frame shaft hole 125. The outer peripheral surface of the first bearing part 133b
forms a first radial bearing surface B1 together with the inner peripheral surface
of the first bearing 181.
[0056] The eccentric part 133c is eccentrically formed extending from the first bearing
part 133b to one end (hereinafter referred to as a first end) of the rotary shaft
133 and coupled through a rotary shaft coupling part 163 of the second scroll 160.
The rotary shaft coupling part 163 is formed to pass through the center of the orbiting
end plate 161. A third bearing 183, which is a bush bearing, is inserted into and
coupled to the inner peripheral surface of the rotary shaft coupling part 163. The
inner peripheral surface of the third bearing 183 forms a third radial bearing surface
B3 together with the outer peripheral surface of the eccentric part 133c.
[0057] The second bearing part 133d extends further toward the first end from the eccentric
part 133c and is rotatably inserted into the shaft support part 151a of the first
scroll 150. A second bearing 182, which is a bush bearing, is inserted into and coupled
to the inner peripheral surface of the shaft support part 151a. The inner peripheral
surface of the second bearing 182 forms a second radial bearing surface B2 together
with the outer peripheral surface of the second bearing part 133d. However, the second
bearing 182 is not limited to a bush bearing. That is, a needle bearing may be used
as the second bearing 182. The needle bearing may be utilized as an axial bearing,
and thus it is possible to restrain the rotary shaft 133 from being pushed toward
the other end (hereinafter referred to as a second end) to some extent.
[0058] Meanwhile, the shaft support part 151a protrudes from the center of the stationary
end plate 151 of the first scroll 150 rearward, that is, toward the rear housing 112.
However, the shaft support part 151a may be formed so as not to protrude from the
stationary end plate 151. However, in this case, the stationary end plate 151 may
be formed to have a greater thickness by the thickness of the shaft support part 151a.
[0059] Also, a communication hole 151b for enabling the inner space of the shaft support
part 151a to communicate with the oil storage part S22 may be formed in the shaft
support part 151a, and an oil supply pipe 141 coupled to face the oil storage part
S22 may be connected to the communication hole 151b. However, the present invention
is not limited to an oil supply pipe, and an oil supply groove may be formed on the
bottom surface of the first scroll 150 or in the rear housing 112 and then connected
to the communication hole 151b
[0060] Meanwhile, an oil flow path 142 constituting a portion of the oil supply passage
Fo is formed in the rotary shaft 133, and a plurality of oil supply holes 142a and
142b are formed in the middle of the oil flow path 142 at regular intervals in the
lengthwise direction.
[0061] The oil flow path 142 may be formed up to an intermediate position of the rotary
shaft 133. That is, since the oil flow path 142 should communicate with a first oil
supply hole 142a and a second oil supply hole 142b to be described bow, the length
or depth of the oil flow path 142 may be greater than that of the second oil supply
hole 142b, which is an oil supply hole at the eccentric part side relatively far from
one end of the rotary shaft 133 at the compression part side.
[0062] For example, since the second oil supply hole 142b, which will be described below,
is formed within the range of the eccentric part 133c, the oil flow path 142 may also
be formed from the end of the rotary shaft 133 at the compression part side (or an
end at the second bearing part side) up to the range of the eccentric part 133c. The
oil is discharged only through the first oil supply hole 142a and the second oil supply
hole 142b even if the oil flow path 142 is further formed to a certain depth beyond
the second oil supply hole 142b. Therefore, it is not necessary to form the oil flow
path 142 deeply up to or beyond the eccentric part. However, when the oil flow path
142 is formed to be longer toward the first bearing part, it is possible to reduce
the weight of the rotary shaft and increase the motor efficiency.
[0063] The plurality of oil supply holes 142a and 142b may penetrate radially toward the
outer peripheral surfaces of the second bearing part 133d and the eccentric part 133c
so that the oil moving through the oil flow path 142 is guided to each bearing surface.
The plurality of oil supply holes 142a and 142b may be formed within the axial ranges
of the second bearing part 133d and the eccentric part 133c corresponding to the oil
supply holes 142a and 142b. Based on the order in which the oil moves, among the plurality
of oil supply holes, an oil supply hole formed in the second bearing part 133d is
classified as the first oil supply hole 142a, and an oil supply hole formed in the
eccentric part 133c is classified as the second oil supply hole 142b.
[0064] Meanwhile, as described above, the frame 102 is located between the driving motor
103 and the compression part 105 and axially support the second scroll 160.
[0065] Also, a frame end plate 121 is formed in the frame 102 in a disc shape. A frame side
wall 122 to which the side wall 152 of the first scroll 150 is to be coupled is formed
at an edge of a rear surface of the frame end plate 121, and an intermediate pressure
space S3, which will be described below, is formed at the center of the rear surface
of the frame end plate 121.
[0066] Also, a frame thrust surface 123, on which the second scroll 160 is to be mounted
and by which the second scroll 160 is to be axially supported, may be formed on an
inner side of the frame side wall 122, and a sealing member 191 for sealing the intermediate
pressure space S3 may be provided in the frame thrust surface 123. Since the sealing
member 191 is provided on a thrush surface between the frame 102 and the second scroll
160, the sealing member 191 may be provided on the bottom surface of the second scroll
160.
[0067] Here, the intermediate pressure space S3 is a space formed between the rear surface
of the frame 102 and the orbiting end plate 161 of the second scroll 160, which face
each other. The intermediate pressure space is formed to always communicate with the
intermediate pressure hole 161a of the second scroll 160. Thus, the intermediate pressure
space S3 communicates with the compression chamber (the intermediate pressure chamber)
V through the intermediate pressure hole 161a such that refrigerant or oil moves between
the intermediate pressure space S3 and the compression chamber V depending on a difference
in pressure between the intermediate pressure space S3 and the compression chamber
V. accordingly, the pressure in the intermediate pressure space S3 is equal to an
intermediate pressure between the pressure in the suction space S1 and the final pressure
(i.e., discharged pressure) in the compression chamber V, and the rear surface of
the second scroll 160 is supported by the back pressure in the intermediate pressure
space S3.
[0068] Also, the above-described frame shaft hole 125 is formed at the center of the frame
102 forming the intermediate pressure space S3. A first bearing 181, which forms a
first radial bearing surface B1 along with the outer peripheral surface of the rotary
shaft 133, i.e., specifically, the outer peripheral surface of the first bearing part
133b, may be inserted into and coupled to the inner peripheral surface of the frame
shaft hole 125.
[0069] Also, a fine lubricating interval t1 is formed on the first radial bearing surface
B1 placed between the outer peripheral surface of the first bearing part 133b and
the inner peripheral surface of the first bearing 181. The intermediate pressure space
S3 and the suction space S1 may communicate with each other through the lubricating
interval t1.
[0070] As described above, when the first radial bearing surface B1 is sealed using a separate
sealing member, the number of components is decreased due to the addition of the sealing
member, and also new oil is prevented from flowing into the intermediate pressure
space S3 because the pressure in the intermediate pressure space S3 is stagnated due
to separation of the intermediate pressure space S3 from the suction space S1.
[0071] Thus, the oil can not be rapidly supplied to the compression chamber V communicating
with the intermediate pressure space S3 such that the stationary wrap 153 and the
orbiting wrap 162 may be worn or a frictional loss may occur. Furthermore, oil cannot
be supplied even to the first radial bearing surface B1 communicating with the intermediate
pressure space S3 such that friction losses may occur between the first bearing part
133b and the first bearing 181.
[0072] However, like this embodiment, when a gap between the first bearing part 133b and
the first bearing 181 are opened without being sealed, the intermediate pressure space
S3 communicates with the suction space S1 through the fine lubricating interval t1
formed on the first radial bearing surface B1, as shown in FIG. 4.
[0073] Thus, the discharge space S2 communicates with the suction space S1 and the compression
chamber V through the intermediate pressure hole 161a provided in the second scroll
160 and the radial bearing surfaces B2, B3, and B1 consisting of the oil supply passage.
[0074] Thus, the oil of the discharge space S2 moves to the intermediate pressure space
S3 through the second and third bearing surfaces B2 and B3, and the oil having moved
to the intermediate pressure space S3 forms a kind of back pressure in the intermediate
pressure space S3 to support the second scroll 160 toward the first scroll 150.
[0075] In addition, a portion of the oil of the intermediate pressure space S3 is supplied
to the compression chamber V through the intermediate pressure hole 161a to lubricate
a gap between the stationary wrap 153 and the orbiting wrap 162 while another portion
thereof flows out into the suction space S1 through the first radial bearing surface
B1.
[0076] Thus, as the pressure in the intermediate pressure space S3 forms a flowing pressure,
the oil of the discharge space S2 continuously moves to the intermediate pressure
space S3. This oil may be circulated by moving to the compression chamber V and the
suction space S1 through the intermediate pressure hole 161a and the first radial
bearing surface B1, respectively.
[0077] In this case, an oil supply hole of the rotary shaft 133 is formed within the ranges
of the eccentric part 133c and the second bearing part 133d forming the second radial
bearing surface B2 and the third radial bearing surface B3, but is not formed within
the range of the first bearing part 133b forming the first radial bearing surface
B1.
[0078] When an oil supply hole is formed even within the ranges of the first bearing part
133b, the discharge space S2, the discharge space S2 directly communicates with the
suction space S1 even though the pressure in the discharge space S2 is much higher
than that in the suction space S1. Thus, the oil of the discharge space S2 is en,
the oil in the discharge space S2 quickly flows out into the suction space S1 such
that the oil moves to the first and second oil supply holes 142a and 142b little or
not at all. In this case, oil cannot be smoothly supplied to the second radial bearing
surface B2 or the third radial bearing surface B3. This may cause fraction losses
in the second bearing 182 and the third bearing 183. In addition, the amount of oil
flowing into the intermediate pressure space S3 becomes insufficient, so that oil
supplied to the compression chamber V may become insufficient, or back pressure may
not be secured, thereby causing axial leakage in the compression chamber V when the
compressor is activated.
[0079] Therefore, as described above, no oil supply hole may be formed within the range
of the first bearing part 133b, and the oil supply holes 142a and 142b may be formed
within the ranges of only the second bearing part 133d and the eccentric part 133c,
respectively.
[0080] However, an oil supply hole may be formed in the first bearing part 133b in order
for oil to be quickly supplied even to the first bearing part 133b. FIGS. 5 and 6
are cross-sectional views of other examples of the oil supply holes according to this
embodiment.
[0081] As an example, as shown in FIG. 5, a third oil supply hole 142c is formed within
the range of the first bearing part 133b. In this case, the inner diameter D3 of the
third oil supply hole 142c may be smaller than the inner diameter D1 or D2 of the
first oil supply hole 142a or the second oil supply hole 142b.
[0082] Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the pressure and amount of oil flowing to the
first radial bearing surface B1 through the third oil supply hole 142c. In this case,
it is possible to prevent more oil from moving to the third oil supply hole 142c than
to the other oil supply holes 142a and 142b while quickly supplying oil to the first
radial bearing surface B1, compared to the aforementioned embodiment. Thus, it is
possible to uniformly supply oil to each of the bearing surfaces B1, B2, and B3 and
also appropriately maintain the back pressure in the intermediate pressure space S3.
[0083] As another example, as shown in FIG. 6, the third oil supply hole 142c is also formed
within the range of the first bearing part 133b, but may be positioned eccentrically
toward the eccentric part 133c with respect to the axial center of the first bearing
part 133b.
[0084] Thus, a communication distance from the third oil supply hole 142c to the suction
space S1 through the first radial bearing surface B1 increases. As a result, the same
effect as in the previous embodiment can be expected.
[0085] Although not shown, the third oil supply hole 142c may be placed outside the range
of the first bearing part 133b, that is, between the first bearing part 133b and the
eccentric part 133c. In this case, the same effect as in the aforementioned embodiments
can be expected.
[0086] Meanwhile, a pressure reducing part may be formed in the oil supply passage Fo. FIG.
7 is a cross-sectional view showing an example in which a pressure reducing part is
provided in an oil supply passage of the motor-operated compressor according to this
embodiment.
[0087] For example, the oil supply passage Fo has an entrance communicating with the discharge
space S2 (specifically, an oil storage), which is a high pressure part, and an exit
communicating with the suction space S1, which is a low pressure part. Thus, when
the pressure reducing part is not provided in the oil supply passage Fo, the oil of
the discharge space S2 may excessively flow out into the suction space S1.
[0088] In view of this, a pressure reducing member 143 such as a pressure reducing bar is
inserted into the oil flow path 142 constituting the oil supply passage Fo to narrow
the inner diameter of the oil flow path 142, thereby lowering the pressure of oil
passing through a pressure reducing section to an intermediate pressure. The pressure
reducing member 143 may be placed not only inside the rotary shaft 133 but also anywhere
in the upper stream with respect to the oil supply holes 142a and 142b.
[0089] However, as described above, the oil of the discharge space is depressurized while
passing through the second radial bearing surface, the third radial bearing surface,
and the first radial bearing surface, and thus a separate pressure reducing part may
not be provided.
[0090] Meanwhile, another embodiment of the scroll compressor according to the present invention
is as follows.
[0091] That is, according to the above-described embodiment, an intermediate pressure space
is formed between a frame and a second scroll, and a balance weight is provided outside
the frame, i.e., outside the intermediate pressure space. However, according to this
embodiment, a space part forming the intermediate pressure space is recessed from
the frame by a predetermined depth to form a back pressure space, and a balance weight
is accommodated in the back pressure space. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing
another example of the intermediate pressure space of the motor-operated compressor
according to this embodiment.
[0092] As shown, according to this embodiment, a space part 124 forming the intermediate
pressure space S3 is formed at the center of the rear surface of the frame 102, as
described above, and the frame shaft hole 125 may be formed to pass through the center
of the space part 124.
[0093] The first bearing 181 is inserted into and fastened to the inner peripheral surface
of the frame shaft hole 125. The first radial bearing surface B1 is formed between
the inner peripheral surface of the first bearing 181 and the corresponding outer
peripheral surface of the first bearing part 133b.
[0094] Here, since no sealing member is provided between the inner peripheral surface of
the first bearing 181 and the corresponding outer peripheral surface of the first
bearing part 133b, the first radial bearing surface B1 has one end communicating with
the intermediate pressure space S3 and the other end communicating with the suction
space S1, as in the above-described embodiment. Thus, the intermediate pressure space
S3 communicates with the suction space S1 through the first radial bearing surface
B1, and a portion of the oil flowing into the intermediate pressure space S3 flows
out into the suction space S1. Thus, the internal pressure in the intermediate pressure
space S3 forms a flowing pressure. Then, the oil of the discharge space S2 flows into
the intermediate pressure space S3 through the oil flow path 142, the oil supply holes
142a and 142b, the second radial bearing surface B2, and the third radial bearing
surface B3, and a portion of the oil moves to the compression chamber V through the
intermediate pressure hole 161a, and a portion of other oil moves to the suction space
S1 through the first radial bearing surface B1. The series of processes are repeated.
[0095] Even in such as case, the basic configuration and corresponding action effects are
the same as those of the above-described embodiment, and thus a description thereof
will be omitted.
[0096] Meanwhile, still another embodiment of the scroll compressor according to the present
invention is as follows.
[0097] That is, in the aforementioned embodiments, the rotary shaft passes through the second
scroll, which is an orbiting scroll, and is supported by the first scroll, which is
a stationary scroll, or by the rear housing forming the casing. However, in the this
embodiment, one end of the rotary shaft does not pass through the orbiting scroll
and is coupled to a boss part provided on the bottom surface of the orbiting scroll.
[0098] In the scroll compressor according to this embodiment, as described above, the boss
part is formed on the bottom surface of the second scroll, which is an orbiting scroll,
and one end of the rotary shaft is eccentrically coupled to the boss part.
[0099] Also in this case, a back pressure space forming an intermediate pressure space may
be formed between the second scroll and the frame, the frame shaft hole may be formed
at the center of the back pressure space, and the first bearing may be inserted into
and coupled to the inner peripheral surface of the frame shaft hole.
[0100] Also, since a sealing member is not provided between the inner peripheral surface
of the frame shaft hole and the corresponding outer peripheral surface of th first
bearing part, the back pressure space communicates with the suction space.
[0101] The basic configuration and corresponding action effects of the scroll compressor
according to this embodiment are the same as those of the aforementioned embodiments,
and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.
1. A motor-operated compressor comprising:
a casing (101) having an inner space composed of a suction space (S1) and a discharge
space (S2);
a first scroll (150) provided in the inner space of the casing (101); a second scroll
(160) configured to orbit in engagement with the first scroll (150) to form a pair
of two compression chambers between the first scroll (150) and the second scroll (160);
a rotary shaft (133) coupled to the second scroll (160) and configured to transfer
a rotational force of a driving motor (103) to the second scroll (160); and
an intermediate pressure space (S3) formed on one side of the second scroll (160)
to communicate with the discharge space (S2), configured to accommodate oil flowing
in from the discharge space (S2) to form back pressure supporting the second scroll
(160) toward the first scroll (150), and opened toward the suction space (S1) so that
a portion of the accommodated oil flows out into the suction space (S1).
2. The motor-operated compressor of claim 1, wherein,
a frame (102) forming the intermediate pressure space (S3) along with the second scroll
(160) is further provided on one surface of the second scroll (160),
a shaft hole (125) passing through the rotary shaft (133) is formed in the frame (102),
a first bearing (181) for radially supporting a first bearing part (133b) of the rotary
shaft (133) is provided inside the shaft hole (125), and
a first radial bearing surface (B1) is formed between an inner peripheral surface
of the first bearing (181) and an outer peripheral surface of the first bearing part
(133b), and both ends of the first radial bearing surface (B1) communicate with the
intermediate pressure space (S3) and the suction space (S1), respectively.
3. The motor-operated compressor of claim 2, wherein,
an oil flow path (142) is longitudinally formed on the rotary shaft (133), the oil
flow path (142) has one end communicating with the discharge space (S2), and at least
one oil supply hole is formed to pass through a center of the oil flow path (142)
toward an outer peripheral surface of the rotary shaft (133), and
the oil supply hole is placed outside an axial range of the first bearing (181).
4. The motor-operated compressor of claim 3, wherein the oil flow path (142) has another
end placed outside an axial range of the first bearing part (133b).
5. The motor-operated compressor of claim 2, wherein,
an oil flow path (142) is longitudinally formed on the rotary shaft (133), the oil
flow path (142) has one end communicating with the discharge space (S2), and a plurality
of oil supply holes (142a, 142b, 142c) are formed to pass through a center of the
oil flow path (142) toward an outer peripheral surface of the rotary shaft (133),
and
at least one of the plurality of oil supply holes (142a, 142b, 142c) is placed within
an axial range of the first bearing part (133b).
6. The motor-operated compressor of claim 5, wherein the oil supply hole (142c) placed
within the axial range of the first bearing part (133b) has a smaller inner diameter
than those of oil supply holes (142a, 142b) placed outside the axial range of the
first bearing part (133b).
7. The motor-operated compressor of claim 5 or 6, wherein the oil supply hole (142c)
placed within the axial range of the first bearing part (133b) is eccentrically placed
toward the discharge space (S2) with respect to an axial center of the first bearing
part (133b).
8. The motor-operated compressor of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein,
at least one bearing surface is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the rotary
shaft (133), and an oil flow path (142) and an oil supply hole for guiding the oil
of the discharge space (S2) to the bearing surface are formed on the rotary shaft
(133), and
the intermediate pressure space (S3) communicates with the discharge space (S2) through
the oil flow path (142) and the oil supply hole.
9. The motor-operated compressor of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein an intermediate
pressure hole (161a) communicating between the intermediate pressure space (S3) and
the compression chambers is formed in the second scroll (160).
10. The motor-operated compressor of any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein,
a space part (124) forming the intermediate pressure space (S3) is formed in the frame
(102), a shaft hole (125) through which the rotary shaft (133) is to pass is formed
at a center of the space part (124), and a bearing for radially supporting the rotary
shaft (133) is provided in the shaft hole (125), and
the intermediate pressure space (S3) communicates with the suction space (S1) through
a gap between an outer peripheral surface of the rotary shaft (133) and an inner peripheral
surface of the bearing provided in the shaft hole (125).
11. The motor-operated compressor of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the rotary shaft
(133) is provided with a first bearing part (133b) radially supported by the frame
(102), a second bearing part (133d) radially supported by the first scroll (150) through
the second scroll (160), an eccentric part (133c) placed between the first bearing
part (133b) and the second bearing part (133d) and eccentrically coupled to the second
scroll (160), and an oil flow path (142) having one end communicating with the discharge
space (S2), wherein
at least one oil supply hole for guiding oil of the discharge space (S2) to the first
bearing part (133b), the second bearing part (133d), and the eccentric part (133c)
is formed to pass through a center of the oil flow path (142) toward an outer peripheral
surface of the rotary shaft (133), and
the oil supply hole comprises:
a first oil supply hole (142a) formed within a range of the second bearing part (133d);
and
a second oil supply hole (142b) formed within a range of the eccentric part (133c),
the oil supply hole is formed outside a range of the first bearing part (133b).
12. The motor-operated compressor of claim 11, wherein the oil flow path (142) is formed
from one end of the rotary shaft (133) forming the second bearing part (133d) up to
the range of the eccentric part (133c).
13. The motor-operated compressor of claim 11 or 12, wherein,
a shaft support part (151a) protruding opposite to the compression chamber is formed
on the first scroll (150), the second bearing part (133d) of the rotary shaft (133)
being rotatably inserted into the shaft support part (151a), and
a communication hole (151b) for communicating between the oil flow path (142) and
the discharge space (S2) is formed on the shaft support part (151a).
14. The motor-operated compressor of any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein,
the rotary shaft (133) is configured to form a first radial bearing surface (B1) together
with the frame (102), configured to form a second radial bearing surface (B2) together
with the first scroll (150) or the casing (101) that forms the discharge space (S2)
together with the first scroll (150), and configured to form a third radial bearing
surface (B3) together with the second scroll (160), and
oil having passed through the second radial bearing surface (B2) or the third radial
bearing surface (B3) is guided to the first radial bearing surface (B1).
15. The motor-operated compressor of claim 14, wherein the first radial bearing surface
(B1) has one end communicating with an intermediate pressure space (S3) provided between
the frame (102) and the second scroll (160) and another end communicating with the
suction space (S1).